Wood and Furniture

A Dutch SME specialised in the production of coffins and related funeral products is looking for new European suppliers of wooden handles and closing screws used in coffin production. The company has extensive experience in the funeral sector and supplies funeral service providers and distributors. To further secure its supply chain and increase production capacity, the company is seeking reliable manufacturers capable of producing wooden coffin handles according to specified dimensions and materials. The handles are required in two sizes (short and long) and made primarily from beech and oak wood. Preferably, the supplier should also be able to provide finishing services such as lacquering or colouring. The company currently requires both untreated and finished products. Typical finishing includes natural lacquer for oak and colour lacquer or wax finishes for beech, including grey wax and white coating (RAL 9010). If finishing is not possible at the supplier’s facilities, unfinished products may also be considered. The manufacturer is also seeking suppliers able to produce matching closing screws used for coffin assembly. The expected cooperation is a long-term supplier agreement in which the partner produces and supplies the components according to agreed specifications and quantities. Required products include wooden coffin handles and metal closing screws with the following specifications: Wooden handles: Short handle: • Length: 306 mm • Height: 56 mm • Thickness: 22 mm • Hole distance (centre to centre): 165 mm Long handle: • Length: 440 mm • Height: 56 mm • Thickness: 22 mm • Hole distance (centre to centre): 320 mm Wood types required • Beech (preferably steamed beech) • Oak Finishing options • Unfinished • Clear lacquer (oak) • Colour lacquer (beech) • Grey wax finish • White coating (RAL 9010) Closing screws • Ball head diameter: 20 mm with two flat sides • Screw length: 50 mm Estimated yearly volumes Beech unfinished • 15,000 short handles • 2,200 long handles • 18,000 screws Beech lacquered • 10,000 short handles • 1,400 long handles • 12,000 screws Oak unfinished • 2,000 short handles • 300 long handles • 3,000 screws Oak lacquered • 7,000 short handles • 1,000 long handles • 9,000 screws Beech grey wax • 2,500 short handles • 350 long handles • 3,000 screws Beech white (RAL 9010) • 1,500 short handles • 220 long handles • 2,000 screws Technical Specification or Expertise Sought: Measurements and quantities are mentioned in the description. Expected role of a partner: The partner sought is a manufacturer or specialised woodworking producer capable of manufacturing wooden handles for coffins and possibly matching closing screws according to the specifications provided. Potential partners should: • have experience in woodworking or furniture component manufacturing • be able to produce medium production volumes on a regular basis • ensure consistent product quality and dimensional precision Partners capable of applying lacquer or colour finishing are preferred but not mandatory. The cooperation is expected to take place under a long-term supplier agreement. The partner will manufacture and supply the components according to agreed technical specifications and delivery schedules.