Some great discussion!
Having been a laminater, that last photo doesn't look right
and probably no one in that room surfs.
The reality of mass production even if cut from computer file and finished by ghost shaper.
There will always be a need for custom boards although much less.
The advantage of a imported board can be the amount of subtle design changes with multiple boards and rider testing to get a great board at reasonable price.
As earlier a shaper has his own custom boards with good design and respect, the chance to get more income by having production boards from a large brand.
But custom boards have a vibe that everyone (from shaper to laminater and grom sweeping floor) is working together to get a great product to suit the customer around getting there time on the water
