by Steve Like



The housing market continues to challenge all of us in the business of building homes. Despite the solace we can take in that modular continues to gain market share in the overall market, without a doubt we would like to see the housing pie getting bigger, and benefiting everyone.

In times of industry decline, often the first area that can get overlooked by industry members is involvement in associations. We are just too busy keeping our businesses running and profitable, that we bury ourselves deep, and make it hard to get out and attend meetings and participate.

The NMHC is dedicated to meeting the business needs of its members, and those needs are constantly changing. Which is why, starting with the upcoming NMHC Summer Meeting in July, you’ll want to find a way to be in Washington, DC. It will not be business as usual.

The NMHC agenda will include an update and overview of all the services the NMHC provides followed by a discussion of important policy decisions that will have great impact on how the modular industry functions and can improve. There will be an important presentation on Green Building based on the NMHC direct involvement and participation with the development of Residential Green Building standards. This will fully educate industry members on exactly what it means to build green, and how the industry can be taking advantage of this tremendous opportunity. We will discuss an upcoming planning session the NMHC will be holding at the 2007 Annual Meeting. Instead of reports, we will have engaged dialogue on how the industry can break out of the 40,000 home shipment range, and begin to take itself to the next level. We are all competitors, but any real changes will involve working together.

I am excited about the energy and progress the National Modular Housing Council will continue to bring to this industry. Our effectiveness and unity as an industry starts with you. The only thing I ask of you, as industry members, is to attend and to participate. If that happens, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

I welcome your thoughts and comments. I can be reached at slike@patriothomes.com

Steve Like
Chairman, National Modular Housing Council
Executive Vice-President & General Counsel, Patriot Homes, Inc.