Longtime Quiksilver and Boardriders executive Sammy Yoo is taking on more of Authentic Brands’ portfolio in parts of Asia.
Boardriders Japan (BJR) currently oversees Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, and VonZipper in Japan and Taiwan. Now Volcom and Spyder are being added to the company’s portfolio in Japan.
The agreement includes retail, wholesale, and e-commerce operations.
“BRJ has consistently demonstrated strong operational capabilities, from dynamic retail execution to design-driven product development,” David Brooks, Authentic EVP of action and outdoor sports, lifestyle, said in a statement. “We are confident this expansion will deliver meaningful growth and brand impact across Japan.”
Yoo said Volcom and Spyder will be good additions to the Boardriders Japan group.
“We are honored to take on this next chapter with Volcom and Spyder,” said Yoo, president of Boardriders Japan. “These brands resonate strongly with Japanese consumers, and we look forward to elevating their presence through premium retail, digital engagement, and compelling product assortments that reflect both their unique DNA and local market needs.”
As Volcom and Spyder integrate into the Boardriders Japan portfolio, Yoo said they will focus on design innovation, performance, and elevated experiences, both online and in-store.
With this final deal, Authentic has now found new homes for the brands that were previously managed by Liberated Brands, which filed for bankruptcy early this year, in key regions around the world.
In Europe, former Liberated Brands executives Joost Grootswagers and Antoine Lanusse formed a company called OneTurn to buy the operations from Liberated and license Volcom and Spyder.
And in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific, Australian company Caprice now has the license for Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, Element, VonZipper, Spyder, and Volcom, all of which were previously managed by Liberated in the region.
