DPD Ireland, the country’s largest parcel delivery company, with a centralised hub in Athlone, is in the process of recruiting 100 additional staff to meet “a phenomenal increase in demand” due to Covid-19.
The company’s chief executive Des Travers said its volumes have “gone through the roof” with deliveries of electrical goods up 800 percent, pet food up 300 percent, and sports equipment up 225 percent.
He said deliveries are continuing to increase week on week, with most shops closed, and more and more consumers turning to the internet to shop.
“Parcel volumes have exceeded those handled on Black Friday weekend 2019, with the company experiencing its busiest parcel volume throughput ever through its Athlone Central Sortation hub on Tuesday.
“In the last month we have increased the number of drivers in the network by 115 to 1,100. However, that’s not enough, we need more,” Mr. Travers commented.
He said the company was hopeful of hiring 100 additional drivers, adding that it was looking for people over the age of 25, with previous delivery experience and a full licence to apply for driver positions on their website.
“Our hub has plenty of capacity. The expansion in 2018 and subsequent deployment of additional chutes in Q4 last year means that we can handle the increased volume easily,” he said.
In terms of behavioural changes, drivers are reporting that people are waiting for their deliveries with even more anticipation that usual, that it’s the highlight of their day, particularly if they are self-isolating.
