Bekins Van Lines, Inc.
American company
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| |
| 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 |
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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.