DPD is investing €13 million to expand its operations in Ireland, including the creation of 200 new jobs, after launching new services in recent months.
The parcel company will double the size of its head office and sorting hub at Athlone, central Ireland, from 50,000 to 100,000 sq ft. On completion, the expansion will enable the company to triple its daily hub handling capacity from 60,000 to 150,000 parcels.
As a result, 200 additional jobs will be created over five years, with 70 being filled between now and Christmas. Positions include sorting technicians, drivers and administrative staff and will be located at the Head Quarters in Athlone and throughout the country.
Brendan O’Neill, CEO of DPD Ireland said: “Our vision for DPD Ireland is as ambitious as ever. The expansion itself involves an investment of over €13 million in our headquarters in Athlone. Online shopping is dramatically increasing, with Irish consumers expecting to spend over €13 billion on e-commerce by 2020. Our business plan reflects this change in consumer behaviour.
“We recently invested €1.9 million in our company’s IT scanning system which ensures that we maintain our position at the forefront of innovation in delivery technology.”
Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, who was present to welcome the job-creation announcement, said: “Online trading is growing rapidly in Ireland and across the world, and this offers massive opportunities to Irish businesses. Reports indicate that Irish consumers are spending over €6 billion online each year.”
DPD Ireland confirmed revenues of €54.2m in 2014 and is on track to report revenues over €63m for 2015. The company, which currently employs almost 1,000 people, has 38 depots throughout the country and handles in excess of 14 million parcels per year.
This year the company has invested heavily in the entire “customer experience”. DPDParcelWizard.ie, was launched earlier this year. The service allows customers to tailor their delivery schedules to suit their own individual needs, changing dates, times and location of delivery as the customer sees fit.
DPD’s UK Virtual Address service was launched last month. This is a delivery solution for those shopping online with UK e-tailers and faced with the delivery problems associated wuth delivering to the Republic. DPD Parcel Wizard users can use the Parcel Wizard Virtual NI address and DPD will then deliver their purchases from the Virtual Address to their door in the Republic of Ireland for a small fee of €3.85.
