Expert: Paul S. Brown, AIA - 6/11/2009

Question
Dear Richard,

Our company is a SIPs manufacturer in China. It has had rich experiences in making PU cored sandwich panels. Our breakthrough product is SIPs with MgO board sheathings. This kind of panel combines the merits of PU rigid foam and MgO boards: good insulation property and fire resistance. It is regarded as a new generation of building materials. My question is: after the drywall scare, do American contractors still trust the Chinese products? I really hope to find buyers of our products in America.

Thanks in advance

Sam Shan
Chunhui SIPs

Answer
Hello Sam:
It sounds like a good product.
Generally, my impression is that the drywall incident caused much concern here in the USA among Contractors, regarding Chinese manufactured products.  Justified or not, and without any empirical evidence; I'm just giving you an honest answer to your question: my personal perception is that most Contractors will avoid buying Chinese manufactured building products for a while, if they can find reasonably priced alternatives.
The Architects here in the USA are more apt to pay more attention to actual factual information about your product and your manufacturing process and safeguards for quality.  You might do well to target your marketing towards the USA Architects that will be specifying similar products in the residential construction, and small commercial, market segments.  PS; my son majored in Mandarin and will be spending a year in China next year.  My wife and I spent two weeks there last year, and will no doubt be returning while our son is there again next year.  I would love to visit your manufacturing facility, if it is in an area where we could accommodate a visit during our travels.
Thanks,
Paul Brown