About Us

The Systems Building Research Alliance is a non-profit organization with the mission of developing new technologies to enhance the value, quality, and performance of the nation's factory-built homes, both manufactured and modular. SBRA's research supports the industry by developing new methods for using factory-built homes in a wide array of housing applications, by solving technical challenges, and by paving the way for innovations in home design, construction, and installation. To carry out its mission, SBRA develops, tests, and promotes better methods and materials for designing, manufacturing, and marketing factory-built homes. These activities include research, new product development, training and educational programs, testing programs and demonstrations, commercialization efforts, workshops, and other events.

Collaboration is the Key to Innovation

Members of SBRA include home manufacturers, retailers and community owners, suppliers, consumers, associations, financial institutions, insurance companies, power suppliers, and other research organizations involved in the factory-built housing industry. Working together, and in partnership with other organizations, members chart the course for SBRA's initiatives and are the catalyst for moving results into practice. Pooling the varied experiences and perspectives of its members, SBRA is able to provide practical, marketable solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing factory built housing. Factory built housing is the fastest growing and most vibrant part of the home building industry. Today, one-third of all single family sales and one-fourth of all new single family housing starts in the nation are factory-built homes. Demand for factory-built homes continue to grow as more homebuyers and developers recognize that factory-built housing offers quality homes at affordable prices. At the same time, industry continues to seek ways to enhance the value of new factory-built homes. Fostering technological advances and building innovation, SBRA plays a vital role in this process.

Our Search for Innovation

By developing and promoting new technologies and manufacturing methods, SBRA is helping to shape the factory-built housing industry. As the industry's research and development arm, SBRA has set its sights on accomplishing the following objectives:

  • Help industry improve construction of its homes and building methods;

  • Encourage design flexibility while leveraging the advantages of factory fabrication and standardization;

  • Identify potential public and private sector support for research and development;

  • Advance industry installation programs;

  • Eliminate technical barriers to the use of factory built homes for new markets including multistory, single-family attached, inner city and in-fill, and hybrid housing designs;

  • Educate policy makers and the general public about the importance of factory-built housing and its related research;

  • Conduct research related to technical issues addressed by standards-setting bodies, and encourage performance-oriented standards; and,

  • Transfer the results of SBRA's projects to the organizations and people who can benefit from them.

Board of Directors

Manuel Santana, Chair
Cavco Industries

Phillip Copeland, Vice Chair
Skyline Champion

John Weldy, Treasurer
Clayton Homes

F. R. Daily, Jr., Past Chair
American Homestar

Dan Adams
Style Crest

Ron Powell
Clayton Homes

STAFF
Emanuel Levy, Executive Director
Jordan Dentz, Director of Research
Gwynne Koch, Senior Administrator
Joy Liao, Senior Project Manager
Afshan Rehman, Project Manager
Brandi McDougal, Certification Programs QA Manager

Membership

SBRA membership is open to HUD certified home builders. Membership in SBRA provides an opportunity to leverage resources. Creating new products, technologies, and programs targeted to the systems building industry, members find their joint efforts are often the difference between success and failure in the marketplace. The ability to rapidly innovate by bringing technological advances into the factory is a tool that the systems building industry alone possesses, providing a competitive edge over less industrialized methods of construction. Advances in technology lead to higher quality products, increase the industry's visibility, and promote its efficiency, value and affordability. SBRA also provides a forum for communication. It is a platform for sharing views, for making connections and for participating in cutting edge developments.

  • Participate in research projects. Collaborate with companies involved in all aspects of factory building on cutting-edge research and development.

  • Shape the direction of research. All members are eligible to serve on project steering committees and participate in discussions of research accomplishments and future needs.

  • Receive support and information related to participation in current projects and programs, such as ENERGY STAR and Zero Energy Ready.

  • Receive updates on research project results and program accomplishments via email.

What Members Contribute?

Research is conducted in a collaborative manner with member companies playing an active role in identifying and overseeing all research. Spearheading cooperation among otherwise competing companies to move the entire systems building industry forward is a key factor in SBRA's success in accelerating innovation.

Experience has shown that collaboration in which companies and individuals are active participants in the research process is the most effective formula for accelerating innovation and creating practical and marketable technologies. SBRA members…

…decide on the projects to be conducted. As an SBRA member, you sit at the same table with industry leaders who are potential partners and strategic allies. You help define which projects will yield the greatest benefits.

…participate in the actual work. One of our main goals is to test new concepts with demonstration programs and pilots. Only members can participate in these innovative new programs, gaining valuable, first-hand experience.

…have priority access to the cutting edge results, getting high-quality and accurate information first. That's a critical advantage in this industry, where being two months behind means you're left in the dust.