Who Owns Clayton Homes?

• Parent Company: Berkshire Hathaway
• Ownership Type: Subsidiary
• Acquisition Year: 2003
• Company Type: Publicly Traded
• Stock Ticker: NYSE: BRK.A

• Founded: 1956
• Founders: Jim Clayton
• Acquired by Berkshire Hathaway: 2003

• Founded: 1839
• Headquarters: Omaha, Nebraska, USA
• Company Type: Publicly Traded
• Stock: NYSE: BRK.A
• Revenue: $44.49 billion operating earnings (FY2025)
• Employees: Approximately 380,000

Visit Berkshire Hathaway website

• Headquarters: Maryville, Tennessee, USA
• Manufacturing / Operations: United States

Clayton Homes operates under Berkshire Hathaway's ownership while maintaining its own distinct identity as America's largest manufactured housing company. The brand has made significant commitments to energy efficiency, sustainable manufacturing, and affordable housing solutions, particularly through its innovative eBuilt® homes program and Zero Energy Ready Home specifications that address both environmental and social responsibility.

Zero Energy Ready Home Commitment: Clayton Homes committed to building all new residential manufactured homes to Department of Energy (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Home specifications by January 1, 2024. These solar-ready homes, available to order since July 2023, represent a significant advancement in manufactured housing energy efficiency. The commitment demonstrates the brand's leadership in sustainable manufactured housing and its ability to combine affordability with environmental responsibility.

eBuilt® Energy Efficiency Program: Clayton's eBuilt® homes are built to DOE Zero Energy Ready Home specifications and are estimated to save homeowners $39.4 million in annual energy costs for homes constructed in 2024 alone. This program represents one of the most comprehensive energy efficiency initiatives in the manufactured housing industry, combining advanced building science with practical affordability solutions.

Sustainable Manufacturing Processes: Clayton Homes has implemented sustainable manufacturing practices across its production facilities, focusing on waste reduction, material efficiency, and energy conservation. The company's manufacturing processes emphasize precision construction techniques that minimize material waste while maintaining quality standards and affordability.

CrossMod Construction Innovation: At the 2025 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Meeting, Clayton highlighted CrossMod homes that combine off-site and site-built construction practices. These innovative housing solutions are designed to complement the scale and aesthetics of traditional site-built homes while offering the efficiency and cost advantages of manufactured construction.

Affordable Housing Mission: Clayton Homes' core mission of providing affordable housing solutions aligns with social sustainability goals. As the largest manufactured housing company in the United States, Clayton plays a significant role in addressing the affordable housing crisis by providing attainable homeownership opportunities to millions of families.

Environmental Impact Reduction: The brand's focus on energy efficiency directly contributes to reducing the environmental impact of housing. By building homes that meet or exceed DOE energy standards, Clayton helps reduce energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease the carbon footprint of residential housing.

Community Development and Housing Innovation: Clayton Homes supports various community development initiatives and housing innovation programs that promote sustainable neighborhood development and improve housing accessibility. The company's research and development efforts focus on creating housing solutions that address both environmental and social challenges.

Supply Chain Responsibility: As part of Berkshire Hathaway's broader corporate responsibility framework, Clayton Homes participates in supply chain responsibility programs that emphasize ethical sourcing, fair labor practices, and environmental stewardship throughout its manufacturing and distribution networks.

Clayton Homes has received significant recognition from industry organizations for its leadership in manufactured housing, innovation in energy efficiency, and commitment to sustainable building practices. The brand's consistent recognition reflects its position as the industry leader and its ability to drive positive change in affordable housing solutions.

Manufactured Housing Institute Awards (2024-2025): Clayton Home Building Group has received consecutive recognition from the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), winning both the 2024 and 2025 Volume Manufacturer of the Year awards. These awards recognize Clayton's position as the largest and most influential manufacturer in the industry, acknowledging its production volume, market leadership, and industry impact.

Leadership in Sustainability Awards (2024-2025): Clayton has also received the MHI Leadership in Sustainability award for both 2024 and 2025, recognizing the company's outstanding commitment to sustainable building practices and energy efficiency initiatives. These awards highlight Clayton's eBuilt® program and Zero Energy Ready Home specifications as industry-leading sustainability efforts.

Housing Innovation Awards Recognition: Clayton Homes has been recognized for outstanding achievement in energy efficiency at the 2024 Housing Innovation Awards, receiving special honors for its Zero Energy Ready Manufactured Home in Murphy, North Carolina. This recognition highlights the brand's ability to combine energy efficiency with practical affordability in manufactured housing.

Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Meeting Showcase: Clayton's innovative housing solutions have been featured at the prestigious Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Meeting, where the company showcased CrossMod homes and other construction innovations. This platform represents significant recognition within the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio and demonstrates the brand's importance to the conglomerate's diversified operations.

Energy Efficiency Leadership Awards: The brand's commitment to energy efficiency has been recognized by various housing and environmental organizations, particularly for its DOE Zero Energy Ready Home program and the significant energy cost savings achieved by homeowners. These awards acknowledge Clayton's role in advancing energy efficiency in the manufactured housing sector.

Manufacturing Excellence Recognition: Clayton Homes has received awards for manufacturing excellence, quality control, and production innovation from industry associations and manufacturing organizations. These awards reflect the company's commitment to maintaining high quality standards while achieving production scale and efficiency.

Affordable Housing Advocacy Recognition: The brand's mission to provide affordable housing solutions has been acknowledged by housing advocacy organizations and policy groups. Clayton's role in addressing the affordable housing crisis through manufactured housing innovation has been recognized as significant contribution to housing accessibility.

Industry Leadership and Innovation Awards: Clayton Homes has been recognized for overall industry leadership and innovation, particularly for its ability to combine traditional manufactured housing benefits with modern technology, energy efficiency, and sustainable building practices.

Clayton Homes has faced several significant controversies and legal challenges throughout its history, including major class action lawsuits, customer complaints about construction quality, and ongoing scrutiny regarding its market dominance and business practices. These issues have required careful management while the company maintains its position as the industry leader.

Major Class Action Lawsuit Settlement: Clayton Homes faced a significant class action lawsuit that resulted in a $100 million settlement. The lawsuit, filed by Nix Patterson LLP (NPL) on behalf of over 100,000 class members, alleged that the company charged customers for wheels and axles used to transport mobile homes, then removed and retained these components after placing homes on customer properties. The lawsuit included claims of fraud, unjust enrichment, and conversion, resulting in substantial monetary relief for affected customers.

Construction Quality and Customer Service Complaints: Clayton Homes has received numerous customer complaints regarding construction defects, poor building materials, subpar craftsmanship, and inadequate customer service. Complaints documented by the Better Business Bureau and consumer advocacy groups include damaged steps, doors that do not close properly, loose batten strips, and incomplete repairs. These issues have led to customer frustration and calls for improved quality control.

Consumer Advocacy and Petition Campaigns: Consumer advocacy groups have launched petition campaigns demanding accountability and ethical practices from Clayton Homes. These campaigns highlight widespread reports of construction defects and call for improved building standards, better customer service, and greater transparency in the company's business practices.

Market Dominance and Antitrust Concerns: As the largest manufactured housing company in the United States, Clayton Homes has faced scrutiny regarding its market dominance and potential antitrust issues. Critics have raised concerns about the company's market concentration and its impact on competition within the manufactured housing industry.

Legal and Regulatory Claims: The company has faced years of legal and regulatory claims from various sources, including consumer protection agencies and industry regulators. These claims have covered various aspects of the company's business practices, from sales methods to construction standards and customer service procedures.

BBB Complaints and Customer Satisfaction Issues: The Better Business Bureau has documented numerous complaints against Clayton Homes, with customers reporting ongoing issues with construction defects and incomplete repairs. These complaints have affected the company's BBB rating and customer satisfaction metrics.

Right of First Refusal Legislation Opposition: Clayton Homes, through industry associations like the Manufactured Housing Institute, has opposed legislation related to right of first refusal for manufactured home communities. This opposition has drawn criticism from housing advocates who argue such protections benefit homeowners and community residents.

Industry Relationship and Partnership Controversies: The company's relationships with industry organizations and its role in shaping industry policy have drawn scrutiny, particularly regarding its influence on manufactured housing regulations and standards that may benefit its market position.

Quality Control and Warranty Issues: Customers have reported ongoing issues with quality control and warranty service, with some homeowners experiencing difficulty getting repairs completed and warranty claims honored. These issues have led to additional complaints and legal challenges.