The announcement of a major expansion by German-owned logistics company, DB Schenker involving a doubling of its facilities and workforce at Shannon Free Zone is highly significant for the Shannon Region, according to Shannon Chamber.

DB Schenker is to invest €10 million in the provision of an additional 55,000 sq ft plant due for completion by late 2020. The expansion will more than double its existing capacity and lead to an increase in the workforce to around 100 people, effectively doubling its existing staff numbers.

Additional jobs to be created will be in various technical areas, including process engineering, solution design, account management and sales, as well as material handling.

Welcoming the company’s announcement made at the Shannon Chamber President’s Annual Lunch, Helen Downes, Chamber CEO said it represents a huge boost for the Region and the local industrial base.

“DB Schenker is a global industry leader with more than 140 years’ experience of logistics, which has had a direct presence in Shannon since 2007, when it acquired BAX Global that set up here in 1981 The fact that the company is now committing to grow its investment and physical presence at Shannon is a strong endorsement of the area’s appeal as an FDI and employment location,” Ms Downes added.

The planned expansion will incorporate a high-bay temperature-controlled warehouse and 15,000 sq ft of offices, Ray Hennessy, CEO of DB Schenker Ireland said.

“This capability will add further to our logistics offering in Ireland, where we already service the needs of many multinational and other firms. DB Schenker now employs over 320 people in Shannon, Cork and Dublin and is part of a global corporation that employs over 70,000 people in more than 100 countries,” he added.

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