Deep concern for local jobs at Fastway Couriers
Up to 300 jobs – many of them in Offaly and across the wider Midlands region - are understood to be at risk as a result of this week's announcement that the parent company of flagship courier company, Fastway Couriers, has gone into receivership.
The company, which has a large depot in Portarlington, has ceased trading with immediate effect, and concern is now mounting about the potential impact that the receivership will have on the livehlihoods of the workforce, and also the knock-on impacts for local small business owners.
Fine Gael TD for Offaly, John Clendennen, described the shock announcement as “a significant blow for employees, families, and the wider community in Portarlington who rely on the company for their livelihoods.”
He added that Fastway has been “a key employer” in Portarlington and across Offaly, contributing not just to the local economy but also to the broader logistics and delivery sector across the Midlands and indeed, nationally.
“The news that its parent company has gone into receivership will understandably cause anxiety among staff, subcontractors, franchisees and reliant businesses” he said.
Deputy Clendennen has made contact with the joint receivers and also with Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke, to ensure that every possible support is made available to the affected workers and that perishable stock on the site is promptly distributed.
“It’s vital that the receiver is given every opportunity to find a buyer or restructure operations to secure the company’s future presence in Offaly. The Midlands has built a strong reputation for business growth and innovation, and we cannot afford to lose that momentum” said the local deputy.
Independent TD for Offaly, Carol Nolan, has also expressed her concern about the Fastway receivership and said there is “widespread concern” among a range of small businesses within the county following the shock announcement.
“This is dreadful news for all of the employees and their families, particularly in the run up to Christmas. It is also the very last thing that many small businesses in Offaly need given the sheer volume of pressures that already exist for them. They too will be seriously impacted as they approach the busy Christmas trading period,” said Deputy Nolan.
“I am aware of a number of SME’s and indeed hauliers who had long-established working relationships with Fastway. This news will come as a major disruptive shock to them.”
“I will be engaging with the company to see what we can do to alleviate the pressures for small businesses,” she added.
The parent company of Fastway Couriers, Nuvion, is understood to have cited sustained inflation, rising operating costs and intense price pressures in the parcels market for the receivership and have indicated that their business model is no longer viable in its current form