Wheaton World Wide Moving

Wheaton World Wide Moving is an Indianapolis-based moving and storage company whose business is organized around domestic household relocation, corporate and employee moves, international shipping, military and government relocation, and special commodity transportation. The company operates through a network of more than 250 authorized agents, giving the brand a geographically distributed service model rather than relying solely on company-owned local branches. The business traces its origins to 1945, when Earnest S. Wheaton founded Clipper Van Lines. In 1951, following a lawsuit involving the company and Pan Am, the business adopted the name Wheaton Van Lines, Inc. During the late 1950s, it expanded beyond its original domestic focus into international moving and related services. This broadening of scope established the basis for the worldwide positioning later reflected in the brand name. A significant regulatory milestone came in 1973, when Wheaton became the first carrier in the United States reported to hold complete authority to operate in all 50 states from the Interstate Commerce Commission. The company subsequently received recognition as one of the leading service companies in the United States in both 1986 and 1989. In 1987, it changed its name from Wheaton Van Lines to Wheaton World Wide Moving, signaling a stronger emphasis on international capabilities and a wider service portfolio. Wheaton has also maintained a community-support profile through its relationship with Give Kids the World, a nonprofit that helps children with life-threatening illnesses and their families visit attractions in central Florida. Wheaton became a corporate sponsor of the organization in 2000 and has supported the program through transportation and related assistance. The company expanded its position in the relocation industry in 2012 by acquiring Bekins Van Lines, Inc. The acquisition connected Wheaton with another established American moving brand while preserving a multi-brand and agent-network approach to the market. In 2006, Wheaton chairman Stephen Burns was recognized as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Lake Michigan Area Program. Jim Gaw has served as president and chief executive officer since 2024. The available reference material does not establish detailed ownership, revenue, stock-market status, or a current official website URL.

Wheaton World Wide Moving began in 1945 as Clipper Van Lines, founded by Earnest S. Wheaton. In 1951, the company adopted the Wheaton Van Lines, Inc. name after a lawsuit involving Pan Am. It expanded its service reach during the late 1950s, adding international capabilities to its domestic moving operations. In 1973, Wheaton was reported to have become the first United States carrier with complete authority to operate in all 50 states from the Interstate Commerce Commission. The milestone reflected the company's development from a regional moving business into a national relocation carrier. Wheaton was later recognized among the top 101 service companies in the United States in 1986 and 1989. The company changed its name to Wheaton World Wide Moving in 1987. The rebranding emphasized its international services and broader role in household, commercial, and specialized relocation. Its operating model has included more than 250 authorized agents, allowing the company to provide coverage through affiliated local service providers. Community engagement became a notable part of the company's public profile in 2000, when Wheaton became a corporate sponsor of Give Kids the World. The organization assists children with life-threatening diseases and their families by helping arrange visits to attractions in central Florida, including transportation, meals, and admission support. Wheaton acquired Bekins Van Lines in 2012, an important expansion in the moving and relocation sector. The transaction brought together two established American moving brands and strengthened Wheaton's industry presence. The available reference material does not provide enough information to describe the transaction's financial terms, integration structure, or subsequent ownership changes. Stephen Burns, identified as Wheaton's chairman, received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for the Lake Michigan Area Program in 2006. Jim Gaw has been president and chief executive officer since 2024. The company remains active and offers household, corporate, international, military, government, storage, and special-commodity services.

• 2012

  Acquires Bekins Van Lines

  [1]Wheaton World Wide Movingen.wikipedia.org

  Wheaton acquired Bekins Van Lines, Inc., broadening its position in the moving and relocation industry.

• 2000

  Begins Give Kids the World sponsorship

  [1]Wheaton World Wide Movingen.wikipedia.org

  Wheaton became a corporate sponsor of Give Kids the World.

• 1987

  Rebrands as Wheaton World Wide Moving

  [1]Wheaton World Wide Movingen.wikipedia.org

  The company adopted its current name to reflect its international and expanded relocation services.

• 1973

  Receives complete 50-state authority

  [1]Wheaton World Wide Movingen.wikipedia.org

  Wheaton became the first carrier reported to hold complete authority to operate in all 50 states from the Interstate Commerce Commission.

• 1951

  Name changes to Wheaton Van Lines

  [1]Wheaton World Wide Movingen.wikipedia.org

  Following a lawsuit involving Pan Am, Clipper Van Lines adopted the Wheaton Van Lines, Inc. name.

• 1945

  Clipper Van Lines is founded

  [1]Wheaton World Wide Movingen.wikipedia.org

  Earnest S. Wheaton founded Clipper Van Lines, the predecessor of Wheaton World Wide Moving.

A full-service relocation and storage provider positioned around broad geographic coverage, international capability, government and military expertise, and service delivery through a large authorized-agent network.

• Residential relocation

  Household moving

  Wheaton provides relocation services for household customers moving within the United States and, where applicable, across international borders. The offering is part of the company's traditional van-line business and is delivered through its authorized-agent network.

• Employee and business relocation

  Corporate relocation

  Corporate relocation services support companies and employees moving residences or business-related property. The reference material identifies corporate relocation as one of Wheaton's principal service areas, but does not specify individual service packages or pricing.

• International relocation and shipping

  International moving

  International services cover the movement and shipment of household or other goods across national borders. Wheaton began expanding into international services during the late 1950s, and the company's 1987 name change highlighted this worldwide orientation.

• Government logistics

  Military and government relocation

  Wheaton handles relocation work for military and government customers. These services form a distinct segment of the company's broader transportation and moving portfolio, although the supplied references do not describe specific contracts or programs.

• Specialized transportation

  Special commodity shipments

  Special commodity shipments address transportation requirements outside ordinary household moves. The reference material identifies this capability but does not provide a detailed list of commodities, handling methods, or associated service specifications.

• Storage services

  Storage

  Storage is offered as part of Wheaton's moving and relocation activities, supporting customers whose possessions require temporary or associated storage during a move. Specific facility locations and storage terms are not provided in the supplied material.

• 2000Give Kids the World sponsorship

  United States

  Wheaton began corporate sponsorship of Give Kids the World, a nonprofit that helps children with life-threatening illnesses and their families visit attractions in central Florida. The program includes transportation, meals, and attraction tickets.

  Outcome. The sponsorship became an ongoing community-support association for the company; the supplied source does not quantify its duration or impact.

  Source

• 2012

  Acquire Bekins Van LinesM&A

  Background

  Wheaton pursued expansion in the established United States moving and relocation market.

  Action taken

  Wheaton acquired Bekins Van Lines, Inc.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition strengthened Wheaton's industry position and added another established moving brand to its portfolio. Transaction terms and integration details are not provided.

  Source

• 1987

  Adopt the Wheaton World Wide Moving brandStrategy

  Background

  The company had expanded from domestic moving into international and broader relocation services.

  Action taken

  Wheaton Van Lines changed its name to Wheaton World Wide Moving.

  Aftermath

  The new identity emphasized worldwide coverage and a broader service portfolio.

  Source

• 1951

  Rename the company as Wheaton Van LinesOther

  Background

  The predecessor company operated as Clipper Van Lines and became involved in a lawsuit with Pan Am.

  Action taken

  The company changed its name to Wheaton Van Lines, Inc.

  Aftermath

  The new name established the Wheaton identity that was later extended through the 1987 Wheaton World Wide Moving rebrand. The source does not provide further details about the litigation.

  Source

1. 1Wheaton World Wide Movingen.wikipedia.org