SURFBOARD LOCKOUT
Thailand's Cobra International Locks Out Employees
Asia’s largest surfboard manufacturing plant, Thailand’s Cobra International Co. Ltd., is locking its doors. According to a letter sent to Cobra’s international partners on Wednesday December 3, 2008, Cobra and it’s labor force, Cobra Labor Union, have failed to negotiate a work compromise after five weeks of meetings.
Cobra International cited rising manufacturing costs in its letter, and stated that they are locking out the union employees beginning December 4th. The 55,000 square-meter factory will be shut down for at least five days, according to the letter.
Cobra International manufactures surfboards for one of the surfboard market leaders, SurfTech, as well as hardgoods for the sailboard and kiteboard world.
How this work stoppage will affect shipments to the US is still unclear. It’s fairly safe to assume that most shops are already stocked for the Christmas season.
“This won’t effect the holiday season at all,” said Encinitas Surfboards owner Marc Adam, whose shop stocks a smattering of SurfTech models. “I guarantee you all the shops up and down the coast are stocked, and if they aren’t, the SurfTech warehouse in Orange County has plenty of boards.”
The Cobra International Co., Ltd letter is reprinted below:
The current political and world economic climate makes it is necessary for Cobra International to control rising manufacturing costs. After the failure of 5 weeks of negotiations between the two parties and after the Cobra Labour Union did not accept Cobra Internationals final offer the Union deemed the negotiations a failure.
The management regrets that the current situation could not be resolved thru mediation and hopes to resolve this situation as soon as possible.
To ensure the safety for the non Cobra Labour Union affiliated staff and to avoid any intentional damage to the companies plant the Cobra Management called for a Special Paid Holiday effective December 3, 2008, and have no other choice but to announce a lockout effective 8 am December 4, 2008.
Cobra International will welcome Employee’s who wish to work back into the factory as early as Monday, December 8, 2008.
Unfortunately this issue will affect all shipment plans currently in place. As soon as physically possible we will supply you with a current finished goods list and revised production output plans.
Please inform your Customer Service person of any specific PO’s in your shipment plan that should take first priority, so that we can work with you to lower the impact on your business.
After receiving your priorities and/or partial shipment instructions we will get back to you ASAP with revised shipment plans. --end letter--
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READER COMMENTS
Fri Dec12, 2008, 9:39 PM
Occster rules. Very funny stuff and maybe they should pull a few pints while they are back there. Maybe they do! The only Aussie I can listen too.
Fri Dec12, 2008, 9:48 PM
the longer Occy is involved around surfing,the better...Mark..you rule!!!!
Fri Dec12, 2008, 10:52 PM
Couldn't agree more about Occy's commentary...just makes the webcast so much more enjoyable. The guy is such a legend and a genuinely funny character. Wish all the webcasts would stick with former /current pros for all commentary. Stansfield is better suited for the beach commentary.
Sat Dec13, 2008, 12:12 AM
A true classic. The guy is so stoked on surfing and it came thru every time he put on the headset. Legend.
Sat Dec13, 2008, 6:55 AM
Even my girlfriend who doesn't know much about surfing was laughing of her ass with Occy's fun comments. Try to have him back on 2009 events!
Sat Dec13, 2008, 9:33 AM
I'm glad you guys brought this up because Occy made it quite enjoyable. If their is one area where the ASP has room for improvement it is the end product--our webcasts. To be fair they've made big strides. Although Jason Shibata's stoke & hustle should be commended, his inarticulate, stumbling 'local style' cadence was horrible and UNPROFESSIONAL. I'm sure he a nice guy and all...he was a glaring sore thumb. Overall the producers did a pretty good job.
Sat Dec13, 2008, 9:57 AM
I like Shibats local brudda style. That'z how we talk KOOK. Deal wid dit or go back to Cali where you came from. Localz rule nort chore. Keep them in the jobz and da moola.
Sat Dec13, 2008, 10:01 AM
Attention illiterate local: It is possible to hire locals that speak fluent English. Jason did a pretty good job. Don't be so hard on him. He was all over it. I agree with Bass, Occy was pretty good. Occy being Occy. Classic!
Sat Dec13, 2008, 10:20 AM
What about Pottz?? He does a great job. And Shaun Tomson? Those guys do a really good job too. Why not have them involved in the webcast?
Sat Dec13, 2008, 10:47 AM
I've watched almost all the webcasted events for the past few years. Without a doubt Occy has no equal when it comes to 'online presence'. He is lively, insightful, expert, passionate, playful, an all-around joy to listen to. The ASP should offer him a full-time booth position. He is worth every bit a 6-figure salary. I was very impressed to say the least. Shaun Tomson is good in the booth, but dry. Surfing is not about being dry. Occy definately was able to quash ST's 'Pros not Bros' diatribe. I thought Shibata did an OK job...no worse than GT has done in the past. Working the beach requires flying by the seat of your pants. You only get to use what is available. In the future, I guess Shibata could interview more hot chicks cause we don't listen to what they say anyways...just kidding ladies, we hear every word. Happy Holidays to all, TB
Sat Dec13, 2008, 11:38 AM
Great that this is posted i mean i was laughing and lauging... Occy was so incredible classic. The thing about the watch... i waer watches , i dont , i do , i dont ... somebody stop me... HAHA i was LAUGHING !!!!!!!!!!!! big up Occy
Sat Dec13, 2008, 12:17 PM
Wow. It was actually enjoyable. Way to spread the Aussie humor, dead pan indeed. All time Occ!
Sat Dec13, 2008, 12:24 PM
when the 3 commentators all crossed fingers and arms for the rain squall to pass bf the final, occy claimed to be also "crossing all my, uhm yeah, parts"
Sat Dec13, 2008, 1:02 PM
Occy=gold. What a talent!
Sat Dec13, 2008, 4:16 PM
Truly worth listening to! Hire him officially as the voice of the ASP!
Sun Dec14, 2008, 11:05 PM
I've seen the all webcasts, too(and agree with Shaun). I also agree with the comments above on Occ, he was sensational, esp. for his 1st full gig. It's tough to beat your gums all day and maintain coherence and offer valid insight w/o succumbing to bouts of babble meltdown. Its apparent he has the gift of gab & enjoys the discourse. However, in the beginning I was listening at work & he was talking so much, so fast that it was weirding me out...I was convinced he was on something. I chalked it up to rookie jitters; he later joked in reference that he doesn't even drink coffee. The ASP has dropped the ball on letting virtually all of the sport's great personality's and wits walk out of the door...MR, Cheyne Horan, Barton, Kong, Parmenter...but that's the amateurish legacy of things run by surfers that plagues the sport at all levels. Shaun,Pottz and Snips are great. Company grovelers Schmoo and Todd Klein must go. Liam irks me abit, but that's OK. On the B grade locals...let em
Wed Dec17, 2008, 4:38 AM
I was stuck in my office on Oahu for the Pipe finals and mind you I still got nothing done. Occy was so damn entertaining. I had to work late to catch-up. Thanks Occy!
Wed Dec17, 2008, 6:38 PM
I'm so glad someone brought this up. Occ was hilarious, especially his commentary on the wayward stingray. But he also provides good insight about the technical things like board shapes/styles and the way the wave breaks etc. I hope Billabong are listening to all this positive feedback.