Supply chain specialist Tigers Global Logistics Limited has been certified as an Authorised Economic Operator in the UK and has opened a new office in Leeds.

According to Tigers, the certification will mean that customers will benefit from a lower rate of compliance inspections, fewer customs control checks and simplified documentation for imports and exports.

“The AEO certification is internationally recognized, including in key markets such as China, India, Japan and the USA, inspiring even greater confidence in businesses worldwide to work with Tigers,” said Shahar Ayash, regional managing director of Europe at Tigers Global Logistics Limited.

Tigers’ SmartHub Connect web portal offers a virtual single logistics facility for brands entering the European market, minimizing any disruption caused by Brexit by physically placing products across the UK and the European Union but providing full visibility, inventory control, IT integration, a single tariff and one-currency billing all in the same place.

“The virtual warehouse means that, while goods may be physically located between the EU and the UK, they will simply appear to be located on different shelves in our system,” said Ayash.

“We know how challenging it is to deal with change, but we truly believe that the responsible approach is to be proactive to minimize disruptions that may arise from Brexit. Tigers offers full or limited fiscal representation to foreign companies wishing to set up new entities in the EU, the UK, or both, should they need it. The last-mile delivery represents 35% of the total supply chain cost. Our IT solution for the post-Brexit situation will not only eliminate the risk of the tax and customs implications created by this new situation, but will also allow for shorter transit times for last-mile deliveries, being closer to the end consumer and yielding reduced overall costs.”

The new office in Leeds is the company’s seventh location in the UK, after London Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Felixstowe, Cardiff, Banbury and Basildon.

“The opening of the new Leeds office provides an excellent opportunity, not only for Tigers, but also for our current and future partners in the North,” said Natalie Ryan, operations manager of Tigers Leeds. “Leeds is at the centre of the Northern Powerhouse and we want to help local businesses of all sizes to thrive, using our local expertise, leveraged against Tigers’ global reach and knowledge.”

Tigers now runs 13 offices in Europe, including offices in Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands.