Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/303813
MAY 2014 28 THE JOURNAL Express Homes in Cleburne, Texas has been selling, transporting and installing mobile homes and modular commercial units for three decades. On April 19th, the company celebrated its 30th anniversary and is looking back on growing a one-man operation into a major player within the Texas manufactured home industry. "My brother and I were in business together in Oklahoma City, selling manufactured homes and delivering them from our sales lot," said co- owner Danny Daugherty. "We parted ways in 1984, and I came to Texas since the industry was strong here then. We moved to Cleburne and started BMH Transportation, Inc., delivering and installing homes. In 2004, we decided to get back into sales with first used, then new homes. That's how it all started." BMH Transportation Inc. DBA Express Homes is a licensed bonded and insured retailer, transporter, and installer of manufactured homes serving all of Texas. Daugherty's wife and business partner, Tracie Daugherty, said it has been amazing to see the company grow over the years – even as the busi- ness navigated through economic ups and downs. "We went from one toter and two employees to five toters and three set crews until a downturn in the economy required us to downsize," she re- called. "When we started, we were in a 12x12 storage building with no air conditioning or rest- room. Now we are housed in a beautiful office with an attached warehouse. We have room to display floor plans, factory décor, and lender in- formation and still give everyone the privacy they need to ensure that our customers get the best possible service." The Daughertys take pride in the fact that their business has become part of their commu- nity and that they are able to provide jobs to peo- ple living in their community. "Every customer is important," Danny said. "I'm not much of an office person, so I enjoy get- ting out as much as possible. I like meeting cus- tomers at their property and going over their options for positioning their home and seeing if there are any additional preparations needed." Tracie added that you never know who is in the market for a mobile home. "It could be first- time homeowners, professional people, re- tirees…we've even delivered and installed homes for the Secret Service on President Bush's ranch in Caldwell," she said. The Daughertys and the crew at Express Homes have big plans for the decades to come. "We want to grow and provide affordable homes and deliver our products at the greatest possible value for our customers," Danny said. "Technology will be a big player as we move forward," Tracie said. "Modern technologies have revolutionized the way business is done, and yet all of these innovations pale in compari- son with the "old- fashioned" values of hard work, fair business, and sheer strength of per- sonality that are at the core of Express Homes," she added. "Growing our business has been kind of like a relationship where you meet someone, get mar- ried and watch your family grow," according to Tracie. "We have had many happy moments: the excitement of the first truck, growing from a storage building to a warehouse to our current of- fices, watching the excitement of customers when you visit their site and seeing the joy on customers' faces as they get the keys to their own home." Express Homes will celebrate its big birthday with a number of promotions and events over the next 12 months. The mobile home company is also hosting an Open House from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. on July 25 for friends, customers, and family to help them celebrate 30 years in busi- ness. For more information on Express Homes, visit www.expresshomestx.com Express Homes Celebrates 30 Years in the Manufactured Housing Industry June 11 - June 13 Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute Annual Conference Embassy Suites, Covington, KY Contact: Betty Whittaker (502) 223-0490 June 17 - June 18 Mfd. Housing Assoc. of Oklahoma Annual Membership Meeting and Convention Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, Tulsa, OK Contact: Deanna Fields (800) 234-6426 June 23 - June 25 West Virginia Housing Institute Convention Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, WV Contact: Andy Gallagher (304) 415-4187 June 23 - June 24 Ohio Mfd. Housing Association Board \Meeting, Member Party and Golf Outing Pinnacle Golf Club, Grove City, OH Contact: Andrea Reichman (614) 799-2340 August 3 - August 5 2014 Multi State Convention, AL-LA-MS-TN Perdido Beach Resort, Orange Beach, AL Contact: Steve Duke (225) 925-9041 September 17 - 18 Kansas Manufactured Housing Association Annual Meeting, Newton, KS Contact Martha Neu Smith (785)357-5256 September 19 Ohio Manufactured Housing Association Board Meeting Pinnacle Golf Club, Grove City, OH Contact: Andrea Reichman (614) 799-2340 September 25-26 Arkansas Manufactured Housing Association's 43rd Annual Meeting Marriott Hotel, Little Rock, AR Contact: Vicki Hoover (501) 663-8444 October 7-8 Florida Manufactured Housing Association Annual Convention Florida Hotel & Conference Center Orlando, FL Contact: Beth Loftus (850) 907-9111 October 9 - October 10 New York Housing Assoc.Annual Convention Turning Stone Resort, Verona, NY Contact: Nancy Geer (800) 721-HOME Calendar of Events AUGUST JUNE SEPTEMBER OCTOBER