Aurora Casket Company Acquired By Kohlberg & Company

AURORA, Ind., July 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aurora Casket Company, the largest independent supplier in funeral service, announced today that the company has been acquired by affiliates of Kohlberg & Company, L.L.C., a leading private equity firm based in Mount Kisco, New York.

Aurora Casket is a leading supplier of caskets, urns, stationery, memorial products and technology solutions to funeral homes across North America. The company operates five manufacturing facilities in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1890, Aurora was privately owned through five generations by the Backman and Barrott families.

"The Barrott and Backman families looked at this transaction as an opportunity to continue the legacy and leadership of Aurora Casket," said Bill Backman III, of Aurora. "We are excited to partner with Kohlberg, a firm that shares our commitment to funeral service and to our purpose of helping to create an honorable closure to every life."

Backed by the strength of Kohlberg's private equity funds, this merger is expected to accelerate Aurora Casket's growth both organically and through acquisition. Christopher W. Anderson, Partner of Kohlberg, commented, "We are excited to partner with an organization with the rich history and solid foundation of Aurora. The company's success across five generations is a testament to the Backman and Barrott families. We believe that Aurora is poised for continued growth as the leading partner to funeral professionals."

About Kohlberg & Company

Kohlberg & Company, LLC ("Kohlberg") is a leading U.S. private equity firm headquartered in Mount Kisco, New York.  Since its inception in 1987, Kohlberg has completed 57 platform investments and more than 100 add-on acquisitions, with aggregate transaction value in excess of $8 billion.  Kohlberg has invested over $3 billion over its history and is currently investing its seventh private equity fund, Kohlberg Investors VII. For more information, visit www.kohlberg.com.

About Aurora Casket Company

Aurora Casket is the largest privately-owned funeral service supplier in America. Founded in 1890, the company operates five manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Canada, and provides a full range of burial, cremation, and technology products to funeral home clients. For more information, visit www.auroracasket.com.

SOURCE Aurora Casket Company