€2m Athlone investment to create 120 new jobs

Some 120 new jobs are to be created by DPD Ireland on foot of a €2m investment in its central sorting hub in Athlone.

The announcement was made today (Wednesday) in Athlone by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys.

It's understood 60 of the new jobs will be based in Athlone, with the remaining 60 in other locations right across the country.

The roles consist of drivers, sortation staff in the regional networks, night staff at the Athlone hub and administration staff throughout the country, with recruitment for the new jobs to begin immediately.

The company aims to significantly scale up its Irish operations by increasing its sorting capacity in Athlone and boosting staff numbers in the country from 1,720 to 1,840 employees. At present, it employs 520 staff in Athlone.

The latest investment at the company’s central sortation hub in Athlone, brings the total investment in the facility to €38 million.

The Minister said: “Today’s announcement is significant, not only for Athlone and the Midlands region, but nationwide.”

"Through my Department’s Regional Enterprise Plans, and the productive collaboration that they are supporting in the Midlands and beyond, my aim is to further enhance the potential for regional enterprise growth, so that we can replicate success stories like this one.

"I look forward to seeing these new jobs having a big impact in the local area, and I wish you every success in the exciting period ahead,” the Minister concluded.