Mens Billabong Jackets

The company has in the range of 1750 staff worldwide and its shares are publicly listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Billabong boardshorts International's values remain consistent with its foundation objectives, which include a commitment to brand protection and enhancement, the manufacture of design-relevant and functional products, marketing in the core boardsports channels, the professional development of staff and ongoing customer service and relationships. Billabong clothing International's products are licensed and distributed in more than 100 countries and are available in approximately 8000 doors worldwide. Products are distributed through specialised boardsports retailers and through the Company's own branded retail outlets. The majority of revenue is generated through wholly-owned operations in Australia, North America, Europe, Japan, New Zealand and Brazil. The Company Billabong clothing brand is marketed and promoted internationally through association with high profile professional athletes, junior athletes and events. Billabong was founded on Australia's Gold Coast in 1973 by surfer and surfboard shaper Gordon Merchant and his partner. Those early days were rather inauspicious, with the pair designing boardshorts at home, cutting them out on the kitchen table and then carting the finished product around to the local surf shop to sell. The business found immediate traction, with surfers drawn to the superior functionality of the Billabong boardshorts. They were also far more durable courtesy of the unique triple-stitching technique developed by Gordon. The next step for the fledgling brand was to introduce the better local surfers to Billabong and incorporate them in the marketing of the brand. Company-sponsored contests and special events would later follow. By the 1980s, Billabong clothing had firmly established its place in Australian surf culture and was ready for international expansion. The initial focus was on the large North American market and, again, the brand enjoyed success. Sales began to grow in other offshore markets, licenses were granted in a number of territories including New Zealand, Japan and South Africa, and in the late 1980s a new beachhead was established in Europe. Through the 1990s the surf industry grew exponentially and professional surfing gained a newfound respectability. The company also followed its core customers into other boardsports markets, including skate and snow, where it replicated its proven business model. By the close of the decade, Billabong clothing had been restructured to capitalise on the growing global opportunities in the boardsports sector. The restructure set the foundation for an initial public offering in Australia in mid 2000. The move saw the company's shares publicly listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in August of that year. This gave the company greater impetus and the financial capacity to grow the business. Total sales grew from approximately $110 million in 1999 to more than $1 billion in the 2005-06 financial year. Through all the growth, Billabong boardshorts has maintained its brand integrity and grown its commitment to the global boardsports sector through athlete sponsorship, event staging and support of industry bodies. This adherence to core values has allowed the Company to achieve many targets including brand expansion and increased product availability globally.