Joel Schlesinger © Postmedia Network Inc.
Originally published in the Calgary Herald on Jun. 25, 2024.
Modular home builder Triple M Housing is right at home with its new owner ATCO, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of modular structures, including hospitals, classrooms, multi-family units and workhouse housing.
“We love the partnership; they’re a great company to work for, and they’re providing us with access to a lot more capital to grow,” says Rick Weste, chief executive officer of Triple M Housing, based in Lethbridge.
Acquired by ATCO Structures in 2023, Triple M is the leading manufacturer of modular homes in Western Canada and also supplies housing into the United States. Triple M is poised to see rapid growth in the coming years thanks in large part to the growing demand for quality, fast, affordable housing.
Working together with ATCO, Triple M is working to provide new types of modular housing products that are quickly deployable.
“If anything, ATCO is asking and supporting us in how we can do more to grow the business even more,” Weste adds.
The need to build more homes has never been greater in Canada. What’s more, the home-building industry needs innovative and reliable solution providers such as Triple M to combat the deepening housing crisis. The federal government wants close to four million new homes constructed by 2031.
That would effectively mean more than doubling the number of new dwellings built annually. It’s a tall order, but the Triple M –– ATCO partnership is resourced and up to such a task, says Weste.
“Speed to market is one of our advantages,” he says, noting Triple M can construct a home in under four weeks, which includes appliances and even window coverings. That compared to a traditional “stick-built home,” which generally could take one year to complete, he adds.
Annually, Triple M has been building about 700 homes at its climate-controlled factory, that allows productivity all year round, with the capacity of constructing more than 1,000 per year over the next few years.
Houses are delivered daily across five provinces, creating the ability for Triple M’s houses to not only affordably meet local needs, but across the country.
And Triple M is just getting started, seeking to expand its products and locations –– with the ambition of being the nation’s largest modular housing provider, Weste says. “With ATCO as our partner, the possibilities are endless.”
This story was created by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of Calgary Economic Development.