In business, a company’s milestone anniversary is a celebration of its continued staying power and longevity. It is also a time to commemorate past accomplishments, while strengthening relationships with employees and customers alike. The Business Magazine recently spoke with Michael Squeglia, president and owner of B.F. Fields Moving & Storage in Erie, to learn about the company’s 110th anniversary and what he believes is the secret to its success now and in the future.
B.F. Fields Moving & Storage is marking a major milestone this year by operating in the Erie area for 110 years. Briefly share with our readers how the company got its start.
Benjamin Franklin Fields founded the company in 1905 with a wagon and a team of horses. In those early days, the basic service was moving people’s household goods.
How did the company evolve to where it is today?
Until 1947 the company was located at 22nd and Raspberry. We became agents for North American Van Lines in 1947, which allowed us to offer services worldwide, and the company was taken over by Ben’s daughter and son-in-law, Helen and Tony Milano. As the company grew, it needed larger warehousing capacity and, in 1958, the company moved to 848 East 12th Street. In 1972, Helen and Tony retired and the business was then taken over by their son and daughter, Bob Milano and Gerri Hammond, and my father, Richard Squeglia. In 1996, the company was sold to my father and I, and, in 2000, we moved to our current location at 945 Downing Avenue.
Presently, B.F. Fields Moving & Storage coordinates moves for the military, businesses, families and corporate employees originating anywhere in the world. Describe some of the services offered at your offices and warehouse facilities in Erie.
Over the years the company expanded into other services including transportation of sensitive electronics, hospital equipment and commercial storage. We also are heavily involved in asset management for hotel renovations, college dorm construction, and new restaurant/business constructions. This entails receiving, warehousing and delivery of all items needed to outfit these institutions. We also provide final mile deliveries of various Internet products throughout the tri-state region. Our trucks can be found making in-home deliveries to locations in New York, Ohio, and into many of the surrounding counties in Pennsylvania.
To read the rest of January’s Spotlight Q&A, click here.
