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of the National Concrete Burial Vault Association BULLETIN THE February 2012 Crane Training 2012 Convention Highlights

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Bulletin of the National Concrete Burial Vault Association

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Page 1: Bulletin 2012 February

of the National Concrete Burial Vault Association

B U L L E T I NTHE

February 2012

CraneTraining

2012 Convention Highlights

Page 2: Bulletin 2012 February

2 NCBVA.ORG l February 2012

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Page 3: Bulletin 2012 February

February 2012 l NCBVA.ORG 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2012 Convention ......................... 4Timely Program Draws Record NumbersTo Convention in Las Vegas

OSHA Regulatory Compliance& the Burial Vault Industry ........... 8By J. Scott CalkinsNCBVA Legal Counsel

NCBVA Responds toUrgent Need for Crane Operator Training ............ 12

Benchmarking SurveyLeads to Concrete ResultsFor Burial Vault Industry ........... 14

Membership Application ............ 18

NCBVA Certified Plants............. 19

Industry News ’N Notes............. 22

National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc.

P.O. Box 917525Longwood, Florida 32791

http://www.ncbva.org

PresidentHubert McQuestion

Lake Shore Burial Vault Co.Brookfield, WI

President-Elect Michael Crummitt

Crummitt & Son Vault Co.Martins Ferry, OH

Secretary/TreasurerJerry Russell

Southern Ohio Vault Co.Portsmouth, OH

Immediate Past PresidentStephen Hatfield

Hicks Industries, Inc.Mulberry, FL

Directors

Mark BatesNorwalk Wilbert Vault Co.

Bridgeport, CT

Ed BrunsBruns-Norwalk Vault Co.

St. Louis, MO

Steve HandleyHandley Precast Systems, Inc.

Glendale, AZ

Dave LongEagle Burial Vault Association

Joliet, IL

Curt ShannonSI Funeral Services

Ennis, TX

Blake SwinfordTrigard Vaults / Greenwood Plastics

Danville, IL

Greg TilleyIdeal Burial Vault Co., Inc.

Depew, NY

Steve VincentDoric Products, Inc.

Marshall, IL

Dennis WelzenbachWilbert Funeral Services

Broadview, IL

Executive DirectorThomas A. Monahan, CAE

Certified Association Management Co.Longwood, FL

Legal CounselJ. Scott Calkins, Esq.

Our AdvertisersAmerican Cemetery Supplies, Inc. .... 7Accurate Wire & Strip Forming ........ 10Axis Corporation.............................. 21Crescent Bronze Powder Co.............. 6D & C Supply Co., Inc........................ 6Doric, Inc............................................ 6Edgmont Metallic Pigment Co.......... 16Holland Supply Inc........................... 11Long Machine Co............................. 17Nycon Corporation ............................ 8Rostine Manufacturing & Supply ..... 14Trigard Vaults ..................................... 9

Cover photos: An articulating boom crane operator practices placing OSHA-required weight in a marked location during the NCBVA pilot workshop at Lake Shore Burial Vault Co., Brookfield, WI.

Page 4: Bulletin 2012 February

4 NCBVA.ORG l February 2012

NCBVA presented an impressive, three-dimensional

number of registrants in recent years. Eighty-two people, representing 25 states, gathered together January 23 - 25,

lured by top-notch opportunities: train-the-trainer training in crane rigging, hearing firsthand the results of NCBVA’s world-class “Cost of Doing Business” survey, and being able to conveniently take in the international World of Concrete exhibit, held at the Convention Center, right next door to NCBVA’s headquarters hotel. There’s also the draw of the city of Las Vegas itself, which presents a variety of opportunities for dining and recreation.

Cost of Doing BusinessThe featured speaker on Tuesday morning’s program was John Mackay of Mackay Research Group, who revealed highlights of the findings extrapolated from “sensitive information” submitted by 52 companies that participated in NCBVA’s first-ever “Cost of Doing Business” survey. The information the companies shared in the confidential survey included net sales figures and other usually private information that is normally only shared with officers of one’s company, one’s accountant and the IRS.

Mackay held the attention of the audience of owners and man-agers of burial vault companies as he led them through a series of slides that showed them where the 13 identified “high profit” companies stood in terms of revenue, annual production, materials costs, payroll costs, and non-labor delivery costs as compared with the median results of the 52 companies. He stressed that the four main keys that have the power to move them toward “world class” manufacturing are (1) making good decisions based on good infor-mation; (2) assessing what is most important; (3) making informed

Mackay continued to explain important features of the survey report, such as gross margin (the first measure of profitability), cash traps, a strategic profit model (a valuable management tool) and profit margin. He coached the group in setting a profit target, followed by a number of slides that showed the impact of a mere one percent improvement.

Companies that participated in the survey received a customized benchmarking report that Mackay stressed could be very helpful in getting a line of credit from the bank. One of the testimonials presented by a former client underscored that assumption: “I was able to double my line of credit at the bank by using my individual Benchmarking Profile Report to convince my banker that I was one of the high-profit firms in the industry.”

World of ConcreteThrough a special arrangement with the World of Concrete (WOC), NCBVA attendees received passes for free access to the WOC ex-hibit, which opened at noon on Tuesday. NCBVA’s program was built so that attendees could network with each other and visit NCBVA exhibitors in the mornings, then head out for the WOC exhibit in the afternoon. A two-for-one use of education/travel dollars was appealing to burial vault manufacturers, who enjoyed having the best of both worlds.

Train-the-TrainerAfter the conclusion of Wednesday morning’s annual meeting, at-tendees settled in for a training session on crane rigging, led by Ron Overton of Overton Safety Training. With more than 25 years of professional training experience behind him, Overton is considered

Timely, Informative ProgramDraws Record Numbersto 2012 Convention

Attendees study training manual during workshop.

Overton

Page 5: Bulletin 2012 February

February 2012 l NCBVA.ORG 5

an expert in crane and rigging regulations, laws and standards.Seeing is believing, and Overton opened the training session

by showing a series of actual photos of a mishap in which not one but two cranes ended up in the water. He emphasized that it’s very important to know exactly what a specific type of crane can and cannot do.

Overton spelled out the essentials of proper rigging for the group, but the pay-off was his instruction on how each member of the audience could return to his/her plant and subsequently train nine additional people at significant savings.

For more information on the “Train-the-Trainer” class and future articulating boom crane workshops sponsored by the NCBVA, turn to page 12.

Annual Meeting Highlights;Conducting NCBVA BusinessOne of the important items on the annual meeting agenda is the election of officers and board members. The terms of office of three

for re-election. Attendees applauded them for their years of service. They are: Wendy Brown, Mark H. Bott Company, Ogden, Utah; Doug Evans, Carolina Doric, Inc., Florence, South Carolina; and Dennis Schultz, Doric Vault of Western New York, Inc., Buffalo, New York.

Officers to Serve Second Term

remain to serve a second one-year term. They are: President Hubert McQuestion,

Lake Shore Burial Vault Co., Brookfield, Wisconsin; President-Elect Michael Crummitt, Crummitt & Son Vault Co., Martins Ferry, Ohio; and Secretary/Treasurer Jerry Russell, Southern Ohio Vault Co., Portsmouth, Ohio.

Elected to fill the three vacant three-year terms on NCBVA’s Board of Directors are: Ed Bruns, President/Owner, Bruns-Norwalk Vault Co., St. Louis, Missouri; Curt Shannon, Vice President, SI Funeral Services, Ennis, TX; and Greg Tilley, Vice President, Ideal Burial Vault Company, Inc., Depew, New York. Mark Bates, Norwalk Wilbert Vault Co., Bridgeport, CT, and Steve Handley, Handley

Thanks to our Corporate Sponsors, Edgmont Metallic Pigment Co., Inc. (Gold) and Doric Inc. (Silver) for their generous support which helped make the Las Vegas Conven-tion possible & affordable to all members.

Precast Systems, Inc., Glendale, AZ continue as directors. Dennis Welzenbach, President of Wilbert Funeral Services,

Broadview, Illinois, was appointed by the NCBVA Board to replace Paul Cooper as the affiliate director representing Wilbert Funeral Services.Other affiliate directors, appointed by the Board remain the same: Steve Vincent, Doric Products, Inc., Marshall, Illinois; Dave Long, Eagle Burial Vault Association, Joliet, Illinois; and Blake Swinford, Trigard Vaults/Greenwood Plastics, Danville, Illinois.

John Mackay sports an NCBVA T-shirt.

Ron Overton conducts training workshop.

Page 6: Bulletin 2012 February

6 NCBVA.ORG l February 2012

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American Cemetery Supplies, Inc.Represented by Del Doleman

Axis CorporationRepresented by Matt Oldiges

Cargotec USA, Inc.Represented by Kim Osborn

Elk River Machine Co.Represented by Larry Ebert

Holland Supply, Inc.Represented by R.J. DeWilde

Mixer Systems, Inc.Represented by Ray Beaulieu

Overton Safety TrainingRepresented by Ron Overton

Sierra CorporationRepresented by Bill John

TrigardRepresented by Blake Swinford

Wrennsmill Enterprises, LLCRepresented by Paula Manson & Steve Harris

Page 7: Bulletin 2012 February

February 2012 l NCBVA.ORG 7

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Page 8: Bulletin 2012 February

8 NCBVA.ORG l February 2012

By J. Scott Calkins, Esq.NCBVA Counsel

In view of the necessity for all members to know about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and its regula-tions affecting their operations--especially the new crane rules––I thought it important to provide you with information on what to expect and advice on what you can do if an OSHA inspector finds defi-ciencies in your manufacturing operations and in the delivery of your vaults.

For those of you who are aware of the regulatory inspection procedure (some of you may have even had citations), this information will be a refresher. But for those of you who have not yet experienced an OSHA inspection, including receiving a deficien-cy citation, the following information is extremely important in order to avoid major financial penalties and oversight.

Typical OSHA “Visit” ScenarioTypically, an OSHA compliance safety and health officer conducts an inspec-tion of your plant and the delivery system and then reports the findings to the OSHA area director, who evaluates them. If a violation is discovered, OSHA will issue you a Citation and Notification of Penalty detailing the exact nature of the violation(s) and any associated penalties. A citation informs you of the al-leged violation, sets a proposed time period within which to correct the violation (known as abatement), and proposes the appropriate dollar penalties.

At this point, several requirements and timelines kick in. For example, when you receive a citation, you must post a copy of it at or near the place where each violation occurred to make employees aware of the hazards to which they may be exposed. (I wonder how you will be able to implement the posting require-ment at the cemetery where a crane violation occurs?) Such posting must remain in place for three days or until the violation is corrected, whichever is longer.

The abatement certification documents––such as the certifications, abatement plans and progress reports––also must be posted at or near the place where the violation occurred.

You then have 15 days from receipt of the citation to either accept it, which would compel you to correct the condition by the date set forth in the citation and pay any proposed penalty, or contest it, which requires written notice that details what parts of the citation you question.

Important note: Before deciding whether to file a Notice of Intent to Con-test, you may request an informal conference with the OSHA area director to discuss the citation.

What Next?In the next NCBVA Bulletin, I will advise you of the opportunities and possible resolutions of the citation available with such informal conference without the necessity of taking the next step--costly litigation.

OSHA Regulatory Compliance& the Burial Vault Industry

Page 9: Bulletin 2012 February

February 2012 l NCBVA.ORG 9

Page 10: Bulletin 2012 February

10 NCBVA.ORG l February 2012

Elinor Manning Atkinson - Nov. 9Mother of Robert AtkinsonSunnycrest WilbertAuburn, New York

Graham Babylon - Oct. 18Husband of Mary BabylonBabylon Vault Co.New Windsor, Maryland

David W. Barnhart - Jan. 7Employee of Richards-Wilbert, Inc.Roanoke Valley, VAHagerstown, Maryland

Roger Stanton Berry - Aug. 26Father of Kathleen BerryWilbert Funeral Services Inc.Broadview, IL

Donald J. Bierschwale - Nov. 6Father of Eddie BierschwaleSI Funeral ServicesSan Antonio, Texas

Viola E. Carlson - Dec. 27, 2010Mother of Ric CarlsonWilbert Precast, Inc.Spokane, Washington

Arduth Chandler - April 4Mother of Joseph & Robert ChandlerMemorial Monument & VaultsLehi, Utah

Maria A. Cortez de Paniagua - Oct. 13Mother of Manuel & Martin PaniaguaWilbert Funeral Services, Inc.Broadview, Illinois

Rick Deihl - Jan. 1Owner of Deihl Precast & VaultFather of Faith & Mike DeihlOrangeville, Pennsylvania

Mary Gartner - Aug.11Mother of Janet Traub;Mother-in-Law of Leonard TraubAlberta Wilbert Sales Ltd.Edmonton, Canada

Lisa Harris - Jan. 3Co-Owner of Harris PrecastWife of Scott HarrisHarris PrecastLaPorte, Indiana

Sharon Holthaus - Sept. 11Mother of Steve BushSt. Louis Wilbert VaultQuincy, Illinois

William J. Houk - Feb. 16& Rosada Houk - Mar. 28Parents of Dan HoukWilbert Precast, Inc.Spokane, Washington

Helen Hupp - Feb. 5, 2011Mother of Cindy Stiverson; Mother-in-Law of John StiversonHupp Stiverson CompanyZanesville, Ohio

Geraldine Jankowski - Nov. 7Mother of Gina WiltonSI Funeral ServicesFairport, New York

Vivian K. Janowiak - Dec. 11Mother-in-Law to Ray GrecoWilbert Funeral Services, Inc.Broadview, Illinois

Richard Plante - Aug. 7Husband of Debra Plante; father of JR Plante Burial VaultMillbury, Massachusetts

Robert “Bob” Priest - Mar. 9Father of David PriestWayne Burial VaultIndianapolis, Indiana

Don Showalter - Dec. 5Father of Jill Darby Father-in-Law of Richard DarbyConnersville, Indiana

Bette J. Smith - Mar. 10Mother of Nancy Roland;Mother-in-Law of Jeff RolandRoland-Wilbert VaultsMarion, Iowa

Daniel Steinhauer - Jan. 21Father of Ken Steinhauer(Formerly with WFSI)Broadview, Illinois

Gloria Travis - Dec. 31Mother of Gregg KatzWilbert Funeral Services, Inc.Broadview, Illinois

Remembrance of the DepartedAt each annual meeting, NCBVA honors those in the industry who passed in the

Eagle, Trigard and Wilbert for helping publish a complete list.

Page 11: Bulletin 2012 February

February 2012 l NCBVA.ORG 11

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Page 12: Bulletin 2012 February

12 NCBVA.ORG l February 2012

Scrane operator

training have become buzzwords for the burial vault industry. After more than nine years of considering revisions to its standard for crane operators in construc-tion, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA) recently updated that standard. In the updating a broad swath was made through industry in general, including companies

-ing that load to the left or right. Most burial vault manufacturers are faced with complying with the new standard, because they use such equipment––typically articulating boom cranes––to deliver burial vaults.

There are many sections to the revised OSHA standard, and just as many interpretations on whether the standard actually includes burial vault manufacturers. Because government agencies move slowly to make changes or exceptions to standards, it is prudent for companies to make efforts to be in compliance rather than risk heavy fines.

Train-the-Trainer ClassIn Las Vegas a Huge DrawAccording to the new OSHA requirements, riggers and signalers must be qualified now. In order to help meet this need, NCBVA changed its previously planned convention program in December to include a “Train-the-Trainer” class in rigging. This proved to be a huge draw, and NCBVA had one of the most well-attended con-ventions in recent history, with 82 people from 25 states registered.

NCBVA Responds to Urgent Need forCrane Operator Training

Upcoming ABCOSHA Crane Certification Workshops

March 22 - 23 –– Harrison, NJ

April 4 - 5 –– Battle Creek, MIApril 6 - 7 –– Battle Creek, MI

May 5 - 6 –– Monclova, OH

Page 13: Bulletin 2012 February

February 2012 l NCBVA.ORG 13

owners/managers of burial vault companies completed the on-site training. Each burial vault company was given instruction and materials for training and qualifying nine additional people at their plants. The course attendees realized a significant savings for their companies, because the Train-the-Trainer class is usually offered at a cost of $795 per person.

Articulating Boom Crane Training;“Qualified” vs. “Certified”Qualification for rigging and signaling is only the tip of the ice-berg, however. What’s more important is the certification for crane operators (drivers of burial vault delivery trucks), which has to be

operators have to be qualified now. NCBVA is helping companies fast-forward to crane operator certification for articulating boom cranes (ABC)––by-passing qualification––by offering workshops for that, too. The first pilot workshop for ABC operator certifica-

Company in Brookfield, WI. “When we held the pilot course for ABC operators,” says NCBVA

Executive Director Tom Monahan, “we learned a valuable lesson about the uniqueness of our industry and the necessity of flexibility in scheduling training. Our companies simply can’t afford to send every staff member who needs to be certified to one location at one time. You can schedule training, but you can’t always anticipate the demand that might suddenly be placed on a company. For example, one company had to pull its employees out of the Brookfield loca-tion because there was an unexpected demand at that time for burial vault deliveries.”

“As a result,” continues Monahan, “we’re scheduling future two-day articulating crane certification classes over a four-day time period in one location. That way a company can send some of its crane operators to the first class, and the rest to the second class. NCBVA saves on the instructor expenses because the instruc-tor can teach two separate classes in the same location.”

Future ABC WorkshopsThe Articulating (ABC) OSHA Crane Operator Certification Workshop is currently scheduled

CraneOverboard!

NCBVA member companies. (Registration forms or on-line reg-istration are available at www.ncbva.org. Look for OSHA training at the upper left of the screen.)

Prior to the workshop, each student will receive a package of course materials, which includes a workbook, an Articulating Boom Crane Load Chart Manual, and the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) Handbook. Day One of the workshop will focus on exam preparation and practice exams. Day Two will start with a morning review, followed by the NCCCO Articulating Boom Crane written and practical exams.

What to Bring to WorkshopThe exams for the ABC Work-shop will be proctored by a rep-resentative from the NCCCO. Students are required to bring a government-issued photo ID, the admission letter for the test date, and suitable clothing for practi-cal exams for the climate (rain gear, durable shoes/boots, safety glasses and hard hat). A hard hat will be needed for the practical evaluation.

Students who successfully complete the workshop and pass the exams will be issued a certifi-cate and card by the NCCCO.

Photos right: Students attend pilot workshop for articulating boom crane

operators at Lake Shore Burial Vault Co. in Brookfield, WI. Instructor Curt Raber emphasizes inspecting equipment for

wear and tear.

If you think you’re doing everything right, look at what happened to a crane operator in Dublin, Ireland. The initial operator didn’t think outriggers were necessary when trying to fish a small car out of the drink. He also didn’t think it necessary to clear the pedestrians standing next to the crane. A larger crane with outriggers was called to the rescue. The second crane, attempting to pull both the car and first crane from the water, also goes in! Once again, the crane operator failed to clear a safety circle around his crane. Try explaining this to the OSHA inspector!

Page 14: Bulletin 2012 February

14 NCBVA.ORG l February 2012

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“Size doesn’t matter when it comes to prof-itability,” John Mackay told an attentive

burial vault industry who attended NCBVA’s annual convention in Las Vegas. “I’m all about trying to improve profitability. It’s the small differences in costs and productivity that ultimately lead to a large difference in operating profit. The companies that pay attention to the details will be more suc-cessful,” he said.

With confidentiality assured by the research firm at the onset of the study, the survey respondents (mostly closely-held businesses) provided sensitive data they usually share with only the highest officers in their companies, their accountants, and

Mackay concurred that revenue was basi-

including precast industries, have experi-enced significant declines in revenue over the past few years, he was satisfied that the burial vault industry’s experience is normal and expected.

The number of NCBVA member firms responding to the survey was 52, and Mac-kay stated that this is a statistically signifi-cant sample of NCBVA members.

“As a matter of fact,” Mackay said, “52 firms is a really good participation level, considering that this was the first time the NCBVA conducted a benchmarking sur-vey. In my opinion, this relatively large sample showed that NCBVA wants more benchmarking-type information.”

What Stood OutMackay said that as a researcher he was particularly impressed with the amount of cost benchmarking data that was collected. “While we did not ask for bottom-line profit on this initial survey,” he noted, “we did ask about t h e m o s t significant cost centers: m a t e r i a l s , payrol l and delivery costs. From that data we were able to segment the more successful opera-tors from the ‘typi-cal’ operators in the industry and analyze how they achieved that success.”

How to Control CostsThe Las Vegas audience was highly inter-ested in learning the most effective ways they could employ to control their costs and thereby increase profit. Mackay reaffirmed the objectives of the benchmarking study.

“This type of study provides owners and managers with the information they need for more informed decisions,” he said. “Most managers know what their company’s performance has been in the past. They make decisions for the future based on that historical perspective. However,” Mackay cautioned, “until a company has a cost and productivity benchmark against other companies in the same industry, the owner/manager doesn’t really know whether his performance assuptions are valid.”

NCBVA Benchmarking SurveyYields Concrete Results For Member Companies

At its July 2011 meeting, the NCBVA Board of Directors authorized Mackay Research Group to conduct a world-class, benchmarking “Cost of Doing Business” study of the concrete burial vault industry. The study, the first of its type ever done by a concrete burial vault organization, was completed at the end of 2011. At NCBVA’s annual convention, held last month in conjunction with the World of Concrete, featured speaker John Mackay revealed important survey information that prioritized for decision-makers where to focus investment of resources for the greatest impact on improving performance. Here are some of the highlights of his presentation.

Page 15: Bulletin 2012 February

February 2012 l NCBVA.ORG 15

Industry ReactionsMackay shared with the group typical reac-tions to benchmarking information.

“When managers see industry bench-marks for the first time, they have two reac-tions,” he stated. “First, they look at the areas in which they thought they performed well and say, ‘See, I knew we were doing well.’ Conversely, a manager’s second reaction is to look in disbelief at areas in which the company didn’t measure up so well. Based on the company’s past history, the manager may have thought they were improving, but compared to the industry benchmark, he/she discovers that maybe they aren’t doing so well,” Mackay revealed.

“The most effective way for companies to control their costs,” Mackay continued, “is to have sound benchmarks, like the NCBVA Benchmarking Report, to know exactly where they are performing well and where they are not up to par. Every company has different strengths and weaknesses. The Benchmarking Report provides managers with the rationale to challenge many perhaps erroneous long-held beliefs, control costs where they are out of line, and improve profitability.”

“Respectable” Profit Margin& “Operating Profit”When asked to define a “respectable” profit margin, Mackay stated that it wasn’t the purpose of the initial benchmarking study to measure the bottom-line profit margin—that kind of information could be captured in a future benchmarking study.

“However, based on the cost centers that were measured—materials, payroll and de-livery,” he confided, “we did produce a profit measure we called Operating Profit. What was interesting was that the more successful

points higher profit that the ‘typical’ com-pany. For a $1-million operation, that’s an

About John MackayJohn R. Mackay is President of Mac-kay Research Group, an entrepreneurial company that he

to assist small-to mid-size compa-nies in achieving robust profitabil-ity and financial security. Mackay Research Group is actually a spin-off of the Profit Planning Group (PPG), a research and education firm located in Boulder, CO, of which Mackay was Vice President. Dur-

John helped build PPG’s client roster from

distributor-member based.Mackay Research Group is dedicated to

a manufacturer focus, and works with manu-facturer clients in a targeted manner.

John received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and his MBA from the University of Colorado.

Editor’s note: As a benefit to the 512 burial vault manufacturing com-panies that participated in the survey, each was provided with an individual company analysis report, benchmarking their performance to the industry. The individual company analysis gives each participant a snapshot of his/her company’s performance. Owners/managers are thereby able to see their own strengths or weaknesses without having to do any calculations on their own.

The NCBVA Benchmarking Report can be purchased by NCBVA companies that did not participate for $250. To order, contact Executive Director Tom Monahan ([email protected]; toll-free 1-888-886-2282 X5).

“Until a company has a cost and productivity benchmark against other companies in the same industry, the owner/manager doesn’t really know whether his performance assumptions are valid.”

John Mackay

How to Move TowardWorld-class Manufacturing

1. Good decisions begin with good information

2. Assess what is most importantIdentify strengths &

weaknessesSpeculate about own

performanceIndustry standards provide

evidence to rethink assumptions

3. Informed decision-makingLimited resourcesShift resources from historical

beliefs

4. Motivate employeesReinforce good performanceIdentify performance below

competitorsSupport expenditure

decisionsReduce resources with least

negative impact

“Planning profit first in the ONLY way to improve results.”

Two Important RequirementsIn Any Business

1. Adequate Salary for Hours Worked2 Adequate Profit for Risk Taken

Why Do a Benchmarking Survey?

benchmarking guidelines

position within the industry

long-run planning

continuous improvement

Source: Mackay Research Group

Page 16: Bulletin 2012 February

16 NCBVA.ORG l February 2012

The VA has announced its an-nual adjustment in the “cash allowance”given to veterans’ families who privately purchase an outer burial container for use in a VA national cemetery. The allowance is based on the government’s cost to provide standard graveliners furnished for use in the national cemeteries, less administrative expenses. The cash allowance payable for qualified inter-

This amount is based on the gov-ernment’s total cost during the fiscal year for single-depth graveliners, and dividing the cost by the total number of graveliners procured by the VA during the fiscal year. This amount was determined to be $271, minus an administrative cost per liner of $9,

VA Raises AllowanceFor Private PurchaseOf Burial Containers

From designing a headstone on line to a portal for after-death in changes big and small to the funeral industry, according to Canada’s first Internet funeral service company, Basic Funerals and Cremation Choices, www.basicfunerals.ca.

The company predicts this year will see changes within the industry––some good and -

dermeersch, CEO, Basic Funerals and Cremation Choices:On-Line Becomes the Preference - Arranging funerals on line will continue to grow as 1.

families realize significant cost savings, as well as convenience.Law Change Hurts the Little Guy - A new law in Ontario will allow big cemetery 2.

companies to put funeral homes on their properties, possibly putting small, local funeral homes out of business. This will create less choice for families.

Technology Puts ‘cyber’ in Stone - Canadians can now design headstones on line, mak-3.ing it easy to do so from the comfort of their homes.

Saying ‘I Love You’ From The Beyond - Lifeplace.com is a new destination for after-death messaging.

Gobble Up Part II - A renewed consolidation within the funeral industry may lead to 5.higher funeral prices.

“It’s exciting to see the industry finally evolving and we’d like to think that we have helped to shake it up,” explains Dominic Mazzone, Chairman, Basic Funerals. Licensed in

-tional funeral homes. The company is based on an entirely different and unique business model, omitting infrastructure costs and utilizing economies of scale.

According to Mr. Mazzone, “95% of our families arrange services with our company on line and over the phone, but we also serve families by meeting them right in the comfort of their own homes.” The service features a ‘Real Time Chat’ option, providing instant access to a conversation with a funeral director.

New Canadian On-line Company Predicts Trends

Page 17: Bulletin 2012 February

February 2012 l NCBVA.ORG 17

Long MachineCompanyPh (828) 428-2648Fax (828) 428-8606

THE VAULT INDUSTRY’SPREMIER VAULT TRAILER

BUILT TO ACCOMMODATE YOUR NEEDSOur Standard Vault-Master Can Perform Your Entire Vault Handling Jobs.

Off Loading Vaults From TrucksSetting Vaults Straight Or Crossways DisintermentsOperating On Steep Terrain (3-Point Hydraulic Leveling)

All Our Units Can Be Built To Accommodate Oversized VaultsWe Also Offer A Fixed Boom Unit With All The Features Of Our Standard UnitA Large Selection Of Options Is Available On All Our Units

GPSGasoline-Powered, Crawling Vault

Platform, With Steering

A Positive Braking & Holding Power When Remote Switch Is Disengaged

Push-Button Movement & Steering

Hydraulic-Powered With A 5.5 Hp Honda Engine

We set the standards for vault handling equipment. We DO NOT copy anyone.We are always looking to the future.

LET US CUSTOM BUILD YOUR NEXT VAULT TRAILER

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18 NCBVA.ORG l February 2012

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

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Key Contact____________________________________Nickname_____________

Title ______________________________________________________________

Company Name _____________________________________________________

Street Address _______________________________________________________

City _____________________ State _______________ Zip __________________

Phone ___________________________ Fax ______________________________

E-mail ____________________________________________________________

Company Web Site ___________________________________________________

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

Burial Vault Manufacturer Funeral Director

Crematory Cemetery

Doric Wilbert Eagle Trigard

Con-O-lite Other Provide Graveside Services

Metal Vaults Plastic Vaults Fiberglass Vaults

Offer sizes for Children Adults Oversize

Associate Member: Tell us in 25 words or less about your product/services

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

_________________________________________ ___________ (Signature) (Date)

Dues Schedule

Manufacturer MemberDues are based on total units sold at this location.

Please check appropriate level:

1-999 Units .........$225

.........

.........

.........

.....

Associate Member.....

Franchise Group........

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

Check is enclosed

Please charge my

Visa MasterCard Amex

Account #_____________________Expiration date _________________

MailingInformation

NCBVAP.O. Box 917525

Longwood, FL 32791(888) 88-NCBVA

www.ncbva.org

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 dispar-age. 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 cemetery’s management. We will abide by the rules and regulations of the National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc., thereby contributing to a stronger and greater national industry.

CODE OF ETHICS

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February 2012 l NCBVA.ORG 19

A D & Sons Vault Co. Suffolk, VAAbel Vault & Monument Co. Canton, ILAmerican Concrete Industries Veazie, MEAmerican Vault Co. Cleveland, OHAmerican Wilbert Vault Corp. Forest Park, ILArnold-Wilbert Corp. Goldsboro, NCArrow Vault Co., Inc. Lafayette, INAtlas Concrete Products, Inc. Orlando, FLAustin Concrete Products Dover, NHBabylon Vault Co. New Windsor, MDBadger Burial Vault Co. Eau Claire, WIBailey Monument & Vault Co. Waycross, GABaumgardner Products Co. Akron, OHBaxter Burial Vault Cincinnati, OHBaxter Vault Co. Baxter Springs, KSBeck Vault Co. Rome, NYBell Vault & Monument Miamisburg, OHBrewster Vaults & Monuments Millville, NJBrown-Wilbert, Inc. Morris, MNBrown-Wilbert, Inc. St. Paul, MNBruns Norwalk Vault Co. St. Louis, MOBrutsche Concrete Products Battle Creek, MIBrutsche Concrete Products Benton Harbor, MIBuckeye Vault Service, Inc. Mansfield, OHC & M Precast Kerrville, TXCalumet Wilbert Vault Co. Inc. Gary, INCapital Precast, Ltd. St. Johns, NL, CanadaCarolina-Doric, Inc. Florence, SCCarolina-Doric, Inc. Snow Camp, NCCentral Burial Vaults, Inc. Marlow, OKCentral Burial Vaults, Inc. Oklahoma City, OK

Central Burial Vaults, Inc. Tulsa, OKCentral New York Vault Co. Cortland, NYCentury Vault Co., Inc. West Barnstable, MACharleston Wilbert Summerville, SCCheboygan Cement Products Co. Cheboygan, MIChesapeake Burial Vault Co. Barkley, MDChristy Vault Co., Inc. Colma, CAColumbus-Beier Vaults Columbus, WICooper Wilbert Vault Co. Middletown, DECordeiro Vault Co., Inc. Vallejo, CACostello & Company Vaults Smith Falls, Ontario, CanadaCreter Vault Corp. Flemington, NJCrummitt & Son Vault Corp. Martins Ferry, OHD.G. Robertson, Inc. Williston, VTDardanelle Vault & Monument Dardanelle, ARDeihl Vault & Precast Co. Orangeville, PADelaware Valley Vault Co. Blackwood, NJDePue Wilbert Vault Savannah, GA Detroit Wilbert Vault Corp. Detroit, MIDoody Burial Vaults, Inc. Winchendon, MADoric Concrete Vaults Inc. Garden City, KSDoric Concrete Vaults, Inc. Great Bend, KSDoric Concrete Vaults Inc. Osage City, KSDoric Huntingburg Vault Co. Huntingburg, INDoric of Kansas Vault Iola, KSDoric of Nashville, Inc. Nashville, TNDoric of Northeast Arkansas Jonesboro, ARDoric of Tennessee Cowan, TNDoric Concrete Vaults Limon, CODoric Concrete Vaults, Inc. Newton, KSDoric Manufacturing Co. Boaz, AL

Doric Mississippi, Inc. Jackson, MSDoric-South, Inc. Demopolis, ALDoric Vault of Connecticut North Haven, CTDoric Vault of Eastern NY, Inc. Hudson, NYDoric Vault of Western NY, Inc. Depew, NYDoric Vault Co. Griffin, GADura Vault North Bend, OHEagle Burial Vault Co. of LA Ruston, LAEagle Burial Vaults Perry, GAEsterly Burial Vault Co. West Reading, PAEvans Eagle Vaults, Inc. Leola, PAEverlasting Vault Co. Randallstown, MDFlagg-Palmer Precast, Inc. Oxford, MAFlorida Wilbert, Inc. Jacksonville, FLFond du Lac Wilbert Vault Fond du Lac, WIForsyth Bros. Concrete Prod. Terre Haute, INForsyth Bros. Burial Vaults Fithian, ILFort Myers Wilbert Vault Service Fort Myers, FL Gettysburg Burial Vault Co. Gettysburg, PAGolden Eagle Vault Co. Rocky Mount, VA Grable Vault Co. Logansport, INGraffius Burial Vault Co. Sinking Springs, PAGranite State Doric Newport, NH Gross Vault Co. Thomasville, GAHairfield Vault Co. Hickory, NCHardy Doric, Inc. Chelmsford, MAHarn Vault Service Massillon, OHHarris Precast La Porte, INHicks Industries, Inc. Davie, FLHicks Industries, Inc. Mulberry, FL Horton Precast Girard, PA

Huntingburg Vault Co. Huntingburg, INJacson, Inc. Henderson, TXJefferson Concrete Corp. Watertown, NYJosten Wilbert Vault Co. Sioux Falls, SDKansas City Wilbert Grandview, MOLake Shore Burial Vault Co. Brookfield, WILavaca Vault Co. Lavaca, ARLindquist Concrete Products Ogden, UTLouisell-Davis Vault Service Chattanooga, TNLycoming Burial Vault Co. Inc. Montoursville, PAMarion Vault Works Marion, INMark H. Bott Co. Ogden, UTMaster Grave Service Athens, GAMcDowell Doric Vault Co. Fletcher, NCMemphis Burial Vault Co. Memphis, TNMercer Vault Company Fredericksburg, VAMilan Burial Vault, Inc. Milan, MIMinchew Concrete Products Co. Waycross, GAMinnick Services Corp. Fort Wayne, INMontgomery Vault Co. Woodsboro, MDMontgomery Vault Co. Rockville, MDMoore Wilbert Vault Co. Evans, GANeher Burial Vault Co. Springfield, OHNor-Don Vault Co. Inc. Strafford, MONorth Central Mich. Vault Srvc. Cadillac, MINorthwest PA Burial Service Cochranton, PANorwalk Vault Co. Johnstown, PAOdon Vault Company, Inc. Odon, INOmaha Wilbert Vault, Inc. Omaha, NEOstwalt Vault Co. Concord, NCPalm Vault Co. Ada, OKPatriot Vault Co. Park Hills, MOPanhandle Vaults Amarillo, TX

For information on NCBVA’s exclusive Plant Inspection and Certification Program, please contact NCBVA Headquarters at 1-888-88-NCBVA or use application form on the next page. continued . . .

NCBVA proudly recognizes the following companies that have a current standing in the

Plant Certification Program

NCBVA Certified Vault Manufacturing Plants

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20 NCBVA.ORG l February 2012

Name of Plant ___________________________________________________________________________

Plant Mailing Address______________________________________________________________________

Plant Street Address_______________________________________________________________________

Plant Telephone_________________ Fax Number_______________________________________

Owner’s Name_____________________________ Evening Phone______________________________

Plant Manager/Contact Person__________________ Evening Phone_______________________________

Types of Outer Burial Receptacles Produced Top Seals Air Domes Sectionals

Other________________________________________________

Please return this application with full payment to:

The National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc.P.O. Box 917525Longwood, FL 32791(888) 88-NCBVA

For a NCBVA member in good standing, the Plant Certification Inspection fee is $1295.

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

NCBVA Certified Vault Manufacturing Plants(Continued)

Pennsylvania Concrete Vault Co. Greensburg, PA Perfection Vault Woodson, ILPhenix Vault Phenix City, ALPioneer Vault, Inc. Doylestown, PAPoplar Bluff Doric Vaults, Inc. Poplar Bluff, MOPrecast Concrete Products, Inc. Blissfield, MI Precision Precast Inc. Pittsfield, MAQuality Burial Vault Co. Houston, TXRex Vault Service Newton, ILRocky Mountain Monument/Vault Sandy, UTRoland-Wilbert Vault Co. Clinton, IARoland-Wilbert Vault Co. Marion, IASaginaw Wilbert Vault Corp. Saginaw, MISam Green Vault Corp. Lynchburg, VASt. Louis Wilbert Vault Co. St. Louis, MO

Saline Vault Co. Sweet Springs, MOSanteiu Vaults Inc. Livonia, MISexton Wilbert Corporation Bloomington, INSheldon Vault Co. Sheldon, IAShore Vault & Precast Co. Exmore, VASimerly Concrete Products, Inc. Bristol, TNSimerly Vaults, Inc. Knoxville, TNSouthern Ohio Vault Co. Portsmouth, OHSouthern Vault Service Blakely, GASpoerr Precast Concrete Sandusky, OHSI Funeral Services Cedar Hill, TXSI Funeral Services Gerard, PASI Funeral Services Parsons, KSSI Funeral Services San Antonio, TXSunnycrest, Inc. Auburn, NY

Superior Burial Vaults, Inc. Salt Lake City, UTSuperior Vault Co. Bryantown, MDSuperior Vault Co. Charlestown, INSuperior Vault Co., Ltd. Mississauga, Ont., CanadaSwan’s Concrete Products Westbrook, METurner Vault Company Toledo, OHVanden Boomen Burial Vaults Inc. Appleton, WIVanden Boomen Burial Vaults Inc. Wausau, WIVincent & Son, Inc. Galena, ILWashington Wilbert Vault Works Inc. Laurel, MDWarga Concrete Products Inc. Fort Wayne, INWatts Vault & Monument Co. Des Moines, IAWayne Burial Vault Co., Inc. Indianapolis, INWelte Vault Co. Danbury, IAWest Plains Vault & Mfg. Co. Pomona, MO

Whitman Vault Co. Whitman, MAWicomico Vault Co., Inc. Salisbury, MD Wieser Precast Stewartville, MNWieser Doric Vault Co. LaCrescent, MNWilbert Burial Vault Co. Atlanta, GAWilbert Burial Vault Co. Waycross, GAWilbert Burial Vault Co. Muskegon, MIWilbert Burial Vault Co. Traverse City, MIWilbert Services Lancaster, NYWilbert Vaults of Houston, Inc. Houston, TXWillbee Concrete Products Jackson, MIWilliams Wilbert Des Moines, IAWilliams Vault Company Emporia, VAWillmar Precast Co. Willmar, MNZeiser Wilbert Vault Co. Elmira, NY

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February 2012 l NCBVA.ORG 21

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22 NCBVA.ORG l February 2012

INDUSTRY NEWS ’N NOTES

Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc. has introduced a new tool to help funeral professionals educate families on burial vaults in the selection room. The Wilbert Display Ani-mation™ is an interactive monitor with informative slides and video that ad-dresses many common questions families have regarding burial vaults.

Display Animation projects moving images and information in silent mode until a family activates video for more comprehensive learning. At any time, the family or the funeral professional

2012CALENDAR

March 8-10Casket & Funeral SupplyAssociation of AmericaWinter SeminarOmni La Mansion del RioSan Antonio, TX

March 19-22Int’l. Cemetery, Cremation &Funeral Association (ICCFA)Annual ConventionMandalay Bay Resort & CasinoLas Vegas, NV

April 19-21Order of the Golden RuleAnnual Conference& Supplier ShowcaseRenaissance Capital View HotelArlington, VA

April 27-29NFDA Professional Women’sConferenceCrowne Plaza HotelFort Myers, FL

August 15-18CANA 94th Annual ConventionThe Westin BayshoreVancouver, BC, Canada

October 7-10NFDA International Convention& ExpoCharlotte Convention CenterCharlotte, NC

Nov. 5-6CFSA Fall Conference & Trade ShowIndianapolis, IN

can push a button to start a short video that guides the family towards an educated deci-sion on which burial vault is best for them.

Wilbert Introduces Interactive Display for Selection Rooms

Doric Products, Inc. announces the addition of James “Elgan” Altizer as the newest member of its sales team. Elgan will be working closely with Doric’s Director of Development and Sales, Tim Walker. In addition to promoting both Doric Products and Classic Metal Vaults, he will also oversee the Doric of North Georgia warehouse in Winder, GA.

with his father, James Elgan Altizer, Sr., in Georgia where he grew up. A graduate from Gupton-Jones, Elgan spent the majority of his career as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Florida,where he and his wife Christina raised their four children. They have now reside in Bethlehem, GA.

Altizer Joins Doric Sales Team

as a continued investment in the next generation of funeral directors who will care for families. Trigard Chief Executive Officer Linda Darby-Sempsrott and Blake Swinford, project manager, presented a

at Mid-America College of Funeral Service

in Jeffersonville, Indiana (photo left).Lowell Coburn, Watts Vault and

Monument Sales Consultant, awarded the second scholarship on behalf of Trigard. Lanae Richards, a mortuary science student at Des Moines Area Community College in

her education (photo right).

Trigard Awards Scholarships

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Employers – now you can

If you have job openings going unfilled becausepotential employees can’t find you, visit:

http://www.ncbva.org

National ConcreteBurial Vault Association, Inc. PO Box 917525Longwood, FL 32791(407) 788-1996

Page 24: Bulletin 2012 February

National Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc.

NCBVANational Concrete Burial Vault Association, Inc.

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P A I DMID FL, FL

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