Online freight firm to create 100 Dublin jobs

An online shipment service company is to locate its European headquarters in Dublin, creating 100 new jobs.

Kansas-based Freightquote plans to operate its European freight and shipping business from an office in Sandyford Industrial Estate.

The move will create 100 new positions over the next 12 months. The company says it has already begun recruiting for multilingual roles within its sales, customer services and finance departments.

Freightquote allows customers book various types of freight transportation online without the use of a broker or an intermediary.

The company says this simplifies the process for the freight companies and lowers the cost of shipping for consumers.

The business, which was set up in1998, recorded revenues of $378 million last year and now employs more 850 people across North America.

Its online services are integrated into the US eBay site allowing buyers and sellers access shipment costs before bidding on items over 150 pounds in weight.

The company’s Irish operation will provide sales, service and support functions to for its European business.

One of initial tasks will be the localisation of the company’s European websites in multiple languages.

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan said: “Some of the reasons Freightquote chose Dublin were due to the skills availability, geographical proximity to Dublin Airport and freight carriers as well as the cluster of other multinational companies in the East Region.”

“This proposal is consistent with IDA Ireland’s strategic objectives for the development of the online business, digital media and communications sector in Ireland,” Ms Coughlan said.

Freightquote managing director JD Buckley said: “In just a few years, the company has grown from managing a few dozen shipments to a few thousand shipments every day, helping tens of thousands of customers improve their freight transportation.”