Kasten Masonry has diversified since 1970s

Having been in the masonry business for 115 years, the name Kasten Masonry Sales is synonymous with brick and concrete blocks to those in the building trades.

"We've been making brick the same way since 1926 with the same brick presses," said assistant general manager Quent Kasten. "We are the only dry-press face brick manufacturer left in the U.S."

But the company began diversifying in the 1970s and now offers other product lines in addition to its core business of brick and concrete blocks.

In 1975, Kasten Masonry added natural and stone manufactured products to its line. Kasten offers Owens Corning Cultured Stone products as well as natural stone veneers straight from quarries in the area.

The company began retail sales of wood stoves and furnaces in 1978 as well as wood and gas zero-clearance fireplaces.

They not only sell these products in their retail locations in Jackson and Carbondale, Ill., but they also are a wholesale distributor for those products, serving retailers in a 10-state region in the Midwest. That line recently expanded to include pellet stoves and grills.

Spas were added to the Kasten product line in 1984. Offering the award-winning Master Spas line, Kasten has become the premier spa retailer in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. Kasten is also a distributor of spas.

Kasten Masonry

In 1989 the company made the leap from spas to above ground swimming pools. Kasten offers a complete line of pumps, filters, ladders and other parts, along with chemicals and accessories. Kasten Masonry offers free pool water testing and can answer any pool question that may arise.

Also offered in Kasten's outdoor living life of products is lawn furniture made from recycled plastic.

"Everyone knows that we have brick and block," said Kasten, "but we also sell all of the products mentioned above. And we service every product we sell."

The willingness to adapt to the market and diversify has helped Kasten Masonry Sales remain a strong company from its start in the 19th century to the present 21st century.

"In the 115-year history of our company we have seen several challenges," said sales manager Billy Gage. "The key is to focus on your core products and look to the future."

That future will likely involve more additions to the Kasten Masonry Sales product line.

"We're always looking at new products to distribute and sell in our retail locations," Kasten said. "And we'll look at new products to manufacture in our two plants."

Among the suppliers who have recognized Kasten Masonry Sales for their sales and service recently are Security Chimney, Monesson Hearth Systems and Master Spa.

Kasten Masonry

Kasten Masonry Sales Inc. has three convenient locations. The home office and retail store is at 713 Kasten Drive in Jackson, and the company has a manufacturing facility in Cape Girardeau. The company also owns Carbondale Brick and Block in the Carbondale, Ill., Industrial Park.

Stan Riehn is general manager of Kasten Masonry Sales.