The rise of online shopping which has increased demand for delivery drivers has helped a specialist Bradford-based transport and logistics recruiter continue its expansion to more than 100 franchised UK offices.

Driver Hire, on Canal Road, has opened new offices in Derby, Swansea and Walsall, taking its network past the century mark. New franchisees have also taken over at existing offices in Bournemouth, Slough and Wakefield.

Driver Hire’s network development director Tony Goacher said: “The driver recruitment market is worth an estimated £2 billion annually.

“Online shopping is feeding demand for ‘final mile’ delivery drivers. Meanwhile, economic uncertainty means many businesses are using temporary labour to create a flexible workforce.

“The interest and demand for Driver Hire franchises speaks volumes about the strength of our business and the outlook for the recruitment industry in general.

“Our network as a whole finished 2012-13 with a flourish and we’ve maintained that momentum during the early weeks of the new financial year, which is great news for all our franchisees.”

Driver Hire is looking to continue its growth throughout 2013 and has new territories available in locations across the UK.

Last year the company said it expected to create up to 50 jobs by expanding in the Midlands and earmarked Chesterfield, Derby, Redditch, Walsall and Wolverhampton for offices in addition to Bedford, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard.

It also reported that its first international operation in Australia had clocked up £1 million of business in its first six months. Driver Hire opened an office in Perth in 2012.

In Australia a second business line, DH Appointments, offers a similar service to a other industry sectors, including mining, construction, tourism, accountancy and IT.

Driver Hire is using funds injected in 2011 by private equity backer LDC, part of Lloyds banking Group, to finance its expansion into new areas.

Driver Hire chief executive Chris Chidley said at the time: “Securing the financial backing and support of a proven investment partner such as LDC is a very positive endorsement for our business.

“Their scale, reach and expertise will provide us with the support to create further growth opportunities for the group.

“This is excellent news for our employees and our franchisees, all of who will benefit directly from increased long-term investment in our business and our brand.”

Driver Hire serves 5,000 corporate customers with HGV, van, fork lift truck and fleet car drivers, warehouse operators and professional logistics managers. It is also a leading provider of driver competence training through its subsidiary Driver Hire Training.