About Clayton Homes
We´ve helped people just like you buy manufactured homes since 1934, building more than 1.5 million homes and winning multiple awards for design and construction. We build, sell, finance, lease and insure manufactured and modular homes as well as relocatable commercial and educational buildings. We have 12,000 team members, 35 home building facilities and more than 1,800 home centers. We also finance more than 325,000 customers and insure 160,000 families. Clayton Homes also owns and operates 18 subdivisions. In 2003, Warren Buffett and Berkshire-Hathaway, Inc. acquired Clayton Homes.
Our headquarters are in Maryville, Tennessee, but our hearts are in your home.
1934
Your neighbors since 1934.
Clayton’s experience runs deep in the manufactured housing business. Looking back reminds us how far we’ve come. Here are the high points through the years.
1966
Opening the first Home Center.
Jim Clayton opened the first Clayton Homes Home Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. Within a matter of months, the family business, with Mom and Dad Clayton joining in, was off and running. In a few short years, Clayton grew from this single store to a company listed on the NY Stock Exchange.
1974
Expansion into lending.
Clayton opens Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc., and through this new subsidiary is able to directly help customers get financing for their new homes.
1983
Going public.
Just 17 years since its start, Clayton becomes a public company, trading on the New York Stock Exchange in 1984. This offering sparks 20 years of consecutive growth for the company.
1988
Construction keeps building.
Keeping all facets of the business integrated, Clayton opens its 10th home building facility.
1994
New homebuilding facility, new idea.
Continuing a long tradition of innovation, Clayton debuts a new state-of-the-art homebuilding facility in Norris, Tennessee, increasing quality and flexibility while reducing waste.
1995
Lending expansion.
Clayton takes a 25% stake in 21st Mortgage, furthering its commitment to financing to soon-to-be homeowners.
1997
Vertical integration.
Having expanded and integrated all facets of the business during the previous decade – building, selling, financing, leasing and insuring manufactured and modular homes – Clayton grows its business by delivering a superior home buying experience.
1999
The next generation.
Board of directors elects Kevin Clayton president and CEO, continuing the legacy started by founder, Jim Clayton.
2001
Housing leadership.
Clayton receives its first of many leadership awards in home building with its MHI Manufacturer of the Year award.
2003
Attracting the attention of Mr. Buffett.
Clayton becomes part of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., the holding company founded by legendary businessman Warren Buffett. The merger broadened Clayton’s lending stability and ensured access to financing for homeowners. Joining forces with Buffett meant big things for the future, but it also kept Clayton’s local roots intact, with management, headquarters and 7,000 loyal team members staying in place.
2004
Growing opportunities.
Clayton acquires Oakwood Homes and the remaining ownership of 21st Mortgage.
2006
Expanding in new directions
Clayton acquires Southern Energy Homes and forms Wimbledon Properties, starting with four subdivisions.
2009
Living innovation.
With more than 35 home building facilities and more than 1.5 million homes built, Clayton is the leading home builder in the country.
Years of research and development and tireless commitment to innovation culminate in Spring 2009 with the unveiling of a new home design, the i–house, built for a new era of sustainable living.
