Harris Group has created Harris Rentals, a dedicated commercial vehicle rental business built around long-term customer support rather than one-off vehicle sales. The new unit will draw on Harris Group's full vehicle portfolio, including the Higer brand, serving customers across the UK and Ireland with rental periods of several months and upwards, alongside daily and weekly options.

Detailed in the announcement, Harris Rentals will operate from a number of strategic locations across the UK and Ireland, supported by Harris Group's wider infrastructure and dealer network. Mike Williams, one of the truck rental industry's most experienced figures, has been appointed Managing Director to lead the operation's creation and development.

The structural driver behind Harris Rentals is changing customer expectations in the commercial vehicle sector, with buyers increasingly prioritising service, reliability and ongoing support over simply securing the lowest price for a vehicle.

"Customers are becoming more demanding than ever; they're looking for service, reliability and support, rather than simply a competitive price," said Mike Williams, Managing Director of Harris Rentals. "The market is ready for a substantial new entrant that has the OEM-scale backing and support to offer a full range of products."

"If we can provide modern vehicles, supported properly and backed by outstanding service, there is every expectation that customers will see Harris Rentals as a compelling proposition," Williams added. He spent 40 years at Dawson Group, where he helped grow its rental business into a diversified, nationwide commercial vehicle and equipment operation.

"Harris Rentals represents an important new opportunity for the Group and extends our ability to support commercial vehicle customers beyond the traditional sales and aftersales model," said Brian Patterson, Chief Executive Officer of Harris Group. The new business forms part of Harris Group's wider strategy to reach a growth target of €1 billion by 2030.

Harris Group is headquartered on Dublin's Naas Road and is Ireland's largest privately owned commercial vehicle distributor, with brands including Isuzu, MAXUS and Higer Bus & Coach. Financial details such as turnover and EBITDA were not disclosed beyond the group's stated 2030 growth target.

For the sector, the launch of Harris Rentals reflects growing pressure on commercial vehicle distributors to compete on customer experience and long-term support rather than price, as fleet operators across the UK and Ireland look for rental partners that can guarantee service quality over time.

Source: Bus & Coach Buyer