Globe is a surf and skate brand that manufactures a range of shoes and apparel. From a surfing perspective, Globe has enjoyed a longstanding partnership with athletes such Western Australia’s Taj Burrow who reinvented small wave performance surfing with his electric style and speed.
Globe has sponsored key World Surf League contests including the Globe Fiji Pro for several years. Whether for casual streetwear or performance skate shoes, Globe has cemented themselves as part of surf skate culture.
History of Globe International
When was Globe International founded?
Globe International was founded in 1985.
Where was it founded?
Globe International was founded in Australia.
Who were the founders?
Globe was founded by former Australian skateboarding champions Peter and Stephen Hill, along with brother and current Globe International CEO Matt Hill.
Why was it founded?
The founding of Hardcore Enterprises laid the development of Globe International. The Hills cited that they were unsatisfied with the lack of quality skate products they required, and they went into business to import US skate products to Australia.
Important milestones in the company’s history
| 1985 | The Hills create their first formal business entity, Universal Skateboard Importers, located on Napier Street, Fitzroy, with initial skateboard hardware imports from the US and Asia. By the end of the year they had gained the Australian distribution for the American skate brand, Variflex |
| 1986 | Hardcore, Kerr Street Renaming their growing company Hardcore Enterprises, the Hills move the business around the corner to a larger warehouse space in Kerr Street, Fitzroy. Stephen, Peter, Matt and friends put on Variflex skate demos at fairs and shopping centres, travelling all around Victoria. Blast! Peter and Stephen write Blast! The skateboard book and promote it widely including on ‘Good Morning Australia’ and ‘The Early Bird Show’. The book and its sequel go on to sell tens of thousands of copies and encourage the development of public skate parks all over Australia. Snow Helping to establish snowboarding in Australia, Hardcore distribute both Burton and Sims snowboard products, along with supporting moves to ‘legalize’ the activity on Victorian snow fields. |
| 1987 | Going Stateside The Hills begin travelling to the USA including connecting with Lance Mountain and other Pro skaters in Los Angeles. The Snake Pit Supported by Hardcore, Gregor Rankine opens one of Australia’s first dedicated skate stores, Snake Pit, on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, to be followed later by a second store in Chapel Street, Prahran. |
| 1988 | Streetwear, Yarra Street Hardcore renovates an old glue factory and moves to new premises on Yarra Street, Abbotsford as the distribution of Vision Streetwear turns into the first formal licensing agreements for apparel and accessories. In the next year, Hardcore sets up Die Hard distribution for clothing and footwear licenses. |
| 1989 | Stüssy The Hills invest with the Australasian Stüssy licensee, Jim Fisher, and work to rapidly expand the business. |
| 1991 | Mooks The company’s first proprietary brand, Mooks, is established with graphic artist, Richard Allan working with Peter and Stephen. Mossimo Stephen and Peter meet Mossimo Giannulli to secure the Australian license for the new Californian Mossimo brand. Over The Ditch Hardcore grows beyond Australian shores and opens an office and warehouse in Auckland, New Zealand. |
| 1992 | Sista In conjunction with Stüssy, Die Hard creates a new proprietary brand, Sista, to provide a Stüssy inspired women’s range. More licenses are taken on including the US Split label. |
| 1994 | The Birth Of Globe Arising from an urge to control their own fate and offer a superior skate footwear, Hardcore starts another new proprietary brand as early designs and sourcing begin on Globe shoes. Retail Fashion Designed by Marc Newson, the first Mooks concept store opens on Chapel Street, Prahran. |
| 1995 | An International Base, Flockhart Street Hardcore and Die Hard continue to grow and move on to larger premises in Flockhart Street, Abbotsford as the first forays are made into the American market with Globe shoes and Mooks is launched into UK market. |
| 1996 | Home Of The Brave, Oregon Court Matt Hill and Gary Valentine establish Globe’s North American Division, setting up an office and warehouse in Oregon Court, Torrance while Grind Distribution in France begins the distribution of Globe shoes in Europe. Domestic Expansion Hardcore’s first Queensland office opens, as the FreshJive label is licensed for Australasia and the company holds its first large skate-music party at Flockhart Street. |
| 1997 | Mooks International Following solid success in the Australian and UK markets, Mooks is launched into the US and Japan. |
| 1999 | We Love LA! Crenshaw Boulevard Globe’s American office moves to larger premises on Crenshaw Boulevard, Torrance. |
| 2000 | Globe International The business divisions of Hardcore, Die Hard and Globe US are combined to create Globe International as the company prepares to go public on the Australian Stock Exchange. Gallaz Globe launches a new women’s action sports footwear brand, Gallaz, with a range including a Layne Beachley Pro Model Shoe and supporting the Gallaz Girls Street Jam 2 held in Melbourne. |
| 2001 | Globe Floats Against a back ground of the biggest 900 Degrees party to date and widespread media interest, Globe successfully lists on the Australian Stock Exchange. Global HQ, Lorimer Street Following the successful public float, Globe International moves to new purpose built headquarters and warehousing at Lorimer Street, Port Melbourne. Dwindle, South Aviation Boulevard Globe International hits its promised financial numbers as it undertakes the acquisition of Kubic Marketing, Dwindle Distribution along with a new manufacturing partnership in China and merges its American office into the Dwindle offices at South Aviation Boulevard, El Segundo in Los Angeles. |
| 2004 | O Brother, The CEO Matt Hill is appointed as the new CEO of Globe International and begins to reorganize the corporate and strategic structure including the expansion of Globe’s European division. |
| 2010 | Return, Fennell Street Globe moves it’s Australian headquarters to Fennell Street, Port Melbourne, along with establishing a new apparel division, 4Front to license the Obey streetwear brand and others. |
| 2012 | FXD Workwear FXD, Function By Design, a new proprietary workwear brand is launched in Australia. |
| 2013 | Globe Apparel After developing and extending Globe’s apparel offerings, the new Los Angeles shoe and capsule collection is launched at American Rag in Los Angeles. |
| 2017 | New Stores Flagship Globe retail stores opened in the strategic neighborhoods of Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles and Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. |
| 2018 | Chairman Of The Board Paul Isherwood, passes at age 80 after 15 years as Globe International’s Chairman. Originally appointed to the board in 2000, Paul oversaw the company’s float on the stock exchange along with the good and tough times, becoming its Chairman in 2003 and contributing an awesome 18 year legacy of leadership, diligence and wit. |
Any other important people who contributed to success?
- Steve Rocco and Rodney Mullen – World Industries
- Jim Fisher – licensee of Stussy
- Mark Gonzales – new skate brand in the US under the World Industries umbrella
- Richard Allan – graphic artist for Mooks
- Mossimo Giannulli – gave the license for the new Californian Mossimo brand
- Gary Valentine – helped establish Globe’s North American Division
- Chet Thomas and Rodney Mullen – join Globe skate team as the first internaitonal riders and design and development begins at Globe’s North American Division
- Marc Johnson – together with Rodney Mullen launched the The enjoi skate brand
- Chris Haslam and David Gonzalez – joined Globe and begun working on an industry first concept with the rest of the skate team, United by Fate, an episodic series of skate videos that premiere free online.
- Paul Isherwood – passed away at age 80 after 15 years as Globe International’s Chairman. Originally appointed to the board in 2000, Paul oversaw the company’s float on the stock exchange along with the good and tough times, becoming its Chairman in 2003 and contributing an awesome 18 year legacy of leadership, diligence and wit.
The Company Today
Who is the CEO?
Matt Hill is the current CEO of Globe International.
How many staff do they have?
The estimated number of employees is 29.
How much revenue do they earn?
The company’s estimated revenue is $115 Million.
Where are they located?
Globe International headquarters is located at 1 Fennell St, Port Melbourne, Victoria, 3207, Australia.
Do they have a foundation / non-for-profit arm?
The company doesn’t have a foundation or non-for-profit arm.
Which products do they specialize in?
Globe International specializes shoes, clothing, skateboards and socks.
The Ambassadors
Who is sponsored by the company?
Skate: Mark Appleyard, Sammy Montano, Aaron Kim, Rodney Mullen, Fries Taillieu
Surf: Taj Burrow, Dion Agius, Shaun Manners, Noa Deane, Creed McTaggart, Nate Tyler, Dakoda Walters, Jai Glindeman
Snow: Romain De Marchi, JP Solberg, David Carrier-Porcheron, Dustin Craven
Any interesting quotes from executives or ambassadors?
I see people with talent and all those things, but the one thing they don’t have is just that love for the sake of doing it
Rodney Mullen
I think it’s kind of just a matter of relying on pure instinct and not caring at all about what other people think.
Shaun Manners
I just like the idea of trying something that no one’s ever tried before, and I really wanted to know if it was possible.
Taj Burrows
Sustainability
Do they produce any eco-friendly products or have a sustainability focus?
Globe International has sustainability focus.
Campaigns and Partnerships
Are they doing anything interesting in terms of campaigns or partnerships?
Partnership with the National Forest Foundation
Showcase products
For more information
Visit Globe website.
