Columbia Sportswear

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Columbia Sportswear Co.
Type Public
Founded 1938
Headquarters Portland, Oregon,
United States Flag of the United States
Key people Tim Boyle, CEO
Gert Boyle, Chairperson
Industry Apparel
Products Outerwear and sportswear
Revenue $1.29 billion (2007)
Employees 2,712 (2005)
Website www.columbia.com

Columbia Sportswear Company NASDAQ: COLM is a United States company that manufactures and distributes outerwear and sportswear. Founded in 1938 by the late Paul Lamfrom, father of present chairperson Gert Boyle, the company is headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Columbia Sportswear also produces footwear, headgear, camping equipment, skiwear, and outerwear accessories.

Contents

[edit] History

Columbia Sportswear began as a small, family-owned hat distributor. Present chairwoman Gert Boyle's parents, Paul and Marie Lamfrom, fled Germany in 1937, and immediately bought a Portland hat distributorship. They became the Columbia Hat Company, named for the nearby Columbia River. Frustrations over suppliers influenced the family to start manufacturing their own products.

Ten years later, Gert married Neal Boyle, who became the head of the company. In 1970, Neal died following a heart attack. Gert and son Tim Boyle, then a University of Oregon senior, took over the operations of Columbia, rescuing it from near bankruptcy.

Columbia's jackets featured waterproof fabric that was also breathable. Additionally, new jackets featured interchangeable shells and liners. Multiple wearing options and fabric technology fueled rapid sales growth.

Columbia Sportswear acquired footwear maker Sorel Corporation in 2000 and Mountain Hardwear in 2003. In 2006 Columbia acquired the Pacific Trail, Montrail and Moonstone brands.

[edit] Locations

Flagship store in downtown Portland.
Flagship store in downtown Portland.

Columbia Sportswear distributes its products to over 72 countries and 13,000 retailers worldwide. Its flagship store is located in downtown Portland, Oregon. Columbia also operates thirteen factory outlet stores outside Portland.

[edit] Financial information

As of April 25, 2008 its market capitalization is about $1.499 billion, with 2007 net sales of $1.35 billion.

[edit] Stock exchanges

Columbia Sportswear Company is publicly traded on NASDAQ with ticker symbol COLM.

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Oregon-Based Companies