What began as an after-school job for two high school boys in a Ford truck is now the largest nationally franchised local moving company. Two Men and a Truck retains the family focus it has had from the beginning.
Headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, the company was founded in 1985 with mom and founder, Mary Ellen Sheets; her sons, co-CEOs Brig and Jon Sorber; and daughter and chairman of the board, Melanie Bergeron. Sheets’ mother worked with her children in the beginning.
“We did what we could do to make [customers] happy,” Sheets says. “We go by The Grandma Rule: Treat everyone the way you would want your grandma to be treated.”
Trademarked as Movers who Care, Two Men and a Truck delivers quality relocation services for residential and business customers. With 5,000 clean and fully stocked 26-foot moving trucks and more than 2,100 franchises, the company has completed nearly seven million moves in the past 30-plus years. Its franchises operate around the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. One location is in Oyster Point.
Regional Manager Stephen Milne began working with Two Men and a Truck in Tallahassee, Florida, in 2012. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in media arts from the University of South Carolina and today lives in Richmond with his wife, Meg, and their three children—Henry (6), Virginia (3) and Sallie James (1).
On January 1, Milne took over as co-owner of the company’s Newport News franchise. He also manages its Norfolk, Richmond and Charlottesville locations.
“We retained everyone,” Milne says of the 15 existing Newport News staff. “Any time you change ownership you have to gain the trust of the people in place,” Milne says. “You get in there, do what you say you’re going to do and be there to help folks.”
To uphold its mission of exceeding customer expectations and maintaining high standards of satisfaction, Two Men and a Truck trains staff to protect customers’ belongings and home. Move teams are background-checked and drug-screened and become permanent, insured and bonded employees.
Each piece of furniture is padded and stretch wrapped free of charge as part of its complete packing and unpacking service. Moves are short or long distance, residential and commercial. In-home heavy, large furniture rearranging and home staging is also offered. The company regularly provides pick up and delivery services for large items purchased by their customers.
On the commercial side, Two Men and a Truck do complete office relocation, rearranging commercial layouts to provide a seamless transition.
“We’ve used Two Men and a Truck several times to move our local offices,” Melissa Rosario with Care Advantage says. “The staff has been extremely easy to work with and made the process easy to use and set up. The movers were professional, friendly and on time for every one of our moves. I recommend them to anyone looking for a quick and efficient mover.”
The company offers onsite, climate-controlled storage facilities to help with home renovation projects, downsizing and transitional living situations. Its short-term storage solution options help in cases of quick home sales, waiting for new home construction or storing college students’ furnishings for the summer.
“I care about all our customers’ moves,” Milne says. “Our customer service people, even the original Two Men, Brig and Jon, are at headquarters every day and care.”
Two Men and a Truck is committed to the communities it serves.
One of the company’s annual charitable events was Movers for Moms, which took place in April at the Newport News location.
“We collected essential care items and presents for less fortunate mothers who are serviced by Transitions Family Services,” says Stephanie Collins, general manager for the location. “We plan to partner with local businesses to make mothers who may not normally receive much on Mother’s Day feel loved.”
Items will be delivered just before Mother’s Day. Two Men and a Truck supports local charities, donating in-kind movers or helping with events, including setup and tear down of all American Cancer Society events on the Peninsula.
Collins has a personal interest in this project. She was raised primarily by her grandmother, who battled cancer. Collins feels a commitment to “give back” to the American Cancer Society, having been part of Relay for Life and is pleased the company is also involved.
When he can find time, Milne enjoys playing golf, squash and reading. He feels fulfilled when he observes an enthusiastic employee succeed.
“This person attacks the day with a great attitude,” Milne says. “It’s satisfying to see people continue to grow the right way.”
Milne admires the character of his staff, whether it is drivers going out of their way to return money found under a couch or reporting after a long day’s work with a good attitude and a smile. Two Men takes great pride in customer satisfaction, requesting customers to complete a survey to keep its high level of service. It is no wonder it boast a 96 percent referral rate.
“Our customer service actually never has really changed,” Brig Sorber says. “It was us—two kids in one 1966 Ford truck.”
TO THE POINT
Two Men and a Truck
Address: 11861 Canon Blvd., Ste. R,
Newport News, VA 23606
Phone: 757-349-6989
Website: www.twomenandatruck.com
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