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Our History Timeline
Surfboards, surfmaps, tents and sleeping bags

Founded on Australia’s Gold Coast in 1973 by surfer Gordon Merchant and his then partner, Rena. From humble beginnings — designing boardshorts at home and selling them in local surf shops — the brand quickly gained traction with surfers preferring the superior functionality of the Billabong boardshorts.

1973

Gordon Merchant founds Billabong on Australia’s Gold Coast

Billabong is present throughout Australia and are now available in other countries, including New Zealand, Japan and South Africa

1980

Von Zipper eye wear brand is acquired. The acquisition of skateboarding apparel brand Element is announced

2001

Tigerlily brand is acquired, this represented the first time Billabong brand focused exclusively on the “girls” market. The big intention was to position a new addition of the company’s own Billabong Girl’s line

2007

Announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role in iconic “innovation and invention”

2009

Billabong announces intention to undergo a major restructure. 150 stores closed, 400 full-time jobs were lost internationally, including 80 in Australia. 48.5% of its Nixon accessories brand names were sold Trilantic Capital Partners (TCP). A year later earnings collapses across core business markets. August 2013 media report states “Billabong label itself is now deemed worthless”

2012

Billabong starts a seven point turnaround strategy announced in December of 2013. Strategy includes the sale of brands and entities to focus on the core business. In 2015 the company returns to profitability for first time since 2011. A complex restructure of the organization is implemented to achieve growth

2015

Company starts seeing improvements in the business. Focuses on strategies to continue to simplify and agrees to sell women’s swimwear brand Tigerlily for $60million. Since then Billabong has seen a slow but steady growth. It was time for a re-branding

2017
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