Columbia
Sportswear
Leading maker of outdoor
and ski clothing.
Headquarters:
14375 NW Science Park Drive
Portland, OR 97229
Employees: 3,113
CEO: Tim Boyle
Stock Symbol: COLM
Website:
http://www.columbia.com
Career Site
Founded in 1938, Columbia Sportswear Company has grown from a
small family-owned hat distributorship to one of the world's
largest outerwear brands and the leading seller of skiwear in
the United States.
The company makes clothing, accessories
and footwear for men, women and kids. The company also sells
backpacks, bicycles, sleeping bags, tents and insulated products.
Columbia products are available through more than 13,000 retailers in 72 countries, from Argentina, to New Zealand, to Korea. We own and operate sales offices in North America, Europe and Asia, and have wholly owned subsidiaries in Canada and Japan. The family of brands includes Columbia, Montrail, Mountain Hardwear, Pacific Trail, and Sorel. The corporate headquarters and domestic distribution center (European Distribution Center in Cambrai, France) are in Portland, OR. The company employs over 3,000 people around the world.
In fiscal 2009, Columbia reported sales of $1.24 billion, down 6% from the previous year. Net income was $67.0 million.
History
Columbia's history began in 1937 when founder
and Chairman Gert Boyle's parents, Paul and Marie Lamfrom, fled
Germany and settled in Portland, Oregon. They bought a small
hat distributorship and named it Columbia Hat Company, after
the river bordering the city. Frustrated by poor deliveries from
suppliers, the Lamfroms decided to start manufacturing products
themselves, and expanded the line to include outerwear, fishing
vests, and shirts.
In 1948, Gert married college sweetheart
Neal Boyle, who joined the family business and later took the
helm of the growing company. In 1970, Neal suddenly died of a
heart attack. He left behind three children, an expanding company
leaning heavily on bank loans, and a wife who didn't have any
business experience.
The day after Neal's funeral, the phones
at Columbia were ringing off the hook with salesmen and vendors
who assumed the company was going out of business. Then the bank
called. They were quite concerned when they found out that a
housewife was going to take control of the company. They summoned
Gert in for a meeting, during which she somehow managed to buy
herself a little time. She pledged Columbia's building as collateral
for loans, appeasing the bankers. She also trimmed the company
a bit and son Tim started hitting the trade shows. After a few
years, profits went up.
Columbia is known as a product innovator
and has a reputation for quality and value. These basic principles
guide Columbia through the creation of inventive and highly popular
designs, including its famous Interchange System. This revolutionary
concept was developed in 1982 and it has since propelled Columbia
to the forefront of the outerwear industry. The first Interchange
jackets were made for hunting and featured a weatherproof outershell
and an insulating inner jacket that could be worn together or
separately, so that each parka was really three or four garments
in one. This product was so popular that Columbia applied the
same concept to a ski parka and called it the Bugaboo, which
became one of the best-selling ski jackets in history. In 1991
Columbia developed its own proprietary waterproof, breathable
coating - Omni-Tech - and is now the second-largest user of waterproof,
breathable fabric in the world.
Columbia acquires Montrail and Pacific Trail Products in 2006.
Benefits
The following benefits are available to
all full time employees who are scheduled to work 30 or more
hours per week.
Medical
Portland/Vancouver Area Employees have three options to select
from: HMO, POS (Point of Service) and Kaiser Permanente. Employees
who live and work outside the Portland/Vancouver network area
are offered a medical plan that provides access to physicians
in their area along with a co-pay or deductible depending on
the service received.
Dental
We offer two options for dental coverage for Portland/Vancouver
area employees, Kaiser Permanente and ODS. Employees outside
the Portland/Vancouver areas are offered the ODS plan.
Vision
Our vision plan through Vision Service Plan is offered to all
US employees and provides for an exam once a year. Glasses (frames
and/or lenses) or contacts are covered under the plan once every
24 months.
401(k) Plan
Regular and part time employees are eligible to contribute up
to 70% of their gross pay through pre-tax payroll deductions.
Participation may begin the first of the quarter following completion
of 90 days of employment.
The Company currently matches 50% of the first 10% of the employee's
contribution. The match is 100% vested after one year of employment.
Profit Sharing: Columbia's Board of Directors may elect to make
profit sharing contributions annually, based on the company's
profitability. These contributions serve to increase the value
of the employee's account upon retirement.
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Paid Time Off starts accruing on the date of hire for regular
full time employees, with the potential at the end of the first
12 months of 17 days of PTO. This benefit provides paid time
off for vacation, sick leave and personal business. PTO accrual
rates increase after the 5th, 10th and 15th years of service.
Employees also have 11 paid holidays per year.
Education Assistance
Columbia Sportswear supports the concept of life-long learning
for its employees, especially since we compete in ever-changing
and broadening markets. Employees are encouraged to design and
follow an individualized program that enhances individual growth,
both personal and professional. When individual improvement coincides
with Company needs, Columbia Sportswear's policy permits certain
expenses to be shared, including tuition, and course fees.
Other Benefit Plans
-- Life & Disability Coverage, Employee Life Insurance, Accidental
Death & Dismemberment, Short & Long Term Disability,
Supplemental Life, Long Term Care
-- Personal Choice Spending Account. This plan allows employees
to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to cover insurance premiums,
child and dependent care expenses, and eligible medical, dental,
and vision expenses:
-- Employee Assistance Plan - Columbia Sportswear provides regular
employees and their eligible dependents paid coverage for voluntary,
confidential counseling.
Miscellaneous Benefits
· Employee Store with a generous Columbia product discount
· Outlet and Flagship Store Discount for Columbia employees
· Direct Deposit of Salary
· Mass Transit Subsidy
· On-site Fitness Center
Updated November 29, 2010
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