- Details
- Category: Industry News
In addition to the various corporate accounts gained through the transaction, Hermes Worldwide will now have a larger footprint in the private aviation and entertainment markets, as well as a larger fleet of approximately 35 vehicles. The acquisition also adds a chauffeur staff with more than 75 years of experience combined.
Hermes Worldwide will also relocate to Integrity’s 11,000 square foot facility, where both companies will operate with room for growth.
"We had outgrown our current facility two years ago and had been actively searching for a new location in a tough market for commercial real estate,” said Jorge Sanchez, president of Hermes Worldwide. “We were delighted when this opportunity presented itself to both find a new location and immediately expand. The prior management team at Integrity leveraged their industry experience to quickly build an experienced team and as we did our due diligence it was becoming more apparent this was going to be a great opportunity for the combined companies. We are excited to bring on their experienced employees and look forward to their contributions helping Hermes continue to realize our growth plans."
Integrity’s clients will also benefit from global transportation availability through Hermes Worldwide, which is currently undergoing a switch to a Cloud-based phone system and upgraded reservation software, making them better suited for today’s mobile business world. Sanchez has also asked Integrity owner Don Eisler to stay onboard to assist with the transition. While he is welcoming the additional freedom the acquisition has provided him from day-to-day
operations, Eisler has no timeline for departure and will continue to chauffeur for the company.
"Having been in the corporate limousine business for over 20 years, I was seeking an opportunity to
help expand on what Integrity was able to offer its clients and position ourselves to better compete in a highly competitive market,” said Eisler. “It was important we found a company to join forces with that is young, energetic and very integrity minded with a cutting-edge knowledge of the new technology necessary to advance in this industry. After examining the local market I felt Hermes best fit that profile. With Hermes’ additional vehicles for group movements, global ground transportation network, and ancillary meeting services, I felt Integrity clients would be well served for many years to come.”
Visit hermesworldwide.com for more information.
[CD0516]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
The complimentary social event gives members, supporters, and their families a chance to enjoy each other’s company—even when shop talk does casually creep into the conversation—and is also an opportunity for OLOA to show its appreciation to those who work hard for both the association and the industry at large.
“The OLOA brunch is a social event that takes place in April every year,” says OLOA Treasurer Phil Bozzelli of Corporate Livery Toronto. “This is one event where we can give back to our members. It is a way for us to say thank you for being a member and supporting your association.”
In addition to being treated to a buffet brunch, OLOA’s guests were invited to try their luck at the horse races and with Woodbines’ slots, too, as the association provided each attendee with a $10 voucher to be used on the casino floor.
OLO’s annual general meeting will be held in October. Visit oloa.ca for more information.
[CD0516]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
After President Mike Hartmann of Stardust Limousine and Secretary/Treasurer Karen Lotts of A Knight Rider Limousine dispensed with association business, the call was dominated by information pertaining to the passage of AB-424, which amended Act 135’s previous regulations for carriers operating in intrastate commerce.
Sgt. Mark Abrahamson of Wisconsin’s DOT said that the act’s passage in February of this year was meant to clarify the requirements of both audits and compliance documents. Abrahamson also assured WLA members that recent hikes in insurance costs have nothing to do with Act 135 itself, which has been on the books for more than 20 years prior to its recent amendment; Abrahamson emphasized that a $1.5M insurance on 14-passenger vehicles and $5M on vehicles for 15+ passengers “would put a lot of companies out of business,” saying that neither he nor the DOT wants to see that happen.
WLA has since posted a flowchart to its site in an attempt to clarify what is now required from a transportation provider, or what they may be exempt from, which can be found at wisconsinlimo.org/wla-news.
A handful of WLA members sought specific answers during the call, among them: buses that work specifically for hotels and bars rarely leave the state or work as for-hire vehicles, making them largely exempt from AB-424’s amendments; vehicles accommodating 9+ passengers must have visible DOT numbers; and when applying for PC Authority—for those transporting passengers across state lines—it is critical that careful attention is paid to ensuring that a company’s name, EIN federal identification number, DOT number, and name on the insurance policy all match. And, of course, while high-occupancy regulations generally don’t apply to TNCs, Abrahamson did say that “all transportation companies need to fall under the same regulations.”
Illinois Limousine Association (ILA) President Tracy Raimer of Your Private Limousine was also on the call, and both she and Hartmann said that it would be beneficial to the two neighboring associations if WLA members were able to attend ILA’s annual meeting May 11. Raimer also discussed the ILA’s efforts to bring TNCs to a level playing field and the association’s lawsuit against Chicago over disparate regulations governing the two facets of transportation, advising WLA members that the ILA has found success in rallying the power of social media to get their message heard by TNC passengers and elected officials alike.
The next WLA call is scheduled for May 18.
Visit wisconsinlimo.org for more information.
[CD0516]