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Wilbur Schult formed a partnership with Walter O. Wells, and the two men
began manufacturing Schult mobile homes in a rented garage in Elkhart,
Indiana. The first Schult mobile home rolled out in 1934. Early Schult
models were more practical than plush.
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The Sport, produced in 1936, contained such necessities as a coal heating
stove, portable water tank, sofa bed and dinette chairs.
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By the 1940's, the enterprising partners were producing luxury
models including a 50-foot portable home for publishing magnate
Myron Zobel and King Farouk of Egypt. Schult led the growing mobile home
industry with revolutionary designs. Steel frames, forced air heating,
built in electrical appliances, and complete interior plumbing all
appeared first in a Schult home.
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When the U.S. government needed emergency housing during World War II, it
turned to Schult. Company designers created a revolutionary new product -
a manufactured home composed of 8-foot by
24-foot sections.
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Schult provided more than 2,000 sectional homes for workers at the
Tennessee Valley Authority. After the war and throughout the 1950's and
1960's, young families and retirees searching for low-cost, yet roomy,
housing began to discover the convenience of living in a Schult home.
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In 1957, to meet increasing consumer demand, the company opened a larger
production facility in Middlebury, Indiana. Later, Schult added a plant in
Elkton, Maryland to serve the Northeastern market.
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In the 1950's, Schult models featured modern dinette sets, fluorescent
lighting, venetian blinds, custom-made bedroom dressers, modern plumbing
and shower doors.
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Superior production techniques such as "uni-strength" construction were
introduced in the 1960's. And Schult's front bay window, designed in
coordination with front kitchen floorplans, was
so popular it became an unofficial Schult trademark for mobile homes
throughout the industry.
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By the early 1970's, Wilbur Schult was enjoying his retirement and the
company's leadership was turned over to Walter E. Wells, the son of
co-founder Walter O. Wells. Schult continued to gain market share
throughout the decade with new mobile home designs and popular floorplans.
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A Schult home emphasized maintenance-free features and energy saving
designs. Spacious floorplans, cathedral ceilings, brand name appliances
and solid construction all helped build the Schult name and reputation
throughout the 1980's. Morning rooms, hobby rooms, and family rooms
further enhanced the selection of floorplans.
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Buyers found more choices available from Schult
Homes. Exteriors could be made of vinyl lap, aluminum lap, textured
plywood, redwood and hardboard. Manufactured homes from Schult are
tastefully designed with today's families in mind. They feature such
amenities as walk-in closets, efficient kitchens, luxurious baths,
spacious living areas, and large utility rooms. In addition, Schult offers
special window effects, solid construction, drywall interiors and energy
saving features.
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No wonder a Schult home has the look and feel of
expensive site-built homes. Not only was Schult one of the first companies
to produce manufactured homes, but their pioneering leadership through the
years has made Schult one of the most respected and trusted names in the
industry.
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