From June, majority Aboriginal-owned vehicle hire business Waru will grow their work in WA's Pilbara with an international sector heavyweight.
Waru deliver tailored vehicle hire solutions across local industry in the region - including mining, defence, private and government sectors, last year winning Aboriginal Enterprises In Mining Energy And Exploration (AEMEE) award for Indigenous New Business of the Year.
Their new partnership with SIXT launches in June with branches in Karratha, Port Hedland and Newman, and bookings are already available.
It's SIXT's first franchise partner since launching in Australia in 2021.
Local Traditional Owner Shakira Grasso owns Waru, who last November donated a bus to Baynton West Primary for their Waja Guma Aboriginal Early Learning Centre.
From already servicing with passenger vehicles, 4WDs and minibuses to fit-outs and GPS tracking resources in the remote region, the SIXT partnership is their latest step ahead.
"I knew right away that our values and visions aligned, both with a drive to succeed and create sustainable opportunities for our community and future generations," Ms Grasso said.
"SIXT's global reputation and dedication to premium customer service and Waru's deep local roots and commitment to community impact in the Pilbara, our home, is a strong partnership. It opens up possibilities for us to grow our business, enhance our capabilities and better serve our customers.
"I'm incredibly proud of this alliance, confident in our collective ability to make a meaningful difference in the Pilbara. We are extremely proud to partner with a business of this calibre and together, we look forward to servicing more customers in Western Australia."
SIXT Australia chief executive Matthew Beattie said the company are excited to expand into the Pilbara, something that "unlocks opportunities to significantly expand our reach and strengthen our ability to better serve our local and international customers".
Their car hire operations stretch across over 160 locations and more than 16,000 vehicles nationally.