According to a letter circulated to surfboard manufacturers, Cobra International's 55,000 square-meter production facility in Chonburi, Thailand will be shut down for at least five days due to failed negotiations with the Cobra Labor Union. More here...

Transworld Business teamed up with SIMA to conduct a survey at the Sacred Craft consumer surfboard expo held in Del Mar, California a few weeks ago. Here's a portion of the results.

On September 26, Firewire Surfboards announced to its retail partners that it will no longer be including fins with its boards. The company says this move will enable it to offer a lower MSRP to its customers as well as a better margin for retailers. This decision is sure to spark discussion as it's a departure from the traditional way that boards are sold. Stay tuned to Transworld Business as this story unfolds for interviews with Firewire CEO Mark Price and key players from the surf accessory/ fin market.

Greenlight Surf Supply has teamed up with ProBox Fin Systems to successfully enable surfers to unleash the full potential of their surfboards through infinite fin choices.