INDIANAPOLIS – Buchanan Group Inc. announced today it has reached an agreement with Covington Box and Packaging Inc. to assume all its current import casket business. The move will make Buchanan Group one of the largest distributors of high quality, imported caskets in the country.
Indianapolis-based Buchanan Group, through its Private Label™ brand of caskets, has continued to grow its distribution business since its inception in January 2008. Currently, it has more than 30 distribution networks in nearly every state east of the Mississippi River. The company manages warehouses in several strategic eastern markets and also enjoys a healthy level of business in eastern Canada and Puerto Rico.
“The demand for high quality, low-cost wood and metal caskets continues to grow as funeral home owners are seeing more pressure on their bottom lines,” said Buchanan Group principal Bruce W. Buchanan. “The cost savings for our funeral home clients are substantial, which frees up cash for other expenses and business improvements,” he added.
The current year will represent the third consecutive year of growth for Buchanan Group’s casket distribution business.
Covington Box and Packaging Inc. located in Waterloo, Ind., is a manufacturer of corrugated boxes and materials with high emphasis on specialty and custom packaging products. Part of their product line includes the manufacture of corrugated cremation products. Covington’s focus will intensify in the cremation products area, which is a growing factor in the funeral products market.
The Buchanan family of companies, including Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers and the Washington Park Cemetery Association, have been in the funeral business for 131 years.
Two great former customers of mine, I predicted this move a couple of years ago. Kudos to both of them!