B & L Cremation Systems

B&L Cremation Systems, Inc. was originally established by its founder, Dr. Steve Looker, in 1985 in Largo, Florida. Dr. Looker was born in England in 1957, then moved to Canada in 1975. He first worked in the death care industry with an Ontario company by the name of Nortech Research and Engineering. In 1984, Dr. Looker and his wife, Sue, made the decision to move to Florida, U.S.A. to establish B&L Cremation Systems, which they did in March of 1985. B&L Cremation Systems began manufacturing cremation systems in a 2,000 square foot rented location in Largo, Florida at the Oxford Industries building on 118th Ave N. The first crematory manufactured by B&L was installed at the James E. Reese Funeral Home in Seminole, Florida in 1986. This design was the first human crematory to incorporate the true Hot Hearth system, which has since been incorporated into most of the leading crematory manufacturers' designs. B&L moved its manufacturing to a new 5,500 square foot location on 131st Ave in Clearwater, Florida, U.S.A. in 1990. By this time, B&L had added the production of human and animal model crematories, as well as other solid waste incinerators to be manufactured all over America, along with a full line of ancillary support products. The growth of B&L continued, and it soon became apparent that the company would need additional space to increase its manufacturing to keep pace with sales. B&L moved to its current location at 7205 114th Ave North, in Largo in 1995. The original building was 17,500 square feet, which was extended to 23,500 in 1998. Dr. Looker purchased the 5 acre Commerce Center through SL Property Leasing, LLC. in 2007, which contains over 62,500 square feet, to keep pace with B&Ls new line of animal incinerators, the BLI series. B&L continues to lead the industry with innovations that provide its customers with equipment that is long lasting and environmentally friendly, and with both of Dr. Looker's sons, Kevin and Gary, now working at the company, the family operations future looks very good.