UPS has entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire Nightline Logistics Group, one of the leading express delivery and logistics companies in Ireland.
The acquisition will give customers a wider array of both domestic and cross-border services.
Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed and the deal is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.
“Operating for more than 40 years in Europe, and almost 30 years in Ireland, UPS continues to build a powerful portfolio of services for our customers throughout the region,” said Jim Barber, president, UPS International.
“Nightline will complement our existing services, increasing delivery density, while also adding innovative new service options. We also look forward to bringing UPS’s extensive healthcare, high-tech and other specialised logistics expertise to the many Irish companies that specialise in these markets,” he said.
“Over the past 25 years, Nightline has grown to be one of Ireland’s leading privately-owned parcel delivery, freight and logistics companies,” said Nightline co-founder and CEO, John Tuohy. “As we celebrate over two decades in business, this is the right time in the company’s evolution to join the world’s largest parcel delivery company,” he said.
Nightline’s Parcel Motel service offers a ‘virtual address’ that allows customers to manage their online shopping deliveries easily. The service is similar to UPS Access Point™ Lockers and creates the potential for network synergies.
“Ireland has long been a strong, global trade player, exporting and importing heavily with some of the world’s largest economies, including the UK, United States, Germany, China, and France, among others,” said UPS Europe region president, Nando Cesarone. “With the addition of Nightline, we continue on our growth path in Europe, and will now be able to better serve customers who export into, and out of, Ireland.”
UPS currently provides both small package and supply chain services to customers in Ireland, with a full suite of ground, air and ocean freight solutions. The company also operates gateway functions at both the Dublin and Shannon airports.
With the combination of both companies’ operations, UPS will significantly enhance its presence in Ireland, adding more ground sorting capacity and vehicles throughout the country.
Initially, the two brands will operate separately but will be integrated over time.
Image credit: Nightline
