Interstate Worldwide Celebrates 70 years (Part I of II)

Interstate Worldwide Celebrates 70 Years! (Part I of II)

Hitting the 70th anniversary in regards to any walk of life is considered a very big and wonderful deal. But, in hitting the 70 year mark in the moving industry, now that’s considered a HUGE deal. And that’s precisely what Interstate Worldwide Relocation (Springfield, VA)  found themselves celebrating this year!

This independent local moving company, of which has always been family-owned, began in 1943, in Washington, D.C., when 27 year-old Arthur Morrissette purchased a used truck and started moving businesses. The company, then known as Ace Moving Vans, remained successfully in business, yet it wasn’t until 1967, when during the United States expansion of the interstate highway system that things really began to progress for the small moving company. The company then adopted the shield logo of they system, and changed its name to: Interstate Van Lines.

Along with his three sons, Ken, Don and Buddy, a shared passion for the moving industry resonated within the family. Ken was in charge of finance and accounting. Don, maintained vehicle maintenance, and acquisition. And Buddy, took over in dispatch. Their growth over the years only continued to expand, and soon enough they were able to take over Universal Van Lines (which operated a 7 state radius east of the Mississippi river) along with becoming a freight forwarding provider.

After a fire raged throughout their headquarters, the company and family relocated to their current home-base in Springfield, Virginia.  Following their move to Virginia, the company acquired Star Worldwide Providers in 1971, which became Interstate International in 1979. Though he never officially retired, Arthur passed the company along to his sons in 1992, and remained chairman until his passing in 1996, at the age of 82.

Buddy, who is now retired states that company has since been passed along to the 3rd generation who was eager to help the family business and carry on the name. Arthur IV (“Bud”), and John (J.D.) began working for the company as teens, and returned after finishing their college degrees in the mid-1980’s. J.D. now serves as president of the moving services, and Bud oversees Interstate Group Holdings which is comprised of: Interstate Moving and Storage, Interstate Van Lines, Interstate Logistics, Interstate Relocation Management, and Interstate International. Today the company has over 220 professional employees, and conducted roughly 20,000 moves last year alone, including about 300 vehicles.

So, how is it that this company runs so successfully with a family working so closely together? We will take a look into the keys to their success in part II of this two-part series!