Quiksilver
Authentic Brands Group · United States
Quiksilver is a surf and boardsports apparel brand founded in 1969 in Torquay, Australia, by Alan Green and John Law, with its operations headquartered in Huntington Beach, California. It is owned by Authentic Brands Group, which acquired parent company Boardriders in 2023. It matters as one of the defining global surfwear brands.
| Founded | 1969, Torquay, Australia |
|---|---|
| Founders | Alan Green and John Law |
| Headquarters | Huntington Beach, United States |
| Owner | Authentic Brands Group (via Boardriders, 2023) |
| Sister brands | Billabong, Roxy, Element |
| Website | quiksilver.com |
What is Quiksilver?
Quiksilver makes swimsuits, clothing, footwear and accessories rooted in surf culture. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in 1969 in Torquay, Victoria, Australia, by the surfers Alan Green and John Law, and is headquartered in Huntington Beach, California.
History
In 1976 Jeff Hakman and Bob McKnight took over the US licence and formed Quiksilver USA, and in 1984 the European licence was granted, with operations based in southwest France. The company went public in 1986 and launched the Roxy women's line in 1990. Annual sales passed 1 billion US dollars in 2004, the year it acquired DC Shoes. It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2015 and emerged in 2016 under majority ownership by Oaktree Capital Management. The parent was renamed Boardriders in 2017 and acquired Billabong in 2018. Authentic Brands Group acquired Boardriders in 2023.
Business model and distribution
The brand is sold through regional licensees. In the United States it is sold through its official site and retailers including Macy's, Tillys, Zumiez and Amazon. Per the source, O5 Apparel handles North American men's apparel, Velocity Global Brands handles women's apparel in the United States and Canada, Groupe Beaumanoir covers Western Europe, and BR South Pacific covers Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Indonesia. In 2025 the US retail licensee Liberated Brands went bankrupt and closed its US stores, while the brand stayed with Authentic Brands Group.
Why it matters
Quiksilver is a case study in the move from a vertically run apparel group to a licensing led brand management model. The sources consulted do not document technology programmes or current revenue, so none are stated.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Quiksilver?
Quiksilver is owned by Authentic Brands Group, which acquired parent company Boardriders in 2023, according to Wikipedia and trade press.
Where is Quiksilver from?
Quiksilver began in Torquay, Victoria, Australia, in 1969. Its operations are headquartered in Huntington Beach, California.