Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc. (WFSI), the leading provider of burial vaults and cremation-related products, has acquired the assets of the Pierce Companies, based in Dallas, Texas. The transaction was closed on December 28, 2012. Pierce Chemicals manufactures embalming fluids and sells a variety of complementary products for embalmers and Funeral Professionals.
In addition to the chemical company, Pierce also operates three not-for-profit mortuary science colleges: Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, Dallas, TX; Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, Decatur, GA; and Mid-America College of Funeral Service, Jeffersonville IN. These three schools are exclusive to mortuary science, where graduates receive an associate degree. WFSI will oversee management of these schools.
The Pierce sales organization will remain separate and autonomous from WFSI. Lance Ray, previously Regional Vice President for Wilbert licensee Suhor Industries, Overland Park, Kansas, will take on the new position of Executive Vice President of Sales at Pierce Companies. He will oversee the sales team and assist in growing its market share and product expansion. Ray is a graduate of The Dallas Institute of Funeral Service and worked in the funeral industry as a licensed funeral director and embalmer prior to joining Suhor Industries in 1997.
John Firestone, former Pierce Chairman of the Board and CEO, and Nancy Barber, former Pierce Vice Chairman of the Board, will continue as consultants to WFSI to ensure a smooth transition for the customers they have served for many years.
For more information, call (708) 865-1600.
