2006 Media Releases & Alerts
K. Hovnanian Homes Earns National Housing Quality Certification for Outstanding
Quality Assurance and Customer Satisfaction
Landmark National Housing Quality Program Provides Third-Party Certification
and Increases Customer Satisfaction
September 07, 2006, Upper Marlboro, Md. - The NAHB Research Center today
announced the National Housing Quality (NHQ) Certification of K. Hovnanian
Homes' Virginia Region. Headquartered in Chantilly, Va., the local division of
national production builder K. Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE: HOV) earned the
designation following a rigorous NAHB Research Center audit of the
implementation of their quality assurance systems. With divisions currently
operating in 18 other states, K. Hovnanian's Virginia division is the first to
be NHQ Certified, and is the second of only two home builders in the state to
join the elite group of companies nationwide that have successfully completed
the distinguished program since its launch in early 2005. Additional home
builders participating in the program are working toward certification in 2006,
signaling a growing, industry-wide commitment to improving the quality of our
nation's homes.
Participation in the NHQ Certified Builder program is designed to increase
efficiency and consistency in building practices. Formally launched at the 2005
International Builders' Show, the NHQ Certified Builder program provides a
rigorous and complete review of business practices, and ensures that all
elements of the company's quality assurance system are incorporated to provide
greater customer satisfaction. To achieve certification, K. Hovnanian
participated in field and office training to implement the quality program,
work more efficiently with their trade contractors, and maintain the continuous
improvement efforts required by all NHQ Programs.
NAHB Research Center president Michael Luzier said, "I am pleased with how far
the NHQ Certified Builder program has come, and with the increased efficiency
and customer satisfaction that participating builders are achieving. This
program has, and will continue to play a vital role the evolution of quality
assurance in home building, and I would like to thank K. Hovnanian's Virginia
division for taking part in it."
K. Hovnanian Homes -The First Name in Lasting Value
K. Hovnanian is a nationally recognized home builder that has sold more than
233,000 homes since the company was founded in 1959. Although started as a
family-owned business, the company has expanded over the years to become a
family of home builders with localized expertise in numerous markets throughout
the United States. K. Hovnanian's local Virginia division is currently ranked
as the second largest builder in the Northern Va. and Metro Washington, D.C.
area. Even with its impressive growth and current ranking by FORTUNE magazine
as one of the nation's 100 fastest growing companies, K. Hovnanian maintains an
unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction;
demonstrated by its successful certification by the NAHB Research Center's NHQ
Program.
Charles Merlin, vice president of operations for K. Hovnanian's Landover Group
said, "Achieving NHQ certification is a demonstration of K. Hovnanian Homes'
Virginia Region's commitment to continual improvement. Our Company's vision is
to be 'The best home builder in the nation…in the eyes of our customers, our
associates, our business partners, and our shareholders. As a result of
pursuing NHQ certification, K. Hovnanian Homes has realized quality and
efficiency gains in our finished product as well as in the process that
underpins our operations. The Research Center's certification program for
builder and trade partner alike are powerful platforms, raising the home
building industry's quality bar higher."
About the National Housing Quality Program: The NAHB Research Center launched
the NHQ Program in 1993. The NHQ Program has introduced many of the concepts of
the worldwide quality revolution to home building and remodeling, and provides
numerous opportunities for collaboration among the various industry
stakeholders. NHQ activities include the Certified Builder Program, Certified
Trade Contractor Program, Manufacturer Training Certification program, and
co-sponsorship of the National Housing Quality Award Program. Builders
interested in starting on the path to quality certification can visit
www.nahbrc.com/quality.
09/06
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