Bekins Van Lines, Inc.
| 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 Armed Forces is one of Bekins' largest customers.[2]
History
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.
Operation
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][12] It is one of the largest moving companies in North America.[2][10]
In popular culture
A Los Angeles California Bekins moving and Storage Truck is one of the Landmarks used in the 1936 Columbia pictures Short "False Alarms" starring the Three Stooges.
See also
References
- ^ "Company Overview of Bekins Van Lines, Inc". Bloomberg. January 29, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e 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.
- ^ "Martin Bekins". New Netherland Institute. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ "Bekins History". EDC Mover. August 29, 2003. Archived from the original on August 29, 2003. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ "Bekins: A Storehouse of History". Los Angeles Times. March 1, 1989. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ Richardson, Ian (March 11, 2018). "Progress: Bekins building transforming into loft-style apartments". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ a b "Bekins Estate (Historic District)". HistoricPlacesLA .org. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ Sloane, Leonard (April 23, 1983). "Bekins to be Sold to Jacobs". New York Times. ProQuest 424602963. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Keppel, Bruce (May 9, 1987). "Jacobs Retains 40% Stake Minstar Sells Bekins to Unit's President in $66-Million Deal". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 292681163. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Wheaton acquiring residential mover Bekins". Indianapolis Business Journal. February 11, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
- ^ Benson, Lee (January 8, 2017). "About Utah: Meet a man who loves his boss". DeseretNews.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
- ^ "What can you do to ensure that your moving experience is a positive one?". Retrieved July 8, 2025.
Further reading
- Antelman, G.; Derdak, T. (1988). International Directory of Company Histories. St. James Press. pp. 48–50. ISBN 978-1-55862-218-0. (subscription required)
- Richardson, Ian (December 13, 2016). "Developer eyes landmark Bekins warehouse for apartment complex". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
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 ...