MAXIPLANK ,also sold under the names Maxipanel and Multishake, is an exterior siding product that looks like traditional hard board siding. However, MAXIPLANK is not made from wood. Instead it is comprised of cement, silica sand and cellulose fibers. This kind of "fiber-cement siding" is intended for exterior walls of homes and other similar structures.

MAXIPLANK is distributed by Maxitile, Inc. Maxitile imports MAXIPLANK from Mexico, where it is manufactured. Maxitile is located in Los Angeles County and is the U.S. marketing agent and origination point for sales and distribution of the MAXIPLANK product. MAXIPLANK was first manufactured around early 1992 and is reported to have been marketed and distributed throughout California, Washington and Oregon.

MAXIPLANK was the subject of a class action lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The suit alleged that the Plaintiff and other similarly situated persons who have the product on their homes have suffered some or all of the following deficiencies: buckling, cracking, rotting, discoloration, delaminating, and deterioration and failure to repel water absorption. The deficiencies are believed to be caused by defects in the formula and manufacturing process of MAXIPLANK. The class action lawsuit has recently been dismissed due to actions taken by Maxitile, Inc., in its bankruptcy proceedings. However, the bankruptcy court decision which required that dismissal has been overturned as a result of a successful appeal to the federal District Court by Berding & Weil. Maxitile has filed an appeal of that decision, which has yet to be decided. Berding & Weil is optimistic as to the outcome of that appeal, and is preparing to re-file the class action.

In addition, this firm is investigating the possibility of proceeding with claims that may arise out of MAXIPLANK, which was sold after the date of the order confirming Maxitile's Bankruptcy Plan, which was February 20, 2004. Claims by persons whose MAXIPLANK was installed after February 20, 2004, are not affected by the bankruptcy court decision.

If you have MAXIPLANK siding on your home and have either experienced problems similar to those described above, or are concerned with your siding's future performance, we would like to hear from you. Please complete the registration form and someone from our office will contact you soon.