Irvine’s Billabong USA has bought a San Diego maker of skateboards and related clothing.
Terms of the buy of Sector 9 Inc. weren’t disclosed.
Sector 9 makes skateboards, accessories and T-shirts for men, women and kids.
The company has carved a niche since its 1994 start by making skateboards that resemble longboard surfboards.
Sector 9 cofounders and owners Steve Lake, Dennis Telfer and Dave Klimkiewicz are set to remain with the company.
Lake said he looks forward to growing Sector 9 with “Billabong’s proven global distribution network.”
Billabong, part of Australia’s Billabong International Ltd., makes up about $500 million of its parent company’s $1.2 billion in yearly sales.
The company expects Sector 9 to contribute about 2% to Billabong International’s revenue through 2009, it said.
The acquisition is the latest in a series for Billabong’s U.S. operation.
Late last year, it bought Hawaiian wetsuit maker Xcel International. In 2005, Billabong bought Nixon watches. In 2001, it bought skateboard clothing company Element and sunglasses maker Von Zipper.
The Sector 9 deal comes with something new for Billabong,skateboards.
Up to now, the company has sold swimsuits, clothes and accessories inspired by surfing and skateboarding.
“Sector 9’s products, primarily its longboards, really differentiate it from other brands in the boardsports channel and have appeal to surfers, skateboarders and the broader youth market,” Billabong International Chief Executive Derek O’Neil said in a statement.
