Factory Built Housing Center director presents at MBI convention

Factory Built Housing Center director presents at MBI convention

Frederick G. "Rick" Terry, director of the Factory Built Housing Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology, made a presentation recently to a group of commercial modular builders, manufacturers and other industry attendees at the 23rd Annual Modular Building Institute Convention and Trade Show.

The most important annual event for the commercial modular building industry, the convention was held at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort in Ponte Vedra, Fla., on March 14, attracting participants from around the world.

MBI has partnered with the center this year in providing matching funds of more than $20,000 for a Ben Franklin Technology Partners grant to develop a two-day course: Site Installation and Finishing of Commercial Modular Projects.

Terry presented a session titled "Who's Setting Your Commercial Project?" highlighting the development and content of training that represents a proactive stance by MBI on behalf of the commercial modular industry to continue improving product quality and customer satisfaction.

The commercial modular course will mirror the existing residential training that the Modular Housing Training Institute, also under the center umbrella, has been providing to the modular industry, presenting 60 courses to more than 900 participants since 1999.

Convention attendees were interested in the ability of the center and Penn College to provide customized workforce training and education for their industry through the college's Workforce Development and Continuing Education Office, and they are anticipating presentation of the new course in its entirety in early fall.

Terry participated in the conference's trade show by operating a display that featured other opportunities available through the center.

After the presentation and during the trade show, Terry interacted with personnel from leading manufacturers, who expressed interest in supporting the growth of the center by participating in training and using the center for various consulting opportunities.

For more information about the center, call (570) 327-4775 or visit http://wdce.pct.edu/FBHC.htm online.