When Von Sydow Moving and Storage first opened for business in 1888, its first assignments included handling the trunks of immigrants arriving in Chicago, as well as much of the merchandise displayed and sold at original State Street retailers.

Founded by Henrik Walter Von Sydow, the company is operated in the northwest suburbs today, and the fourth and fifth generations of Von Sydows remain at the helm, transporting valuable merchandise and precious family heirlooms for their customers.

“We strive to do a great job on every move,” said current owner Brad Von Sydow. “It’s in the bloodline! We continue to provide top quality service at fair prices and stay true within the industry standards. The trickle-down effect of our prior successes results in, quite simply, better service for the customer.”

Von Sydow owns the business with wife Judy and son Kristopher,

“Being on top of your game and running an organized company can be a great challenge, he said. “Everything today is last minute. There are continuous changes in moving plans and you have to be able to adapt to changes.”

One change came in 1999, when the company moved to its modern corporate headquarters and a record retention facility in Palatine. From here, the Von Sydows direct relocation activities for a host of commercial clients, handle more traditional residential moves, as well as commercial moves for Motorola, Inc., Bell & Howell, Hill Mechanical Group, Westell, Inc., Zenith, Inc., and many others.

The Von Sydow reputation led former Chicago Bear Jim Schwantz to call on the company when planning a move from Dallas to Palatine. While the Schwantz family did not end up hiring Von Sydow, it did end up relocating right across the street from the company’s new headquarters.

A neighborly relationship ensued and today Schwantz is employed by Von Sydow as a national account sales manager, when he isn’t announcing games on the airwaves at AM 670 the Score.

“We didn’t get a customer, but we got an employee,” Von Sydow said. And it’s this ability to draw people into the fold that accounts for much of Von Sydow Moving and Storage’s continued success.

“We have established a reputation which we have built in the Chicago area,” Von Sydow said. “We have stability and longevity within the community we live and work.”

Sherri Dauskurdas, Contributing Writer