UPS acquires Nightline, Irish delivery firm

Transport and logistics giant UPS Inc. said today it has acquired Irish delivery and logistics company Nightline Logistics Group for an undisclosed sum.

Under the transaction, the companies will operate independently for an undetermined period before Dublin-based Nightline is eventually absorbed into Atlanta-based UPS. Unlike some of UPS' prior acquisitions, where it would acquire its agent partner in a specific country, the two companies have not worked together before.

UPS entered the Irish market in 1988 through a joint venture with Walsh Western Express. UPS acquired Walsh the following year. Nightline, which is privately held, was founded in 1982.

UPS said the acquisition would add delivery density to its Irish operations and allow it to leverage its experience in healthcare and high-tech verticals for Irish companies in those fields. Ireland has a particularly strong global footprint in the pharmaceutical sector.

UPS has said previously that it plans to spend US$2 billion by 2020 on expanding its European operations.