Billabong Surf Wear

Billabong Surfwear was founded in 1973 by Gordan and Rene Merchant in Australia. Billabong created Surf Wear brands such as the Palmers Surf, Honolua Surf and Von Zipper surfing companies. Billabong also extended its reach beyond surfing to create Nixon Watches and Element Skate Clothing. Billabongs Surf Wear clothes are available globally with a current turn over in excess of $1.billion AUS and over 1000 employees world wide.

Rena, one of the principle founders of Billabong Surf Wear, sold her stake in the company to an investment group, which on 11 th August 2000 listed the company on the Australian stock exchange under Billabong International.

In 2003 Matthew Perrin, who was part of the investment group that bought an early stake in the company resigned as managing director after he upset shareholders by selling more than half his shareholding in the company. Derek O’Neill then became the managing director after heading Billabongs European business for over a 10 years.

Billabong remains a huge brand of Surf Wear clothing across the world and is one of the true leaders of the surfing fashion market