The CESAR Scheme is celebrating a major milestone after its 700,000th system was announced at the LAMMA show at the NEC, Birmingham.
Since launching in 2007, CESAR has become the UK’s official security and registration system for construction and agricultural machinery. It is fitted to hundreds of thousands of machines and is widely adopted by leading OEMs.
Kawasaki is the manufacturer to take delivery of the milestone 700,000th system.
Powered by Datatag ID Ltd’s forensic marking technology, each CESAR-marked machine is given a permanent, unique identity. This is recorded on a database accessible by police and law enforcement, enabling quick confirmation of ownership and supporting the recovery of stolen equipment. The system combines visible ID plates, RFID transponders, Datadots and forensic DNA.
Police and insurance data is said to show that CESAR-marked machines are four times less likely to be stolen and six times more likely to be recovered than unmarked equipment. This has driven widespread adoption by manufacturers, including JCB, Kubota, Manitou, John Deere, New Holland and Kawasaki, many of whom now fit CESAR as standard before machines leave the factory.
Viki Bell, CEO of the CEA (Construction Equipment Association), which owns the CESAR Scheme, said, “Reaching 700,000 systems delivered shows how far CESAR is now embedded across construction and agriculture. Manufacturers are choosing to make security standard, and that is having a real effect on theft and recovery. This milestone reflects the collective effort of the industry, the police and our delivery partner, Datatag.”
Kevin Howells, MD of Datatag ID Ltd, added, “Delivering 700,000 systems is the result of long-term commitment from manufacturers and the wider industry. CESAR reduces theft, improves recovery rates and gives police a practical way to identify stolen machinery. That is why it continues to be specified as standard.”
Craig Watson, Kawasaki’s sales and marketing manager, commented, “At Kawasaki we know how important our machines are to the people who rely on them every day. Security is not an optional extra – it is part of the product. Our continued commitment to CESAR, and our association with the 700,000th system announced at LAMMA, reflects the value we place on protecting our customers’ equipment and their businesses.”
