Okay, here's the wrap. A few more products and resources from the NFDA Expo floor and time to move on. My apologies to those who did not make the cut this year. [Note To Vendors: I would certainly consider reviewing and featuring new products throughout the year. I just need to know about them. Send email information and when appropriate samples or demos and I'll see what fits.]
If you don't know about Robertson Design Easles, the time has come to check them out. High quality steel frames, heavy duty shelves, hooks and hinges, they even have a portable podium accessory which attaches to the 4ft frame and can create a self-contained memorial service. The picture at right tells the real story though. Look at those fire fighter's implements on the shelves. With all those heavy items the stand didn't budge, solid and still all the way. Great quality work and after several visits to the Expo, in this business for the long haul. You can find them on the web at www.robertson-design.net or phone at 888-684-3434.
Following the theme of heavy iron, Riders Last Rest has several products for the hard core biker who ch
ooses cremation. Basically a single or double motorcycle piston attached to a metal base. These cremation containers will appeal to many in the easy rider crowd. You can find them at www.riderslastrest.com . Keep in mind this is a new and somewhat homespun company with a product in high demand. If you think you want one to show your families, better get your order in early and be prepared to wait at bit.
Margin, Margin, Margin
In funeral service, we tend to talk lots about service of people and care of families and in the process miss out on opportunities to improve our bottom line. With everything from gasoline to health insurance jumping quickly, we need to find those vendors who want to help us create new profit opportunities. I have mentioned a few in my earlier posts. Here's two more.
Kay Berry Accents. Memory stones, wall plaques, pet memorials, garden accents, keepsakes, bird feeders, on and on and not one product in that booth more than $75.00 with most items costing $20.00 or LESS! The faux stone looks amazing and you have many options for personalizing these items. If you don't offer them yet, you're missing out on an opportunity. You can find them at www.kayberry.com. Distribution comes through Mutual Distribution Systems, MaryAnne Scheuble who also handles the Howard Miller line mentioned last week 866-603-2182.
This is not the best picture of the product. The flowered pattern you see in the mirror belongs to Andrea Fitzgerald of HomeShrine, LLC. For $65.00 you can get the framed mirror along with the resources (Microsoft Word template and paper) to personalize the item with one of four different mat color combinations. Simple, straightforward, meaningful, lasting and practical for after the funeral. Given the price you should be able to satisfy quite a few families. Also keep in mind that an item like this can make a great gift for honoring special milestones with staff members or for prominent figures in the community. You can find them on the web at www.homeshrine.com.
P.S. They also make a corner shrine (not pictured) which holds a candle and has a place for a photo and a memorial verse. Lots of possibilities there as well.
One last company to mention and the name tells the story, Quilted First-Call Covers. I did not get a good photo of their products since closing time had arrived and they had started breaking down the booth. Nevertheless, take a look at the website, they have some quality resources all stiched and ready to go for those of you who want to give families a softer impression when making transfers from homes and nursing facilities. Don't miss the stars and stripes version, sure beats trying to keep a draped flag out of the cot mechanism. www.quiltedfirst-callcovers.net.
Thanks for tuning in to my Expo overview. I tried to find the smaller companies or the newer companies with products that will help us stay successful into the future. Feedback is welcome by the way. Should you have experience with any of the products posted on this site. Let us know what happened, good or bad. I don't want to encourage a product or a program that just does not work.
Have a fantastic week,
BT
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