Parcel delivery company to open two additional sortation facilities & invests €2.5 million
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar announced plans by DPD Ireland to expand its nationwide operations, creating 700 new jobs before the end of the year. Up to 150 positions will be based in their headquarters in Athlone and the remaining 550 drivers and operational personnel will be required to service deliveries to and from all of their 36 regional depots nationwide.
DPD Ireland, which is the country’s largest parcel delivery company, is also investing €1 million in its automation and routing systems in its central hub and sortation facility in Athlone.
The company will invest a further €1 million in additional driver scanner technology to support the anticipated parcel volume increase due to flow through the business this Christmas period and has already spent €500,000 this year doubling the size of its depots in Cork, Kildare and Meath, with two more facilities opening in Dublin this month.
Speaking from Government Buildings, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Mr. Varadkar said, “This investment from DPD Ireland, which will create 700 jobs nationwide is a fantastic boost to the country. Depots in Cork, Kildare and Meath have already doubled in size this year, attesting to the massive increase in online shopping we’ve seen during the pandemic. Athlone is the ideal location for the expansion to DPD Ireland’s facility due to its skilled workforce and high connectivity to the whole country. I wish DPD Ireland the very best of luck with this latest development.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Mr. Troy said, “Today’s announcement of 700 new jobs by DPD Ireland is a really positive development for the Midlands. The expansion of their operation represents a strong endorsement of Athlone and the Midlands as an excellent place to succeed in business.”
He continued, “The Midlands has had to face a difficult transition with the decline of peat production and like every other region is now experiencing the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. The announcement by DPD Ireland today however demonstrates that economic renewal and growth is possible despite these challenges. I want to congratulate DPD Ireland management and all of its employees for creating this success story in Athlone.
My Department and its Agencies will continue to work closely with stakeholders in every region through the collaborative regional Enterprise Plans so that we continue to enhance the conditions for business and jobs growth throughout the country.”
DPD Ireland chief executive Des Travers said the company is actively recruiting at the moment and confirmed that the company has experienced a phenomenal increase in demand due to Covid-19.
“Our services have played an important role in these unprecedented times, with consumers ordering more online due to Coronavirus concerns. The new jobs will increase our workforce to almost 2000, enabling us to continue to meet customer demand,” he said.
“The additional roles provide a glimmer of light against the bleak backdrop of the Coronavirus crisis, and we hope the expansion of our business will help boost the economy as a whole.”
The new jobs are in addition to 100 new driver roles announced in April of this year amid a surge in demand due to the pandemic. The company reported increases in deliveries of electrical goods of 800%, with pet food up 300%, and sports equipment up 225% at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
DPD Ireland was a recent winner of the Fleet Transport #StrenghtInUnity Transport Heroes Award