Bekins Northwest history

Bekins built the industry's first reinforced steel and concrete warehouse in Los Angeles in 1906.

They both got jobs driving freight wagons during the day. It was and still remains an impressive structure, and it was the tallest building in the British Commonwealth when it was built in 1913.

Martin's children--Milo Sr., Reed, Floyd, and Ruth--purchased the company and installed Milo as president in 1918.

During the 1920’s, Bekins opened local operations in most major California locations, including Berkeley, San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno, West Hollywood, and Pasadena.

Bekins adjusted its operations accordingly and the industry's first move by transcontinental motor van was accomplished in 1928.

In 1940 the regional offices were combined to form Bekins Van Lines Company.

In 1956, Bekins built a second warehouse, this time at Kingsway and Wilson in Burnaby, where Metrotown now sits.

By 1963, the company was posting gross yearly revenues of $40 million with an after-tax net of $1.8 million.

The Motor Carrier's Act of 1980 was designed to allow more opportunities for new businesses and to allow existing ones to expand their services.

Bekins was purchased by Minstar, Inc., in 1983, in that company's explosive rise to prominence under the leadership of corporate raider Irwin L. Jacobs.

However, by 1987, the Bekins family was able to repurchase their company from Minstar and return it to its privately owned status.

In the 1990’s, Bekins expanded to provide logistics services for storage, distribution and delivery of large manufacturers.

In 1993, the Richmond head office of Bekins Moving and Storage was acquired by Larry and Sharon Rosenberg, who have now returned the company to a locally owned, family business.

In 1995, the Rosenberg's, along with their company Arbutus Transfer Ltd., acquired Cantin's Moving and Storage, a long time member of United Van Lines.

Also in 1997, Bekins Worldwide was formed, which provides moving and freight forwarding services to and from all points in the world.

In 2010, it partnered with the New York State Office of Cultural Education to establish the New Netherland Research Center, with matching funds from the State of the Netherlands.

In 2015, Nathan Miller, a Kelowna moving company independent contractor, joined the Bekins family when he shifted his company from Nathan’s Moving to Bekins Kelowna Moving and Storage.