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Creating forth largest household goods carrier in U.S.

The gossip that's been the talk around the moving, storage, and relocation industry's water cooler since late last year is now official.

Indianapolis based Wheaton Van Lines, Inc. is completing the acquisition of Hillside based Bekins Van Lines. According to the company's website, Wheaton's management announced that the asset purchase agreement is in process and the transition of ownership is expected to be complete by mid March 2012.

When the acquisition is final, it will create the fourth largest household goods carrier in the United States.

In 1973, Wheaton became the first carrier in the nation to hold complete 50-state operating authority from the Interstate Commerce Commission. Then,in 1987, Wheaton became the first employee-owned national van line in the United States following its adoption of an Employee Stock Ownership Program.

Both Wheaton World Wide Moving and Bekins Van Lines will continue to be operated as separate brands with combined operational efficiencies. The new Bekins will be headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Indy has been the corporate headquarters of Wheaton since the early '50s.

Both the Wheaton and Bekins are well known and well regarded brand names in the moving and storage business. Each offer private and corporate domestic and international household goods relocation expertise as well as special commodities and logistic move management services. The United States government, including both the Department of Defense (DOD) and the General Services Administration (GSA), is one of the combined company’s largest customers.

Together the brands will increase the van line’s agency base from 240 agents across the country to approximately 370 nationwide. Approximately 38 employees will be added to Wheaton’s corporate staff in Indianapolis bringing the total number of corporate employees to about 175. Bekins offices in Illinois will be shut down.

The acquisition is designed to bolster both brands and bring increased operational capabilities to bear for the combined company’s entire client base – including private individuals and corporate clients.

To learn more, visit www.wheatonworldwide.com or www.bekins.com or click on the source link below. 

SOURCE: Wheaton Van Lines Inc.  and Bekins Van Lines
 

Related Articles:

Wheaton World Wide Moving to acquire Bekins Van Lines – RELO Roundtable

Continued consolidation in the moving industry? – RELO Roundtable

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