This year, we’re proud to celebrate our 50th anniversary of producing high-quality, modular homes. Since 1972, we’ve grown from a team of 30 employees to a staff of over 130 people dedicated to creating custom, yet affordable floorplans for homeowners throughout the Midwest. Though our company and customer base has grown, our commitment to establishing trust and building relationships has remained constant through the decades. Here’s a look at how our passion for putting “people first” has driven our dream of supporting families, builders, and suppliers alike.
The beginnings
Back in 1972, Milam Anderson, started Rochester Homes, Inc. with the help of only 30 employees. His goal was to provide Midwestern families with affordable housing by building and shipping HUD code housing, also known as mobile or modular homes. As the business grew, RHI learned to apply production techniques and systems building methods to produce IRC code homes placed on a permanent foundation. Often called Volumetric Modular Construction, today’s homes are built to the same exact code as any site or “stick” framed house.
Upon his first meeting with Rochester Homes, VP of Sales Alex Berlin sensed a unique opportunity: the chance to provide home buyers with quality, custom, yet affordable homes.
“I worked on stick framing crews when I was in high school and college. The first time I walked into Rochester Homes, I was amazed at what they could accomplish off-site. The production facility and assembly line take away all the things that slowed us down on-site—weather delays, the difficulty of working on ladders or lifting heavy items without machinery, and just the simple idea of having tools at each workstation,” says Alex.
Adapting modular home production techniques
At Rochester Homes, we are continually testing and adapting our modular construction techniques. We have evolved from manufacturing mobile homes to specializing in producing quality structures that are treated the same as any stick-built home.
“The more hands-on I have gotten with the product as I have gotten older, the more I have realized what we do makes sense. Through the years, we have tested what works and what doesn’t work and adapted,” says GM Tyler Anderson.
The production process involves multiple systems and processes, all of which are closely monitored and controlled to meet our customers’ expectations. Our team achieves consistent results through flexibility, clear communication, and a hands-on approach when it’s time to set a home on the job site.
Tyler says, “We aren’t out to recreate the wheel. Our goal is to adapt and build the best possible home with real-life experience. The team we have created knows what works in a modular setting.”
Staying family and community oriented
At Rochester Homes, we pride ourselves on being family-owned and operated for the past 50 years. Milam Anderson transitioned the company to his son Kenny Anderson in the ‘90s who later completed two factory additions to grow both the volume and modular capability of RHI. Kenny then transitioned the business in 2015 to both his son, Tyler Anderson, and son-in-law, Alex Berlin. Since then, Rochester Homes has continued to be one of the leaders in changing how the world views constructing homes and promoting the modular method of building homes.
Since 1972, one of our founding values has been “people first.” During our half-century in business, we have sought to not only build meaningful relationships with our customers, but also with our network of contractors, suppliers, and builders across the Midwest.
Each home built is an economic boon to its community. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) estimates that for every 100 homes built, 419 jobs are created. After RHI constructs the modules for each project, local builders employ contractors and subcontractors to excavate, pour foundations, install HVAC and plumbing mechanicals, build garages, build porches, and much more.
By the end of 2022, Rochester Homes will have built over 8,500 modular homes total. We’ve averaged around 250 homes per year for the past ten years, ranging in final retail price from $135,000 to $1,000,000+ (not including land). Our leadership team is truly grateful for the many people involved in this milestone.
“I like to look back at the history of Rochester Homes and think about all the lives we have touched,” says Kenny Anderson. “This business has supported not only the Anderson, Berlin, and Rochester Homes families, but also all of the builders who buy our product and suppliers who furnish our materials. I knew that transitioning the company to the next generation and carrying on a tradition of supporting families around the Midwest was the only way to go.”
See a full timeline of our company’s history at rochesterhomesinc.com/history.
It’s time to find the modular home of your dreams. Contact us today to get started!