Four generations of family heritage, trust, and moving excellence.
Every move tells a story. This is ours.
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Our Legacy in Numbers
Years in Business
Generations Strong
Five-Star Reviews
States Served
Our Journey Through Time
From Pops Stratton’s first days on a truck in 1940s Los Angeles to a fourth-generation company serving clients nationwide—explore the milestones that built our family legacy.
Richard "Pops" Stratton lays the foundation
Born in 1923, Richard "Pops" Stratton was shaped by hardship and resilience—eventually finding his way into the moving industry after serving in the Navy. Starting from the ground up, he worked on trucks in Los Angeles, learning the trade through real labor, not theory.
Impact
This is where the foundation was built—discipline, work ethic, and hands-on experience that would define the company for generations.
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From helpers to high-profile moves
The Stratton family became deeply rooted in the Los Angeles moving world through Lyons Moving & Storage. Pops worked his way up to dispatcher and operations leadership, while his son, Paul Sr., started as a helper in 1965 earning $2.20 per hour. Together, they handled high-profile moves for clients like J. Paul Getty, Maureen O'Hara, James Cagney, and Jack Benny—developing precision, professionalism, and discretion at the highest level.
Impact
This wasn't a startup from scratch—it was decades of real industry experience, relationships, and reputation already in motion.
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$10,000, a used truck, and a dream
After corporate changes disrupted operations at Lyons, Pops was demoted—triggering a turning point. Paul Sr. pushed to start something of their own. Pops, hesitant but determined, borrowed $10,000 to take the risk. They purchased a used truck for $7,200 from Arrow Truck Sales in East Los Angeles—later nicknamed "The Whale." Wearing red coveralls, they ran ads in the Green Sheet and began booking jobs at $20 per hour. When business slowed during the Carter-era economy, they did whatever it took—taking side work and grinding to survive.
Impact
Stratton & Sons wasn't launched from comfort—it was built on risk, sacrifice, and the refusal to settle.
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Pops retires after decades in the industry
In 1983, founder Richard "Pops" Stratton retired from Stratton & Sons, leaving the company in the hands of Paul Sr. after decades in the moving industry.
Impact
This transition marked the beginning of second-generation leadership and set the stage for future growth within the family.
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Paul Jr. joins while serving in the Marines
Paul Stratton Jr. joined Stratton & Sons in 1989 while serving in the United States Marine Corps. He would complete full relocation jobs, then report to Camp Pendleton for training—balancing both responsibilities without compromise.
Impact
This era reinforced the company's core values—discipline, commitment, and showing up no matter what.
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Erik Stratton joins and shapes the future
Erik Stratton, the youngest brother, joined Stratton & Sons in 1994. With a focus on structure, long-term thinking, and operational growth, he began shaping the company's direction at a young age.
Impact
Erik's entry marked a shift from survival to growth—laying the groundwork for the systems and stability that would define the company moving forward.
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A permanent home in Sun Valley
As the business expanded—particularly in storage—Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. recognized the need for a permanent home base. In 2002, they purchased Stratton & Sons' first company-owned facility in Sun Valley, California.
Impact
Owning their first headquarters solidified the company's presence and enabled long-term operational growth.
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Paul Jr. & Erik take the reins; Tyler enters the picture
After a lifetime in the moving and storage industry, Paul Sr. retired in 2010. Paul Jr. and Erik Stratton purchased the company, stepping into ownership with a clear mission: preserve the company's reputation while expanding its reach. During this transition, Tyler Stratton joined the business—relocating from Northern California after recognizing the opportunity to help shape the company's future.
Impact
This marked the beginning of third-generation ownership and the early involvement of the fourth generation.
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Purpose-built fleet from Kentucky Trailer
With growth accelerating, Paul Jr. and Erik expanded the fleet with purpose-built moving vans from Kentucky Trailer. These investments ensured the company could scale without compromising service quality.
Impact
Growth was intentional—never at the expense of the customer experience.
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Satellite facility adds 40% more space
As storage demand increased, Stratton & Sons secured a neighboring satellite facility next to their Sun Valley headquarters—expanding capacity by approximately 40%.
Impact
This move reinforced the growing importance of the storage division and positioned the company for continued expansion.
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Designing and building the Chatsworth facility
With continued growth, the need for a purpose-built facility became clear. In 2018, the Sun Valley property was sold, and Stratton secured a new site in Chatsworth, California. Over the next two years, the company designed, built, and transitioned into its current headquarters—combining operational efficiency with long-term vision.
Impact
A defining leap—creating a facility that fully supports the company's scale, service model, and future growth.
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Erik & Tyler Stratton lead the way forward
After 35 years in the industry, Paul Jr. made the decision to retire. Ownership transitioned to Erik Stratton and Tyler Stratton, ushering in the fourth generation of leadership. Together, they committed to building on the foundation laid before them while continuing to evolve the company.
Impact
A new era begins—where legacy meets modernization.
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Still building, still serving
Today, Stratton & Sons continues to operate on the same core principles it was built on—hard work and an honest name. While the company has grown and evolved, its commitment to quality service and long-term relationships remains unchanged.
Impact
A legacy company still building—serving generations of clients while setting the standard for what a moving and storage company should be.
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For over 50 years, we’ve been helping families and businesses write their next chapter. Let us help you write yours with the same care and family values that have defined Stratton and Sons since 1973.