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