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 Armed Forces is one of Bekins' largest customers.
History
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.
Operation
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.[8] It is one of the largest moving companies in North America.
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
- Bekins Storage Co. roof sign
- Richard Bekins
Further reading
External links
References
- Martin Bekins New Netherland Institute, retrieved 27 June 2022^
- Bekins History EDC Mover, 29 August 2003, retrieved 27 June 2022^
- Bekins: A Storehouse of History Los Angeles Times, 1 March 1989, retrieved 27 June 2022^
- Ian Richardson. Progress: Bekins building transforming into loft-style apartments Sioux City Journal, March 11, 2018, retrieved 27 June 2022^
- Bekins Estate (Historic District) HistoricPlacesLA .org, retrieved 27 June 2022^
- Leonard Sloane. Bekins to be Sold to Jacobs New York Times, 23 April 1983, retrieved 4 September 2023^
- Bruce Keppel. Jacobs Retains 40% Stake Minstar Sells Bekins to Unit's President in $66-Million Deal Los Angeles Times, 9 May 1987, retrieved 4 September 2023^
- What can you do to ensure that your moving experience is a positive one? retrieved 2025-07-08^
- <ref name="Plunkett 2009"> J.W. Plunkett. Plunkett's Transportation, Supply Chain & Logistics Industry Almanac 2009 Plunkett Research Limited, 2009, retrieved January 30, 2017^
- Wheaton acquiring residential mover Bekins Indianapolis Business Journal, February 11, 2012, retrieved January 30, 2017^
- Company Overview of Bekins Van Lines, Inc. Bloomberg, January 29, 2017, retrieved January 30, 2017^
- Lee Benson. About Utah: Meet a man who loves his boss DeseretNews.com, January 8, 2017, retrieved January 30, 2017^