ONLINE retail giant Amazon is planning to open its second Northern Ireland delivery station by the end of this year.
The 7,000 square metre facility at Mahon industrial estate in Portadown will create over 20 permanent jobs, in addition to more than 100 driver opportunities for Amazon Logistics’ delivery service partners and Amazon Flex delivery partners.
Delivery stations power the last mile of the Amazon order process and help speed up deliveries for customers.
Packages are shipped to a delivery station from neighbouring Amazon fulfilment and sortation centres, loaded into delivery vehicles and delivered to customers.
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said: "The creation of 20 permanent warehouse jobs and around 100 driver opportunities in Portadown is a tremendous boost to the local economy.
"More and more companies are recognising the merits in making this area a distribution hub, with a road network linking to main arterial routes to every corner of Northern Ireland, and beyond.
"Amazon recognising this really puts the area on the map and I very much welcome this investment."
Kerry-Anne Lawlor, country director for Amazon Logistics, said: “We're excited to invest in the Portadown area with this new facility which will provide efficient delivery for customers, and create new jobs for the talented workforce.”
Amazon says pay for employees starts at £10 an hour and employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection and an employee discount – which combined are worth more than £700 annually – as well as a company pension plan.
It is holding a free virtual training and recruiting day on September 16, and job seekers can register at amazoncareerday.com
Meanwhile Amazon also confirmed that it will open its first fulfilment centre in Ireland, creating 500 permanent jobs.
The new site will be at Baldonnell business park outside Dublin, and it will open next spring.
