Columbia Sportswear Signs License Agreement With Humphreys Inc. for Belts and Small Leather Goods; Outdoor Apparel Leader Expands Product Line For Fall 2000.

Business Editors

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 2000

Columbia Sportswear Company(R) (Nasdaq:COLM), maker of high quality outdoor apparel and footwear, today announced it has entered into a license agreement with Humphreys, Inc. to design, manufacture and market apparel belts and small personal leather accessories.

The extensive collection will be available in stores for Fall 2000.

Columbia Sportswear estimates the size of the market for belts and personal leather goods in independent chains and departments stores alone represent a $54.5 million business this year. Columbia President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Boyle said, "In the due diligence we performed in the belts and leather goods market sector, we found Humphreys to be commercially attuned and philosophically compatible with Columbia. We are convinced that the relationship will be a successful one for both companies."

"We respect and appreciate Humphreys' long history of producing high-quality products, and share a common aspiration with its management team to expand the business quickly yet responsibly." Boyle continued, "The leather goods and belts collection is a natural progression of Columbia's current offering and is a logical move in our strategic product line expansion."

Columbia decided to pursue a license agreement rather than bring the category in-house because of the unique characteristics of the leather goods manufacturing process. "Humphreys has proven itself an expert in the leather goods field. Manufacturing leather goods doesn't fit into Columbia's competency," said Boyle. "Given those facts, we decided to help ensure our success in this category by strategically aligning ourselves with an authority in the field."

Humphreys' President and Chief Executive Officer Larry Fleming agrees with this philosophy. "The Columbia label reflects quality and authenticity. We believe the heritage and strength of the Columbia Sportswear brand affords our company, an expert in the leather goods industry, a dynamic, long-term opportunity."

The new leather goods line will include belts, suspenders, and small personal accessories made of leather, specifically: travel kits, waist packs, belt pouches, wallets, neck/shoulder wallets, passport cases, cell phone holders, CD organizers, electronic organizer cases, address books, memo pads, neck pouches, and eyewear cases.

The Beanstalk Group, Columbia Sportswear's New York-headquartered trademark licensing agency or record, assisted in this transaction.

Chicago-based Humphreys Inc. is one of the largest domestic manufacturer and distributors of men's and boy's belts, and is a leading supplier of small leather goods. The company also distributes other apparel accessories such as suspenders, caps, gloves, and neckwear. Over its 85-year operating history, Humphreys has earned a reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality products as a provider of superior customer service.

Founded in 1938 in Portland, Ore., Columbia Sportswear Company(R) 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.