JM Family Enterprises
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | Jim Moran |
| Headquarters | Deerfield Beach , United States |
Area served | Southeastern United States |
| Products | Vehicle distribution and processing, financial services, insurance and financing products, retail operations, dealer technology solutions |
Number of employees | 5000+ (2022) |
| Website | www |
JM Family Enterprises, Inc. (JMFE) is a multifaceted automotive corporation established by Jim Moran in 1968. It stands as the 16th largest privately owned company in the United States by revenue, reporting $20 billion in 2022 and employing over 5,000 individuals.
History
Originating from Jim Moran's entrepreneurial vision, JM Family transitioned from a Japanese vehicle distribution firm into a broad automotive enterprise. Its principal activities encompass vehicle distribution and processing, financial services, insurance and financing products, retail operations, and dealer technology solutions. The company predominantly operates within the Southeastern U.S. market.
In 1981, JMFE set up its main corporate headquarters in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The facility, designed by Jacksonville-based architect Robert C. Broward, has expanded over time to accommodate the company’s increasing global presence and its subsidiaries.
Recognition as an Employer
In 2016, JMFE earned the 13th spot on Fortune’s list of "30 Best Workplaces to Retire From". Marking its 50th anniversary, the company announced a $150 million overhaul of its headquarters. By 2022, JM Family Enterprises had been featured for the 24th time on Fortune’s "100 Best Companies to Work For" list.
Operations
JMFE began as a distributor for imported Japanese automobiles, initially servicing 42 dealerships with a team of eleven employees based in Pompano Beach, Florida. Founder Jim Moran grew the enterprise by launching additional automotive-related businesses under the JM Family Enterprises umbrella.
Corporate Headquarters Expansion
The corporate campus of JMFE, originally comprising 15 buildings along Jim Moran Boulevard, underwent a significant $150 million expansion announced in April 2018. The redesign emphasized pedestrian-friendly spaces with extensive greenery and included a new parking structure accommodating 900 vehicles. Of the original structures, seven were removed while three were retained. New developments include three office buildings, a two-story dining hall, a 55,000-square-foot conference and training center, and a 20,000-square-foot athletic complex.
Information Technology Initiatives
In 2004, JM Family Enterprises gained recognition from InformationWeek and CIC Research as a leading innovator in IT within the automotive sector. By 2006, the company had transitioned from merely providing IT services to becoming a strategic partner offering over twenty IT solutions such as network management, web filtering, antivirus software, retail kiosks, and wireless technologies. That year, it achieved ninth place on the InformationWeek 500 list.
The creation of JMsolutions aimed to market proprietary IT products externally. Among its offerings are JMsolutions RetailSuite and Mobile Auto Xchange, a wireless platform designed for vehicle appraisals.
Southeast Toyota Distributors
On October 26, 1968, Jim Moran founded Southeast Toyota Distributors (SET), obtaining exclusive distribution rights for Toyota vehicles throughout Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina from Jacksonville.
The original vehicle processing center remains at Jacksonville Port Authority’s Talleyrand terminal and primarily handles vehicle arrivals via rail as of 2022. The Westlake Processing facility, opened in 2002, caters to markets in Southern Alabama, Southern Georgia, and Florida. Meanwhile, the Inland Processing center located in Commerce, Georgia supports distribution across Northern Alabama, Northern Georgia, and the Carolinas.
Southeast Toyota Parts operates a warehouse spanning 410,000 square feet—comparable to eight football fields—in Jacksonville and reported parts and accessories sales totaling $437 million in 2020.
Southeast Transportation Systems (STS), headquartered at Westlake, employs drivers along with tractor-trailers to transport vehicles from SET’s processing centers to dealerships and fleet customers throughout the region.
The Technical Training Center (TTC), established in 2007 at Westlake, offers specialized training programs for dealership personnel.
Southeast Toyota Finance
Operating under the name Southeast Toyota Finance (SETF), World Omni Financial Corporation (WOFCO) serves as a captive finance entity, supporting nearly 50% of new Toyota vehicle purchases through SET's network of 177 dealerships. SETF maintains customer service centers located in Mobile, Alabama and St. Louis, Missouri, and extends $780 million in floorplan financing to these dealers.
JM&A Group
Providing automotive dealers across the nation with finance, insurance, and warranty solutions, JM&A Group operates a 55,000-square-foot training facility situated on its corporate campus in Deerfield Beach.
Home Franchise Concepts
In 2019, JM Family Enterprises expanded its portfolio by acquiring Home Franchise Concepts, headquartered in Irvine, from Trilantic North America. This company delivers franchise opportunities related to homeowner products and services, backed by comprehensive training and marketing through an established business framework.
Futura Title & Escrow
JMFE completed the acquisition of Futura Title & Escrow, based in Boise, from Seidler Equity Partners in 2022. As the largest independent family-owned title and escrow business in the Pacific Northwest, Futura Title & Escrow operates more than 70 branches across over 60 counties in Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming.
Jim Moran Foundation
Established in 2000 by Jim Moran, the Jim Moran Foundation is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and advancing education. In 2015, it contributed $100 million to Florida State University to create the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship—marking the largest single donation ever made to higher education in Florida.