Bulletin 2000 December

THE

Inside this issue. . Handling the Price Cutter 6 Estate Planning 7 Cross Marketing 8 Successful Leadership 11

c 0 Nc4,4, e QUALITY

ii.. =I I I NO

II MI II VNI Il !MI III

• 11 =I IU II 1111•M•1111Z

WI =M=

Vol. 15

No. 6

LI December 2000

SERVIC /0

O ssv

NCBVA was represented at the November meeting of the Funeral and Memorialization Information Council (FAMIC), a coalition of deathcare industry associations. Jack Swihart (left) NCBVA's President-Elect meets with John Cannon, President of the National Funeral Directors Association and Dr. Kevin Hatfield, Ex-ecutive Director of the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards.

Performance Standards Manual Is Resource for Entire Industry

The revised edition of NCBVA's Performance Standards and Plant Certification for the Manufacturing of Concrete Burial Vaults is hot off the presses and will be in your mailbox soon. The 24-page booklet sets industry standards for the

manufacture and installation of concrete burial vaults. It additionally contains the proce-dures for burial vault manufacturers to obtain NCBVA plant certification.

Not only does the performance standards booklet define the standards for the industry, it also is an education resource for the entire death care industry and is available at no charge.

The publication, now in its 11th years, contains all of the latest revisions made to the program over the last few years and has been produced in a format that allows for wider distribution at less cost per piece to the association.

Performance Standards and Plant Certification and the Manufacturing of Concrete Burial Vaults will be mailed to all members in December. Other interested parties may obtain a complimentary copy by calling NCBVA headquarters at (407) 788-1996 or e-mail your request to [email protected] along with your name and address.

Get Into Print Dear Readers. We at the National Concrete Burial Vault Association Bulletin, would love to hear from you. Specifically we are looking for press releases from you so that we can continue to ad-dress issues and topics that are di-rectly facing you.

Do you have an idea for an ar-ticle of interest to other manufactur-ers?

Why don't you take a few min-utes and send us a press release about your happenings. We're interested in details about special events, indi-viduals who deserve recognition, awards, new services you are provid-ing. Suppliers: let us know about your new products and services. Color or black and white photos are also welcome.

If you are unsure about how to write your press release or article, don't hesitate to give me a call at (407) 788-1996 or e-mail me at [email protected] . It would be my pleasure to assist you.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Jan Monahan Editor j

I.D. Tags, Brush, Urn

2 NCBVA BULLETIN December 2000

triwrai

CREMATION IS EXPECTED TO DOUBLE...

Let IEE Show You How To Meet The Demand... Profitably! Research Shows The Demand For Cremation Rapidly Increasing Within the next ten years cremation is expected to double. More and more companies are recognizing the grow-ing trend towards cremation, IEE can show you how to turn that demand into increased business and profit.

Investment Analysis This free analysis will indicate if a cre-matory is a profitable venture for you. We consider your individual circum-stances and evaluate vital information on costs, depreciation, tax savings and estimated profits. .

The Power-Pak II Cremator The most cost efficient model of its size on the market, this system offers the quickest cremation time for its size, two hours or less, in-cluding preheat, while its cost per use remains the lowest in the industry. Other fea-tures include: a pollution monitor-ing system, a maintenance free stainless steel stad:, Idly automatic operation and, as with all our cremators, its guaranteed to exceed all environmental requirements.

Purchase Any Cremator, And We 'II Include A Hydraulic Lill Table— Absolutely Free This device allows for one-man casket loading, as well as gen-eral lifting and transport. Its hydraulic pump handle and swivel casters offer maxi-mum convenience for easy positioning of heavy loads.

The ECP-200 Electric Cremains Processor Is Engineered To Reduce Volume To Less Than 200 Cubic Inches... We Guarantee Ill

The ECP-200 is the most ad-

vanced processor on the

market, with a processing time of less than one minute. It's quiet, dust

proof, fully automatic and built for depend- able, long lasting performance. It's the perfect accessory to any crematory.

E(.P-200

In Canada Contact Richard Steele Eckels Company • Guelph, Ontario. Canada Phone 519-824-8020 • FAX 519-824-7161

Setting Industry Standards IEE's technological advancements have been influencing the cremation industry for many years. Quality equipment, unsurpassed service before and after the sale and our "client first" policy— TEE keeps working for you.

INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT & ENGINEERING CO.

P.O. Ito t7796 • Orlando, FL 32854-7796 In Florida ( 107) 886-5533 • FAX (407) 886-5990

Toll Free 1-800-327-2831

4

Crematory Supplies We offer the wid-est variety of cre-

mation supplies avail-able, from I.D. Tags to Urns, and everything in-between. Call for your free catalogs.

Hydraulic Lift Table

ENG.

Co.

December 2000 NCBVA BULLETIN 3

President's Message BY TIM BRUTSCHE

Keeping Employees Happy Is Good Business Practice

Jam sitting in a cemetery waiting for a funeral procession to arrive. I don't get to go on as many services these days as I once did in the "old" days. There seems to be always too

many office things going on, questions to answer, forms to fill out, and problems to solve.

Today is the Opening Day of Firearms Deer Season in Michigan. To most hunters in Michigan, this is more im-portant than the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, and probably, their spouses' birthdays! Many businesses close up for a few days because their labor force has "headed off to the woods."

That is precisely where a majority of my drivers are today; hence I'm driving a truck. I too, could be in the woods had I told one of my employees he had to work. But I think it is important to be able to see things from the employee's perspectives.

Employees work hard for us and make us money. In turn, we should work hard for them as well. Remember, in most cases, our employees are also our sales force. They come into contact with our customers much more frequently than we as owners and man-agers ever will. Their attitude toward your company can and will be relayed to your customers through their words and deeds.

I say this because I recently met one of my competitors' employees in a cemetery. He was surprised to see me, as most owners don't go into the field often. He inquired as to why I was out on a weekend. I informed him that I was covering for an employee who was unable to work (we rotate our drivers giving them every other weekend off.) He then went on to inform me that he hadn't had a Saturday off in over 30 weeks. As "low" man on the totem pole, he got all the weekend services, and he was tired. Imagine how his attitude reflected on his company.

As the New Year approaches take a look at how you treat your employees. Are you fair? Do you treat your employees as you would like to be treated if you were in their position? Some ideas include the following:

Rotate weekends Provide uniforms (coveralls, gloves, boots) Send employees to trade shows, schools, and seminars Provide incentive bonuses Paid holidays/vacation/personal days Medical benefits (major medical, dental, disability) Pension, 401K, profit sharing Employee appreciation get-togethers such as golf outings and Christmas parties

A happy and respected employee will provide you with good service; an unhappy em-ployee will do you a disservice.

PS: The Brutsches wish each and every one of you a safe and happy holiday season! See you in 2001.

National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc.

900 Fox Valley I )os e. Suite 204 Longwood. Florida 32779-2552

hut): ww..nchva.org (800) 538-1423 Fax: (407) 774-6751

President Tim Brutsche

Brutsehe Concrete Products Battle Creek, MI

President-Elect Jack Swihart

Saginaw Wilbert Vault Corp. Saginaw. MI

Secretary/Treasurer Dan Hicks

Hicks Industries Mulberry. FL

Immediate Past President Warren Chandler, Sr. Master Grave Service

Bogart, GA

Directors, District I Robert Hardy

Hardy Doric. Inc. Chelmsford. MA

Kelly Pellieano Graffius Burial Vault Co.

Reading, PA

Directors, District 2 Marty Begun

Eagle Burial Vault Detroit, MI

Curt Zamec Wilbert Funeral Services. Inc.

Forest Park, IL

Directors, District 3 Bob Donatelli

Baumgardner Products Co. Akron. OH

Darren Baxter Baxter Burial Vault Service

Clue' nnati. OH

Directors, District 4 Jeff Grayson

Superior Vault Co. Charlestown. IN

Graham MacLeod Detroit Wilbert Vault Co.

Detroit. MI

Director, District 5 J.C. Clifton

Quality Burial Vault Co. Houston, TX

Linda Darby Sempsrott Greenwood Plastics

Phoenix, AZ

Executive Director Thomas A. Monahan. CAE

Certified Association Management Company Longwood, FL

Legal Counsel J. Scott Calkins Harrisburg, PA


THE VAULT QUEST SERIES

< VAULT QUEST 2000 Operator's Ride on Drive Station 12 Horse Power Engine 6000# Hydraulic Winch 44" X 92" X 49" Max Vault Size Disc Brake System Power Steering Large Tread Width Tires Hydraulic Leveling Cylinders Various Option Packages are Available

VAULT QUEST 5000 13 Horse Power Engine 6000# Hydraulic Winch 44" X 92" X 49" Max Vault Size I-Beam Rated for Hoist Capacity 30" Hydraulic Leveling Cylinders 70 M.P.H. Towing Speed Hydraulic Controlled Retractable I-beam Positive I-beam Placement with Swivel and Tilt Trailer Lights and Fenders Hydraulic Drive and Brake System Independent Suspension Capable of Straight Grave Settings with or without Extending I-beam as well as Cross Grave Settings

Other Available Models: VAULT QUEST 1000: Walk behind Model. VAULT QUEST 4000: Ride-on Model with I-beam MONUMENT QUEST: Monument Setting Option. Custom Engineering Available.

The VAULT QUEST series makes vault handling a quick, easy, and safe one-man operation. The Vault Quest models are totally self-propelled units, which increases your efficiency and level of productivity The VQS is guaranteed to save you time and money. Custom engineering is available. Call for complete details and pricing torday! Videos are available upon request.

See us on the Web at www. mvii.com

MID VALLEY INDUSTRIES, INC. 1151 Delanglade St., Kaukauna, WI 54130 (920) 759-0314 • Fax (920) 759-0318

The

CONSTELLATION URN! VAULT* 1400 cubic inches inside

All corners are securery bolted

PAT NO 0374962

from our OBLE Distinguished

Line of Memorial

Urn / Vaults

SINCE 1876

ow's the time to take another look at high-tech, high-strength plastic vaults.

National Catholic

Cemetery Conference

SUPPLIER / MEMBER

F.H. NOBLE & CO. • P.O. BOX 588 Mundelein, Illinois 60060

Phone 1-800-431-7690 / Fax 847-566-0909 Call for pricing information and color sheets of our decorative plate designs.


Trend Alert: The Impacts of Labor Turnover

Employee turnover will continue, and probably intensify as the labor market continues to tighten in the years ahead. Most likely, a substantial proportion of workers will change jobs every two to four years, causing serious volatility in the world of employment.

This turnover will have far-reaching impacts for employers, customers, investors and other stakeholders. The most obvious im-pact will be on employers who are already suffering from broken continuity, inefficiency, and other difficulties that flow from insta-bility in the workforce.

Numerous employers, looking more short-range than long-range, scramble to fill existing job vacancies, rather than examin-ing their methods of doing business.

Driven by the need for "warm bodies," they hire people who are simply not qualified or even trainable to accomplish the work. As a consequence, employers are forced to invest tremendous valuable resources into building productivity and retention among employ-ees they should not have hired in the first place.

The more competent employees soon tire of carrying the bur-den of the low-performers, and leave for more suitable working conditions. Result: the employer is challenged to serve customers with employees who are less than fully competent as demands for service increase. Before long, such companies are in such serious trouble that the only solution is to close the doors.

The temptation to hire with reduced standards motivates em-ployers to stop testing for drugs, psychological suitability, hon-esty, and background. The increase in vulnerability is obvious. The exposure to risk for theft, violence, environmental problems workers compensation, and other threats can rise dramatically. Faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, managers and executives will throw up their hands and leave for greener pastures. Their replacements will face a culture that will defy productivity.

Unfortunately, many employers will continue down the paths fraught with danger. Wise leaders will closely examine their mis-sion, organization structures, processes and staffing. They will change the way they do business to get things done with fewer people with different qualifications. Even the US Navy will change, staffing new ships with fewer people with higher levels of techno-logical competence. The age of abundance of qualified workers is over. Source: FutureFax published by Lawrence-Leiter & Company, October 2000.

Crescent Bronze Powder Co., Inc. QUALITY • SERVICE

SELECTION • SINCE 1922

Featuring

VAULT MASTER

New Improved Water Base Formula

METALLICS WHITE AND BLACK

WE OFFER SAME-DAY SERVICE

• ALSO • Glitter

Metallic Powders and Pastes Bronzing Liquids - Spray Cans

CALL OR WRITE TODAY FOR OUR NEW METALLIC VAULT COLOR CARD

SAMPLES FURNISHED UPON REQUEST

Crescent Bronze Powder Co. Inc. 1-800-445-6810

3400 N. Avondale Chicago, IL 60618-5432 Fax: (773) 539-1131

6

NCBVA BULLETIN

December 2000

NEW MEMBER

Robert Waterloo Hill and Griffith Co. 859 Riverside Drive, Ste. 3 Greensboro, IN 46142 Ph: (317) 887-9522 Fax: (317) 883-2264

Batesville Survey Reveals Reverance for Military The folding of the flag, soldiers in uniform, the 21-gun salute, bagpipes and bugles play-ing taps. These are traditional symbols for paying personal tribute to our country's military veterans at funerals. According to recent Batesville Casket Company research, 79 percent of consumers find these military traditions are a "very meaningful" way to say good-bye at the funeral of their loved one. To commemorate the contributions and sacrifices of the generation who fought for their country during World War H, Batesville Casket Company is making a major dona-tion in support of the National World War II Memorial and has unveiled a new casket specifically designed to honor military vet-erans.

Compete Against Price Cutter With Your Best By Robert R. Hardy Director, District I

How do you handle a price cutter? Some say you should drop your price to theirs so you don't lose customers. But

where does that get you—doing the same work for less money and when the next one comes along, go even lower? Then what suffers?

For starters, service. You can't afford to pay good help because you no longer have the funds. Equipment gets old and you can't afford to replace it. Maintenance of equipment, buildings, and office—all this suffers.

Some say, "Buy them out," but why should I? What do they have to offer—a customer base built on low price that will leave when the next cheaper price comes along?

I was brought up to believe that you make the best product you can and offer it at a fair price to all involved. This means you use a good, strong mix that does what it's supposed to do, proper reinforcement, the best sealant you can find (even if it costs more because a vault is only as good as its seal), quality liners; good coatings, paint and emblems.

This business is mainly about service. If you can't afford to buy new trucks or keep the number of staff you need to properly service your customers with fair prices, everyone suffers in the end (not to mention, who wants less time off?)

So, I would say, "Do what's best for you." Establish prices that are fair to you. Give your best service, with your best product, on the best equipment because, in the long run, that's what everyone wants. This will keep your customers happy.

If you have any comments or suggestions feel free to write the NCBVA Bulletin.

PURE. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY. Another innovative product from PUREASPHALT.

NO.351 WATER BASE PAINT

OSHA and EPA approved

Compatibility with other paints for easy top coats

2 to 3 times the yield of other latex paints

Easily sprayed or roller applied

Freeze-thaw-stable and extended shelf life

Cleans up with soap and water when wet

For more information on Water Base Paint, Textured Asphalt Coatings or Bronzing Liquids,

contact the professionals at Pure Asphalt Company at 773.247.7030

PURE ASPHALT COMPANY MANUFACTURER OF SPECIALTY COATINGS SINCE 1927

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

THE NATIONAL CONCRETE

BURIAL VAULT ASSOCIATION

AND THE STAFF OF

CERI . 1F1 ED ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY

WISH YOU SEASON'S GREETINGS AND

A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND

PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR


Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Estate Planning By J. Scott Calkins, Esq. NCBVA Counsel Third in a Series

In the last few Bulletins I have attempted to inspire you think about estate planning. I have explained that

the IRS looks upon your total net worth with great glee estate taxes). I have also emphasized the need to assemble all your necessary and appropriate documents to either plan your estate with an experienced and proven estate planner or to continue to

review and up-date your ex-isting plan. Tax laws and regulations as well as court decisions may necessitate changes to your existing estate plan. But if you have had an

estate plan prepared, then the planner, if competent and dedicated, would automati-cally contact you.

This article and the next one, will focus on four major estate plan pitfalls. Now re-member, I am not an expert in estate plan-ning. I only want to provide you with some information, suggestions, and recommen-dations to think about then discuss with your own personal estate planner.

It's my opinion that the vast majority of vault manufacturers are millionaires when you take into consideration the calculation of their net worth as outlined in a previous article. With that in mind, unless you have a properly prepared estate plan to avoid most of the estate taxes for you and your spouse, Uncle Sam will be able to snatch 37% to 55% of your wealth from your heirs.

Negotiating the tax law is always com-plex, and a poorly crafted estate plan can wreck your good intentions. Here are two of four common pitfalls to avoid. The re-maining two will be discussed in the next Bulletin.

Mistake #1: Owning assets jointly. It's natural for married couples to own fam-ily assets such as a house, investments and other personal items in both names. But by doing so, your heirs could be hit with up to

a six-figure tax bill. Most estate-planning attorneys state that such practice is the single most common mistake that couples make. Fortunately this is one that may not

Unless you have a proper-ly prepared estate plan to avoid most of the estate taxes for you and your spouse, Uncle Sam will be able to snatch 37% to 55% of your wealth from your heirs.

be too difficult to prevent. By divvying up the jointly held property, you and your spouse each can take full advantage of a generous freebie in the tax law called the estate-tax exemption. This ruling lets indi-viduals leave an estate worth up to $650,000 before incurring an estate tax. (The tax law gradually increases this amount over the next six years to $1,000,000.

Let's say a husband and wife together own assets valued at $1.3 million. If the hus-band died this year, the wife could inherit all the assets without incurring any estate taxes (assuming she is a US citizen). How-ever, if the wife were also to die this year and the estate is still worth $1.3 million or more at the time of her death, her exemp-

tion will only protect $650,000 from the tax man. A tax-smart strategy would have been to split the family assets down the middle while both spouses were alive. Thus each spouse gets to use the full $650,000 exemption.

Mistake #2: Leaving everything to your spouse.

You might also squander your $650,000 exemption by simply leaving everything to your spouse. When you die, the so-called marital deduction allows your spouse to in-herit all you own tax free (whether its $650,000 or $6.5 million). But again, only $650,000 (as of today) of the family assets will escape estate taxes when she dies.

A better strategy for your consideration and discussion with your own estate plan-ner is to build into your will a credit shelter trust (also commonly called a bypass trust or family trust) which could send $650,000 of your assets into a trust when you die. You get to set the terms of the trust any way you wish. For example, you might name your wife as trustee and give her the right to spend all trust income plus some of the principal for unexpected expenses, like medical bills. When your spouse dies, any assets in the trust go to the kids (or any other benefi-ciary); plus your spouse's $650,000 exemp-tion is still available to shelter any assets remaining outside of the trust.

C ross-marketing... it's the newest free form of promotional advertising. How can it benefit your business?

How can it help lend value-added service to your business?

Many successful businesses today are riding the wave of the millennium with this

versatile, free form of promotion. When incorporated into a strategic marketing plan, cross-market-ing may tremen-

dously increase your profits and create good public relations as well.

What exactly is cross-marketing? It's actually partnering or bartering with

another service entity, either within or out-side your business, enabling a dual promo-tional sell for your product or services, With this type of promotion, you are able to in-crease business for a slow selling product or service as well as increase awareness of your business and its services to the public As an end result, cross-marketing gives a win-win value to all parties involved.

When considering a cross-marketing program for your business, ask yourself these questions: What additional services or product would my customers like? Who offers this service, and what could our two businesses gain by working together?

Once you've answered these questions, each positive answer becomes an addi-tional selling tool.

When added to your marketing plan, cross-marketing promotion can truly lend both value and credible word-of-mouth en-dorsement to your business. Instead of say-ing, "Look at our business and what it has to offer," potential customers will hear from people like themselves saying, "Here's a business with great services, check it out!" And all this without spending a dime.

Cross-Marketing Can Enhance Company Sales and Image

By Kelly Pellicano District 1 Director

Lease-Purchase Plan Now Available

The VAULT-MASTER has variable speed hydraulic drive, hydraulically raised and lowered front steering axle, roll-back CraneWay beam with adjustable support legs, and an 9,000 lb. hydraulic vault lifting hoist. Will handle straight or cross grave settings.

The Crane-Way beam is a 5" I-Beam and is 14' long with heavy-duty, adjustable support legs. The beam is carried on large flat rollers with heavy duty bearings. There is a hand crank system to roll beam back and forth. The vault lifting winch is swivel-mounted to the beam trolley. This prevents trolley wheel binding due to sideways shifts of the load. Hand operated back winch at the rear of the Crane-Way beam allows safe loading of a vault from a truck or trailer bed onto the Vault Handling Trailer. Rear hydraulic leveling jacks enable easy leveling of the whole machine on almost any terrain. They make off-loading a vault from a truck bed easier and safer. We have a long list of options and will do custom options. For more information contact. Don Long Long Machine Co. 519 N. Main Ave. Maiden, N.C. 28650 (Ph) 828-428-2648 (Fax) 828-428-8608


CENTER-RITE VAULT MESH 2 X 2 1 /2 xl 6ga. GAL. 28" X 300' ROLL

12.5 ga. TANK MESH many other sizes and gauges also available

1/4" DEFORMED PENCIL ROD for VAULT LIDS

EDGE-RITE SYNTHETIC FIBER

STEEL FIBER

All available from

D & C Supply Company, Inc. 335 Washington Ave. Bridgeville, PA 15017

Phone: 1-800-234-5781 or 412-221-1191

Fax: 412-221-9206

VAULT DECORATION SPECIALISTS

LAQUE INC. SINCE 1948

1635 Poplar St. P.O. Box 610964 Port Huron, MI 48601

810-982-9591 1-800-875-9591 FAX 810-982-1182

"Over 50 Years of Business"

December 2000

NCBVA BULLETIN

9

Doric Board of Directors: Standing (from left) Wiens, Brewster, Crummitt, Chandler, Mc Question, Vincent. Seated (from left) Foskey, Payment, Hardy.

Doric Seats New Board Doric Products has re-elected Warren Chandler, Master Grave Ser-vice, Bogart, GA as president. Joining Chandler on the Board of Directors and Officers for 2000-2001 will be Steve Vincent, .1.P. Vincent and Sons, Galena, IL Gerald Hardy, Hardy-Doric, Chelmsford, MA, will serve as secretary. Additional Doric dealers seated on the board are Asa Brewster, Brewster, Inc., Millville, NJ; Mike Crummitt, Crummitt and Son Vault Col., Martins Ferry, OH; Charley Foskey, Wicomico Vault Co., Salisbury, MD; Hugh McQuestion, Lake Shore Burial Vault, Brookfield, WI, Adair Pay-ment, Atlas Vault Co., Orlando, FL and Jim Wiens, Doric Concrete Vaults Inc., Newton, KS.

Good Workmanship Comes From Experience and Training By Earl J. Brutsche

Today, as it was yesterday (40 or 60 years ago), a quality burial 'vault could be produced by many manufacturers. You have to have good equipment, good raw materials, and naturally. good workmanship.

Today, the mix designs are "fine tuned' for our industry and the producer has unlimited access to the information needed to produce a quality mix. But good workmanship must be learned through experience.

Good Workmanship requires an accumulation of knowledge Therefore, it behooves each plant owner to teach and continue to train those employees who are on the front line both in the plant and in the field. They need to know all there is to know about their job and how it fits into the big picture in your business.

We are now in the year 2000 and in the next 10 years, sonic of our members will be looking at the belonging to the Century Club. I believe we have about a dozen members who have been in business that long because they are doing something right. 1 believe that those who have served their customers tbr 90-plus years will continue on to make it to 100.

I hope to see this happen.

THE LOGAN VAULT HANDLER By Axis Corporation

10

NCBVA BULLETIN

December 2000

PROVIDING SERVICE AND REALIBILTY FOR OVER 40 YEARS

THE LOGAN VAULT HANDLERS ARE MANUFACTURED WITH ONLY NEW BRAND NAME PARTS—NOT USED OR RE-MANUFACTURED. This gives you

better dependability and longer life of your Handler. OUR NEW 3/4 TON AXLE is manufactured narrower than the standard 3/4 ton truck axle to allow for more maneuverability in the Cemetery.

The Logan Vault Handler can handle both straight and cross grave settings. The Logan is equipped with hydraulic variable speed Forward and Reverse, also a High and Low range

gearbox STANDARD.

STRENGTH IS NOT IN THE STEEL ALONE IN A VAULT HANDLER; IT IS IN THE DESIGN The Logan was designed to withstand the stress of a heavy load and yet light enough not to tear up turf in the

Cemetery. The Logan was designed over 40 years ago and has seen many improvements in maneuverability and efficiency. The Logan Vault Handler is designed to give you optimum power using reliable parts and

durable construction. It has been tested, beaten, used and abused for over 40 years. The Logan always was and still is the benchmark of Vault Handling equipment, And that is why we are the

Standard of the Industry AXIS CORPORATION P.O Box 668 BELLEFONTAINE OHIO 43311 1-800-422-AXIS(2947) FAX 1-937-592-5230 salesOaxiscorooration.com www.axiscorooration.com

BUY DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURE

Confused About Who to Call

for the Best Metallic Vault Coatings?

CALL EDGMONT for

Excellence in Metallics

Quality Glitters

Antique Metallic Pigments

Bronzing Vehicles: SB, WB

Copper, Gold, Silver Powders

Matching Spray Cans — Six Colors

— NEW — Now available: dust-free pellets for solvent

based bronzing liquids in copper, gold, silver and orchid. Zero waste, completely dust-free. The best way to utilize metallic powders for

Burial Vault Manufacturers.

EDGMONT METALLIC•PIGMENTS•INC.

1-888-EDGMONT

www.edgmont-abc.conn

December MO

NCBVA BULLETIN II

Four Critical Characteristics For Successful Leadership Some of the country's most successful businessmen started small.

but thought big. They exemplify four particularly important lead-

ership characteristics that can be translated to your business as a

vault manufacturer or supplier.

Do you relate to the larger picture? Beginning with your first job, did you try to understand how your

department related to the larger overall organization? And did you

think outside the organization, trying to understand the markets in

which your organization competed, as well as possible future trends?

Sometimes you get lucky. David Elliott, now CEO of MBIA

Corp., began his career fresh out of law school with an entry-level

legal job at Aetna Inc. But he targeted—and succeeded in gain-

ing—a job as special assistant to the president. His second position

gave him the opportunity to see and think about how all parts of

the company fit together.

Do you have a vision? The best visions are characterized by two elements: (1) They're

simple and easily understood by all; (2) they're attainable by ev-

eryone working together.

For example, John Reed's vision for Citibank is to create a

world-class bank with a global brand and identity. The simplicity

of the concept makes it readily understandable to every employee

throughout the world—and each employee can contribute.

Are you willing to change your mind? Are you prepared to change direction whenever new information

warrants making a shift? Top leaders are.

Intel's Andrew Grove is an example. Intel made its name pro-

ducing the best chips in the world but suddenly switched to pro-

cessors. Reason? Grove perceived that chips were becoming com-

modity items. But then processors also began to be perceived as

commodities. Intel tackled the problem head-on. It's now selling

its processor as the Pentium, a branded consumer item.

Do you think long-term? Your focus must extend far into the future. How long? At least a

decade, often longer. Reed's vision for Citibank extends into the

middle of the next century and considers many future possibilities,

including new markets and technology.

Likewise, you have to constantly evaluate the future of your

department, unit, division or company. Ask yourself: What kinds

of demands are likely to develop over the next two to 10 years?

Can we meet them?

To hone your own abilities, begin to couch your thinking in

leadership terms. Look at the larger picture. Work to develop a

vision. Always be open to new ideas and be willing to change

course if new information warrants it. And think as long-term as

possible.

Source: Leadership Strategies

NCBVA proudly recognizes the following which have a current standing in

Plant Certification 'EO Program

companies the

Abel Vault & Monument Co.

Canton, IL

Abel Vault & Monument Co.

Pekin, IL American Concrete Industries

Bangor, ME American Vault Co.

Cleveland, OH American Vault &

Concrete Products

Detroit, MI

American Wilbert Vault Corp.

Forest Park, IL Arnold-Wilbert Corp.

Goldsboro, NC Arrow Vault Co., Inc.

Lafayette, IN Atlas Concrete Products, Inc.

Orlando, EL .Automatic Wilbert Vault

•Ilicoma. WA Babylon Vault Co.

New Windsor, MD Baumgardner Products Co.

Akron, OH

Baxter Burial Vault

Cincinnati. OH Baxter Vault Co.

Baxter Springs. KS Beck Vault Co.

Rome. NY Brewster Vaults & Monuments

Mills He. NJ

Brown-Wilbert, Inc.

Fargo. ND Brown-Wilbert, Inc.

Morris, MN Bruns Norwalk Vault Co.

Saint Louis. MO Brutsche Concrete Products

Battle Creek. MI Brutsche Concrete Products

Benton Harbor. MI Buckeye Vault Service

Mansfield, OH

Buck Simmons Vault Srvcs. Inc.

Roanoke, VA Bush Concrete Products, Inc.

Muskegon. MI C & M Precast

Kcrrvtllc. IX

Calumet Wilbert Vault Co. Inc.

Gary, IN Carolina-Doric, Inc.

Florence. SC Central Burial Vaults, Inc.

Oklahoma City. OK

Central Burial Vaults, Inc.

Tulsa, OK Century Vault Co., Inc.

Taunton, MA Christy Vault Co., Inc.

Colma. CA

Clinton Wilbert Vaults, Inc.

Clinton. IA Columbus-Beier

Columbus, WI Cooper Wilbert Vault Co.

Barrington. NJ

Cordeiro Vault Co., Inc.

Vallejo, CA Costello Vaults

Smith Falls. Ontario, Canada Crummitt & Son Vault Corp.

Martins Ferry. OH D.G. Robertson, Inc.

Williston, VT Dardanelle Vault 8z Monument

Dardanelle, AR Deihl Vault & Precast Co.

Orangeville, PA Delaware Valley Vault Co., Inc.

Chester, PA Detroit Wilbert Vault Corp.

Detroit, MI Doody Burial Vaults, Inc.

Winchendon. MA Doric Huntingburg Vault Co.

Huntingburg. IN Doric of Central Arkansas

Little Rock, AR Doric of Kansas Vault, Inc.

Iola, KS

Doric of Nashville, Inc.

Nashville, TN Doric of Northeast Arkansas

Jonesboro. AR Doric of South Texas

Elsa. TX Doric of Texas, Inc.

Houston, TX

Doric Concrete Vaults, Inc.

Newton, KS Doric Manufacturing Co.

Boat. AL Doric Nlississippi, Inc.

Jackson, MS Doric-South, Inc.

Demopolis, AL Doric vault of Eastern NY, Inc.

Hudson, NY Doric Vault Co.

Griffin. GA Doric Vault Co. of S. Illinois

Marion. IL

Eagle Burial Vault Co. of LA

Ruston. LA Eagle Burial Vaults

Perry. GA Esterly Burial Vault Co.

West Reading. PA Evans Eagle Vaults, Inc.

Leola, PA Everlasting Vault Co.

Randallstown, MD Florida Wilbert, Inc.

Jacksonville. FL Fond Du Lac Wilbert Vault

Fond Du Lac, WI Forsyth Bros.

Fithian. IL Forsyth Bros. Concrete Prod.

Terre Haute. IN Gettysburg Burial Vault Co.

Gettysburg, PA Grable Vault Co.

Logansport, IN Gray Bros., Inc.

Kansas City, KS Gross Vault & Monument

Thomasville. GA Hairfield Vault Co.

Hickory, NC Hardy Doric, Inc.

Chelmsford, MA Ham n Vault Service

Massillon. OH Harris Precast, Inc.

La Porte. IN

Heilman — Wirtz, Inc.

Cedar Hill. TX Hicks Industries, Inc.

Mulberry. FL Hydraulic Dolly, Inc.

Altoona, PA J.P. Vincent & Son, Inc.

Galena. IL Jacson, Inc.

Henderson. TX Jefferson Concrete Corp.

Watertown, NY Josten Wilbert Vault Co.

Sioux Falls. SD L-D Vault Service

Chattanooga. TN Lakeshore Burial Vault Co.

Brookfield. WI Lavaca Vault Co.

Lavaca. AK Ludlow Burial Vault Co.

Ludlow, MA Lycoming Burial Vault Co. Inc.

Montoursville, PA

Marion Vault Works

Marion, IN Markham Burial Vault Services

Richmond, VA Markham-Carter Vault Service

Smithfield, VA Master Grave Service

Athens, GA Memphis Burial Vault Co.

Memphis, TN

Mercer Vault Company

Fredericksburg. VA Milan Burial Vault, Inc.

Milan, MI Milwaukee Wilbert Vault Co.

Milwaukee, WI Minnick Services Corp.

Fort Wayne. IN Neher Burial Vault Co.

Springfield. OH

Nor-Don Vault Co. Inc.

Strafford. MO North Central Mich. Vault Srvc.

Cadillac. MI Norwalk Vault Co.

Johnstown. PA Odon Vault Company, Inc.

Odon. IN Omaha Wilbert Vault, Inc.

Omaha. NE Ostwalt Vault Co.

Concord. NC Palm Vault Co.

Ada. OK

Peoria Vault Co.

Peoria, I L. Pennslyvania Concrete Vault (.7o.

Greensburg, PA Perfection Vault

Woodson, IL Phenix Vault

Phenix City. AL Pioneer Vault, Inc.

Doylestown, PA Pope Concrete Products

Waycross. GA Poplar Bluff Doric Vaults, Inc.

Poplar Bluff. MO Precast Concrete Products, Inc.

Blissfield, MI Precision Precast Inc.

Pittsfield, MA

Quality Burial Vault Co.

Houston, TX Rex Vault Service

Newton. IL Rocky Mountain Monument/Vault

Sandy. UT Saginaw Wilbert Vault Corp.

Saginaw. MI

continued ...

For information on NCRVA's exclusive Plant Inspection and Certification Program, please contact NCBVAHeadquarters at I-800-538-1423

or use application form on adjacent page.

12

NCBVA BULLETIN

December 2000

National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc. Member Application for Plant Inspection

cONc

+C*. /4.

--(1141ITI 'st,•

z

s1-11\111-

OSsv

Name of Plant

Plant Mailing Address

Plant Street Address

Plant Telephone

Fax Phone Number

Owner's Name

Evening Telephone

Plant Manager/Contact Person

Evening Phone

Types of Outer Burial Receptacles Produced 0 Top Seals 0 Air Domes 0 Sectionals Other

Please return this application with full payment to:

The National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc. 900 Fox Valley Drive, Suite #204 Longwood, FL 32779-2552 (800) 538-1423 Fax (407) 774-6751

As an NCBVA member in good standing, the total of your Plant Certification Inspection will be $750. Full payment should be enclosed with your application.

Sam Green Vault Co. I ■ nclamig, V \

Shenandoah Valley Vaults, Inc. Dayton, VA

Shore Vault & Precast Co. F. \ more, VA

Simerly Concrete Produris. Inc. Bristol. TN

Simerly Vaults, Inc. Knmville, TN

Southern Ohio Vault Co. Portsmouth. OH

Southern Vault Service Blakely, GA

Spoerr Precast Concrete Sandusky. OH

Sunnyerest, Inc. Auburn. NY

Superior Burial Vaults, Inv. Salt Lake City, tyr

Superior Vault Co. Bryant() \\ 11 , MD

Superior Vault Co. Charlestown. IN

Superior Vault Co. DIM Individual Mausoleum Co.

Lawrenceburg. I N Superior Vault Company LTD

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada SWan's Concrete Products

Wc ,rhuv,I.,

Tennessee \ aid

Fairvico. I\

Tucker Vault Co. Farmington. MO

Turner Vault Company' 'filled°. OH

Vanden Boomen Burial Vaults Inc. Appleton. WI

Washington Wilbert Vault Works Inc. Laurel, MD

\Varga Concrete Products Inc. Fort Wayne. IN

N\ Mk Vault & Monument Co. Montc/urna. IA

Wayne Burial Vault Co., Inc. Indianapolis, IN

Welte Vault Co. Danbury, IA

West Plains Vault & Mfg. Co. Pomona, MO

Wicomico Vault Co., Inc. Salisbury, MD

Wieser Precast Stewartville. MN illiams Vault Company' imporia. VA

Willmar Precast Co. Willmar, MN innipeg Burial Vaults I,td. Winnipeg. Canada

December 2000

NCBVA BULLETIN

13

State Zip

Key Contact Nickname

Title

Company Name

Street Address

City

Phone Fax

E-mail

ClEagle OTrigard ODoric OWilbert OCon-O-lite 00ther OProvide Graveside services

National Concrete Burial Vault Association "Serving the death care industry with the very best"

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Company Web Site

CI Check here if you prefer to have your mail sent to your home. Home street Address City State Zip Home Phone Home Fax

COMPANY INFORMATION OBurial Vault Manufacturer OFuneral Director OCrematory OCemetery

OMetal Vaults OPlastic Vaults OFiberglass Vaults Offer sizes for OChildren OAdults 00versize

OAssociate Member: Tell us in 25 words of less about your product/services

ElPlease enroll me in NCBVA today! Signature indicates that you have read and agree to abide by NCBVA's Code of Ethics and the rules which govern the National Concrete Burial Vault Association. Signa-ture is required before this application can be processed.

Dues Schedule

CIManufacturer Member Dues are based on total units sold for all locations of the company.

Please check appropriate level:

C31 -999 Units

l000- 1999 $170 $260

02000 - 3499 $350 03500 - 4999 $435 C:15000 and more $525

ClAssociate Member $150

C]Franchise Group $600

Payment Information Include payment with this completed form. We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express

OCheck is enclosed

Please charge my EIVisa OMasterCard ClAmex

Account # Expiration date

Mailing Information

NCB VA 900 Fox Valley Drive Suite 204

Longwood, FL 32779-2552 (800) 538-1423

Fax: (407) 774-6751

(Signature) (Date)

CODE OF ETHICS We believe that concrete is an ideal material for the construction of burial vaults for the interment of human remains and that a properly constructed concrete burial vault is worthy of acceptance by the public. Our sales and advertising policies will be governed by standards acceptable by the public and the funeral profession and by principles advocated by the National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc. We pledge fair trade practices to our competitor whose product we will not disparage. We shall conduct our business on sound business principles, striving to build a relationship of respect and confidence for the burial vault industry with the public, with the funeral director and with the cemeteries management. We will abide by the rules and regula-tions of the National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc., thereby contributing to a stronger and greater national industry.

C ON

)111111

14

NCBVA BULLETIN

December 2000

N-20 Series

Phoenix Series

December 2000

NCBVA BULLETIN 15

Nose Peo/de daff //frapiffe 7-4e Fatafe„, WE MANUFACTURE IT!

As the demand for cremation increases...So does the list of B & I installations

Low Fuel Costs Low Maintenance Costs

24 Hour Operation 1 Year Warranty

Reduced Cremation Times

LISTED

Our commitment to quality does not end with your purchase...

IT BEGINS WITH IT!

Refractory Repairs on • Custom Designs & On-Site All Makes & Models

Fabrication Available

24 Hour Service • Animal Crematories

Syst'enia , Inc. 7205 - 114th Avenue North, LarOo, Florida 33773 USA

Toll free 1-800-622-5411 or (727) 541-4666 Facsimile (727) 547-0669 e-mail: [email protected]

Visit us at: vvvvvv.blcremationsystems.com "' DWI-DE SALES AND Sv-

Future Conventions 2001 - Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania

2002 - Houston, Texas

2003 - Orlando, Florida

2004 - Las Vegas, Nevada

National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc. 900 Fox Valley Drive, Suite 204, Longwood, FL 32779-2552

FIRST CLASS Address Correction Requested

Industry News and Notes

The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) has given its endorsement to Arrangeonline.com , a Web site that pub-lishes millions of obituaries and helps families plan funeral ser -vices online. "Our endorsement of Arrangeonline.com comes after a lengthy evaluation of its value to funeral directors, the families they serve and the marketplace in general," said Robert Harden, NFDA's executive director. This is the only site of its kind that has received NFDA endorsement.

Doric Products has introduced its new Doric Revere Compan-ion Urn, which is crafted in ceramic material duplicating the lines and raised panel design of the Done Revere lightweight crema-tion urn vault. The Companion urn is top sealing, measures 8" x 8"x 8.5" and fits inside the Doric Revere. The Vault and Urn are offered as a package from Doric dealers throughout the U.S. and in Canada.

A long-awaited National Cemetery for veterans will finally be built in Palm Beach (FL) County with $15 million in federal money. After California, Florida has the largest veteran population in the U.S. at about 1.7 million; 129,000 are Palm Beach County residents. The cemetery is expected to be ready for services within six to nine months. The 500-acre site will be on one of two privately owned sites near West Palm Beach.

Documents

Bulletin 2000 December