IA OFFERS ADVANTAGES FOR FUNERAL HOME DIRECTORS

Group provides buying power and alternative to conglomerates

DAYTON, Ohio (November 3, 2007) - Independent funeral home owners and operators need every advantage they can get. With major industry changes over the past several years, competitive advantage is a necessity. Enter, Independent Advantage Group – an association of 16 independent manufacturers and distributors who have banded together to provide a complete range of benefits that include buying power and variety to funeral homes.

Originally started in 1995, The Independent Advantage Group was formed by a group of independent distributors and manufacturers with the hope of gaining a stronger buying position for their customers. The group soon realized that they could pass on those savings, superior service and a greater variety of products to their customers. The group also uses their association as a “sounding board” to help gain insights into the death care industry as well as learn best business practices from each other and then pass along that value to their customers.

Now 16 members strong, the group has a national presence and provides an alternative to the major conglomerates in the industry. Collectively, they service the United States and parts of North America.

“Independent Advantage offers group buying power to funeral home directors,” said Jim Strouse, IA member and current President. “That translates into a stronger position in their market. We give the funeral homes we work with a competitive edge that is hard to find when you are buying through the larger manufacturers.”