Houston, Texas
The largest funeral and cremation provider in North America, Houston-based Service Corporation International, has taken steps to increase their size. The company (NYSE:SCI) has officially announced the purchase of 70% of the outstanding shares of The Neptune Society.
Includes:
- The Neptune Society
- Neptune Cremation Service
- Trident Society
Neptune is the nation's largest direct cremation organization, with annual revenues of more than $55 million and a network of 30 locations in nine states. Through an active preneed sales program, Neptune has built a backlog of future revenues of more than $125 million. Neptune operates under the brand names Neptune Society, Neptune Cremation Service and Trident Society.
Neptune's owner, BG Capital Management Corp., a diversified private equity company, will continue to hold 30% of the outstanding shares, and the company will continue to be managed by its current Chief Executive Officer, Marco Markin.
"We look forward to welcoming Neptune's associates into the SCI family of businesses," said Thomas L. Ryan, SCI President and CEO. "This partnership is a wonderful opportunity for us to join forces with the largest and fastest growing direct cremation company in North America. Neptune serves a segment of the market that will continue to grow and that we do not currently target through our traditional funeral service and cemetery network. In addition to building on Neptune's successful growth and customer service we will be able to yield immediate synergies by providing back office and fulfilment support through SCI's infrastructure."
Marco Markin, CEO of Neptune commented, "In our stage of rapid growth and development, it is the perfect time to partner with a company having SCI's scale, resources and capital. Neptune is a great organization with fabulous employees and we are all excited to pursue the tremendous growth prospects ahead of us."
It's no secret, traditional funerals are not as popular as they once were. Cremation has been on the rise for many years, actually becoming the dominant choice. There are a number of reasons, one of which is price. Of course, with funeral homes struggling to find ways to revive revenue streams, we could have seen this move by SCI coming. Now, more than ever, it appears to be a battle over controlling consumer choices.
Neptune's owner, BG Capital Management Corp., a diversified private equity company, will continue to hold 30% of the outstanding shares, and the company will continue to be managed by its current Chief Executive Officer, Marco Markin.
"We look forward to welcoming Neptune's associates into the SCI family of businesses," said Thomas L. Ryan, SCI President and CEO. "This partnership is a wonderful opportunity for us to join forces with the largest and fastest growing direct cremation company in North America. Neptune serves a segment of the market that will continue to grow and that we do not currently target through our traditional funeral service and cemetery network. In addition to building on Neptune's successful growth and customer service we will be able to yield immediate synergies by providing back office and fulfilment support through SCI's infrastructure."
Marco Markin, CEO of Neptune commented, "In our stage of rapid growth and development, it is the perfect time to partner with a company having SCI's scale, resources and capital. Neptune is a great organization with fabulous employees and we are all excited to pursue the tremendous growth prospects ahead of us."
It's no secret, traditional funerals are not as popular as they once were. Cremation has been on the rise for many years, actually becoming the dominant choice. There are a number of reasons, one of which is price. Of course, with funeral homes struggling to find ways to revive revenue streams, we could have seen this move by SCI coming. Now, more than ever, it appears to be a battle over controlling consumer choices.
If history proves anything, I suspect you will notice a price increase over at the mighty Neptune pretty soon. Remember, shopping around is key.
