- Business
- KMD Brands Limited (ASX/NZX: KMD), formerly Kathmandu Holdings Limited, operates as a global outdoor, lifestyle and sports company headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, and founded in 1987 through the Kathmandu brand; the group designs, markets, wholesales and retails apparel, footwear and equipment across three core brands including Kathmandu's quality clothing, jackets, vests, puffers, rain jackets, softshells, fleeces, travel gear and adventure equipment; Rip Curl's wetsuits, boardshorts, bikinis, surf apparel, accessories and tide watches; and Oboz's premium handmade hiking boots, shoes, sandals and winter footwear true to the trail. A certified B Corporation since August 2019 with recertifications for all brands through 2023, KMD Brands distributes products via retail stores, wholesale and digital channels to consumers in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, Brazil and beyond, targeting outdoor enthusiasts, surfers, hikers and adventure travelers. In recent developments, the company rebranded from Kathmandu Holdings in March 2022 following acquisitions of Oboz in 2018 and Rip Curl in 2019; it launched the "Next Level" transformation strategy in September 2025 encompassing a $25 million cost reset via organizational restructuring with over ten senior leadership changes, closure of 21 underperforming stores, introduction of three new Kathmandu concept stores in ANZ, enhanced digital and data intelligence tools, accelerated ecommerce platforms and refreshed FY26-28 brand plans focused on product innovation, supply chain excellence and sustainable profitability.