Columbia Sportswear Company (Nasdaq:COLM), a leading innovator in active
outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment, today announced
two additions to its global leadership team.
Steve Woodside, Vice President Global Manufacturing, Columbia Sportswear Company (Photo: Business Wire)
Steve Woodside joined Columbia on August 25, 2014 in the newly-created
role of vice president of global manufacturing, with leadership
responsibilities spanning the company’s global supply chain for apparel,
footwear, accessories and equipment. Woodside is a 25-year veteran of
footwear and apparel manufacturing, most recently serving in Hong Kong
as VF Corp.’s vice president of global footwear, overseeing global
footwear sourcing and manufacturing. Prior, he spent 23 years at Nike,
Inc., during which he led both apparel and footwear manufacturing
operations at various times, and was instrumental in promoting the
adoption of advanced lean manufacturing processes by the company’s
contract manufacturers. He has spent more than half of his career living
and working in Asia, including assignments in Taiwan, Indonesia,
Vietnam, China and Hong Kong.
“Steve is a highly regarded supply chain and manufacturing executive
with a wealth of experience in apparel, equipment, and footwear,” noted
Tim Boyle, Columbia Sportswear Company’s president and CEO. “He brings a
depth and breadth of knowledge that can only be gained from hands on
experience and valued, long-standing relationships throughout the global
supply chain. We are delighted to have him on board and look forward to
his insights to support our anticipated growth.”
Woodside will report directly to Columbia’s chief operating officer,
Bryan Timm.
The company also announced the appointment of marketing veteran Stuart
Redsun to the newly-created position of chief marketing officer,
effective October 6, 2014. In this role, Redsun will be responsible for
developing and executing global consumer marketing programs for the
Columbia, Sorel and Montrail brands. He will report to Mr. Boyle.
Redsun has held numerous marketing leadership roles within the athletic
footwear and apparel industry, most recently as senior vice president of
global brand marketing for Under Armour, Inc., and at Nike, Inc., where
he began his marketing career. He has also led marketing communications
for global technology brands Gateway, Motorola and Sony.
“Stu brings tremendous experience in developing and executing successful
global marketing strategies for consumer brands,” Boyle said. “We look
forward to his contributions in developing effective and efficient
marketing communications that fuel continued growth by building stronger
emotional connections between our brands and consumers around the world.”
In related moves, Columbia announced the pending retirements of current
vice president of global marketing, Dan Hanson, and current vice
president of global apparel manufacturing, Patrick Werner.
“Dan and Patrick have been great leaders at Columbia Sportswear over the
past 25 years and 10 years, respectively,” said Boyle. “They have each
been instrumental in the substantial growth of the business over those
time periods, including our development and introduction of numerous
market-altering innovations. We appreciate their dedication and
innumerable contributions, and wish them each all the best in their next
adventures.”
Both Werner and Hanson plan to remain on board for specified periods in
order to ensure smooth transitions to their successors.
About Columbia Sportswear
Columbia Sportswear Company is a leading innovator in the global outdoor
apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment industry. Founded in 1938
in Portland, Oregon, Columbia products are sold in approximately 100
countries and have earned an international reputation for innovation,
quality and performance. Columbia products feature innovative
technologies and designs that protect outdoor enthusiasts from the
elements, increase comfort, and make outdoor activities more enjoyable.
In addition to the Columbia® brand, Columbia Sportswear Company also
owns lifestyle brands Mountain Hardwear®, Sorel®, prAna®, Montrail® and
OutDry®. To learn more, please visit the company’s websites at www.columbia.com,
www.mountainhardwear.com,
www.sorel.com,
www.prana.com,
www.montrail.com,
and www.outdry.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the federal securities laws, including statements regarding anticipated
growth. The company’s expectations, beliefs and projections are
expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis;
however, each forward-looking statement involves a number of risks and
uncertainties, including those described in the company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 under the heading
“Risk Factors,” and other risks and uncertainties that have been or may
be described from time to time in other reports filed by the company,
including reports on Form 8-K, Form 10-Q and Form 10-K. The company
cautions that forward-looking statements are inherently less reliable
than historical information. The company does not undertake any duty to
update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this
document to conform them to actual results or to reflect changes in
events, circumstances or its expectations. New factors emerge from time
to time and it is not possible for the company to predict all such
factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor or the extent
to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to
differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
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