Company type | Subsidiary |
---|---|
Industry | Moving and Storage |
Founded | 1891 |
Headquarters | , United States |
Number of locations | Over 300 |
Area served | International |
Number of employees | Over 5,300 (over 5,000 drivers and 300 agents) (2009) |
Parent | Wheaton World Wide Moving |
Website |
www |
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]
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]
Clint Stencil, owner of the Sioux Falls-based Clint Stencil Construction, has approached the city with plans to convert the 110-year-old former Bekins Moving and Storage building ...