Relocation Of Hertz Headquarters May Affect Tulsa Jobs

The new owner of Tulsa's Dollar Thrifty is consolidating its headquarters in Florida.

Hertz says it's still committed to Tulsa, but there will be some changes that will have a local impact. This decision comes on the heels of Hertz buying Dollar Thrifty for more than $2 billion.

The company tells us there are 620 employees who currently work in Tulsa at Dollar Thrifty.

Hertz is revving up for a huge headquarters relocation to Florida.

5/7/2013 Related Story: Hertz Moving Headquarters From New Jersey To Florida

The CEO said the decision is NOT a snub to Oklahoma. He said its all about cutting costs and streamlining operations.

Hertz is currently headquartered in New Jersey and its newly acquired Dollar Thrifty group is based in Tulsa.

A Hertz spokesman said Oklahoma will continue to be its primary home for information technology, customer service and financial support services. He said the bulk of the 620 jobs in Tulsa won't be affected. The positions most likely impacted would be ones that overlap with Hertz positions, such as executive jobs.

8/27/2012 Related Story: Tulsa Economic Leaders React To Hertz Buyout Of Dollar Thrifty

Several media outlets, including USA Today, say as many as 120 Tulsa employees could be affected by the relocation. However, two different Hertz spokesmen would not confirm that number.

The CEO says it would have been a hard sell to persuade Tulsans to move to New Jersey, so Florida is a more attractive option and puts the car rental company in the middle of a key travel market.

Up to 700 jobs will shift to Florida over the next two years. The new headquarters are scheduled to be completed in early 2015.

Hertz said it should know exact numbers for Tulsa in the next month or so.

Despite the relocation, the company says it will continue to grow its car and equipment rental businesses in Oklahoma.