For over forty years, manufactured housing in Japan has held a significant portion of the overall housing stock. The market share for manufacturers has been up and down but has maintained approximately a 10-13% share for decades. This housing market share is now on the upswing despite the past few years of financial instability and recession. The reason for this recent resurgence in the Japanese manufactured housing industry is twofold: First, the increase is the product of an industry-wide marketing campaign aimed at showing consumers the specific benefits of manufactured housing, as well as the advantages of new high-end green designs being offered; and Second, the industry has been moving away from low cost units and towards a more technology and green centered product, which anticipated customer demand within the Japanese housing market and thus driven new home sales.
Tending to the dayto- day challenges of operating in the housing industry during these troubling economic times seems to be all consuming. During this recessionary time, it is important to note that manufactured housing is the most important source of quality, energy efficient, affordable housing in the country. As an industry, we must remind ourselves, and those around us, of the valuable resource we are to meeting the nation’s housing needs — especially in the face of a struggling economy.
The forecast for manufactured housing production and sales activity for 2010 and beyond is being influenced by a number of emerging and fluid issues. A prolonged economic recovery and evolving changes in consumer behavior may spell lower housing activities for months and years ahead. In light of lessons being learned from the subprime crisis, we are likely to see less rather than more mortgage product innovations and liberalizations. On the consumer side, an expected longerterm shift to de-leveraging household balance sheets will see housing consumption take a more modest and financially conservative path.
November 9-10 — Utah Housing Matters Conference, West Valley Cultural Celebration Center
November 26—Thanksgiving
December 9—Utah Board of Directors Meeting, 10-2 Cheyenne Room, Little America Hotel, Salt Lake City,
December 25th—Happy Holidays to all!
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Election of MHI Officers
Election of MHI Officers
MHI elected officers during its 73rd Annual Meeting held in California. The following officers were re-elected and will continue to serve MHI in 2010: Chairman, Ken Cashin, president of Windstorm Holdings, Inc. Tallahassee, Florida; Vice- Chairman Joe Stegmayer, CEO, Cavco Industries, Phoenix, Arizona; Secretary, Kevin Clayton, CEO of Clayton Homes, Maryville, Tennessee; and Treasurer Don Glisson, Jr., Chairman/CEO, Triad Financial Services, Inc., Jacksonville, FL.
Additionally, the membership approved two bylaws amendments: (1) to ensure that companies applying for membership in MHI apply for the highest dues level category for their overall business operations and (2) to approve a non-voting representative of Manufactured Housing Educational Institute (MHEI) to serve on the MHI Board of Directors.
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
OCTOBER 4-10
Community owners and Retailers have a great opportunity to alert their residents and customers to the importance of fire safety during Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10. The theme established by the National Fire Protection Association for this year’s observance is “Stay Fire Smart” Don’t Get Burned.” This year’s focus will be on burn awareness and burn prevention.
Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire in October 1871, which killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2000 acres. Though given a special week to promote fire safety, the practice of fire safety and prevention should be year round. We encourage you to work with your local community organizers and tag into events they may be sponsoring that promote fire safety. Also through community newsletters or other outreach programs, remind your residents this is a good time to check their homes for fire safety.
Encourage them to:
• Check smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors and change batteries at least once a year
• Make sure flammable items like bedding, clothes and curtains are at least 3 feet from heaters
• Check power cords on electrical appliances
• Make sure escape routes are accessible and the family knows where they are and practices using them
• Store matches and lighters in a secure drawer or cabinet
• Teach children that matches, lighters and candles are tools, not toys.
Tending to the dayto- day challenges of operating in the housing industry during these troubling economic times seems to be all consuming. During this recessionary time, it is important to note that manufactured housing is the most important source of quality, energy efficient, affordable housing in the country. As an industry, we must remind ourselves, and those around us, of the valuable resource we are to meeting the nation’s housing needs — especially in the face of a struggling economy.
MHI elected officers during its 73rd Annual Meeting held in California. The following officers were re-elected and will continue to serve MHI in 2010: Chairman, Ken Cashin, president of Windstorm Holdings, Inc. Tallahassee, Florida; Vice- Chairman Joe Stegmayer, CEO, Cavco Industries, Phoenix, Arizona; Secretary, Kevin Clayton, CEO of Clayton Homes, Maryville, Tennessee; and Treasurer Don Glisson, Jr., Chairman/CEO, Triad Financial Services, Inc., Jacksonville, FL. 
Community owners and Retailers have a great opportunity to alert their residents and customers to the importance of fire safety during Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10. The theme established by the National Fire Protection Association for this year’s observance is “Stay Fire Smart” Don’t Get Burned.” This year’s focus will be on burn awareness and burn prevention.
