In just eight years, Go Hire Ltd. has gone from a small car hire startup with 80 vehicles to one of Malta’s most respected names in mobility, now boasting a fleet of over 600 cars and vans.

“When we started eight years ago, we were small – just 80 cars and a team of ten,” recalls Mr Farrugia. “It wasn’t easy to secure financing or keep up with the growing demand, but I had already spent 20 years in the industry. That experience taught me the importance of quality, relationships, and fairness. These principles still drive us today.”

Despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic, Go Hire has flourished, expanding its fleet, premises, and team. The company’s new headquarters, a sprawling site capable of accommodating further growth, marks a major milestone.

Mr Farrugia emphasises that Go Hire’s success stems from its ethos of trust and quality service. “We’ve always believed in doing business the right way – no greed, no hidden costs. Deals must be win-win. That’s how we’ve built strong relationships with our clients and partners.”

This approach has also led Go Hire to secure the Autounion Car Rental franchise, a rapidly growing international brand. “It’s an important step because it gives us a local touch combined with global expertise,” Mr Farrugia explains. “We undergo regular inspections and audits, which help us maintain the highest standards.”

At the heart of Go Hire’s philosophy lies a simple but powerful mission: putting the customer first. “The customer is at the heart of everything we do,” says Mr Farrugia.

“We see ourselves as ambassadors for Malta. Often, we’re the first people a tourist meets, so our service reflects on the country’s image. That’s a big responsibility.”

To uphold transparency, all terms and conditions are clearly available online, ensuring there are no surprises or hidden fees. “In this industry, there’s a gap in trust. Our goal is to be the obvious choice for anyone seeking peace of mind,” he adds.

Hiring the right people plays a big part in maintaining this vision. “We employ based on culture first. Skills can be trained, but values can’t be taught. Every team member must share our commitment to fairness, quality, and respect.”

While car rental remains a core part of Go Hire’s business, the company is increasingly investing in long-term vehicle leasing, a market Mr Farrugia sees as ripe with opportunity.

“The car rental market in Malta is saturated with additional pressure from unfair and unbalanced competitive practices,” he notes. “However, leasing offers real value and peace of mind for companies. Clients know exactly what they’re paying monthly, with no unexpected insurance or maintenance costs, while freeing up capital that can be invested to grow their business and generate stronger returns.”

Go Hire’s business model provides clients with well-maintained vehicles replaced every three and a half years, ensuring top condition and reliability.

The company is also working on back-end digital systems to streamline communication and customer service. “We want clients to easily reach us for things like car washes, maintenance, or other services. It’s about making their lives easier.”

Beyond mobility, Go Hire’s focus is on creating meaningful memories and experiences.

“When tourists arrive, their first interaction might be with us. That’s a chance to make a great first impression,” Mr Farrugia explains. “We want every customer to feel welcomed and supported, not just handed a car key.”

The company’s mobile app, already live with more features on the way, reflects this human-centred approach. It includes an alert and panic button for emergencies, live chat feature and will soon include local event listings, and travel tips, all aimed at enhancing visitors’ experience in Malta.

“Attention to detail and proactive service make all the difference,” Mr Farrugia says. “That’s what turns a rental into a memorable experience.”

As Go Hire continues to grow, Mr Farrugia recognised the need for structure and accountability. The company adopted the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a framework designed to align teams and clarify goals.

“This system gave us the structure we needed, as we have a strong managerial team and clear objectives,” he explains.

Quarterly meetings bring the whole team together to review achievements, set new goals, and reinforce company values. “The feedback from employees has been phenomenal,” he says. “It’s built transparency and ownership across the organisation.”

Finding and retaining talent remains one of Go Hire’s biggest challenges. “The labour market in Malta is tough, especially for our industry,” Mr Farrugia admits. “But we’ve been lucky as many of our people have been with us since the start.”

When hiring, the company prioritises cultural fit above all else. “We ask: does the person get it, want it, and have the capacity to do it? Once they’re part of the team, we focus on training, performance reviews, and helping them build their own vision for the future.”

Looking forward, Go Hire is embracing innovation, exploring AI in it’s day to day operation, from vehicle inspection to vehicle cleaning as well as processing of rentals. “AI can help eliminate human error during car checks, ensuring fairness for both sides,” he explains.

From humble beginnings to becoming a trusted market leader, Go Hire’s story is one of persistence, values, and vision. As Mr Farrugia puts it, “We’ve grown by focusing on quality, honesty, and relationships. That’s the road we plan to stay on.”