Richmond, IN – Vandor Corporation’s Funeral Products Division, the parent company for CJ Boots Casket Company, Starmark® Cremation Products and Vision Casket, has announced the hiring of Kellon Robinson as Operations Manager. Over his twenty-year career, Robinson has developed a deep understanding of operations, particularly the lean manufacturing process. In this position, Robinson will lead the operations at the Starmark Cremation Products and Vision Casket plants in Richmond, IN as well as the CJ Boots Casket Company facility in Anderson, IN.
“Kellon’s vast experience leading manufacturing companies both in the U.S. and abroad will serve us well in improving both the quality and efficiency at our plants,” said Gerald Davis, President of Vandor Corporation. “As we expand operations at our plants, we are excited that Kellon has chosen to join us.”
Robinson began his career in funeral service in operations at Astral Industries, where he rose to the position of plant/production manager. After leaving Astral, he joined Osborn International, where he and his team were responsible for building an entirely new, lean manufacturing operation. His next assignment with Osborn was running a plant in Ningbo, China and later assumed responsibility for Osborn manufacturing facilities across Asia, Europe, and the U.S.
Most recently, Robinson was Assistant Vice President of Manufacturing for Indiana Marujun LLC. When the company was acquired, Robinson led the transition team that successfully integrated operations between the two companies.
“Given the recent growth and focus on quality and innovation, Vandor Corporation’s Funeral Products Division represents a great challenge and opportunity for me,” stated Robinson. “Vandor is committed to manufacturing domestically and keeping jobs in Indiana. I am excited to refine current processes to maintain Vandor’s competitiveness, oversee the introduction of new products and help drive the future growth of the company.”
Robinson graduated from Indiana Wesleyan magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in business and economics. To help pay for college and obtain hands-on experience, he worked part-time in manufacturing at Belden Wire & Cable, working alongside his father. He currently lives in Richmond with his wife, Christina.
About Vandor Corporation: Vandor Corporation manufactures products for a wide variety of public and private sector companies. Products include injection molded plastic automotive parts, and packaging reels for the wire and cable industry. Vandor’s funeral products division manufactures cloth covered and wood veneer burial and cremation products marketed under the Starmark® Cremation Products and Vision Casket brands as well as hand crafted premium wood caskets under the C.J. Boots brand in their two plants in Anderson and Richmond, Indiana. For more information, please visit the website at www.vandorcorp.com
