Supply Chain

At Rip Curl, our commitment to doing the right thing goes beyond the walls of our offices and extends to the factories, communities, and people that bring our products to life.

We believe in fair, responsible practices throughout our supply chain so we can deliver quality gear in a way that’s safe, ethical, and respectful to everyone involved.

We carefully choose which suppliers we work with, holding ourselves accountable to ensure that the people making Rip Curl products are treated fairly and in line with both local laws and international human rights standards.

We take a multi-faceted approach to assessing and strengthening workers’ rights throughout the supply chain, focussing on collaboration, transparency and stakeholder engagement. 

Transparency

We share our supply chain through Open Supply Hub. Open Supply Hub is powering the transition to safe and sustainable supply chains with the world’s most complete, open and accessible map of global production.

Every final stage facility that makes our products is identifiable on a global map using GPS coordinates. To view our suppliers, filter the Contributor List by selecting "Rip Curl". This is a complete list of our Tier 1 suppliers, alongside key traced Tier 2 suppliers. This list is updated every six months to ensure accuracy and transparency.

Supplier Expectations

Rip Curl prioritises working with suppliers that adhere to and respect our principles, values, and standards.

The KMD Brands Workplace Code of Conduct is based on standards set by the International Labor Organisation and internationally accepted fair labour practices. It sets clear expectations for our suppliers including working hours, safe working conditions, fair compensation, and required environmental standards. All our manufacturing partners must sign and respect our Code of Conduct standards.

We monitor supplier compliance using risk assessments, including human rights criteria. All Rip Curl Tier 1 manufacturing suppliers and nominated Tier 2 suppliers undergo these assessments.

Worker Voice

We provide channels to encourage workers in our supply chain to share feedback or raise concerns with us where needed. This includes a direct hotline via email as well as worker surveys conducted during social assessments. Rip Curl also partners with New Zealand company Ask Your Team, to offer real-time surveys focussed on worker wellbeing and engagement.

Collective Action

Rip Curl is engaged in several multi-stakeholder initiatives that drive industry wide progress on social and environmental issues. We also have strategic partnerships to support collaborative remediation efforts with shared suppliers.  Learn more about our social impact partnerships, including our Fair Labor Association and B Corp accreditations, on our Memberships Page

Worker Wellbeing At Onsmooth

Since 1989, Rip Curl has owned and operated a state-of-the-art wetsuit manufacturing facility, Onsmooth Thai Co., Ltd, located at 143 Moo 7 Thawangtarn, Saraphee, Chiangmai, Thailand.

In 2023, Onsmooth became the second certified B Corp facility in Thailand.  Employing approximately 650 workers, it is one of the largest employers in the region.

By operating our own facility, we can manage the environmental impact of production, control pricing and lead times, ensure fair worker entitlements, and continuously innovate in wetsuit design. The facility also supports employee wellbeing through community clubs and renewable energy initiatives, including solar panel installations on-site.

Rip Curl is committed to ensuring all workers have a decent standard of living. That’s why we pay all Onsmooth factory workers a living wage, defined as the estimated income required for a full-time worker to afford a decent standard of living for themselves and their family without working overtime. Most factory workers in the apparel industry do not earn a living wage

Rip Curl supports the Anker Methodology in estimating living wages, which uses detailed, transparent research in collaboration with local communities. Ensuring a living wage at Onsmooth is part of Rip Curl’s broader fair compensation commitment, focused on supporting the right of all workers to achieve a decent standard of living. You can read more about our approach to living wages in KMD Brand’s Commitment to Fair Compensation.