March 16, 2011 -  Today Suhor Industries acquired the assets of Ray Fransisco Trigard Vault in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Approximately half of the employees were hired.  Suhor will merge the operation into their Tulsa manufacturing facility.

March 14, 2011 - As of today, Suhor Industries has purchased controlling interest in Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc. (WFSI).

In January, Suhor outlined an implementation strategy to shareholders that they will now put into place in the coming weeks and months.

Suhor has no changes planned in personnel at WFSI or in moving the company headquarters from Broadview, Illinois.

In a joint statement released to the Wilbert Licensee Network, Joe Suhor and Dennis Welzenbach stated, "We are excited about the challenges ahead and working with WFSI and the licensees to improve our brand image and strengthen the network.  We will reach out to the Wilbert Manufacturers Association and to many licensees that can assist in areas where they have specific expertise.  We will also keep communications open as we fine tune our direction and our progress."

Suhor Makes List of America's Top 500 Fleet

February 2011 - For the past eight years, Fleet Owner magazine has compiled a list of America’s Top 500 private fleets.  The Top 500 is recreated from scratch by Fleet-Seek, the premier collector of fleet data, using public and proprietary sources verified through electronic, print and telephone follow-ups.  The rankings are based on total power units controlled by a fleet.

Each year, Suhor Industries has made the list of the Top 500 Fleets and in 2011, ranked #453 with a fleet of 400 vehicles.

On January 24, 2011, a Tender Offer was received by Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc. (WFSI) shareholders offering to buy their stock or voting rights by Suhor Industries.  The potential purchase of stock is intended to provide Suhor Industries with control of the Board of Directors of WFSI.  This control would allow Suhor to implement a strategy of future growth and more licensee/licensor integration of products, services and ideas.

Suhor believes WFSI is stagnant in their strategy and growth plans and entrepreneurial viewpoint.  Further, WFSI is losing market share and is presently without leadership.  It is critical that the downward trend stop and WFSI grow their revenues and reckon with their competitors.

The offer is to acquire existing shareholder stock at $80 per share or acquire their voting rights at $5 per share for a three year period.  If successful, Suhor will control the board for at least three years in order to implement the strategy that has been outlined to the shareholders. 

Any questions about Suhor's Tender Offer should be forwarded to Joe Suhor or Dennis Welzenbach at the Corporate Office, 1-800-330-1869.

Suhor Industries Acquires Wilbert Burial Vault Company

On December 29, 2010, Suhor Industries acquired the assets of Arkansas Wilbert Vault with locations in Charleston and Elm Springs, Arkansas.  The business was formerly owned by Eddie Hahn and had been in his family since 1973.  With the sale of the business, Mr. Hahn will now retire.  All 16 employees of Arkansas Wilbert Vault were brought onboard by Suhor.

The service territory is Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma and borders on existing Suhor territories of Springfield, Missouri; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Shreveport, Louisiana.  The company serves over 3,000 families a year.

Suhor Industries Acquires Two Casket Companies

On October 6, 2010, Suhor Industries acquired the assets of Sound Casket Company in Arlington, Washington.  Sound Casket Company had been in business for over 10 years selling both domestic and imported caskets from China and Canada.  After the closing, product was relocated to a new distribution warehouse in Lakewood, Washington near Tacoma. 

The casket warehouse will be operated through Suhor's Clackamas, Oregon location.  Ron Scholz, former manager of the Salem, Oregon warehouse, has been named Regional Marketing Manager for Washington and is joined by Kevin White as the new delivery driver.

On November 30, 2010 Suhor Industries closed on the purchase of Martin Casket Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Martin Casket follows much the same business model as Suhor's casket division, Signet Supply.  They service customers out of their Pittsburgh and Erie, Pennsylvania warehouses with a blend of domestic and foreign quality caskets.

The acquisitions of these two companies underscores the commitment of Suhor Industries to expand into allied businesses for future growth of the company.

SI Receives WorkForce Solutions Award at Annual Ceremony

4/9/09

Lubbock, TX - During its 8th Annual Employer Awards Ceremony, WorkForce Solutions (South Plains) recognized Sylvester "Sly" Jackson, West Texas Regional Manager, SI Funeral Services, for his efforts in working with the Attorney General's Child Support Division by providing job opportunities to non-custodial parents which has recovered to date $192,000 that's been returned to custodial parents.

News Release

SI Precast Attains National Precast Concrete Association Certification

3/11/09

Parsons, KS - SI Precast has been awarded status as a National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA) Certified Plant.  The designation recognizes SI as a precast concrete manufacturing plant operating at the highest standards of production and quality control.

SI Marketing Manager Matt Stewart Presented Wilbert's "Sales Rookie of the Year" Award at Annual Sales Meeting

2/6/09

Chicago, IL - Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc. honored the top sales performers in its licensee network during the company's annual sales meeting.  Sales Rookie of the Year was presented to Matt Stewart, SI's Marketing Manager for the Oklahoma region. 

Pictured with Matt are Mark Klingenberger, Business Development Manager and Tony Colson, President of Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc.

News Release

Suhor Industries' Ranked in Top 500 of America's Private Fleets

2/1/09

Read the story online...

SI Funeral Services and Wilbert Foundation Award $10,000 Grant to Children's Hospital

1/28/09

Denver, CO -  Lance Ray, Regional Vice President, SI Funeral Services, presented a $10,000 check from Wilbert Foundation to the Children's Hospital Foundation.  The funds will be used by the hospital's Pastoral Care Department to produce a special video about children, teens and young adults who have lost a sibling.  Wilbert Foundation provides grants and resources to help children cope with the trauma of grief and death.

News Release