Enterprise Holdings’ subsidiary in Ireland has signed an agreement to acquire Walker Vehicle Rentals, a leading commercial vehicle rental company headquartered in Dublin, subject to standard regulatory approvals.
Once the deal has been approved, Walker Vehicle Rentals will operate as part of the Enterprise Flex-E-Rent division. Enterprise already serves the commercial vehicle rental market in Ireland and the addition of Walker Vehicle Rentals will enable the business to increase the value and choice of vehicles and services it offers to organisations. Both companies have a rich heritage of delivering superior customer service in the markets they serve.
Walker Vehicle Rentals operates from six locations on the island of Ireland: two in Dublin, Cork, Wexford, Limerick and Antrim. The 70-employee company offers a diverse fleet of more than 1,300 commercial vehicles, which it provides to a range of organizations in the public and private sectors, including local authorities and companies in the logistics, waste and food industries.
Enterprise Holdings Senior Vice President of European Operations Khaled Shahbo said: “We are committed to developing the Enterprise business in Ireland, so are delighted that we have agreed to acquire the Walker Vehicle Rentals business which will enable us to expand our offering to the Irish market.
“There are many similarities between the two companies, not least that they are family owned with strong links to the communities in which they operate. Both companies have great teams that are incredibly knowledgeable, and we are confident that together we can create a stronger business and a truly world-class commercial vehicle offering.
“We will work closely with the senior management of Walker Vehicle Rentals to ensure a smooth transition once we are in a position to move forward. Our goal is to create a stronger, scalable, more sustainable business, which will flourish to support our customers’ growth and success. We want Enterprise to be the first choice for customers in Ireland – whatever the vehicle, whenever they need it, for however long they need it for.”
The agreement with Walker Vehicle Rentals is consistent with Enterprise’s strategy to diversify its Enterprise Flex-E-Rent business both organically and through considered acquisition in response to customer demand for greater choice. Following completion, Enterprise and Walker Vehicle Rentals customers will be able to access the company’s full range of services, expertise, and proprietary industry-leading technologies. Many of Walker Vehicle Rentals’ customers provide freight, logistics and other transportation services that are essential to the recovery of the Irish economy.
Walker Vehicle Rentals Managing Director Declan Malone said: “We and Enterprise share a commitment to delivering the best customer care. Both businesses also share a deep commitment to the communities in which they operate and are committed to taking a long-term view. This agreement supports our long-term ambition for the business and will provide our customers with a greater diversity of product lines, as well as access to industry-leading technologies and infrastructure.”
The current Walker Vehicle Rentals management team will continue to oversee the business throughout the approvals process and will remain to provide key management and support to the business.
Enterprise Holdings operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands. It is based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA and is the world’s largest car rental company. The business was founded in 1957 and remains family owned.
Enterprise first opened operations in Ireland in 1997. It is headquartered in Dublin, has more than 200 employees and 24 branch locations throughout the country.
Over the last 10 years Enterprise has invested $2.7 billion in acquiring a multitude of rental, mobility and technology companies around the world to provide customers with better choice and access to vehicles to suit their requirements.
