Quite a bit happened across the U.S. in 1924.
IBM was founded. Columbia Pictures and MGM were created. J. Edgar Hoover was appointed as the head of the FBI. Calvin Coolidge was elected president — and, just a few weeks later, the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade was held.
Meanwhile, down in South Jersey, Steward C. Holman opened Rice & Holman Ford.
Quite a bit has happened to Holman’s company since that dealership opened Aug. 23, 1924.
The organization has experienced steady growth and success through three generations of family ownership, becoming a global automotive services leader.
Headquartered in Mount Laurel, Holman is one of the largest family-owned automotive services organizations in the world, with more than 9,000 employees across North America, the U.K. and Germany. It is one of one of the largest privately owned dealership groups in the country, with 59 dealerships across nine states.
Chair of the Board Mindy Holman said the magnitude of the anniversary can be overwhelming. And that it comes as a result of a desire to build company culture — a phrase that was still decades away from coming into vogue when the company began.
“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,” she 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.”
Holman’s current CEO, Chris Conroy, agreed.
“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,” he said.
Since 1924, Holman has leveraged its unrivaled competencies and industry expertise to deliver innovative automotive services to both business-to-business and business-to-consumer 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 U.K.
- 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.
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.
Conroy said it’s part of the legacy of the company.
“Mindy’s dad, Mr. Joe Holman, would often remind us to always focus on the customer that is right in front of you,” he said. “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.”
