Clayton Celebrates 70 Years of Opening Doors to a Better Life

MARYVILLE, Tenn., September 24, 2026 – Clayton, a leading factory-built housing and financial services company, is celebrating its 70th anniversary, marking seven decades of helping individuals and families achieve the dream of homeownership. The anniversary is a reflection of the people, purpose and values that have shaped Clayton’s journey since 1956 and continue to guide its future.

“Seventy years gives us a chance to celebrate how far Clayton has come, but what excites me most is how much opportunity is still ahead,” said Kevin Clayton, CEO. “My dad founded this company around a simple belief that hardworking families deserve a quality home they can afford. That belief hasn’t changed. What has changed is what we’re capable of building, how efficiently we can build it and the number of families we can serve. Our job now is to keep innovating and opening doors to a better life for the next generation.”

Since Jim Clayton founded the company in 1956, Clayton has remained focused on its purpose of opening doors to a better life for hardworking families across the U.S. From its first store in Knoxville, Tennessee to serving hometowns nationwide, Clayton’s journey has been shaped by a commitment to building quality homes families can afford to buy and afford to own – year after year. That purpose continues to drive the company’s culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

“From the day that first Clayton home was sold, our team actively searched for a better way,” said Jim Clayton, Founder. “That became a key part of our cultural foundation. Seventy years later, the Clayton team is still asking, ‘How can we build a better home, improve the customer experience and make homeownership achievable for more families?’ I'm so proud to see that spirit continue from generation to generation.”