The takeover agreement, which has been made for an undisclosed amount, was signed yesterday (15 December).

Fleet Management Services SRL (FMS) is one of the pioneers in operational leasing and car fleet management in Romania. The leasing company has over 3,000 contracts, making it the largest independent provider in Romania.

Harm Nijlunsing, CEO of Business Lease Group, said: ‘The takeover is part of our strategy of expanding further into Central and Eastern Europe, where the market is developing rapidly. Working with FMS, a company with a good reputation and solid customer portfolio filled with both international and local blue-chip companies, we can continue our growth curve. In addition, this expansion gives us an opportunity to further improve the quality and continuity of our services in Central and Eastern Europe.’

Romania is the fifth country in Central and Eastern Europe that Business Lease Group has entered, which makes the market familiar territory.

‘We started in 1996 in the Czech Republic, offering Full Operational Leasing and Car Fleet management,’ says Nijlunsing. ‘Now, after eighteen years and five countries, we can say that we know the market in Central and Eastern Europe extremely well, have established a strong market position here and consider this part of Europe a second home market.’ 


Director of business development Philip Aarsman was responsible for the acquisition. He commented: ‘The growth and expansion among our international customers in this region has precipitated a growing demand for high-quality services, especially in Romania. With a strategic location, a growing economy, a large market and an educated workforce with excellent language skills, this new EU country offers great potential for international companies. The Business Lease and FMS combination is the perfect match in terms of market strategy, business intelligence, culture and ambition. FMS knows the local market well and is a solid organization. Business Lease Group can lift FMS to an international level and provide international customers and expertise.’