Joe Duffy Group invests €20m expanding its dealer network

The Joe Duffy Group is investing €20 million in its dealer network over the next three year. The capital investment by one of Ireland's largest motor retailers is expected to result in 300 new jobs.

The investment is due to start this month with the development of two construction projects at Airside Business Park in Swords.

This week building works commenced on a flagship Jaguar Land Rover facility, together with a new premises for its Volvo and Kia dealerships there.

The facility is the former Renault premises, once operated by Bill Cullen.

The Airside business is currently trading as HB Dennis, and when the work is completed in November, the Land Rover, Jaguar, and Volvo business will be rebranded as Joe Duffy.

In the future, the Group also plans to extend the umbrella of the Joe Duffy brand name to include its three Volkswagen and Ford businesses.

Employee numbers, which are now at 410, have increased by over 50 per cent over the past three years. The Group forecasts employee numbers will reach 700 by 2020. It is projecting a turnover of almost €300 million for 2016.

Joe Duffy Group currently has 14 dealerships representing 15 brands. With a brand portfolio including, Audi, BMW, MINI, BMW Motorrad, BMWi, Mazda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, Kia, Ford, Volkswagen, Porsche and dealerships in Dublin, Meath, and Limerick, they are Ireland's fastest growing motor group.

The most recent by the Group was the Karmann VW dealership in North Park, Dublin 11, which was acquired in January.

According to Group chief executive, Gavin Hydes: “This investment strategy is another essential step in our growth plans for the Joe Duffy Group. We look forward to these new state-of-the-art dealerships which further demonstrates our commitment to our manufacturer partners, confidence in the industry and our strategy to provide first class facilities for our customers. This investment will provide an opportunity for our people and also see further job creation over the next three years”.