Atlas Van Lines
Encyclopedia
Atlas Van Lines is a moving company
formed in 1948 by a group of local transfer and storage firms. As an agent-owned company
it is similar in form to a cooperative
. It has about 500 agents worldwide (in over 140 countries), of which 75 own shares in Atlas World Group, which controls Atlas Van Lines and other related companies. Based in Evansville, Indiana
, USA, it is the second-largest interstate motor carrier in the U.S.
Atlas Van Lines agents have warehouses across the U.S. and Canada for storage-in-transit and long-term storage. Storage overseas is also possible through international partnerships.
The Smart Move SmartVault containerized option is a strong, weather and water resistant option for portable storage. Smart Move is available for on-site storage or for storage by Atlas.
For additional domestic and international relocation services, Atlas World Group subsidiary Cornerstone Relocation Group is available.
The company changed ownership structure in the 1980s, when stock was offered to the public. After a hostile takeover attempt, in 1988 the company returned to ownership by its agents. Atlas expanded rapidly in the 1990s and established Atlas World Group as the holding company for Atlas Van Lines, Inc. and seven subsidiaries.
On April 18, 1996 Atlas announced the purchase of Red Ball Corporation
, which at the time was the 13th largest household mover in the United States. This included two subsidiaries: American Red Ball International, an international freight forwarder based in Seattle, Washington and American Red Ball Transit Co. based in Indianapolis, Indiana
. Red Ball specialized in the moves of US military personnel. In 2001, Atlas sold American Red Ball Transit, the domestic subsidiary, to its management.
In 1997 the company announced the two largest conversions in the history of the van line industry with the joining of Atlantic Relocation Systems (more than 600 vehicles) and Bekins Northwest (more than 250).
In 2000, Atlas' parent organization "Atlas World Group" purchased a controlling interest in Cornerstone Relocation Group, a full service global relocation management company based in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. The purchase of Cornerstone allowed Atlas to offer expanded global relocation services to its corporate transportation clients.
Over a two year period, Atlas US implemented a document management system to better manage their paper-based documents, streamline business processes, and reduce operating costs. In late 2006, Atlas Canada successfully implemented its own imaging project.
2008 marked the 60th year in the moving and storage industry for Atlas Van Lines, and the company attained registration for its quality management systems according to the ISO 9001:2000 standard.
In 2009, Atlas, among the first in the industry, received the ProMover designation, a quality credential from the American Moving & Storage Association
. Atlas also acquired principal interest in Smart Move, the moving and storage industry's most flexible container service.
Moving company
A moving company, removalist, or van line is a company that helps people and businesses relocate their goods from one place to another. Typically they use moving vans, but for international moves or where storage is required, they may use special containerised vans or shipping containers.National...
formed in 1948 by a group of local transfer and storage firms. As an agent-owned company
Agent-owned company
An agent-owned company is a private company, controlled by its agents, for which it provides common marketing and business coordination. It is common in the moving company sector, where moves are performed by local agents, under a national brand....
it is similar in form to a cooperative
Cooperative
A cooperative is a business organization owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit...
. It has about 500 agents worldwide (in over 140 countries), of which 75 own shares in Atlas World Group, which controls Atlas Van Lines and other related companies. Based in Evansville, Indiana
Evansville, Indiana
Evansville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Indiana and the largest city in Southern Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 117,429. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for both Southwestern Indiana and the...
, USA, it is the second-largest interstate motor carrier in the U.S.
Household moving and storage
Atlas Van Lines offers Smart Move containerized options and van line services.Atlas Van Lines agents have warehouses across the U.S. and Canada for storage-in-transit and long-term storage. Storage overseas is also possible through international partnerships.
The Smart Move SmartVault containerized option is a strong, weather and water resistant option for portable storage. Smart Move is available for on-site storage or for storage by Atlas.
Corporate relocation
For corporate relocations, Atlas provides traditional van line moves, Smart Move container moves, and can work with employees with a lump sum benefit.For additional domestic and international relocation services, Atlas World Group subsidiary Cornerstone Relocation Group is available.
International moving
Also a subsidiary of Atlas World Group, Atlas International is an affiliate of Atlas Van Lines. Atlas International provides specialized services for transportation, relocation and distribution. Atlas International services are available for corporations, individuals, and government agencies.Government and military moving
Utilizing the Atlas agent network, Atlas relocates over 13,000 military families per year. Atlas is an approved participant in the Centralized Household Goods Traffic Management Program of the General Services Administration. Atlas is also able to assist personnel who self-move.Logistics
Through its Specialized Transportation Group, Atlas transports special products and commodities between states and between the U.S. and Canada. Special products include exhibits, fine art, store fixtures, electronics and other high value goods.Electronics
Transported electronics by Atlas operators include medical equipment, robotics, computers, clean rooms, precision machine tools, and high-tech instruments for aeronautics and aerospace.Exhibits
With an average of twelve years experience, Atlas van operators are knowledgeable about hotels, convention centers, and exhibit venues across the United States and Canada. Assisting services include pinpoint computer dispatch and advanced equipment, allowing efficiency in transportation and arrival dates.Store fixtures
Atlas transports store fixtures according to the store time frame. Target delivery allows fixture receipt after business hours. Sequential loading and unloading services as well as self-loading are provided services from Atlas.Fine art
Atlas provides services from single exhibitions to multiple location exhibits. With precision climate systems, temperature controls are set within specified tolerances for the safety of sensitive items during transit. Trailers designed by Atlas are equipped with air-ride suspension, power lift gates, and specialized equipment to enable safe loading, transport, and unloading.History
Atlas Van Lines traces its roots back to 1948 when a group of 33 entrepreneurs formed a cooperative for the interstate transportation of household goods from coast to coast. The group took the name "Atlas Van Lines" and opened a new headquarters building in Evansville, Indiana.The company changed ownership structure in the 1980s, when stock was offered to the public. After a hostile takeover attempt, in 1988 the company returned to ownership by its agents. Atlas expanded rapidly in the 1990s and established Atlas World Group as the holding company for Atlas Van Lines, Inc. and seven subsidiaries.
On April 18, 1996 Atlas announced the purchase of Red Ball Corporation
Red Ball Corporation
Red Ball Corporation was founded in 1919 as American Red Ball Transit Co. Inc., and is the oldest interstate moving company in the United States. It began as a household goods carrier in 1939. It was sold to Atlas World Group in 1996 by its then owners Walter Saubert and AliceJo Saubert. At the...
, which at the time was the 13th largest household mover in the United States. This included two subsidiaries: American Red Ball International, an international freight forwarder based in Seattle, Washington and American Red Ball Transit Co. based in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. Red Ball specialized in the moves of US military personnel. In 2001, Atlas sold American Red Ball Transit, the domestic subsidiary, to its management.
In 1997 the company announced the two largest conversions in the history of the van line industry with the joining of Atlantic Relocation Systems (more than 600 vehicles) and Bekins Northwest (more than 250).
In 2000, Atlas' parent organization "Atlas World Group" purchased a controlling interest in Cornerstone Relocation Group, a full service global relocation management company based in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. The purchase of Cornerstone allowed Atlas to offer expanded global relocation services to its corporate transportation clients.
Over a two year period, Atlas US implemented a document management system to better manage their paper-based documents, streamline business processes, and reduce operating costs. In late 2006, Atlas Canada successfully implemented its own imaging project.
2008 marked the 60th year in the moving and storage industry for Atlas Van Lines, and the company attained registration for its quality management systems according to the ISO 9001:2000 standard.
In 2009, Atlas, among the first in the industry, received the ProMover designation, a quality credential from the American Moving & Storage Association
American Moving & Storage Association
The American Moving & Storage Association is the non-profit trade association representing members of the professional moving industry based primarily in the United States...
. Atlas also acquired principal interest in Smart Move, the moving and storage industry's most flexible container service.