Week 9: Columbia



www.columbia.com

Columbia is a family business gone global. Chairman Gert Boyle's parents — German nationals who fled Nazi Germany in 1938 — purchased a small hat company upon their arrival in Portland and named it Columbia Hat Company, after the river that inspired their new home. This humble beginning was of huge significance to the family, marking new found freedom and a fresh start. Her husband later took over, and after he died Gert ran the show, going from housewife to executive overnight. Today, her son Tim Boyle is the longtime president and CEO.

1938

Columbia Hat Company established

1960
Gert Boyle designs first fishing vest
Columbia Hat Company becomes Columbia Sportswear Company

1970
Gert Boyle, a housewife, takes over the company

1975
Columbia first to introduce Gore-Tex® parka
Company goes international

1982
The Columbia Interchange System® is introduced in the Quad™ Parka

1984
The Mother of all ad campaigns begins
Youth line introduced

1985
Sportswear line introduced

1986
First Bugaboo™ Parka revolutionizes how downhill skiers dress

1990
First national television ad, "Car Wash"

1991
Omni-Tech®: Columbia's proprietary waterproof-breathable technology developed

1993
Footwear line introduced

1994
Convert and Titanium lines introduced
Lillehammer Winter Olympics Games: Official supplier to CBS Sports
Rivergate Distribution Center opens

1995
GRT: Gear for Rugged Trekking and Travel line introduced
America's Cup: Official sponsor to America3

1996
Columbia Comfort System introduced
PFG introduced
Flagship store opens

1997
Omni Dry®: High-performance moisture management technology developed
Special Olympics: Official supplier to Team USA

1998
Company goes public
Sydney Summer Olympic Games: Official supplier to NBC Sports

2000
Columbia acquires Sorel

2002
Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games: Official supplier to NBC Sports
Eco-Challenge official provider 1996–2002

2003
Cambrai, France, Distribution Center opens
5+ million visitors to website

2004
4 Star Distribution Center opens
Columbia acquires Mountain Hardwear
Company reaches $1 billion dollars in annual sales

2005
Gert's autobiography, One Tough Mother, is released
X Games official supplier 2002–2005

2006
Columbia acquires Montrail and Pacific Trail Products
Available in 72 countries

2008
Omni-Shade® Columbia's proprietary sun protection technology developed
Columbia celebrates its 70th anniversary
Official Sponsor of Team Columbia, former team High Road

2009
Columbia launches e-commerce

Titanium golf line introduced

2010
Columbia Sportswear Company signed an agreement to acquire OutDry Technologies