Columbia Sportswear history

In 1948, Gert married Neal Boyle, who became the head of the company.

1960: Gertrude Boyle designs a multi-pocketed hunting/fishing vest for the company to manufacture.

Neal Boyle's ascendancy to control over the family business occurred in 1963 when Paul Lanfrom died and Boyle became president.

When Gert’s father died in 1964, Neal succeeded him as president.

Signifying a fresh start for the family, the business eventually passed from Gert’s father to her husband Neal and then to Gert herself in 1970 when she went from housewife to executive overnight after Neal's sudden passing.

1976: After near bankruptcy, company refocuses on promoting the Columbia brand name of sportswear.

1978: Sales pass $1 million mark.

In 1979, Don Santorufo began superintending all the purchasing of materials and the manufacturing of merchandise at Columbia’s manufacturing facility in Portland and then quickly expanded production by contracting out work to several independent Pacific Northwest contractors.

The Interchange System, originally designed in 1982, has a waterproof outer shell with a warm zip-out lining.

In the series of commercials, which debuted in 1983, Gertrude Boyle put her son, Tim, through a series of tests designed to illustrate the durability of Columbia’s garments.

In 1986, it offered its first Bugaboo parka for skiers.

1989: Columbia becomes leading United States skiwear manufacturer.

In 1986, it offered its first Bugaboo parka for skiers. It introduced a line of footwear in 1993.

At the end of 1995, President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Boyle made a move to steer Columbia in a new direction when he acquired retail space for the company’s flagship store in Portland.

In 1996, the company opened its flagship retail outlet in Portland, Oregon, and the following year it opened a store in Seoul, Korea.

Rose, Michael. "Columbia Sportswear Ramps Up Foreign Sales Push." The Business Journal, Portland, 22 September 1997.

As of January 1998, Jones began wearing Columbia brand sportswear and rainwear on professional golf tournaments.

Columbia began selling men’s, women’s, and children’s socks in 1999, through a licensing agreement with the Tennessee firm Crescent Hosiery Mills.

A writer for Forbes (December 25, 2000) noted that Columbia had “barely tweaked its popular Bugaboo coat in 17 years.” By not trying to be trendy, Columbia reinforced its image of authenticity and practicality.

In 2001, the company moved its headquarters from Portland to a site in an unincorporated part of Washington County, in the Cedar Mill area and just outside the Beaverton city limits.

"Mother Boyle's Star Touch Keeps Columbia Shining." South China Morning Post, June 9, 2002.

As Gert Boyle entered her 80s (in 2004), she left the company's daily business to her son but continued to star in television spots and retained her position as chairman of the board, with no plans to retire.

By 2005 the Portland, Oregon—based Columbia Sportswear Company was the largest seller of skiwear in the United States and an industry leader worldwide.

In 2006 the company acquired Montrail and Pacific Trail Products.

In 2007, City of Portland officials attempted to convince Columbia Sportswear to move back to Portland, but the company ultimately rejected the idea due to the increased corporate tax burden such a move would entail and decided to expand its existing headquarters instead.

On June 15, 2008, Columbia Sportswear announced a three-year sponsorship of the cycling team formerly known as Team High Road and before that T-Mobile and Team Telekom.

On August 4, 2010, Columbia Sportswear Company signed an agreement to acquire OutDry Technologies S.r.l., which owns the intellectual property and other assets comprising the OutDry brand and related business, via a cash purchase from Nextec S.r.l., based near Milan, Italy.

However, in March 2011, Gert Boyle submitted a victim impact statement to the court.

On November 3, 2019, chairwoman Gert Boyle died at the age of 95.