Snowboard clothing maker Westlife Distribution USA LLC has moved its headquarters to Irvine to be closer to the county’s surf, skate and snow sports hub.
Westlife, known for its 686 snowboarding clothing brand, more than doubled its size in the move from San Pedro. Westlife moved into a 25,000-square-foot warehouse at 20 Goodyear in Irvine.
The company needed more warehouse and distribution space, said President and Creative Director Michael Akira West. Plus, it wanted to be in the hub of Orange County’s action sports scene as Westlife promoted 686’s latest sportswear clothing line, West said.
“One of the biggest reasons we’re moving down here is to let people know we’re serious,” West said.
Westlife has 22 workers, who mostly commute from Los Angeles. The company also is looking to hire about 10 more employees in the next six months, about half for its warehouse, West said.
Westlife is ramping up to handle its U.S. shipping operations, he said.
The company’s 686 snowboarding line is sold in more than 1,000 stores worldwide, with about half in the U.S. Local retailers include Sunny Smith in Orange, Jack’s Garage in Huntington Beach and Surfside Sports in Newport Beach.
Surfside Sports co-owner Duke Edukas said 686’s snowboard garb has been one of his top selling brands along with Costa Mesa-based Volcom Inc. and Burlington, Vt.-based Burton Snowboards.
“We started selling it four years ago and should have carried it sooner,” Edukas said of 686.
For more on this story, see the June 13 edition of the Business Journal.
