Troy-based Champion Home Builders, a subsidiary of Skyline Champion Corp., and Urbaneer in Grand Rapids have entered into a development agreement to co-brand a new line of accessory dwelling units, or separate, small dwellings on properties with single-family homes. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The agreement also grants Skyline access to interior components designed by Urbaneer for use in the line and its non-co-branded modular and manufactured homes.
Two of these components – a moveable wall with wireless power that allows for reconfiguring of the unit’s spaces, as well as a fold-down wall bed, have been integrated into the design of the Urbaneer 510, one of the units in the line.
“Innovation is key to our success, so we’re thrilled to collaborate with housing visionaries like Urbaneer and bring their expertise in designing small living spaces to our customers,” says Mark Yost, president and CEO of Skyline Champion Corp. “Combating the affordable housing crisis requires multiple viable solutions. Skyline Champion believes placing ADUs in America’s backyards is one powerful, practical, and cost-effective step in the right direction.”
In addition to designing and building the line, the companies are joint marketing across 48 states.
“The partnership between URBANEER and Skyline Champion creates a powerful team focused on solutions for housing attainability,” says Bruce Thompson, co-founder and CEO of Urbaneer. “We see our co-branded compact homes providing more options for consumers who seek to live in locations and at price points they desire.”
The Urbaneer 510, which is the first design of the line, will be unveiled at the International Builders Show in January in Las Vegas.
Skyline Champion Corp. was formed in June 2018 when Skyline Corp. and the operating assets of Champion Enterprises Holdings combined. The company employs about 7,000 people and is a factory-built housing company that has been in the business for more than 65 years. It has 38 manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Its portfolio also includes modular buildings for the multi-family, hospitality, senior, and workforce housing sectors. The company also operates a factory-direct retail business.
Urbaneer offers intelligent homes and interior components, offering compact, configurable, and connected homes.