After 32 years in business, the owners of Vancouver-based Blue Bird Transfer Inc. have closed their doors.
Wade McLaren, president of Blue Bird Transfer, purchased the moving company from his father in 1983, making it a second-generation business which opened in Vancouver over 50 years prior.
In an email to company supporters McLaren said, “We are truly saddened that the Blue Bird Transfer, Inc. name is disappearing after 87 years, but we know that we have served our clients well. We simply wish all the best to folks that have worked with us or moved with us during this adventure.”
In a separate email, McLaren cited retirement as the main motivation for his and business partner, Phil Elord’s, decision to sell both of their Vancouver buildings and went on to state that “green initiatives and legislative issues were becoming very cumbersome.”
Lile International Companies, a northAmerican Van Lines agent, was chosen by McLaren to service Blue Bird’s client list due, in part, to the long-standing professional relationship of both companies.
“I’ve known Wade and his step father for a long time – probably 20 years. We both belong to the Oregon Moving & Storage Association,” said Diane DeAutremont, president of Lile. “Wade [felt the] need to provide for continuity for his customers and, because I think we consider ourselves to be good competitors of each other, we began to talk about what that would look like if they did indeed decide to exit the business.”
DeAutremont went on to say that the size and scope of Lile will lend to a smooth transition for existing customers. Also a second-generation business, DeAutremont’s father founded Lile in Tacoma in 1959. The company has 10 branch locations in Washington and Oregon (their Vancouver office is at 5720 NE 121st Avenue), with annual revenue in the $25 million range. In addition, Lile has been recognized as one of the top 10 northAmerican Van Lines agents in terms of quality. The company is also an agent for Specialized Transportation Inc. (STI), a domestic carrier for high-value products and first and final mile services.
Key to providing the client continuity that both companies strongly agreed upon is Lile’s retention of Blue Bird’s lead customer service representative. DeAutremont said that he is well-versed in his responsibilities and Lile will rely on his expertise during the transition and going forward assisting new clients in the Vancouver market.
All other Blue Bird employees who were interested in interviewing with Lile were given that opportunity, said DeAutremont, which added an additional four to six workers at either their Vancouver or Tualatin locations.
According to McLaren, the Blue Bird building that served as its main office is now owned by Joint Way International; the second building, located at 2410 E. 5th Street near Grand Boulevard, is destined to become an Iron Gate Storage facility; and James G. Murphy Auctioneers is handling the liquidation of the moving company’s assets.
In an industry that is experiencing hiring challenges due to federal regulations that include stringent background checks, drug testing and driving history, Blue Bird earned a reputation as a company committed to quality and high standards. Their closure leaves a gap in the Vancouver market that Lile stands ready to fill.
“Blue Bird, I think, was a class act. They did a good job. [They were a] good competitor and they were a strong competitor in Vancouver,” DeAutremont said. “Our strategy includes providing quality service, which is something we have done for many, many years. It’s work that we’re familiar with and executing it is, of course, the most important element.”
