CURRENT ISSUE
| Cover Story |
| Columns |
| Changing Perceptions |
| Fabrication/Molding | |
| By Joanna Miller | |
| Thursday, 15 March 2007 | |
 Modular home manufacturer Customized Structures Inc. says its name says it all: It has built a reputation for one-of-a-kind projects. The company recently completed the “barge house” project on an island off the coast of Branford, Conn. The family that owns the island wanted to build a vacation home there, she says. “The island is only three acres,” she explains. “They knew that site-building and transportation of labor, equipment and materials would be cost-prohibitive, so they wanted to build a modular home.” The home was assembled on a steel frame foundation in an old shipyard in New London, Conn. The builder then lifted the house off the steel frame and carried it via barge to the island where it was placed on a new foundation. Although most of the company’s projects are less complex than this, she says, it was an example of its capabilities and ongoing efforts to change the perception of modular homes. “A lot of people think of modular as boxy, but this was a Dutch Colonial style with decks, covered porches, a cupola and varied roof lines,” she says. “It looks very coastal waterfront. There were nine modules in the whole system. A lot of people said, ‘No, this project would be a huge headache,’ but it was a great experience for us.” Customized Structures was founded in 1984 by Tony Usco, Joe Landers and Larry Haiman. Usco and Landers remain active in the business as members of the board of directors. “They started with the idea to build quality modular products that could be customized,” Gillen says. “Back in the ’70s and ’80s, modular homes had a not-so-great image. People thought they were of lower quality. They weren’t. That perception is still changing. “There is still work to be done,” she continues. “I’ve been in the modular industry for two years now and in the construction industry for five years. With modular, people are slowly realizing the benefits of it.” Gillen says the quality often exceeds site-built homes and offers energy efficiency benefits. “Modular itself is green because it allows for more efficient material usage,” she adds. Modular projects actually require more equipment and materials, but scrap parts can be put to use in other projects. “We can use a lot more of our scrap material than a builder could if they’re building just one house,” she notes. “We can reuse parts in another house or a different module, which reduces waste and consumption. We also have the economies of scale. We can get a better rate on materials than a builder with one project,” which is passed down to the buyer. Although customized products are its specialty, those custom and semi-custom projects account for 35 percent of the business. The company works with builders on small, one- or two-home projects, as well as large communities with more than 100 homes. It concentrates on the New England market – from the northern tip of Maine to the southern tip of Connecticut. It has completed some projects in New York, as well. Customized Structures employs approximately 150 people and typically hires more during the summer. The company has recently increased its emphasis on training. “We hired a new HR director who is heading a big initiative,” Gillen says. “Our employees are the heart of the company. They’re the whole reason we’re all here.” The company is concentrating on cross-training to help employees in all departments understand how the entire process works. “In accounting, they might not see how the product is sold or what it looks like when it’s done,” she says. “Someone in the design department may only see it on paper. We want them to see it in person, so they’re aware of the big picture.” The company operates a trucking company to transport modules, or sections of the home, and contracts with several set crews who assemble the homes once they reach their destinations. “They set the modules on the foundation, ensuring that they all line up,” Gillen says. “The builder does the finish work like extra shingling on the roofs, or electrical and plumbing tie-in and floors.” Gillen says she expects the company to continue to grow as more people accept modular building as a quality alternative. “Modular housing is a gold mine,” she says. “It’s an area that’s growing, and people are forecasting [it] will continue to grow even as housing declines. It’s the wave of the future. It seems so logical that people would build this way; I would never consider any other option these days.” |
|
| < Previous Story | Next Story > |
|---|
