St. Louis-based Enterprise Holdings, the parent company for several car rental brands including Alamo Rent A Car, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental, has informed state officials that it has laid off 260 employees in the Milwaukee area.
The employees worked at Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company of Wisconsin LLC operations in Milwaukee, Oak Creek and Waukesha. The layoffs began March 23, but company officials did not notify the state until a month later.
“At the time these temporary layoffs were announced, the company did not believe there was a reasonable probability that the layoffs would last more than six months; indeed, it was the company’s belief that the layoffs would be for a relatively short duration,” the company said in a letter to the state. “However, the company has determined that while it is still unlikely, it is now reasonably foreseeable that these temporary layoffs could, at least in part, last for more than six months and may result in employment loss. The company has come to this determination in light of the recent extension of applicable government shutdown orders, intervening and extended federal and CDC guidance regarding social distancing, and additional data and analysis revealing the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the company’s financial condition.
The company also announced that it is laying off more than 2,000 workers in the St. Louis area, including hundreds at its corporate headquarters.
Another car rental company, Estero, Florida-based The Hertz Corp., notified state officials that it has laid off 38 employees at its facility at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. A Wall Street Journal report says Hertz is preparing for a possible bankruptcy filing.
Hertz’s revenues at Mitchell International were down 46.2% in March, compared to a year ago, with $648,865 in receipts compared to $1.2 million a year ago, according to airport data. Enterprise’s revenues at the airport were down 31.9% in March, to $900,382, compared to $1.3 million a year ago. DTG Operations’ revenue at the airport was $390,306 in March, down 13.6% from a year ago. Avis’ revenue at the airport was $718,214 in March, down 51.6% from a year ago. Midwest Car Rental Company’s revenue at the airport was $640,518 in March, down 54% from a year ago.
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