Courier company DPD Ireland is to create new 200 jobs over the next five years.
The company is to invest €13m in its headquarters in Athlone to allow it to process more goods, more efficiently.
DPD says it is making the decision due to the boom in online shopping in particular, and the new roles will be for drivers, IT and administrative staff.
The company says it enjoyed revenues of €54.2m in 2014, and is expected to report revenues of more than €63m for 2015.
CEO Brendan O'Neill says business has surged in recent years, saying the company will process around 100,000 parcels a night in the lead-up to Christmas:
70 of the new positions will be filled between now and Christmas.
Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said, "today’s very welcome announcement by DPD that it is creating 200 extra jobs as a result of this growth is an important boost for the midlands, and provides a great example of what is possible in this area.
"We will continue to work hard to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by online trading for Irish business and jobs," Minister Bruton said.
