O'Neill Wetsuits and Surfwear

O'Neill is an iconic American brand founded in 1952 by Jack O'Neill in San Francisco, California. The brand is credited with inventing the modern neoprene wetsuit, revolutionizing the sport of surfing by allowing athletes to stay in the water longer. From its humble beginnings in a surf shop on the Great Highway, O'Neill has grown into a global leader in surf and lifestyle apparel.

Today, the brand operates under a complex global licensing and ownership structure. The O'Neill family retains ownership of O'Neill Wetsuits, focusing on core hardware and technical gear. However, the global rights to the brand name for apparel and lifestyle products were acquired by the Dutch lifestyle group WE International and later managed by O'Neill Group (La POSH S.à r.l.). Manufacturing is decentralized, with products produced in various countries across Asia and South America to meet global demand.