It’s a sign of the times that an X-ray security system maker that primarily does business with government security agencies and prisons is now selling its products to the freight industry. Rapiscan Security Products, a subsidiary of OSI Systems, said it has now sold 90 of its X-ray screening devices to freight and overnight shipping companies since the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States – sales worth $3.5 million. The units purchased are 500 Series large bore cargo scanners, with tunnel sizes ranging from 1x1 meter to 1.5x1.65 meter, allowing for the screening of shipping crates and pallet cargo. Rapiscan said all 90 orders should be delivered by December of this year.
Rapiscan said it typically provides its X-ray screening equipment to airports, customs facilities, correctional facilities, and government agencies. That has changed since the attacks, said Peter Williamson, the company’s vp of sales and marketing.
"Heightened security concerns and increased awareness of the vulnerability of cargo shipments to terrorist threats have led to more stringent freight screening and created an increase in demand for our products in the United Kingdom, the United States, and in Asia," he said.