Columbia Sportswear Signs License Agreement for Leather Outerwear.

Business Editors, Retail/Apparel Writers

Agreement with Excelled Sheepskin and

Leather Coat Corporation Further Broadens Columbia's Product Line

Columbia Sportswear Company(R) (Nasdaq:COLM) today announced that it has signed a license agreement with Excelled Leather Corporation for the design, manufacture and marketing of men's, women's and children's leather coats.

The collection will debut in a select number of stores for the 2002 holiday season, with a larger product launch planned for the United States and Canada in fall 2003.

"Excelled Corporation is a premier designer and manufacturer of leather coats, and has an excellent reputation for quality and value," said Tim Boyle, Columbia's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are extremely pleased about working with them to provide Columbia-branded leather coats to consumers in time for the holidays."

While leather coats complement Columbia's outdoor apparel and footwear business, the production and distribution of these items is highly specialized. Excelled has a 75-year history in the leather coat business, so Columbia opted to pursue a license agreement with a reputable expert. Excelled will handle the distribution of Columbia-branded leather coats and the design and production will be executed by Reilly Olmes, an Excelled division.

"We are very excited about working with Columbia Sportswear to develop an innovative leather outerwear collection," said Myron Goldman, Excelled Corporation's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Excelled is the largest distributor of men's leather coats in the United States, and Columbia is a leading outdoor brand and one of the largest outerwear companies in the U.S., so we are enthusiastic about the opportunities this licensing agreement brings to both companies."

Founded in 1927, Excelled Coat Corporation is a family-owned business based in Carteret, New Jersey. The privately held company sells products to more than 4,000 accounts throughout North America and Canada, with sales of $60 million in 2001.

Founded in 1938 in Portland, Ore., Columbia Sportswear Company is a global leader in the design, sourcing, marketing and distribution of active outdoor apparel, footwear and accessories. 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.