Quiksilver eyes uplift in ski-apparel sales

Local surf and sport apparel company Quiksilver is planning to add a line of clothing to its Rossignol brand. Quiksilver bought well-known French ski-maker Skis Rossignol SA in July 2005.

The Huntington Beach-based company is looking at expanding the apparel side of the business up to 20 times its current size and eventually surpass sales of Rossignol’s primary business of selling skis.

Chief Executive Bob McKnight wants sales from the Rossignol clothing line to reach $500 million to $1 billion over five years from current sales of $50 million. Using Quiksilver’s 30-year expertise in apparel and accessorizing, McKnight hopes to turn around the French ski maker with a line of sporty clothes as well as garments that young people can wear to dinner.

The company is trying to turn around the money-losing Rossignol with Wall Street analysts skeptical of Quiksilver’s successful integration of its $314-million buy.