Aleeda liquidation: Staff, customers owed money by iconic Qld wetsuit brand

Customers of an embattled Queensland wetsuit business have vented their anger over unfulfilled orders and unpaid refunds amid key company ownership changes.

Aleeda Wetsuits was founded more than 50 years ago. File picture

Customers of an embattled Queensland wetsuit business have vented their anger over unfulfilled orders and unpaid refunds amid key company ownership changes.

Aleeda Wetsuits, an iconic brand started more than 50 years ago by the late Queensland tourism entrepreneur Keith Williams, abruptly closed its Gold Coast headquarters recently with some employees still owed money.

The brand’s Melbourne-based owner, Glen Duggan, told The Courier-Mail earlier this month that the business was struggling and he was working with a liquidator to try to sell it.

Those caught up in the turmoil include a national events company and a small NSW boardriding club who said they had not received Aleeda merchandise for which they had paid thousands of dollars months ago.

Events company boss Olivia Morgan said she had paid more than $2000 in April for a bulk order of custom printed rash shirts but had received only nine out of more than 40 ordered – and they were sent late to the wrong address.

Catherine Hill Boardriders Club said they had shelled out more than $1400 for rash vests which they also never received, despite months of back and forth communications and promises the items would be sent.

A spokesman said the club last month accepted the offer of a full refund but only $483.63 had so far been paid.

“We are a small not for profit boardriders club, we fundraised and gathered sponsorship donations so we could get these new rash shirts and we have been robbed and left with nothing to show,” the spokesman said.

Mr Duggan told The Courier-Mail this week that Ms Morgan’s merchandise was sent “but unfortunately misdirected during transit and ultimately returned to us.”

“We will continue to work toward a satisfactory outcome as we sought to get the goods to Olivia or refund. This has been a longer process than we would like,” he said.

“For Catho Boardriders, the order was partially fulfilled before they chose to cancel. A partial refund has already been processed, and the team is working towards a full refund this week.

“Our number one priority remains progressing all outstanding orders and ensuring customers receive what they’ve paid for. We’re committed to improving communication and delivery outcomes as we move forward with orders being sent each week.”

Mr Duggan’s LinkedIn profile, which listed him as an executive with health insurance giant BUPA, has been removed since the revelations about Aleeda.

Company records reveal he recently resigned as a director of TGIW Group Pty Ltd, which shared the same Nerang address as Aleeda, and was replaced by his fiancee Hannah Bradley, who also took over all the shares in the entity.

Mr Duggan told The Courier-Mail that TGIW had never traded and the ownership change was “part of a broader strategic process” to position Aleeda for a potential sale.

He said he was hopeful the sale process “will progress positively”.

“While there are still some steps to work through, we’re positioning everything to ensure a smooth outcome regarding the IP (intellectual property) and related matters,” he said.

Mr Duggan has previously said that Aleeda employees would be paid the “small amount” of money they were owed.

Aleeda was started in 1969 by Mr Williams, the man behind Sea World and Hamilton Island, when he was running the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens water ski attraction.

The company made wetsuits for sports including surfing, once sponsoring surf stars including Australia’s first world champion, Peter “PT” Townend.

Originally published as Aleeda liquidation: Staff, customers owed money by iconic Qld wetsuit brand