Rob Willis has been involved in the actionsports industry for more than three decades.Aside from having a unique perspective on the market from his years of retail experience, Willis is full of one liners and colloquial wisdom from the manufacturing side of the fence as well. Transworld Business caught up with Willis to get his take on current market conditions. Here’s what he had to say.
» Read Full Story
According to a report from Chicago Business on November 3, Billabong has decided to pull out of plans to open a 15,000 square-foot flagship retail location in Chicago’s former Carson Pirie Scott & Price building on State Street.
» Read Full Story 
The October Transworld Business featured a solid display of boardshorts for Spring 2009, including the latest trends in color, material, technology and fit. In our online preview, we’ve included more styles from each brand.
» Read Full Story
If there’s one thing I’ve learned while covering the business side of boardsports it’s that when Dick Baker speaks, you listen. Baker is a veteran of the apparel business. His career spans from Esprit, Lacoste, and Tommy Hilfiger to Op. His opinions are highly respected both in and outside the boardsports industry, just as he is. I had the opportunity to ask Baker a few questions this morning about the current economic climate and how it’s affecting the endemic market. Here’s what he had to say.
» Read Full Story 
Billabong released its annual financial report for the year ended June 30, 2008 in late September. As it’s 116 pages long, you’ll just have to forgive me for not having it read and written about the next day. If you want to read all 116 pages yourself, I’ve provided the link. Have a wonderful time. This is not like the report that U.S. companies have to file with the SEC. Well, it is in the sense that it’s long, and complex in parts and kind of boring. But it’s different in the sense that it spends a whole lot less time discussing the market. Read more here.
» Read Full Story
Scott Wallace, an experienced sports marketer, has been appointed to the new international position of VP, new media and strategic partnerships, for global surfwear brand Billabong.
Scott will oversee the development and distribution of digital content for the Billabong group and handle management of all Billabong brand partnerships.
Prior to the appointment, Scott contracted to Billabong for eight years and has previously spent 10 years in a senior management role with sports management company IMG.
Scott will be based at the Billabong group’s head office at Burleigh Heads, Australia.
On October 11 the Laguna Art Museum in Laguna Beach, California hosted the opening reception of Wolfgang Bloch’s installment and the launch of his book, The Colors Of Coincidence. The evening was presented by Billabong, and many of the surf indsutry’s finest turned out to grab a copy of Bloch’s book and see his original works first hand. Check out some photos from the event right here
» Read Full Story 
Billabong International Limited announced a net profit after tax (NPAT) of A$176.4 million ($155.2 million) for its fiscal year ended June 30. The represents a 12.6% gain in constant currency terms and 5.5% in reported terms, reflecting the strength of the Australian dollar against the United States dollar.
» Read Full Story
According to an August 22 press release, Billabong International Limited has announced its acquisition of DaKine Hawaii, Inc..
BILLABONG PRESS RELEASE
BILLABONG TO ACQUIRE DAKINE
GOLD COAST, 22 August 2008: Billabong International Limited today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the business of DaKine Hawaii, Inc., a leader in the premium accessories category within the surf, skate, snow and windsurf markets.
DaKine was founded in 1979 in Hawaii by Rob Kaplan and is currently based in Hood River, Oregon, one of the premier action sports venues in North America. The brand has developed a strong reputation as the global action sports industry’s leading provider of specialized backpacks and technical accessories with an excellent historical growth profile.
Billabong International Limited chief executive officer Derek O’Neill said the inclusion of a complementary, authentic and internationally proven boardsports brand added further depth to the Group.
“DaKine is well established within the boardsports sector and it is a brand that has built its reputation on the quality and reliability of its technical range,” said Mr. O’Neill.
“It has built a strong sales base in North America and a growing sales base in several international territories, making it a powerful addition to the Group.”
Billabong North America President Paul Naude’ said DaKine had particular strength in the ocean boardsports sector and had a 20-year history in the snow category with a strong offering in backpacks, bags, gloves and accessories.
“DaKine is a brand that leads the boardsports backpack category, excels in the surf accessories market in the ultimate testing ground of Hawaii and has excellent penetration in winter product categories including snow gloves,” said Mr. Naude’.
“It is a brand that is focused on function over fashion and this, together with a strong team of athletes and compelling marketing campaigns, has endeared it to active boardsports participants.”
DaKine founder Rob Kaplan said the sale presented synergies for both businesses and he welcomed the additional infrastructure Billabong offered to support future growth.
“Billabong and DaKine have both determined that each of us has complementary skills and strengths and together we have a compelling authentic offer,” said Mr. Kaplan.
Rob Kaplan will remain integrally involved as a key member of the DaKine management team and will be based in the brand’s regional office in Maui, Hawaii. All employees, along with the current management team, are being retained and will remain in the brand’s head office in Oregon.
DaKine is expected to contribute approximately 4% of Billabong International Limited’s Group sales in the 2008-09 financial year and is expected to be earnings per share positive in year one.
For further information, contact Paul Naude’.
Visit our sister websites
»
Surf
Skateboarding
Snowboarding
Motocross
RIDEbmx
Quad
Business
