BATESVILLE, Ind. – Batesville continues to lead the industry with top rankings for Quality and Product Innovation in the annual Casket Survey conducted by Funeral Service Insider (FSI), a Kates-Boylston publication. This year’s survey drew responses from more than 300 funeral professionals who shared their insights on a wide range of topics related to funeral service.
“We are proud to know that customers recognize and appreciate our commitment to consistently providing high quality, innovative products,” said Chris Trainor, Batesville president. “We believe quality is a tangible value that not only differentiates our products and our company but is also important to families.”
Batesville’s focus on quality and innovation are well recognized. The company has been ranked number one in both categories since the FSI Casket Survey started more than 15 years ago, but as Trainor says, “Quality is a continuous process and not something you do once and put on the shelf.”
One of the early adopters of Lean manufacturing, Batesville leverages lean principles and kaizen events in all areas of its business to make sure it remains focused on the things that add value. Innovations are often a byproduct of its efforts to make things better. Even with the restrictions on large group meetings due to COVID-19, the company completed more than 80 kaizen events over the last 12 months and expects to surpass that in FY2021.
Survey participants noted several Batesville innovations, including a variety of Family Choices® personalization offerings that have been updated with more modern designs and converted to three-dimensional figures to provide greater value and versatility for families. The company’s magnetic LifeStories® medallions, bronze keepsakes and interior overlay options also enhance the family’s experience.
“While the pandemic has presented tremendous challenges, it has also reminded us that funerals are a necessary and vital element in a family’s grieving process,” said Trainor. “In a time of loss, families lean on funeral directors for support, and as a supplier and partner, we are privileged to provide products and solutions that help make that connection even stronger.”
ABOUT BATESVILLE
Batesville (www.Batesville.com), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hillenbrand, Inc. (NYSE: HI), is a recognized leader in the death care industry in North America, offering a comprehensive portfolio of burial and cremation products, memorialization options and innovative technology solutions. For more than 125 years, Batesville has supported licensed funeral professionals in helping families honor the lives of those they love. ® A history of manufacturing excellence, product innovation, superior customer service and reliable delivery helped Batesville become – and remain – a market leader.
