Fifteen years ago, two young entrepreneurs, George O'Connor and Mike Coughlan, were given the opportunity in Ireland to set up a new business from a city centre apartment in Dublin, by an international business that had grown to be the largest in its market by presenting ambitious people with this kind of challenge. From there, they began building relationships and exploring the potential of rental cars beyond tourism and airports: to rent replacement cars to insurance companies, bodyshops and dealerships and business rentals to local companies.
That company was part of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, a global business with over 6,000 branches worldwide, that has built its reputation on service to business and retail rental customers for over 50 years. With the support of Enterprise, since this small beginning, the Ireland operation has gone from strength to strength, now operating over 20 branches and employing 170 people across Ireland.
George O'Connor, Managing Director of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, said at the recent celebrations, "We started the company in 1997, primarily working with the insurance companies and the AA. We had about 10 cars in our fleet then. Fifteen years later, we now have over 2,500 cars and vans I believe we have achieved this growth because we have stayed true to our promise - to exceed our customers' expectations in terms of service and value. That has driven profitability for the company with double digit growth in the last two years."
Enterprise's business to business model is still vibrant and the commercial business is thriving as more and more companies appreciate the benefits of a "virtual transportation" model. Take a business that may have one or two vans constantly on the road but occasionally they need more. They rent the rest of their "virtual fleet" when they need it. In these tough times, when credit may not be as accessible as before, some companies can't get funding to buy cars or vans. They may not need the car or van all the time so a more cost-effective way is to rent what they need.
The "virtual car" concept has become a growing trend in Ireland as more and more people rent the exact vehicle they need - when they need it - either because they don't own a car or when their own car is not fit for purpose. People are increasingly seeing the benefits to having a "virtual car" at home. Some city commuters don't have the need for a car from Monday to Friday but do have busy weekends and need a car for the weekend and for the occasional holiday break in Ireland. They pick up a car on their "Weekend Special Deal" and head off down the country and drop it back on Monday morning on the way to work. For people living and working in the city, a "virtual car" makes sense.
More and more people are even using "virtual company cars" where business owners who drive a standard or even a small 4 door saloon or motorbike on a day to day basis rent a larger or even a top of the range saloon when meeting a client or indeed for longer journeys. Their "virtual company car" is at Enterprise when, and only when they need it.
"The business, the country and I have changed a lot in the last fifteen years", commented George, "and Enterprise has listened to its customers and continued to be flexible and in doing so has survived and grown through the recession and also it has helped a lot of businesses continue to do business in Ireland."
