Rip Curl to move warehouse to Melbourne’s west

One of the surf coast’s most iconic brands will be packing up one of its flagship establishments, taking operations to Melbourne’s west.

Rip Curl, Torquay. Picture: Brad Fleet.

One of the Surf Coast’s most iconic retail brands is set to pack up its Torquay warehouse, taking operations to Melbourne’s west.

A spokeswoman from Rip Curl’s parent company KMD Brands on Thursday confirmed warehouse operations would shift to Truganina.

“In May this year, KMD Brands will relocate our Rip Curl Torquay warehouse operations to our group facility in Greater Melbourne, located in Truganina,” she said.

“Our Ozmosis warehouse operations will follow this, but likely later this year or early next.

“All of our permanent warehouse crew have been offered permanent jobs at Truganina, or the option to take redundancy.

“They’ve also been offered to trial their role at Truganina, with the ability to take redundancy if they do not wish to continue after the trial.

“This decision was not made lightly and KMD Brands acknowledges the commitment and dedication of our longstanding warehouse crew.

“Rip Curl’s home remains in Torquay with no impact to head office or store crew.”

KMD Brands, originally Kathmandu, acquired Rip Curl in 2019.

Rip Curl was founded in Torquay by Doug “Claw” Warbrick and Brian Singer in 1969.

The pair owned it until it was acquired by KMD.

Originally published as Rip Curl to move warehouse to Melbourne’s west