The Quiksilver/Billabong Merger Is Getting Messy Already

It’s official!

Boardriders Inc—which owns Quiksilver, Roxy, and DC Shoes—is now the proud parent company of Billabong, and all its subsidiary brands, including RVCA, Element, Von Zipper, Xcel, Kustom and Palmers.

The official press release reads:

“Today marks the beginning of what will be a turning point for our industry,” said Dave Tanner, Chief Executive Officer of Boardriders Inc. “With the combination of Boardriders and Billabong, we bring together the best of both companies, creating a dynamic enterprise under the Boardriders umbrella.

Boardriders is dedicated to respecting and nurturing the heritage of each of its historic brands. 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.”

While the integration may take years, massive moves are already in the offing.

There have been meetings galore and information is leaking, despite the company’s best efforts to run a tight ship.

Which is nice, because there’s nothing lazier than simply copy and pasting a press release. Here’s some new information!

Despite a statement from Boardriders CEO, Dave Tanner, this past January stating that there were no plans to move Billabong’s global headquarters or relocate its Irvine operations, information obtained by Stab indicates that Billabong employees are, in fact, looking at relocation in the very near future.

Reports from Australia indicate that Quik’s Torquay headquarters, which sits on Quiksilver Dr., will be shuttered in coming months. Employees have been informed that operations will remain in Australia, but are being moved 1000 miles north, to the Gold Coast, where they will be integrated into the current Billabong operations. Whether the move is being made available to all current employees, or if those facing redundancy need update their resumes, is unknown.

Less hardship will be faced by Billabong employees currently working out of Irvine, California. Operations there are being consolidated within the current Quiksilver headquarters, based close by in Huntington Beach.

For many it’s a lateral move, location-wise, and though those who have visited Bong’s Irvine offices will attest to its windowless nature, potential access to natural light is likely the least of employees’ concerns. Especially those occupying roles already filled in the Quik offices.

No news yet regarding European operations, though a general consensus exists that word will come down some time within the next 18 months and employees’ general outlook for the future there is grim.

Scroll below for a look inside Billabong’s future California home, inside Quiksilver’s remarkable Huntington Beach headquarters, all photos courtesy of Bauer Architects.