Chamber, City of Tulsa welcome mobility services firm SIXT USA to One Technology Center

When Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols still was seeking the office he now holds, he last year found himself in a New York airport, desperately needing to return home but unable to because of weather-induced flight delays

Itching to get to another airport, he set out to rent a car. The only company with one available was SIXT USA.

“My Volkswagen Jetta kept me rolling through storms that took me through Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey maybe,” Nichols said. “I made it to (Washington) D.C. and got out at 6 the next morning.

“I had to be back in Tulsa for an event. So, I’m telling you right now, that without SIXT, you may have a different mayor right now. This is a full circle moment for me for so many reasons.”

Monroe shared his anecdote March 6 at a ribbon cutting celebrating SIXT USA, which is opening a share services center at One Technology Center.

The company will occupy about 15,000 square feet in One Technology Center and employ more than 70 people in its first year, with operations expected to expand to 41,000 square feet and 200 employees within five years.

The new hub will complement SIXT’s North American headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., by broadening the company’s capabilities across essential business functions.

“At the Tulsa Regional Chamber, we are thrilled to share the SIXT journey, and we are eager to supply you with whatever needs may arise around the next bend,” said Justin McLaughlin, the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Thank you again for choosing Tulsa.”

SIXT was founded 1912 by the Sixt family near Munich, Germany. During World War II, Martin Sixt hid a car from the Nazis in a barn, said Tom Kennedy, president of SIXT USA.

“He restarted the company after the war by getting the contract to be the drivers for the U.S. military during reconstruction,” Kennedy said. “So, the Sixt family has a real strong appreciation for the United States because without our country, they could have never restarted the company.”

Since launching U.S. operations in Miami, Fla., in 2011, SIXT operates more than 100 rental car branches in the United States, serving 51 airports. The company reported more than $1.5 billion in U.S. revenue last year, Kennedy said.

“Our growth has been tremendous,” he said. “We’re different than the big three. I appreciate the mayor’s endorsement and his experience with us. “

Kennedy, whose wife is from Broken Arrow, said SIXT hired a consultant to evaluate which city would be best for a new company branch.

“Tulsa came out far and above number one: quality of life; quality of workforce; education,” Kennedy said. “Every parameter you want to measure a city against, Tulsa was number one. You guys should be very proud of this.”