Tibbett Logistics achieves AEO certification

Romania's largest privately owned contract logistics specialist, Tibbett Logistics - part of the UK-based Keswick Enterprises Group - been awarded full AEO certification. The highest AEOF ('Authorised Economic Operator - Full') status has been granted following a detailed audit across all the company's locations.

The award means that Tibbett Logistics will now be able to offer its clients simplified customs procedures, plus priority customs clearance and fewer physical checks on freight moved, among other benefits.

With the number of companies in Romania with AEOF status still only in double figures, the auditors commented that the inspection of Tibbett Logistics' operations was one of their most diverse and complex to date. In total, 10 locations across the country were assessed for customs and security procedures and practices. These covered automotive warehousing and transport operations, retail and FMCG logistics activities, multi-user and e-commerce fulfilment sites, port operations, other distribution and forwarding locations, container block train operations and the company's intermodal terminal in Bucharest - which handles imports and exports by rail from/to Turkey and Asia, etc.

Tibbett Logistics CEO, David Goldsborough, commented: "Given the quantity of our operations audited, it is a credit to our entire management team that we achieved this certification - which will bring significant benefits to our clients in Romania - within just six months.

"Having commenced our intermodal operations to provide a smoother inbound supply chain for clients, we set up a customs office in 2010 simply to help eliminate waste, and minimise delays and unnecessary costs in import/export processes. The AEO certification, which is recognised worldwide, is a significant step forward in this objective - while also confirming the robustness of our management, procedures and security processes."

Tibbett Logistics provides intermodal logistics and extensive supply chain management services to the automotive, textiles, retail and other FMCG sectors across Romania and elsewhere in South East Europe. As well as operating over 80,000 sq metres (860,000 sq ft) of warehousing, the company has a distribution fleet comprising tilt trailers, double- and triple-chamber reefers and container chassis - along with its own intermodal rail wagons.