Columbia Sportswear Company Announces Appointment of Han-Bo Shim as General Manager of Korea Subsidiary

PORTLAND, Ore. & SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Columbia Sportswear Company (Nasdaq:COLM) announced today the appointment of Mr. Han-Bo Shim to serve as general manager of the company’s wholly owned Korea subsidiary, based in Seoul, effective May 18, 2015.

Mr. Shim, 53, will be responsible for establishing and executing sales, distribution, and marketing strategies for the company’s family of active brands, which are sold to Korean consumers through a network of more than 250 dealer-operated, branded, outlet and shop-in-shop locations, as well as the company’s ecommerce business.

Shim brings more than 25 years of financial and operational leadership experience in the Korean athletic consumer goods market, having served the past ten years as vice president and managing director of TaylorMade Golf’s Korean operations. In this role, he developed and executed growth strategies for the company’s four golf brands spanning equipment, footwear, apparel and accessories. For five years prior to TaylorMade, he served as chief financial officer of Korea for Adidas AG. In each of those roles, he led the development and successful execution of profitable multi-brand product and marketing strategies that drove growth and enhanced profitability.

“We are delighted to welcome Han-Bo to the Columbia Sportswear family,” said Bill Tung, Columbia Sportswear’s vice president of international distributors and Asia-direct markets. “He brings a wealth of relevant experience in multi-brand and financial management within the Korean market.”

Han-Bo Shim added, “I am honored and energized by the opportunity to join Columbia Sportswear at this important time as the company seeks to extend its legacy of leadership in the Korean active outdoor market.”

Mr. Shim will succeed Mr. HR Cho, who has served as the company’s general manager of Korea since early 2012, and who will remain through the end of May to facilitate a smooth transition.

About Columbia Sportswear Company

Columbia Sportswear Company has assembled a portfolio of brands for active lives, making it a leader in the global active lifestyle apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment industry. Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, the company’s brands are today sold in approximately 100 countries. In addition to the Columbia® brand, Columbia Sportswear Company also owns the Mountain Hardwear®, Sorel®, prAna®, Montrail® and OutDry® brands. 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.

Investors:
Columbia Sportswear Investor Relations
and Corporate Communications
Ron Parham, 503-985-4584
rparham@columbia.com
or
U.S. Media:
Columbia Sportswear Public Relations
Scott Trepanier, 503-985-4183
strepanier@columbia.com
or
Korea Media:
Columbia Sportswear Public Relations
Soo Nam, +82269080215
snam@columbia.com

Source: Columbia Sportswear Company

Released May 13, 2015