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History
Conrad M. Gentry and his friend Don F. Kenworthy founded Mayflower Transit Co. in Indianapolis, Indiana, in July 1927 as an alternative to railroads for customers who were interested in moving their belongings across the country on the newly paved roads. In 1928, Burnside Smith added capital and management expertise, reincorporated the business as Aero Mayflower Transit Company, and set the standard for the new enterprise: “To have the best company . . . and the best people . . . offering the best services.”
During the early 1930s, Mayflower entered into agreements with a network of local household goods movers who owned storage warehouses and was able to provide customers with better service at both origin and destination. By 1932, 85 agents adorned their vans with Mayflower’s nationally trademarked logo and painted them in Mayflower’s vivid colors. As the decade ended, annual revenues neared the $2 million mark, and more than 340 agents became affiliated with Mayflower.
Operating on a 24-hour schedule, Mayflower moved thousands of families of industrial and military personnel who were being mobilized during World War II. When the war ended, America and Mayflower prospered.
In 1952, Mayflower launched another initiative to add to the company’s capacity and increase the efficiency of its operation: “owner-operators” who owned their own tractors but pulled Mayflower-owned trailers. Mayflower also established new standards for protecting household goods by eliminating the shredded paper and wooden barrels of the past and introducing new scientifically sized, corrugated cushion packs, along with the Mayflower slogan “Packed with Pride.”
As business continued to expand beyond household goods shipping, Mayflower established a special fleet of van operators and vehicles to handle sensitive shipments such as complex computer systems, electronics, and high-tech exhibits. In 1986, Aero Mayflower became Mayflower Transit, Inc. The 1990s brought further significant changes to Mayflower. The van line updated its image through the application of a dramatic new paint scheme to its vans and signage. National studies confirmed that Mayflower had the highest unaided brand name recognition in the moving industry. In March 1995, it was acquired by UniGroup, Inc., becoming part of the nation’s largest moving and storage services provider.
As Mayflower turned the calendar page into a new century, its fortunes appeared brighter than ever, with the best-known name in the moving industry; record volume in key business segments; agents embracing the hauling aspect of moving and qualifying for associated revenues; a board of directors composed entirely of agents, the majority owners of Mayflower agencies; and a management team committed to the future of Mayflower as a viable part of the UniGroup family of companies. |
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