Quiksilver HQ to leave Torquay

SPECULATION about the future of Quiksilver in Torquay has finally been answered, with parent company Boardriders Inc announcing the surf label’s national headquarters will move to Queensland.

However, Boardriders Inc will keep part of its operations in Torquay and also increase its presence in the wider region, with plans to expand its Geelong distribution centre.

This afternoon, the company stated it had “decided to maintain presences both in Burleigh Heads and Torquay” in recognition of the Quiksilver and Billabong brands.

“After a thorough review of its operations, and significant discussions with Australian state government authorities, the company chose Geelong, as its main distribution center in Australia.

“The expanded facility in Geelong will support the full portfolio of brands following the combination of Boardriders and Billabong.”

Quiksilver will close its Helensvale distribution facility in Queensland as a result in mid-2019, with the exact number of jobs to be located in Geelong yet to be finalised, subject to discussions with the Victorian government.

“I am pleased that we were able to maintain our footprint in locations that were important to the heritage and history of both companies and we are very excited to grow our operations in Geelong as we service all of our brands from one centralised location,” Boardriders Inc global president Greg Healy said.

“We are thankful to the employees in Helensvale for their dedication and hard work.”

Rumours that Quiksilver – founded in Torquay – would move away from the town had been growing since Boardriders Inc finished its acquisition of Billabong in April and announced a new leadership team.