Columbia Sportswear Company

2703 Words6 Pages

“Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise”

- Gert Boyle, Chairperson of Columbia Sportswear

Columbia Sportswear Company (Columbia) is a leader in the competitive active outdoor apparel industry. A company propelled by their differentiation strategy, leveraging innovation, brand equity, and strong marketing in the design, manufacture, and distribution of outdoor apparel. Columbia’s product lines include everything from outerwear and footwear to camping equipment and skiwear. It has grown from a small hat company in the 1930’s into a company with a global strategy and a physical and online presence spanning Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Europe.

To fully appreciate the evolution of Columbia from “a corporation that was a niche manufacturer of outdoor clothing aimed at fishermen…into an international brand and publicly traded powerhouse,” (1) one must understand the level of perseverance, work ethic, dedication, and attitude of one Gertrude Boyle: now 87, but still “One Bad Mother.” (Exhibit1) Gert Boyle took over the family business in the 1970s after the sudden death of her husband. A candid and straight person, Boyle has often admitted that, having never worked a day in her life, she had no idea what to do when she first began running the company. (2) Despite her lack of experience, Boyle helped turn Columbia from a company near bankruptcy and collapse into a billion dollar publicly traded organization. Along the way she relied on her natural business savvy and perseverance, overcoming trials such as family tragedy and even an attempted kidnapping.

Columbia’s corporate culture and business personality reflects a great deal of the ideals which Gert Boyle’s leadership had imbued into the company. ...

... middle of paper ...

...loomberg.com/news/2012-02-07/collective-brands-said-to-pare-pool-of-bidders-to-10-ahead-of-second-round.html?cmpid=yhoo.

41. Regenold, Stephen. Gear Junkie. Columbia calls 'B.S.' on Outdoors Industry. [Online] November 10, 2010. [Cited: April 20, 2012.] http://gearjunkie.com/columbia-sportswear-2011-electric-heated-jackets.

42. Larson, Erik. Columbia Sportswear Files European Antitrust Complaint W.L. Gore. Bloomburg L.P. [Online] June 13, 2011. [Cited: April 20, 2012.] http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-13/columbia-sportswear-files-european-antitrust-complaint-w-l-gore.html.

43. REI. 2009 Stewardship Report. REI Inc. [Online] 2010. [Cited: April 19, 2012.] http://www.rei.com/stewardship.html.

44. Columbia Sportswear Company. Columbia. About Us. [Online] April 18, 2012. [Cited: April 23, 2012.] http://www.columbia.com/About-Us/About_Us_Landing,default,pg.html.

Show More
Related

  • Rawlings Sporting Goods Company Case Study

    1438 Words  | 3 Pages

    They manufacture and supply a diversity of products for sports like golf, softball, basketball, soccer, baseball, golf and much more.

    Read More

  • Prince Sports Case Study

    711 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this scenario, the marketing activities of Prince Sports, Inc. will be examined. Prince Sports manufactures a large line of tennis, racquetball, squash, badminton and table tennis products. The company also manufactures clothing, bags and other accessories that would be useful to individuals in those particular sports. The company makes use of multiple different marketing strategies based on the type of equipment, level of expertise of the player and the type of media outlets that are available.

    Read More

  • Susan Berston Company

    837 Words  | 2 Pages

    Columbia Sports Wear – is engaged in the invention, distribution of sportswear, footwear, and equipment and outwear. It was founded in Oregon, Portland in 1928. They do produly support and connect the outdoor educational organizations around the world that the people share their passions. They believe that outdoor education and supporting efforts assure everyone will be able to enjoy the outdoors education for local level.

    Read More

  • Leadership Transition: The Bow-strings Music School Case

    1581 Words  | 4 Pages

    Many organizations began as a singular vision of an individual. Someone identifies a market deficiency, impassioned purpose, or perhaps a new technology. Whatever that catalyst has been, these individuals decide to devote their efforts to the idea and create a company or organization that seeks to work towards this vision. However, what occurs when the founding individual steps away and the organization remains? This is the question explored in a case study created by Terri Patkin entitled, “Discord at the Music School” (Patkin, 2007). In this study, the protagonist, Carole, becomes the new director of the Bow-strings Music School, replacing the revered founder, Wendy. This story chronicles Carole’s experiences of frustration and ineffectiveness

    Read More

  • Bear Sterns In U. C. Cohan's The House Of Cards

    1041 Words  | 3 Pages

    The second part, “Why It Happened: Eighty-Five Years,” explains the origins of the firm and its founding and operating principles, and it sets the basics for why several deviations from these founding principles eventually led the firm astray.

    Read More

  • Outliers: The American Dream

    1146 Words  | 3 Pages

    Out of the three examples he wrote about, one’s motto was to ‘eliminate excuses’. In 1980, John Paul DeJoria (who was then living in his car) and Paul Mitchell (a hairdresser) started their company, John Paul Mitchell Systems, of selling shampoos and conditioners. Their starting capital was only $700. It was a rather unpromising time to start a business, with inflation at 12.5 percent and interest rates at 18 percent. Previous to the start of the company, DeJoria grew up poor in the Los Angeles area. He did not have the money to attend college, so he took numerous sales jobs, including a succession of positions at hair-care firms. In fact, he got himself fired from most of them. This had a profound effect on him as he told Charles Payne on his radio show. “When people fire you for not being their kind of manager, it makes you want to be your own manager,” DeJoria said. DeJoria later teamed up with Paul Mitchell. Unfortunately, a European investor pulled out of their business before they were able to launch. This left Dejoria and Mitchell with practically nothing. So before the first bills were due, DeJoria packed his new hair product in his trunk and found his own buyers going door to door. Perseverance pays off, as DeJoria and Mitchell’s privately held company makes 90 hair-care products that are sold in 100,000 salons nationally and in 80 countries today. DeJoria’s advice to

    Read More

  • Analysis of Blockbuster Video

    991 Words  | 2 Pages

    After watching Charlie Rose’s interview with Jim Collins; where Collins explains his recent book How the Mighty Fall, presented me with an opportunity to reflect over recent companies that were staples in my childhood and early adult memories and now are non-existent. In this paper, I will look, analyze and relate Blockbuster Video and their history to Jim Collins’ five stages of an organization.

    Read More

  • Nucor Corporation

    1831 Words  | 4 Pages

    For much of its century long history, Nucor Corporation and its predecessors displayed turbulent performance. Several attempts at strategic and leadership realignment proved unsuccessful, and in 1965, the company faced insolvency. Since that time, however, the company has rallied around its steel operations to become the largest steel producer in the United States, with $4.3 billion in net annual sales. This case examines Nucor's development from an unprofitable conglomerate to a highly efficient enterprise. Specific focus on the evolution of the activity system underlying the organization lays the groundwork for systematic analysis of why some companies succeed while others fail.

    Read More

  • Competitive Strategy Of Lululemon

    812 Words  | 2 Pages

    Lululemon Athletica, Inc. (Lululemon) is renowned for its technical, high-quality yoga-inspired apparel for women. However, the company is growing beyond this niche market and is therefore altering its competitive strategy. Lululemon utilizes a broad differentiation strategy because its target market is broad and its product line is varied, it stresses product innovation, and its community-based marketing and retail experience sustain its differentiation from competitors.

    Read More

  • Under Armour

    999 Words  | 2 Pages

    After graduation, Plank traveled to New York City's garment district to test various materials and eventually designed a material out of spandex and lingerie to be worn under the football pads of athletes. Under Armour's product lines include HeatGear, ColdGear, TurfGear and LooseGear, which can be found in more than 8,000 retail stores and on Under Armour's website. The idea was a major suc...

    Read More

  • Nike Inc and Sweatshops

    2677 Words  | 6 Pages

    Pittman, B. (2012, September 14). Nike sweatshop history: Should action be taken?. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/americanlaborcrises/labor-crises/nike-sweatshop-action

    Read More

  • Mission Statement for Success of Steve Madden Footwear

    2695 Words  | 6 Pages

    There are many products in each product line because a trendy company like Steve Madden offers many different styles of shoes. Flat shoes, boots, heels, and super high heels. Every season the styles and colors change for the shoes that they sell and the older styles go on sale. The Brand name for the company is Steve Madden and their brand mark is the name in the circle. The name is in the Brand Mark so that it is always clear what company the brand mark is talking about. You can never get confused with what company makes the shoe or posted the ad because the name is always on it. The company has been continuing moving forward. There may have been some rocky points, Steve Madden knows exactly how to continue running strong. What competition is there? None.

    Read More

  • The Success of Under Armour

    2505 Words  | 6 Pages

    Under Armour has a mission statement that clearly states what they wish to accomplish and how they will do it. “To make all athletes better through passion, design, and the relentless pursuit of innovation”, this is a powerful statement that makes consumers and the competition aware that this organization will strive to help athletes everywhere reach their potential (Mission, 08).

    Read More

  • Nike

    1371 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many global companies like Nike, Inc. are seen as role models both in the market place as well as in society in large. That is why they are expected to act responsibly in their dealings with humanity and the natural world. Nike benefits from the global sourcing opportunities, therefore areas such as production and logistics have been outsourced to partner companies in low-wage countries like China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. As a result the company is limited nowadays to its core competencies of Design and Marketing.

    Read More

  • New Balance Athletic Shoes Case Study

    867 Words  | 2 Pages

    In reviewing the case of New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. it is clear that there are a few major problems that the company is facing. First of all, New Balance falls behind its other major competitors, Nike, Adidas and Reebok, in the area of marketing. Unlike its competitors, New Balance does not undertake celebrity endorsements. This puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to brand building. This also causes the company to lose out somewhat on gaining awareness on a global scale as it lacks endorsements in major sporting events. Most global brand names generate strong brand recognition through celebrity endorsements in sporting events that would give them the needed momentum to carry their brand name further into the global market.

    Read More

More about Columbia Sportswear Company

Open Document