About Nelson Westerberg

In 1904, a small coal and ice moving company opened its doors in Chicago, called Nelson Westerberg. Today, the company has become a globally respected leader in the household goods moving and storage business. Nelson Westerberg was formed in 1904 when Fred Nelson and Oscar Westerberg opened a small coal and ice moving company. Two men and a team of horses were the unlikely beginning of what would become an extraordinary company – a globally respected leader in the relocation industry with an unprecedented reputation for peerless service and a relentless desire to continually improve, innovate, and expand.

Company Timeline:

1904-1920

• Began moving coal and ice using a team of horses
• Begins moving pianos and other bulky furniture
• Begins moving families and their household goods
• First chain-driven truck used for transportation. Last team of horses used in 1928.
• Second generation, Richard Westerberg, joins the company and continues to grow and maintain NW’s status as one of Chicagoland’s top household goods movers.

1920 – 1960

• NW completes first office move for Protection Mutual Insurance Company.
• Today, NW provides commercial relocation services that include moving offices within the same building, on campus or state-to-state using experienced project managers, attention to detail procedures, and on time/on budget results.
• Third generation, John Westerberg, joins the company.

1960 – 1970

• NW becomes an agent of Atlas Van Lines and refocuses its target market to relocation needs of corporations.
• NW creates Single Source Responsibility; a current industry trademark of Atlas Van Lines.
• NW becomes a top 5 agent of Atlas Van Lines.

1970 – 1980

• NW opens a full service agency in New York/New Jersey.
• NW completes its first International move from Chicago, Illinois to London, England.
• Today, NW freight forwards shipments around the globe.

1980 – 2000

• NW opens a full service agency in Dallas, Texas.
• NW opens a full service agency in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Rexam, formerly known as American National Can Corporation, becomes our first Quarter Century Partner.
• Since then, our “Quarter Century Partnership” program has recognized twenty-four additional companies who have received this recognition…and are still growing with us today!
• NW designs a proprietary move management customer database and installs computers throughout the organization.
• Fourth generation, Stephen Westerberg, joins the company and begins to work alongside drivers and customer service representatives. Steve is currently Vice President.

2000 – present

• Nelson Westerberg International installs TRAXX® operating system. TRAXX® integrates all communications and functions into one web-based system.
• NWII becomes quality certified under FIDI/FAIM.
• Marks the 100th Anniversary of Nelson Westerberg! NW is a moving partner to 18% of the Fortune 100 companies.
• NW opens a full service agency in Los Angeles.
• Nelson Westerberg experiences record setting year in total household good relocations.