Business people : Olivier Cantet, CEO of manufacturer Rip Curl surf and President of Rip Curl Europe, leaving the company no later than June 30, 2013.

After ten years at the head of the Australian brand, which is the European subsidiary in Hossegor, Olivier Cantet announced to employees that left the company.From "Europe 1" Group to "Millet", the pearl brand of Rossignol Group, formed at ESSEC, Olivier Cantet, rather skier, snowboarder and mountaineer, had finally landed in April 2003 on the beaches of the Landes he looked enviously top of mountains. It was to take, Hossegor, the direction of the European subsidiary of the famous Australian brand Rip Curl surf. A company he left ten years later, after having experienced the highs of the surf industry and the financial crisis that hit her. Meanwhile, in 2009, he was appointed CEO manager (CEO) for the world. 

"This is a slice of life," he says, not without a twinge of heart. When I commit, I commit myself to the bottom and go to the end of my project. I leave a strong and there were deadlines that had to go, especially in 2012. I did not abandon the ship in a storm. I let a consolidated company, centered around its board of directors, mobilized, with a great capacity for innovation. I estimated that globally, Rip Curl is today one of the most historical brands healthy and stronger. ' 

Storm 
When Olivier Cantet discusses about the storm, it is obviously the crisis in the textile industry, commerce and sports industries therefore surfing. After posting double-digit growth, some companies have become acquainted with the restructuring, the search for new investors and layoffs. Rip Curl is no exception. Last spring, Olivier Cantet had a social plan including 48 job cuts and the closure of five stores. The brand also announced its intention not to disperse into the surfwear and fashion accessories, but to focus on the heart of business: more technical equipment in the field of surfing or snowboarding.With, according to him, already the first signs. "We are successful in sales and stable profitability. With a growth of 15% in North America, good numbers in Southeast Asia that offset Europe. ' 

"A spirit"
 He is confident about the future of the surf industry. "We never practiced as surfing, snowboarding. As for Rip Curl, the brand traces its path. We have a cap on distribution, strong capacity for innovation and as a team of athletes with three riders in the top ten worldwide. "For him, it is time to leave. But we do not leave a company like Rip Curl as another. "There is a spirit, something that soda. We work with people who have written the history of this brand. There is some business management in a challenging environment, but is also found in the evening to catch waves, drink a beer in North Hossegor, Cote des Basques in Biarritz with executives. I lived in the company at a time when it has been a great success and a challenge. In terms of learning, it is also very strong. "For the" world "will be replaced on an interim basis by Brian Singer, a founder of the brand. It will remain a few months, the time to ensure - through June maximum - the transition to the sector in Europe until the arrival of his successor, probably named internally. 

At 47 years, Olivier Cantet does not say to what professional horizon he now heads. "At Rip Curl is the concept of'' search'' quest ..." He quit, in any case, but it keeps the area of ​​personal ties. We do not leave this area as any other ...

( French Source sudouest.fr )