Pure Luxury Transportation, a distinguished name in Napa and Sonoma counties for 34 years, renowned for its winery tours and exceptional chauffeur services, has embarked on a new journey. The esteemed operator, also serving San Francisco, has been acquired by Hoffmann Family of Companies, a Florida-based investment firm helmed by billionaire David Hoffman. This acquisition marks a significant development for Pure Luxury Transportation, promising to amplify its already sterling offerings in the realm of pure luxury transportation.
The announcement of the acquisition by Hoffmann Family of Companies, a private-equity firm based in Naples, Florida, signals a strategic move to bolster Pure Luxury’s market presence. While the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, the partnership is poised to inject new resources and expertise into the Petaluma-headquartered company. Pure Luxury boasts an impressive fleet of over 90 vehicles, a testament to its scale and commitment to providing diverse transportation solutions. This includes a range from sophisticated sedans and SUVs to spacious Sprinter limousines and executive vans, along with minibuses accommodating 22 passengers and motor coaches for up to 56, ensuring every client’s need for pure luxury transportation is met with precision and style.
Jennifer Buffo, CEO of Pure Luxury Transportation, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, highlighting the opportunities it presents. “Joining forces with the Hoffmann Family of Companies represents an exciting chapter for Pure Luxury,” she stated in a press release. “We look forward to leveraging their expertise and resources to enhance our offerings and elevate the luxury transportation experience for our valued clients.” Buffo will continue to steer the company as CEO and retain a stake in Pure Luxury, ensuring continuity and stability. She emphasized that the existing team remains unchanged, maintaining the seamless operations and high service standards that clients have come to expect from Pure Luxury transportation. “Nothing is changing here with the team or our day to day,” she reassured. “We just now have an amazing partner backing us.”
The journey of Pure Luxury Transportation began in 1991 with Gary Buffo and a single vehicle. Jennifer Buffo joined a year later, contributing her expertise in accounting. Through dedication and a commitment to excellence, they expanded the company to 26 vehicles by 2001. The company faced significant challenges, including the sharp business downturn following the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent Great Recession, which heavily impacted the banking sector, a key client base for corporate transportation services. Despite these hurdles, the Buffos demonstrated resilience, rebuilding and expanding their operations to approximately 200 vehicles. This growth included establishing a Napa operations center and acquiring a San Francisco-based company, solidifying their footprint in the luxury transportation landscape. Even the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, which led to a 35% drop in business due to travel cancellations in Wine Country, could not deter their long-term vision. Gary Buffo is no longer involved with the company, leaving Jennifer Buffo to lead Pure Luxury into this new era of partnership with Hoffmann Family of Companies.
Hoffmann Family of Companies brings to the table a vast portfolio of over 200 brands across diverse industries and a workforce exceeding 9,000 employees. Their existing ventures in ground transportation in Missouri and Florida align synergistically with Pure Luxury’s operations. David Hoffmann, the founder, built his $1.6 billion fortune through DHR Global, an executive-search firm established in 1989. His investment group’s interest in wineries and vineyards in Missouri, aiming to upscale the wine industry there, suggests a potential for cross-promotional opportunities and shared expertise that could further enhance Pure Luxury Transportation’s offerings, particularly in winery tours and bespoke travel experiences within Napa and Sonoma.
This acquisition heralds a promising future for Pure Luxury Transportation. With the backing of Hoffmann Family of Companies, Pure Luxury is well-positioned to not only maintain its leadership in pure luxury transportation but also to explore new avenues for growth and service enhancement, continuing to provide unparalleled experiences for its discerning clientele in Wine Country and beyond.
