Quiksilver, Inc. Announces Financial Restructuring Plans

International Private Equity Firm Rhône to Provide $150 million 5-Year Term Loan

Bank of America and GE Capital to Provide New $200 million Line of Credit in the Americas

Company Anticipates New Committed Multi-Year Facility in Europe to Follow

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Quiksilver, Inc. (NYSE: ZQK – News) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Rhône, an international private equity firm with offices in New York, London and Paris, for a 5-year senior secured term loan of approximately $150 million. This new capital from Rhône will significantly improve the Company’s liquidity position and is expected to provide the cornerstone to solidify Quiksilver’s regional banking relationships around the world. The new financing will enable the Company to refocus its attention on its industry-leading boardsport and outdoor lifestyle brands, Quiksilver, Roxy and DC, and on improving the operating profitability of its business worldwide.

In addition, Quiksilver has entered into a written commitment with Bank of America and GE Capital, as joint lead arrangers, to refinance its existing Americas facility in the form of a new 3-year $200 million asset-based credit facility. The Company is also in discussions with its French banking partners to consolidate its European debts into a new committed multi-year facility and expects a positive resolution in the near term.

Robert B. McKnight, Jr., Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of Quiksilver, Inc., commented, “Rhône is a strong strategic partner with an international presence and extensive experience investing in globally diversified businesses across a number of sectors. Our agreement with Rhône not only provides the financial stability necessary to complete our new Americas and European financing efforts, but it also allows us to improve our global business and increase the efficiency of our worldwide operations. We are pleased to have addressed our liquidity concerns so that we can now sharpen our focus on streamlining the business and making great product within our three great brands – Quiksilver, Roxy and DC.”

M. Steven Langman, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Rhône, stated, “Rhône is enthusiastic about this opportunity to partner with Quiksilver in the continued development of its leading brands. Bob has assembled a first-rate management team, and we are confident that the liquidity and support provided by Rhône will allow the company to implement its dynamic strategy.”

The senior secured term loan will bear a coupon rate of interest of 15% of which up to 7.5% is payable in-kind (PIK) with the remainder payable in cash. Rhône will also receive detachable warrants providing the right to acquire approximately 20% of the then-outstanding shares of Quiksilver’s common stock at a strike price of $1.86, which is the volume weighted average closing price over the 60-day period ended June 2, 2009. The warrants expire seven years from issue.

Concurrent with the extension of the term loan, Quiksilver will appoint two new directors designated by Rhône to its board of directors.

Quiksilver intends to use the proceeds from the term loan to pay down existing indebtedness.

Rhône’s commitment to fund the term loan is subject to the satisfaction of certain terms and conditions, including completion of the refinancing of Quiksilver’s multi-year facility in Europe and other customary closing conditions and is expected to close before the end of July.

Peter J. Solomon Company served as financial advisor and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP served as legal advisor to Quiksilver in this transaction. Lazard Frères & Co. LLC served as financial advisor and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP served as legal advisor to Rhône.

About Quiksilver:

Quiksilver, Inc. (NYSE:ZQK – News) is the world’s leading outdoor sports lifestyle company, which designs, produces and distributes a diversified mix of branded apparel, footwear, accessories 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 different outdoor sports. The Company’s Quiksilver, Roxy, DC and Hawk brands are synonymous with the heritage and culture of surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding, and its beach and water oriented swimwear brands include Raisins, Radio Fiji and Leilani.

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 Rhône:

Rhône was founded in 1996 and has offices in New York, London and Paris. Rhône focuses on middle-market private equity investments in businesses with pan-European or trans-Atlantic presence or growth prospects. Rhône’s investment philosophy includes the development of strong, strategic partnerships with the management of portfolio companies in which it is investing. Rhône currently has investments in a diversified portfolio of companies.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Quiksilver, Inc. (NYSE:ZQK – News) today announced that it has signed legendary 9-time ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) World Champion Kelly Slater to a 5-year endorsement contract, extending his sponsorship arrangement with the company and ensuring that the greatest surfer of all time will be sponsored by Quiksilver for his entire competitive career.

Robert B. McKnight, Jr., Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of Quiksilver, Inc., commented, “We couldn’t be more pleased than to continue our long-standing relationship with the greatest surfer the sport has ever known. Kelly has been a fantastic spokesman for Quiksilver, a terrific ambassador and promoter for the sport of surfing and a true friend of the company. Kelly continues to work toward broadening the exposure of surfing through projects such as his upcoming IMAX movie and he’s got some great ideas that we will work on together to enhance the marketability of surfing and bring surf competitions to a broader audience in new and innovative ways. Kelly’s agreement to accept a significant portion of his compensation in the form of Quiksilver stock demonstrates his confidence in Quiksilver and our future prospects. We are absolutely delighted to continue our partnership with Kelly.”

Kelly Slater added, “Quiksilver’s been family to me for so long it’s hard to remember a time before them. It might not come as a surprise to many people that I’ve re-signed with them but there have been major transitions in my life and many changes within Quiksilver. It’s a long relationship and things often alter over the course of time. In our case, we’ve got exciting projects that coincide and are still stoked working and surfing together. These next 5 years and beyond will end up being our best together. As we put our minds and efforts together capturing our lifestyle and creating product that reflects this, I see Quiksilver remaining the industry leader. Revisiting what got us there and breaking new ground into some unforeseen areas, it seems things are on the upswing and it’s a fresh time again.”

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Lazard Capital Markets doubled its price target on Quiksilver Inc‘s stock, saying the apparel maker would be helped by cost-cuts and a weaker dollar.

The company’s shares rose as much as 8 percent to $3.80 in early trade Monday on the New York Stock Exchange.

Lazard said it estimates second-quarter earnings of 5 cents a share, which it believes to be conservative. Quiksilver  ( ZQK -  news  -  people ) is scheduled to report results Monday after market close.

‘Our annual estimate assumes $40 million in cost saves, but Quiksilver noted … that there were still opportunities to eliminate redundancies in its global structure and to reduce costs in the Americas, which means a second cut could lead to higher guidance and raised estimates,’ the brokerage, which raised its price target to $6 from $3, said in a note to clients.

If Quiksilver manages to successfully restructure or refinance its debts, it would not be necessary for the company to mull over the sale of its brands, the brokerage, which has a ‘buy’ rating on the stock, added.

Quiksilver, which began making outdoor sports and surfing apparel in the 1970s, said in March it plans to sell some of its assets in an attempt to prop up liquidity.

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