National Forwarding Co. Inc. (NFC), a subsidiary of National Holding Company, provides worldwide relocation services to the US military, civilian government agencies, corporate accounts, and individual private transferees. Its primary line of business domestically is the US military. The following are some frequently asked questions and answers about NFC, its structure and what it does.
What is National Holding Company?
National Holding Company is the parent company of National Forwarding Co. Inc. and National Van Lines, Inc. Both companies maintain separate operations and personnel concentrating on serving the markets assigned to them. National Van Lines, Inc. provides domestic relocation services to corporate accounts, civilian government agencies, and individual private transferees. NFC provides domestic relocation services for relocating military service members and also provides international relocation services for the US military along with civilian government agencies, corporate accounts, and private transferees.
What is the ownership structure?
Both National Forwarding Co., Inc. and National Van Lines, Inc. are 100% employee owned. This ensures stability of ownership, continuity of management and a certain future.
Why are NFC and NVL operated separately?
NFC’s principal line of business is military relocations. The military relocation program is called the Defense Personal Property Program (referred to as DP3) and is administered by the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM). USTRANSCOM has established a complex web of rules, regulations and access requirements which participants in this program must navigate. Since it is radically different from civilian transportation requirements, the establishment of separate operations and personnel dedicated to the unique needs of the military service member and USTRANSCOM program requirements is needed. That specialization has resulted in NFC’s growth from a small startup company to one of the largest participants in the military’s relocation program today.
How did NFC get started? How has NFC grown its business?
NFC was incorporated in the mid-70s and completed its first full year of operation in 1977, when household goods transportation was still heavily regulated by the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). When deregulation impacted household goods transportation in the early 80s, barriers to entry were removed and many new carriers were established. Since many of the new entrants had been participating in military relocations as local agents, they naturally gravitated toward the DOD Personal Property Program. Foreseeing a decline in market share as a result of new participants in military relocations, NFC formed additional carriers to participate in the DOD Personal Property Program in order to preserve and expand its market share.
Many of the new participants found it increasingly difficult to establish and maintain the infrastructure necessary to comply with the growing complexity of the DOD program and access requirements; especially in light of the extreme seasonality of the business. Many of those companies have partnered with NFC to participate in its transportation management infrastructure which measures performance and program compliance. Being freed from these administrative burdens has allowed them to concentrate on their core business of providing the transportation service.
What international services does NFC provide?
Because international relocations also present unique challenges, NFC provides international relocation services through an autonomous unit branded as the National Van Lines, Inc., International Division. Our International Division provides worldwide relocation services to USTRANSCOM, civilian government employees, and individual private transferees. It is one of the highest ranked participants in the very demanding Department of State program. For more information on our International Division, visit their website.
What sets NFC apart?
NFC was born into and grew within a family ownership environment which extends to its employees and the companies with which it does business. It is large enough to provide the infrastructure and systems required to manage a high volume of business, but it is still flexible enough to work with its agents and business partners on a personal level.
Does NFC give anything back to community?
Flowing from its beginnings and employee ownership culture, NFC has a strong sense of responsibility to give back, especially to the men and women serving our country in the military. NFC employees have voluntarily banded together to form the Support Our Soldiers (SOS) Committee which holds regular fundraising events for military related charities.