Latoria
1 year ago
Absolutely, the ongoing health crisis has indeed underscored the crucial role of companies like MATW in ensuring public safety and security. Amidst the concerning rise in infections, MATW's services and solutions are pivotal, contributing significantly to the nation's response and management of these challenges.
As Warren Buffett astutely pointed out, the stock market often reflects the movement of wealth from those seeking quick gains to those who take a more patient, long-term approach to investing. In the case of MATW, their commitment to ensuring safety and security aligns with the principle of long-term value creation. This dedication to their mission provides a sense of job security and stability, factors that resonate particularly well in uncertain times.
The current situation underscores the resilience and importance of companies like MATW, highlighting their role not only in safeguarding public health but also potentially offering stability and reliability in an ever-evolving landscape.
sharky
5 years ago
Hundreds volunteer to help New York's overwhelmed funeral homes
Funeral homes and hospital morgues in ‘state of emergency’
More than 5,000 confirmed to have died in New York City
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Enjoli Liston in New York and agencies
@enjoli_
Fri 10 Apr 2020 16.07 EDTFirst published on Fri 10 Apr 2020 14.25 EDT
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People outside a funeral home in Brooklyn, New York, on 2 April.
People outside a funeral home in Brooklyn, New York, on 2 April. Photograph: John Minchillo/AP
Hundreds of volunteers have come forward to help funeral homes and hospital mortuaries in New York City that have been overwhelmed by the number of deaths during the coronavirus pandemic.
One funeral director had described the situation as a “state of emergency,” with some forced to ask families to try to keep their loved ones’ bodies in hospitals for as long as possible to allow funeral services to cope. Some cemeteries and crematoriums have reported being booked up for weeks.
According to Johns Hopkins, 5,150 people had died in hospital in New York City after contracting coronavirus as of Friday, though the death toll is believed to be higher. The New York Times reported that New York fire department data showed 1,125 people were pronounced dead in their homes or on the street in the first five days of April, more than eight times the 131 deaths recorded during the same period in 2019.
A tale of two New Yorks: pandemic lays bare a city's shocking inequities
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“The last couple of weeks have been totally out of control,” Matthew Pinto, director of the Provenzano Lanza funeral home in Manhattan, told the New York Post. “On a normal day, our funeral home will do between one and two calls. Now we’re doing eight or nine. Honestly, we’re not equipped for it.”
Funeral directors have been running out of storage for remains, with some trying to rent refrigerated vehicles to expand their facilities. Hospitals in New York have already been using refrigerated trucks to store the dead, and the city set up 45 mobile morgues earlier this month.
Joe Neufeld, director of the Gerard J Neufeld funeral home in Queens, told the paper he went from holding about 14 funerals a week to more than 50. He said he was was no longer able to offer full services because his viewing room was filled with people’s remains.
“We had no choice,” he said. “I’ve had families call me telling me they can’t find anyone to take their loved one.”
At the Daniel J Schaefer funeral home in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, Pat Marmo recently told the Associated Press his company was equipped to handle 40 to 60 cases at a time, but was taking care of 185 a day.
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“Every person there, they’re not a body,” he said as he walked among 20 or so deceased people in the home. “They’re a father, they’re a mother, they’re a grandmother. They’re not bodies. They’re people.
“This is a state of emergency,” he said. “We need help.”
Marmo said he had been begging families to insist hospitals hold their dead loved ones as long as possible to help funeral services to cope, and because cemeteries and crematoriums were booked up weeks in advance
Drone footage showed how dozens of New Yorkers who have died without next of kin are being buried in pits in the potter’s field on Hart Island, where millions of the city’s poorest residents have been laid to rest.
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New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, this week signed an executive order allowing out-of-state funeral directors to come into the state to help relieve pressure on funeral services. The move came after the National Funeral Directors Association wrote an open letter letter to the governor, saying hundreds of people were willing to help.
Announcing the move, Cuomo said: “If you ever told me that as governor I would have to take these actions, I couldn’t even contemplate where we are now.”
The NFDA said it had been approached by more than 500 volunteers looking to help funeral homes and hospitals. It said it had this week sent the names of 115 students and apprentices to the New York City office of emergency management, who could help ensure the deceased were “treated respectfully” in hospitals, and “documentation is complete while awaiting transfer to a local funeral home”.
It said it had also sent on names of licensed funeral directors to the New York State Funeral Directors Association, and would continue to try and recruit more volunteers.
Funeral directors have said in addition to the surge in deaths, the physical distancing measures in place to help stop the spread of the coronavirus have transformed the grieving process.
Those who die in hospital or other care facilities are not allowed to have visitors by their bedsides, and gatherings for funerals are limited to immediate family, if that.
Jackie McQuade, a funeral director at Schuyler Hill funeral home in the Bronx, told the AP that at one cemetery she worked with, only she and a priest were allowed at the site of a burial. She photographed the casket being lowered, hoping it could bring some closure to the family.
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“We would be going crazy if it were one of our loved ones,” she said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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$MATW
RJ Trotts
14 years ago
Here is some of the agreement with MATW and ETNL
This could be great for both companies once the products roll out.
SECTION 1 – REGISTRANT’S BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS
ITEM 1.01 Entry into a Material Agreement.
On February 16, 2010, Eternal Image, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a binding letter of understanding (the “LOU”) with Matthews International Corporation (“Matthews”). Matthews’ acceptance was delivered to the Company on February 17, 2010. The LOU grants to Matthews the exclusive right to design, manufacture, and distribute certain caskets, urns, and monuments for the Company’s Vatican Observatory™ line; and urns for Eternal Image’s Star Trek line™ (“Branded Products”). Matthews is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of memorialization products and brand solutions whose securities are traded on the NASDAQ stock market under the symbol “MATW”.
The LOU is binding on the parties, but contemplates them entering into a more definitive contract in the future. It has an extendable initial term of two years, and the mechanics of its arrangement are that Matthews will initially manufacture and sell to the Company the Branded Products and repurchase them (on a quarterly basis) for sale and distribution (throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico) through Matthews’ network of associated funeral homes and cemeteries. The specific number of product units that Matthews will manufacture and sell to the Company during a contract year is as follows:
a.
250 Star Trek Urns (which Product and design have been previously approved);
b.
720 Vatican Observatory Urns;
c.
200 Vatican Observatory bronze memorial pieces; and
d.
2,000 Vatican Observatory caskets.
The specific number of products that Matthews will repurchase from the Company during a contract year per quarter is:
a.
62 Star Trek Urns (plus an additional 2 units in the fourth quarter);
b.
180 Vatican Observatory Urns;
c.
50 Vatican Observatory bronze memorial pieces; and
d.
500 Vatican Observatory caskets.
The pricing for Products sold pursuant to the LOU shall be negotiated in good faith by and between the parties at such time as they are respectively designed and approved.
The executed Letter of Understanding is attached hereto as exhibits 10.1 and incorporated by reference.
SECTION 9 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS and EXHIBITS
ITEM 9.01(d) EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number Description
10.1 Letter of Understanding between Eternal Image, Inc. and Matthews International Corporation
SIGNATURES
lawrenzo
14 years ago
look at the one in april... it is interesting what filings and pr's matthews puts out. always short and to the point. the 2 latest acquisitions have significant sales in 2009 and matthews paid a price approximately equal to the 2009 sales amounts for each. also, interesting complementary sales regions that each company brings to matthews which can only make matthews an even bigger player...
Matthews International Corporation Acquires Freeman Metals Group
Date : 10/19/2010 @ 4:56PM
Matthews International Corporation (Nasdaq:MATW) today announced its acquisition of Freeman Metal Products, Inc. and related entities, including F&F Metal Products, Inc., Esser Casket Co., and Southern Heritage Casket Co. (collectively "Freeman"). Freeman, which has manufacturing operations in North Carolina, Texas and Alabama, is also a distributor of caskets primarily in the Southeast and South central regions of the United States. Terms of the transaction were not immediately disclosed. Freeman reported sales of approximately $21 million in calendar 2009.
Matthews International Corporation Acquires Reynoldsville Casket Company
Date : 04/12/2010 @ 8:49AM...Matthews International Corporation (Nasdaq: MATW) today announced its acquisition of Reynoldsville Casket Company ("Reynoldsville"). Reynoldsville, which is headquartered in Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania, is a manufacturer and distributor of caskets primarily in the Northeast region of the United States. Terms of the transaction were not immediately disclosed. Reynoldsville reported sales of approximately $13 million in calendar 2009.
lawrenzo
14 years ago
Matthews International Corporation Acquires Freeman Metals Group
Matthews International (MM) (NASDAQ:MATW)
Intraday Stock Chart
Today : Tuesday 19 October 2010
Matthews International Corporation (Nasdaq:MATW) today announced its acquisition of Freeman Metal Products, Inc. and related entities, including F&F Metal Products, Inc., Esser Casket Co., and Southern Heritage Casket Co. (collectively "Freeman"). Freeman, which has manufacturing operations in North Carolina, Texas and Alabama, is also a distributor of caskets primarily in the Southeast and South central regions of the United States. Terms of the transaction were not immediately disclosed. Freeman reported sales of approximately $21 million in calendar 2009.
Joseph C. Bartolacci, President and Chief Executive Officer of Matthews, stated: "Freeman is an outstanding organization and their customer focus is well-respected in the casket industry. We are excited to welcome them to our Funeral Home Products team and look forward to working with their customers and the Freeman family of distributors. This acquisition is expected to provide synergies in the manufacturing and distribution of our products and to expand Matthews' market presence particularly in the Southeast and South central regions of the United States."
Matthews International Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a designer, manufacturer and marketer principally of memorialization products and brand solutions. Memorialization products consist primarily of bronze memorials and other memorialization products, caskets and cremation equipment for the cemetery and funeral home industries. Brand solutions include graphics imaging products and services, marking products, and merchandising solutions. The Company's products and services include cast bronze memorials and other memorialization products; caskets; cast and etched architectural products; granite memorials; cremation equipment and cremation-related products; mausoleums; brand management; printing plates and cylinders, pre-press services and imaging services for the primary packaging and corrugated industries; marking and coding equipment and consumables, and industrial automation products for identifying, tracking and conveying various consumer and industrial products, components and packaging containers; and merchandising display systems and marketing and design services.
Any forward-looking statements contained in this release are included pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from management's expectations. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove correct. Factors that could cause the Company's results to differ materially from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements principally include changes in economic conditions, competitive environment, death rate, foreign currency exchange rates, and technological factors beyond the Company's control.
CONTACT: Matthews International Corporation
Steven F. Nicola, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary
& Treasurer
412-442-8262
RJ Trotts
14 years ago
The revenues are what everyone wants to see. You could be right, I am just glad that both companies have to file. I know I am looking forward to seeing MATW's benefit along with the benefit for the ETNL shareholders. It is going to be interesting. You could be right about break-even, but what would that do for ETNL? Also how much is ETNL going to allow MATW to profit off of their licenses? This is never a dull subject, I guess we will know in the 3rd and 4th quarter as to the details and the Profit Margin. Because that is why shareholders invest, to see their profit and portfolios grow. Time will tell, we should know something in November or December as to the details of the Third Quarter then about February or March 2011, we should see the details of the Fourth Quarter for both companies. For me, I am in no hurry at all, but am looking forward to seeing how BOTH companies profit off of the sale of the products. Then will MATW jump on this next Licenses to be announced? Or stick with Vatican and Star Trek?
RJ Trotts
14 years ago
MATW Star Trek Urn Update: NFDA 2010 Innovation Award Submissions
From the NFDA Site:
http://www.nfdabizexchange.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=441&Itemid=122
If you scroll down you will see Matthews Entered the Star Trek Urn, I like seeing EI's product listed WITH MATW, that should help make EI and MATW seem more of partners in manufacturing the Star Trek along with the other products. Slowly but surely it is all coming together.
DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCTS
http://www.nfdabizexchange.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=456:innovation-2010-matthews-international-corporation-official-star-trek-cremation-urn&catid=55&Itemid=122
'Originality and Uniqueness' Entry (250 words or less) :
Matthews International Corporation, through a partnership with Eternal Image, is pleased to offer this official Star Trek cremation urn. This marks the first time that Star Trek has ever licensed its name and design palette for use in the funeral industry. Furthermore, this urn features an image of the Starship Enterprise and star field background that is completely unique to this product—it has never been in print prior to this product. Matthews and Eternal Image have empowered the consumer to purchase an urn that is a reflection of a lifelong passion: a love for Star Trek.
Description of Products 'Quality and Design' (250 words or less) :
This 190 cubic inch capacity urn is built with an urn body made from a composite blend of natural minerals, an etched stainless steel face plate and name scroll and an image of the Starship Enterprise printed on anodized aluminum. It features a cut-out of the famous Star Trek Delta symbol through which you can see the famed Starship Enterprise flying through space. Above this graphic is where the nameplate is affixed, and below it is printed the name of this particular model: TO BOLDLY GO. We also offer a model called THE VOYAGE CONTINUES.
Description of Products 'Practicality & Sustainability' (250 words or less) :
Entertainment brands come and go, but few have had the staying power and worldwide appeal of Star Trek considering it first debuted on TV in 1966. The brand continues to attract younger followers through its newly launched series of motion pictures. Pre-orders for this product have already exceeded 200 and have come from as far away as the Philippines. As long as there are Trekkies, there will be demand for an urn such as this.
Description of Products 'Benefit & Value' (250 words or less) :
The benefits of this urn extend beyond just the fine quality in which they are built (discussed above). People have passion—it runs through all we do. Matthews International and Eternal Image are giving people the option of honoring that lifelong passion in the preplanning of their funeral or in the death of a loved one. This Star Trek urn enables a grieving family to purchase a product that is a fitting tribute to someone who was a fan of this franchise in life.
Lurker from Mars
14 years ago
Hillenbrand Inc.'s Batesville unit, the largest U.S. maker of coffins, filed a U.S. trade complaint to stop imports of what it deems knockoff caskets from Mexico.
The complaint, filed yesterday with the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington, said Ataudes Aguilares of Guadalajara, Mexico, is bringing caskets into the U.S. that infringe patents related to coffins with attached memorabilia compartments and a mechanism allowing funeral-home directors to swap out ornamental corner pieces.
Batesville said it has four manufacturing plants in the U.S. with about 3,300 workers. Sales of the patented caskets are expected to exceed $130 million this year, according to the complaint. Overall sales were $577.1 million last year, or 89 percent of Hillenbrand's revenue, Bloomberg data show.
The unit wants the trade commission to prevent closely held Ataudes Aguilares from selling its products in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
"Ataudes Aguilares did not develop these caskets on its own," Batesville said in the complaint. "Instead, in order to compete against Batesville in selling improved caskets, Ataudes Aguilares entered into contracts to import for sale in the United States caskets manufactured by Ataudes Aguilares, but copied from Batesville patent protected caskets."
The memorabilia compartment is a drawer in which family members put mementos rather than in a box placed haphazardly in the coffin, Batesville said. In September, the unit sued the funeral homes in Puerto Rico that received the Ataudes Aguilares caskets. Part of the case was dismissed last month, according to court documents.
An official with Ataudes Aguilares couldn't immediately be reached for comment. A lawyer for the funeral homes didn't return telephone calls seeking comment.
Cremations, Too
The Batesville unit also provides cremation urns and other services to funeral homes. The company said its plants are in its hometown, Batesville, Indiana; Panola, Mississippi; Manchester, Tennessee and Vicksburg, Mississippi.
The trade commission is a quasi-independent agency that investigates unfair trade practices, including patent infringement, and has the power to prevent products from entering the U.S. It typically completes its investigations within about 15 months of agreeing to consider a complaint.
The case is In the Matter of Certain Caskets, Complaint No. 2738, U.S. International Trade Commission (Washington).
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/06/09/bloomberg1376-L3T3P50YHQ0X-5.DTL#ixzz0qTP2uro2
RJ Trotts
15 years ago
FROM the MATW website...we know with the new Urns and Caskets, I look for the MATW website to be updated from the following, to introduce the Vatican and the Star Trek lineup:
The Casket segment is a leading manufacturer and distributor of caskets
in North America, producing a wide variety of wood and metal caskets.
It is also a leader in providing assortment planning and merchandising
and display products for funeral service businesses. These products assist
funeral service professionals in providing value and satisfaction to their
client families.
The Cremation segment is the leading designer and manufacturer of
cremation equipment and cremation-related products in North America.
Cremation equipment and products are sold primarily to funeral homes,
cemeteries, crematories, animal disposers and veterinarians within North
America, Europe, Australia and Asia. The segment also manufactures
environmentally-friendly caskets, which are manufactured from wood
fibers and corrugated materials covered with cloth, or paper veneer, which
gives the appearance of wood.
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