Quiksilver Selects Industry Solution from SAP

NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognized as one of the world's leading outdoor sports lifestyle companies, Quiksilver is targeting its next phase of corporate development using industry-specific software from SAP AG (NYSE: SAP). By replacing its existing business software systems, Quiksilver aims to better support the global development, production and distribution of its diversified mix of branded apparel, footwear and accessories. This announcement was made at the National Retail Federation (NRF) 100th Annual Convention and Expo, being held January 9-12, 2011, at the Javits Convention Center in New York.

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Over the past 40 years, Quiksilver has become a nearly $2-billion global apparel, footwear and accessory company with a family of brands — including Quiksilver, Roxy and DC — synonymous with the heritage and culture of surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding. The company's products are sold in over 90 countries in a wide range of distribution, primarily in surf shops, skate shops, its proprietary retail shops and other specialty and department stores.

Quiksilver chose the SAP® Apparel and Footwear application based on the widespread adoption of its industry-specific functionality, SAP's track record in the apparel and footwear market and the global availability of professional supporting services.

"Quiksilver operates in highly competitive markets around the world and our ability to rapidly respond to market opportunities is critical to our success," said Robert B. McKnight, Jr., chairman of the board, chief executive officer and president of Quiksilver, Inc. "By selecting and implementing SAP Apparel and Footwear we gain a proven industry solution that will help us run our company more efficiently so we can focus on what we do best — designing and delivering great, innovative products that represent the boardriding lifestyle."

As part of the SAP® for Consumer Products portfolio, SAP Apparel and Footwear will help Quiksilver manage critical industry-specific processes on one common global system, eliminating many current standalone regional applications. With SAP software, Quicksilver's merchandising, production, sales, distribution center and finance teams will have a "built-in" coordinated approach to operations and customer service.  

"SAP delivers industry solutions that help companies to be best-run businesses by enabling the insight and processes necessary to remain competitive and innovative, as well as the flexibility and efficiency required to make their companies more profitable," said Bob McFarland, senior vice president and general manager of the U.S. Retail Organization, SAP America. "SAP software will help Quiksilver address its unique industry challenges as well as provide operating efficiencies and better supply chain management. With SAP, Quiksilver will have a powerful IT solution that will support its wholesale operations and improve its ability to deliver new and innovative products to its customers."

About Quiksilver:

Quiksilver, Inc. (NYSE: ZQK) is the world's leading outdoor sports lifestyle company, which designs, produces and distributes a diversified mix of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, snowboards and related products.  The Company's apparel and footwear brands represent a casual lifestyle for young-minded people that connect with its boardriding culture and heritage.

The reputation of Quiksilver's brands is based on outdoor action sports.  The Company's Quiksilver, Roxy, DC, Lib Tech and Hawk brands are synonymous with the heritage and culture of surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding.  

The Company's products are sold in over 90 countries in a wide range of distribution, including surf shops, skate shops, snow shops, its proprietary Boardriders Club shops and other company-owned retail stores, other specialty stores and select department stores.  Quiksilver's corporate and Americas' headquarters are in Huntington Beach, California, while its European headquarters are in St. Jean de Luz, France, and its Asia/Pacific headquarters are in Torquay, Australia.

About SAP

SAP is the world's leading provider of business software(*), offering applications and services that enable companies of all sizes and in more than 25 industries to become best-run businesses. With more than 105,000 customers in over 120 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE, under the symbol "SAP." For more information, visit www.sap.com.

(*) SAP defines business software as comprising enterprise resource planning, business intelligence, and related applications.

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