Who We Are

Our Story

The Thein family has been moving buildings in the Clara City area since 1892. Eugene Thein Sr. would move a few buildings every year while also drilling wells. Moving buildings around 1900 was extremely hard work with mostly manual labor required. Screwjacks, Steam or live horsepower, and wooden wheel dollies were used.

1924
John Thein and his brother George took over the moving business from their father Eugene. The moving business was in conjunction with an implement business. John purchased some new timbers and now used steel wheel dollies for hauling buildings.

1943
John took over the moving business and it became a full time operation. John worked an area of about 50 miles around Clara City. He purchased a new truck to pull buildings and rubber tire dollies to haul them on.

1966
John incorporated the moving business and it became Thein Moving Company. Jim and Tom Thein, sons of John, began managing the company. Major changes took place in the moving business at this time. Unified hydraulic jacking system is used in lifting buildings. New dollies were built, steel beams, and large trucks were bought and used to haul and pull larger buildings.

1992
In February, John Thein passed away. Jim’s son Tim and Tom’s son Matt began working to start the fourth generation of house movers.

TODAY
For more than a century, we have grown and changed with the moving industry. New technology and new ideas have made moving large buildings cost effective. We cover a five state area Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. We look forward to working with you on your next project.