For Immediate Release
Broadview, IL Oct. 22, 2018—J. Barber Moving & Storage, Inc. has extended its current National Van Lines contract to create an agreement that unites both organizations for 10 more years.
The agreement arrives on the cusp of the interstate-moving company celebrating its six-year anniversary in December as a National Van Lines agent, a pact that’s proven profitable for both organizations.
“Potential for continued growth in the government-employee relocation market compelled us to renew our contract,” said owner Jeff Barber, who started Fredericksburg, VA-based J. Barber Moving & Storage in 2003. “Our current customer satisfaction index is 109.3—one of the country’s highest.”
Becoming a National Van Lines agent has enabled J. Barber Moving & Storage to diversify its efforts to include the General Services Administration and national account marketplaces, moving from zero GSA-relocation involvement to handling more than 5% of all GSA relocations annually. The company now is positioning itself to triple that figure.
“During the next five years, it is my goal to manage 15% of all GSA relocations with the assistance of National Van Lines and our trusted agents nationwide,” Jeff said.
Jeff entered the moving industry while working as a summer helper in high school. Within 12 years, he’d purchased a company he would transform into J. Barber Moving & Storage. Today, the 55-truck operation employs 80 people and stores customers’ belongings in a 55,000 square-foot warehouse.
“Every day is different in this industry,” he said. “Growth in this industry is based on your willingness to have an open mind, step outside your comfort zone to build relationships, and understand relocation trends.”
Even though one day is never like the next, one thing is constant: Jeff’s company repeatedly receives accolades. J. Barber Moving & Storage has placed among National Van Lines’ monthly top 10 bookers and haulers throughout 2018. In addition, the company was named one of National Van Lines 2016–2017 Top Haulers and earned the 2016–2017 Sales Achievement Award. National Van Lines’ sister company, National Forwarding Co., recognized the mover as a Million Pound Booker for four consecutive years. J. Barber Moving & Storage also has received NFC’s 1st Place–Customer Satisfaction recognition.
The National Van Lines family provides a strong (and speedy) support system Jeff has come to rely on as he initiates his next several years of success.
“The advantage of being a National Van Lines agent is that the organization is an employee-owned company and not controlled by a board of the largest agents in the network,” he said. “Decision-making is an email or phone call away. The flexibility of the van-line ownership allows for timely decisions to be made when negotiating relocation agreements with potential clients.”
It’s not all business with Jeff’s company, though, and he realizes he’s part of a community. J. Barber Moving & Storage is one of roughly 20 National Van Lines agents nationwide who partner with Move For Hunger, a group dedicated to stomping out hunger. These agents pick up non-perishable food from people who are moving and deliver the items to local food pantries. In early October, Jeff’s company collected 1,700 pounds of food (triple their goal) and donated the items to a local food bank.
“Jeff knows the right way to run a business and how best to motivate people,” National Van Lines Executive Vice President Mark Doyle said. “We’re glad J. Barber Moving & Storage will remain a National Van Lines agent for 10 more years. If the past is any indication, the sky will be the limit as Jeff and his company forge ahead. We’re glad to be driving on this journey together.”
About National Van Lines
We make moving easy. Evolving from a circa 1900 Chicago pony-and-wagon operation to a 1929 motorized interstate mover to today’s globe-spanning long-distance relocation experts, National Van Lines excels at providing stress-reducing residential/commercial relocation and storage solutions. Whether your move is big or small, we handle it all with nationally recognized customer service, award-winning drivers and unparalleled attention to detail. Our cross-country moving company holds a Better Business Bureau A+ rating.