GREEN BAY, WI. — Schneider National reported a 40 percent drop in full-truckload thefts and hefty 50 percent reduction in total value per load stolen. It’s the sixth year that the company has reported a drop in cargo thefts.

The secret?

There is no secret, said Schneider’s Director of Safety and Enterprise Security, Walter Fountain. And he should know: Fountain recently served as the chairman of the American Trucking Associations’ Supply Chain Security and Loss Prevention Council.

“I’ve always believed our proactive planning makes Schneider’s security program a success story year after year,” Fountain said. “It’s all about knowing the ins and outs of the freight we’re moving, keeping our customers updated, and arming our drivers with exceptional training and information.”

Drivers receive security-based and situational awareness training, Schneider explained. They also work closely with customers to develop security processes before cargo gets on the road. “Advance communication and use of team drivers on high-value loads, layers of security procedures, and both high- and low-tech security solutions are also critical in keeping freight safe,” the company said.

They’ve also started work on designing a custom lock.

FreightWatch’s International 2012 Annual Cargo Theft Report showed a 0.5 percent drop in the overall number of nationwide stolen freight incidents. Still, though, cargo theft has risen drastically over the past decade.

It’s crucial for the industry to work together to buck the climbing national trend, Fountain said. “Not only do we keep communication as clear and transparent as possible internally, but we also feel a sense of responsibility for helping guide the entire industry in a safer and more secure direction,” Fountain added.