Atlas® is only as good as our Agents—and we know our Agents are the best in the business. We can accomplish incredible work and significant milestones thanks to our family of Agents who are experts in the household relocation moving services industry and emphatically dedicated to helping customers go new places®.
That is why we are all pleased to further strengthen our Agent family and the industry as a whole by welcoming Suddath Moving & Storage LLC (2470), a subsidiary of The Suddath Companies, back home to Atlas® Van Lines.
WHO IS SUDDATH®?
Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Suddath® has been a highly regarded name in the transportation industry for more than a century. From humble beginnings as a moving company (with a “couple of small trucks, two mules, and a cart”) in 1919 to the $800+ million global company it is today, Suddath provides exceptional transportation, relocation management, specialized logistics, and workplace services to thousands of customers internationally.
Suddath serves 180 countries with more than 2,000 employees around the globe, moving more than 80,000 households every year. This includes more than 38,000 military families, making it one of the largest providers of U.S. government and military relocation management services in the country.
“I’m very excited for the future of Atlas® World Group (AWG). With Suddath moving to Atlas®, it brings together two cultures that hold quality and customers in the highest regard. Suddath is joining a network of Agents who truly like each other and want each other to succeed. We have the size, strength, and depth to take on every opportunity to grow AWG. With successful integration and working together, we are creating a network to be jealous of. I have no doubt that other moving companies will look to AWG as the place to be,” says Gregg Imlach, CEO and Owner, Imlach Group (1130).
Driven by a passion for growing its core household goods moving business, Suddath’s 25 locations and extensive domestic and global partner network provide national and global reach to take customers anywhere they need to go. Its footprint in Texas is bolstered by the Daryl Flood Moving & Storage (2483) brand, which has more than 40 years
of moving experience in Texas.
A RETURN HOME
Atlas® and Suddath® have a long history together, dating back to 1950, when Suddath first became a stockholding Atlas Agent under Dick Suddath’s leadership. Suddath remained an Agent for more than 30 years, from 1950 to 1981.
“Suddath coming home to Atlas brings two highly regarded brands back together in the moving industry and further positions Atlas as an industry-leading van line,” says Jack Griffin, Chairman and CEO of Atlas® World Group. “Atlas offers Suddath flexibility and stability, while Suddath brings vast capabilities that directly align with Atlas’ daily operations and long-term vision. We are pleased to welcome Suddath back home and into our Agent family and remain committed to the highest level of success for our Agents, Professional Van Operators, customers, and employees.”
Suddath’s return to the Atlas Agent family was a logical decision for both organizations. We are aligned on everything from culture to corporate responsibility in support of a more diverse, inclusive workplace. Values in particular are the heart and soul of Suddath. Trust, innovation, teamwork, caring, and agility are all reflected in its interactions with employees, customers, partners, and communities. It is a people-first organization and innovation leader, and to those familiar with Atlas’ values, it is clear that Suddath is a perfect fit.
As Atlas Director of Agency Development Mark Haller notes, “This is an exciting time for Atlas. Our business model is driven by a customer-first approach and is a natural fit for Suddath. Their addition further strengthens our agency network, and Suddath’s many service offerings will complement and enhance the Atlas brand in the marketplace moving forward.”
Mike Brannigan, President and CEO of The Suddath Companies, sums up the impact of the Atlas-Suddath partnership by saying, “We are excited to pair Suddath with a van line that brings capability, quality, and flexibility to its Agent-centric business model. We have long admired that Atlas actively seeks Agent engagement and input, from processes to technology, to ensure there is alignment across the enterprise supporting and maintaining its core vision and culture. We look forward to a very successful, long-term partnership with Atlas.”
2024 AND BEYOND
Our Agent network welcomed this new but very familiar organization back to the family with open arms.
“Suddath® was always a good partner and family member who took great pride in providing a quality service at a fair price,” says Tom Shetler Jr., President of Shetler Moving & Storage (1830). “Their return is great news for Atlas® Van Lines, the stockholders of Atlas® World Group, and the Agent network. Suddath will bring value to the bottom line of the van lines.”
This partnership allows Suddath to expand and grow, enhances Atlas’ Agent family, and makes a significant impact on the relocation and moving and storage industries. As these markets undergo significant pressures, Atlas® provides a business model that favors Agent growth and entrepreneurial spirit, as well as focused opportunities for Professional Van Operators, sales professionals, and team members throughout an Agent’s system.
Shetler continues, “The addition of Suddath to the list of top-shelf moving companies on Atlas’ portfolio is nothing short of awesome. Suddath coming back home to Atlas means more opportunities for the Agent family.”
We appreciate the positive support we have seen across social media, including these well-wishes from Larry Farrell, a retired Suddath collaborator, on Facebook:
“Congratulations! Suddath’s over 100 years of myriad remarkable achievements in relocation services, serving corporate, military, and B2C customers domestically and internationally, joining up with Atlas is truly a win-win for all. I knew when I retired from Suddath that there were many and many more roads Suddath was going to travel. Proud of you all and God continue to bless your new chapter,” says Mr. Farrell.
Agents are the foundation of our collaborative environment that provides the exceptional experience our customers have come to expect. A strong network is driven by strong Agents, and there is no better time than now to be an Atlas Agent. We are proud to welcome Suddath Moving & Storage back to our Agent family, and we look forward to our mutual growth and alignment. With an eye to the horizon, together we will reach new heights and go new places®.
