To help develop its flexible commercial vehicle hire division (Flex-E-Rent) in the U.K., Enterprise Rent-A-Car has purchased U.K.-based Burnt Tree, a provider of commercial rental vehicles.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has purchased Burnt Tree, a U.K.-based provider of commercial rental vehicles to companies and public sector organizations. This acquisition increases the number of vehicles that Enterprise can provide under its flexible commercial vehicle hire division, Flex-E-Rent.

The agreement includes Burnt Tree’s commercial fleet of 17,000 vehicles (commercial vans, HGVs, refrigerated trucks and accessible minibuses), its proprietary fleet management technologies, as well as its network of 20 branches and a team of 400 employees, says Enterprise.

The Enterprise Flex-E-Rent and Burnt Tree businesses will continue to operate as two separate brands now, with the intention to eventually merge and be headquartered in Shrewsbury, England. Danny Glynn, director of Flex-E-Rent, will lead the new business, says Enterprise.

“We are committed to the growth of our flexible commercial vehicle business, which has grown organically in recent years,” said Mike Nigro, Enterprise UK and Ireland managing director. “We could immediately see the potential of Burnt Tree to give our customers access to skills and services that are particularly suited to the needs of commercial vehicle customers.”

“Last year, we stated our ambition to become the leading and largest business in our industry,” said Richard Metcalfe, Burnt Tree chief executive, who will help with the merger. “In time, this agreement will allow Burnt Tree to achieve its full potential to become the market leader. ...”

Burnt Tree has been operating for more than 30 years, while Enterprise is celebrating its 20th anniversary in the U.K. this year.