Well depending on who you talk to this is either the best or the worst thing to happen to our industry in a long time. At any rate it has to be the most signifigant since the change from wood to foam! Sure seems a little strange that the three biggies all have had major moves lately, (lost going over seas with placebo, rusty with surftech aand al rumored to sell to burton as well as having his east coast and european boards done overseas). Did ol Grubby tip his big spenders off ?
Heard from a reputable source that harold left for china this week. hmmmm . Probably to set up the added production that he is going to need to fill demand as well as to be prepared for when the epa comes after him, what are the odds of that? I smell a c o n spiracy . Also makes me wonder how much mr. french and his over seas buddies had to do with pressure on grubby from his epa watchdog buddies.
at any rate the real board builder will survive, hes just going to have to adapt to change or get the fuck outta the way, or maybe start swinging a hammer. I know I’ll be blowing the dust off that ol hot wire jig in the morning
time to go poor one to the curb for all the guys who can’t or won’t accept change (make mine a Jamisons) —s.a.
this day will definately go down in surf history… however, now is the time to adapt and change… its pretty much a clean slate for the industry… now who’s going to take hold? greg mentioned that there is an EPS manufacturer that could potentially supply the entire shaping industry in a day. hopefully this event will lower the prices of epoxy. or, another company could possibly open up in a different state without the EPA assassins. however… the EPA did do a public service in regards to pollution. but alot of people are going to go out of business… very conflicting situation… my condolences go out to all those who will be adversely affected by this.
also, in regards to the price effects of epoxy as a result to this… I havnt been able to get a straight answer from anybody… most people have been dodging the question…
so… to state the question bluntly…
FOR ALL THOSE WHO WORK IN THE EPS/EPOXY INDUSTRY… HOW WILL RECENT EVENTS (CLARK FOAM CLOSING) AFFECT THE PRICES OF EPOXY RESIN AND EPS BLANKS?
No notice REALLY sucks. But as the dust settles, other options will surface. If it’s better for the environment I will permanently switch over to EPS and epoxy. Hated poly resin anyway.
Couldn’t agree with the title of this thread more as I used it for the title of my post in the “Clark Foam is Over” thread, which could pass as a Novella. You stole my thunder! LOL. I just got to laugh a little in a day which is otherwise pretty dismal for all the backyarders and aficionados of the heavily glassed, single fin Logs (not to mention the Guns used when it gets a bit critical) who liked to use the PolyU blanks.
Huge news, with huge significance behind it indeed.
As far as a conspiracy, I’m not so sure, as Greg L. and others have mentioned the writing has been on the wall for quite some time… and it seems that this move literally was only a matter of time.
As far as the lobbyist… well that’s what they do best no doubt, it would be interesting to see who’s pockets get lined the fattest when all is said and done.
It is true that the real board builder will survive, yet as Resin Head mentioned in the “Clark Foam is Over” it is a shame that all those incredible rocker configurations might possibly become lost in the shuffle.
FOR ALL THOSE WHO WORK IN THE EPS/EPOXY INDUSTRY… HOW WILL RECENT EVENTS (CLARK FOAM CLOSING) AFFECT THE PRICES OF EPOXY RESIN AND EPS BLANKS?
The reason you haven’t gotten a straight up answer is because nobody knows. In the short term, it will probably increase prices on existing boards and blanks as well as any new pu blanks that make it here. However, as Greg said, EPS foam will probably remain unaffected as the surfboard industry is a drop in the bucket for them. Epoxy resins, especially those designed for surfboards (resin research) could easily come down in price eventually due to increased production and probably new competition in the market. Only time will tell.
Hey what about people that want pu / pe. I for one really like the feeling of it. They don’t have hand epoxies, only XTR but that delams like a mother. And it’s flex is off.
SUcky sucky
But Aussies are already filling the void. Lost can get Eskimo blanks . . .
But makes you wonder … . I’m banking on Clark being smart. He would have made his factory compliant. Maybe he knows you can only go so far with pu / pe? Maybe he’s got a EPS factory in the works?
I wish he’d come out and tell us the real deal holyfield.
We have kept resin prices fairly stable for many years. Much more stable than polyester. There are things happening today in the epoxy resin industry that should keep prices fairly stable for the short term and perhaps longer. Blank prices for EPS are being effected by the higher styrene pricing worldwide. There is no way to know where this is going right now. We saw a 10% price increase this month alone. The good news is that EPS will continue to be available pretty much everywhere and the tech is improving. Just this month two new densities became available 2.5# and 3#. Very strong and the same density as Clark superlight and supergreen.
As I stated in an earlier post, the EPS foam had an increase of 8%, and prices will be reevaluated after the first of the year. The other consideration everyone must understand, that as you go to the higher density foams, the cost also increases. The more dense, the more materials, the higher the cost…You can expect to see the increase in the EPS foam blanks.
It seems that raw EPS foam should not increase too much, as the vast majority of the 1# and 2# stuff is not used for surfboards. The same with Epoxy. The rising cost of petroleum would have more to do wth that, so if you make your own blanks you’re set
whoops Benny I need to clarify more, no hand shaped epoxies offered by surf shops where I live (san dag calif) , except XTR.
Also I don’t think Clark was in conspiracy with big name shapers. If he wanted that he’d never sell to individuals. The big name shapers might have inferred (by closely watching Clark’s actions) as maybe they have more time spent with Clark.
Anyone know what happened to the molds? I mean the rockers were important and at least save them . . . Maybe as a last ditch effort (letting my imagination run) get the factory to make one of each blank. Then scan each into KKL, 3000 or other machine . . . so they are at least saved, just so EPS blanks can be made with the close tolerances . . .
Or since EPS has differing properties, shapers have to relearn which rockers work best for them?
Ahh it would suck if Clark is going or did destroy them . . .
Time to start thinking. I’m going to check out the situation at the stores to see if I can find a good board to tide me over (my 6’2" will need repairs and I need someone to cover her) and while I look into being able to provide for my surf board needs myself . . .