From sales to fleet management services, Holman has a long history of serving customers across the automotive space.
Photo: Holman/Automotive Fleet
Holman is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Founded by Steward C. Holman on August 23, 1924, Holman began as a single Ford dealership in New Jersey.
Since then, the organization has experienced steady growth and success in both the automotive dealership and fleet management industries through three generations of family ownership.
Holman began in car sales, evolving over time to offer its services and expertise in the fleet industry.
From Car Sales to Fleet
Steward Holman started in the industry with a Ford dealership, Rice & Holman, before moving into the fleet space in 1948.
A company spokesperson told Automotive Fleet that this move was made in response to a request from Ford Motor Company and the RCA Corporation.
Holman moved into the fleet space in 1948 at the request of Ford and RCA Corporation.
Rice & Holman Ford created a subsidiary named Automotive Rentals Inc. (ARI) to lease and rent fleet vehicles to companies and corporations. ARI was the first franchise given by the Ford Authorized Leasing System (FALS), AF reported in 1973.
In 2022, ARI Fleet was one of seven business divisions and companies to rebrand as Holman.
Today, Holman is one of the largest family-owned automotive services organizations in the world with more than 9,000 employees across North America, the United Kingdom, and Germany, according to a news release.
“One hundred years ago, my grandfather laid the foundation for our company when he opened Rice & Holman Ford with an emphasis on both customer care and community involvement,” Chair of the Board Mindy Holman said. “As I reflect on this milestone, I’m incredibly grateful to our people, who are responsible not only for our growth and success but also for creating an exceptional organizational culture. I know dad and granddad would be equally proud.”
In 1982, Holman expanded into commercial vehicle upfitting to support its fleet customers, with its acquisition of Fleet Body Equipment, a custom upfitting company in Kansas City, Missouri.
Upfitting provides fleet customers with specialized design, manufacturing, and installation for a variety of industries.
Upfitting provided ARI customers with specialized design, manufacturing, and installation for a variety of industries, offering dedicated experts to analyze the customers’ need and design, fabricate, assemble, and maintain custom built trucks, a Holman spokesperson explained.
Taking a Look Back at Holman’s History
In 1939, Rice & Holman Ford began remanufacturing Ford engines and transmissions.
Holman has delivered automotive services to both B2B and B2C customers around the globe since 1924. Highlights of Holman’s journey over the last century include:
- 1924 – Steward Holman opens Rice & Holman Ford dealership in New Jersey.
- 1946 – Holman begins remanufacturing engines and transmissions, laying the foundation of its powertrain business.
- 1947 – Holman expands its automotive dealership footprint into Florida.
- 1948 – Holman establishes its fleet management division.
- 1972 – R&H Management becomes Holman Enterprises with the goal of building a family of successful businesses
- 1982 – Holman expands into commercial vehicle upfitting to support its fleet customers.
- 1989 – Holman expands its fleet management business to Canada.
- 1993 – Holman expands its fleet management business to Mexico.
- 2010 – Holman acquires Auto Truck Group.
- 2011 – Holman expands its fleet management business to the United Kingdom.
- 2013 – Holman enters the German fleet management market through a pair of acquisitions.
- 2016 – Holman establishes its insurance services division and nearly doubles its retail.
- footprint with the acquisition of a Washington-based dealership group.
- 2017 – Holman expands into commercial vehicle rack and equipment manufacturing.
- 2019 – Holman launches its venture capital funding division.
- 2024 – Holman again doubles its retail business through an acquisition in North Carolina.
In 1946, Steward Holman opened Reconditioned Motors and Parts (RMP), an authorized Ford remanufacturer, providing OEM powertrain solutions.
Today, headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, Holman provides an extensive range of automotive related services including fleet management, commercial vehicle
equipment manufacturing, powertrain distribution and logistics services, insurance and risk management services, and retail automotive sales.
Steward Holman was honored over the years for his contributions in the industry. He’s seen here in 1968 after being named one of the Top Management Executives of Ft. Lauderdale.
Holman is one of the largest privately owned dealership groups in the United States with 59 dealerships across nine states.
Holman has 59 dealerships across nine states. Its BMW dealership in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, where its headquarters is, is pictured here.
“While the purpose of our company remains focused on providing a rewarding career and a better life for the employees that come to work at Holman, it is our relentless pursuit of creating an exceptional customer experience that drives our organization forward each day,” Holman Chief Executive Officer Chris Conroy said. “Mindy’s dad, Mr. Joe Holman, would often remind us to always focus on the customer that is right in front of you. If you provide the best experience you can for that customer, you earn the right to find another and do the same. While a simple reminder, it is this philosophy, and our deeply rooted values, that continue to guide us as we embark on our second century in business.”
Holman is celebrating its centennial throughout 2024 with a series of events for employees and their families across the regions in which it operates.
