10/24/2017
What a history!
The Frontier Burial Vault Company was founded in 1947 by the late William George Kistner, a General Motors employee and Buffalo native. Heeding the advice of a friend, William sought to produce burial vaults composed entirely of concrete in order to meet new cemetery codes eliminating the use of stand alone wooden boxes. Simple wooden boxes caused settling over time and were no longer allowed to be buried alone.
William G. and his son William E. Kistner set up the company’s first manufacturing facility in a four car garage on Genesee Street in Cheektowaga, New York. Although the burial vault business proved to have its downside, it introduced the idea of precasting to the Kistner family. Therefore, Frontier became the true genesis for the company known today as Kistner Concrete Products.
During the 1950’s Frontier began to diversify. Soon burial vaults were no longer the primary product for the growing company. In the later part of that decade Frontier Burial Vault Company became "Kistner Septic Tank Company," due to the addition of precast septic tanks as a major product type. Shortly thereafter, in 1957 the company again changed names and became what we know today as Kistner Concrete Products.
During the 1960’s engineers began turning away from the use of brick manholes, and began to specify the use of precast concrete storm and sanitary manholes because of their watertight capabilities. This industry shift was capitalized upon by William G. and his son, and precast manhole production became a priority of the company. At the close of the 1960’s the Kistner company produced a variety of products including septic tanks, manholes, and precast steps.
During the 1960’s, ‘70’s, and ‘80’s the weight of the company was placed on the shoulders of William E. Kistner. At this time four new manufacturing facilities were introduced: Springville, NY in 1969, E. Pembroke, NY in 1973, E. Bethany, NY in 1978, and Lockport, NY in 1983.
Kistner Concrete Products is committed to innovation in product design while employing the very highest level of customer service and support. We’ve enjoyed working with you over the years, and look forward to again partnering with you in order to ensure mutual prosperity in the future.
