Volcom
Authentic Brands Group · United States
Volcom is a boardsports apparel brand founded in 1991 in Orange County, California, by Richard Woolcott and Tucker Hall. Authentic Brands Group acquired it from Kering in 2019. It matters as one of the leading youth focused skate, surf and snow labels.
| Founded | 1991, Orange County, California |
|---|---|
| Founders | Richard Woolcott and Tucker Hall |
| Headquarters | Costa Mesa, United States |
| Owner | Authentic Brands Group (since 2019, from Kering) |
| Segment | Boardsports apparel |
| Website | volcom.com |
What is Volcom?
Volcom is a boardsports clothing and footwear brand. According to Wikipedia, Richard Woolcott and Tucker Hall started it in Orange County in 1991 after a snowboarding trip to Tahoe. It is based in Costa Mesa, California. Its first closed toe footwear line launched in July 2013.
History
Volcom founded the Volcom Entertainment record label in 1995 and listed on NASDAQ in 2005. Its first acquisition was Electric Visual Evolution in 2008, which brought sunglasses into the range. In 2011 PPR, later Kering, made a friendly takeover offer valuing the company at about 608 million US dollars. Authentic Brands Group acquired the brand from Kering in 2019.
Business model and distribution
The brand is sold worldwide and opened its first store in Los Angeles in November 2002. In February 2025 Liberated Brands, which owned the US Volcom stores, filed for Chapter 11 and the remaining US locations closed. Wikipedia's Quiksilver article records the same Liberated Brands bankruptcy for its own brand and states that the brands stayed with Authentic Brands Group. The Volcom article also lists the company as defunct from April 2025, which appears to refer to the US operating business, so this profile treats the brand's current commercial status as unclear and does not state it.
Why it matters
Volcom's path from independent start up to listed company, Kering subsidiary and licensing portfolio brand mirrors the wider consolidation of boardsports labels. The sources consulted do not give current revenue or documented technology programmes, so none are stated.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Volcom?
Wikipedia reports that Authentic Brands Group acquired Volcom from Kering in 2019 and lists it as parent. The page does not confirm ownership in 2026.
Where is Volcom from?
Volcom is from the United States. It was founded in 1991 in Orange County, California, and is based in Costa Mesa.