Empire Foam

Est 2005

Empire Foam was founded by Peter Hosking in 2005. Peter moved to Australia from New Zealand with his wife and three kids in 1992. Peter’s trade was in the automotive industry, he however fell in to shaping in 1994 making his first  long board for some neighbours who were keen surfers. Peter then began to shape short boards for his two sons who caught the surfing bug at 12 and 14 years old.

Peter worked for Nev Future Shapes learning the art of making quality surfboard for export 

Peter was then offered a position with a Foam Company as they were experiencing trouble with their foam, he took the position and worked as factory manager for four years. Throughout this time through trail and error Peter Learnt the different aspects to making good foam and learnt his craft of mould manufacturing and foam blowing. From this experience Peter also developed his own ideas he wanted to put into practice, he was for the time being unable to do this.

Peter then established Coast Gold Computer shapes in 2004, Peter uses the latest in CNC computer shaping technology and currently supplies computer shapes to a number of world class shapers including, Billabong Surfboards, Darcy Surfboards, Nic Mazz and many more . Through his time working with these shapers Peter realised there was demand for another quality foam producer other than Burford Blanks. Peter then began to develop and manufacture moulds and foam utilising the latest  technology, it was originally planned to develop the company over 12 months however within six months there was big demand due to the quality of the product and the closer of Clark foam in California. Empire foam is now steadily growing and producing a very high end quality product supplying foam to companies such as Nev Future Shapes, Darcy Surfboards, Dorrington Surfboards and various export markets.