Agriboard Plant Destroyed

The factory in Electra, Texas, where Agriboard Industries has made straw-core structural insulated panels (SIPs) since 2000 (see

EBN July 2002) was destroyed by a wildfire on April 9, 2009, when strong, shifting winds burned 4,500 acres (1,800 ha) in Wichita County. The loss is estimated at $20 million. The company is now operating in temporary quarters and expects to resume production by the end of May 2009. Vice president for sales and marketing Don Buchan said Agriboard is looking at locations for rebuilding.