DPD Ireland has entered into the agri-food market with the launch of a storage and fulfilment facility dedicated to the industry. The company has invested €500,000 into its new division to date.
DPD will now provide ambient, chilled and frozen storage at its newly expanded logistics facility in Athlone. Through an integrated warehouse management system, they can link directly into the shipper’s order management software and provide tracking details from storage to fulfilment to dispatch to delivery.
DPD has a range of ‘smart boxes’ available to control temperature throughout the delivery process, including specially designed totes containing eutectic and insulation plates.
Gavin Warwick, general manager of logistics at DPD Ireland, commented: “The challenge for the supplier up to now has been to ensure delivery within very strict time limits in order to ensure freshness and quality on delivery.
“The DPD Food offering, which includes the ‘Predict’ messaging service, provides the consumer with the exact hour of delivery and offers them the flexibility to opt for delivery to a neighbour or to a safe place. This ensures that deliveries are made speedily, punctually, and reliably. Food logistics and delivery in Ireland has enormous potential.”
The company’s newly expanded hub and logistics facility was officially opened by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny in January. DPD has 38 depots throughout Ireland, north and south. DPD Ireland delivers 11 million parcels annually while their parent group, DPDgroup delivers over four million parcels across Europe daily.
