Barrett Moving & Storage has been making moving easier since 1901.

We bring you more than cartons and moving vans. We bring you experience and teamwork that you can trust. That's why we're the mover of choice for hundreds of corporations and thousands of individuals every year. Locally, nationally, and internationally, we've been a leader in our industry throughout the 20th century and we're ready to move into the 21st century with the innovation and creativity that will meet your needs.

Barrett started out as a family-owned business, and it remains that today. We've built our agency into one of the largest at United Van Lines on a strong foundation. Our personnel are focused on you, the customer. Read on to find out more about why moving with Barrett is the choice of so many, year after year.

Humble beginnings
In 1928 Robert E. Eidsvold bought a trucking company from the Barrett family in Minneapolis. The Barretts, a local North Side family, had established Barrett Transfer & Storage and Barrett Northside in 1901 at 501 West Broadway. The company's primary business was hauling coal and fuel oil, and furniture, with its two trucks. R.E. Eidsvold kept the Barrett name to take advantage of its public recognition in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. After coal and fuel oil deliveries were finished in the morning, the driver came back to the office, showered and changed clothes, and took the other truck out for furniture moving.

In 1941 Barrett moved from its original Minneapolis facility on West Broadway to expanded quarters on North Washington Avenue. Six years later, Barrett acquired Dawn Transfer & Storage. This moving company traced its roots back to 1870 when it started as a horse-drawn baggage dray line, operating from the train depot.

growing with the country - and the highways
During World War II, Barrett became an agent of National Van Lines, enabling the company to participate in the growth of long distance moving, which began to expand rapidly after the war as the workforce became more mobile and interestate highway systems developed. Dawn operated within a confederation of independent movers who, in 1947, incorporated as Atlas Van Lines. Both Barrett and Dawn became members of the founding group of movers that established Atlas.

By 1951, Barrett had outgrown its North Washington Avenue headquarters. A new warehouse and office facility were built at 6009 Wayzata Boulevard in St. Louis Park. At this time, R.E. Eidsvold's son, Robert H. Eidsvold, became president of the company. He was heard remarking during the move that he thought the St. Louis Park office as the "place to end all places." In fact, he expected that the Wayzata Boulevard facility would be our permanent home.

As business increased, we expanded operations and opened an office in Milwaukee in 1955. Initially, this was a two-person booking office run by Werner and Phyllis Kranz. In 1961, Robert H. EIdsvold, Jr. joined the Milwaukee staff. Three years later the Milwaukee company moved into a newly constructed warehouse and office facility.

United van lines affiliation
In 1964, Barrett became an agent for United Van Lines. We made the change in order to provide customers with a superior agency network and a more efficient hauling system. In 1976, Barrett and Dawn merged, and Robert Eidsvold, Sr., became chairman of the board. Joe Langer was appointed to the position of president, and Robert H. Eidsvold, Jr. to vice president.

Business continued to increase and three years later in 1979 the Minneapolis operation moved to its present location. That facility, located in Eden Prairie, was expanded in 1982, and again in 1987.

In 1988 we added storage facilities at our Milwaukee location to accommodate increased demand for temporary and long-term storage. In 1990 Barrett Milwaukee moved into a new facility with 82,000 square feet of office and warehouse space. This allowed us to once again have all our storage and office space under one roof. Literally. In 1991 Robert H. Eidsvold, Jr. was appointed president and Joe Langer became chairman of the board.

expansion and growth
Our history is one of expansion and growth. In 1997, we purchased Boulevard Moving & Storage, a Mayflower agency located in Milwaukee, giving us dual brand representation in the area. In 2000, we acquired Otto Nelson & Sons' two locations in Kenosha, Wisconsin and Gurnee, Illinois. With this purchase we acquired two United Van Lines agencies, and two Mayflower agencies. With these acquisitions we have expanded to a family of agencies that represents the best in moving for our customers, a sound financial home for our enterprises, and a dynamic working environment for our associates.

new services in a new century
Along the way, we've added a web-based inventory management system Inventory 360, a strong office & industrial division, international moving, and many other features to our repertoire. We look forward to continued growth and expansion in the 21st century.

Randy Koepsell was appointed president in May 2005. Robert Eidsvold became chairman of the board, joined by his daughter, Judi Masini who became a director. Son Steve Eidsvold is part of the corporate leadership team. Joe Langer continues to serve on the board of Directors. Son Paul Langer serves as executive vice president and daughter Laura Langer serves as director of Marketing & Communications.

Our agencies are noted for quality, and have the recognition to demonstrate it:

• annual recognition for Safety and Loss Prevention achievements
• three Van Operator of the Year Awards, four Customer Choice Awards
• a President's Quality Award, given to a single agent annually for the highest van line achievements
• a Lifetime Achievement Award for van operator Pat Murphy from the American Moving & Storage Association
• more than 100 Van Operator of the Month Awards
• many Agent of the Month Awards
• two Heart of Quality Award for customer service representatives Erica Beiser and Margie Moert
• the Operations Excellence Award to Bill Johnson, vice President and general manager
• the highest Sales Awards to Milwaukee director of sales Mike Hansen, and director Joe Langer