PRESS RELEASE
Surfing Company Rip Curl today announced the acquisition of the Victorian based Australian surf retail chain, Ozmosis.
There are 19 stores in the Ozmosis chain with key locations in nearly all major shopping centers in Melbourne. The purchase follows the 2010 acquisition of the Waves surf retail chain, which is based in Perth, Western Australia.
Rip Curl was originally attracted to both the quality of the Ozmosis multi-brand stores and the experienced and talented team of retailers within, led by General Manager Tom Cahill. As such, Ozmosis will continue to operate from its Melbourne Headquarters under the management of Tom and the current team. In addition, the team's considerable experience will be applied elsewhere and Tom will assume responsibility for the management of the Waves stores in WA.
"We look forward to working closely with the team at Ozmosis to further develop the surf and action sports retail market in Victoria. Melbourne is one of the great epicenters of youth culture and Victoria home to some of the best surfing, skiing and snowboarding in the country, and Rip Curl wants to provide its customers with better access to the lifestyle products they need," said Rip Curl Asia Pacific CEO, Steven Kay. "Ozmosis can really help us do that."
The acquisition cements Rip Curl's commitment close to the home of its Torquay headquarters and follows hot on the heels of record crowds at Bells Beach for the 50th Anniversary of the Rip Curl Pro, one of Victoria's Hallmark events, the longest running and most prestigious surfing contest in the world.
