The CESAR Scheme has confirmed its 700,000th system has been delivered, with the milestone announced today, Wednesday 14 January, at the LAMMA show at the NEC, Birmingham. Kawasaki, an established CESAR supporter, is the manufacturer linked to the landmark system.
Since launching in 2007, CESAR has become the UK’s official security and registration system for construction and agricultural machinery. It is now fitted to hundreds of thousands of machines across construction, agriculture and plant hire, and is widely adopted by leading OEMs.
Kawasaki already fits CESAR to its machines, and its association with the 700,000th unit reflects the continued commitment from major manufacturers to make security part of the standard specification rather than an optional extra.
Powered by Datatag ID Ltd’s multi-layered forensic marking technology, each CESAR-marked machine is given a permanent, unique identity. This is recorded on a secure database accessible 24/7 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.
Machinery theft continues to cost the UK economy millions each year. Police and insurance data 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, Managing Director 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.”
The CESAR Scheme is owned by the CEA ( Construction Equipment Association) and supported by the AEA (Agricultural Engineers Association) and AMPS (Association of Manufacturers and suppliers of Power generating Systems). It is backed by police forces across the UK, with officers trained to identify CESAR-marked machinery both on the roadside and at ports, helping prevent stolen equipment being exported.
Craig Watson, Kawasaki’s Sales and Marketing Manager, said:
“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.”
Kawasaki has already shown its commitment to machinery security. In 2024, the manufacturer confirmed the adoption of the CESAR system across its utility range, integrating CESAR as standard on all ATV models in anticipation of the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023. The move brought CESAR’s Datatag-powered technology to every new Kawasaki ATV, giving owners a built-in layer of protection from day one.