La nueva fábrica modular de Louisville trae esperanza y puestos de trabajo
- Audree Grubesic
- 17 de diciembre de 2025
- 6 min read
By: Steve Dubin
In a previous piece for this publication, I shared some early takeaways from my first 40
factory visits after stepping into my current role—trends, red flags, and moments of
quiet progress that painted a picture of the modular industry as it stands today. Since
then, that number has grown to 65. One of those visits brought me to MMY US in
Louisville, Kentucky to see a factory that not only stood out in person but has continued
to stick with me after- I have one of their #ModSquad hoodies to prove it!
MMY US, the U.S. arm of a London-based modular construction and consultancy firm,
recently opened a $6.1 million factory in Louisville’s Parkland neighborhood. The
company is bringing more than just homes to the area. They’re bringing jobs,
community reinvestment, and a long-term commitment to building something
meaningful. And now, as they set their first single-family home in the city, it feels like the
right time to highlight what makes this team so unique.
Getting to Know MMY US
Months ago, I was introduced to MMY US by industry colleague Chad Crosby of
HaloHalo Logistics, a mutual friend who was excited about the company’s potential
impact. That introduction led to a comprehensive factory tour with MMY’s leaders, Robin
Bartram Brown and Spencer Wylie, giving me a firsthand look at their innovative
approach and community commitment.
MMY has a clear focus on affordable and attainable housing—terms that can mean
different things depending on who you ask or their motivations. But here, it boils down to
one simple goal: providing housing options for a disenfranchised sector of the
population. What stands out is that MMY isn’t from Louisville or even the U.S., yet their
dedication shows they genuinely care about the state and country where they work and
want to make a real difference.
Robin and Spencer made that clear during our time together. The two of them- equal
parts sharp, funny, and a little “cheeky” (they are British)- won’t sugarcoat their view of
the construction world, or anything else. They’re openly cynical about inefficiencies,
jurisdictional red tape, and bureaucratic hoops that still plague the modular building
process in the U.S. It’s not that they hate the system at all, it’s that they’re pragmatic
about navigating it and frustrated by the industry’s tendency to make excuses and use
regulatory issues as a crutch to progress. That cynicism doesn’t dampen their
excitement; it fuels their mission. They’re blunt about their goals and fully committed to
finding better ways to build and deliver housing for the people who need it most.
Whether they’re talking about building permanent housing for low-income families or
finding ways to use modular solutions in the wake of natural disasters, their tone shifts
from sarcastic to sincere without missing a beat. They care about their workers, their
vendors, and—most importantly—the people who will one day live in these homes. For
them, this work isn’t about chasing headlines or scaling fast. It’s about doing right by the
people at every stage of the process.
A Partnership Fueled by Local Support
What makes MMY US’s arrival here unique is the strong partnership with Louisville’s
local government and community leaders. This wasn’t simply a business decision; it
was a collaboration. The city and state invested in the project, including a $500,000
grant from Louisville Metro, helping transform a 100,000-square-foot facility on Beech
Street into a modular housing factory. The factory aims to produce up to 500 homes
annually, with plans to scale further as demand grows.
Investing in the Local Workforce
MMY US is deeply committed to the local workforce. At least half of their employees
come from the nine historically underserved neighborhoods surrounding the factory,
many with few prior opportunities. Starting wages are competitive, at $23 an hour
minimum and averaging $30 before benefits, with the company providing training and
welcoming workers without previous experience. To support working parents, the factory
offers on-site childcare during evening shifts, removing a common barrier to
employment.
Innovation That Speeds Housing and Lowers Impact
During my factory tour, I was impressed by the blend of technology and efficiency. MMY
US uses cold-formed steel modules designed with digital twins, using a design team
spanning from Kentucky to the Philippines, shrinking traditional home construction times
from nearly 20 months down to about 16 weeks. Their 11-foot-wide transport chassis is
built to move by rail, reducing shipping costs and eventually enabling deliveries across
the country.
Sustainability is a key focus for MMY US. They’ve developed ways to ship their modules
without relying on the traditional “boat wrap” plastic coverings, which are often single-
use material that typically ends up in a landfill. Inside each home, they install energy-
efficient mechanical and plumbing systems, along with high-performance windows,
doors, and insulation (both interior and exterior) to reduce energy use and improve long-
term comfort for residents.
Building Stronger Communities Together
One of MMY US’s first local projects is a 60-unit affordable housing campus in
Louisville’s NuLu neighborhood, developed in partnership with Family Scholar House.
This campus supports student parents, providing stable housing so they can focus on
education and work—helping to build stronger futures for families and the community.
Looking Forward with Excitement
Their first single-family home was officially set on July 10th of this year, a powerful
reminder that MMY US is doing more than building houses—they’re creating
opportunity, dignity, and momentum for communities that need all three. Judging by
what I know of their growing pipeline, that won’t be the last one. Backed by strong local
government support and driven by a clear sense of purpose, I’m genuinely excited to be
working with the MMY US team as they grow and continue to make a real impact in
Louisville and beyond, and I know I’m not the only vendor partner to feel that way.
In an industry that has seen its fair share of buzzwords, lofty projections, grand social
media posts, and investor slides without real deliverables, MMY is doing something
different. They’ve literally put their money, and their factory where their mouth is. And in
doing so, they’re not only building homes but showing up for the people and
communities they set out to support.
One quick update…
Since writing all this a few months ago, MMY US has completed an eight-home modular
LEED Platinum project in Hazard, Kentucky. The steel frame homes were built in
Louisville and set on the new Skyview development, a site created to give families safer
ground after the devastating 2022 floods. The transport drew plenty of attention. The
state coordinated escorts, and the governor’s office supported the effort from planning
through delivery. The homes arrived nearly finished, which kept on-site work efficient
and allowed the team to focus on quality. Now that the units are in place, the project
stands as a thoughtful and practical response to a community that needed reliable
housing and a path forward.
Expect MMY US to keep this momentum going as they take on more projects that blend
solid engineering with real community impact.
About the Author
Steve Dubin works in strategic vertical market development for Sika, focusing on
solutions for modular & offsite construction. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Modular Home Builders Association (MHBA), is a member of the NAHB Building
Systems Councils, and contributes regularly to OffsiteDirtNetwork.com. Connect with
him on LinkedIn at HERE.
FAQS:
What is MMY US?
MMY US is the American arm of a London-based modular construction and consultancy firm focused on delivering affordable and attainable housing through offsite manufacturing. The company emphasizes community impact, workforce development, and efficient, high-quality modular building solutions.
Where is the MMY US factory located and what does it produce?
MMY US operates a modular housing factory in Louisville, Kentucky, located in the Parkland neighborhood. The facility is designed to produce up to 500 homes annually, with plans to scale production as demand increases.
What makes MMY US different from other modular builders?
MMY US stands out for its strong commitment to local communities, workforce investment, and long-term partnerships. Beyond manufacturing homes, the company prioritizes job creation, training, sustainable construction practices, and collaboration with local governments and nonprofit organizations.
How does MMY US support the local workforce?
At least half of MMY US employees are hired from surrounding historically underserved neighborhoods. The company offers competitive wages, training for workers without prior experience, and on-site childcare during evening shifts to support working parents.
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