The Bekins Company Inc history

In 1895, Martin decided to expand the business to Los Angeles.

In anticipation of these changes, the Bekins brothers established the Bekins Household Shipping Company in Chicago in 1898 to serve as a link between the two coasts.

The first concrete and steel warehouses were built by Bekins in 1906.

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.

During this time Bekins established one of Western Canada’s first fleet of motorized moving vehicles, and road conditions were at best primitive. It was in 1924, that Daniel established Bekins first Canadian office in Vancouver, BC. He purchased what was later to be known as "The Sun Building", at Pender and Beatty.

In 1927, Martin Bekins' son, Milo, took over as the company chairman and transformed it into the country's largest and most successful business of its kind.

The first transcontinental motor van move was completed by Bekins in 1928.

Yet another landmark warehouse, an eight-story castle built in 1929, is located at the corner of Pico and Crenshaw boulevards.

By the early 1930’s, Daniel had expanded Bekins Northwest to include facilities in Portland, Tacoma, Spokane, and Denver.

Bekins was the first moving truck to cross the Bay Bridge in 1936

In 1937, Bekins sold its original Vancouver building to the Vancouver Sun.

The company also bought warehouses built by other storage companies. It was purchased by Bekins in 1939.

In 1940, the American operations of Bekins took on the name of Bekins Van Lines.

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

In 1960, Bekins established Bekins World Wide, later known as Bekins International.

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.

Stanley Bekins built up by far,one of the largest mover in Canada, before retiring and selling the company in 1982 to the Baron Group of Toronto, who then became, one of the largest mover in Canada.

In 1984 the company expanded with the Allentown and Harrisburg branches opening.

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.

Bekins became the first van line to earn CPM status in 1996.

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

Expansion continues for Bekins A-1 with the Las Vegas, NV and Palm Desert, CA branches opening in 1999.

Bekins wins Industry Innovator Award for utilizing technology to make tracking shipments faster in 2000

Livermore, CA location opens in 2001.

2003 marks the opening of Sarasota, FL and our San Diego, CA branch locations.

In 2006 Bekins Moving Solutions (BMS) merges with Bekins A-1 bringing with it several additional locations.

Keeping the ball rolling, Norfolk, VA, Tucson, AZ, and Phoenix, AZ branches are opened up in 2008

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.

Bekins is purchased by Wheaton Van Lines in March 2012.

In 2018, their Canadian head office was moved to a new purpose built moving and storage facility at 3779 - 190 St in Surrey, BC. The largest of its kind in Canada with an optimally designed secure possession storage environment.