Global Supply Chain Security

In this timely work, James Giermanski describes the advent and development of security operations in the global supply chain, outlining the respective contributions of governmental and nongovernmental stakeholders to this worldwide concern. Global Supply Chain Security explores the potential impact of port-related catastrophic events in the United States and their effects worldwide, concentrating, in particular, on the United States’ contribution to global container security. Offering insights on deficiencies in U.S. policies, Giermanski underscores the vulnerabilities in the supply chain that U.S. government agencies have ignored, avoided, and even denied. Global Supply Chain Security treats both the terrestrial and maritime borders of the United States, reserving for special analysis the threat to the nation’s southern border of hazardous materials or materials in transshipment or in-bond, as well as the questionable leadership exhibited by the Department of Homeland Security in its diagnosis and treatment of these threats. Finally, Giermanski covers the important role played by the private sector and the off-the-shelf, innovative products that have been introduced to supply chain management and security.

About the Author :
Dr. James R. Giermanski is the Chairman of Powers Global Holdings, Inc., and President of Powers International, LLC, an international transportation security company. He served as Regents Professor at Texas A&M International University and as an adjunct graduate faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He was Director of Transportation and Logistics Studies, Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade at Texas A&M International University. He has authored over 150 articles, books, and monographs with most focusing on container and supply chain security, international transportation, and trade issues and for five years wrote the International Insight column in Logistics Management. He has appeared nationally as a special guest on the FOX News Channel’s Special Report with Brit Hume, CNN, NBC, CBS, NPR, BBC, Voice of America and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in addition to many local and regional affiliates.

Review :
Global Supply Chain Security is an exemplary and comprehensive examination of the Department of Homeland Security's initiatives to protect our nation's supply chain and a must-read for everyone. Giermanski's thorough examination of the vulnerabilities and the steps taken to fix the glaring gaps clearly reinforces the importance of continuing to be ever vigilant to terrorist attacks on this important segment of our economy. Few people know more about the cross-border movement of goods than Jim Giermanski, the “Paul Revere of cargo security.” Anyone who is involved in international trade will find food for thought—not to mention cause for alarm—in Global Supply Chain Security. Every aspect of cargo security, from customs procedures to transportation operations to government regulations and regulatory agencies worldwide, is laid bare. But this important book does far more than simply describe the state of cargo security in a post-9/11 world. It reveals which initiatives have failed and why, as well as how the public and the private sectors should redress those failures if we are to prevent another security catastrophe. This book on the current state of procedures and technology to prevent catastrophic security failures in ocean and land cargo shipping should be required reading by public officials and concerned citizens. Giermanski is an authority on the topic, currently heading a transportation security company and formerly serving as director of transportation and logistics studies at Texas A&M International University. He is highly critical of current Department of Homeland Security border security procedures and technology to keep US citizens safe from weapons of mass destruction. He describes supply chain security in clear language as electronic records of effective security procedures and controls at every step of container transportation, from original loading to unloading at the final destination, with container and trailer integrity maintained to prevent unauthorized introduction of materials or persons. The book comprehensively describes legislative acts and international agreements on cargo security, whose requirements are too often not met. Giermanski identifies many procedural and technological flaws in ocean and land cargo security. His evaluation of Homeland Security's incompetence in dealing with the security elements in global trade and resulting vulnerabilities add up to a whistleblower's horror story. More press coverage of these weaknesses seems warranted. Extensive, excellent references and index. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers; upper-division undergraduates through researchers/professionals.