Who Owns Quiksilver?
Quiksilver is owned by Authentic Brands Group, a privately owned brand management company founded by Jamie Salter in 2007. ABG acquired Quiksilver through its $1.25 billion acquisition of Boardriders in 2023. Authentic Brands Group is headquartered in New York City and operates through brand licensing partnerships rather than direct manufacturing.
Parent Company
Authentic Brands Group
Acquired
2023
Status
Private
Headquarters
Huntington Beach, California, USA
Who Owns Quiksilver?
- Parent Company: Authentic Brands Group
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2023
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Quiksilver | Authentic Brands Group | Wholly owned |
History of Quiksilver
- Founded: 1969
- Founders: Alan Green, John Law
- Acquired by Authentic Brands Group: 2023
Quiksilver was founded in 1969 by Alan Green and John Law in Torquay, Australia. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for sports solutions while establishing a distinctive approach that would define the sports category for generations. The brand began by producing boardshorts specifically designed for surfing, addressing the need for durable, functional swimwear that could withstand the rigors of wave riding. This strategic positioning demonstrated Quiksilver's exceptional ability to create differentiated sports solutions while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the brand for decades. The name Quiksilver reflected the founders' goal of creating fast-drying, comfortable surf apparel.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Quiksilver expanded from its Australian roots to become a global surf lifestyle brand. This period of excellence demonstrated Quiksilver's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards across multiple sports segments. The company established operations in the United States, particularly in Southern California, where it became deeply embedded in surf culture. This strategic diversification demonstrated Quiksilver's exceptional ability to serve multiple consumer segments while maintaining its core brand identity and market leadership in the sports industry. Quiksilver expanded its product lines to include wetsuits, surfboards, and comprehensive apparel collections.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Quiksilver grew into a major action sports company, acquiring complementary brands including DC Shoes (2004) and Roxy (1990s). This continued evolution demonstrated Quiksilver's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing sports requirements and technological advancements. The brand became synonymous with surf, skate, and snowboard culture, sponsoring professional athletes and major events in these sports. This continued excellence demonstrates Quiksilver's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing sports dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Quiksilver's exceptional ability to integrate into larger sports corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the surf-brand industry.
However, financial challenges and changing retail landscapes led to Quiksilver filing for bankruptcy protection in 2015. This continued evolution demonstrated Quiksilver's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing sports requirements and corporate dynamics. The company emerged from bankruptcy in 2016 under new ownership but continued to face operational difficulties. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of surf-brand and consumer-focused sports solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Quiksilver's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct sports identity and market leadership. In 2023, Authentic Brands Group acquired Boardriders, the parent company of Quiksilver, bringing the iconic surf brand under ABG's management. This continued excellence demonstrates Quiksilver's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing sports dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Quiksilver's exceptional ability to integrate into larger sports corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the surf-brand industry. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of surf-brand and consumer-focused sports solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Quiksilver's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct sports identity and market leadership. This continued excellence demonstrates Quiksilver's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing sports dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Quiksilver's exceptional ability to integrate into larger sports corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the surf-brand industry.
About Authentic Brands Group
What does Authentic Brands Group own?
ABG owns over 50 brands including Reebok, Champion, Guess (majority stake, January 2026), Dockers (acquisition agreed May 2025), Forever 21, Juicy Couture, Nautica, Quiksilver, Billabong, DC Shoes, Roxy, RVCA, Element, Sports Illustrated, and entertainment licensing rights for Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Muhammad Ali, among others.
Is Authentic Brands Group publicly traded?
No. ABG is a privately held company and has not pursued a public listing as of February 2026. The company has been valued at over $20 billion in private funding discussions.
Who founded Authentic Brands Group?
ABG was founded in 2007 by Jamie Salter, who serves as Chairman and CEO. Salter built the company through acquisitions of heritage consumer brands and the development of a licensing-based business model.
Where is Authentic Brands Group headquartered?
ABG is headquartered in New York City, New York.
How does Authentic Brands Group make money?
ABG earns royalties from licensees who manufacture and sell products under ABG's brand names. Licensees pay royalties calculated as a percentage of net sales. ABG does not manufacture products or hold inventory directly.
What is ABG's most recent major acquisition?
In January 2026, ABG completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Guess, the American fashion brand, valuing Guess at approximately $1.4 billion. Prior to that, in May 2025, Levi Strauss agreed to sell the Dockers brand to ABG for $311 million.
- Founded: 2007
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Company Type: Privately Held
Where Is Quiksilver Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Huntington Beach, California, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: Global licensing partners, Third-party manufacturers, International production network
Brands Owned by Authentic Brands Group
- Billabong - Australian surf lifestyle brand specializing in apparel, equipment, and accessor...
- Champion - American clothing brand specializing in sportswear, athletic apparel, and casual...
- DC Shoes - American action sports brand specializing in skateboarding and snowboarding foot...
- Element Skateboards - American skateboard company founded in 1992, manufacturing skateboard decks, app...
- Forever 21 - American fast fashion brand owned by Authentic Brands Group; the U.S. retail ope...
- Nautica - American apparel brand specializing in nautical-inspired clothing, outerwear, an...
- RVCA - American lifestyle apparel brand founded in 1999, specializing in clothing and a...
- Sports Illustrated - American sports media brand encompassing magazine, digital platforms, and multim...
- Von Zipper - California-based eyewear brand specializing in sunglasses, snow goggles, optical...
Quiksilver Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Iconic surf lifestyle brand with strong action sports recognition
- +Global brand awareness and established consumer base in surf culture
- +Diverse product categories including apparel, equipment, and accessories
- +Backed by Authentic Brands Group's brand management expertise
- +Strong heritage and authenticity in surf and action sports communities
- +Ability to leverage professional athlete sponsorships and events
Considerations
- -Competition from other surf and action sports brands
- -Challenges in maintaining authenticity under corporate ownership
- -Market volatility in action sports and fashion trends
- -Dependency on licensing partners for product quality and consistency
- -Retail landscape changes affecting traditional surf shop models
- -Need to balance core surf heritage with broader lifestyle positioning
Frequently Asked Questions About Quiksilver
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Quiksilver
No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because Quiksilveroperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.
Jobs at Authentic Brands Group
Latest News About Quiksilver
Related Articles About Quiksilver
View more articlesThe Private Equity Takeover of Consumer Brands
Private equity firms now own thousands of consumer brands. Learn how PE reshapes the products you buy, from beauty to food to retail, and what it means.
Monthly M&A Roundup: February 2026 Brand Ownership Changes
From Keurig Dr Pepper's planned split to the Netflix-WBD saga, here is every major brand ownership change and deal in February 2026.
The Most Acquired Categories: Tech vs CPG vs Pharma
Which industries see the most brand acquisitions? We compared technology, consumer goods, and pharmaceuticals to find out where the most M&A activity happens and why.
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the Sports category and related searches from other users.

AC Milan
Italian professional football club based in Milan, competing in Serie A and one of the most successful and prestigious clubs in world football.

Arc'teryx
Canadian premium outdoor apparel and equipment brand known for technical mountain clothing and innovative design, owned by Amer Sports.

Armada
American manufacturer of freestyle skis, ski boots, poles, and technical outerwear, known for athlete-driven innovation and freestyle skiing culture.