California Expanded Metal Products Co. has entered into a formal agreement with Marino\WARE for the latter to manufacture and sell SureBoard in the eastern U.S.

This agreement will make SureBoard, a panel that combines shear and sheathing into a single product, available nationwide so customers of both companies will have access to the product. Marino\WARE will manufacture SureBoard from its plant in East Chicago, Ind.

“SureBoard appeals to architects who desire to specify a superior product for shear applications,” said CEMCO Executive Vice President Tom Porter. “We are excited to bring it to the eastern United States on a larger scale to meet this critical need.”

CEMCO aligned with Marino\WARE in August 2006 to form one of the largest ventures in manufacturing cold-formed steel-framing and metal-lath systems in the country. Named Expedius, the alliance has capitalized on both companies’ multiple locations to create a larger profile in the U.S., as well as a wider range of steel-framing products.

“Marino\WARE’s production and distribution of SureBoard helps fulfill Expedius’ mission to more broadly deliver materials that serve an increasing number of applications,” said Marino\WARE CEO Chip Gardner. “We look forward to adding SureBoard to the long list of exceptional products we offer.”

Manufacturing is expected to be underway at the Indiana plant as early as this month.