Sunburst Memorials Prepares to Double Production Following Land Purchase

When you talk with Jill Kampa, President of Sunburst Memorials, the first thing you notice is that her office is also the conference room and one of the bathrooms. To say her workplace is cramped would be an understatement, and the need for space has limited Sunburst Memorials’ ability to grow.

“Our office is currently 3,800 square feet for more than 30 people,” says Kampa. “Our plan is to expand our office space to 10,500 square feet while also more than doubling our production facilities.”  

Sunburst Memorials signed a purchase agreement for the former Beaver Island Brewing Company facility located on Electron Dr. in May 2024. This acquisition of the building and 4.6 acres, along with the purchase of 10 acres from the St. Cloud EDA, will allow the company to scale its operations while also making them more efficient. Sunburst is already a leader in stone memorials throughout the Midwest, but this expansion will bring them to the next level.

Sunburst Memorials Has Supported Families for 108 Years

Sunburst Memorials is currently operating near capacity producing 7,500 memorials per year. Each memorial is individually designed and hand-crafted, including the sandblasting, painting, and carving elements. Sunburst attracts customers through its 22 retail stores across the Midwest, which operate in six states. Sunburst Memorials also works with nearly 200 dealers and partners across the country.

“Seventy percent of our sales come at the immediate time of need when a loved one has passed away,” says Kampa. “We know this is a difficult time and our customers are grieving. It’s important to provide the best service possible and to take things off their plates.”

Sunburst Memorials will not only provide a headstone but also install it. This ensures the longevity of the stone and confirms that it is installed properly while giving loved ones peace of mind that it will last.

The company has been around for more than a century, but this is its first expansion. Kampa is appreciative of the City of St. Cloud and other local partners who have made the move easier.

“The City has been so supportive and instrumental in helping us and pointing us to resources that we weren’t aware of,” says Kampa. “We’ve only done this once in 108 years, so we’re not building and moving experts. We’ve been so thankful for the partnership.”

Along with the City of St. Cloud, Kampa also thanks the City of St. Cloud Economic Development Authority (EDA), Benton Economic Partnership and Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

The Expansion Can Bring Production to 15,000 Memorials Per Year

This expansion was made possible with support by St. Cloud Industrial Products, Inc. (SCIPI), the parent company of Sunburst Memorials. Along with increasing the amount of operating space, the move will allow Sunburst Memorials to improve its operations and create a better working environment for employees. Here are a few changes that are on the horizon:

• The expansion will take the 10,000 square feet of current Beaver Island space and add 30,000 square feet of additional production area and warehouse capacity.
• The ceiling height is adequate for cranes, which makes moving heavy loads of granite easier. 
• Sunburst Memorials has purchased over 10 new pieces of equipment, ranging from new polishers to new paint booths. This will help team members do their jobs better and introduce automation. 
• The use of loading docks will make receiving materials and shipping products easier. 
• Sunburst Memorials is also investing in a water reclamation system from Full Circle Water out of St. Joseph. This will reduce the amount of water the company uses each day by recycling it through this system.

These changes will have a big impact on operations at Sunburst Memorials. For example, the warehouse space means the company won’t have to store stones outside. In the winter months, employees have to shovel snow off of the granite and wait for it to heat up before carving it. Indoor storage eliminates these laborious steps.

“Improving our efficiency while also decreasing lead time for production will create new opportunities in this facility,” says Kampa.

Sunburst Memorials hopes to be operational by the end of 2025. It is working closely with BCI Construction and HMA Architects.

“The Sunburst Memorials expansion is truly a community project,” says Cathy Mehelich, Economic Development Director for the City of St. Cloud EDA. “We are thrilled to see this legacy company succeed in St. Cloud and love how they are working with local builders, suppliers, and architects. One move like this can send positive ripple effects across the entire St. Cloud region.” The expansion project will support the creation of 11 new jobs, in addition to the retention of 63 existing jobs in St. Cloud.

The Expansion Will be Done With Company Culture in Mind

While Kampa is excited about the upcoming efficiency and production improvements, her team has remained mindful of what matters most during this expansion: the people working for Sunburst Memorials. Employees have had a voice in the design process so everyone can feel welcome in the new building.

For example, the office will feature a break room and an outdoor patio where employees can meet or relax during their breaks. There will also be a training room where teams can foster new skills in employees. The building itself also respects the community of St. Cloud and is made from locally sourced granite –  St. Cloud Gray on the front along with Mesabi Black granite from ColdSpring on the side. These designs honor St. Cloud’s reputation as the Granite City.

“We want to be under one roof because culture is important to us,” says Kampa. “Our company values are more than just words. Everyone under one roof will create the best culture we can for our team members to thrive.”

Kampa expects that Sunburst Memorials will need to hire once the new facility is opened and the offices are designed for future growth. She is already working with the State of Minnesota to secure funding for job creation and training. Sunburst Memorials will need additional employees across all roles, ranging from design and production to customer service.  

Expand Your Business With our Development Resources

The City of St. Cloud EDA was happy to work with Sunburst Memorials throughout the site selection and land purchase process. Our team helps various businesses reach their growth goals and expand their footprints in the region. Check out our development resources to learn about different opportunities in the area and read our assistance page to learn about grants and potential loan funding.

Let the EDA be your resource whether you are making a big change like Sunburst Memorials or have smaller (equally important) goals to meet in 2025.