Tag: #HGV

One-Third of HGV Drivers Now Over 55

With almost one-third (31%) of Ireland’s HGV drivers now aged 55 or over, the logistics workforce is facing a deepening labour crisis as the sector moves into 2026. Large operators are fast-tracking investment in robotics, Autonomous Mobile Robots and data-driven Warehouse Management Systems. The continued expansion of Ireland’s robotics market in 2025 has shifted the skillset inside the warehouse, driving demand for mechatronics, maintenance, controls and data roles.

Despite Government-backed efforts in 2025, including an expanded Logistics & Supply Chain Skills Week[1] and additional HGV and logistics apprenticeships, the replacement pipeline remains under strain, leaving demand for qualified drivers at critical levels.

This shortage forms part of a wider pattern highlighted in Excel Recruitment’s newly published 2026 Industrial & Warehousing Salary Guide, which shows a sector under mounting pressure from rising employment costs, automation-driven skills demand, and persistent talent shortages. With Ireland’s unemployment rate at 5.3%[2], competition for qualified candidates remains intense – particularly for HGV drivers, warehouse operatives, and technical maintenance roles.

John Kearns, Industrial Division Manager at Excel Recruitment, commented:
“The industrial and warehousing sector is resilient, but the cost of employment is rising faster than ever. SMEs in particular are feeling the squeeze as they try to balance competitive pay while absorbing escalating statutory costs.

Automation is not replacing people, but it is changing what employers value. Rather than reducing headcount, automation is reshaping it, with employers now seeking adaptable workers who can combine hands-on experience with basic technical or digital skills.

Adaptability, technical skills, and digital literacy are now critical for long-term success. At the same time, the ageing workforce, especially among drivers, adds another layer of complexity to an already tight labour market”.

The Excel Recruitment Industrial & Warehousing Salary Guide 2026 reveals a dual challenge facing employers: rising payroll costs[3] and the urgent need to upskill staff as automation reshapes traditional roles.

Key Findings from the report include:

  • Cost Pressures: The minimum wage increase to €14.15/hour, PRSI hikes, and pension auto-enrolment are tightening employer budgets.
  • Skills Shortages: 65% of employers report moderate to severe skills shortages, particularly in HGV driving, maintenance, and digital operations.
  • Automation Impact: Investment in robotics and smart manufacturing surged by 50% in 2025, driving demand for mechatronics engineers, PLC technicians, and WMS superusers.
  • In-Demand Roles:
    • Drivers: HGV (C/CE), last-mile van drivers remain critical amid an ageing workforce.
    • Warehouse Operatives (with tech fluency): RF scanners, voice/vision pick, and basic WMS reporting skills have become increasingly essential.
    • Technical Specialists: Electro-mechanical maintenance technicians, PLC/controls techs, mechatronics engineers, WMS/OMS superusers and data analytics roles are commanding premium salaries.
    • Leadership & Compliance: Operations/warehouse managers, EHS/ESG coordinators, and customs/trade compliance specialists remain vital.

(Full salary guide available at www.excelrecruitment.com)

Notable Salary Changes

  1. Voice Picker
    • 2025: €13.50 – €16 per hour
    • 2026: €14.15 – €17 per hour
      (Increase driven by minimum wage rise and demand for tech fluency)
  2. Rigid Truck Driver
  • 2025: €17 – €22 per hour
  • 2026: €18 – €24 per hour

(Salary growth reflects ongoing skills shortages amid employer competition for experienced drivers)

  1. Van Driver
    • 2025: €14 – €16 per hour
    • 2026: €15 – €17 per hour
      (Reflects continued pressure on driver supply and ageing workforce)
  2. Warehouse Manager
    • 2025: €35k – €60k
    • 2026: €40k – €70k
      (Higher ceiling for experienced managers as automation projects expand)
  3. Assistant Warehouse Manager
    • 2025: €30k – €45k
    • 2026: €31k – €60k
      (Highlights the growing importance of operational leadership as warehouses adopt automation and advanced systems)

 

Looking Ahead

Excel Recruitment reports that despite challenges in the sector, demand for workers remains strong, driven by e-commerce growth, nearshoring, and green logistics. Employers who invest in training pathways, predictable shift patterns, and enhanced benefits will have a competitive edge in attracting and retaining talent.

Mr. Kearns noted,

“What really stands out from this year’s guide is how automation and workforce pressures are reshaping the industrial sector. For employers, it’s not just about filling roles – they need to rethink how teams are structured, what skills to invest in, and how to retain their people. Companies that embrace innovation and offer flexible working conditions will have a real advantage in attracting and keeping talent.

For SMEs, this is particularly challenging. They are being asked to compete in a market where technical skills and leadership capability are increasingly what set successful companies apart. On top of this, the ageing workforce and rising employment costs add further pressure. The employers that succeed will be those who combine upskilling, employee engagement, and clear training pathways to create a workplace people genuinely want to stay in”.

 

[1] Gov.ie – Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Week

2 CSO –  Labour Force Survey Quarter 3 2025

3 From January 2026, the National Minimum Wage will rise to €14.15 per hour, while employer PRSI will increase again in October. Pension auto-enrolment also launches in January, adding further cost layers for businesses already operating on tight margins.

An Post achieves 50% CO2 target early

An Post has achieved a 50% reduction in carbon emissions three months ahead of schedule, becoming one of the first national postal organisations in the world to reach this milestone—a rare example of a large semi-state commercial body delivering measurable climate impact while simultaneously growing its business and profits.
An Post’s original target of a 50% CO2 emissions reduction by 2030 was set in 2017; however, in 2021, An Post brought forward this target to the end of 2025, reflecting the urgency of delivering climate action and demonstrating its commitment to pursuing Ireland’s sustainability goals. Today’s announcement demonstrates tangible progress motivated by the 2015 Paris agreement and a 1.5-degree climate change limiting scenario, a key focus for the COP 30 Climate Change summit in Brazil. The transition to EVs and to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in HGVs has created a cleaner, quieter and healthier environment for communities nationwide.
Through a €100m investment to decarbonise its operation, more than half of An Post’s delivery routes are now electrified by the nation’s largest electric vehicle fleet. A total of 95% of heavy vehicles have been switched to renewable HVO fuel, with 99% of its buildings now powered with green energy. This 50% milestone has been achieved despite a 300% increase in parcels, from 20 million delivered in 2009 to 78 million this year, representing 1.25 million extra parcels delivered each week.
Speaking at the announcement, David McRedmond, CEO at An Post said:
“At An Post our commitment to sustainability is real. We are building a cleaner, more resilient logistics network for decades to come. Achieving the 50% reduction target early is proof of how serious our commitment is. As the operator of the largest fleet in Ireland, this has required a relentless approach to electrifying the fleet and using renewable fuels. It is a huge credit to the frontline staff in An Post, across every community, that while transforming to a parcel logistics business they have also achieved a world-class standard in sustainability.
“Halving our emissions is a huge step, but it is only part of the journey. The next task is to meet net zero by 2030. Achieving the first of our targets gives us renewed confidence that we will also achieve this goal on time with more EVs, renewable fuel and energy. “We act for the common good, now, and for generations to come” is our promise, and today, thanks to the amazing efforts of An Post staff, our suppliers, and our customers, we can show that we are delivering.”
Commenting on An Post’s achievement of the 50% reduction target, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD said:
“I am delighted An Post has reached such a significant milestone and is using its growing electric fleet to drive delivery of parcels, letters and transformative change in environmental sustainability on the path to net zero.”
 
Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD added:
“I warmly welcome An Post’s excellent achievement, and I welcome the ambition to achieve net zero by 2030. I recognise that An Post and the post office network provide an excellent service and value to communities, and An Post is now also creating a cleaner, quieter, and healthier environment.”
Owen Keogh, An Post Head of Sustainability explained that An Post is now one of the largest electric vehicle operators per capita in the world.
“There is currently one EV for every 2,700 people in Ireland, and An Post is ranked amongst the top five global postal companies for sustainability, positioning it as a leader in decarbonised logistics and a model for public-sector transformation.
“Our experience with EVs has been exceptional with 50% fewer breakdowns and reduced mechanical interventions compared to diesel vehicles. An Post expects to extend EV leases to up to seven years from 2026. This year alone, An Post EVs will travel 18 million kilometres emissions-free, keeping Ireland moving with cleaner air for communities”, he added.
€200 million has been invested in An Post’s Green Light Strategy, transforming the business whilst driving both sustainability and strong commercial performance. The company is now halfway to net zero emissions by 2030 with additional EVs and HVO-fuelled trucks as well as more solar energy at buildings planned for the coming years. This 50% milestone demonstrates that sustainability and commercial success can advance together.

Kerry County Council first to trial carbon neutral truck. #Kerry #Scania #HGV #CarbonNeutral

Kerry County Council became the first local authority in Ireland to trial a zero carbon Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) powered by compressed renewable gas. The truck was supplied by Scania dealers, T. Nolan and Sons in Castleisland, and fuelled using carbon neutral renewable gas from the national gas network supplied by Gas Networks Ireland.

During the two-week trial, Kerry County Council used this clean transport solution to move road salt from Co. Tipperary.

Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Patrick Connor-Scarteen said:

“Meeting Ireland’s climate target is a big challenge and transport is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise. We are delighted to do our bit in Kerry and trial trucks powered by renewable gas as a viable option to reduce our fleet emissions.”

 

While only 4% of vehicles on Ireland’s roads are classified as HGVs and buses, they account for 30% of all emissions in the road transport sector. Compressed natural gas (CNG) can reduce HGV well-to-wheel emissions by up to 23% (Cenex 2019) compared to diesel and deliver cost savings for operators of up to 35% (Cadent 2016).

However, as the volume of carbon neutral renewable gas on the national network increases into the future, hauliers and fleet operators who have made the switch to gas will increasingly reduce their carbon footprint without changing a thing.

Renewable gas is structurally identical to natural gas and compatible with the existing infrastructure, technology and vehicles. With locally supplied renewable gas now on the Irish network, gas is the affordable, proven and sustainable long-term solution for Ireland’s fleet managers and hauliers.

Gas Networks Ireland’s CNG Program Delivery Manager, Declan O’Sullivan, said:

“We are delighted that Kerry County Council has joined companies around Ireland in experiencing the emissions and cost savings associated with using both natural and renewable gas in HGVs.

“Gas Networks Ireland is on a journey to decarbonise the transport sector.  Renewable gas, which is entering the gas network today, enables carbon neutral transport, as CNG vehicles operating on natural gas today are future proofed for renewable gas.

“By delivering a network of CNG filling stations and enabling the introduction of renewable gas to the network, we are supporting hauliers and fleet operators to make a sustainable switch to a carbon neutral fuel.”

On March 1 Gas Networks Ireland announced a €2.9m CNG Vehicle Grant scheme to support the purchase of up to 400 gas-powered trucks, buses and vans and help drive a more sustainable transport sector.

The Grant will cover 20% of the difference between CNG and diesel-powered vehicles, capped at €5,000, with a maximum €60,000 available to any one applicant. Grants can be used towards the costs of vehicles registered from 2020.

The CNG Vehicle Fund is co-financed by the European Union’s TEN-T Programme under the Connecting Europe Facility as part of the Green Connect Project. Applications are now being accepted at www.gasnetworks.ie/cngvehiclegrant.