Sector 9 ou Billabong

Billabong International Ltd has acquired Californian-based skateboard brand, Sector 9. Billabong said the US skateboard company, founded in 1994, has emerged as a market leader in the design and manufacture of skate longboards - a niche segment within the skateboard market. The Queensland-based company said it expects Sector 9 to contribute around two per cent to its sales in the 2008/09 financial year and the acquisition is expected to be earnings per share accretive in year one.



Billabong chief executive Derek O'Neill said Sector 9 operated in the specialty board sports channel with a unique product offering. "Sector 9's products, primarily its longboards, really differentiate it from other brands in the board sports channel and have appeal to surfers, skateboarders and the broader youth market," he said. Co-founders and owners Steve Lake and Dennis Telfer and co-owner Dave Klimkiewicz are being retained as part of the acquisition in their current roles.[i]