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Our Story .........from the desk of Art Heath, President

American Movers started out as A & P Shipping. Founded in 1972 to move automobiles and pets from Hawaii to the mainland. Shirley and Smith (Alex) Alexander started the company with a Volkswagon bus and a will to succeed.

In 1980 A & P Shipping expanded into the household goods moving and storage business by leasing a small warehouse and forming the American Movers division. By 1991 American Movers was handling over 13 million pounds of household goods and personal effects annually.

In 1991 the Alexanders decided it was time to sell their company. I had recently moved to Hawaii from Irvine, California where I had taken early retirement from a CPA firm in which I was a partner. I had been providing tax and financial advice to the Alexanders since 1980 (I'm Shirley's brother); I suggested that American Movers form an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) to purchase the company's stock. The Alexanders thought this was a great idea because it not only rewarded all the people that helped build the company, but also provided a qualified buyer.

In January 1992 American Movers became employee-owned with the purchase of 36% of the company's outstanding stock. At the same time I was appointed President of the Company and Daniel DeSoto was appointed Executive Vice-President and General Manager. In 1996 American Movers handled over 21 million pounds of household goods and personal effects.

American Movers has become the most innovative quality oriented moving and storage company in Hawaii. We were the first moving company in Hawaii to offer the following services: 1992 - security packing for your peace of mind; 1993 - acceptance of most major credit cards or your personal check and a free limousine ride to Honolulu airport on qualifying moves; 1994 - use of computerized bar-code system in performing estimates on door-to-door moves; 1997 - use of "Dolphin Pad", a new improved pad used to protect your valuable furniture during shipment. In 1998, we were the first company in Hawaii to offer transportable self storage services. We will continue to set the standard for innovation in our industry in Hawaii.