Holman Celebrates 100 Years of ‘Driving What’s Right’

Holman a global automotive services leader, is celebrating the organization’s 100th anniversary. Founded by Steward C. Holman on Aug. 23, 1924, Holman began as a single Ford dealership in New Jersey. Since then, the organization has experienced steady growth and success through three generations of family ownership. 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.

“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,” said Chair of the Board Mindy Holman. “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.”

Since 1924, Holman has leveraged its unrivaled competencies and industry expertise to deliver innovative automotive services to both B2B and B2C customers around the globe. 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
• 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, significantly increasing its upfitting capacity
• 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

Today, Holman, headquartered in Mount Laurel, N.J., provides a 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 as one of the largest privately owned dealership groups in the United States, with 59 dealerships across nine states.

“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,” said Holman CEO Chris Conroy. “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.”

Throughout 2024, Holman has celebrated 100 years of driving what’s right (the company’s corporate philosophy) with a series of events for employees and their families across the various regions in which the business operates.