QUITSILVER
Workers wipe-out as local surf icon set to leave Torquay home
MORE than 100 jobs in Torquay are in doubt as Boardriders, the parent company of Quiksilver, appears likely to move interstate.
Staff at the Baines Crescent head office were in the dark about the move yesterday, which could send the company’s administration arm to Burleigh Heads in Queensland.
MORE than 100 jobs in Torquay are in doubt as Boardriders, the parent company of Quiksilver, appears likely to move interstate.
Staff at the Baines Crescent head office were in the dark about the move yesterday, which could send the company’s administration arm to Burleigh Heads in Queensland.
Quiksilver, a renowned surfwear brand, has a long history with Torquay after Alan Green and John Law founded the business in 1973.
The Geelong Advertiser un- derstands the company’s administration will merged with Billabong on the Gold Coast but its local retail presence will remain.
Staff had hoped the company’s administration arm in Torquay could be saved but it appears likely job losses will be announced soon.
Staff who spoke to the Geelong Advertiser outside the company’s head office said management were yet to release details of the move.
“They’ve told us it’s business as usual for the time being ... but we know something is going on,” said one staff member, who spoke on the condition on anonymity.
Jeff Humphreys, who has lived in Torquay for 23 years and works across the road from the head office, said Quiksilver had lost its connection with the area after the Boardriders rebranding.
“It started as an owner-operator business back in the day but that’s long gone now,” Mr Humphreys said.
“It will be sad to see it all go. Back in the day anyone who surfed around here used their gear.
“I don’t think people support local brands as much as they used to.”
Late last month, Boardriders — which owns Quiksilver, Roxy, and DC Shoes — became the parent company of Billabong.
On announcing the takeover, Boardriders chief executive Dave Tanner said the move would be a long-term process.
“The integration of the companies will be a multi-year process and is being managed by a combination of executives from both companies, empowering their iconic brands and driving growth across the globe,” Mr Tanner said.
Quiksilver expanded to the USA in 1976 after surfer Jeff Hakman won the Bells trophy.
Europe became a licensee of Quiksilver in 1984, and was followed by Brazil, Japan, South Africa, Turkey and Asia.
In 2002, Quiksilver’s global revenue topped $800 million but last year the company was put under the Boardriders umbrella.
Boardriders is now one of the world’s leading action sports and lifestyle companies and owns the RVCA, Element, VonZipper, Xcel, Kustom and Palmers brands.
The company has about 10,000 employees globally and its products are sold in more than 110 countries.
Boardriders were approached for comment yesterday but did not respond before deadline.
“It will be sad to see it all go. Back in the day anyone who surfed around here used their gear. I don’t think people support local brands as much as they used to.” Longtime Torquay business owner JEFF HUMPHREYS (pictured outside the Boardriders office)