Bonham, Texas -- Monday, May 5, 2025 was a red-letter day at Clayton Homes in Bonham as employees gathered to celebrate two impressive milestones at the company's annual team member appreciation luncheon.
Clayton Homes' first home was completed at the Bonham plant May 5, 1995.
On May 5, 2025, Clayton Homes celebrated 30 years of business in Bonham and the completion of its 40,000th home.
According to General Manager Kip Thrush, Clayton Homes has 210 team members who turn out approximately 11,000 homes per year.
The 40,000th home was purchased by Steve Ross, an exceptional retail dealer who also purchased the 10,000th, 20,000th, 30,000th and now 40,000th home built by Clayton Homes.
"I can tell that you take pride in the homes you build and that makes my job easier to sell them," Ross told the team members.
Clayton Homes services a 10-state area and the demand for these homes means that the company is actively hiring now for production jobs that pay $23 an hour after 90 days. Weekly bonuses can push that to $27 an hour.
At the annual team member appreciation luncheon, 30-year employee Cathy Rhudy and the plant's original general manager, Francis Moran, were among those recognized.
Roy Floyd, longtime mayor of Bonham and Bonham Industrial Foundation Executive Director, was another key player that helped bring this company to Bonham.
The story of Clayton Homes originally coming to Bonham actually began in Keene's Café on the Bonham Square.
Clayton Homes first general manager, Francis Moran, was in the café, recognized Mayor Floyd and mentioned that he was contemplating moving Clayton Homes from its original location in Honey Grove, Texas to Denton, Texas.
"You know, Bonham is closer to Honey Grove than Denton," Mayor Floyd recalled Mr. Moran saying.
"Well, why not Bonham?" Mayor Floyd asked.
The rest is history.
