Champion Genesis Modular Homes

Turns Out... Champion is not alone

2012-03-23T19:24:24Z

A lot of similarities between this story and the Champion Genesis Modular home we purchased. One difference is that we were able to keep the home after spending an amount equal to the original Champion Genesis purchase price to rebuild it in order to meet building code.

Click the link below for the whole story.

Check it out

Just saying it doesn't make it so...

2011-10-14T21:09:23Z

USModular and Champion Homes Sign Teaming Agreement.

"Our partnership with US Modular allows Champion to focus on our core strength... and producing high quality modular construction," said Dan McMurtrie, vice president, corporate development, Champion Homes.

If this sounds all to familiar, it is eerily similar to all the sales and marketing spin Champion Homes has been putting out for years. In fact, we fell for this marketing spin and purchased a Champion Genesis Modular Home and are still trying to find the high quality mentioned in all the marketing materials. For proof, check out the posts and photos describing Champion quality.

Has Anything Changed?

2011-09-24T21:57:45Z

After watching the following video, which describes a Champion Genesis Modular Home, I had to ask myself, has anything changed?
Championed stated that 80% of the assembly was completed in four days, perhaps that explains why I had to spend several months and tens of thousands of dollars correcting all the mistakes made during construction!!

Read through the posts and peruse the pictures if you have any doubt the the aforementioned is not a true statement.

Somethings never change, quality takes time. Look carefully before you invest your hard earned money and don't be fooled by slick marketing. Champion Genesis has always had excellent marketing, it's the product you need to inspect.

Champion Genesis Redman Bankruptcy

2009-11-17T04:02:00Z

Sad day for Champion Genesis Redman employees. The past has finally caught up with the management or should I say the lack of management at Champion Enterprises. On Sunday 11/15/09, they announced they were filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Naturally, management claimed it was as a result of the heavy debt load rather than bad management. Funny thing about accepting responsibility, do you think management had anything to do with the amount that was burdening the company? One might draw the conclusion that management treated running the company in the same manner they treated customer service, get by providing the least amount possible and hope for the best.

The employees will be the ones to suffer as the plants are closed and or sold off. In some cases it may turn out to be a blessing depending on the new owners, it certainly could not be any worse.

Once again, it will not be a Happy Thanksgiving or a very Merry Christmas for many Champion Genesis Redman employees. It is a shame that management didn't pay attention to the warning signs and work as hard as the plant employees or the outcome may have been different.

What Goes Around...Comes Around, Maybe Even Bankruptcy?

2009-10-21T21:40:00Z

It has been some time since I posted regarding Champion Enterprises, aka Champion Genesis Redman Modular Homes.
Given the state of the real estate market, home building and particularly modular home builders, it just didn't seem necessary to continue to warn potential buyers about buying from Champion Genesis Modular Homes. However, given the pickle Champion manage now finds themselves in, it seemed like a post was needed.

The old adage, What Goes Around, Comes Around has come home to roost with Champion's management team. As anyone who has read this blog knows, Champion always treated the customer poorly when it came to customer service. A number of stories from people who have had to fix and or repair the home they purchased from Champion, with no help from Champion, are found throughout the postings. Slick marketing can only carry a company so far.

Now Champion may well be facing bankruptcy, having run out of time to pay its creditors and lenders. The lack of product quality brought on by pinching pennies and cheap materials, coupled with over hyped marketing has come around to bite them in the backside. It is a shame the workers will suffer through no fault of their own, they were more than capable of building quality homes, if management had left them alone and provided quality materials and backed it up with customer service.

Perhaps management with be booted out during the re-organization...What Goes Around Comes Around!

Nightmare For Champion Enterprises Shareholders

2009-03-12T20:50:00Z

Watching Champion Enterprises, aka, Genesis, Redman, etc. stock spiral down on a daily basis to a low at closing today, 3/12/09 of $0.12 per share is very sad. Spiraling down slowly is one thing, dropping like a rock, from $0.22 to $0.12 in one day, is quite another! While it is true that management deserves whatever happens to them, i.e., the book value of their individual stock holdings evaporates, it is not fair to the employees and factory workers whose jobs are at stake.

Obviously, William C. Griffiths, President and Chief Executive Officer of Champion Enterprises, Inc. is watching out for himself, he was just elected to the Board of Directors of Quanex Building Products Corporation. Wonder who the next CEO of Quanex might be?

Champion Enterprises stock normally has an average trade volume of 636,000 shares, today the volume was 6.45M. Someone is dumping a lot of shares!!

Speaking of Winners & Losers;

         Winners, anyone who might have been considering a product manufactured by Champion Enterprises,
         Inc. No decision to make now!

         Losers, everyone who ever bought a product from Champion Enterprises, Inc.!!!!!!!

Hard to say what's next, more factory closings, management shakeup or perhaps a bankruptcy of some sort.

Champion Enterprises: What Goes Around Comes Around!

2009-02-22T18:37:00Z

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

It should come as no surprise that last Thursday, 2/18/2009 Champion Enterprises, makers of Redman, Genesis modular homes, among others, reported a substantial loss for the quarter and the year.

The stock closed Friday at $0.31 per share. This is down from a 52 week high of $11.42 and $0.03 higher than the previous low.

What do the investors know that the shoppers of modular homes should know? For one thing, they are not betting on Champion Enterprises. They know that unless Champion Enterprises comes up with a miracle, they will be delisted and start trading as a penny stock within the year. This seems only appropriate when one considers the quality of Champion Enterprises modular homes and the lack of customer service.

William Griffiths, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Champion Enterprises, Inc. stated, "In this challenging environment, we remain focused on reducing costs and preserving liquidity. Since the beginning of 2008, we have idled or closed four plants in the U.S., reduced companwide staffing by 42 percent and curtailed other spending. If Champion was previously having difficulty producing quality modular homes while providing meager customer service before, what should potential modular home buyers expect now, after all the cuts?

Champion has a history of buying its way out trouble rather than improving its product and customer service. Unfortunately, most everything they touch, once they apply their management standards, starts to decline.

Its funny how this works, good quality and customer service bring increased revenues while shoddy construction and lack of customer service bring just the opposite. Good marketing only goes so far when covering up flaws.

For example: As the U.S. residential sales market went into a tail spin and plummeted over the last two years, Champion Enterprises looked to its overseas operations for revenue gains. But that strategy didn’t pay off in the fourth quarter, as Champion’s UK-based operations saw a decrease along with its domestic operations.

Champion posted a 42-percent loss in revenue over the fourth quarter, ending the year with a net loss more than three times the size of the loss for the same quarter in 2007.

Revenues from the sale of modular homes in the U.S. totaled $37 million for the quarter, down from $71 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. Champion did not report the number of modular homes sold, only the decrease in terms of a percentage from the previous year. Maybe if you don't put it in black and white, you can still pretend that modular home buyers won't notice the decrease in sales.

The international segment net sales decreased 54.5 percent to $41.9 million for the four quarter from $92.1 million in the same period of the prior year primarily as a result of reduced prison sector revenues.

There are striking similarities between the auto industry and Champion Enterprises. Both built products that the public did not want and refused to change their methods of operation to meet the changing times. One difference however is that the auto industry woke up and realized change is mandatory, while Champion has kept its same old practices. One is retooling to build products the public wants, while the other continues to build modular homes no one in their right mind would buy.

It is true that if you build quality and back it with good customer service, buyers will find you and revenues will grow. It is also true the if you build something of lesser quality and provide little or no customer support, the revenues will shrink, hence;

WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND

Another Merry Christmas From Champion Enterprises

2008-12-23T22:04:00Z

The most recent comment, shown below, does not come as much of a surprise.

"i have heard over and over during my almost 3 yrs of fighting champion to make good on my home...that now they may be facing bankruptcy due to the economy.......they created their own demise primarily due to lack of quality and commitment to a product they recklessly put out on the market. we the consumer who's only mistake is that we just want a quality home for our children and believed their idle lies...i have been living a nighmare with electrical and water damage"

Champion's bankruptcy, should it occur, would be a fitting ending to a company that has done little right and a lot wrong. For those of us who purchased from Champion Genesis Redman Modular Homes and have spent years trying to get them to fix or repair the most obvious construction defects to no avail, it would bring some sort of closure. At least we would not be wasting time and expecting Champion to step up and do the right thing!

One look at where Champion's stock closed on Friday 12/19/2008 tells the whole story: $0.57/share

This is the nations largest modular and manufactured home builder and their stock is trading at $0.57 a share. Yes the economy plays a part, but not as much as bad management and bad home building! Champion's competitors who build quality modular homes and back them with customer service are not seeing their stock tumble to $0.57 a share.

Champion Enterprises, Inc. received notification from the New York Stock Exchange that the Company is not in compliance with the exchange's continued listing standard under section 802.01C of the NYSE Listed Company Manual because the average closing share price of Champion's common stock for a consecutive 30 trading-day period fell below $1.00. Champion has notified the NYSE that it intends to cure the deficiency.

The Company has a period of six months from the date it received the notification by the end of which it must attain a minimum share price and consecutive 30 trading-day average share price of $1.00. During the cure period, subject to compliance with other applicable NYSE continued listing requirements, the Company's common stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE under the symbol "CHB" with the addition of ".BC" to indicate that the Company is not currently in compliance with the exchange's continued listing standards.

It may well be too late for those of us who have purchased from Champion and still wait expecting them to do the right thing and fix our homes. However, for those of you who are just now starting to look at modular home manufacturers, it is not to late to cross Champion Genesis Redman Modular Homes off your list. For people shopping for a modular home, Champion's bankruptcy would be a blessing!

Champion's Share Price Reflects The Quality of Their Product

2008-11-07T22:08:00Z

No surprise here, the price for a share of Champion Enterprises continues to wallow below two dollars. It closed today at $1.70, down from a 52 week high of $11.63.

Also not surprising, the assembler of Champion Genesis Redman modular and manufactured homes reported a loss for the third quarter.

The real losers, aside from shareholders, will be the previous buyers of Champion product who will be waiting forever for customer service to fix the many problems that surfaced after taking delivery. After cutting everything possible and still showing a loss can you imagine what will happen to product quality and customer service, both of which were already abysmal.

Champion Genesis Redman Modular Home Problems

2008-10-09T17:23:00Z

Take a minute and click on the link below. Kurt Lane's site details the numerous problems buyers of Champion Genesis Redman modular homes can and should expect after purchasing a Champion product.

http://kurtshouse.lanesworlds.com/

I would also encourage buyers of Champion Genesis Redman modular homes who have experienced the same or similar problems to seriously consider joining in or at the very least participating in the discussion of a class action lawsuit. It may well be the only way to get Champion Genesis Redman's attention.

Tough Times, Not For Champion Execs!

2008-10-06T19:51:00Z

As Champion Enterprises closes plants and lays off workers to save their bottom line, it would be nice to think that Champion executives would consider themselves part of the team and act accordingly with their own pay.
As you can see, the man, William C. Griffiths, who runs Champion Enterprises, is treated exceptionally well when it comes to compensation:

Basic Compensation

Total Annual Compensation, USD	Long-Term Incentive Plans, USD	All Other, USD	Fiscal Year Total, USD
1,175,040	--	182,118	2,499,460

That also goes for the the person next in order, Phyllis A. Knight's compensation:

Basic Compensation

Total Annual Compensation, USD	Long-Term Incentive Plans, USD	All Other, USD	Fiscal Year Total, USD
541,515	--	8,569	977,312

Given that the economy is crumbling, it will be interesting to see if Champion Enterprises continues to lay off workers and close plants while leaving the executive's pay intact. One thing is certain, don't count on Champion Genesis Redman spending money to make repairs on customers faulty homes. If they did not spend much money on service when the economy was good, you can only imagine how little they will spend when the economy is bad.

If you are in the market for a manufactured or modular do your research, stay with reputable companies and avoid the Champion NIGHTMARE.

Another Comment Worth Reading

2008-10-03T19:52:00Z

Just to make sure that potential manufactured and modular home buyers are aware of the pitfalls, especially with Champion Genesis Redman, I occasionally comment on comments and post them when they are particularly informative, as is the one below.

"To those considering a modular, please, please, please take warning and learn from our mistakes before entering a purchase contract.

1. Be sure your contract includes a date of completion. You are told 60-90 days but mine took 15 months. I had to pay interest on the construction loan of over $900 per month while it sat there and I was paying rent elsewhere. Countrywide would not let me discharge the dealer to allow me to hire another contractor to finish the job without a release from him.
2. Be sure you have the correct info re: when the house was built, model number, etc. I was told it was a new home, have since learned it sat on the dealer's lot for 1.5 yrs with no protection, roof covering etc. There is significant damage that I was not aware of. The home was built late in one year but since they use a system like cars it was considered a newer year model.
3. These homes only cost around $70k. Be sure you are getting a reasonable deal.
4. I am now looking at close to $200k in damages thanks to a dealer who used unlicensed contractors, has closed his business and did not get the house installed properly. I guess I am lucky, he took a million dollar down payment on a contract from another group and never delivered a home to them. Be sure you check the dealer out extensively, the better business bureau is not complete, you must check with the licensing agency that licenses the parties involved. DO a public records request on any and all complaints for the party you are considering.Check court records. This way you will have a better idea of what other people have experienced. I learned to do an exhaustive research up front, later is too late and $70k later in atty fees and experts.
Be sure the dealer is financially solvent. Does he have everything hidden behind an LLC or corporation?"

Anyone Home At Champion Enterprises?

2008-10-03T15:55:00Z

After reading the two most recent comments, I would be doing a disservice to people in the market for a manufactured or modular home if I did not folow up and point out how they should expect to be treated after buying from Champion Genesis Redman.

Obviously there are people occupying positions at Champion Enterprises, aka Champion Genesis Redman manufactured and modular homes, however reading the comments over the last 18 months, one has to wonder whether or not they have even the smallest amount of interest in their customers after the sale.

Everyone is aware that times are tough in the home building industry, but that should not be an additional reason to ignore the problems Champion Genesis Redman created for their customers. The source of the problem existed long before the housing crisis, it started when Champion Genesis Redman sold defective and poorly assembled manufactured and modular homes!

One might even go so far as to think that since orders are way down, now would be a good time to answer the complaints of existing customers and fix the problems created by Champion Genesis. Instead, Champion leaves their previous customers hanging, hoping not to spend any money making things right, while clearly thinking that stalling long enough will cause the customers to give up, consequently making everything better for Champion Genesis Redman.

For those few people still in the market for a manufactured or modular home, the numerous comments and entries on this blog indicate what you should expect if you spend your hard earned money on a home assembled in a Champion Genesis Redman factory!

Bottom line, expect a never ending nightmare from the start and do not expect Champion Genesis Redman to do anything regarding your problems with the home you purchased from them. Some companies do the right thing for the right reasons, others like Champion Genesis Redman really don't care about doing the right thing or their customers!

Are All Champion Enterprise Factories Equally Bad?

2008-09-22T15:38:00Z

The comment posted below asks a very interesting question:

"Are ALL Champion factories bad or just specifically the one in AZ."

"My husband & I live in Saskatchewan & have been talking to James at Iseman Homes in Minot, ND about a modular home. To be moved in Canada CSA standards are required & we were told one of their factories did that. We had been looking at Champion but after seeing this blog site we are reconsidering. Are ALL Champion factories bad or just specifically the one in AZ. Thank you for your help."

As demonstrated by the numerous comments on this blog, the Chandler Arizona factory is most probably the worst of the Champion Enterprise's factories. That said, there are many other comments posted from buyers of Champion homes from all over the country wherein they express their dissatisfaction. There are numerous lawsuits against Champion Enterprises that pertain to the poorly constructed modular and manufactured homes around the country.

Speaking for myself, I would look at every modular and manufacturer with the exception of Champion Enterprises before making your selection. Champion Enterprises concentrates on maximizing the bottom line through cost cutting in the factories and marketing as opposed to improving the quality of their product.

Hope this helps.

Yet Another Champion Modular Home Nightmare!

2008-09-17T17:08:00Z

This comment is posted as an entry to increase its exposure and the potential for someone to respond to the commenter.

Michell, I would encourage you to send your pictures and descriptions to this blog and they will be posted for all to see. Hopefully, since I know they read this blog, someone at Champion Genesis modular homes or the parent company, Champion Enterprises will respond with a solution to your problem.

"We are presently living a nightmare with a champion modular home. I have taken so many pictures of problems. I want to talk with someone other than the service manager in Lillington but I do not know who it would be. If anyone has ideas please let me know. It was stated that the home was not quality checked before leaving the factory and therefore arrived with major issues on the inside of the house. Can someone please help me? Thanks for listening."

Champion Genesis Class Action Lawsuit

2008-09-17T05:05:00Z

As I have said in the past, some comments deserve to be posted as entries so that everyone sees them.
I would be very interested in your thoughts and comments.

The following comment speaks for itself.

Mike,

If anyone is interested in joining a class action suit, please email me at:

mgladysyew@cableusa.com

I think I may have found someone to help all of us across the U.S.

L.J. De Vault