ARI
Founded in 1948
www.arifleet.com
ARI offers supply chain management, licensing services, mobile and driver communications, fleet policy, garage management, maintenance and repairs, fuel management, compliance, driver management, remarketing, fuel efficiency and emissions reduction, strategic consulting, account management, data integration, telematics, safety training and driver behavior, and global fleet management.

YEAR ACQUISITIONS/OWNERSHIP CHANGES, MILESTONES
1948 ARI was founded.
1955 Became charter member of American Automotive Leasing Association (AALA).
1958 Acquired first franchise offered by Ford Authorized Leasing System.
1968 Installed first mainframe computer.
1980 Acquired Interlease Corp. (7,000 vehicles).
1982 Purchased Fleet Body Equipment (FBE) in Kansas City, Mo.
1983 Acquired McLarty Leasing (5,000 vehicles).
1989 Acquired Lend Lease Cars, Inc. (U.S. and Canada).
1993 ARI opens its Caribbean Sales and Operations office in Puerto Rico.
1994 Founded Global Fleet Services (GFS).
1995 Formed joint venture in Mexico with Groupo Zapata to create ARIZA.
1999 Introduced Web-based fleet management systems.
2005 Introduced ARIAutoDirect.com for used-vehicle sales.
2007 Launched ARITruckDirect.com.
2008 Opened Western Operations Center and second U.S.-based call center in Grapevine, Texas.
2009 Expanded European operations with locations in Brussels, Belgium, and Zurich, Switzerland.
2009 Introduced Web-based driver tool.
2010 Acquired Auto Truck Group, Inc. (ATG) and merged it with FBE.
2011 Acquired UK-based Fleet Support Group.
2011 Opened third U.S.-based call center in Houston.
2013 Acquired Fleetlevel+ and HPIFleet & Mobility in Germany, expanding the company's footprint in continental Europe.
2013 ARI joined the FORTUNE "Best Companies to Work For" list.
2014 Acquired German technology company netcar24.
2014 Acquired online driver training company DriveFleet.
2015 Received the Fleet Europe Industry Award as an innovative international fleet supplier.
2015 Recognized with a 2015 CIO 100 Award from CIO magazine for its driver safety program.

BBL Fleet
Founded in 1967
www.bblfleet.com
BBL Fleet offers total fleet management solutions including acquisition, lease, financing, fuel and maintenance management, remarketing, accident, driver safety management, analytics, transactional data management, driver/fleet admin tools, reporting, and telematics.

YEAR ACQUISITIONS/OWNERSHIP CHANGES, MILESTONES
1967 BBL fleet was founded.
1969 Introduced a national accounts maintenance program.
1973 Introduced one of the first executive lease programs.
1980 Extended offerings to include equipment financing.
1985 Assumed assets from Edgar Leasing.
1986 Company expanded focus on emerging technology.
1987 Opened an office in Detroit, providing on-site administration.
1992 Continued expansion in total fleet management solutions.
1994 Acquired McKean Leasing; a spin-off from LMV Leasing.
1997 Became the first fleet management company to join PNC Capital Markets under securitized financing.
2000 Introduced Lease Central online fleet management tool.
2000 Bud Behling, president & CEO, was named a finalist for "Entrepreneur of the Year" by Ernst & Young.
2005 BBL Fleet headquarters moved to its new and current location.
2009 First fleet management company to utilize Vincentric for third-party total cost of ownership reporting.
2012 Enhanced technology suite with the addition of apps and Android driver tools.
2015 BBL developed accident management program to complete a full suite of client offerings.

Donlen
Founded in 1965
www.donlen.com
Donlen offers fleet leasing, accident management, administrative services, fuel management, remarketing, transportation services, upfitting services, vehicle acquisition, and vehicle maintenance.

YEAR ACQUISITIONS/OWNERSHIP CHANGES, MILESTONES
1965 Company founded by Donald Rappeport & Leonard Vine.
1987 Grew from 5,000 to 30,000 vehicles.
2009 CEO Gary Rappeport honored as 2009 Executive of the Year, Services, by the American Business Association.
  Donlen releases fleet management tools for the iPhone on iTunes.
  Donlen launches DonlenDriver, dynamic new driver portal.
2010 Donlen and Environmental Defense Fund collaborate on Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action.
  Tom Callahan, Donlen president and chief operating officer, elected to AFLA Board of Directors.
2011 Gary Rappeport inducted into AF's Fleet Hall of Fame.
  Hertz completes acquisition of Donlen Corporation.
2013 Tom Callahan succeeds Gary Rappeport as president.
  Made "supercharged" updates and upgrades to FleetWeb.
2014 Partnered with Jim Pattison Lease (in Canada).
  50th Anniversary Celebration Kick-Off at NAFA Institute & Expo.
  Launched DonlenPass, fully-integrated toll management system.
  Enhanced Driver Management System launched.
2015 Official 50th Anniversary of Donlen in April.
  New Mission Statement unveiled at NAFA Institute & Expo.
  Released "Intelligent Fuel Find" in Donlen mobile apps.
  "No Limits. No Boundaries" global approach announced with Athlon.

Element Fleet Management
Founded in 2007
www.elementfleet.com
With total assets of approximately $23 billion, Element Financial Corporation is one of North America’s leading
fleet management and equipment finance companies. Element offers end-to-end fleet management solutions, from financing and acquisition through operations and resale, with strategic consulting and technology support for car, truck, and equipment fleets. Element acquired PHH Arval in 2014 and GE Capital Fleet Services in 2015.

YEAR ACQUISITIONS/OWNERSHIP CHANGES, MILESTONES
1946 Peterson, Howell and Heather form partnership in Baltimore to found a new industry: fleet management.
1951 Introduced nation's first finance lease plan for corporate auto fleets.
1987 D&K Financial and GELCO Leasing acquired to form GE Fleet Services.
1995 Alliance formed with Arval to provide global fleet services.
2007 Element Financial Corporation founded.
2011 Element Financial Corporation listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under EFN.
2012 Acquired TLS Fleet Management in Canada from Scotiabank. TLS Fleet Management was founded in 1980 and acquired by Scotiabank in 2009.
2013 Acquired GE Fleet Canada and entered into a strategic alliance with GE Capital Fleet Services for the U.S.
2014 Acquired the PHH fleet business.
2015 Acquired GE Fleet Services in North America (U.S. and Mexico) and Australia/New Zealand; GE established this business in 1987.

EMKAY, Inc.
Founded in 1946
www.emkay.com
EMKAY, Inc. is a privately owned fleet management company that is a one-stop-shop for all fleet solutions. Being the second-oldest fleet management company in the industry, EMKAY offers decades of experience in customizing the fleet process while providing strategic consulting to its clients.

YEAR ACQUISITIONS/OWNERSHIP CHANGES, MILESTONES
1946 EMKAY Car Leasing Co., Inc. begins.
1952 Relocates and is renamed EMKAY, Inc.
1978 Gary Tepas joins as VP of sales.
1979 First in industry to utilize a "Network Based Computer System."
1980 Gary Tepas named president.
1988 EMKAY, Inc. relocates headquarters to Itasca, Ill.
1992 EMKAY Canada is incorporated.
1996 EMKAY, Inc. celebrates 50th anniversary.
1996 Gary Tepas named chairman and CEO.
1997 Industry first to offer 100-percent customizable vehicle policy and driver handbook.
2004 EMKAY purchases leasing portfolio from Auto Rental Corp from AMI.
2005 EMKAY Mexico is Incorporated.
2006 EMKAY acquires PHD Leasing from Penske Truck Leasing.
2007 Greg Tepas named president and CEO.
2011 EMKAY, Inc. acquires JPL in Canada.
2014 EMKAY is first lessor to implement Auto Integrate.
2016 EMKAY Inc. celebrates 70th anniversary.

Enterprise Fleet Management
Founded in 1957
www.efleets.com

Owned by the Taylor family of St. Louis, Enterprise Fleet Management supplies most makes and models of cars, light- and medium-duty trucks, and service vehicles across North America. The business provides full-service management for companies, government agencies, and organizations operating medium-sized fleets of 20 or more vehicles, as well as those seeking an alternative to employee reimbursement programs.
Enterprise Fleet Management and its affiliate, Enterprise Holdings, together offer a total transportation solution. Through an extensive network of regional subsidiaries and franchise locations, Enterprise Holdings operates more than 9,000 fully staffed neighborhood and airport branch offices worldwide. Combined, these businesses, which include car rental and car sharing services, truck rental, corporate fleet management, and retail car sales, accounted for $19.4 billion in revenue and operated more than 1.7 million vehicles throughout the world in fiscal-year 2015.

YEAR ACQUISITIONS/OWNERSHIP CHANGES, MILESTONES
1957 Founded as Executive Leasing Company with a fleet of seven cars.
1962 Executive Leasing Co. adds a rental car business division with a fleet of 17 vehicles. The company also starts a car sales division.
1969 Executive Leasing expands beyond St. Louis and changes its name to Enterprise Leasing.
1989 Company's name changes from Enterprise Leasing to Enterprise Rent-A-Car to reflect the enormous growth of its rental car business.
1992 Enterprise's leasing division becomes Enterprise Fleet Management, focusing on serving businesses with small- to mid-sized fleets.
1997 Becomes first fleet management company to win the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) "Blue Seal of Excellence."
2004 Manages fleet of 135,000 vehicles.
2005 Manages fleet of 150,000 vehicles.
2008 Launches comprehensive environmental platform.
2009 Enterprise Holdings is created as the parent corporation for its growing portfolio of car rental and transportation services.
2010 Enterprise Fleet Management is financially restructured to become an affiliate of Enterprise Holdings.
  Opens its first location in Canada.
2013 Manages fleet of 250,000 vehicles.
2014 Manages fleet of 300,000 vehicles.
2015 Announces investment in information technology solutions, totaling $100 million.
  Receives ASE Blue Seal of Excellence for the 19th consecutive year, an industry record.
  Opens 53rd full-service location in North America.
  Manages fleet of 425,000 vehicles.

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LeasePlan USA
Founded in 1983
www.us.leaseplan.com
LeasePlan is a fleet management provider operating in 32 countries and managing 1.5 million vehicles worldwide.

YEAR ACQUISITIONS/OWNERSHIP CHANGES, MILESTONES
1983 LeasePlan USA becomes wholly owned subsidiary of LeasePlan Corporation, N.V.
1990 LeasePlan's Truck Division established.
1994 First document imaging system installed, beginning LeasePlan's paperless operations.
1995 Accident management team becomes I-CAR Gold certified.
1997 FleetDesk driver contact center introduced.
1998 LeasePlan USA receives its first ASE Blue Seal Certification.
1999 Online fleet management tool ePlan launched.
2000 Acquired Consolidated Service Corporation (CSC).
2003 Launched Network vehicle management services.
2003 reDrive, driver sale program, launched.
2005 Introduced eRepair online maintenance and repair tool.
2006 GreenPlan program introduced.
2007 LeasePlan Cares community outreach program begins supporting the Atlanta Children's Shelter and Shelter, Inc. in Chicago.
2007 LeasePlan launches telematics.
2008 Michael Pitcher appointed president and CEO of LeasePlan USA.
2008 Auto insurance product launched.
2008 10 million+ imaged documents in ePlan.
2008 ePlan for Drivers goes live.
2009 Introduced PartnerPlan, an open-calculation lease to the U.S.
2009 First LeasePlan account manager completes CAFM certification.
2009 SafePlan comprehensive risk management program introduced.
2011 LeasePlan USA named No. 1 Workplace in Atlanta by AJC.
2012 LeasePlan launches ePlan mobile and MyDocs.
2013 LeasePlan USA once again named No. 1 Workplace in Atlanta by AJC.
2014 LeasePlan expands in North America with addition of Canada.
2015 LeasePlan offers 3D coverage, a bundled risk management program.
2015 LeasePlan N.V. reaches 1.5 million vehicles worldwide.
2015 CIO Nancy D'Amico named Georgia CIO of the Year 2015.

Merchants Fleet Management
Founded in 1962
www.merchantsfleetmanagement.com

For more than 50 years, Merchants Fleet Management has been providing customized, total fleet management and leasing solutions for businesses and government agencies. Merchants provides leasing terms that fit a fleet’s risk level and help provide the maximum return on investment.

YEAR ACQUISITIONS/OWNERSHIP CHANGES, MILESTONES
1962 Irving Singer opened Merchants Motors in Manchester, N.H., with 50 used cars and a philosophy based on customer service and philanthropy.
1964 Merchants opened National Car Rental franchise.
1967 Offering automotive sales, services, and rentals led Merchants to begin statewide fleet leasing.
1974 Merchants Automotive Group created flagship location in Hooksett, N.H.
1983 Drops National Car Rental and becomes nation's largest nonaffiliated rental company.
1984 Gail Singer passed away. First annual blood drive held in her honor.
1991 Irving Singer passed away. Sons Stephen, Robert, Alan, Jeffrey, Gary, and son-in-law Michael Sydney take over the business.
2003 Expanded from regional to national by bringing in seasoned and successful executive leaders and expanded sales force.
2004 Merchants Automotive Group sold rental division and created Merchants Van & Truck Rentals.
2004 Merchants Leasing acquired Myrick Leasing.
2008 Acquired OneFleet Source in Kansas City, Kan.
2008 Merchants Van & Truck became Merchants Short-Term Solutions.
2010 Merchants Leasing acquired ALD Automotive USA.
2012 Glen Villano became CEO.
2012 Alan Singer retired from Merchants.
2012 Robert Singer became president of Merchants Automotive Group.
2014 Chicago office grand opening.
2015 Merchants Fleet Management release TotalView, the latest in analytics driven technology.
2015 Merchants Fleet Management forms a strategic alliance with Alamo Leasing.

Mike Albert Fleet Solutions
Founded in 1957
www.mikealbert.com

Mike Albert Fleet Solutions provides fleet management programs and consultation that help turn a fleet of vehicles into a strategy that can support company goals. Mike Albert offers open- and closed-end leases, purchase/leaseback options, and a comprehensive list of fleet management services all tailored to help businesses maximize cash flow, lower total cost of ownership increase productivity, and build brand awareness.

YEAR ACQUISITIONS/OWNERSHIP CHANGES, MILESTONES
1928 Opened first used car lot in Cincinnati.
1957 Mike Albert Leasing established as Mike Albert Autos leases its first car.
1960s Mike Albert Service department opened for business.
1971 Mike Albert launched truck leasing department.
1972 25,000 square-foot truck terminal converted to sales, leasing, and service facility.
1977 Mike Albert Leasing opened first satellite office in Columbus, Ohio.
1984 Mike Albert relocated its corporate office to a 30,000 square-foot building in Cincinnati.
1984 Launched its full suite of fleet services.
2000 Marty Betagole named president of Mike Albert Leasing.
2007 Mike Albert celebrated 50th anniversary.
2011 New Customer Development Manager roles introduced to better service and support clients with dedicated advisors.
2012 Mike Albert repositioned as Mike Albert Fleet Solutions.
2013 Acquired vehicle rental assets of D&L Leasing.
2014 New "POD" structure implemented to improve customer experience via a team approach.
2015 Implemented new Client Satisfaction surveys and scoring for validation and process/product improvements.

Union Leasing
Founded in 1955
www.unionleasing.com
Union Leasing offers a comprehensive suite of fleet management solutions including vehicle acquisition, leasing, fleet management & consultation, maintenance & fuel programs, vehicle remarketing, and flexible-term truck rental solutions. Union serves a broad range of small- to mid-size fleets in commercial, industrial, and rental car industries.

YEAR ACQUISITIONS/OWNERSHIP CHANGES, MILESTONES
1946 Lawrence Faul opened his first automotive showroom in Harvey, Ill.
1955 The Faul Group's first commercial lease deal signed for two 2-axle trucks.
1958 The Faul Group's growing leasing business is named "Union Company" as it originally caters to the leasing needs of Chicago labor unions.
1969 The leasing business is renamed "Union Leasing" to better reflect the nature of the business.
1976 Union Leasing began offering open-end leasing options.
1984 Union Leasing acquired the lease portfolios of ABC Leasing, Carlisle Leasing, and Cadi Leasing.
1989 The Faul Group sold Union Leasing to Chicago Freight Car Leasing putting Union under the ownership of the Sasser family and diversifying their portfolio of rail-based businesses.
1989 Union Leasing moved headquarters to Schaumburg, Ill., a suburb of Chicago.
1994 Original Union Leasing founder Lawrence Faul passes away.
1996 Union Leasing expanded into leasing to rental car companies.
1999 Union Leasing expanded into leasing to the government segment.
2007 Kent Boskovich named president of Union Leasing.
2007 Kent Boskovich accepts appointment as director of lessors for AFLA.
2007 Mark Conroy, VP of Sales and Marketing accepted appointment as the president of AFLA.
2007 Union Leasing launched in-house maintenance management and fuel services department.
2010 Union Leasing launched web-based fleet management portals, myFleetLink and myDriverLink.
2011 Sasser Family Holdings, Inc. established to realign the global organization and to better support the needs of the individual businesses.
2013 Union Leasing, and its sister companies celebrated the 85th anniversary of the founding of its fourth-generation family-owned business.
2013 Union Leasing acquired Express 4x4 Truck Rental and begins offering flexible-term truck rental solutions.
2015 Team Union recognized for the third-consecutive year as a Top Corporate Team in Illinois by the National MS Society for fundraising more than $100,000 for the NMSS since 2010.
2015 Rhonda Zielinski named senior vice president of sales and marketing at Union Leasing.  

Wheels Inc.
Founded in 1955
www.wheels.com
Wheels is an experienced automotive fleet leasing and management company that provides organizations
around the world with company cars and trucks along with state-of-the-art services and support.

YEAR ACQUISITIONS/OWNERSHIP CHANGES, MILESTONES
1939 Zollie Frank founded Wheels, Inc.
1953 Helped found American Automotive Leasing Association (AALA).
1954 Offered cost-plus leasing.
1956 Began conducting business in Canada.
1957 Developed courtesy delivery system.
1959 Created industry's first leasing program for trucks.
1960 Introduced computerized fleet vehicle ordering.
1965 Began conducting business in Puerto Rico.
1972 Began issuing fuel credit cards.
1972 Introduced maintenance management for open-ended leases.
1974 Jim Frank named president and CEO.
1974 Began electronic transmission of vehicle orders to manufacturers.
1975 Developed nationwide vendor network with maintenance and collision repair shops.
1979 Created fleet industry's first client electronic reporting tool.
1982 Initiated commercial paper financing, achieved A-1 rating from S&P.
1985 Introduced vehicle registration renewal service.
1995 Entered global fleet consortium covering more than 30 countries.
1996 Established first online accident management system.
1998 Began conducting business in Mexico.
1998 Launched DriverView online driver ordering system.
1999 Released FleetView online fleet management tool.
2000 Introduced fleet's first online motor vehicle record (MVR) system.
2003 Invented fleet's first automated vehicle replacement decision tool.
2004 Developed online upfit equipment ordering tool.
2004 Created WheelsDirectonline used-vehicle sale program.
2006 Invented online violations payment system.
2007 Introduced Paperless Office, first truly virtual fleet office.
2008 Introduced collection of guided analysis tools including expense comparison and budget projection capabilities.
2009 Introduced Application Coding.
2009 Formed strategic partnership with ALD Automotive.
2010 Introduced EcoWheels green driver challenge.
2010 Daniel Frank named president of Wheels Services.
2011 Introduced Selection Modeler online tool.
2012 Introduced ChangeDriver online driver motivation tool.
2013 Invented Sentinel, procurement-focused performance tool.
2014 Celebrated its 75th anniversary.
2014 Wheels Recall Program released.
2015 Introduced updated online fleet management tool, FleetView.
About the author
Lauren Fletcher

Lauren Fletcher

Executive Editor - Fleet, Trucking & Transportation

Lauren Fletcher is Executive Editor for the Fleet, Trucking & Transportation Group. She has covered the truck fleet industry since 2006. Her bright personality helps lead the team's content strategy and focuses on growth, education, and motivation.

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