Billabong (clothing)
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| Billabong International Limited | |
 |
|
| Type | Public (ASX: BBG) |
|---|---|
| Founded | Gold Coast, Australia (1973) |
| Headquarters |  Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Queensland |
| Key people | Derek O'Neill, CEO |
| Industry | Retail |
| Products | Apparel, sporting goods |
| Revenue |  $1.0 billion AUD (2006) |
| Net income | $145.9 million AUD (2006) |
| Employees | Over 1,000 |
| Website | www.billabongcorporate.com www.billabong.com |
Billabong is a clothing brand and public company (ASX: BBG) traded on the Australian Stock Exchange—as Billabong International—since August 11, 2000. As well as the Billabong brand-name, the company sells surfwear under the Palmers Surf, Honolua Surf, Von Zipper brands, Kustom footwear, Nixon Watches brands, as well as Element skate clothing and hardware at surf and skateboard locations such as Quiet Flight Surf Shops, Ron Jon Surf Shop. Products from this brand are available globally.
[edit] Overview
Billabong was founded in 1973 by Gordon and Rena Merchant. Rena sold her stake to an investment group including Gary Pemberton and Matthew Perrin, who bought many of the international distributors before listing the company. Perrin became managing director, but resigned late in 2003, after upsetting investors by selling more than half his shareholding. He was replaced by Derek O'Naeill, who had run Billabong's European business for a decade. Pemberton, a former managing director of Brambles, chaired the company until January 2005, when he was replaced as chairman by retired Foster's managing director Ted Kunkel.
