The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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October 17, 2008

Cabin-building firm is the newest addition to business incubator

By Robert Barron Staff Writer

The newest business at the Jim Strate Business Development Center at Autry Technology Center uses an old process to make a new product.

Kip Dupire and Matt Watkins are partners in the manufacture of cabins that can be placed on the range or on a ridge — hence the firm’s name, Range to Ridge Cabins.

The technology of structural insulated paneling has been in use for a long time, but Dupire said they are manufacturing sturdy, energy-efficient cabins that can be placed nearly anywhere.

“The potential for clients is so huge it’s incredible,” said Dupire, a recent Air Force Reserve retiree and American Airlines pilot. They moved their manufacturing area to Autry Tech facilities at Enid Woodring Regional Airport. The company builds small cabin/homes from energy efficient material. They are built with structural insulated paneling, foam-filled and energy-efficient. It is more efficient than Styrofoam, but very sturdy, Dupire said.

“It’s like an ice chest surrounded by wood, but it’s a superior structure, you can’t break it apart,” he said.

The paneling can be stacked 24 feet high without additional support. When built, the cabins weigh about 15,000 pounds and can be as large as 1,000 square feet.

“We build the envelope from the panels and the rest can be half-log siding and rough-hewn walls for a rustic appearance,” he said.

Dupire and Watkins manufacture a 16-by-40 two-bedroom, one-bath cabin, or one that is 20- by-48 with two bedrooms and two baths. The customer is responsible for the site preparation and transportation of the cabins to the location. Dupire said they recommend a stem wall or concrete block or form. All cabins are built according to International Building Code and can be used anywhere.

They built their first shell cabin in two days at a location near Carrier for a showing at Oklahoma State Fair. One of the supports collapsed and the end of the cabin fell, but there were no windows broken and no damage to the structure, he said.

The panels are made of wood chips and they are plumbed inside with electrical work for a range, microwave, refrigerator and wiring for a washer and dryer. He said the cabins can operate on 100 amps of electricity and estimated they will cost the owner only $10 per month in electricity costs.

Walls, ceiling and floor are insulated to R24 standards and the roof is made from 26-gauge aluminum material.

“It’s very quiet. The panels insulate for sound as well,” he said.

Dupire said they now have six employees with several in sales. He hopes to grow to 16 employees so he can operate his manufacturing facility in a turnkey fashion and turn out a cabin in as little as five days. The cabins are permanent structures, but can be portable by placing skids underneath them and lining the bottom with Rhinoliner.

He has had interest from Alaska and Canada because the cabins are efficient and warm during extremely cold weather. A 12-by-24 foot cabin sells for $24,900 and the 20-by-50 foot cabin for $59,900, plus whatever customizing is necessary.

“Each cabin can be customized. Once the shell is built the rest is simple,” he said.

Their goal is to build cabins to stand alone with solar panels. Dupire said a window unit and ceiling fans are sufficient for whatever air conditioning is needed. They are usable in the desert or in cold weather and there are a variety of custom models available. The cabins have an oak floor and a loft can be included, if the customer wants.

“We thought this is a market that isn’t very well taken up right now,” he said.

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