UPS has entered a definitive purchase agreement to acquire Irish express delivery and logistics company, Nightline Logistics Group, offering customers a wider array of domestic and cross-border services.

The two brands will operate separately initially, and will be integrated over time, and UPS says combining the two companies will significantly enhance its presence in Ireland, adding more ground sorting capacity and vehicles throughout the country.

UPS provides small package and supply chain services to customers in Ireland with a full suite of ground, air and ocean freight solutions, and also operates gateway functions at both Dublin and Shannon airports.

Nightline co-founder and chief executive officer, John Tuohy says: “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 – one with a reputation for taking care of its people and a culture that aligns well with our own.”

“Our customers across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain will benefit from an even wider reach, enjoying direct connectivity to global export markets, and it will be an important milestone in the company’s growth into the future.”

UPS International president, Jim Barber says: “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.”

UPS Europe Region president, Nando Cesarone adds: “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. This is in addition to UPS’s commitment announced in 2014 to invest $2 billion in its European infrastructure by 2020.”