Modular homebuilder Shorten Homes was on the front lines of the housing market when it imploded, selling nearly 200 homes in 2007, dropping to just over 20 homes the following year. When many other businesses went belly up, thetimes-tribune tells MHProNews, Shorten turned loose of 75 percent of its sales staff, took away company cars and other perks, and streamlined the internal structure.

James Shorten, an adviser to the firm headed by his grandfather in Dickson City, PA, just north of Scranton, said, “There was no light at the end of the tunnel, and we had to do it again. When you have cash flow of tens of millions of dollars it obscures problems. When things are great, you aren’t looking to make them better,“ he said. “When that money is gone, the problems become obvious and you have to fix them. In a recession, time is not on your side.“

Instead of just selling homes, they have built a sales team around a superior home-buying experience, the company has a new website, and last year they turned things around and began making money once again. Shorten says with continuing low interest rates, they anticipate a fantastic year in 2015. ##

(Photo credit: Modular Homes of Delaware)

   Article submitted by Matthew J. Silver to Daily Business News-MHProNews.