Bekins Van Lines, Inc.
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryMoving and Storage
Founded1891 (1891)
Headquarters
Indianapolis, IN
,
United States
Number of locations
Over 300
Area served
International
Number of employees
Over 5,300 (over 5,000 drivers and 300 agents) (2009)
ParentWheaton World Wide Moving
Websitewww.bekins.com

Bekins Van Lines, Inc. is an American domestic and international private and corporate household goods relocation service provider.[1] Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Bekins also offers special commodities and logistic services.[2] The United States Military is one of Bekins' largest customers.[2]

History and operations

In 1891, in Sioux City, Iowa, John Bekius and Martin (né Bekius) Bekins, brothers, started a furniture moving business.[3][4][5][6]

In 1894, Martin Bekins brought the Bekins business to Los Angeles.[7] In 1927, he built his Eagle Rock, Los Angeles estate.[7]

Bekins was purchased by Minstar Inc., controlled by Irwin L. Jacobs, for $89.2 million in 1983.[8] In 1987, Bekins' management team, led by president Thomas E. Epley, purchased 60% of the company for $66 million.[9] Jacobs re-acquired Bekins through IMR Fund L.P. in January, 1993.

In 2009, the company had over 300 locations and a fleet of over 2,100 vehicles.[2] The company also owns warehouse space that exceeds four million square feet.[2]

Bekins was acquired by Wheaton World Wide Moving in 2012.[10] After the acquisition, the Bekins Van Lines brand name continued to be used as a separate brand.[10]

It is the oldest, currently operating, household moving, company in the United States.[11] It is one of the largest moving companies in North America.[2][10]

References

  1. ↑ "Company Overview of Bekins Van Lines, Inc". Bloomberg. January 29, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Plunkett, J.W. (2009). Plunkett's Transportation, Supply Chain & Logistics Industry Almanac 2009. Plunkett Research Limited. p. 242. ISBN 978-1-59392-142-2. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Martin Bekins". New Netherland Institute. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  4. ↑ "Bekins History". EDC Mover. 29 August 2003. Archived from the original on 2003-08-29. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  5. ↑ "Bekins: A Storehouse of History". Los Angeles Times. 1 March 1989. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  6. ↑ Richardson, Ian (March 11, 2018). "PROGRESS: Bekins building transforming into loft-style apartments". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Bekins Estate (Historic District)". HistoricPlacesLA .org. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  8. ↑ Sloane, Leonard (23 April 1983). "Bekins to be Sold to Jacobs". New York Times. Retrieved 4 September 2023 – via Proquest.
  9. ↑ Keppel, Bruce (9 May 1987). "Jacobs Retains 40% Stake Minstar Sells Bekins to Unit's President in $66-Million Deal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 4 September 2023 – via Proquest.
  10. 1 2 3 "Wheaton acquiring residential mover Bekins". Indianapolis Business Journal. February 11, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  11. ↑ Benson, Lee (January 8, 2017). "About Utah: Meet a man who loves his boss". DeseretNews.com. Retrieved January 30, 2017.

Further reading

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