“All the employees at the Gallatin plant were offered the opportunity to move to the Lafayette location, and more than 90 percent of them came,” said Bill Graves, general manager of the plant.
The number of people currently employed at Fleetwood is 170, including staff and management employees. 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 lay-out of the Lafayette factory, built in the late 1990's, and the good, reliable local workforce were said to be factors in the move.
Manufactured housing varies little from conventional housing in quality of materials and final appearance. Features such as drywall, quality carpeting and Whirlpool appliances are standard, 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' results.
Winter is generally a lower production period for manufacture housing, as prospective customers are looking at building sites and preparing for new homes. “March through April and May, sales pick up,” noted the plant manager, who 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's product. At a time when manufacturing across the U.S. has declined, Macon County welcomes Fleetwood back.
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