Sector 9 Sold to Billabong Surf

[jenn08]

Originally Posted by worldridr768

Why the #### do all of you care? Ride your ####### boards. Who cares who owns the company. If it's a quality product who gives a ####?

i agree completely....who gives a ####....i'd buy another sector 9

[TheRosen]

interesting this hasn't some up yet. i like gullwings (maybe not all of them, but chargers are great) and im curious how this will affect them. think they're going to make some changes in that subdivision? i hope they dont change it too much, just add. chargers have the best bushings.....

[mikenike605]

i hope that things stay about the same or their is good change. i hope they dont go the way of veriflex though.

[Cpt Planet18]

Most of the people that ride sector 9's wear billabong shirts, I was not shocked at all.

[chrismcb]

Originally Posted by southshorelocal

no Im not I like billabong but i hate the fact that S9 sold out it wouldnt matter who to

So you would have turned down 10,000,000 dollars?

[BottomShark]

I just hope shops that are loyal to Landy or other companies aren't "stong armed" into buying S9 cause they sell Billabong clothing.....

[Eugene Pooneil]

you people are missing the point. those S9 owners are ###### rich now. and good on 'em; if you created a skate company, already largely regarded as mediocre (sorry, purists) to the very crowd to which they cater, and freakin' Billabong came knockin' at the door with a few checks in hand, would you sign on the dotted line? As soon as i stopped laughing at the fact that it has "bong" in their name, i sure as hell would.

loosen up, realize that nothing in this world will ever be as important as money.

[sk8norcal]

Billabong goes longboarding | smh.com.au

Billabong International has snapped up southern California-based skateboard brand, Sector 9, for an undisclosed sum.

Billabong said the US skateboard company, founded in 1994, was a market leader in the design and manufacture of skate longboards - a niche segment within the skateboard market.

The Queensland-based company expects the business to add about 2% to group sales, implying the business generates $25 million to $30 million in sales, the bulk of which are generated from the US along with some international sales.

The acquisition is expected to be earnings per share accretive in the first year within the group.

Billabong chief executive Derek O'Neill said Sector 9 operated in the specialty boardsports channel with a unique product offering, differentiating from its popular Element skate brand.

"Sector 9's products, primarily its longboards, really differentiate it from other brands in the boardsports channel and have appeal to surfers, skateboarders and the broader youth market,'' he said.

Deutsche Bank analyst Kristan Walker said the bolt-on looked like a good acquisition with a strong overlap in sales channels.

more...........

[Cob]

Originally Posted by PimaBombz

Seriously, who cares if a bunch of lame high school kids buy a S9 shirt but know nothing about boarding? The only people they will embarass are themselves. I see this thread with way too much hate in it. If you don't like Billabong or S9, or think that S9 are huge worthless sellouts that's your opinion. Is it really going to negatively impact your life that much? I mean, if you hate them that much I bet you've already distanced yourself from them as much as possible, and if you didn't mind their products or even rode them, then this could be a step in the right direction for new technology and more exposure for people who may really be interested.

Stop hatin', go skatin'.

Truth bro, very good post.

[skategeezer]

I've had a night to sleep on it.

1. I am very intrigued to find out what Billabong paid - they are a public company...I am sure it will be disclosed-then again, it would be interesting to find out how they divide up the spoils - I mean, how much does Corpo Man get? I sense this something that won't will be disclosed anytime soon...Steve, my phone lines are open!
: )

2. I am even more intrigued to see what happens to the rest of longboard companies. Now that the market leader has been swollowed up by an 800lb gorilla, things can change. A BIG SHIP LIFTS ALL BOATS! But please, Billabong, don't try and capsize the folks who are pouring their heart and soul into innovative products. Stoke out the mass market...and enjoy the t-shirt sales
There is some incredible product that is slowly, but surely getting out there. Yes, competition is healthy. You need Quiksilver and Vans just as much as they need you.


3. if you take a step back and think about this deal, it was a no brainer. It's a wonder it wasn't done years ago. Sector 9 doesn't need more exposure in the skate/surf market...they have accomplished that already. What they need and what this deal will do is move them into the mass market big time - where Billabong has the infrastructure, capital, distribution and power to really leverage things.

My prediction? Within 5 years, Sector 9 becomes a $75+ million dollar part of Billabong.
And 1/3 of that will be soft goods...think about it, most folks that buy Billabong don't live near surf (or have even tried surfing, for that matter). But everyone lives near asphalt or cement (well, most people). Skateboarders outnumber surfers 6 to 1. So, this represents an opportunity to merge skateboarding with the powerhouse that is surf softgoods.


BUT WAIT...I have more...Billabong is quite specific on how it conducts business...as a public corporation, it has an extensive amount of information on its billabongbiz.com website. Amazing what you can find...

Ethical and Social Governance
All decisions and actions undertaken by Billabong International Limited are aligned to a simple vision and values statement:

• Respect the past but represent the future

Within this philosophy, the Company is committed to recognising and building on its strengths, challenging established boundaries and rewarding innovation. The Company recognises the value of teamwork, the need to think globally but act locally, the benefits of fostering a culture of growth and opportunity, the need to act responsibly and ethically and the need to maintain the flexibility to adapt to change.


Throughout the Company’s global supply chain, a range of social and ethical initiatives have been adopted to ensure appropriate standards are being maintained. These include:

• Supplier Agreements:
  These hold the supplier and, in turn, each of their suppliers to a complex set of agreed certification and operational standards. These include commitments to quality, high moral and ethical standards, to obey local laws, to prohibit discrimination, abuse, under age workers and forced labour, to maintain health and safety standards, to meet agreed work and pay conditions, to meet acceptable environmental standards and to improve the communities in which they operate.

• Supplier Code of Conduct:
  This outlines the Company’s expectations in relation to business conduct and general ethical principles. These include guiding principles in relation to respect in the workplace, discrimination, training, labour standards, freedom of association, honesty, health and safety, wages and benefits, working hours, community engagement, performance audits, legal compliance and environmental compliance.

The Company also maintains 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.

more..

Whistleblower Policy
This policy is designed to protect individuals who, in good faith, report conduct which they reasonably believe to be corrupt, illegal or unethical on a confidential basis, without fear of reprisal, dismissal or discriminatory treatment.
Scope of the Policy
The whistleblower policy covers all Billabong employees (whether they are full-time, part-time or casual), contractors and consultants. The policy is intended to address serious matters, including:-

• dishonest, fraudulent, corrupt or illegal conduct or practices;
• misleading or deceptive conduct, including conduct or representations which amount to improper or misleading accounting or financial reporting practices;
• coercion, harassment or discrimination by, or affecting, any member of the Company's employees;
• continual or regular breaches of Billabong's policies or code of conduct;
• conduct within the Company's control which is a significant danger to the environment;
• conduct endangering health and safety.

[SteveC]

Billabong is a public company, and therefore beholden to it's shareholders.

If there was ever a consistent theme of public companies - it's that profit is #1

[kim_jong_ill]

Coming soon: The Death of Longboarding