Covington Casket Company was started in December of 1924 when a casket company from the nearby neighboring town of Opp, Alabama, was combined with a casket factory in Andalusia, Alabama. This new company, originally named Andalusia Casket Company, later became incorporated in 1945 and the name was changed to Covington Casket Company.
The company is still located in the original spot from which it began in downtown Andalusia. As a matter of fact, the main part of the building which houses the interior department was once used as an Army hall. Covington began like most companies, manufacturing cloth-covered woods. Caskets were then packed in wooden boxes and shipped throughout the southeastern United States by rail. In 1959, Covington began manufacturing metal caskets.
The late Johnny Williamson began working at Covington in 1971 as a sales representative, and he later acquired 50% of the company in 1977. Current President Eddie Williamson began working with his father in 1978. Eddie’s brother, Alan, joined the company in 1987, and later that same year Johnny acquired the balance of the stock and became sole owner of Covington Casket. During the years under Johnny’s direction, Eddie and Alan both worked in the plant, drove delivery trucks, and learned the operations of day-to-day business.
In December of 1993, Johnny lost his battle with cancer and the brothers took over as owners of the business. Today, Eddie takes care of production and day-to-day operations of the company, while Alan runs the casket design and sales side of the business. Alan admits that working so closely with his brother for the last 21 years makes for some interesting days at work, but wouldn’t have it any other way. “All in all, we’re on the same page, and that’s to take care of the customer,” Alan said.
When asked about his company’s secret to longevity, Alan was glad to share what he thought contributed to the company’s success. “First of all, we give all the glory to God. We know where our blessings come from. If it were not for the good Lord, we wouldn’t be here.” Second, would have to be their committed and quality-driven employees. Third, would be customer relations. “Eddie and I take about 50% of the calls that come in. It makes for a hectic day, but in this day of emails and Internet sales, you can’t beat that type of personal service,” Alan said. “The big boys can’t offer that. That’s what keeps them coming back”.
Covington currently serves about 250 funeral homes from its corporate headquarters in Andalusia, Ala., and has two warehouses in Mississippi, one in Louisiana, and one in Georgia. Covington also sells caskets to select distributors in the South. For more information about Covington Casket, please contact Alan Williamson at 800-726-5570 or awilliamson@covingtoncasket.com, and visit their company website at www.CovingtonCasket.com.
