Editor鈥檚 note: This is the first installment of Times Capsule, a look back into the archives of what was going on in Macon County years ago. This article, written by Lisa Spivey, is from Jan. 10, 2008.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the more than year-long idled Lafayette Fleetwood Plant re-opened Monday, Dec. 17, 2007. The move from the Gallatin plant, which is closing, began the previous week.
鈥淎ll the employees at the Gallatin plant were offered the opportunity to move to the Lafayette location, and more than 90% of them came,鈥 said Bill Graves, general manager of the plant.
The number of people currently employed at Fleetwood is 170, including staff and management. Most of the workers are from the Lafayette area, or the nearby communities of Gallatin, Westmoreland, Scottsville and Red Boiling Springs.
The California-based company decided to close its Gallatin factory and move its entire middle Tennessee production capability to Lafayette last November. The modern layout of the Lafayette factory, which was built in the late 1990s, and the good, reliable local workforce were said to be the deciding factors in the move.
鈥淢anufactured housing varies very little from conventional housing in quality of materials and final appearance. Features such as drywall, quality, carpeting and whirlpool appliances are standard,鈥 said Graves.
State and federal recertification of the facility is required due to the re-opening, and state inspectors have already visited the plant. Once they have reviewed and approved the plant procedures, they will notify federal HUD officials who will also visit Lafayette and confirm the state inspectors鈥 results.
Winter is generally a lower production period for manufactured housing, as prospective customers are looking at building sites and preparing for new homes.
鈥淢arch through May, sales will pick up,鈥 said Graves.
The plant manager expects employment numbers to increase at the Lafayette plant.
Manufactured housing built in Lafayette will be distributed and sold in nine states. Although trends in the housing market go through cycles, Graves is optimistic about the potential for Fleetwood鈥檚 production. At a time when manufacturing across the nation has decreased, Macon County welcomes Fleetwood back.
In 2024, Fleetwood Homes in Lafayette won the Energy Star Market Leader award, proving that they still have a strong presence in the manufactured home business.
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