by Steve Like


As the new chair of the National Modular Housing Council (NMHC), I would first like to thank the members of the NMHC for giving me the tremendous honor of representing them in this leadership role. I will work diligently on behalf of the entire modular industry which represents an increasingly important segment of the housing market. I would also like to recognize the vision and energy of my predecessor, Dennis Jones of R-Anell Housing, who was so instrumental to the NMHC’s creation, and truly saw the potential that we have through this organization to elevate modular housing’s national presence. As the NMHC enters into its next year, it has become even more evident just how vital a role the NMHC plays in advancing the interests of modular producers and their industry partners.

Above all, NMHC will continue to be at the forefront of pressing topics both in Washington, DC and through supporting the network of excellent state associations around the country. Items such as modular sales tax, licensing, transportation, zoning and deed restriction obstacles, and building code changes all present both challenges and opportunities for the industry. The NMHC will continue to be the leader in consensus building and industry participation and brings to bear unprecedented resources to address industry issues. I am very excited about working on the many issues affecting our members, and encourage all industry members to share their thoughts and concerns with me over the coming year regarding our efforts.

But as the level our representation increases, the level of sophistication in how the industry markets and presents itself must also increase. While price is one factor that all homebuyers consider, the modular housing industry undoubtedly offers a number of other advantages, including quality control, shortened time to completion and product engineering, all of which are more difficult to obtain using traditional building methods. These assets need to be more highly touted by everyone in the modular industry. Price is nice, but quality is better. The industry also must make a more concerted effort in marketing itself to builders as a building supplier, not as competition. There is an annual labor shortfall of up to 80,000 workers in the construction industry. By 2010 the U.S. is projected to have a shortage of seven million workers. Labor shortage is one example of the many pressures site-builders are facing in the marketplace. We need to do a better job of posturing ourselves to builders as an industry that is there to help increase their bottom line, not put them out of business.

By the end of this year the modular industry is projected to have grown by just under 12% since 2002, which is a significant number relative to the size of the industry. However, the industry still only accounts for roughly 3% of all new housing starts in a given year. Even in the face of a slower housing market, modular housing still has enormous potential to supply a greater number of the 1.8 million new homes being built every year. Quality. Speed. Control. Efficiencies. Volume. The pieces to bring homebuilding into the 21st century are on the table, it is up to us to now put them together.



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.