Category: Clayton Homes

Clayton i-house Unveiled in Evans

Posted by Ryan Willis – March 16, 2010

Evans, Colo. –  The new, Energy Star™ rated i-house from Clayton Homes has arrived in the Evans area and can now be viewed, toured and purchased at Clayton Homes of Evans.  The model i-house – one of only a few nationwide – was built at Clayton’s Albuquerque facility.  

The eco-friendly Clayton i-house, which is now available for purchase, launched nationally at the Berkshire-Hathaway Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, Neb. on May 2, 2009 when Warren Buffett showed the i-house to attendees.  Since that time, the i-house has been featured on numerous national cable television news shows and in newspapers and magazines across the country. 

The i-house is Energy Star™ rated, which means the home is at least 30 percent more energy efficient according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Although home buyers are likely to first notice the stylish design, cutting-edge color combinations and modern furnishings, the i-house also features solar panels, a rain water catchment system, high-end “low e” windows, a tankless water heater, low-flow faucets, easily renewable bamboo flooring and many other energy saving items. 

“The i-house will change the way people look at our products and housing in general,” said Kevin Clayton, CEO of Clayton Homes.  “We build these homes in a controlled environment away from the weather, so there’s a huge quality benefit simply because of how we build a home.  We also have far less scrap in our building process than a traditional home, so there are tremendous cost savings we pass along to the homebuyer.”

Built with an exterior of cement board and architectural metal, the home’s most distinctive feature is the V-shaped roof over the primary living space that includes the i-house’s rainwater catchment system and solar panels. The primary living area includes a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, and a deck connects it to a separate living area that features a bedroom or den, a full bath and a roof-top patio.

Clayton Homes says the i-house’s energy costs are less than $70 a month, but that figure drops to less than one dollar per day when the optional solar panel system is installed.

The i-house is consistent with the overall environmental focus at Clayton Homes, which is in the process of obtaining LEED certification – the national benchmark for eco-friendly design – at its Tennessee headquarters.  Clayton has cut energy costs at its offices by 28 percent over the last two years, and has already started implementing many of the “green” features of the i-house into its traditional homes.

Although the i-house is expected to be a popular primary residence, it is also drawing considerable interest from people who wish to have a second home or vacation home because of its affordability, unique design and energy efficiency.  The $8,000 first-time homebuyer’s tax credit, is expected to attract many first-time homebuyers, many of whom will be drawn to the modern design and energy efficiency of the i-house. More information is available at http://claytonihouse.com. 

Clayton, the nation’s largest homebuilder, has built 1.5 million homes since 1934.  Clayton homes are precision-built in 35 state-of-the-art, climate-controlled facilities strategically located throughout the United States. 

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About Clayton Homes:  A Berkshire-Hathaway Company, Clayton Homes is a national, vertically integrated housing company. Through its family of brands, Clayton Homes builds, sells, finances, leases, and insures a full spectrum of affordable housing and is the nation’s leader in housing.  Visit Clayton Homes at www.claytonhomes.com. 

The i-house can be viewed, toured and purchased at Clayton Homes of Evans, 3455 W. Service Rd., Evans, CO 80620.  For more information call Mike Jansen at (970) 339-5500.

Media Contact:
Ryan Willis
(865) 584-0550
rwillis@ackermannpr.com

Clayton Homes Trendsetter Construction Completes Project at Fort Sam Houston

Posted by Ryan Willis – March 9, 2010

San Antonio, Texas – One of the largest residential modular construction projects ever is going up at a U.S. Army base in San Antonio, Texas. 

The Army found it could create housing for 1200 military medical trainees faster and more cost effectively by turning to modular construction. Some universities are reaching the same conclusion about how to quickly create more student housing…and do so while keeping costs down. 

At Fort Sam Houston the Army chose Trendsetter Construction’s modular design and construction process. In essence, 250,000 square feet of barracks were transported and assembled keeping the construction time involved to an absolute minimum.  That’s just the beginning. Eventually there will be five such buildings, supplying housing for 3,000 members of the armed forces. 

Trendsetter manufactured the modular units in their Belton, Texas facility and then transported each module to the site in San Antonio.  The building which stands four-stories tall, features 600 hotel-style apartments.  Along with Trendsetter, other companies involved in the project included, Hensel Phelps Construction Co., and the Warrior Group. 

“We have a strong team that includes our manufacturing partner and Hensel Phelps Construction Co, the general contractor,” said Gail Warrior-Lawrence, president of Warrior Group.  “It is an honor to be a part of providing housing for the men and women who defend America.” 

This type of construction allows for a speedier and more accurate construction, saving both time and money.  The manufacturing process also provides significant reduction in waste and energy costs.  “On typical project timelines, we can save 40-50% of the time on-site as compared to traditional construction techniques, while increasing control and reducing waste,” says Doug Henriquez, Trendsetter’s Director of Business Development.  “Our on-site finish includes assembly, corridor completions, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing connections.  This moves the bulk of work and risk to a manufacturing environment which increases consistency and accuracy.” 

“The Fort Sam Houston project has been such a rewarding project for our company,” added Henriquez.  “We were thrilled to be selected as the manufacturing partner on this job, and to be able to provide housing for the men and women serving our country as they go through their training programs.” 

Trendsetter is a subsidiary of Clayton Homes, a Berkshire-Hathaway Company. 

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About Clayton Homes:  A Berkshire-Hathaway Company, Clayton Homes is a national, vertically integrated housing company. Through its family of brands Clayton Homes builds, sells, finances, leases, and insures a full spectrum of affordable housing and is the nation’s number one retailer of modular and manufactured homes. Learn more at www.claytonhomes.com. Learn more about Trendsetter Construction, a Clayton subsidiary, at www.trendsetter-construction.com. 

MEDIA NOTE: Digital images available upon request

Media Contact:
Mike Cohen
(865) 584-0550
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

Revolutionary Clayton i-house arrives in Charleston, SC

Posted by Shane Rhyne – February 2, 2010

CHARLESTON, South Carolina – (February 2, 2010) – The new, Energy Star™ rated i-house from Clayton Homes has arrived in the Charleston area and can now be viewed, toured and purchased at Clayton Homes of N. Charleston. The model i-house – one of only a few nationwide – was built at Clayton’s Richfield facility.

The eco-friendly Clayton i-house, which is now available for purchase, launched nationally at thei-house exterior 1 in high res Berkshire-Hathaway Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, Neb. on May 2, 2009 when Warren Buffett showed the i-house to attendees. Since that time, the i-house has been featured on numerous national cable television news shows and in newspapers and magazines across the country.

The i-house is Energy Star™ rated, which means the home is at least 30 percent more energy efficient according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Although home buyers are likely to first notice the stylish design, cutting-edge color combinations and modern furnishings, the i-house also features solar panels, a rain water catchment system, high-end “low e” windows, a tankless water heater, low-flow faucets, easily renewable bamboo flooring and many other energy saving items.

“The i-house will change the way people look at our products and housing in general,” said Kevin Clayton, CEO of Clayton Homes. “We build these homes in a controlled environment away from the weather, so there’s a huge quality benefit simply because of how we build a home. We also have far less scrap in our building process than a traditional home, so there are tremendous cost savings we pass along to the homebuyer.”

Built with an exterior of cement board and architectural metal, the home’s most distinctive feature is the V-shaped roof over the primary living space that includes the i-house’s rainwater catchment system and solar panels. The primary living area includes a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, and a deck connects it to a separate living area that features a bedroom or den, a full bath and a roof-top patio.

Clayton Homes says the i-house’s energy costs are less than $70 a month, but that figure drops to less than one dollar per day when the optional solar panel system is installed.

The i-house is consistent with the overall environmental focus at Clayton Homes, which is in the process of obtaining LEED certification – the national benchmark for eco-friendly design – at its Tennessee headquarters. Clayton has cut energy costs at its offices by 28 percent over the last two years, and has already started implementing many of the “green” features of the i-house into its traditional homes.

Although the i-house is expected to be a popular primary residence, it is also drawing considerable interest from people who wish to have a second home or vacation home because of its affordability, unique design and energy efficiency. The $8,000 first-time homebuyer’s tax credit, is expected to attract many first-time homebuyers, many of whom will be drawn to the modern design and energy efficiency of the i-house. More information is available at http://claytonihouse.com.

Clayton, the nation’s largest homebuilder, has built 1.5 million homes since 1934. Clayton homes are precision-built in 35 state-of-the-art, climate-controlled facilities strategically located throughout the United States.

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About Clayton Homes: A Berkshire-Hathaway Company, Clayton Homes is a national, vertically integrated housing company. Through its family of brands, Clayton Homes builds, sells, finances, leases, and insures a full spectrum of affordable housing and is the nation’s leader in housing.  Visit Clayton Homes at www.claytonhomes.com.

The i-house can be viewed, toured and purchased at Clayton Homes of N. Charleston, 6581 Rivers Ave. North Charleston, SC 29418. For more information call Allison Blankenship at (843) 572-6742.

For additional information/photos, contact:
Ryan Willis
rwillis@ackermannpr.com
(865) 584-0550

Clayton Homes promotes Bourdeau to Zone Vice President

Posted by Sarah Malak – January 13, 2010

Clayton-Homes-Logo2-300x125Magnolia, Texas – Clayton Homes announced today that Victor Bourdeau has been promoted to Zone Vice President. Bourdeau previously served as one of the company’s Regional Managers.

“We are pleased to announce the promotion of Victor to Zone Vice President. His dedication and expertise in the housing industry will certainly be valuable in this capacity and we know he can achieve impressive results with the retail outlets he will supervise,” said Kevin Clayton, President and CEO of Clayton Homes.

As Zone Vice President, Bourdeau’s responsibilities include working with the retail company’s management to establish and implement a strategic sales game plan for the company within his geographical zone. This new endeavor will require him to research target customers and industry competitors, drive new sales, service existing clients, direct budget development and implementation, and manage personnel development and recognition across a vast area, along with many other responsibilities.

Bourdeau’s territory as Zone Vice President includes 64 retail home sales centers throughout Texas and New Mexico.

“One of the most exciting elements of this new role is the prospect of establishing many new business relationships throughout the southwest zone. Our primary goal is to provide exceptional services for our customers and I plan to focus on this philosophy to continue to provide the greatest housing value in the market place,” said Bourdeau.

Bourdeau has been in the manufactured housing industry since 1982, managing and owning retail sales centers in several Texas metro areas. He began his career with Clayton Homes in 2001.

Bourdeau resides in Magnolia, Texas with his wife, Beth and five grown children.

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About Clayton Homes:  A Berkshire-Hathaway Company, Clayton Homes is a national, vertically integrated housing company. Through its family of brands, Clayton Homes builds, sells, finances, leases, and insures a full spectrum of affordable housing and is the nation’s number one retailer of modular and manufactured homes.

Media Contact
Clayton Homes                                 
Mike Cohen                                        
Ackermann PR                        
(865) 584-0550                                  
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

Clayton Homes names Townsend Zone Vice President

Posted by Sarah Malak – January 13, 2010

Knoxville, Tenn. – Clayton Homes announced today that Fred Townsend has been promoted to Zone Vice President. Townsend previously served as the company’s Vice President of Expansion.

“Fred has played a critical role at Clayton Homes and this promotion acknowledges his dedication and knowledge of the housing industry. The company’s retail outlets in which Fred will serve will benefit greatly,” said Kevin Clayton, President and CEO of Clayton Homes.

As Zone Vice President, Townsend’s responsibilities include working with the retail company’s management to establish and implement a strategic sales game plan for the company within his geographical zone. This new endeavor will require him to research target customers and industry competitors, drive new sales, service existing clients, direct budget development and implementation, and manage personnel development and recognition across a vast area, along with many other responsibilities.

Townsend’s territory as Zone Vice President includes 66 retails outlets in Illinois, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri.

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About Clayton Homes:  A Berkshire-Hathaway Company, Clayton Homes is a national, vertically integrated housing company. Through its family of brands, Clayton Homes builds, sells, finances, leases, and insures a full spectrum of affordable housing and is the nation’s number one retailer of modular and manufactured homes.

Media Contact
Clayton Homes                                 
Mike Cohen                                        
Ackermann PR                        
(865) 584-0550                                  
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

Clayton Homes, H&R Block Team Up to Make Home Ownership Easier

Posted by Shane Rhyne – January 5, 2010

Clayton Homes Logo

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – (January 5, 2010) – Just months after Congress extended the tax credit for first time homebuyers, the nation’s largest homebuilder and the nation’s largest tax services provider are teaming up to make the transition to home ownership easier.

The partnership between Clayton Homes and H&R Block means people can easily use their tax refund to move into home ownership by purchasing a Clayton home.

“With the federal government both extending and expanding the tax credit for home buyers, with mortgage rates extremely low and with Clayton able to offer financing directly, this is a historic opportunity for more people to become homeowners,” said Kevin Clayton, President and CEO of Clayton Homes.

“From seniors looking to downsize, to families wanting to move, to those shopping for their first home, this credit paves the way for more people to positively impact their taxes through the benefits of homeownership,” said Dave Mullin, Marketing Manager for H&R Block.

There are clear long term tax advantages to owning a home as opposed to renting:

  • The interest you pay is tax deductible.
  • Your local property taxes are deductible.
  • Some loan costs, such as Private Mortgage Insurance, are deductible.

There’s no question that becoming a homeowner is a smart move. The latest data from the Federal Reserve Board shows families that own homes are worth more money and save more money.

Clayton homes are an excellent value for those looking to become homeowners and can often be financed so that the monthly mortgage payment is comparable to rent payments.

“We don’t know of a better way to deliver this message to people than when they are truly focused on finances, so a partnership between our companies makes perfect sense,” says Clayton.

Information on the program is available at Clayton Homes Sales Centers across the country.

Clayton, a Berkshire-Hathaway Company, has built more than a million homes since 1934.  More information is available at www.claytonhomes.com.

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About Clayton Homes: A Berkshire-Hathaway Company, Clayton Homes is a national, vertically integrated housing company. Through its family of brands, Clayton Homes builds, sells, finances, leases, and insures a full spectrum of affordable housing and is the nation’s number one retailer of modular and manufactured homes.

Media Contacts
Clayton Homes
Mike Cohen
Ackermann PR
(865) 584-0550
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

Clayton Homes Expands Its Energy Efficient Housing Line

Posted by Shane Rhyne – December 8, 2009

claytonehomelogo

New ehome Boasts Energy-Efficient Features in Affordable Setting

Clayton ehome interior

Clayton ehome interior

Maryville, Tenn. (December 8, 2009) – The nation’s largest homebuilder, Clayton Homes, is unveiling a new product in their line of energy-efficient housing, called the ehome. These fully customizable homes feature an Energy Saver Plus package which is proven to save homeowners money.  The Clayton ehome also leverages the environmentally friendly values of off-site construction.  “These homes are built in climate-controlled building facilities, which drastically reduces waste,” says Kevin Clayton, CEO of Clayton Homes. “Having energy-efficient features is just one part of it; what sets us apart from any other builder out there is the building process.”  Clayton estimates that construction waste is less than half what a traditional site-built home produces.

The ehome also addresses the changing culture surrounding green building. Earlier this year, Clayton Homes launched the i-house and the response was overwhelmingly positive.  Clayton says, “We have confirmed that there is a demand for energy-efficient housing.”  He says the ehome is an extension of that, bringing green features to Clayton Homes’ core customer.  “We learned a lot in the i-house R&D process,” says Clayton.  “We’re taking those best practices and applying them in a more traditional home.”  Clayton Homes has been building manufactured homes since 1934.

The Clayton ehome

The Clayton ehome

From low “e” Energy Star® rated windows to compact fluorescent lighting, the Clayton ehome is equipped with energy-efficient features. “The cost savings that the home owner will enjoy are as much as $600 a year,” says Clayton.  Homeowners can maximize those savings by customizing their ehome, using the company’s online configuration tool.  The homeowner can select from a variety of floor plans, exterior cladding materials, color schemes, kitchens, baths, window placements, and interior design schemes with the click of a mouse.

The Clayton ehome is now available for purchase.  Customers can go to the dedicated ehome website and customize their energy-efficient home.  The price point is lower than the cost of the i-house, starting at under $49,000.  Model homes are open for tours in 100 cities throughout the United States; for a complete list, visit www.claytonehome.com.

Clayton is committed to energy efficiency not just in the homes it builds, but in all aspects of its operation. Its corporate headquarters was recently awarded LEED certification, one of only 14 certified buildings in the Southeast.

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About Clayton Homes: A Berkshire-Hathaway Company, Clayton Homes is a national, vertically integrated housing company. Through its family of brands, Clayton builds, sells, finances, leases, and insures a full spectrum of affordable housing.  With 35 home building facilities and more than 1.5 million homes built, Clayton is the leading home builder in the country.  Visit Clayton Homes at www.claytonhomes.com.

Media contact
Mike Cohen
(865) 584-0550
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

Clayton Homes Receives LEED Green Building Certification

Posted by Shane Rhyne – November 23, 2009

ClaytonGreenLogo

Maryville, TN – Clayton Homes announced today is has been awarded LEED certification, established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute.  LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green building. President and CEO of Clayton Homes, Kevin Clayton says, “We are very honored to have received this certification, but even more excited about reducing our impact on the environment.  That’s something our team members here at Clayton Homes can be proud of when they come to work every day.”

Today’s certification makes Clayton Homes only the 4th LEED-certified building in the state of Tennessee, and the 14th in the Southeast.  Clayton Homes achieved LEED certification for its existing headquarters by maximizing operational efficiency, while minimizing environmental impacts.  “We use LEED standards as a road map to sustainability.” says Jason Langston, Clayton Homes’ LEED project coordinator.  “Some great examples include our onsite restaurant offering healthy choices called “The Greenway” as well as other environmental and healthy amenities. The result: team member do not have to leave the facility resulting in less environmental impact and healthier people.”

“Clayton Homes’ LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” says Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO and Founding Chair of USGBC.

Fedrizzi is pleased the Berkshire-Hathaway company is sharing some of its best practices in its Home Building Facilities and Model Home Centers around the country.  “Sustainability is something we’ve been interested in for years now, and we are using some of these same principals in the homes that we build for our customers,” says Clayton.  Clayton Homes is the nation’s largest home builder, with more than 1.5 million homes built.

Clayton-i House 4

The Clayton i-house

Earlier this year, Clayton Homes unveiled the Energy Star™ rated i-house, featuring solar panels, a rain water catchment system, high-end “low e” windows, a tankless water heater, low-flow faucets, and easily renewable bamboo flooring.  Clayton Homes was also recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Systems Building Research Alliance and the Manufactured Housing Institute with five 2009 ENERGY STAR® Leadership in Housing Awards.

Clayton Homes is in good company with other LEED-ED Certified headquarters around the country, including McDonald’s World Headquarters in Illinois, Starbucks Center in Washington and the MGM Tower in California.  “The green building movement offers an unprecedented opportunity to respond to the most important challenges of our time, including global climate change, dependence on non-sustainable and expensive sources of energy and threats to human health,” says Fedrizzi.

LEED certification of Clayton Homes was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community.  These features include:

  • Achieved 50% in water savings
  • Achieved overall 33% in real energy savings
  • Recycling 53% of waste stream.
  • Purchasing 60% of materials that include at least 10% post consumer content a sustainable and economical practice
  • Optimizing the building indoor air quality, through measuring and balancing outside air intake
  • Establishing metrics for the impact that our on-site GreenWay restaurant, exercise facility, outdoor amenities and GreenWay-to-Go programs have had on the reduction of carbon emissions from the availability of these enhancements
  • Offering recycling containers for TM’s to bring in their home recyclables.  We have established metrics that account reductions in carbon emissions by offering this benefit
  • Changing to eco-safe cleaning materials and cleaning equipment
  • Produced a complete operations manual (S.O.P.) based on our existing culture of being proactive in all building systems
  • Developed plan for complete site erosion and sedimentation control and complete site maintenance.  202 acres are currently under the GreenBelt Tax designation with 60 acres designated for hay

According to the USGBC, an initial sampling of other LEED-EB certified buildings found that an average return on investment is 2.6 years and annual net savings totaling more than $170,000.  “While the ROI is meaningful, the real reward is in making a difference; no matter how big or small the changes, the more we can make a positive impact on our planet, the better,” says Clayton.

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Clayton Homes

A Berkshire-Hathaway Company, Clayton Homes is a national, vertically integrated housing company. Through its family of brands, Clayton Homes builds, sells, finances, leases, and insures a full spectrum of affordable housing and is the nation’s in housing.  Visit Clayton Homes at www.claytonhomes.com.

U.S. Green Building Council

The Washington D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.

With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 20,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 100,000 LEED Accredited Professionals, USGBA is the driving force of an industry that is projected to soar to $60 billion by 2010.  The USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.

Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity.  Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.

LEED

The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings.  The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system is the preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings.  35,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED system, comprising over 5.6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 91 countries.

By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

USGBC was co-founded by current President and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, who spent 25 years as a Fortune 500 executive.  Under his 15-year leadership, the organization has become preeminent green building, membership, policy, standards, influential, education and research organization in the nation.

Economic Boost: Clayton Believes Extending Home Buying Tax Credit Will Help Economy

Posted by Shane Rhyne – November 9, 2009

Clayton Homes Logo

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The President/CEO of America’s largest homebuilder said today that extending and expanding the tax credit for homebuyers has the potential to help businesses across the nation.

“Building homes helps build a growing economy,” said Kevin Clayton, President and CEO. “The tax credit will further stimulate demand and encourage many people that may have been uncertain, to take the step and buy a home now. There couldn’t be a better time to buy; rates are low, prices are very competitive and now the tax credit has been extended AND expanded. It’s perfect.”

The tax credit first put in place earlier this year was set to expire at the end of this month. On Thursday, Congress voted to not only extend the $8,000 first time buyer tax credit, but also to expand the offer to include a $6,500 credit for many who already own a home and are now ready for their next home. President Obama then signed the bill into law, meaning the tax credits will be in place on homes purchased through at least April 30, 2010.

“Clayton Homes will do all we can with every program to help people become homeowners.” said Clayton. “It is an opportunity that will not be available again and buyers must demand the most for their money, while looking for the best value.”

Clayton Homes has offered a variety of incentives in addition to the tax credit to help people make the decision to buy. Clayton said the firm is already looking at extending such offers or creating new ones now that the tax credits will remain in place. 

“This is perfect for the homebuyer. And we’ll do everything we can to get more people into homes, keep our 12,000 employees working hard and do our part in helping the economy recover,” said Clayton.

Clayton, a Berkshire-Hathaway company, has built more than a million homes since 1934. More information is available at www.claytonhomes.com.

About Clayton Homes:  A Berkshire-Hathaway Company, Clayton Homes is a national, vertically integrated housing company. Through its family of brands, Clayton Homes builds, sells, finances, leases, and insures a full spectrum of affordable housing and is the nation’s number one retailer of modular and manufactured homes.

Media Contact
Mike Cohen
(865) 584-0550
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

Clayton Homes adds social media to public relations strategies

Posted by Shane Rhyne – October 6, 2009

Clayton Homes Logo

Knoxville, Tenn. – Clayton Homes is adding social media to the public relations duties handled by Ackermann PR, the manufacturer’s national Agency of Record. The firm will now include social media strategic development as part of public relations efforts on behalf of the company.

Ackermann’s work for the Berkshire-Hathaway company in promoting the launch of the Clayton Homes i-house was highlighted in the October 2009 issue of PR Week. The traditional public relations media campaign also included outreach to bloggers and social media platforms. The resulting efforts helped generate thousands of customer inquiries through the company’s phone and mail centers and through online venues, including a featured story on Yahoo.com’s front page.

“The interest generate on our web site from the Yahoo feature was historic for our company,” said Clayton President and CEO Kevin Clayton. “As our online activity expands, adding Ackermann’s duties to include social media is a natural addition to our relationship.”

“It is not surprising to us that Clayton Homes recognizes the long-term importance of adding social media strategies as part of a successful PR plan,” said agency President and CEO Cathy Ackermann. “Our focus is on helping them stay out in front of these new trends.”

The Ackermann PR digital and social media division, led by Katie Allison Granju, represents a rapidly growing segment of the firm’s work. In recent months, Ackermann has added a significant number of new clients, representing a wide variety of industry sectors, including tourism, hospitality, entertainment, sports, healthcare, manufacturing, and non-profit.

Ackermann PR is a full-service, integrated marketing communications firm providing strategic public relations and marketing. It is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, and serves clients across the United States.

Media Contact
Mike Cohen
(865) 584-0550
mcohen@ackermannpr.com