Industry Advocate Names Annual Honorees of Excellence in Manufactured Housing Awards
MHI’s 2022 Congress and Expo in Orlando, in addition to staging homes, hosting exhibitors, and providing industry education also delved out the annual Excellence in Manufactured Housing Awards to top performers in six categories. The awards honor manufactured housing professionals for leadership and dedication in all areas of the industry. The MHI awards are chosen by peers and an independent panel of experts.
Excellence in Manufacturing
Manufacturer of the Year — Three Plants or More: Clayton Homebuilding Group
“We are honored to receive the Manufacturer of the Year award from the Manufactured Housing Institute,” Keith Holdbrooks, president of Clayton Home Building Group, said. “We truly believe in our purpose of opening doors to a better life and strive to live out this purpose every day through focusing on team member and customer experience, giving back to the communities in which we serve and helping the environment thrive for future generations. Ultimately, these actions lead to a beautiful, high-quality home for our homeowners.”
In 2021, the company released a series of videos called Behind the Build to highlight sustainability efforts in the build process. Additionally, the company published its first lifestyle magazine, Opening Doors, designed to celebrate team member and customer stories while connecting the reader to the builder.
Manufacturer of the Year — Two Plants or Less: Adventure Homes
Leadership in Sustainability: Clayton Homebuilding Group
Excellence in Design
Manufactured Home Design — Single Section: Champion Home Builders
Manufactured Home Design — Multi Section: Champion Home Builders
Modular Housing Design — Single Section: Champion Home Builders
The 2022 honors marked the third consecutive year Champion has won an “Excellence” award from MHI.
“One of our core operating principles is to take pride in our innovation and craftsmanship, and our team lives this daily. Regardless of the size or price point of the home, we continue to create thoughtful designs with the floor plans and amenities that homebuyers are looking for,” Mark Yost, president and CEO of Skyline Champion Corporation, said. “It is with great honor that we accept this recognition on behalf of our team. We are committed to providing customers with a range of affordable housing options and delivering excellence in housing design and construction.”
Excellence in Home Supply
Supplier of the Year: Blevins
Excellence in Lending
Lender of the Year — National: 21st Mortgage Corporation
Lender of the Year — Regional: Credit Human
Lender of the Year — Floorplan: 21st Mortgage Corporation
Excellence in Retail
Retail Sales Center of the Year — East: UMH Properties
2022 marks the consecutive years for UMH winning both the Operator of the Year award, and the Retail Sales Center of the Year Award. This year’s retail award was for UMH’s work at the Port Royal Sales Center in Belle Vernon, Pa.
“UMH is proud to receive these two awards. We have built an operating platform that delivers exceptional results year after year,” UMH Properties President and CEO Sam Landy said. “We continue to acquire, improve, and expand our communities which increases access to quality affordable housing in each market that we serve. I would like to thank our managers, maintenance staff, regional managers, vice presidents, directors and officers and all other staff members for our outstanding achievements.”
Retail Sales Center of the Year — West: Clayton Homes
Paradise, Calif., just 15 minutes away from the company’s Oroville sales center, was the location of devestating 2018 fires. Two team members lost their homes, and Paradise also is the hometown of Home Center Manager Dustin Youngdahl. The home center teamed up with two nonprofit organizations to provide homes at no cost to 43 residents who lost their homes. It was the combination of these factors that led to the facility winning the Retail Sales Center of the Year award in the west region.
“I expect our home center will continue to help rebuild Paradise for the next 20 years,” said Youngdahl.
Excellence in Community Operations
Community Operator of the Year: UMH Properties
Land-lease Community of the Year — East: Flagship Communities
Flagship won the award for its work on Waterford Pointe, a 317-home community in Evansville, Ind.
In 2005 an F-3 tornado ripped through Waterford Pointe. The tornado struck during the night and by the time the sun rose, 150 of the community’s more than 300 homes were destroyed. Flagship acquired the community in 2016 to bring the community to life again.
“We are proud of our Waterford Pointe community and the effort that our staff has put into the turnaround that has occurred since the devastating tornado,” Flagship CEO Kurt Keeney said. “The satisfaction of our residents at Waterford along with our community partners have made it a wonderful place for families and seniors to reside. We thank MHI and its leaders for this great honor.”
Land-lease Community of the Year — West: Verde Ranch Estates
Community Lender/Broker of the Year: Yale Realty & Capital Advisors
Community Impact Project of the Year: Five Points Neighborhood Initiative by Cavco
