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Aristocat Transportation’s new owners, Harvin and Indu Kumar
Warren, Mich. — Aristocat Transportation has transferred ownership after 33 years of business. Founded in 1987 by Sue Jarvis-Zobel, she has passed the torch to Harvin Kumar and his wife Indu Kumar.
Harvin and Indu Kumar decided to purchase the company as an investment in their children’s future. Both from India, they came to the U.S. with barely a penny to their name; through hard work they have achieved success and are a true example of the “American Dream.” Both now U.S. citizens, they enter this venture as business partners, with Indu being the majority stock owner, maintaining Aristocat’s status as a woman-owned business.
Harvin, also known as “Happy,” began working for Aristocat three years ago as a chauffeur. During his time at the company, he saw an incredible team and infrastructure. When Jarvis-Zobel expressed the desire to sell her stock in the business, he and his wife saw their great opportunity to step up.
Happy’s journey to this point is an inspirational one. He was born in India and, in 1994, began working in a restaurant in New York City. With no money and no knowledge of the English language, a year later Happy decided to search for new opportunities in Detroit.
After arriving in Michigan, Happy quickly found work as a taxi driver at the Metro Detroit Airport, which was his entrance into the transportation industry. It allowed him to learn the rules of the road while also practicing his English with passenegrs. He continued to drive taxis for five more years.
Fueled by the same entrepreneurial spirit that led him to Aristocat, Happy started his own venture and founded RS Limousine in 2000. He did not find luck with his timing though, and after the attacks of September 11, 2001 air travel suffered, and so did his business. In 2002 he had to close the business and found himself back on the road—this time driving trucks across the country. His extensive transportation experience and the consistent nature of the business kept him in that position for more than a decade.
But Happy missed the personal touch and human connection, and decided to explore returning to chauffeured transportation. While searching for opportunities, Happy found an opening at Aristocat and started working as a chauffeur in September 2016.
As a previous business owner, chauffeur, and truck driver, Happy understands the level of service expected by clients. He also understands the needs and lives of his drivers. He will focus on both sides of the service going forward, allowing him to provide flawless execution and a personalized touch.
Indu compliments the operational experience Happy brings, and will be adding value in the office working to provide excellent customer service. They are both focused on working with the Aristocat team to bring the company to the next level.
Aristocat Transportation will continue to be a global force, providing corporate airport transfers and private car service for clients worldwide. Happy and Indu look forward to getting to know their clients and growing the family business.
Visit aristocattransportation.com for more information.
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Chabé Managing Director Guillaume Connan
Paris — Essling Expansion, Essling Capital's Small & Lower-Mid Cap fund, completes its third investment in less than 12 months to support the growth of the Chabé Group.
A family company founded in 1921 by Maurice Chabé, the Group has become the leader in its historic market: luxury chauffeur-driven transport. The company is now headed by Guillaume Connan, the great grandson of Chabé’s founder, who joined the management in 2014. He succeeded Agnès Lo Jacomo, the founder's granddaughter.
With nearly 400 employees and a fleet of approximately 360 vehicles, Chabé is positioned as an expert in bespoke mobility for the most influential clients. The group sets itself apart by delivering a consistently high quality of service and by considering the specific requirements of each client in order to offer a bespoke travel experience in line with their expectations.
The group is planning to achieve a turnover of €50 million for 2019, representing nearly 40 percent of organic growth in three years. Thanks to a portfolio of more than 2,000 customers, mainly comprising five-star hotels, international companies, government agencies, luxury goods companies, and event agencies, Chabé transports more than 150,000 people a year, in France and elsewhere.
"On the threshold of its centenary, Chabé is entering a new stage in its development, with the dual ambition of strengthening its positions in its home market and becoming a reference internationally. Essling's presence at our side will be a determining factor in achieving this and we look forward to intensifying our efforts in this direction," says CEO Guillaume Connan.
"We are delighted to support a long-standing player and its management team in structuring its growth and international expansion. This change of dimension will notably involve digital transformation and the enrichment of Chabé's service offering, levers of value creation that matter to us," say Essling Co-Manager Bertrand Fesneau and Associate Charles Bourgain.
"Essling Expansion's support will also enable Chabé to fully commit to an ambitious ecological transition, notably through the electrification of its fleet, in line with its purpose, which is to integrate mobility as naturally as possible into each customer's experience." adds Essling Co-Manager Rémi Matuchansky.
Visit chabe.fr for more information.
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Marlton, N.J. — One of the benefits that the National Limousine Association (NLA) is proud to offer is its Scholarship Program, which will give 10 operators from around the world the opportunity to attend the first-ever 2020 CD/NLA Show in Las Vegas this February 23-26.
On December 20, the association announced the winners, who are:
- Sarah Campbell of Campbell Premier Fleet in Wilmington, Del.
- Brian Dowling of Dowling Chauffeur Drive in Dublin, Ireland
- Agustin Hernandez of BlackCar Offers Limo Services in Mexico City, Mexico
- Paul Herren of Paul's Private Transportation Service in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
- James Jordan of Lux Tux Transportation in Burr Ridge, Ill.
- Darnell Leavell of D Livery Service in Chicago, Ill.
- Rodly Lormestoire of Rodlymo Transportation in Miramar, Fla.
- Aisha Pettett of Finess Services DBA Finesse Town Car in Seattle, Wash.
- Michael Silber of MS Luxury VIP Transportation in Leander, Texas
NLA President Gary Buffo of Pure Luxury
The NLA received more than 30 scholarship applications this year. Its Scholarship Committee—which includes Co-chairs Kevin Illingworth of Classique Limousines and Erich Reindl of Avanti International Transportation as well as committee members Perry Barin of Music Express Worldwide, Mary Harrell-Paul of Crown Cars & Limousines, Kenway Hua of Avanti International Transportation, and Steve Qua of Company Car and Limousine—diligently reviewed the applications and selected 10 operators to attend the show.
Of the 10 selected, eight were not NLA members; through their scholarships, they will now become part of the association.
“I am thrilled to see so much interest in the program this year and am so excited to welcome the winners to our upcoming show,” said NLA President Gary Buffo of Pure Luxury Transportation.
Buffo also recognized the generosity and support of National Interstate Insurance, which once again sponsored the scholarship this year.
“Without support from sponsors, this program would not be possible,” he said.
The NLA will hold an in-person meeting February 24 at the CD/NLA Las Vegas Show, where all 10 scholarship winners will be recognized.
Visit limo.org for more information.
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