The coconut wireless rumor-mill went into hyperdrive Monday afternoon when Clark Foam ? far and away the world?s largest supplier of polyurethane foam surfboard blanks ? announced via a seven page fax that they would be closing their doors until further notice pending the resolution of various issues put upon them by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Employees were sent home and Clark?s estimated 1,000 blank-a-day production schedule ground to a shrieking halt.
What does this mean for shapers, retailers and surfers everywhere? At this point, it?s all speculation. And we mean, A LOT of speculation. People are freaking out. On one hand, Clark might clear up their issues and return to production later this month; some 10,000 blanks in the hole, but still OK. On the other hand, Grubby Clark, sole owner of Clark Foam and its patents, could throw in the towel on his long-standing battle with the EPA, effectively starting the board-building Great Depression. Can you say Black Monday?
But hold on, don?t panic just yet. Like we said, at this point, little is known surrounding the issues for Clark?s closure, and the likely conclusion of this issue will probably lay somewhere in the middle of the above extremes. While the notoriously secretive Laguna Nigel-based Clark Foam is known to run a very tight ship, it has long been under close scrutiny due to the toxic nature of polyurethane and the factory?s proximity to residential areas. So maybe it?s simply a matter of moving their facilities to another location (no small matter at that). Or maybe it?s an issue of installing better air filtration systems. Or maybe it?s a lost cause all together and time for board-builders to jump on board the epoxy gravy train. Whoa there, now we?re starting to speculate. Bad form for a press release. Sorry about that ? running on that rumor mill tends to get ones? heart pumping.
Let?s just leave it at this: Right now, Clark Foam is closed for two weeks. Board-makers that are holding surplus inventory, have reportedly locked down on their stash. Small-scale board-builders living from Thruster to Thruster are sweating bullets and weighing their options (there are several large foam suppliers in Australia and South America, and a few smaller ones in the US). Some major board-makers have already suggested retailers raise their board prices, while others have already placed large orders for EPS foam and epoxy resin. For our own part, the editors at SURFING have mandated a total embargo on all aerial maneuvers approaching two-feet over the lip, and have solemnly sworn to do their best to keep readers in the know concerning this issue.
So, until we know more?stay tuned.
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