Last week I had the pleasure of touring the new Genesis Casket Company plant in Indianapolis, Indiana. My wife, Jodi, and I have been good friends of the president of Genesis Casket, Tony Colson and his wife Margie for many years. I had to make a funeral home road trip to Indy so Tony invited us to stay the night at his place and then he’d give us the tour in the morning. And let me tell you, I’m really glad we did.
Genesis Casket Company is a brand new casket manufacturing company that will be ready to start making caskets in just a few short weeks. The plant is very close to being finished and it very impressive. This plant will take the rolled steel, cut it, form it, weld it, paint it, install the hardware, manufacture and install the interiors and get them ready for distribution all under the same roof.
They are using the latest in robotic computerized welding and custom made forming machines to make their caskets. As someone with an engineering degree I was amazed at the equipment Genesis has put together for this operation. The robots look like they are straight out of a “Transformers” movie, able to pick up the pieces and perfectly assemble the parts perfectly down to the smallest details. The assembly line then takes the parts into a high tech paint booth that will give the caskets a finish that will rival any sports car.
I have seen the prototypes and there is no doubt that the Genesis caskets will give the big three casket companies (Batesville, Aurora, and Mathews) a run for their money. But what Genesis is also hoping to do is give the Chinese imports some competition. Through the use of the latest technology Genesis is sure it will be able to realize a major cost savings and in turn pass that savings along to its customers.
Genesis plans to start out offering its caskets in the middle of the country first while it sets up its distribution centers. It will no doubt expand to the rest of the country as it grows. Tony has assembled a team of casket and funeral industry veterans that seem ready and capable to make this project a huge success.
I could tell you more about what the units will look like but I’ve been sworn to secrecy. I can tell you that they have some neat innovations they are working on that will make the caskets much more user friendly for funeral directors. The kind that will make you say “Gee, why didn’t anyone think of this before?”
Genesis promises to be at the NFDA convention in Chicago in October where the rest of the world will get a chance to see what I had a sneak preview of. I’m sure they will create a major Buzz.
I’m Dale Clock. Thanks for listening.
Dale-Time 
More user friendly caskets?…I’ll be standing by.
Former Batesville rep here, now a funeral home owner and I am excited to see Genesis hit the marketplace… Batesville has a team in place trying to gather as much stategic info as possible about Genesis lead by Keith Ashby, so we know they have concerns. I feel certain Genesis will create a “ripple” in the funeral market.
That’s interesting. We have a very limited relationship with BV, but I knew that Keith had been living in SC and I recently heard that he moved back to the home office for a special project. Of course, those of you who are fortunate enough to be selling caskets will benefit. It seems that the vast majority of our communities are selecting private, simple cremations and casket sales are few and far between.
Hope both you guys are doing well.
I have done alot of research and heard nothing but wonderful things about this company. I know Genesis Casket Company will do very well in Indianapolis. I have submitted my resume, but have not heard back. I am praying I can be part of their awesome team.
I sumitted a resume a while back and would like to be apart of your team. Thank-you!
my name Jerry Forker submitted resume on 10-17-11. i have shipping&receiving,& class b cdl with air brakes i have warehouse & inventory,forklift experience
I’ve submitted my resume back in JUNE…have extensive warehouse and production skills…….currently down the street at SLD ADIDAS AND REEBOK GROUP……….LOOKING FORWARD FOR A CHANCE TO BE A PART OF AN EXCLUSIVE PROGRAM SUCH AS YOURS……PLEASE CONSIDER.
It is good to see stories of companies investing in and bringing manufacturing back to the USA. Many conscious casket consumers will also appreciate another choice which is closer to home.