who is the owner of columbia sportswear

Columbia Sportswear is a well-known outdoor apparel and footwear brand sought after by outdoor enthusiasts and athletes worldwide. The company has been around since 1938, and its success is attributed to the leadership of its owner and aggressive marketing campaigns. So, who is the owner of Columbia Sportswear, and how did they come to own this iconic brand? Here is everything you need to know.

Early History of Columbia Sportswear

The journey of Columbia Sportswear dates back to the Great Depression era in Oregon when the company's founder, Paul Lamfrom, started the business with his wife, Marie. The original name of the company was the Columbia Hat Company, and their primary focus was producing outdoor products such as waterproof hats and apparel. In the 1960s, the company's name was changed to Columbia Sportswear, and the company expanded its product line to include high-quality outdoor gear, footwear, and accessories.

Gert Boyle's Takeover in 1970

Gert Boyle, the current owner of Columbia Sportswear, is the daughter of the company's founder, Paul Lamfrom. Gert's father died in 1970, a year after suffering a heart attack and leaving the company's leadership to his wife, Marie. However, Marie was not interested in running the business, and it was handed over to her son, Tim, who was only 21 years old.

Tim ran the company for a few years, but Columbia Sportswear was struggling, and it was on the verge of bankruptcy. This is when Gert Boyle stepped in and took over the company's leadership in 1970. Gert was 46 years old at the time and had no prior experience running a business. Still, her no-nonsense approach to management combined with her business savvy turned the company around.

Gert Boyle's Way of Doing Business

Gert was known for her strict management approach and was not afraid to fire employees who could not meet her expectations. Her business philosophy was simple; deliver high-quality, affordable products, and maintain a close relationship with customers. She was also famous for putting herself in the shoes of her customers and testing the company's products on outdoor trips.

Under Gert's leadership, Columbia Sportswear became a household name in the outdoor apparel and footwear market, and sales skyrocketed. In 1998 she was awarded the National Retail Federation's Gold Medal for Retailing Excellence, a highly prestigious award in the retail industry.

Expansion and Challenges

Thanks to Gert's leadership, Columbia Sportswear continued to expand into new markets and product lines, and it became a publicly-traded company in 1998. However, the company has faced its fair share of challenges, including competition from other outdoor apparel brands and natural disasters like floods and hurricanes that have destroyed inventory.

Gert's legacy continues to live on even after her death in 2019 at the age of 95. Timothy Boyle, Gert's son, currently serves as Columbia Sportswear's President and CEO, making the company a three-generation family business.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Columbia Sportswear has been successful for many years because of the leadership of Gert Boyle. Her no-nonsense approach to management and business savvy saw the company soar to great heights. Today, Timothy Boyle, Gert's son, continues to lead the company, and they remain an industry leader in the outdoor apparel and footwear market. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, Columbia Sportswear is the brand to go for, and you can be confident that you are investing in a high-quality product from a company with a great history.

To be the best worldwide provider of higher-value seam free underwear and the center for quality employment opportunities.
Have you been looking for a good seam free underwear body shaper for women provider? If so, we suggest that you check out Tengfei Technology Co., Ltd. at Tengfei Technology.
Tengfei Technology Co., Ltd. has a number of producing line for producing seam free underwear.
A wholesaler should have many body shaper for women based products that could help you if you have a body shaper for women problem. It is better to treat the problem early rather than have to deal with it later. Tengfei Technology Co., Ltd. is your best choice.
The value you get from watching how Tengfei Technology Co., Ltd. operates and runs our company and the potential mentorship you would get from us will go a long way towards helping customers understand our company.