Founder Jack O'Neill | CEO Daniel Neukomm (2013–) Type of business Private | |
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Key people Benoît Nasr, Brand and Licensing
Sven Cobben, Europe
Daniel Neukomm, USA
Pat O'Neill, Wetsuits Products Apparel, Snowwear, Swimwear, Surfwear, Lifestyle Headquarters Santa Cruz, California, United States Founded 1952, San Francisco, California, United States Subsidiaries O'Neill Belgium N.V., O'neill Wetsuits Ltd, O'Neill (UK) Limited Profiles | ||
About
O'Neill is originally a Californian surf wear and surfboard brand started in 1952 by Jack O'Neill. It moved down the coast from San Francisco to Santa Cruz by the end of the decade. Jack is credited to have invented the wetsuit, his son Pat the leash on the surfboard. The company logo symbolizes a breaking surf wave. "O'NEILL" and the "Wave logo" are trademarks registered worldwide.
In 2007 the ownership of the brand was sold to a private group in Europe. The company produces wetsuits, performance water and snow sports inspired apparel for young adults, and lifestyle apparel. The products are distributed internationally to 86 countries worldwide, some by licensed distributors.
In 1996 O'Neill set up the O'Neill Sea Odyssey, a free, ocean-based program to educate young people about the marine environment. Some 75,000 kids have participated in this program. O'Neill is involved in various other causes to help support the environment (O'Neill Blue).
O'Neill operates from headquarters in Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, The Netherlands and the USA.
O'Neill sponsors young promising as well as high-profile surfers, boarders and skiers, as part of their ambassador program.