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History
The concept that evolved into United Van Lines originated in 1928 when Return Loads Service, Inc. was formed in Cleveland, Ohio, to arrange return shipments for independent moving companies transporting goods from one city to another. Orders were centrally registered and dispatched, and certificates of membership were sold to independent moving companies, which paid a revenue percentage on every order handled.
The premise of Return Loads Service, Inc. was to enable movers, once they had delivered a shipment, to obtain profitable tonnage to haul on the return trip instead of operating an empty van. When similar return shipment companies began appearing around the country, the Cleveland firm adopted the distinctive title, United Van Service. The Depression spelled disaster for the fledgling firm, as United found itself unable to keep up service with depleted revenues, and many agents broke away to operate independently. In June 1933, United Van Service was dissolved, and its assets and liabilities were transferred to a new entity incorporated as United Van Lines. The new firm prospered and, in 1936, moved its headquarters to St. Louis.
In 1947, the ownership of United Van Lines passed from the few original stockholders who held the firm together during its formative stages to a larger group of United agents, establishing the structure that has remained intact for more than five decades.
To support United agents in their primary business of moving household goods, the corporation has created related operating companies that offer customized insurance for movers, sell and lease equipment needed by the moving industry, and provide global mobility management services. All of these operating entities are overseen by UniGroup, Inc., a holding company formed in 1988 and owned by UniGroup companies’ affiliated agents and senior management.
In 1995, the company had its first billion-dollar revenue year and has continued to grow and increase market share ever since. |
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