Columbia Sportswear Announces Promotion in the Outerwear Department.

Business Editors

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2001

Columbia Sportswear Company(R) (Nasdaq:COLM), a global leader in the active outdoor apparel and footwear industry, announced today that the outerwear department promoted Bill Inman to Senior Outerwear Merchandiser from his previous position as outerwear merchandiser.

Inman will report directly to Doug Prentice, general manager of Columbia Sportswear's outerwear department.

As Senior Outerwear Merchandiser, Inman will help to ensure the continued growth of the Titanium line, Columbia Sportswear's most technical outerwear category, and Convert(R), the company's snowboarding line. Inman will review designs, set direction for the collections, finalize colors and features and work with accounts to both sell the collections and receive feedback that will affect Columbia's future line direction.

"As an avid outdoorsman and an experienced merchandiser, Inman brings a wealth of industry experience to a position that is vital to the successful enhancement of the Columbia name," Prentice said. "His talent and expertise will make a valuable contribution to Columbia's outerwear team."

Inman brings more than seven years of industry experience and a lifetime of knowledge of the outdoors to the position. Prior to being hired by Columbia, Inman worked for REI and worked as a snowboard instructor on Oregon's Mt. Hood.

Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, Columbia Sportswear Company is a global leader in the design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of active outdoor apparel and footwear. As one of the largest outerwear manufacturers in the world and the leading seller of skiwear in the United States, the Company has developed an international reputation by expanding its product line, emphasizing quality, performance, functionality and value. To learn more about Columbia Sportswear, please visit the Company's Web site at www.columbia.com.