In 2009, Berezowski, who is divisional vice-president loss prevention and returns with Sears Canada, opted to install Brijot millimetre wave whole body imaging technology to help detect and reduce the amount of goods being smuggled out of the retailer’s one million square foot Vaughan logistics centre.

Sears Canada’s National Logistics Services operates six warehouse facilities that total 5.5 million square feet involving 3,200 associates.

Sears had several security and inventory shrink awareness programs and procedures in place as well as loss prevention equipment including bag/parcel checks, facility audits, patrols, etc. which incorporated CCTV and access control.

Berezowski understood that the initial point of loss for any corporation begins at the supply chain and losses progressively increase as merchandise changes facilities/locations and travels through many hands. His goal was to tackle several areas in the supply chain, with a special focus on Sears warehouses.

“It was all part of a deep dive analysis on our most vulnerable areas,” says Berezowski. “The logistics centre was a gap we had to close right away.”

Berezowski’s loss prevention technology manager met with Worldwide Imaging and Detection Systems of Mississauga, Ont., which specializes in electronic personnel screening, and discussed the use of passive millimetre wave technology. Worldwide is the Canadian representative of Brijot’s Gen 2 Full Body Imaging system.

“We were looking for technology to close that gap at our warehouse and Brijot sold us on it — it’s a different technology, and not one a lot of people have for retail. It’s definitely new.”

The Brijot systems are in several major retail distribution centres and manufacturing locations in Canada with “known populations.”
“That means they don’t screen the public,” says Robert Dyk, vice-president of sales for Worldwide Imaging.