Parcel delivery service DPD Ireland has opened a 15,000ft2 distribution depot for County Kilkenny to facilitate the increase in deliveries to the area since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Overall, the company will spend €30m (US$29.9m) on building the hub which is 10,000ft2 larger than the previous site. DPD Ireland has relocated the Kilkenny depot to a distribution center in the Hebron Industrial Estate. The depot currently sorts approximately 2,500 parcels per day, an increase from 1,600 parcels per day pre-Covid. The company expects the depot to be delivering everything from farm machinery parts to PCR tests and balloons throughout the county.
DPD Ireland has invested more than €8m (US$7.9m) in parcel delivery depots and technology in 2021, amid the Covid-19 e-commerce boom. The company spent €5m (US$4.9m) expanding capacity in the hub in the town of Athlone and €3m (US$2.9m) upgrading IT infrastructure to speed package delivery to customers. It also opened a new distribution center for Cavan and Monaghan in April 2022.
MJ McGuinness, managing director of DPD Kilkenny, said, “The expansion was driven by a significant increase in the demand for business-to-customer deliveries, adding that the new larger facility will ensure the company can handle the increased parcel volume growth in the county. The past two years have seen unprecedented demand in the parcel delivery industry. Successful delivery is a crucial part of the home shopping experience, and we want to contribute positively to local businesses as they continue to adapt and build for a post-pandemic future.”
The new depot was opened by Michael McGrath, the Irish Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, who said, “I am delighted to be performing the official opening of this wonderful new facility today and I want to congratulate everyone who has made this expansion possible.
“Covid-19 has brought many societal changes with it, from more flexible working practices to a greater use of online shopping. While Covid-19 has presented many challenges, there have been many opportunities also for some businesses and different sectors and the expansion of DPD Ireland Kilkenny is a clear example of this. The move to this new facility is a sign that DPD Ireland is committed to the local economy here in Kilkenny, and I want to wish the workforce and management here the very best.”