historical highlights 

 

1945
Earnest S. Wheaton forms Clipper Van Lines, with 22-state Operating Authority. The company appoints its first agents – some of whom are still Wheaton partners.

1946
Clipper Van Lines’ first shipment is moved from Canton, Ohio, to Constantine, Michigan. The shipment weighed 300 pounds and the total relocation charges were $54.74.

1951
The company name is officially changed to Wheaton Van Lines, Inc.

1954
The Wheaton Agents Advertising Program is established. Wheaton continues to expand operations to include direct service in 36 Eastern and Midwestern states.

1958
Wheaton Van Lines begins operating outside the continental United States with agents appointed in England, France, Germany and Italy.

1964
Wheaton earns the Good Housekeeping Seal, an honor the company has earned every year since.

1970
Wheaton agents organize the Wheaton Scholarship Fund honoring company founder Earnest Wheaton for his accomplishments in the moving industry.

1973
Wheaton Van Lines becomes the first carrier in the nation to hold 50-state Operating Authority from the Interstate Commerce Commission.

1974
Wheaton moves to a new headquarters in Indianapolis, more than twice the size of its former facility.

1987
Wheaton Van Lines’ logo is changed as the company officially begins doing business as Wheaton World Wide Moving.

1988
Earnest Wheaton and the board of directors appoint Stephen F. Burns as the chief executive officer of the company. Burns assumes the role having served as legal counsel for a number of years.

1990
Wheaton is named the Official Mover of Steinway & Sons Pianos.

1997
Wheaton introduces a new tagline: “We Move Your Life.”

1998
Earnest S. Wheaton passes away at the age of 97. Hundreds of friends and associates attend memorial services in Indianapolis.

2000
Wheaton becomes a corporate sponsor of Give Kids The World, which provides vacations at its Florida resort for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

2001
Wheaton acquires Executive Logistics Services, a division providing transportation and warehousing services to the hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants and retail industries. The company is now known simply as ELS. Its tagline is: Essential FF&E.

2008
Mark Kirschner and David Witzerman – both longterm Wheaton managers – assume the roles of Chief Executive Officer and President, respectively.

2009
Steve Burns, who remains as the Chairman of the Board, receives the American Moving & Storage Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Service.