Moving Services Industry Overview

Excerpt from Moving Services Report

Companies in this industry primarily provide local or long-distance truck transportation of used household, institutional, or commercial furniture and equipment, as well as related packing and storage services. Major companies include UniGroup (owner of United and Mayflower); SIRVA (owner of Allied, Global, and North American); Atlas Van Lines; and Bekins.

Competitive Landscape

Home sales, residential rental turnover, and corporate relocations drive demand for moving and storage services. The profitability of individual companies depends on good marketing, as services are largely the same. Large companies have economies of scale in marketing and in being able to consolidate loads on long hauls. Small companies can compete with large ones by specializing in local markets and by offering competitive prices and better service for local moves.The industry is fragmented: the 50 largest companies hold about 45 percent of the market.

Products, Operations & Technology

Companies in this industry move household and office goods, as well as specialty items such as pianos and trade show exhibits, either locally or interstate. Moving companies also provide long- and short-term storage for the items that they move, referred to as storage-in-transit (SIT).