| Bekins Van Lines, Inc. | |
| Type: | Subsidiary |
| Locations: | Over 300 |
| Num Employees: | Over 5,300 (over 5,000 drivers and 300 agents) (2009) |
| Industry: | Moving and Storage |
| Area Served: | International |
| Hq Location City: | Indianapolis, IN |
| Hq Location Country: | United States |
Bekins Van Lines, Inc. is an American domestic and international private and corporate household goods relocation service provider. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Bekins also offers special commodities and logistic services. The United States Military is one of Bekins' largest customers.
In 1891, in Sioux City, Iowa, John Bekius and Martin (né Bekius) Bekins, brothers, started a furniture moving business.[1] [2] [3] [4]
In 1894, Martin Bekins brought the Bekins business to Los Angeles. In 1927, he built his Eagle Rock, Los Angeles estate.[5]
Bekins was purchased by Minstar Inc., controlled by Irwin L. Jacobs, for $89.2 million in 1983.[6] In 1987, Bekins' management team, led by president Thomas E. Epley, purchased 60% of the company for $66 million.[7] 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. The company also owns warehouse space that exceeds four million square feet.
Bekins was acquired by Wheaton World Wide Moving in 2012. After the acquisition, the Bekins Van Lines brand name continued to be used as a separate brand. It is the oldest, currently operating, household moving, company in the United States. It is one of the largest moving companies in North America.