Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

x   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

 

OR

 

¨   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

    For the transition period from                      to                     

 

Commission File Number 0-23939

 

 

 

COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Oregon   93-0498284
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (IRS Employer
Identification Number)
14375 NW Science Park Drive Portland, Oregon   97229
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(503) 985-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock   The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such short period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer  x     Accelerated filer  ¨
Non-accelerated filer  ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

The aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2011, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $790,488,000 based on the last reported sale price of the Company’s Common Stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market System on that day.

 

The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on February 17, 2012 was 33,719,581.

 

Part III is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s proxy statement for its 2012 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed with the Commission within 120 days of December 31, 2011.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

DECEMBER 31, 2011

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item

        Page  
PART I   

Item 1.

   Business      2   

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors      9   

Item 1B.

   Unresolved Staff Comments      19   

Item 2.

   Properties      19   

Item 3.

   Legal Proceedings      20   

Item 4.

   Mine Safety Disclosures      20   

Item 4A.

   Executive Officers and Key Employees of the Registrant      20   
PART II   

Item 5.

  

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     24   

Item 6.

   Selected Financial Data      27   

Item 7.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      28   

Item 7A.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk      42   

Item 8.

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data      42   

Item 9.

   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure      73   

Item 9A.

   Controls and Procedures      73   

Item 9B.

   Other Information      75   
PART III   

Item 10.

   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance      76   

Item 11.

   Executive Compensation      76   

Item 12.

  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

     76   

Item 13.

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence      76   

Item 14.

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services      76   
PART IV   

Item 15.

   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule      77   

Signatures

     78   


Table of Contents

PART I

 

Item 1. BUSINESS

 

General

 

Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, as a small, family-owned, regional hat distributor and incorporated in 1961, Columbia Sportswear Company has grown to become a global leader in the design, sourcing, marketing and distribution of active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms “we”, “us”, “our”, “the Company” and “Columbia” refer to Columbia Sportswear Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

We design, develop, market and distribute active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment under four primary brands: Columbia®, Mountain Hardwear®, Sorel® and Montrail®. As one of the largest outdoor apparel and footwear companies in the world, our products have earned an international reputation for innovation, quality and performance. Our products feature innovative technologies and designs that protect outdoor enthusiasts from the elements, increase comfort and make outdoor activities more enjoyable. Our brands complement each other to address the diverse outdoor performance needs of a wide variety of outdoor consumer segments.

 

Our brands are distributed through a mix of wholesale distribution channels, our own direct-to-consumer channels (retail stores and e-commerce), independent distributors and licensees. In 2011, our products were sold in approximately 100 countries. We employ creative marketing strategies designed to increase demand, and to create and reinforce consumer awareness of our brands. All of our products are manufactured by independent factories located outside the United States.

 

The popularity of outdoor activities, changing design trends and consumer adoption of innovative performance technologies affect consumer demand for our products. Therefore, we seek to influence, anticipate and respond to trends and shifts in consumer preferences by adjusting the mix of available product offerings, developing new products with innovative performance features and designs, and by creating persuasive and memorable marketing communications to drive consumer awareness and demand. Failure to anticipate or respond to consumer needs and preferences in a timely and adequate manner could have a material adverse effect on our sales and profitability.

 

Our business is subject to many risks and uncertainties that may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Some of these risks and uncertainties are described below under Item 1A, Risk Factors.

 

Seasonality and Variability of Business

 

Our business is affected by the general seasonal trends common to the outdoor industry and is heavily dependent upon discretionary consumer spending patterns. Our products are marketed on a seasonal basis and our product mix is weighted substantially toward the fall season, while our operating costs are more equally distributed throughout the year. Since 2008, the expansion of our direct-to-consumer operations has increased the proportion of sales and profits that we generate in the fourth calendar quarter. As a result, our sales and profits tend to be highest in the third and fourth calendar quarters. In 2011, approximately 65 percent of our net sales and all of our profitability were realized in the second half of the year, illustrating our dependence upon sales results in the second half of the year, as well as the less seasonal nature of our operating costs.

 

Results of operations in any period should not be considered indicative of the results to be expected for any future period, particularly in light of persistent volatility in economic conditions. Sales of our products are subject to substantial cyclical fluctuation, the effects of unseasonable weather conditions, and the continued popularity of outdoor activities as part of an active lifestyle in key markets. The current economic environment in key markets, coupled with inflationary cost pressures and input cost volatility, has reduced the predictability of our business.

 

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For further discussion regarding the effects of the macro-economic environment on our business, see Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Products

 

We provide high quality apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment for use in a wide range of outdoor activities by men, women and youth, designed to keep the consumer warm or cool, dry and protected. A large percentage of our products are also worn for casual or leisure purposes. The durability and functionality of our products make them ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities. Our products serve a broad range of consumers including elite mountain climbers, winter outdoor enthusiasts, hunting and fishing enthusiasts, top endurance trail runners, and outdoor-inspired consumers. We also market licensed collegiate apparel and accessories under our Columbia brand.

 

We develop and manage our merchandise in two principal categories: (1) apparel, accessories and equipment and (2) footwear. The following table presents the net sales and approximate percentages of net sales attributable to each of our principal product categories for each of the last three years ended December 31 (dollars in millions). In 2011, we consolidated our categorical net sales reporting from four categories to two categories to better reflect product category management oversight and structure. Net sales within the new apparel, accessories and equipment product category consist of the combination of previously reported net sales of the outerwear, sportswear and accessories and equipment product categories. The footwear product categorical reporting remained unchanged. Previously reported product category net sales information for fiscal years 2010 and 2009 has been recast to reflect this change.

 

     2011     2010     2009  
   Net Sales      % of Sales     Net Sales      % of Sales     Net Sales      % of Sales  

Apparel, accessories and equipment

   $ 1,334.9         78.8   $ 1,213.3         81.8   $ 1,029.4         82.7

Footwear

     359.1         21.2        270.2         18.2        214.6         17.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,694.0         100.0   $ 1,483.5         100.0   $ 1,244.0         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Apparel, accessories and equipment

 

We design, develop, market and distribute apparel, accessories and equipment for men, women and youth under our Columbia and Mountain Hardwear brands. Our products incorporate the cumulative design, fabrication, fit and construction technologies that we have pioneered over several decades and that we continue to innovate. Our apparel, accessories and equipment are designed to be used during a wide variety of outdoor activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, climbing, mountaineering, camping, hunting, fishing, trail running, water sports and adventure travel.

 

Footwear

 

We design, develop, market and distribute footwear products for men and women under our Columbia, Sorel and Montrail brands and for youth under our Columbia and Sorel brands. Our footwear products seek to address the needs of outdoor consumers who participate in activities that typically involve challenging or unusual terrain in a variety of weather and trail conditions. Our footwear products include durable, lightweight hiking boots, trail running shoes, rugged cold weather boots for activities on snow and ice, sandals for use in amphibious activities, and casual shoes for everyday use. Our Sorel brand primarily offers premium cold weather footwear for men, women and youth along with a Spring offering for men and women, with an increasing focus on young, fashion-conscious female consumers.

 

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Product Design and Innovation

 

We are committed to designing innovative and functional products for consumers who participate in a wide range of outdoor activities, enabling them to enjoy those activities longer and in greater comfort by keeping them warm or cool, dry and protected. We also place significant value on product design and fit (the overall appearance and image of our products) that, along with technical performance features, distinguish our products in the marketplace.

 

Our research and development efforts are led by an internal team of specialists who work closely with independent suppliers to develop innovative technologies and products that provide the unique performance benefits needed by consumers during outdoor activities. We have established working relationships with specialists in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, industrial design, materials research, graphic design, electronics and related fields. We utilize these relationships, along with consumer feedback, to develop and test innovative performance products, processes, packaging and displays. We believe that these efforts, coupled with our technical innovation efforts, represent key factors in the past and future success of our products.

 

In September 2010, we acquired the intellectual property and other assets comprising the OutDry® brand and related business including patented and patent-pending construction methods that bond a waterproof, breathable membrane directly to the inside of the outermost layer of a shoe or glove. We have incorporated the OutDry technology in select Columbia, Mountain Hardwear and Montrail products, and also license the technology to other footwear and glove brands within and beyond the outdoor industry.

 

Intellectual Property

 

We own many trademarks, including Columbia Sportswear Company®, Columbia®, Sorel®, Mountain Hard Wear®, Montrail®, OutDry®, Pacific Trail®, the Columbia diamond shaped logo, the Mountain Hardwear nut logo and the Sorel polar bear logo, as well as many other trademarks relating to our brands, products, styles and technologies. We believe that our trademarks are an important factor in creating a market for our products, in identifying our Company, and in differentiating our products from competitors’ products. We have design, process and utility patents as well as pending patent applications in the United States and other nations. We file applications for United States and foreign patents for inventions, designs and improvements that we believe have commercial value; however, these patents may or may not ultimately be issued or used in our business. We believe our success primarily depends on our ability to continue offering innovative solutions to consumer needs through design, research, development and production advancements rather than our ability to secure patents. The technologies, processes and designs described in our patents are incorporated into many of our most important products and expire at various times. We vigorously protect these proprietary rights against counterfeit reproductions and other infringing activities. Additionally, we license our Columbia trademarks across a range of apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment.

 

Sales and Distribution

 

We sell our products through a mix of wholesale distribution channels, our own direct-to-consumer channels, independent distributors and licensees. The majority of our sales are generated through wholesale channels which include small, independently operated specialty outdoor and sporting goods stores, regional, national and international sporting goods chains, and large regional, national and international department store chains. We sell our products to independent distributors in various countries where we generally do not have direct sales operations.

 

We sell our products directly to consumers through our own network of branded and outlet retail stores and online in each of our geographic segments. Our direct-to-consumer operations are designed to elevate consumer perception of our brands, manage inventory, increase consumer and retailer awareness of and demand for our products, model compelling retail environments for our products and build stronger emotional brand connections with consumers over time. Our branded retail stores allow us to showcase a broad selection of products and to

 

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support the brand’s positioning with fixtures and imagery that may then be replicated and offered for use by our wholesale customers. These stores provide high visibility for our brands and products and help us to monitor the needs and preferences of consumers. In addition, we operate outlet stores, which serve an important role in our overall inventory management by allowing us to sell a significant portion of excess, discontinued and out-of-season products while maintaining the integrity of our brands. E-commerce sales are a growing portion of our total direct-to-consumer sales.

 

We operate in four geographic segments: (1) the United States, (2) Latin America and Asia Pacific (“LAAP”), (3) Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”), and (4) Canada, which are reflective of our internal organization, management, and oversight structure. Each geographic segment operates predominantly in one industry: the design, development, marketing and distribution of active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment. The following table presents net sales to unrelated entities and approximate percentages of net sales by geographic segment for each of the last three years (dollars in millions):

 

    2011     2010     2009  
    Net Sales     % of Sales     Net Sales     % of Sales     Net Sales     % of Sales  

United States

  $ 948.0        56.0   $ 881.0        59.4   $ 736.9        59.2

LAAP

    341.0        20.1        263.4        17.7        203.2        16.3   

EMEA

    275.4        16.3        222.4        15.0        197.4        15.9   

Canada

    129.6        7.6        116.7        7.9        106.5        8.6   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 1,694.0        100.0   $ 1,483.5        100.0   $ 1,244.0        100.0
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

United States

 

The United States accounted for 56.0% of our net sales for 2011. We sell our products in the United States to approximately 3,500 wholesale customers and through our own direct-to-consumer channels. As of December 31, 2011, we operated 43 outlet retail stores and 8 branded retail stores in various locations in the United States. We also sell Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, Sorel and Montrail products through e-commerce websites. In addition, we earn licensing income in the United States based on our licensees’ sale of licensed products.

 

We distribute the majority of our products sold in the United States from distribution centers that we own and operate in Portland, Oregon and Robards, Kentucky. In some instances, we arrange to have products shipped from the independent factories that manufacture our products through third party logistics vendors and/or directly to wholesale customer-designated facilities in the United States.

 

LAAP

 

The LAAP region accounted for 20.1% of our net sales for 2011. We sell our products in the LAAP region to approximately 300 wholesale customers in Japan and Korea and to approximately 14 independent distributors that sell to approximately 700 wholesale customers in locations throughout the LAAP region, including Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and Asia. In addition, as of December 31, 2011, there were 111 and 236 dealer-operated, branded, outlet and shop-in-shop locations in Japan and Korea, respectively. We also sell Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, Sorel and Montrail products through e-commerce websites in Japan and Korea. In addition, we earn licensing income in our LAAP region based on our distributors’ production and sale of licensed products.

 

We distribute our products to wholesale customers, our own retail stores and licensed stores in Japan through an independent logistics company that owns and operates a warehouse located near Tokyo, Japan. We distribute our products to wholesale customers, our own retail stores and licensed stores in Korea from a leased warehouse near Seoul, Korea. The majority of sales to our LAAP distributors are shipped directly from the independent factories that manufacture our products.

 

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EMEA

 

Sales in our EMEA region accounted for 16.3% of our net sales for 2011. We sell our products in the EMEA region to approximately 6,600 wholesale customers and to approximately 10 independent distributors that sell to approximately 700 wholesale customers in locations throughout the EMEA region, including Russia, portions of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In addition, as of December 31, 2011, we operated 7 outlet retail stores and 3 branded retail stores in various locations in Western Europe. We also sell Columbia and Sorel products through e-commerce websites in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.

 

We distribute the majority of our products sold to EMEA wholesale customers and our own retail stores from a distribution center that we own and operate in Cambrai, France. The majority of sales to our EMEA distributors are shipped directly from the independent factories that manufacture our products.

 

Canada

 

Sales in Canada accounted for 7.6% of our net sales for 2011. We sell our products in Canada to approximately 1,200 wholesale customers. In addition, as of December 31, 2011, we operated two outlet retail stores in Canada. We also sell Columbia and Sorel products through e-commerce websites in Canada.

 

We distribute the majority of our products sold in Canada through two distribution centers in Strathroy, Ontario. We lease one of these facilities and own the other. In December 2011, we acquired a facility in London, Ontario where we plan to consolidate our Canadian distribution functions. In some instances, we arrange to have products shipped directly from the independent factories that manufacture our products to customer-designated facilities in Canada.

 

Marketing

 

We believe our brand names and trademarks provide a competitive advantage and help to differentiate our products in the marketplace. Marketing programs are an integral part of our global strategy to build brand equity, raise global brand relevance and awareness, infuse our brands with excitement and stimulate consumer demand for our products worldwide. During 2011, the cost of our marketing programs represented approximately 5.0% of net sales.

 

Our integrated marketing efforts are designed to deliver consistent messages about the performance benefits, innovative technologies and styling of our products. We rely most heavily on advertising distributed through the Internet, including e-commerce and social media sites; television and print publications; consumer-focused and customer-focused events; branded retail stores in selected high-profile locations; enhanced branded displays and merchandising techniques executed in stores in partnership with various wholesale customers; and consumer and trade public relations efforts.

 

We work closely with our key wholesale customers to reinforce our brand message through cooperative online, television, radio and print advertising campaigns, as well as in stores using visual merchandising display tools dedicated exclusively to selling our merchandise on a year-round basis. We drive alignment through established seasonal initiatives and provide our wholesale customers, regional offices, and international distributors with creative direction and materials to convey consistent messages.

 

We employ a staff of in-store marketing and merchandising coordinators, who visit our customers’ retail locations in major cities around the world to ensure that our products are favorably presented. We also reinforce our marketing and product innovation messages through selected sponsorships of key outdoor influencers, organizations, events and teams who serve as inspirational models of excellence to consumers.

 

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Our global internet marketing sites are used by consumers to research our products’ features and benefits, to interact with content created to inform and entertain about each brand and its technologies, to be directed to nearby retailers where they can purchase our products, and to directly purchase products for delivery in most of our major direct-distribution markets.

 

Working Capital Utilization

 

We design, develop, market and distribute our products, but do not own or operate manufacturing facilities. As a result, most of our capital is invested in short-term working capital assets, including cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable from customers, and finished goods inventory. At December 31, 2011, working capital assets accounted for approximately 76% of total assets. As a result, the degree to which we efficiently utilize our working capital assets can have a significant impact on our profitability, cash flows and return on invested capital. The overall goals of our working capital management efforts are to maintain the minimum level of inventory necessary to deliver goods on time to our customers to satisfy end consumer demand, and to minimize the cycle time from the purchase of inventory from our suppliers to the collection of accounts receivable balances from our customers.

 

Demand Planning and Inventory Management

 

As a branded consumer products company, inventory represents one of the largest and riskiest capital commitments in our business model. We design and develop our seasonal product lines 12 to 18 months in advance of their availability to consumers in retail stores. As a result, our ability to forecast and produce the individual product styles that match ultimate seasonal wholesale customer and end-consumer demand and to deliver products to our customers in a timely and cost-effective manner can significantly affect our sales, gross margins and profitability. For this reason, we maintain and continue to make substantial investments in information systems, processes and personnel that support our ongoing demand planning efforts. The goals of our demand planning efforts are to develop a collaborative forecast that drives the timely purchase of an adequate amount of inventory to satisfy demand, to minimize transportation and expediting costs necessary to deliver products to customers by their requested delivery dates, and to minimize excess inventory to avoid liquidating excess, end-of-season goods at discounted prices. Failure to achieve our demand planning goals could reduce our revenues and/or increase our costs, which would negatively affect our gross margins, profitability and brand strength.

 

In order to manage inventory risk, we use incentive discounts to encourage our wholesale customers and independent distributors to place orders at least six months in advance of scheduled delivery. We generally solicit orders from wholesale customers and independent distributors for the fall and spring seasons based on seasonal ordering deadlines that we establish to aid our efforts to plan manufacturing volumes to meet demand for each of our selling seasons.

 

We use those advance orders, together with forecasted demand from our direct-to-consumer operations, market trends, historical data, customer and sales feedback and other important factors to estimate the volumes of each product to purchase from our suppliers around the world. From the time of initial order through production, receipt and delivery, we attempt to manage our inventory to reduce risk. We typically ship the majority of our advance fall season orders to wholesale customers and independent distributors beginning in June and continuing through November. Similarly, the majority of our advance spring season orders ship to wholesale customers and independent distributors beginning in December and continuing through May. Generally, orders are subject to cancellation prior to the date of shipment.

 

Our inventory management efforts cannot entirely eliminate inventory risk due to the inherently unpredictable nature of unseasonable weather, consumer demand, the ability of customers to cancel their advance orders prior to shipment, and other variables that affect our customers’ ability to take delivery of their advance orders when originally scheduled. To minimize our purchasing costs, the time necessary to fill customer orders

 

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and the risk of non-delivery, we place a significant amount of orders for our products with independent factories prior to receiving our customers’ advance orders and we maintain an inventory of select products that we anticipate will be in greatest demand. In addition, we build calculated amounts of inventory to support estimated at-once orders from customers and auto-replenishment orders on certain long-lived styles.

 

Credit and Collection

 

We extend credit to our customers based on an assessment of each customer’s financial condition, generally without requiring collateral. To assist us in scheduling production with our suppliers and delivering seasonal products to our customers on time, we offer customers discounts for placing advance orders and extended payment terms for taking delivery before peak seasonal shipping periods. These extended payment terms increase our exposure to the risk of uncollectible receivables. In order to manage the inherent risks of customer receivables, we maintain and continue to invest in information systems, processes and personnel skilled in credit and collections. In some markets and with some customers we use credit insurance or standby letters of credit to minimize our risk of credit loss.

 

Sourcing and Manufacturing

 

We do not own or operate manufacturing facilities and virtually all of our products are manufactured to our specifications by independent factories located outside the United States. We generally do not maintain long-term manufacturing commitments. We believe that the use of independent factories enables us to substantially limit our capital expenditures and avoid the costs and risks associated with owning and operating large production facilities and managing large labor forces. We also believe that the use of independent factories greatly increases our production capacity, maximizes our flexibility and improves our product pricing. We manage our supply chain from a global and regional perspective and adjust as needed to changes in the global production environment, including political risks, factory capacity, import limitations and costs, raw material costs, availability and cost of labor and transportation costs. However, without long-term or reserved commitments, there is no assurance that we will be able to secure adequate or timely production capacity or favorable pricing terms.

 

Our apparel, accessories and equipment are manufactured in more than 15 countries with Vietnam and China accounting for approximately 73% of our 2011 apparel, accessories and equipment production. Our footwear is manufactured in three countries, with China and Vietnam accounting for approximately 92% of our 2011 footwear production.

 

Our five largest apparel, accessories and equipment factory groups accounted for approximately 25% of 2011 global apparel, accessories and equipment production, with the largest factory group accounting for 9% of 2011 global apparel, accessories and equipment production. Our five largest footwear factory groups accounted for approximately 72% of 2011 global footwear production, with the largest factory group accounting for 25% of 2011 global footwear production. In addition, a single vendor supplies substantially all of the zippers used in our products. Most of our largest suppliers have multiple factory locations, thus reducing the risk that unfavorable conditions at a single factory or location will have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

We maintain 13 manufacturing liaison offices in a total of seven Asian countries. We also maintain a manufacturing liaison office in Richmond, California. Personnel in these manufacturing liaison offices are direct employees of Columbia, and are responsible for overseeing production at our independent factories. We believe that having employees physically located in these regions enhances our ability to monitor factories for compliance with our policies, procedures and standards related to quality, delivery, pricing and labor practices. Our quality assurance process is designed to ensure that our products meet our quality standards. We believe that our quality assurance process is an important and effective means of maintaining the quality and reputation of our products. In addition, independent contractors that manufacture products for us are subject to our Standards

 

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of Manufacturing Practices (“SMP”). Columbia sources products around the world and values legal, ethical and fair treatment of people involved in manufacturing our products. Each factory producing products for us is monitored regularly against these standards. Additional information about SMP and corporate responsibility programs may be found at www.columbia.com.

 

Competition

 

The markets for apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment are highly competitive. In each of our geographic markets, we face significant competition from numerous and varying competitors. Some of our large wholesale customers also market competitive apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment under their own private labels. Our licensees operate in very competitive markets, such as those for apparel, footwear, sunglasses and watches. In addition, our direct-to-consumer channels expose us to competitors who operate retail stores in outlet malls and key metropolitan markets, as well as competitors who sell product online. We believe that the primary competitive factors in the market for active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment are brand strength, product innovation, product design, functionality, durability and price.

 

Government Regulation

 

Many of our international shipments are subject to existing or potential governmental tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, such as import duties and potential safeguard measures that may limit the quantity of various types of goods that may be imported into the United States and other countries. These trade barriers often represent a material portion of the cost of the merchandise. Our products are also subject to domestic and foreign product safety and environmental standards, laws and other regulations, which are increasingly restrictive and complex. Although we diligently monitor these standards and restrictions, a state, federal or foreign government may impose new or adjusted quotas, duties, safety requirements, material restrictions, or other restrictions or regulations, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Employees

 

At December 31, 2011, we had 4,161 full-time equivalent employees.

 

Available Information

 

We file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports, proxy statements and registration statements. You may read and copy any material we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically. We make available free of charge on or through our website at www.columbia.com our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we file these materials with the SEC.

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

In addition to the other information contained in this Form 10-K, the following risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating our business. Our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows may be materially adversely affected by these and other risks. Please note that additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business and operations.

 

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Our Success Depends on Our Business Strategies

 

Our business strategies are to achieve sustainable, profitable growth by creating innovative products, elevating consumer perception of our brands, improving our operating flexibility and efficiency, increasing consumer and retailer awareness and demand for our products, creating compelling retail environments, and building stronger emotional brand connections with consumers over time. We intend to pursue these strategies across our portfolio of brands, product categories and geographic markets. We face many challenges in implementing our business strategies. For example, our focus on innovation depends on our ongoing ability to identify, develop or secure rights to product improvements or developments through internal research, joint developments, acquisitions or licenses. However, these innovations and developments may not be profitable or have the desired effect of increasing demand for our products. The failure to implement our business strategies successfully could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

To implement our business strategies, we must continue to modify and fund various aspects of our business, to maintain and enhance our information systems and supply chain operations to respond to changes in demand, and to attract, retain and manage qualified personnel. Changes in our business, including efforts to contain costs, may place an increasing strain on management, financial, product design, marketing, distribution, supply chain and other resources, and we may have operating difficulties as a result. For example, in support of our strategic initiatives, we are making significant investments in our business processes and information technology infrastructure that require significant management attention and corporate resources. In addition, we may need to adapt our information technology systems and business processes to integrate business acquisitions. These business initiatives involve many risks and uncertainties that, if not managed effectively, may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Our business strategies and related increased expenditures could also cause our operating margin to decline if we are unable to offset our increased spending with increased sales or gross margins, or comparable reductions in other operating costs. If our sales or gross margins decline or fail to grow as planned and we fail to sufficiently leverage our operating expenses, our profitability will decline. This could result in a decision to delay, reduce, modify or terminate our strategic business initiatives, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

We Depend on Independent Factories

 

Our products are produced by independent factories worldwide. We do not own or operate any production facilities. Although we enter into purchase order commitments with these independent factories each season, we generally do not maintain long-term manufacturing commitments with them. Without long-term or reserve commitments, in a capacity-constrained environment, there is no assurance that we will be able to secure adequate or timely production capacity or favorable pricing if growth or product demand differs from our forecasts. Independent factories may fail to perform as expected or our competitors may obtain production capacities that effectively limit or eliminate the availability of these resources to us. If an independent manufacturer fails to ship orders in a timely manner or to meet our standards or if we are unable to obtain necessary capacities, we may miss delivery deadlines or incur additional costs, which may result in cancellation of orders, refusal to accept deliveries, a reduction in purchase prices or increased costs, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Reliance on independent factories also creates quality control risks. Independent factories may need to use sub-contracted manufacturers to fulfill demand and these manufacturers may have less experience producing our products or lower overall capabilities, which could result in compromised quality of our products. A failure in our quality control program may result in diminished product quality, which in turn could result in increased order cancellations and returns, decreased consumer demand for our products, or product recalls (or other regulatory actions), any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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We also have license agreements that permit unaffiliated parties to manufacture or contract to manufacture products using our trademarks. We impose Standards of Manufacturing Practices on our independent factories and licensees for the benefit of workers and require compliance with our restricted substances list and product safety and other applicable environmental, health and safety laws. We also require our independent factories and licensees to impose these practices, standards and laws on their contractors. However, if an independent manufacturer or licensee violates labor or other laws, or engages in practices that are not generally accepted as ethical in our key markets, we may be subject to production disruptions or significant negative publicity that could result in long-term damage to our brands, and in some circumstances parties may attempt to assert that we are liable for the independent manufacturer’s or licensee’s practices, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

We May be Adversely Affected by Volatility in Global Production and Transportation Costs and Capacity

 

Our product costs are subject to substantial fluctuation based on:

 

   

Availability and quality of raw materials;

 

   

The prices of oil, cotton and other raw materials whose prices are determined by global commodity markets and can be very volatile;

 

   

Changes in labor markets and wage rates paid by our independent factory partners, which are often mandated by governments in the countries where our products are manufactured, particularly in China and Vietnam;

 

   

Interest rates and currency exchange rates;

 

   

Availability of skilled labor and production capacity at independent factories; and

 

   

General economic conditions.

 

Prolonged periods of inflationary pressure on some or all input costs will result in increased costs to produce our products that may result in reduced gross profit or necessitate price increases for our products that could adversely affect consumer demand for our products.

 

In addition, since the majority of our products are manufactured outside of our principal sales markets, our products must be transported by third parties over large geographical distances. Shortages in ocean freight capacity, airfreight capacity and volatile fuel costs can result in rapidly changing transportation costs. For example, during 2010, shortages of sourcing and transportation capacity, combined with later-than-optimal production of advance orders, caused us to rely more heavily on airfreight to achieve timely delivery to our customers, resulting in significantly higher freight costs. Because we price our products in advance and the external cost changes may be difficult to predict, we may not be able to pass all or any portion of these higher costs on to our customers or adjust our pricing structure in a timely manner in order to remain competitive, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

We May be Adversely Affected by Volatile Economic Conditions

 

We are a consumer products company and are highly dependent on consumer discretionary spending patterns and the purchasing patterns of our wholesale customers as they attempt to match their seasonal purchase volumes to volatile consumer demand. In addition, as we have expanded our direct-to-consumer operations, we have increased our exposure to the risks associated with volatile and unpredictable consumer discretionary spending patterns. Consumer discretionary spending behavior is inherently unpredictable and consumer demand for our products may not reach our sales targets, or may decline, especially during periods of heightened economic uncertainty in our key markets, particularly markets in North America and the EMEA region. Our sensitivity to economic cycles and any related fluctuation in consumer demand may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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We Rely on Our Highly Customized Information Management Systems

 

Our business is increasingly reliant on information technology. Information systems are used across our supply chain and retail operations, from design to distribution and sales, and are used as a method of communication among employees, with our subsidiaries and liaison offices overseas and with our customers and retail stores. We also rely on our information systems to allocate resources, manage product data, develop demand and supply plans and forecast and report operating results. System failures, breaches of confidential information or service interruptions may occur as the result of a number of factors, including computer viruses, programming errors, hacking or other unlawful activities by third parties and disasters, or our failure to properly maintain systems redundancy or to protect, repair, maintain or upgrade our systems. Any breach or interruption of critical business information systems could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Our existing ERP system is highly customized to our business. As a result, the availability of internal and external resources with the expertise to maintain our current ERP system is limited. Our current customized ERP system may inhibit our ability to operate efficiently, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. For example, our current ERP system may not be compatible with other systems that support desired functionality for our operations.

 

Initiatives to Upgrade Our Information Technology Infrastructure Involve Many Risks Which Could Result In, Among Other Things, Business Interruptions and Higher Costs

 

We regularly implement business process improvement initiatives to optimize our performance. Our current business process initiatives include, but are not limited to, plans to improve business results through standardization of business processes and technology that support our supply chain and go-to-market strategies through implementation of an integrated ERP software solution over the next few years. We may experience difficulties when we transition to new or upgraded systems and processes, including loss of data and decreases in productivity as our personnel become familiar with new systems. In addition, transitioning to new or upgraded systems requires significant capital investments and personnel resources. Difficulties in implementing new or upgraded information systems or significant system failures could disrupt our operations and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

We expect implementation of this new information technology infrastructure to have a pervasive impact on our business processes and information systems across a significant portion of our operations, including our finance operations. As a result, we will experience significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting as our implementation progresses. If we are unable to successfully implement this system, including harmonizing our systems, data and processes, our ability to process transactions accurately and efficiently may be affected, and any unsuccessful implementation could have a material adverse effect on our capital resources, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

Our Results of Operations Could be Materially Harmed If We Are Unable to Accurately Match Supply Forecast with Consumer Demand for Our Products

 

Many factors may significantly affect demand for our products, including, among other things, economic conditions, fashion trends, consumer preferences and weather, making it difficult to accurately forecast demand for our products and our future results of operations. To minimize our purchasing costs, the time necessary to fill customer orders and the risk of non-delivery, we place a significant amount of orders for our products with independent factories prior to receiving our customers’ orders, and we maintain an inventory of various products that we anticipate will be in greater demand. In addition, customers are generally allowed to cancel orders prior to shipment with sufficient notice.

 

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Factors that could affect our ability to accurately forecast demand for our products include:

 

   

Consumer acceptance of our products or changes in consumer demand for products of our competitors;

 

   

Unseasonable weather conditions;

 

   

Our reliance, for certain demand and supply planning functions, on manual processes and judgment that are subject to human error;

 

   

Unanticipated changes in general market conditions or other factors, which may result in cancellations of orders or a reduction or increase in the rate of reorders placed by retailers; and

 

   

Weak economic conditions or consumer confidence, which could reduce demand for discretionary items such as our products.

 

In some cases, our production orders may exceed actual demand, which could result in higher inventory levels. During periods of weak economic conditions we may experience a significant increase in the volume of order cancellations by our customers, including cancellations resulting from the bankruptcy, liquidation or contraction of certain customers’ operations. We may not be able to sell all of the products we have ordered from independent factories or that we have in our inventory. Inventory levels in excess of customer demand may result in inventory write-downs and the sale of excess inventory at discounted prices through discount direct-to-consumer channels, which could have a material adverse effect on our brand image, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Conversely, if we underestimate demand for our products or if our independent factories are unable to supply products when we need them, we may experience inventory shortages. Inventory shortages may prevent us from fulfilling customer orders, delay shipments to customers, negatively affect customer relationships, result in increased costs to expedite production and delivery, and diminish our ability to build brand loyalty. Shipments delayed due to limited factory capacity or other factors could result in order cancellations by our customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

We May be Adversely Affected by Weather Conditions

 

Our business is adversely affected by unseasonable weather conditions. A significant portion of the sales of our products is dependent in part on the weather and are likely to decline in years in which weather conditions do not favor the use of these products. Periods of unseasonably warm weather in the fall or winter or unseasonably cold or wet weather in the spring and summer, both of which occurred in 2011, may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Inventory accumulation by our wholesale customers resulting from unseasonable weather in one season generally negatively affect orders in future seasons, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Our International Operations Involve Many Risks

 

We are subject to the risks generally associated with doing business internationally. These risks include the effects of foreign laws and regulations, changes in consumer preferences, foreign currency fluctuations, managing a diverse and widespread workforce, political unrest, terrorist acts, military operations, disruptions or delays in shipments, disease outbreaks, natural disasters and changes in economic conditions in countries in which we manufacture or sell products. These factors, among others, may affect our ability to sell products in international markets, our ability to manufacture products or procure materials, and our cost of doing business. If any of these or other factors make the conduct of business in a particular country undesirable or impractical, our business may be materially and adversely affected. As we expand our operations in geographic scope and product categories, we anticipate intellectual property disputes will increase, making it more expensive and challenging to establish and protect our intellectual property rights and to defend against claims of infringement by others.

 

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In addition, many of our imported products are subject to duties, tariffs or other import limitations that affect the cost and quantity of various types of goods imported into the United States or into our other sales markets. Any country in which our products are produced or sold may eliminate, adjust or impose new import limitations, duties, anti-dumping penalties or other charges or restrictions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

We May Have Additional Tax Liabilities

 

As a global company, we determine our income tax liability in various competing tax jurisdictions based on an analysis and interpretation of local tax laws and regulations. This analysis requires a significant amount of judgment and estimation and is often based on various assumptions about the future actions of the local tax authorities. These determinations are the subject of periodic domestic and foreign tax audits. Although we accrue for uncertain tax positions, our accrual may be insufficient to satisfy unfavorable findings. Unfavorable audit findings and tax rulings may result in payment of taxes, fines and penalties for prior periods and higher tax rates in future periods, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Changes in tax law or our interpretation of tax laws and the resolution of current and future tax audits could significantly affect the amounts provided for income taxes in our consolidated financial statements.

 

We earn a significant amount of our operating income from outside the U.S., and any repatriation of funds currently held in foreign jurisdictions may result in higher effective tax rates for the company. If we encounter a significant need for liquidity domestically or at a particular location that we cannot fulfill through borrowings, equity offerings or other internal or external sources, we may experience unfavorable tax and earnings consequences as a result of cash transfers. These adverse consequences would occur, for example, if the transfer of cash into the United States is taxed and no offsetting foreign tax credit is available to offset the U.S. tax liability, resulting in lower earnings. Furthermore, foreign exchange ceilings imposed by local governments and the sometimes lengthy approval processes that foreign governments require for international cash transfers may delay or otherwise limit our internal cash transfers from time to time.

 

We Operate in Very Competitive Markets

 

The markets for apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment are highly competitive, as are the markets for our licensed products. In each of our geographic markets, we face significant competition from global and regional branded apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment companies.

 

Retailers who are our customers often pose our most significant competitive threat by marketing apparel, footwear and equipment under their own private labels. For example, in the United States, several of our largest customers have developed significant private label brands during the past decade that compete directly with our products. These retailers have assumed an increasing degree of inventory risk in their private label products and, as a result, may first cancel advance orders with us in order to manage their own inventory levels downward during weak economic cycles.

 

We also compete with other companies for the production capacity of independent factories that manufacture our products and for import capacity. Many of our competitors are significantly larger than we are and have substantially greater financial, distribution, marketing and other resources, more stable manufacturing resources and greater brand strength than we have. In addition, when our competitors combine operations through mergers, acquisitions or other transactions, their competitive strength may increase.

 

Increased competition may result in reduced access to production capacity, reductions in display areas in retail locations, reductions in sales, or reductions in our profit margins, any of which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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We May be Adversely Affected by the Financial Health of our Customers

 

Sluggish economies and consumer uncertainty regarding future economic prospects in our key markets have had an adverse effect on the financial health of our customers, some of whom have filed or may file for protection under bankruptcy laws, which may in turn have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. We extend credit to our customers based on an assessment of the customer’s financial condition, generally without requiring collateral. To assist in the scheduling of production and the shipping of seasonal products, we offer customers discounts for placing advance orders and extended payment terms for taking delivery before the peak shipping season. These extended payment terms increase our exposure to the risk of uncollectible receivables. In addition, we face increased risk of order reduction or cancellation or reduced availability of credit insurance coverage when dealing with financially ailing retailers or retailers struggling with economic uncertainty. Some of our significant wholesale customers have liquidated or reorganized, while others have had financial difficulties in the past and have recently experienced tightened credit markets and sales declines and reduced profitability, which in turn has an adverse effect on our business. We may reduce our level of business with customers experiencing financial difficulties and may not be able to replace that business with other customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

We May be Adversely Affected by Global Credit Market Conditions

 

Economic downturns and economic uncertainty generally affect global credit markets. Our vendors, customers and other participants in our supply chain may require access to credit markets in order to do business. Credit market conditions may slow our collection efforts as customers find it more difficult to obtain necessary financing, leading to higher than normal accounts receivable. This could result in greater expense associated with collection efforts and increased bad debt expense. Credit conditions may impair our vendors’ ability to finance the purchase of raw materials or general working capital needs to support our production requirements, resulting in a delay or non-receipt of inventory shipments during key seasons.

 

Historically we have limited our reliance on debt to finance our working capital, capital expenditures and investing activity requirements. We expect to fund our future capital expenditures with existing cash, expected operating cash flows and credit facilities, but if the need arises to finance additional expenditures, we may need to seek additional funding. Our ability to obtain additional financing will depend on many factors, including prevailing market conditions, our financial condition, and our ability to negotiate favorable terms and conditions. Financing may not be available on terms that are acceptable or favorable to us, if at all.

 

We May be Adversely Affected by Retailer Consolidation

 

When our wholesale customers combine their operations through mergers, acquisitions, or other transactions, their consolidated order volume may decrease while their bargaining power and the competitive threat they pose by marketing products under their own private labels may increase. Some of our significant customers have consolidated their operations in the past, which in turn has had a negative effect on our business. Future retailer consolidations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

We Rely on Technical Innovation and Functional Design to Compete in the Market for our Products

 

Technical innovation and functional design is essential to distinguish our products in the marketplace and achieve commercial success. Research and development plays a key role in technical innovation. We rely upon specialists in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, industrial design, electronics and related fields, guided by consumer feedback, to develop and test innovative performance products. Although we are committed to designing innovative and functional products that deliver relevant performance benefits to consumers who participate in a wide range of competitive and recreational outdoor activities, if we fail to introduce technical innovation in our products that address consumers’ performance expectations, demand for our products could decline.

 

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As we strive to achieve technical innovations, we face a greater risk of inadvertent infringements of third party rights or compliance issues with regulations applicable to products with technical innovations such as electrical components. In addition, technical innovations often involve more complex manufacturing processes. More complex manufacturing processes may lead to higher instances of quality issues, and if we experience problems with the quality of our products, we may incur substantial expense to remedy the problems. Failure to successfully bring to market technical innovations in our product lines could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

We Face Risks Associated with Consumer Preferences and Fashion Trends

 

Changes in consumer preferences or consumer interest in outdoor activities may have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, changes in fashion trends may have a greater impact than in the past as we expand our offerings to include more product categories in more geographic areas, particularly with the Sorel brand. We also face risks because our business requires us and our customers to anticipate consumer preferences. Our decisions about product designs often are made far in advance of consumer acceptance. Although we try to manage our inventory risk through early order commitments by retailers, we must generally place a significant portion of our seasonal production orders with our independent factories before we have received all of a season’s orders, and orders may be cancelled by customers before shipment. If we or our customers fail to anticipate and respond to consumer preferences, we may have lower sales, excess inventories and lower profit margins, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Our Success Depends on Our Use and Protection of Intellectual Property Rights

 

Our registered and common law trademarks and our patented or patent-pending designs and technologies have significant value and are important to our ability to differentiate our products from those of our competitors’ and to create and sustain demand for our products. We also place significant value on our trade dress, the overall appearance and image of our products. From time to time, we discover products that are counterfeit reproductions of our products or that otherwise infringe on our proprietary rights. Counterfeiting activities typically increase as brand recognition increases, especially in markets outside the United States. Increased instances of counterfeit manufacture and sales may adversely affect our sales and our brand and result in a shift of consumer preference away from our products. The actions we take to establish and protect trademarks and other proprietary rights may not be adequate to prevent imitation of our products by others or to prevent others from seeking to block sales of our products as violations of proprietary rights. In markets outside of the United States, it may be more difficult for us to establish our proprietary rights and to successfully challenge use of those rights by other parties. We also license our proprietary rights to third parties. Failure to choose appropriate licensees and licensed product categories may dilute or harm our brand image. In addition to our own intellectual property rights, many of the intellectual property rights in the technology, fabrics and processes used to manufacture our products are generally owned or controlled by our suppliers and are generally not unique to us. In those cases, we may not be able to adequately protect our products or differentiate their performance characteristics and fabrications from those of our competitors. Actions or decisions in the management of our intellectual property portfolio may affect the strength of our brands, which may in turn have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Although we have not been materially inhibited from selling products in connection with patent, trademark and trade dress disputes, as we focus on innovation in our product lines, extend our brands into new product categories and expand the geographic scope of our marketing, we may become subject to litigation based on allegations of infringement of intellectual property rights of third parties, including third party trademark, copyright and patent rights. An increasing number of our products include technologies and/or designs for which we have obtained or applied for patent protection. Failure to successfully obtain and maintain patents on these innovations could negatively affect our ability to market and sell our products. Future litigation also may be

 

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necessary to defend against such claims or to enforce and protect our intellectual property rights. Intellectual property litigation may be costly and may divert management’s attention from the operation of our business. Adverse determinations in any litigation may result in the loss of our proprietary rights, subject us to significant liabilities or require us to seek licenses from third parties, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. Any of these outcomes may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Our Success Depends on Our Distribution Facilities

 

Our ability to meet customer expectations, manage inventory, complete sales and achieve objectives for operating efficiencies depends on the proper operation of our existing distribution facilities, the development or expansion of additional distribution capabilities and the timely performance of services by third parties, including those involved in shipping product to and from our distribution facilities. In the United States, we rely primarily on our distribution centers in Portland, Oregon and Robards, Kentucky; in Canada, we rely primarily on our distribution facilities in Strathroy, Ontario; in Europe, we rely primarily on our distribution center in Cambrai, France; in Japan, we rely primarily on a third-party logistics distribution provider in Tokyo; and in Korea, we rely primarily on leased distribution facilities near Seoul that we manage and operate.

 

Our distribution facilities in the United States and France are highly automated, which means that their operations are complicated and may be subject to a number of risks related to computer viruses, the proper operation of software and hardware, electronic or power interruptions, and other system failures. Risks associated with upgrading or expanding these facilities may significantly disrupt or increase the cost of our operations. For example, in addition to supporting our traditional wholesale business, our existing distribution facilities have been modified to enable them to also support our new e-commerce sales in the United States. Failure to successfully maintain and update these modifications could disrupt our wholesale and e-commerce shipments and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

The fixed costs associated with owning, operating and maintaining these large, highly-automated distribution centers in the United States and France during a period of economic weakness or declining sales could result in lower operating efficiencies and financial deleverage. This fixed cost structure may make it difficult for us to maintain profitability if sales volumes decline for an extended period of time and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Our distribution facilities may also be interrupted by disasters, such as earthquakes (which are known to occur in the Northwestern United States and Japan), tornadoes or fires. We maintain business interruption insurance, but it may not adequately protect us from the adverse effect that may be caused by significant disruptions in our distribution facilities.

 

We May be Adversely Affected by Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations

 

Although the majority of our product purchases are denominated in U.S. dollars, the cost of these products may be affected by the relative changes in the value of the local currency of the manufacturer. Price increases caused by currency exchange rate fluctuations may make our products less competitive or have an adverse effect on our margins. Our international revenues and expenses generally are derived from sales and operations in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Because the functional currency of many of our subsidiaries is not the U.S. dollar, we are exposed to potentially material gains or losses from the remeasurement of U.S. dollar monetary transactions into the respective functional currencies. Currency exchange rate fluctuations may also disrupt the business of the independent factories that produce our products by making their purchases of raw materials more expensive and more difficult to finance. As a result, currency fluctuations may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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Our Investments May be Adversely Affected by Market Conditions

 

Our investment portfolio is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Changes in market conditions, such as those that accompany an economic downturn or economic uncertainty, may negatively affect the value and liquidity of our investment portfolio, perhaps significantly. Our ability to find diversified investments that are both safe and liquid and that provide a reasonable return may be impaired, resulting in lower interest income, less diversification, longer investment maturities and/or higher other-than-temporary impairments.

 

We May be Adversely Affected by Labor Disruptions

 

Our business depends on our ability to source and distribute products in a timely manner. Labor disputes at independent factories where our goods are produced, shipping ports, transportation carriers, retail stores or distribution centers create significant risks for our business, particularly if these disputes result in work slowdowns, lockouts, strikes or other disruptions during our peak manufacturing and importing seasons, and may have a material adverse effect on our business, potentially resulting in cancelled orders by customers, unanticipated inventory accumulation, and reduced revenues and earnings.

 

We Depend on Key Suppliers

 

Some of the materials that we use may be available from only one source or a very limited number of sources. For example, some specialty fabrics are manufactured to our specification by one source or a few sources, and a single vendor supplies substantially all of the zippers used in our products. From time to time, we have difficulty satisfying our raw material and finished goods requirements. Although we believe that we can identify and qualify additional independent factories to produce these materials as necessary, there are no guarantees that additional independent factories will be available. In addition, depending on the timing, any changes in sources or materials may result in increased costs or production delays, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

We Depend on Key Personnel

 

Our future success will depend in part on the continued service of key personnel and our ability to attract, retain and develop key managers, designers, sales people and others. We face intense competition for these individuals worldwide, and there is a significant concentration of well-funded apparel and footwear competitors in and around our headquarters in Portland, Oregon. We may not be able to attract qualified new employees or retain existing employees, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Our Business Is Affected by Seasonality

 

Our business is affected by the general seasonal trends common to the outdoor industry. Our products are marketed on a seasonal basis and our product mix is weighted substantially toward the fall season. Our annual net sales are weighted more heavily toward the fall/winter season, while our operating expenses are more equally distributed throughout the year. As a result, the majority, and sometimes all, of our operating profits are generated in the second half of the year. The expansion of our direct-to-consumer operations and sales growth in our winter footwear business (both Sorel and Columbia brands) has increased the proportion of sales and profits that we generate in the fourth calendar quarter. This seasonality, along with other factors that are beyond our control and that are discussed elsewhere in this section, may adversely affect our business and cause our results of operations to fluctuate. As a result, our profitability may be materially affected if management is not able to timely adjust expenses in reaction to adverse events such as unfavorable weather, weak consumer spending patterns or unanticipated levels of order cancellations. Results of operations in any period should not be considered indicative of the results to be expected for any future period.

 

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Our Products Are Subject to Increasing Product Regulations and We Face Risks of Product Liability and Warranty Claims

 

Our products are subject to increasingly stringent and complex domestic and foreign product labeling and performance and safety standards, laws and other regulations. These requirements could result in greater expense associated with compliance efforts, and failure to comply with these regulations could result in a delay, non-delivery or mandated recall or destruction of inventory shipments during key seasons or in other financial penalties. Significant or continuing noncompliance with these standards and laws could harm our reputation and, as a result, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Our products are used in outdoor activities, sometimes in severe conditions. Product recalls or product liability claims in the future, resulting from the alleged failure of our products, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Some of our products carry warranties for defects in quality and workmanship. We maintain a warranty reserve for future warranty claims, but the actual costs of servicing future warranty claims may exceed the reserve, which may also have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Our Common Stock Price May Be Volatile

 

The price of our common stock has fluctuated substantially since our initial public offering. Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Factors such as general market conditions, fluctuations in financial results, variances from financial market expectations, changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by analysts, or announcements by us or our competitors may cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate, perhaps substantially.

 

Insiders Control a Majority of Our Common Stock and May Sell Shares

 

Three related shareholders, Timothy Boyle, Gertrude Boyle and Sarah Bany, beneficially own a majority of our common stock. As a result, if acting together, they can effectively control matters requiring shareholder approval without the cooperation of other shareholders. Shares held by these three insiders are available for resale, subject to the requirements of, and the rules under, the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The sale or the prospect of the sale of a substantial number of these shares may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

 

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

 

Item 2. PROPERTIES

 

Following is a summary of principal properties owned or leased by us.

 

Corporate Headquarters:

 

Europe Headquarters:

Portland, Oregon (1 location)—owned

 

Geneva, Switzerland (1 location)—leased (3)

U.S. Distribution Facilities:

 

Europe Administrative Operation:

Portland, Oregon (1 location)—owned

 

Strasbourg, France (1 location)—owned

Robards, Kentucky (1 location)—owned

 

Europe Distribution Facility:

Canadian Operation and Distribution Facilities:

 

Cambrai, France (1 location)—owned

Strathroy, Ontario (2 locations)—1 owned, 1 leased (1)

 

London, Ontario (1 location)—owned (2)

 

 

(1)   Lease expires in June 2014.
(2)   Acquired December 2011 for future Canadian headquarters and distribution.
(3)   Lease expires in June 2020.

 

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In addition, as of December 31, 2011, we leased over 100 locations globally for the operation of our branded and outlet retail stores. We also have several leases globally for office space, warehouse facilities, storage space, vehicles and equipment, among other things. See Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further lease-related disclosures.

 

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company is involved in litigation and various legal matters arising in the normal course of business, including matters related to employment, retail, intellectual property and various regulatory compliance activities. The Company has considered facts related to legal and regulatory matters and opinions of counsel handling these matters, and does not believe the ultimate resolution of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES OF THE REGISTRANT

 

The following table sets forth information about our executive officers and certain key employees. All information is as of the date of the filing of this report.

 

Name

  Age    

Position

Gertrude Boyle

    87      Chairman of the Board (1)

Timothy P. Boyle

    62      President, Chief Executive Officer, Director (1)

Michael W. Blackford

    43      Vice President of Global Innovation

Kerry W. Barnes

    60      Vice President of Retail

Timothy C. Bartels

    47      Vice President of Global Footwear Sales

Peter J. Bragdon

    49      Senior Vice President of Legal and Corporate Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary (1)

Thomas B. Cusick

    44      Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer (1)

Daniel A. Dougherty

    59      Vice President of Global Distribution

Mitchell C. Fields

    64      Vice President of Global Apparel Sales

James T. Gorman

    64      Vice President of Footwear Manufacturing

Daniel G. Hanson

    53      Vice President of Marketing

Lisa A. Kulok

    46      Vice President of Global Marketplace Planning and Customer Operations

Michael W. McCormick

    49      Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing (1)

Adrienne L. Moser

    50      Vice President of Apparel and Design

Mark J. Nenow

    54      Vice President of Global Footwear Merchandising

Fredrick R. Pond

    54      Vice President, Chief Information Officer

Susan G. Popp

    56      Vice President of Global Human Resources

Bryan L. Timm

    48      Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (1)

William Tung

    47      Vice President of Latin America/Asia Pacific, Direct and Distributor Sales

Patrick J. Werner

    56      Vice President of Global Apparel Manufacturing

Paul E. Zaengle

    40      Vice President of E-Commerce

 

(1)   These individuals are considered Executive Officers of Columbia.

 

Gertrude Boyle has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1983. Columbia was founded by her parents in 1938 and managed by her husband, Neal Boyle, from 1964 until his death in 1970. Mrs. Boyle also served as our President from 1970 to 1988. Mrs. Boyle is Timothy P. Boyle’s mother.

 

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Timothy P. Boyle joined Columbia in 1971 as General Manager and has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since 1988. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1978. Mr. Boyle is also a member of the Board of Directors of Northwest Natural Gas Company and Craft Brewers Alliance, Inc. Mr. Boyle is Gertrude Boyle’s son.

 

Michael W. Blackford joined Columbia in September 2005 as a Senior Apparel Designer and was promoted to Design Director of Men’s Apparel & Equipment in May 2006. In February 2008 he was promoted to Director of Global Innovation and named Vice President of Global Innovation in August 2010. Prior to joining Columbia, Mr. Blackford held various positions in design, brand management and sourcing at Sierra Designs.

 

Kerry W. Barnes joined Columbia in January 2007 as Vice President of Retail. From 2001 to 2006, Mr. Barnes served as the Director of Retail Stores for adidas AG. From 1981 to 2001, Mr. Barnes held various retail positions at Foot Locker, Inc. including Director of Outlet Stores and Regional Vice President of the West Coast.

 

Timothy C. Bartels joined Columbia in July 2008 as Vice President of Global Footwear Sales. Mr. Bartels served as Vice President of Global Sales for Keen Footwear from 2006 to 2008 and Vice President of Sales for DC Shoes, Inc. (a division of Quiksilver, Inc.) from 2002 to 2006. From 1987 to 2002, Mr. Bartels held a variety of sales management and sales leadership roles at NIKE, Inc.

 

Peter J. Bragdon became Vice President and General Counsel, Secretary of Columbia in July 2004 and was named Senior Vice President of Legal and Corporate Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary in January 2010. From 1999 to January 2003, Mr. Bragdon served as Senior Counsel and Director of Intellectual Property for Columbia. Mr. Bragdon served as Chief of Staff in the Oregon Governor’s office from January 2003 through June 2004. From 1993 to 1999, Mr. Bragdon was an attorney in the corporate securities and finance group at Stoel Rives LLP. Mr. Bragdon served as Special Assistant Attorney General for the Oregon Department of Justice for seven months in 1996.

 

Thomas B. Cusick joined Columbia in September 2002 as Corporate Controller, was named Vice President and Corporate Controller in March 2006, was named Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer in May 2008, was named Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in January 2009, and was named Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in January 2010. Mr. Cusick delegated the Treasurer duties in 2011. From 1995 to 2002, Mr. Cusick worked for Cadence Design Systems (and OrCAD, a company acquired by Cadence in 1999), which operates in the electronic design automation industry, in various financial management positions. From 1990 to 1995, Mr. Cusick was an accountant with KPMG LLP.

 

Daniel A. Dougherty joined Columbia in December 1997 and was named Vice President of Global Distribution in October 2009. From 1989 to 1996, Mr. Dougherty worked for Glen Oaks Industries, Inc., where he served as Vice President of Distribution. Prior to that, Mr. Dougherty served as Vice President at both Fussell & Associates, Inc. and Burton & Associates, Inc.

 

Mitchell C. Fields joined Columbia in October 2006 as National Sales Manager of Men’s Apparel and was named Vice President of Global Apparel Sales in June 2008. From 2002 to 2006, Mr. Fields served as Director of Sales for Callaway Golf Footwear. From 1984 to 2001, Mr. Fields held various sales management positions at NIKE, Inc. including Director of Sales for Nike Golf and Director of Replenishment.

 

James T. Gorman joined Columbia in October 2009 as Vice President Footwear Manufacturing. From 2001 to 2009, Mr. Gorman was President and Founder of Momentum Brand Group, LLC. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Gorman served as President of PUMA North America, Inc., and from 1994 to 1997, Mr. Gorman served as CEO of Diadora America, Inc. From 1990 to 1993, Mr. Gorman was Senior Vice President Logistics for adidas AG, and from 1972 to 1990, Mr. Gorman held several key positions at NIKE, Inc., including Divisional Vice President.

 

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Daniel G. Hanson joined Columbia in September 1989 and held various management positions in sales and marketing until 1996, when he became Director of Marketing Communications. In March 2006 Mr. Hanson was named Vice President of Marketing. From 1982 to 1989, Mr. Hanson worked for Helly Hansen AS, where he served as United States Marketing Manager from 1986 to 1989.

 

Lisa A. Kulok joined Columbia in February 2008 as Senior Director of Global Planning and was named Vice President of Global Marketplace Planning and Customer Operations in October 2009. From 1987 to 2007, Ms. Kulok held various leadership positions at NIKE, Inc., including USA Apparel Marketplace Planning Director and Director of Regional Planning.

 

Adrienne L. Moser joined Columbia in October 2009 as General Manager of Apparel Merchandising and was named Vice President of Apparel and Design in January 2012. From 2005 to 2008, Ms. Moser was a founding member of Nau, Inc., in Portland, Oregon, where she served as Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. From 1991 to 2005, Ms. Moser held several key positions at Patagonia, Inc. including General Merchandising Manager.

 

Michael W. McCormick joined Columbia in August 2006 as Vice President of Sales and was named Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing in October 2008. From 2003 to 2006, Mr. McCormick served as Chief Marketing Officer for Golf Galaxy, Inc. From 2000 to 2002, Mr. McCormick served as Executive Vice President—Global Sales for Callaway Golf Company, and from 1992 to 2000, Mr. McCormick worked for NIKE, Inc. in various sales management positions, including Director of National Sales.

 

Mark J. Nenow joined Columbia in May 2007 as Vice President of Global Footwear Merchandising. From 2006 to 2007, Mr. Nenow served as Vice President of Global Footwear Merchandising at Brooks Sports. From 1995 to 2006, Mr. Nenow worked for NIKE, Inc., where he held various product line management positions in the running and outdoor categories. Prior to his footwear career, Mr. Nenow was a professional track and field athlete and held the American track record for the 10,000 meters from 1986 to 2003.

 

Fredrick R. Pond joined Columbia in April 2010 as Senior Director Global IT and was named Vice President and Chief Information Officer in November 2011. Prior to joining Columbia, Mr. Pond served as Chief Information Officer for the North Pacific Group from January 2006 to March 2010 and as Director of Information Services for the Schnitzer Group of Companies between March 1997 and December 2005.

 

Susan G. Popp joined Columbia in April 1997 as Human Resources Manager and was named Human Resources Director in May 2004. In March 2006, Ms. Popp was named Vice President of Global Human Resources. Prior to joining Columbia, Ms. Popp held various Human Resource positions, including at NIKE, Inc. from 1996 to 1997.

 

Bryan L. Timm joined Columbia in June 1997 as Corporate Controller and was named Chief Financial Officer in July 2002. In 2003 Mr. Timm was named Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and in October 2008 he was named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and continued to serve in the role of Chief Financial Officer until January 2009. From 1991 to 1997, Mr. Timm held various financial management positions for Oregon Steel Mills, Inc. From 1986 to 1991, Mr. Timm was an accountant with KPMG LLP. Mr. Timm is a member of the Board of Directors of Umpqua Holdings Corporation.

 

William Tung joined Columbia in September 2003 and was named Vice President of International Sales and Operations in December 2004. In October 2008, he was named Vice President of Latin America and Asia Pacific. From 2002 to 2003, Mr. Tung worked for The Body Shop International PLC as Regional Director of North Asia. He was employed by The Rockport Company from 1994 to 2002 where he served in a variety of capacities, most recently as Vice President of Europe. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Tung worked for Prince Racquet Sports (a division of Benetton Sportsystems) as Sales and Marketing Manager of Asia-Pacific.

 

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Patrick J. Werner joined Columbia in April 2004 as the Director of Apparel Sportswear Sourcing and was named Vice President of Global Apparel Manufacturing in November 2006. Prior to Columbia, Mr. Werner held several key apparel sourcing manufacturing compliance roles at NIKE, Inc., where he worked from 1981 until 2004.

 

Paul E. Zaengle joined Columbia in June 2008 as Senior Director, E-commerce and was named Vice President E-commerce in August 2010. Prior to joining Columbia, Mr. Zaengle served as Vice President, Interactive Technology at Polo Ralph Lauren where he led the strategy, technology, production and design efforts behind the award-winning Polo.com e-commerce and interactive marketing platforms. Prior to joining Polo in 2001, Mr. Zaengle held leadership positions in the technology services department at the City of Santa Clarita, California.

 

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PART II

 

Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and trades under the symbol “COLM.” At February 17, 2012, we had approximately 409 shareholders of record.

 

Following are the quarterly high and low closing prices for our Common Stock for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:

 

     HIGH      LOW      DIVIDENDS
DECLARED
 

2011

        

First Quarter

   $ 64.99       $ 56.27       $ 0.20   

Second Quarter

   $ 70.45       $ 58.42       $ 0.22   

Third Quarter

   $ 65.63       $ 46.24       $ 0.22   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 55.36       $ 43.24       $ 0.22   

2010

        

First Quarter

   $ 53.68       $ 39.22       $ 0.18   

Second Quarter

   $ 60.09       $ 46.67       $ 0.18   

Third Quarter

   $ 58.86       $ 44.43       $ 0.18   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 61.89       $ 51.61       $ 1.70   

 

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Our current dividend policy is dependent on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, restrictions imposed by our credit agreements, and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors. For various restrictions on our ability to pay dividends, see Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Performance Graph

 

The line graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return of our common stock with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 400 Mid-Cap Index and the Russell 3000 Textiles Apparel Manufacturers for the period beginning December 31, 2006 and ending December 31, 2011. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2006, and that any dividends were reinvested.

 

Historical stock price performance should not be relied on as indicative of future stock price performance.

 

Columbia Sportswear Company

Stock Price Performance

December 31, 2006—December 31, 2011

 

LOGO

 

Total Return Analysis

 

     12/31/2006      12/31/2007      12/31/2008      12/31/2009      12/31/2010      12/31/2011  

Columbia Sportswear Co.

   $ 100.00       $ 79.94       $ 65.18       $ 73.37       $ 118.19       $ 92.61   

S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index

   $ 100.00       $ 107.97       $ 68.84       $ 94.57       $ 119.77       $ 117.68   

Russell 3000 Textiles Apparel Mfrs.

   $ 100.00       $ 76.73       $ 45.15       $ 64.00       $ 84.31       $ 94.38   

 

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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Period

   Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
     Average
Price Paid
per Share
     Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (1)
     Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be  Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs
 

October 1, 2011 through October 31, 2011

     14,565       $ 46.32         14,565       $ 58,763,000   

November 1, 2011 through November 30, 2011

     —           —           —           58,763,000   

December 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011

     —           —           —           58,763,000   

 

(1)   Since the inception of the Company’s stock repurchase plan in 2004 through December 31, 2011, the Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $500,000,000 of the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had repurchased 9,588,798 shares under this program for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $441,237,000. Shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares or to acquire shares over any specified period of time.

 

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Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

 

The selected consolidated financial data presented below for, and as of the end of, each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2011 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes that appear elsewhere in this annual report and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations set forth in Item 7.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2011      2010      2009      2008      2007  
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Statement of Operations Data:

              

Net sales

   $ 1,693,985       $ 1,483,524       $ 1,244,023       $ 1,317,835       $ 1,356,039   

Net income

     103,479         77,037         67,021         95,047         144,452   

Per Share of Common Stock Data:

              

Earnings per share:

              

Basic

   $ 3.06       $ 2.28       $ 1.98       $ 2.75       $ 4.00   

Diluted

     3.03         2.26         1.97         2.74         3.96   

Cash dividends per share

     0.86         2.24         0.66         0.64         0.58   

Weighted average shares outstanding:

              

Basic

     33,808         33,725         33,846         34,610         36,106   

Diluted

     34,204         34,092         33,981         34,711         36,434   
     December 31,  
     2011      2010      2009      2008      2007  

Balance Sheet Data:

              

Total assets

   $ 1,382,542       $ 1,294,754       $ 1,212,883       $ 1,148,236       $ 1,166,481   

Long-term obligations, net of current maturities

     —           —           —           15         61   

 

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Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

This annual report, including Item 1 of Part I and Item 7 of Part II, contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include any statements related to our expectations regarding future performance or market position, including any statements regarding anticipated sales across markets, distribution channels and product categories, access to raw materials and factory capacity, financing and working capital requirements and resources and our exposure to market risk associated with interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

 

These forward-looking statements, and others we make from time to time, are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Many factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements, including the risks described above in Item 1A, Risk Factors. We do not undertake any duty either to update forward-looking statements after the date they are made or to conform them to actual results or to changes in circumstances or expectations.

 

Our Business

 

As one of the largest outdoor apparel and footwear companies in the world, we design, source, market and distribute active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment under the Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, Sorel and Montrail brands. Our products are sold through a mix of wholesale distribution channels, independent distributors, our own direct-to-consumer channels and licensees.

 

The popularity of outdoor activities, changing design trends and consumer adoption of innovative performance technologies affect consumer desire for our products. Therefore, we seek to drive, anticipate and respond to trends and shifts in consumer preferences by adjusting the mix of available product offerings, developing new products with innovative performance features and designs, and creating persuasive and memorable marketing communications to generate consumer awareness and demand. Failure to anticipate or respond to consumer needs and preferences in a timely and adequate manner could have a material adverse effect on our sales and profitability.

 

Seasonality and Variability of Business

 

Our business is affected by the general seasonal trends common to the outdoor industry and is heavily dependent upon weather and discretionary consumer spending patterns. Our products are marketed on a seasonal basis and our product mix is weighted substantially toward the fall season, while our operating costs are more equally distributed throughout the year. Since 2008, the expansion of our direct-to-consumer operations has increased the proportion of sales and profits that we generate in the fourth calendar quarter. As a result, our sales and profits tend to be highest in the third and fourth calendar quarters. In 2011, approximately 65 percent of our net sales and all of our profitability were realized in the second half of the year, illustrating our dependence upon sales results in the second half of the year, as well as the less seasonal nature of our operating costs.

 

We generally solicit orders from wholesale customers and independent distributors for the fall and spring seasons based on seasonal ordering deadlines that we establish to aid our efforts in planning manufacturing volumes to meet demand for each of our selling seasons.

 

We typically ship the majority of our advance fall season orders to wholesale customers and independent distributors beginning in June and continuing through November. Similarly, the majority of our advance spring season orders ship to wholesale customers and independent distributors beginning in December and continuing through May. Generally, orders are subject to cancellation prior to the date of shipment.

 

Results of operations in any period should not be considered indicative of the results to be expected for any future period, particularly in light of persistent volatility in economic conditions. Sales of our products are

 

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subject to substantial cyclical fluctuation, the effects of unseasonable weather conditions, and the continued popularity of outdoor activities as part of an active lifestyle in key markets. Volatile economic environments in key markets, coupled with inflationary cost pressures and input cost volatility, reduces the predictability of our business.

 

Business Outlook

 

The global business climate continues to present us with a great deal of uncertainty, making it more difficult to predict future results. Factors that could significantly affect our full year 2012 outlook include:

 

   

Unseasonable weather conditions or other unforeseen factors affecting consumer demand and the resulting effect on order cancellations, reorders, direct-to-consumer sales and suppressed demand in subsequent seasons;

 

   

Changes in mix and volume of full price sales in contrast with closeout product sales;

 

   

Volatile input costs across our supply chain;

 

   

Increased fixed costs to support growth and our multi-year business process, supply chain and information technology infrastructure investments and projects;

 

   

Our ability to implement adequate cost containment measures in order to limit the growth of selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses to a rate comparable to sales growth;

 

   

Costs of expedited transportation;

 

   

Lower incremental sales through our expanding direct-to-consumer operations;

 

   

Changes in consumer spending activity; and

 

   

Fluctuating currency exchange rates.

 

Like other branded consumer product companies, our business is heavily dependent upon discretionary consumer spending patterns. Continuing high levels of unemployment and concerns about potential increases in consumer prices in our key markets continue to pose significant challenges and risks.

 

Over the past several years we have made significant investments in our go-to-market process to position us for growth. Among other things we have:

 

   

Sharpened our focus on product innovation;

 

   

Built a multi-channel and multi-country direct-to-consumer platform, including expanded retail store and e-commerce operations;

 

   

Refocused our marketing efforts behind new brand campaigns and media strategies for each of our major brands; and

 

   

Restructured our sales organizations to build relationships with new partners and strengthen those with existing accounts.

 

We have made improvements to our operational processes, involving significant investments in initiatives to improve our information technology infrastructure and our enterprise data and information management, which are designed to improve operational flexibility and performance. These investments are the foundation for a multi-year implementation of a new global enterprise resource planning, or ERP, system that began in late 2010.

 

As a result of these continuing initiatives, we expect our SG&A expenses in 2012 to increase compared to 2011.

 

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As our business model and strategies have evolved, management expects certain trends to continue to affect our business and operating results, including:

 

   

A higher amount of fixed operating expenses to support, among other things, direct-to-consumer activities and our multi-year ERP implementation;

 

   

A greater reliance on sales growth through the company’s global direct-to-consumer platform; and

 

   

Higher product input costs.

 

We expect the unseasonably warm weather in the northern hemisphere during the 2011 and 2012 winter season to subdue retailer confidence as they plan their orders for the Fall 2012 season. However, we remain firmly committed to investing in innovation, enhanced design, our direct-to-consumer platform and compelling marketing to elevate our brands and gain market share, and to investing in information technologies and process improvements to increase operational and supply chain efficiencies and profitability. We are currently implementing cost containment measures with the goal of limiting 2012 SG&A growth at a rate comparable to anticipated 2012 sales growth.

 

These factors and others may have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows, particularly with respect to quarterly comparisons.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following discussion of our results of operations and liquidity and capital resources should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes that appear elsewhere in this annual report. All references to years relate to the calendar year ended December 31.

 

In 2011, we consolidated our categorical net sales reporting from four categories to two categories to better reflect product category management oversight and structure. Net sales within the new apparel, accessories and equipment product category consist of the combination of previously reported net sales of the outerwear, sportswear and accessories and equipment product categories. The footwear product categorical reporting remained unchanged. Previously reported product category net sales information for fiscal years 2010 and 2009 has been recast to reflect this change.

 

Highlights of the Year Ended December 31, 2011

 

   

Net sales increased $210.5 million, or 14%, to $1,694.0 million in 2011 from $1,483.5 million in 2010. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared with 2010 contributed approximately three percentage points of benefit to the consolidated net sales comparison.

 

   

Net income increased 34% to $103.5 million in 2011 from $77.0 million in 2010, and diluted earnings per share increased to $3.03 in 2011 compared to $2.26 in 2010.

 

   

We paid cash dividends totaling $0.86 per share, or $29.1 million, in 2011, which included a 10% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.22 per share from $0.20 per share in March 2011.

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage relationship to net sales of specified items in our Consolidated Statements of Operations:

 

     2011     2010     2009  

Net sales

     100.0     100.0     100.0

Cost of sales

     56.6        57.6        57.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     43.4        42.4        42.1   

Selling, general and administrative expense

     36.3        36.0        35.7   

Net licensing income

     1.0        0.6        0.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     8.1        7.0        7.1   

Interest income, net

     0.0        0.1        0.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax

     8.1        7.1        7.2   

Income tax expense

     (2.0     (1.9     (1.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     6.1     5.2     5.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2010

 

Net Sales:    Consolidated net sales increased $210.5 million, or 14%, to $1,694.0 million in 2011 from $1,483.5 million in 2010. Net sales increased across all geographic regions, in each product category and across all major brands. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared with 2010 contributed approximately three percentage points of benefit to the consolidated net sales comparison.

 

Sales by Geographic Region

 

Net sales by geographic region are summarized in the following table:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
          2011                2010                % Change       
     (In millions, except for percentage changes)  

United States

   $ 948.0       $ 881.0         8

LAAP

     341.0         263.4         29

EMEA

     275.4         222.4         24

Canada

     129.6         116.7         11
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
   $ 1,694.0       $ 1,483.5         14
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

Net sales in the United States increased $67.0 million, or 8%, to $948.0 million in 2011 from $881.0 million in 2010. The increase in net sales in the United States by product category was led by apparel, accessories and equipment, followed by a net sales increase in footwear. The net sales increase by brand was led by the Columbia brand, followed by the Sorel brand and the Mountain Hardwear brand. The net sales increase by channel was primarily driven by our direct-to-consumer business, followed by our wholesale business. The increase in net sales in our direct-to-consumer business was driven by strong comparable store sales growth, increased e-commerce sales and the net addition of two outlet stores.

 

Net sales in the LAAP region increased $77.6 million, or 29%, to $341.0 million in 2011 from $263.4 million in 2010. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates contributed six percentage points of benefit to the LAAP net sales comparison. The net sales increase in the LAAP region by product category was primarily driven by a net sales increase in apparel, accessories and equipment, followed by a net sales increase in footwear. The LAAP net sales increase was concentrated in the Columbia brand and was led by Korea, followed by Japan and our LAAP distributor business. The increase in Korea net sales was primarily due to increased sales from existing stores, a greater number of retail stores operating during 2011 and the favorable effect of foreign currency exchange rates. The increase in Japan net sales was primarily the result of the favorable effect of foreign currency exchange rates and increased wholesale net sales. Net sales to our LAAP distributors increased due to increased demand in key distributor markets coupled with a higher percentage of spring 2012 advance orders shipping in the fourth quarter compared to the spring 2011 season.

 

Net sales in the EMEA region increased $53.0 million, or 24%, to $275.4 million in 2011 from $222.4 million in 2010. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates contributed four percentage points of benefit to the EMEA net sales comparison. The increase in net sales in the EMEA region by product category was led by footwear, followed by a net sales increase in apparel, accessories and equipment. The net sales increase by channel was led by our EMEA direct business, followed by our EMEA distributors. The increase in EMEA direct net sales was primarily driven by the Sorel brand, followed by the Columbia brand.

 

Net sales in Canada increased $12.9 million, or 11%, to $129.6 million in 2011 from $116.7 million in 2010. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared to 2010 contributed six percentage points of benefit to the Canada net sales comparison. By product category, the increase in net sales was led by apparel, accessories

 

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and equipment, followed by a net sales increase in footwear. By brand, the increase in net sales was led by the Columbia brand, followed by the Sorel and Mountain Hardwear brands. The increase in net sales was concentrated in our wholesale business.

 

Sales by Product Category

 

Net sales by product category are summarized in the following table:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
          2011                2010                % Change       
     (In millions, except for percentage changes)  

Apparel, Accessories and Equipment

   $  1,334.9       $  1,213.3         10

Footwear

     359.1         270.2         33
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
   $ 1,694.0       $ 1,483.5         14
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

Net sales of apparel, accessories and equipments increased $121.6 million, or 10%, to $1,334.9 million in 2011 from $1,213.3 million in 2010. The increase in apparel, accessories and equipment net sales was primarily concentrated in the Columbia brand and was led by the LAAP region, followed by the United States, the EMEA region and Canada. The apparel, accessories and equipment net sales increase in the LAAP region was led by Korea, followed by our LAAP distributor business and Japan. The net sales increase in apparel, accessories and equipment in the United States was led by our direct-to-consumer business, partially offset by a net sales decrease in our wholesale business.

 

Net sales of footwear increased $88.9 million, or 33%, to $359.1 million in 2011 from $270.2 million in 2010. The increase in footwear net sales by brand was led by the Sorel brand, followed by the Columbia brand. The footwear net sales increase by region was led by the United States, followed by the EMEA region, the LAAP region and Canada. The net sales increase in footwear in the United States was primarily driven by our wholesale business, followed by our direct-to-consumer business. The footwear net sales increase in the EMEA region was primarily driven by our EMEA direct business, followed by our EMEA distributor business. The LAAP footwear net sales increase was led by Japan, followed by Korea and our LAAP distributor business.

 

Sales by Brand

 

Net sales by brand are summarized in the following table:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
          2011                2010                % Change       
     (In millions, except for percentage changes)  

Columbia

   $ 1,391.5       $ 1,262.4         10

Mountain Hardwear

     142.3         121.9         17

Sorel

     150.3         89.7         68

Other

     9.9         9.5         4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
   $ 1,694.0       $ 1,483.5         14
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

The net sales increase in 2011 compared to 2010 was led by the Columbia brand, followed by the Sorel and Mountain Hardwear brands. Columbia brand net sales increased in both product categories and across all regions, led by the LAAP region, followed by the United States, the EMEA region and Canada. Sorel brand net sales increased across all regions led by the EMEA region, followed by the United States, Canada, and the LAAP region. Mountain Hardwear net sales increased in three regions, led by the United States, the LAAP region and Canada, partially offset by a slight decline in the EMEA region.

 

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Gross Profit:    Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 43.4% in 2011 from 42.4% in 2010, driven primarily by lower airfreight costs compared to 2010. Other factors favorably affecting gross margin included:

 

   

Favorable foreign currency hedge rates; and

 

   

A higher proportion of direct-to-consumer sales at higher gross margins;

 

partially offset by:

 

   

Increased product costs;

 

   

A higher proportion of close-out product sales; and

 

   

An increased proportion of shipments to EMEA and LAAP distributors.

 

Our gross profit may not be comparable to those of other companies in our industry because some of these companies include all of the costs related to their distribution network in cost of sales while we, like many others, include these expenses as a component of SG&A expense.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expense:    SG&A expense includes all costs associated with our design, merchandising, marketing, distribution and corporate functions, including related depreciation and amortization.

 

SG&A expense increased $80.6 million, or 15%, to $614.7 million in 2011, from $534.1 million in 2010. The SG&A expense increase was primarily due to:

 

   

The expansion of direct-to-consumer operations globally, including a net increase of $3.2 million in store impairment charges;

 

   

Increased advertising expenses;

 

   

Additions to staff and other expenses to support business initiatives and growth;

 

   

Information technology initiatives, including our ERP implementation; and

 

   

The unfavorable effect of foreign currency translation.

 

As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expense increased to 36.3% of net sales in 2011 from 36.0% of net sales in 2010. Depreciation and amortization included in SG&A expense totaled $42.9 million in 2011, compared to $37.8 million in 2010.

 

Net Licensing Income:    Net licensing income increased $7.8 million, or 98%, to $15.8 million in 2011 from $8.0 million in 2010. The increase in net licensing income was primarily due to increased apparel and footwear licensing in the LAAP region, where a third party distributor is licensed to locally manufacture Columbia brand apparel and footwear for sale in local markets.

 

Interest Income, Net:    Net interest income was $1.3 million in 2011, compared to $1.6 million in 2010. The decrease in interest income was primarily driven by lower average cash and investment balances and lower interest rates in 2011 compared to 2010. Interest expense was nominal in both 2011 and 2010.

 

Income Tax Expense:    Income tax expense increased to $34.2 million in 2011 from $27.9 million in 2010. Our effective income tax rate decreased to 24.8% from 26.6% in 2010, primarily because we earned a higher proportion of our income from foreign jurisdictions with tax rates that are generally lower than the U.S. tax rate.

 

Net Income:    Net income increased $26.4 million, or 34%, to $103.5 million in 2011 from $77.0 million in 2010. Diluted earnings per share was $3.03 in 2011 compared to $2.26 in 2010.

 

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Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

Net Sales:    Consolidated net sales increased $239.5 million, or 19%, to $1,483.5 million in 2010 from $1,244.0 million in 2009. Net sales increased across all geographic regions, in each product category and across all major brands. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared with 2009 contributed approximately one percentage point of benefit to the consolidated net sales comparison.

 

Sales by Geographic Region

 

Net sales by geographic region are summarized in the following table:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
          2010                2009                % Change       
     (In millions, except for percentage changes)  

United States

   $ 881.0       $ 736.9         20

LAAP

     263.4         203.2         30

EMEA

     222.4         197.4         13

Canada

     116.7         106.5         10
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
   $ 1,483.5       $ 1,244.0         19
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

Net sales in the United States increased $144.1 million, or 20%, to $881.0 million in 2010 from $736.9 million in 2009. The increase in net sales in the United States by product category was led by outerwear, followed by sportswear, footwear and accessories and equipment. The net sales increase by channel was led by our wholesale business, followed by our direct-to-consumer business. The increase in net sales in our wholesale business was primarily concentrated in the Columbia brand resulting from improved economic conditions compared to the same period in 2009 and stronger advance orders. The net sales increase in our direct-to-consumer business was primarily concentrated in the Columbia brand and was driven by increased sales within existing stores, increased sales through our Columbia and Sorel brand e-commerce sites, which were launched in the third and fourth quarter of 2009, respectively, incremental sales from our Mountain Hardwear brand e-commerce site which was launched in the third quarter of 2010, and an increase in the number of retail stores, with 4 more retail stores operating at December 31, 2010 than at December 31, 2009.

 

Net sales in the LAAP region increased $60.2 million, or 30%, to $263.4 million in 2010 from $203.2 million in 2009. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates contributed seven percentage points of benefit to the LAAP net sales comparison. The net sales increase in the LAAP region by product category was led by sportswear, followed by outerwear, footwear and accessories and equipment. The LAAP net sales increase was primarily concentrated in the Columbia brand and was led by Korea, followed by Japan and our LAAP distributor business. The increase in Korea net sales was primarily due to increased sales from existing stores, the favorable effect of foreign currency exchange rates and a greater number of retail stores operating during 2010. The increase in Japan net sales was primarily the result of the favorable effect of foreign currency exchange rates, increased wholesale net sales to the sporting goods channel and continued growth in our direct-to-consumer business. Net sales to our LAAP distributors increased due to improved macro-economic conditions in certain distributor markets, increased advance orders for both the Spring and Fall seasons, as well as a shift in the timing of shipments as a higher percentage of spring 2011 shipments occurred in the fourth quarter of 2010, while a higher percentage of spring 2010 shipments occurred in the first quarter of 2010.

 

Net sales in the EMEA region increased $25.0 million, or 13%, to $222.4 million in 2010 from $197.4 million in 2009. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared to 2009 negatively affected the net sales comparison by four percentage points. The increase in net sales in the EMEA region by product category was led by footwear, followed by sportswear, outerwear and accessories and equipment. The net sales increase by channel was led by EMEA distributors, followed by our EMEA direct business. The increase in net sales to EMEA distributors was partially the result of improved macro-economic conditions in Russia, coupled with a

 

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shift in the timing of shipments as a higher percentage of spring 2011 shipments occurred in the fourth quarter of 2010, while a higher percentage of spring 2010 shipments occurred in the first quarter of 2010. The increase in EMEA direct net sales was primarily the result of increased net sales of Sorel-branded footwear.

 

Net sales in Canada increased $10.2 million, or 10%, to $116.7 million in 2010 from $106.5 million in 2009. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared to 2009 contributed eight percentage points of benefit to the Canada net sales comparison.

 

Sales by Product Category

 

Net sales by product category are summarized in the following table:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
          2010                2009                % Change       
     (In millions, except for percentage changes)  

Apparel, accessories and equipment

   $ 1,213.3       $ 1,029.4         18

Footwear

     270.2         214.6         26
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
   $ 1,483.5       $ 1,244.0         19
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

Net sales of apparel, accessories and equipment increased $183.9 million, or 18%, to $1,213.3 million in 2010 from $1,029.4 million in 2009. The increase in apparel, accessories and equipment net sales was primarily concentrated in the Columbia brand and was led by the United States, followed by the LAAP region, Canada and the EMEA region. The net sales increase in apparel, accessories and equipment in the United States was led by our wholesale business, followed by our direct-to-consumer business. The apparel, accessories and equipment net sales increase in the LAAP region was led by Korea, followed by Japan and our LAAP distributor business.

 

Net sales of footwear increased $55.6 million, or 26%, to $270.2 million in 2010 from $214.6 million in 2009. The increase in footwear net sales by brand was led by the Sorel brand, followed by the Columbia brand. The footwear net sales increase by region was led by the United States, followed by the EMEA region, the LAAP region and Canada. The net sales increase in footwear in the United States was led by our wholesale business, followed by our direct-to-consumer business. The footwear net sales increase in the EMEA region was led by our EMEA direct business, followed by our EMEA distributor business. The LAAP footwear net sales increase was led by our LAAP distributor business, followed by Korea and Japan.

 

Sales by Brand

 

Net sales by brand are summarized in the following table:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
          2010                2009                % Change       
     (In millions, except for percentage changes)  

Columbia

   $  1,262.4       $  1,072.5         18

Mountain Hardwear

     121.9         100.5         21

Sorel

     89.7         60.6         48

Other

     9.5         10.4         (9 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
   $ 1,483.5       $ 1,244.0         19
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

The net sales increase by brand in 2010 compared to 2009 was primarily concentrated in the Columbia brand, followed by the Sorel and Mountain Hardwear brands. The Columbia brand net sales increased across all product categories, led by sportswear, followed by outerwear, footwear and accessories and equipment. The Columbia brand net sales increased across all regions led by the United States, followed by the LAAP region, the EMEA region and Canada.

 

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Gross Profit:    Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 42.4% in 2010 from 42.1% in 2009. Gross profit margins expanded primarily due to a higher volume of direct-to-consumer sales at higher gross margins, improved gross margins on close-out product sales and favorable foreign currency hedge rates, largely offset by increased costs to expedite production and delivery of fall 2010 orders to wholesale customers.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expense:    SG&A expense increased $89.4 million, or 20%, to $534.1 million in 2010 from $444.7 million in 2009. The SG&A expense increase was primarily due to:

 

   

Increased global personnel costs resulting from the continued internalization of our sales organization in the United States, the EMEA region and Canada, additional personnel to support our growth initiatives, reinstatement of personnel and benefit programs that were curtailed or postponed in 2009, and higher incentive compensation;

 

   

Incremental expenses to support our expanded direct-to-consumer businesses in the United States, the EMEA region and Canada;

 

   

Expenses associated with various initiatives to improve our information technology infrastructure, including increased costs associated with our multi-year global ERP implementation; and

 

   

Increased advertising expense.

 

As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expense increased to 36.0% of net sales in 2010 from 35.7% of net sales in 2009. Depreciation and amortization included in SG&A expense totaled $37.8 million in 2010, compared to $35.5 million in 2009.

 

Net Licensing Income:    Net licensing income decreased $0.4 million, or 5%, to $8.0 million in 2010 from $8.4 million in 2009. The decrease in net licensing income was primarily due to decreased net licensing income in our socks category in the United States, as we began directly producing this formerly licensed category. The decrease in our U.S. licensing business was partially offset by increased apparel and footwear net licensing income in the LAAP region.

 

Interest Income, Net:    Net interest income was $1.6 million in 2010, compared to $2.1 million in 2009. The decrease in interest income was primarily driven by lower interest rates in 2010 compared to 2009. Interest expense was nominal in both 2010 and 2009.

 

Income Tax Expense:    Income tax expense increased to $27.9 million in 2010 from $22.8 million in 2009. This increase resulted from higher income before tax as well as an increase in our effective income tax rate to 26.6% in 2010, compared to 25.4% in 2009. Our effective tax rates in 2010 and 2009 were reduced by the recognition of tax benefits associated with the favorable resolution of uncertain tax positions, foreign tax credits and non-U.S. income generally taxed at lower tax rates.

 

Net Income:    Net income increased $10.0 million, or 15%, to $77.0 million in 2010 from $67.0 million in 2009. Diluted earnings per share was $2.26 in 2010, compared to $1.97 in 2009.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our primary ongoing funding requirements are for working capital, investing activities associated with the expansion of our global operations and general corporate needs. At December 31, 2011, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $241.0 million compared to $234.3 million at December 31, 2010. In addition, we had short-term investments of $2.9 million at December 31, 2011 compared to $68.8 million at December 31, 2010. At December 31, 2011, approximately 29% of our cash and short-term investments were held by our foreign subsidiaries where a repatriation of those funds to the United States would likely result in a significant tax expense to the Company. However, based on the capital and liquidity needs of our foreign operations, as well as the status of current tax law, it is our intent to indefinitely reinvest these funds outside the United States. In addition, our United States operations do not require the repatriation of these funds to meet our currently projected liquidity needs.

 

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2011 compared to 2010

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $63.8 million in 2011 compared to $23.5 million in 2010. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to increased income from operations, combined with a reduction in the rate of growth of accounts receivable and inventory; partially offset by a reduction in the rate of growth of accounts payable and accrued liabilities, an increase in prepaid expenses and an increase in income taxes paid compared to 2010.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $12.5 million in 2011 compared to $91.2 million in 2010. For 2011, net cash used in investing activities primarily consisted of $78.4 million for capital expenditures, partially offset by $65.7 million for net sales of short-term investments. For 2010, net cash used in investing activities primarily consisted of $46.1 million for net purchases of short-term investments, $28.8 million for capital expenditures and $16.3 million for acquisitions.

 

Net cash used in financing activities was $39.2 million in 2011 compared to $82.3 million in 2010. For 2011, net cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of dividend payments of $29.1 million and the repurchase of common stock at an aggregate price of $20.0 million, partially offset by net proceeds of $8.0 million from the issuance of common stock. For 2010, net cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of dividend payments of $75.4 million, including a $50.5 million special dividend paid in December 2010, and the repurchase of common stock at an aggregate price of $13.8 million, partially offset by net proceeds of $6.5 million from the issuance of common stock.

 

2010 compared to 2009

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $23.5 million in 2010 compared to $214.4 million in 2009. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily the result of increases in inventory and accounts receivable in 2010 compared to decreases in accounts receivable and inventory in 2009, partially offset by increases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in 2010 compared to a net decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in 2009. The increase in inventory was due to a larger volume of excess fall 2010 inventory designated for sale primarily through our own outlet retail stores compared to fall 2009 inventory, earlier receipt of spring 2011 inventory compared to spring 2010 inventory, increased 2010 replenishment inventory compared to 2009 and incremental inventory to support increased direct-to-consumer sales. The increase in accounts receivable was in line with the 19% increase in net sales and was also due to an increase in close-out product sales and shipment of spring 2011 advance orders close to the end of the 2010 period.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $91.2 million in 2010 compared to net cash used in investing activities of $33.2 million in 2009. For the 2010 period, net cash used in investing activities primarily consisted of $46.1 million for the net purchases of short-term investments, $28.8 million for capital expenditures and $16.3 million for acquisitions. For the 2009 period, net cash used in investing activities primarily consisted of capital expenditures of $33.1 million.

 

Net cash used in financing activities was $82.3 million in 2010 compared to $29.6 million in 2009. For the 2010 period, net cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of dividend payments of $75.4 million, including a $50.5 million special dividend paid in December 2010, and the repurchase of common stock at an aggregate price of $13.8 million, partially offset by proceeds from issuance of common stock of $6.5 million. For the 2009 period, net cash used in financing activities included dividend payments of $22.3 million and the repurchase of common stock at an aggregate price of $7.4 million.

 

We have an unsecured, committed $125.0 million revolving line of credit available to fund our domestic working capital requirements. At December 31, 2011, no balance was outstanding under this line of credit and we were in compliance with all associated covenants. Internationally, our subsidiaries have local currency operating lines of credit in place guaranteed by the parent company with a combined limit of approximately $89.7 million at December 31, 2011, of which $3.2 million is designated as a European customs guarantee. At December 31, 2011, no balance was outstanding under these lines of credit.

 

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We expect to fund our future capital expenditures with existing cash, operating cash flows and credit facilities. If the need arises, we may need to seek additional funding. Our ability to obtain additional financing will depend on many factors, including prevailing market conditions, our financial condition, and our ability to negotiate favorable terms and conditions. Financing may not be available on terms that are acceptable or favorable to us, if at all.

 

Our operations are affected by seasonal trends typical in the outdoor apparel industry, and have historically resulted in higher sales and profits in the third and fourth calendar quarters. This pattern has resulted primarily from the timing of shipments of fall season products to wholesale customers and proportionally higher sales from our direct-to-consumer operations in the fourth quarter. We believe that our liquidity requirements for at least the next 12 months will be adequately covered by existing cash, cash provided by operations and existing short-term borrowing arrangements.

 

The following table presents our estimated contractual commitments (in thousands):

 

    Year ended December 31,  
    2012     2013     2014     2015     2016     Thereafter     Total  

Inventory purchase obligations (1)

  $ 351,854      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 351,854   

Operating leases (2)

    38,773        35,060        29,819        26,892        25,254        94,892        250,690   

 

(1)   See Inventory Purchase Obligations in Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2)   See Operating Leases in Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

We have recorded liabilities for net unrecognized tax benefits related to income tax uncertainties in our Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2011 of approximately $15.4 million; however, they have not been included in the table above because we are uncertain about whether or when these amounts may be settled. See Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

In the normal course of business, our financial position and results of operations are routinely subject to a variety of risks. These risks include risks associated with global financial and capital markets, primarily currency exchange rate risk and, to a lesser extent, interest rate risk and equity market risk. We regularly assess these risks and have established policies and business practices designed to mitigate the effect of these risks. We do not engage in speculative trading in any financial or capital market.

 

Our primary currency exchange rate risk management objective is to mitigate the uncertainty of anticipated cash flows attributable to changes in exchange rates. We focus on mitigating changes in functional currency equivalent cash flows resulting from anticipated U.S. dollar denominated inventory purchases by subsidiaries that use European euros, Canadian dollars, Japanese yen or Korean won as their functional currency. We manage this risk primarily by using currency forward and option contracts. Additionally, we use foreign currency forward and option contracts to hedge net balance sheet exposures related primarily to intercompany transactions and borrowing arrangements.

 

The net fair value of our derivative contracts was favorable by approximately $4.5 million at December 31, 2011. A 10% exchange rate change in the euro, Canadian dollar, yen and won against the U.S. dollar would have resulted in the net fair value declining by approximately $17.0 million at December 31, 2011. A 10% exchange rate change in the yen and won against the euro would have resulted in the net fair value declining approximately $4.2 million at December 31, 2011. Changes in fair value resulting from foreign exchange rate fluctuations would be substantially offset by the change in value of the underlying hedged transactions.

 

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Our negotiated credit facilities generally charge interest based on a benchmark rate such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Fluctuations in short-term interest rates cause interest payments on drawn amounts to increase or decrease. At December 31, 2011, our credit facilities did not have an outstanding balance.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make various estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We believe that the estimates and assumptions involved in the accounting policies described below have the greatest potential impact on our financial statements, so we consider these to be our critical accounting policies and estimates. Because of the uncertainty inherent in these matters, actual results may differ from the estimates we use in applying these critical accounting policies. We base our ongoing estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be important in the circumstances. Many of these critical accounting policies affect working capital account balances, including the policy for revenue recognition, the allowance for doubtful accounts, the provision for potential excess, closeout and slow moving inventory, product warranty, income taxes and stock-based compensation.

 

Management regularly discusses with our Audit Committee each of our critical accounting estimates, the development and selection of these accounting estimates, and the disclosure about each estimate in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. These discussions typically occur at our quarterly Audit Committee meetings and include the basis and methodology used in developing and selecting these estimates, the trends in and amounts of these estimates, specific matters affecting the amount of and changes in these estimates, and any other relevant matters related to these estimates, including significant issues concerning accounting principles and financial statement presentation.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

We record wholesale, e-commerce and licensed product revenues when title passes and the risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the customer. Title generally passes upon shipment to or upon receipt by the customer depending on the terms of sale with the customer. Retail store revenues are recorded at the time of sale.

 

Where title passes upon receipt by the customer, predominantly in our European wholesale business, precise information regarding the date of receipt by the customer is not readily available. In these cases, we estimate the date of receipt by the customer based on historical and expected delivery times by geographic location. We periodically test the accuracy of these estimates based on actual transactions. Delivery times vary by geographic location, generally from one to five days. To date, we have found these estimates to be materially accurate.

 

At the time of revenue recognition, we also provide for estimated sales returns and miscellaneous claims from customers as reductions to revenues. The estimates are based on historical rates of product returns and claims, as well as events and circumstances that indicate changes to historical rates of returns and claims. However, actual returns and claims in any future period are inherently uncertain and thus may differ from the estimates. If actual or expected future returns and claims are significantly greater or lower than the reserves that we have established, we will record a reduction or increase to net revenues in the period in which we make such a determination.

 

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Receivable

 

We make ongoing estimates of the collectability of our accounts receivable and maintain an allowance for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. In determining the amount of the allowance, we consider our historical level of credit losses and we make judgments about the

 

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creditworthiness of customers based on ongoing credit evaluations. We analyze specific customer accounts, customer concentrations, credit insurance coverage, standby letters of credit, current economic trends, and changes in customer payment terms. Continued uncertainty in credit and market conditions may slow our collection efforts if customers experience difficulty accessing credit and paying their obligations, leading to higher than normal accounts receivable and increased bad debt expense. Because we cannot predict future changes in the financial stability of our customers, actual future losses from uncollectible accounts may differ from our estimates and may have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. If the financial condition of our customers deteriorates and results in their inability to make payments, a larger allowance may be required. If we determine that a smaller or larger allowance is appropriate, we will record a credit or a charge to SG&A expense in the period in which we make such a determination.

 

Excess, Close-Out and Slow Moving Inventory

 

We make ongoing estimates of potential excess, close-out or slow moving inventory. We evaluate our inventory on hand considering our purchase commitments, sales forecasts, and historical experience to identify excess, close-out or slow moving inventory and make provisions as necessary to properly reflect inventory value at the lower of cost or estimated market value. If we determine that a smaller or larger reserve is appropriate, we will record a credit or a charge to cost of sales in the period in which we make such a determination.

 

Product Warranty

 

We make ongoing estimates of potential future product warranty costs. When we evaluate our reserve for warranty costs, we consider our product warranty policies, historical claim rates by season, product category and mix, current economic trends, and the historical cost to repair, replace, or refund the original sale. If we determine that a smaller or larger reserve is appropriate, we will record a credit or a charge to cost of sales in the period in which we make such a determination.

 

Income Taxes

 

We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, we recognize income tax expense for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and for the amount of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. We make assumptions, judgments and estimates to determine our current provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities, and our uncertain tax positions. Our judgments, assumptions and estimates relative to the current provision for income tax take into account current tax laws, our interpretation of current tax laws and possible outcomes of current and future audits conducted by foreign and domestic tax authorities. Changes in tax law or our interpretation of tax laws and the resolution of current and future tax audits could significantly affect the amounts provided for income taxes in our consolidated financial statements. Our assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to the value of a deferred tax asset take into account predictions of the amount and category of future taxable income. Actual operating results and the underlying amount and category of income in future years could cause our current assumptions, judgments and estimates of recoverable net deferred taxes to be inaccurate. Changes in any of the assumptions, judgments and estimates mentioned above could cause our actual income tax obligations to differ from our estimates, which could materially affect our financial position and results of operations.

 

Our tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. As the calendar year progresses, we periodically refine our estimate based on actual events and earnings by jurisdiction. This ongoing estimation process can result in changes to our expected effective tax rate for the full calendar year. When this occurs, we adjust the income tax provision during the quarter in which the change in estimate occurs so that our year-to-date provision equals our expected annual effective tax rate.

 

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Stock-Based Compensation

 

Stock-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the award’s fair value and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period using the straight-line attribution method. We estimate stock-based compensation for stock awards granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires various highly subjective assumptions, including volatility and expected option life. Further, we estimate forfeitures for stock-based awards granted, but which are not expected to vest. If any of these inputs or assumptions changes significantly, stock-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that recorded in the current period.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

See “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The information required by this item is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

Our management is responsible for the information and representations contained in this report. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which we consider appropriate in the circumstances and include some amounts based on our best estimates and judgments. Other financial information in this report is consistent with these financial statements.

 

Our accounting systems include controls designed to reasonably assure that assets are safeguarded from unauthorized use or disposition and which provide for the preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These systems are supplemented by the selection and training of qualified financial personnel and an organizational structure providing for appropriate segregation of duties.

 

The Audit Committee is responsible for recommending to the Board of Directors the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm and reviews with the independent registered public accounting firm and management the scope and the results of the annual examination, the effectiveness of the accounting control system and other matters relating to our financial affairs as they deem appropriate.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders

Columbia Sportswear Company

Portland, Oregon

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Columbia Sportswear Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and the financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Columbia Sportswear Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 28, 2012, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

/s/    DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Portland, Oregon

February 28, 2012

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

 

     December 31,  
     2011      2010  
ASSETS      

Current Assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 241,034       $ 234,257   

Short-term investments

     2,878         68,812   

Accounts receivable, net (Note 4)

     351,538         300,181   

Inventories, net (Note 5)

     365,199         314,298   

Deferred income taxes (Note 10)

     52,485         45,091   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     36,392         28,241   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,049,526         990,880   

Property, plant, and equipment, net (Note 6)

     250,910         221,813   

Intangible assets, net (Note 7)

     39,020         40,423   

Goodwill (Note 7)

     14,438         14,470   

Other non-current assets

     28,648         27,168   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,382,542       $ 1,294,754   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY      

Current Liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 148,973       $ 130,626   

Accrued liabilities (Note 9)

     104,496         102,810   

Income taxes payable (Note 10)

     12,579         16,037   

Deferred income taxes (Note 10)

     954         2,153   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     267,002         251,626   

Other long-term liabilities (Note 11)

     23,853         21,456   

Income taxes payable (Note 10)

     15,389         19,698   

Deferred income taxes (Note 10)

     1,753         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     307,997         292,780   

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

     

Shareholders’ Equity:

     

Preferred stock; 10,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding

     —           —     

Common stock (no par value); 125,000 shares authorized; 33,638 and 33,683 issued and outstanding (Note 14)

     3,037         5,052   

Retained earnings

     1,024,611         950,207   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 17)

     46,897         46,715   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     1,074,545         1,001,974   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 1,382,542       $ 1,294,754   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2011     2010     2009  

Net sales

   $ 1,693,985      $ 1,483,524      $ 1,244,023   

Cost of sales

     958,677        854,120        719,945   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     735,308        629,404        524,078   

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     614,658        534,068        444,715   

Net licensing income

     15,756        7,991        8,399   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     136,406        103,327        87,762   

Interest income, net

     1,274        1,564        2,088   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax

     137,680        104,891        89,850   

Income tax expense (Note 10)

     (34,201     (27,854     (22,829
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 103,479      $ 77,037      $ 67,021   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share (Note 16):

      

Basic

   $ 3.06      $ 2.28      $ 1.98   

Diluted

     3.03        2.26        1.97   

Cash dividends per share:

   $ 0.86      $ 2.24      $ 0.66   

Weighted average shares outstanding (Note 16):

      

Basic

     33,808        33,725        33,846   

Diluted

     34,204        34,092        33,981   

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2011     2010     2009  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income

   $ 103,479      $ 77,037      $ 67,021   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     43,560        38,430        36,253   

Loss on disposal or impairment of property, plant, and equipment

     6,485        3,331        1,828   

Deferred income taxes

     (3,582     (22,610     55   

Stock-based compensation

     7,870        6,730        6,353   

Excess tax benefit from employee stock plans

     (1,828     (498     (41

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable

     (54,334     (69,500     77,490   

Inventories

     (55,223     (87,265     38,831   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (10,186     3,856        (1,695

Other assets

     (4,520     (1,566     (5,179

Accounts payable

     19,081        26,028        (16,944

Accrued liabilities

     17,630        34,224        7,563   

Income taxes payable

     (7,010     9,018        (1,558

Other liabilities

     2,374        6,302        4,395   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     63,796        23,517        214,372   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Purchases of short-term investments

     (46,349     (81,671     (25,305

Sales of short-term investments

     112,070        35,601        25,163   

Capital expenditures

     (78,404     (28,838     (33,074

Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment

     168        42        31   

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     —          (16,315     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (12,515     (91,181     (33,185
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Proceeds from credit facilities

     119,384        31,680        57,588   

Repayments on credit facilities

     (119,384     (31,680     (57,588

Repayment on other long-term liabilities

     —          —          (4

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock plans

     10,991        7,333        710   

Tax payments related to restricted stock unit issuances

     (2,974     (853     (624

Excess tax benefit from employee stock plans

     1,828        498        41   

Repurchase of common stock

     (20,000     (13,838     (7,399

Cash dividends paid

     (29,075     (75,439     (22,331
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (39,230     (82,299     (29,607
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (5,274     (2,444     4,467   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     6,777        (152,407     156,047   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     234,257        386,664        230,617   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 241,034      $ 234,257      $ 386,664   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

      

Cash paid during the year for interest

   $ 183      $ 76      $ 35   

Cash paid during the year for income taxes

     42,405        34,924        31,284   

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing activities:

      

Capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid

     952        1,001        7,852   

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

 

    Common Stock     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
    Comprehensive
Income
    Total  
  Shares
Outstanding
    Amount          

BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 2009

    33,865      $ 1,481      $ 909,443      $ 33,166        $ 944,090   

Components of comprehensive income:

           

Net income

    —          —          67,021        —        $ 67,021        67,021   

Cash dividends ($0.66 per share)

    —          —          (22,331     —          —          (22,331

Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sales securities, net

    —          —          —          64        64        64   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    —          —          —          13,854        13,854        13,854   

Unrealized holding loss on derivative transactions, net

    —          —          —          (3,640     (3,640     (3,640
         

 

 

   

Comprehensive income

    —          —          —          —        $ 77,299     
         

 

 

   

Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans, net

    75        86        —          —            86   

Tax adjustment from stock plans

    —          (870     —          —            (870

Stock-based compensation expense

    —          6,353        —          —            6,353   

Repurchase of common stock

    (204     (6,214     (1,185     —            (7,399
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2009

    33,736        836        952,948        43,444          997,228   

Components of comprehensive income:

           

Net income

    —          —          77,037        —        $ 77,037        77,037   

Cash dividends ($2.24 per share)

    —          —          (75,439     —          —          (75,439

Unrealized holding losses on available-for-sales securities, net

    —          —          —          (28     (28     (28

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    —          —          —          3,812        3,812        3,812   

Unrealized holding loss on derivative transactions, net

    —          —          —          (513     (513     (513
         

 

 

   

Comprehensive income

    —          —          —          —        $ 80,308     
         

 

 

   

Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans, net

    240        6,480        —          —            6,480   

Tax adjustment from stock plans

    —          505        —          —            505   

Stock-based compensation expense

    —          6,730        —          —            6,730   

Repurchase of common stock

    (293     (9,499     (4,339     —            (13,838
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2010

    33,683        5,052        950,207        46,715          1,001,974   

Components of comprehensive income:

           

Net income

    —          —          103,479        —        $ 103,479        103,479   

Cash dividends ($0.86 per share)

    —          —          (29,075     —          —          (29,075

Unrealized holding losses on available-for-sales securities, net

    —          —          —          (38     (38     (38

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    —          —          —          (8,701     (8,701     (8,701

Unrealized holding gains on derivative transactions, net

    —          —          —          8,921        8,921        8,921   
         

 

 

   

Comprehensive income

    —          —          —          —        $ 103,661     
         

 

 

   

Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans, net

    353        8,017        —          —            8,017   

Tax adjustment from stock plans

    —          2,098        —          —            2,098   

Stock-based compensation expense

    —          7,870        —          —            7,870   

Repurchase of common stock

    (398     (20,000     —          —            (20,000
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2011

    33,638      $ 3,037      $ 1,024,611      $ 46,897        $ 1,074,545   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ORGANIZATION

 

Nature of the business:

 

Columbia Sportswear Company is a global leader in the design, development, marketing and distribution of active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment.

 

Principles of consolidation:

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Columbia Sportswear Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Estimates and assumptions:

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions. Some of these more significant estimates relate to revenue recognition, including sales returns and claims from customers, allowance for doubtful accounts, excess, slow-moving and close-out inventories, product warranty, long-lived and intangible assets, income taxes and stock-based compensation.

 

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

Cash and cash equivalents are stated at fair value or at cost, which approximates fair value, and include investments with maturities of 90 days or less at the date of acquisition. At December 31, 2011, cash and cash equivalents consisted of cash, money market funds and time deposits with original maturities ranging from overnight to less than 90 days. At December 31, 2010, cash and cash equivalents consisted of cash, money market funds, municipal bonds and time deposits with original maturities ranging from overnight to less than 90 days.

 

Investments:

 

At December 31, 2011, short-term investments consisted of time deposits with original maturities greater than 90 days. These investments are considered available for use in current operations. At December 31, 2010, short-term investments consisted of shares in a short-term municipal bond fund and municipal bonds with original maturities greater than 90 days. These investments are considered available for use in current operations. All short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale securities and are recorded at fair value with any unrealized gains and losses reported, net of tax, in other comprehensive income. Realized gains or losses are determined based on the specific identification method.

 

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, long-term investments included in other non-current assets consisted of mutual fund shares held to offset liabilities to participants in the Company’s deferred compensation plan. The investments are classified as long-term because the related deferred compensation liabilities are not expected to be paid within the next year. These investments are classified as trading securities and are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in operating expenses, which are offset against gains and losses resulting from changes in corresponding deferred compensation liabilities to participants.

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Accounts receivable:

 

Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company makes ongoing estimates of the collectability of accounts receivable and maintains an allowance for estimated losses resulting from the inability of the Company’s customers to make required payments.

 

Inventories:

 

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. The Company periodically reviews its inventories for excess, close-out or slow moving items and makes provisions as necessary to properly reflect inventory value.

 

Property, plant, and equipment:

 

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The principal estimated useful lives are: buildings and building improvements, 15-30 years; land improvements, 15 years; furniture and fixtures, 3-10 years; and machinery and equipment, 3-5 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the improvement, which is most commonly 7 years, or the remaining term of the underlying lease.

 

Improvements to property, plant and equipment that substantially extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Internal and external costs directly related to the development of internal-use software during the application development stage, including costs incurred for third party contractors and employee compensation, are capitalized and depreciated over a 3-7 year estimated useful life.

 

Impairment of long-lived assets:

 

Long-lived assets are amortized over their useful lives and are measured for impairment only when events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired. In these cases, the Company estimates the future undiscounted cash flows to be derived from the asset or asset group to determine whether a potential impairment exists. When reviewing for retail store impairment, identifiable cash flows are measured at the individual store level. If the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset, the Company recognizes an impairment loss, measured as the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset. Impairment charges for long-lived assets are included in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense and were $6,211,000, $3,003,000 and $1,542,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Intangible assets and goodwill:

 

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are periodically evaluated for impairment. Intangible assets that are determined to have finite lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their useful lives and are measured for impairment only when events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired.

 

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets:

 

The Company reviews and tests its goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives for impairment in the fourth quarter of each year and when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

carrying amount of such assets may be impaired. The Company’s intangible assets with indefinite lives consist of trademarks and tradenames. Substantially all of the Company’s goodwill is recorded in the United States segment and impairment testing for goodwill is performed at the reporting unit level. In the impairment test for goodwill, the two-step process first compares the estimated fair value of the reporting unit with the carrying amount of that reporting unit. The Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units using a combination of discounted cash flow analysis, comparisons with the market values of similar publicly traded companies and other operating performance based valuation methods as necessary. If step one indicates impairment, step two compares the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to the estimated fair value of all reporting unit assets and liabilities except goodwill to determine the implied fair value of goodwill. The Company calculates impairment as the excess of carrying amount of goodwill over the implied fair value of goodwill. In the impairment test for trademarks, the Company compares the estimated fair value of the asset to the carrying amount. The fair value of trademarks and tradenames is estimated using the relief from royalty approach, a standard form of discounted cash flow analysis used in the valuation of trademarks. If the carrying amount of trademarks exceeds the estimated fair value, the Company calculates impairment as the excess of carrying amount over the estimate of fair value.

 

If events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of intangible assets with finite lives may be impaired, the Company estimates the future undiscounted cash flows to be derived from the asset or asset group to determine whether a potential impairment exists. If the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset the Company recognizes an impairment loss, measured as the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset.

 

Impairment charges are classified as a component of SG&A expense. The fair value estimates are based on a number of factors, including assumptions and estimates for projected sales, income, cash flows, discount rates and other operating performance measures. Changes in estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results. These assumptions and estimates may change in the future due to changes in economic conditions, changes in the Company’s ability to meet sales and profitability objectives or changes in the Company’s business operations or strategic direction.

 

Income taxes:

 

Income taxes are provided on financial statement earnings for financial reporting purposes. Income taxes are based on amounts of taxes payable or refundable in the current year and on expected future tax consequences of events that are recognized in the financial statements in different periods than they are recognized in tax returns. As a result of timing of recognition and measurement differences between financial accounting standards and income tax laws, temporary differences arise between amounts of pre-tax financial statement income and taxable income and between reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect estimated future tax effects attributable to these temporary differences and to net operating loss and net capital loss carryforwards, based on tax rates expected to be in effect for years in which the differences are expected to be settled or realized. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on future taxable income in specific jurisdictions. Valuation allowances are used to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts considered likely to be realized. U.S. deferred income taxes are not provided on undistributed income of foreign subsidiaries, where such earnings are considered to be permanently invested, or to the extent such recognition would result in a deferred tax asset.

 

Accrued income taxes in the Consolidated Balance Sheets include unrecognized income tax benefits relating to uncertain tax positions, including related interest and penalties, appropriately classified as current or noncurrent. The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position if it is more likely than not

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the relevant taxing authority based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. In making this determination, the Company assumes that the taxing authority will examine the position and that they will have full knowledge of all relevant information. The provision for income taxes also includes estimates of interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

 

Derivatives:

 

The effective portion of changes in fair values of outstanding cash flow hedges is recorded in other comprehensive income until earnings are affected by the hedged transaction, and any ineffective portion is included in current income. In most cases amounts recorded in other comprehensive income will be released to earnings some time after maturity of the related derivative. The Consolidated Statements of Operations classification of effective hedge results is the same as that of the underlying exposure. Results of hedges of product costs are recorded in cost of sales when the underlying hedged transaction affects earnings. Unrealized derivative gains and losses, which are recorded in assets and liabilities, respectively, are non-cash items and therefore are taken into account in the preparation of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows based on their respective balance sheet classifications. See Note 19 for more information on derivatives and risk management.

 

Foreign currency translation:

 

The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have been translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at period end, and the net sales and expenses have been translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates in effect during the period. The foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity and are not currently adjusted for income taxes when they relate to indefinite net investments in non-U.S. operations.

 

Revenue recognition:

 

The Company records wholesale, e-commerce and licensed product revenues when title passes and the risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the customer. Title generally passes upon shipment to, or upon receipt by, the customer depending on the terms of sale with the customer. Retail store revenues are recorded at the time of sale.

 

In some countries outside of the United States where title passes upon receipt by the customer, predominantly in the Company’s Western European wholesale business, precise information regarding the date of receipt by the customer is not readily available. In these cases, the Company estimates the date of receipt by the customer based on historical and expected delivery times by geographic location. The Company periodically tests the accuracy of these estimates based on actual transactions. Delivery times vary by geographic location, generally from one to five days. To date, the Company has found these estimates to be materially accurate.

 

At the time of revenue recognition, the Company also provides for estimated sales returns and miscellaneous claims from customers as reductions to revenues. The estimates are based on historical rates of product returns and claims as well as events and circumstances that indicate changes to historical rates of returns and claims. However, actual returns and claims in any future period are inherently uncertain and thus may differ from the estimates. If actual or expected future returns and claims are significantly greater or lower than the reserves that had been established, the Company would record a reduction or increase to net revenues in the period in which it made such determination.

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Cost of sales:

 

The expenses that are included in cost of sales include all direct product and conversion-related costs, and costs related to shipping, duties and importation. Specific provisions for excess, close-out or slow moving inventory are also included in cost of sales. In addition, some of the Company’s products carry limited warranty provisions for defects in quality and workmanship. A warranty reserve is established at the time of sale to cover estimated costs based on the Company’s history of warranty repairs and replacements and is recorded in cost of sales.

 

Selling, general and administrative expense:

 

SG&A expense consists of personnel-related costs, advertising, depreciation and other selling and general operating expenses related to the Company’s business functions, including planning, receiving finished goods, warehousing, distribution, retail operations and information technology.

 

Shipping and handling costs:

 

Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are recorded as revenue. The direct costs associated with shipping goods to customers are recorded as cost of sales. Inventory planning, receiving and handling costs are recorded as a component of SG&A expenses and were $65,290,000, $57,901,000 and $55,867,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Stock-based compensation:

 

Stock-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the award’s fair value and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period using the straight-line attribution method. The Company estimates stock-based compensation for stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires various highly subjective assumptions, including volatility and expected option life. Further, the Company estimates forfeitures for stock-based awards granted which are not expected to vest. If any of these inputs or assumptions changes significantly, stock-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that recorded in the current period. Assumptions are evaluated and revised as necessary to reflect changes in market conditions and the Company’s experience. Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value ultimately realized by people who receive equity awards. The fair value of service-based and performance-based restricted stock units is discounted by the present value of the estimated future stream of dividends over the vesting period using the Black-Scholes model.

 

Advertising costs:

 

Advertising costs are expensed in the period incurred and are included in SG&A expenses. Total advertising expense, including cooperative advertising costs, was $85,003,000, $77,978,000 and $65,204,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Through cooperative advertising programs, the Company reimburses its wholesale customers for some of their costs of advertising the Company’s products based on various criteria, including the value of purchases from the Company and various advertising specifications. Cooperative advertising costs are included in expenses because the Company receives an identifiable benefit in exchange for the cost, the advertising may be obtained from a party other than the customer, and the fair value of the advertising benefit can be reasonably estimated. Cooperative advertising costs were $8,554,000, $7,259,000 and $10,978,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

 

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS. This ASU was issued concurrently with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) 13 Fair Value Measurements, to provide largely identical guidance about fair value measurement and disclosure requirements. The new standards do not extend the use of fair value but, rather, provide guidance about how fair value should be applied where it already is required or permitted under IFRS or U.S. GAAP. This standard is effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income. This ASU increases the prominence of other comprehensive income in financial statements while eliminating the option in U.S. GAAP to present other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity. Under this ASU, an entity will have the option to present the components of net income and comprehensive income in either one or two consecutive financial statements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. This ASU permits an entity to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount before applying the two-step goodwill impairment test. Under these requirements, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The ASU is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

NOTE 3—CONCENTRATIONS

 

Trade Receivables

 

At December 31, 2011, no single customer accounted for 10% or more of consolidated accounts receivable. At December 31, 2010, the Company had one customer in its Canadian segment that accounted for approximately 11.9% of consolidated accounts receivable. No single customer accounted for 10% or more of consolidated revenues for any of the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 or 2009.

 

Derivatives

 

The Company uses derivative instruments primarily to hedge the currency exchange rate risk of anticipated transactions denominated in non-functional currencies that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. The Company also uses derivative instruments to economically hedge the currency exchange rate risk of certain investment positions, to hedge balance sheet re-measurement risk and to hedge other anticipated transactions that do not qualify as cash flow hedges. At December 31, 2011, the Company’s derivative contracts had a remaining maturity of approximately two years or less. All the counterparties to these transactions had both long-term and short-term investment grade credit ratings. The maximum net exposure to any single counterparty, which is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain of all contracts with that counterparty, was less than

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

$3,000,000 at December 31, 2011. The majority of the Company’s derivative counterparties have strong credit ratings and as a result, the Company does not require collateral to facilitate transactions. See Note 19 for further disclosures concerning derivatives.

 

Country and supplier concentrations

 

The Company’s products are produced by independent factories located outside the United States, principally in Southeast Asia. Apparel is manufactured in more than 15 countries, with Vietnam and China accounting for approximately 73% of 2011 global apparel production. Footwear is manufactured in three countries, with China and Vietnam accounting for approximately 92% of 2011 global footwear production. The five largest apparel factory groups accounted for approximately 25% of 2011 global apparel production, with the largest factory group accounting for 9% of 2011 global apparel production. The five largest footwear factory groups accounted for approximately 72% of 2011 global footwear production, with the largest factory group accounting for 25% of 2011 global footwear production. In addition, a single vendor supplies substantially all of the zippers used in the Company’s products. These companies, however, have multiple factory locations, many of which are in different countries, thus reducing the risk that unfavorable conditions at a single factory or location will have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

NOTE 4—ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET

 

Accounts receivable, net, is as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2011     2010  

Trade accounts receivable

   $ 359,083      $ 307,279   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (7,545     (7,098
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

   $ 351,538      $ 300,181   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

NOTE 5—INVENTORIES, NET

 

Inventories, net, consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2011      2010  

Raw materials

   $ 2,044       $ 1,096   

Work in process

     1,240         659   

Finished goods

     361,915         312,543   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 365,199       $ 314,298   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

NOTE 6—PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2011     2010  

Land and improvements

   $ 20,690      $ 16,898   

Building and improvements

     155,672        144,004   

Machinery and equipment

     198,387        193,104   

Furniture and fixtures

     50,108        46,147   

Leasehold improvements

     65,476        62,884   

Construction in progress

     36,463        9,775   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     526,796        472,812   

Less accumulated depreciation

     (275,886     (250,999
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 250,910      $ 221,813   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

NOTE 7—INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET AND GOODWILL

 

Intangible assets that are determined to have finite lives include patents and purchased technology and are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which is approximately 10 years. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives include trademarks and tradenames and are not amortized but are periodically evaluated for impairment.

 

Identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2011     2010  

Intangible assets subject to amortization:

    

Gross carrying amount

   $ 14,198      $ 14,198   

Accumulated amortization

     (2,599     (1,196
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net carrying amount

     11,599        13,002   

Intangible assets not subject to amortization

     27,421        27,421   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intangible assets, net

   $ 39,020      $ 40,423   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $1,403,000, $553,000 and $109,000, respectively. Amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization is estimated to be $1,402,000 in 2012 and $1,330,000 in 2013 through 2016.

 

At December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company determined that its goodwill and intangible assets were not impaired. The change in goodwill in 2011 resulted from a purchase price adjustment related to an acquisition in 2010.

 

NOTE 8—SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND CREDIT LINES

 

The Company has a domestic credit agreement for an unsecured, committed $125,000,000 revolving line of credit. The maturity date of this agreement is July 1, 2016. Interest, payable monthly, is based on the Company’s applicable funded debt ratio, ranging from LIBOR plus 100 to 175 basis points. This line of credit requires the

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Company to comply with certain financial covenants covering net income, tangible net worth and borrowing basis. If the Company is in default, it is prohibited from paying dividends or repurchasing common stock. At December 31, 2011, the Company was in compliance with all associated covenants. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, no balance was outstanding under this line of credit.

 

The Company’s Canadian subsidiary has available an unsecured and uncommitted line of credit guaranteed by the parent company providing for borrowing to a maximum of C$30,000,000 (US$29,374,000) at December 31, 2011. The revolving line accrues interest at the bank’s Canadian prime rate. There was no balance outstanding under this line at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

 

The Company’s European subsidiary has available two separate unsecured and uncommitted lines of credit guaranteed by the parent company providing for borrowing up to a maximum of €30,000,000 and €5,000,000, respectively (combined US$45,366,000) at December 31, 2011, of which US$3,240,000 of the €5,000,000 line is designated as a European customs guarantee. These lines accrue interest based on the European Central Bank refinancing rate plus 50 basis points and Euro Overnight Index Average plus 75 basis points, respectively. There was no balance outstanding under either line at December 31, 2011 or 2010.

 

The Company’s Japanese subsidiary has an unsecured and uncommitted line of credit guaranteed by the parent company providing for borrowing to a maximum of US$5,000,000 at December 31, 2011. The revolving line accrues interest at LIBOR plus 110 basis points. There was no balance outstanding under this line at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

 

On August, 31, 2011, the Company’s Korean subsidiary entered into an unsecured and uncommitted line of credit agreement guaranteed by the parent company providing for borrowing to a maximum of US$10,000,000. The revolving line accrues interest at the Korean three-month CD rate plus 220 basis points. There was no balance outstanding under this line at December 31, 2011.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company has arrangements in place to facilitate the import and purchase of inventory through import letters of credit. The Company has available unsecured and uncommitted import letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $15,000,000 subject to annual renewal. At December 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding letters of credit of $2,029,000 for purchase orders for inventory under this arrangement.

 

NOTE 9—ACCRUED LIABILITIES

 

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2011      2010  

Accrued salaries, bonus, vacation and other benefits

   $ 55,958       $ 49,078   

Accrued import duties

     11,258         13,443   

Product warranties

     10,452         10,256   

Other

     26,828         30,033   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 104,496       $ 102,810   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

A reconciliation of product warranties is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2011     2010     2009  

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 10,256      $ 12,112      $ 9,746   

Provision for warranty claims

     4,758        1,371        5,133   

Warranty claims

     (4,468     (3,104     (2,984

Other

     (94     (123     217   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ 10,452      $ 10,256      $ 12,112   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

NOTE 10—INCOME TAXES

 

Consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2011      2010      2009  

U.S. operations

   $ 68,412       $ 59,881       $ 59,629   

Foreign operations

     69,268         45,010         30,221   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before income tax

   $ 137,680       $ 104,891       $ 89,850   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2011     2010     2009  

Current:

      

Federal

   $ 16,384      $ 24,419      $ 10,030   

State and local

     1,995        4,060        2,088   

Non-U.S.

     19,508        23,253        10,399   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     37,887        51,732        22,517   

Deferred:

      

Federal

     407        (18,405     2,377   

State and local

     229        (1,223     12   

Non-U.S.

     (4,322     (4,250     (2,077
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (3,686     (23,878     312   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   $ 34,201      $ 27,854      $ 22,829   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following is a reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective rate reported in the financial statements:

 

     Year Ended
December  31,
 
     2011     2010     2009  
     (percent of income)  

Provision for federal income taxes at the statutory rate

     35.0     35.0     35.0

State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit

     1.4        2.6        1.9   

Non-U.S. income taxed at different rates

     (6.5     (2.3     0.4   

Foreign tax credits

     (1.8     (3.5     (5.8

Reduction of accrued income taxes

     (3.5     (4.0     (4.1

Tax-exempt interest

     (0.1     (0.2     (0.5

Other

     0.3        (1.0     (1.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Actual provision for income taxes

     24.8     26.6     25.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Significant components of the Company’s deferred taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2011     2010  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Non-deductible accruals and allowances

   $ 30,307      $ 26,905   

Capitalized inventory costs

     25,814        21,065   

Stock compensation

     6,283        6,157   

Net operating loss carryforwards

     6,364        6,894   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,693        1,722   

Tax credits

     12,702        11,187   

Other

     1,121        414   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross deferred tax assets

     84,284        74,344   

Valuation allowance

     (6,690     (7,261
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

     77,594        67,083   

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Deductible accruals and allowance

     (801     (593

Depreciation and amortization

     (12,320     (7,182

Foreign currency loss

     (2,494     —     

Other

     (596     (1,564
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross deferred tax liabilities

     (16,211     (9,339

Total net deferred taxes

   $ 61,383      $ 57,744   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. The Company had net operating loss carryforwards at December 31, 2011 and 2010 in certain international tax jurisdictions of $58,272,000 and $67,800,000, respectively, which will begin to expire in 2015. The net operating losses result in a deferred tax asset of $6,364,000 and $6,894,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, both of which were subject to a 100% valuation allowance. To the extent that the Company reverses a portion of the valuation allowance, the adjustment would be recorded as a reduction to income tax expense.

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Non-current deferred tax assets of $11,605,000 and $14,806,000 are included as a component of other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

The Company had undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries of approximately $218,023,000 at December 31, 2011 for which deferred taxes have not been provided. Such earnings are considered indefinitely invested outside of the United States. If these earnings were repatriated to the United States, the earnings would be subject to U.S. taxation. The amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability associated with the undistributed earnings was approximately $50,059,000 at December 31, 2011. The unrecognized deferred tax liability approximates the excess of the United States tax liability over the creditable foreign taxes paid that would result from a full remittance of undistributed earnings.

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2011     2010     2009  

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 18,694      $ 20,183      $ 21,839   

Increases related to prior year tax positions

     43        893        1,346   

Decreases related to prior year tax positions

     (141     (27     (634

Increases related to current year tax positions

     1,388        1,278        1,598   

Settlements

     (649     —          (1,194

Expiration of statute of limitations

     (5,019     (3,633     (2,772
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ 14,316      $ 18,694      $ 20,183   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Unrecognized tax benefits of $12,735,000 and $16,740,000 would affect the effective tax rate if recognized at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

The Company conducts business globally, and as a result, the Company or one or more of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world, including such major jurisdictions as Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Company has effectively settled U.S. tax examinations of all years through 2007. Internationally, the Company has effectively settled Canadian tax examinations of all years through 2004, Swiss tax examinations of all years through 2008, French tax examinations of all years through 2008, Japanese tax examinations of all years through 2007 and Korean tax examinations of all years through 2007. The Company is currently under examination in Canada for the tax years 2005 through 2008 and in Japan for the tax years 2008 through 2010. The Company does not anticipate that adjustments relative to these ongoing tax audits will result in a material change to its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Due to the potential for resolution of income tax audits currently in progress, and the expiration of various statutes of limitation, it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits balance may change within the twelve months following December 31, 2011 by a range of zero to $10,195,000. Open tax years, including those previously mentioned, contain matters that could be subject to differing interpretations of applicable tax laws and regulations as they relate to the amount, timing, or inclusion of revenue and expenses or the sustainability of income tax credits for a given examination cycle.

 

The Company recognizes interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company recognized a net reversal of accrued interest and penalties of $501,000 in 2011, net accrued interest and penalties of $780,000 in 2010 and a net reversal of accrued interest and penalties of $80,000

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

in 2009, all related to uncertain tax positions. The Company had $3,434,000 and $3,935,000 of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

NOTE 11—OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

 

Other long-term liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2011      2010  

Straight-line and deferred rent liabilities

   $ 18,028       $ 16,296   

Asset retirement obligations

     1,565         1,122   

Deferred compensation plan liability

     2,521         1,670   

Other

     1,739         2,368   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 23,853       $ 21,456   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

NOTE 12—RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS

 

401(k) Profit-Sharing Plan

 

The Company has a 401(k) profit-sharing plan, which covers substantially all U.S. employees. Participation begins the first of the quarter following completion of thirty days of service. The Company may elect to make discretionary matching and/or non-matching contributions. All Company contributions to the plan as determined by the Board of Directors totaled $5,223,000, $4,443,000 and $2,610,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Deferred Compensation Plan

 

The Company sponsors a nonqualified retirement savings plan for certain senior management employees whose contributions to the tax qualified 401(k) plan would be limited by provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. This plan allows participants to defer receipt of a portion of their salary and incentive compensation and to receive matching contributions for a portion of the deferred amounts. Company contributions to the plan totaled $245,000, $155,000 and $108,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Participants earn a return on their deferred compensation based on investment earnings of participant-selected mutual funds. Changes in the market value of the participants’ investment selections are recorded as an adjustment to deferred compensation liabilities, with an offset to compensation expense. Deferred compensation, including accumulated earnings on the participant-directed investment selections, is distributable in cash at participant-specified dates or upon retirement, death, disability or termination of employment. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the liability to participants under this plan was $2,521,000 and $1,670,000, respectively, and was recorded in other long-term liabilities. The current portion of the participant liability at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was not material.

 

The Company has purchased specific mutual funds in the same amounts as the participant-directed investment selections underlying the deferred compensation liabilities. These investment securities and earnings thereon, held in an irrevocable trust, are intended to provide a source of funds to meet the deferred compensation obligations, subject to claims of creditors in the event of the Company’s insolvency. The mutual funds are recorded at fair value in other non-current assets. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the fair value of the mutual fund investments was $2,521,000 and $1,670,000, respectively. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on the mutual fund investments are offset against gains and losses resulting from changes in corresponding deferred compensation liabilities to participants.

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

NOTE 13—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Operating Leases

 

The Company leases, among other things, retail space, office space, warehouse facilities, storage space, vehicles and equipment. Generally, the base lease terms are between 5 and 10 years. Certain lease agreements contain scheduled rent escalation clauses in their future minimum lease payments. Future minimum lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term and the pro rata portion of scheduled rent escalations is included in other long-term liabilities. Certain retail space lease agreements provide for additional rents based on a percentage of annual sales in excess of stipulated minimums (“percentage rent”). Certain lease agreements require the Company to pay real estate taxes, insurance, common area maintenance (“CAM”), and other costs, collectively referred to as operating costs, in addition to base rent. Percentage rent and operating costs are recognized as incurred in SG&A expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Certain lease agreements also contain lease incentives, such as tenant improvement allowances and rent holidays. The Company recognizes the benefits related to the lease incentives on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term.

 

Rent expense, including percentage rent but excluding operating costs for which the Company is obligated, consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2011      2010      2009  

Rent expense included in SG&A

   $ 46,869       $ 39,898       $ 31,140   

Rent expense included in cost of sales

     1,429         1,351         1,465   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 48,298       $ 41,249       $ 32,605   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Approximate future minimum payments, including rent escalation clauses and stores that are not yet open, on all lease obligations at December 31, 2011, are as follows (in thousands). Operating lease obligations listed below do not include percentage rent, real estate taxes, insurance, CAM, and other costs for which the Company is obligated. These operating lease commitments are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

2012

   $ 38,773   

2013

     35,060   

2014

     29,819   

2015

     26,892   

2016

     25,254   

Thereafter

     94,892   
  

 

 

 
   $ 250,690   
  

 

 

 

 

Inventory Purchase Obligations

 

Inventory purchase obligations consist of open production purchase orders for sourced apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment, and raw material commitments not included in open production purchase orders. At December 31, 2011 inventory purchase obligations were $351,854,000. To support certain inventory purchase obligations, the Company maintains unsecured and uncommitted lines of credit available for issuing import letters of credit. At December 31, 2011 the Company had letters of credit of $2,029,000 outstanding for inventory purchase obligations.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Litigation

 

The Company is a party to various legal claims, actions and complaints from time to time. Although the ultimate resolution of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Indemnities and Guarantees

 

During its normal course of business, the Company has made certain indemnities, commitments and guarantees under which it may be required to make payments in relation to certain transactions. These include (i) intellectual property indemnities to the Company’s customers and licensees in connection with the use, sale and/or license of Company products, (ii) indemnities to various lessors in connection with facility leases for certain claims arising from such facility or lease, (iii) indemnities to customers, vendors and service providers pertaining to claims based on the negligence or willful misconduct of the Company, (iv) executive severance arrangements and (v) indemnities involving the accuracy of representations and warranties in certain contracts. The duration of these indemnities, commitments and guarantees varies, and in certain cases, may be indefinite. The majority of these indemnities, commitments and guarantees do not provide for any limitation of the maximum potential for future payments the Company could be obligated to make. The Company has not recorded any liability for these indemnities, commitments and guarantees in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

NOTE 14—SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Since the inception of the Company’s stock repurchase plan in 2004 through December 31, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of $500,000,000 of the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had repurchased 9,588,798 shares under this program at an aggregate purchase price of approximately $441,237,000. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company repurchased an aggregate of $20,000,000 of common stock under the stock repurchase plan. Shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares or to acquire shares over any specified period of time.

 

NOTE 15—STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Company’s stock incentive plan (the “Plan”) provides for issuance of up to 8,900,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, of which 1,344,342 shares were available for future grants under the Plan at December 31, 2011. The Plan allows for grants of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards. The Company uses original issuance shares to satisfy share-based payments.

 

Stock-based compensation expense consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2011     2010     2009  

Cost of sales

   $ 282      $ 286      $ 335   

Selling, general, and administrative expense

     7,588        6,444        6,018   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pre-tax stock-based compensation expense

     7,870        6,730        6,353   

Income tax benefits

     (2,729     (2,162     (2,258
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax

   $ 5,141      $ 4,568      $ 4,095   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

No stock-based compensation costs were capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 or 2009.

 

The Company realized a tax benefit for the deduction from stock-based award transactions of $4,702,000, $1,909,000, and $851,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Stock Options

 

Options to purchase the Company’s common stock are granted at exercise prices equal to or greater than the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Options granted after 2000 and before 2009 generally vest and become exercisable over a period of four years (25 percent on the first anniversary date following the date of grant and monthly thereafter) and expire ten years from the date of the grant, with the exception of most options granted in 2005. Most options granted in 2005 vested and became exercisable one year from the date of grant and expire ten years from the date of grant. Options granted after 2008 generally vest and become exercisable ratably on an annual basis over a period of four years and expire ten years from the date of the grant.

 

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes model. Key inputs and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the exercise price of the award, the expected option term, expected volatility of the Company’s stock over the option’s expected term, the risk-free interest rate over the option’s expected term, and the Company’s expected annual dividend yield. Assumptions are evaluated and revised as necessary to reflect changes in market conditions and the Company’s experience. Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value ultimately realized by people who receive equity awards.

 

The following table presents the weighted average assumptions for the years ended December 31:

 

     2011(1)      2010      2009  

Expected term

     5.12 years         4.53 years         4.71 years   

Expected stock price volatility

     30.76%         28.79%         29.52%   

Risk-free interest rate

     1.84%         1.91%         1.73%   

Expected dividend yield

     1.31%         1.64%         2.17%   

Weighted average grant date fair value

   $ 16.09       $ 10.08       $ 6.55   

 

(1)  

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company granted two stock option awards totaling 53,720 shares that vest 100% on the fifth anniversary of the grant date. Because the Company did not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected term for these grants, the Company utilized the simplified method in developing an estimate of the expected term of these options.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table summarizes stock option activity under the Plan:

 

     Number of
Shares
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (in
thousands)
 

Options outstanding at January 1, 2009

     1,653,639      $ 45.10         6.73       $ 1,042   

Granted

     387,505        29.75         

Cancelled

     (252,303     44.90         

Exercised

     (28,668     24.76         
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

Options outstanding at December 31, 2009

     1,760,173        42.08         6.25         4,599   

Granted

     385,924        44.11         

Cancelled

     (77,481     46.04         

Exercised

     (196,402     37.34         
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

Options outstanding at December 31, 2010

     1,872,214        42.84         6.33         33,057   

Granted

     340,973        61.38         

Cancelled

     (40,396     43.68         

Exercised

     (253,695     43.32         
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

Options outstanding at December 31, 2011

     1,919,096      $ 46.05         6.25       $ 9,141   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2011

     1,857,797      $ 45.81         6.17       $ 8,994   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options exercisable at December 31, 2011

     1,145,763      $ 44.24         4.83       $ 5,716   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents pre-tax intrinsic value that would have been realized if all options had been exercised on the last business day of the period indicated, based on the Company’s closing stock price on that day.

 

Total stock option compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $3,550,000, $3,348,000 and $2,861,000, respectively. At December 31, 2011, unrecognized costs related to stock options totaled approximately $6,018,000, before any related tax benefit. The unrecognized costs related to stock options are being amortized over the related vesting period using the straight-line attribution method. Unrecognized costs related to stock options at December 31, 2011 are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.33 years. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $4,906,000, $2,854,000 and $333,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The total cash received as a result of stock option exercises for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $10,991,000, $7,333,000 and $710,000, respectively.

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

Service-based restricted stock units are granted at no cost to key employees, and shares granted prior to 2009 generally vest over three years from the date of grant. Service-based restricted stock units granted after 2008 generally vest over a period of four years. Performance-based restricted stock units are granted at no cost to certain members of the Company’s senior executive team, excluding the Chairman and the President and Chief Executive Officer. Performance-based restricted stock units granted prior to 2010 generally vest over a performance period of between two and one-half and three years with an additional required service period of one year. Performance-based restricted stock units granted after 2009 generally vest over a performance period of between two and one-half and three years. Restricted stock units vest in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, and are based on continued service and,

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

in some instances, on individual performance and/or Company performance. For the majority of restricted stock units granted, the number of shares issued on the date the restricted stock units vest is net of the minimum statutory withholding requirements that the Company pays in cash to the appropriate taxing authorities on behalf of its employees. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company withheld 48,059, 18,721 and 19,819 shares, respectively, to satisfy $2,974,000, $853,000 and $624,000 of employees’ tax obligations, respectively.

 

The fair value of service-based and performance-based restricted stock units is discounted by the present value of the estimated future stream of dividends over the vesting period using the Black-Scholes model. The relevant inputs and assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model to compute the discount are the vesting period, expected annual dividend yield and closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

 

The following table presents the weighted average assumptions for the years ended December 31:

 

    2011     2010     2009  

Vesting period

    3.96 years        3.75 years        3.82 years   

Expected dividend yield

    1.33%        1.56%        2.19%   

Estimated average fair value per restricted stock unit granted

  $ 58.37      $ 43.95      $ 27.14   

 

The following table summarizes the restricted stock unit activity under the Plan:

 

     Number of
Shares
    Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Per Share
 

Restricted stock units outstanding at January 1, 2009

     260,509      $ 46.32   

Granted

     136,327        27.14   

Vested

     (65,935     53.41   

Forfeited

     (44,381     41.22   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restricted stock units outstanding at December 31, 2009

     286,520        36.35   

Granted

     128,525        43.95   

Vested

     (62,417     42.95   

Forfeited

     (23,833     42.44   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restricted stock units outstanding at December 31, 2010

     328,795        37.63   

Granted

     145,768        58.37   

Vested

     (146,951     38.01   

Forfeited

     (30,860     41.79   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restricted stock units outstanding at December 31, 2011

     296,752      $ 47.19   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock unit compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $4,320,000, $3,382,000 and $3,492,000, respectively. At December 31, 2011, unrecognized costs related to restricted stock units totaled approximately $8,806,000, before any related tax benefit. The unrecognized costs related to restricted stock units are being amortized over the related vesting period using the straight-line attribution method. These unrecognized costs at December 31, 2011 are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.34 years. The total grant date fair value of restricted stock units vested during the year ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $5,586,000, $2,681,000 and $3,522,000, respectively.

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

NOTE 16—EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Earnings per share (“EPS”), is presented on both a basic and diluted basis. Basic EPS is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if outstanding securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. For the calculation of diluted EPS, the basic weighted average number of shares is increased by the dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units determined using the treasury stock method.

 

A reconciliation of the common shares used in the denominator for computing basic and diluted EPS is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2011      2010      2009  

Weighted average common shares outstanding, used in computing basic earnings per share

     33,808         33,725         33,846   

Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units

     396         367         135   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding, used in computing diluted earnings per share

     34,204         34,092         33,981   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per share of common stock:

        

Basic

   $ 3.06       $ 2.28       $ 1.98   

Diluted

     3.03         2.26         1.97   

 

Stock options and service-based restricted stock units representing 452,907, 480,707 and 1,562,064 shares of common stock for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, were outstanding but were excluded in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect would be anti-dilutive as a result of applying the treasury stock method. In addition, performance-based restricted stock units representing 34,448, 43,323 and 44,043 shares for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, were outstanding but were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS because these shares were subject to performance conditions that had not been met.

 

NOTE 17—COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes, reported on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets consists of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, unrealized gains and losses on derivative transactions and foreign currency translation adjustments. A summary of comprehensive income, net of related tax effects, for the years ended December 31, is as follows (in thousands):

 

     2011     2010     2009  

Net income

   $ 103,479      $ 77,037      $ 67,021   

Other comprehensive income:

      

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

     (38     (28     64   

Unrealized derivative holding gains (losses) arising during period (net of tax expense (benefit)) of $351, ($725) and ($1,054) in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively)

     3,489        1,167        (3,024

Reclassification to net income of previously deferred (gains) losses on derivative transactions (net of tax benefit of $1,507, $269 and $227 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively)

     5,432        (1,680     (616

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (8,701     3,812        13,854   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

     182        3,271        10,278   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 103,661      $ 80,308      $ 77,299   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of related tax effects, is as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2011     2010  

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

   $ (2   $ 36   

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on derivative transactions

     7,250        (1,671

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     39,649        48,350   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   $ 46,897      $ 46,715   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

NOTE 18—SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The Company operates in four geographic segments: (1) the United States, (2) Latin America and Asia Pacific (“LAAP”), (3) Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”), and (4) Canada, which are reflective of the Company’s internal organization, management, and oversight structure. Each geographic segment operates predominantly in one industry: the design, development, marketing and distribution of active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment.

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The geographic distribution of the Company’s net sales, income before income taxes, interest income (expense), income tax (expense) benefit, and depreciation and amortization expense are summarized in the following tables (in thousands) for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and for identifiable assets at December 31, 2011 and 2010. Inter-geographic net sales, which are recorded at a negotiated mark-up and eliminated in consolidation, are not material.

 

     2011     2010     2009  

Net sales to unrelated entities:

      

United States

   $ 947,970      $ 880,990      $ 736,942   

LAAP

     340,977        263,429        203,230   

EMEA

     275,416        222,451        197,357   

Canada

     129,622        116,654        106,494   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 1,693,985      $ 1,483,524      $ 1,244,023   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes:

      

United States

   $ 63,847      $ 53,752      $ 49,660   

LAAP

     46,214        35,635        27,138   

EMEA

     13,779        5,817        1,410   

Canada

     12,566        8,123        9,554   

Interest

     1,274        1,564        2,088   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 137,680      $ 104,891      $ 89,850   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest income (expense), net:

      

United States

   $ 4,565      $ 4,664      $ 4,561   

LAAP

     (666     500        561   

EMEA

     648        (717     (910

Canada

     (3,273     (2,883     (2,124
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 1,274      $ 1,564      $ 2,088   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax (expense) benefit:

      

United States

   $ (19,233   $ (9,938   $ (13,710

LAAP

     (12,163     (9,325     (6,745

EMEA

     (80     (7,668     (2,744

Canada

     (2,725     (923     370   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ (34,201   $ (27,854   $ (22,829
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense:

      

United States

   $ 33,100      $ 28,634      $ 26,850   

LAAP

     3,241        2,557        2,120   

EMEA

     6,292        6,410        6,642   

Canada

     927        829        641   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 43,560      $ 38,430      $ 36,253   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Assets:

      

United States

   $ 977,792      $ 941,154     

LAAP

     242,124        141,911     

EMEA

     281,118        276,136     

Canada

     179,851        150,236     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total identifiable assets

     1,680,885        1,509,437     

Eliminations and reclassifications

     (298,343     (214,683  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
   $ 1,382,542      $ 1,294,754     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net sales by product category:

      

Apparel, accessories and equipment

   $ 1,334,883      $ 1,213,301      $ 1,029,458   

Footwear

     359,102        270,223        214,565   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 1,693,985      $ 1,483,524      $ 1,244,023   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

NOTE 19—FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT

 

In the normal course of business, the Company’s financial position and results of operations are routinely subject to a variety of risks. These risks include risks associated with financial markets, primarily currency exchange rate risk and, to a lesser extent, interest rate risk and equity market risk. The Company regularly assesses these risks and has established policies and business practices designed to mitigate them. The Company does not engage in speculative trading in any financial market.

 

The Company actively manages the risk of changes in functional currency equivalent cash flows resulting from anticipated U.S. dollar denominated inventory purchases by subsidiaries that use European euros, Canadian dollars, Japanese yen or Korean won as their functional currency. The Company manages this risk by using currency forward and European-style option contracts formally designated and effective as cash flow hedges. Hedge effectiveness is determined by evaluating the ability of a hedging instrument’s cumulative change in fair value to offset the cumulative change in the present value of expected cash flows on the underlying exposures. For forward contracts, the change in fair value attributable to changes in forward points are excluded from the determination of hedge effectiveness and included in current cost of sales. For option contracts, the hedging relationship is assumed to have no ineffectiveness if the critical terms of the option contract match the hedged transaction’s terms. Hedge ineffectiveness was not material during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 

The Company also uses currency forward and option contracts not formally designated as hedges to manage the currency exchange rate risk associated with the remeasurement of non-functional monetary assets and liabilities. Non-functional monetary assets and liabilities consist primarily of cash, intercompany loans and payables.

 

The following table presents the gross notional amount of outstanding derivative instruments (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2011      2010  

Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:

     

Currency forward contracts

   $ 144,000       $ 86,260   

Currency option contracts

     —           4,500   

Derivative instruments not designated as hedges:

     

Currency forward contracts

     138,807         179,382   

 

At December 31, 2011, approximately $6,074,000 of deferred net gains on both outstanding and matured derivatives accumulated in other comprehensive income are expected to be reclassified to net income during the next twelve months as a result of underlying hedged transactions also being recorded in net income. Actual amounts ultimately reclassified to net income are dependent on U.S. dollar exchange rates in effect against the European euro, Canadian dollar, Japanese yen and Korean won when outstanding derivative contracts mature.

 

At December 31, 2011 the Company’s derivative contracts had a remaining maturity of approximately two years or less. All the counterparties to these transactions had both long-term and short-term investment grade credit ratings. The maximum net exposure to any single counterparty, which is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain of all contracts with that counterparty, was less than $3,000,000 at December 31, 2011. The majority of the Company’s derivative counterparties have strong credit ratings and, as a result, the Company does not require collateral to facilitate transactions. The Company does not hold derivatives featuring credit-related contingent terms. In addition, the Company is not a party to any derivative master agreement featuring credit-related contingent terms. Finally, the Company has not pledged assets or posted collateral as a requirement for entering into or maintaining derivative positions.

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table presents the balance sheet classification and fair value of derivative instruments (in thousands):

 

    

Balance Sheet Classification

   December 31,  
        2011      2010  

Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:

        

Derivative instruments in asset positions:

        

Currency forward contracts

   Prepaid expenses and other current assets    $ 6,591       $ 362   

Currency forward contracts

   Other non-current assets      1,117         —     

Currency option contracts

   Prepaid expenses and other current assets      —           15   

Derivative instruments in liability positions:

        

Currency forward contracts

   Accrued liabilities      824         2,732   

Currency forward contracts

   Other long-term liabilities      91         —     

Currency option contracts

   Accrued liabilities      —           102   

 

    

Balance Sheet Classification

   December 31,  
         2011      2010  

Derivative instruments not designated as hedges:

        

Derivative instruments in asset positions:

        

Currency forward contracts

   Prepaid expenses and other current assets    $ 645       $ 789   

Derivative instruments in liability positions:

        

Currency forward contracts

   Accrued liabilities      2,962         4,169   

 

The following table presents the effect and classification of derivative instruments for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

 

    

Statement Of Operations Classification

   For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
         2011     2010     2009  

Currency Forward Contracts:

         

Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:

         

Gain (Loss) recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax

   —      $ 3,489      $ 1,167      $ (3,024

Gain (Loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to income for the effective portion

   Cost of sales      (6,862     1,789        (740

Loss recognized in income for amount excluded from effectiveness testing and for the ineffective portion

   Cost of sales      (1,889     (230     (14

Derivative instruments not designated as hedges:

         

Loss recognized in income

   Cost of sales      —          (130     (130

Gain (Loss) recognized in income

   SG&A      1,216        (54     —     

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

NOTE 20—FAIR VALUE MEASURES

 

Certain assets and liabilities are reported at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants, under a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

 

Level 1 –    observable inputs such as quoted prices in active liquid markets;
Level 2 –    inputs, other than the quoted market prices in active markets, which are observable, either directly or indirectly; or observable market prices in markets with insufficient volume and/or infrequent transactions; and
Level 3 –    unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data available, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Cash equivalents

           

Money market funds

   $ 55,542       $ —         $ —         $ 55,542   

Time deposits

     10,000         —           —           10,000   

Available-for-sale short-term investments

           

Time deposits

     2,878         —           —           2,878   

Other current assets

           

Derivative financial instruments (Note 19)

     —           7,236         —           7,236   

Non-current assets

           

Derivative financial instruments (Note 19)

     —           1,117         —           1,117   

Mutual fund shares

     2,521         —           —           2,521   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value

   $ 70,941       $ 8,353       $ —         $ 79,294   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

           

Accrued liabilities

           

Derivative financial instruments (Note 19)

   $ —         $ 3,786       $ —         $ 3,786   

Other long-term liabilities

           

Derivative financial instruments (Note 19)

     —           91         —           91   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

   $ —         $ 3,877       $ —         $ 3,877   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Cash equivalents

           

Money market funds

   $ 177,104       $ —         $ —         $ 177,104   

Time deposits

     7,510         —           —           7,510   

U.S. Government-backed municipal bonds

     —           5,560         —           5,560   

Available-for-sale short-term investments

           

Short-term municipal bond fund

     15,624         —           —           15,624   

U.S. Government-backed municipal bonds

     —           53,188         —           53,188   

Other current assets

           

Derivative financial instruments (Note 19)

     —           1,166         —           1,166   

Non-current assets

           

Mutual fund shares

     1,670         —           —           1,670   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value

   $ 201,908       $ 59,914       $ —         $ 261,822   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

           

Accrued liabilities

           

Derivative financial instruments (Note 19)

   $ —         $ 7,003       $ —         $ 7,003   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

   $ —         $ 7,003       $ —         $ 7,003   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Level 1 instrument valuations are obtained from real-time quotes for transactions in active exchange markets involving identical assets. Level 2 instrument valuations are obtained from inputs, other than quoted market prices in active markets, that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace and quoted prices in markets with limited volume or infrequent transactions.

 

There were no material assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2011 or 2010.

 

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SUPPLEMENTARY DATA—QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s quarterly financial data for the past two years ended December 31, 2011 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

2011

   First
Quarter
     Second
Quarter
    Third
Quarter
     Fourth
Quarter
 

Net sales

   $ 333,086       $ 268,030      $ 566,791       $ 526,078   

Gross profit

     149,536         112,413        249,585         223,774   

Net income (loss)

     12,770         (13,558     67,539         36,728   

Earnings (loss) per share

          

Basic

   $ 0.38       $ (0.40   $ 2.00       $ 1.09   

Diluted

     0.37         (0.40     1.98         1.08   

 

2010

   First
Quarter
     Second
Quarter
    Third
Quarter
     Fourth
Quarter
 

Net sales

   $ 300,406       $ 221,831      $ 504,028       $ 457,259   

Gross profit

     127,304         96,922        214,281         190,897   

Net income (loss)

     9,228         (10,604     52,205         26,208   

Earnings (loss) per share

          

Basic

   $ 0.27       $ (0.31   $ 1.55       $ 0.78   

Diluted

     0.27         (0.31     1.53         0.77   

 

Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.

 

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management has evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely manner, and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Design and Evaluation of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Report of Management

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, we assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control

 

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Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment we believe that, as of December 31, 2011, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

 

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Our independent auditors have issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, which is included herein.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders

Columbia Sportswear Company

Portland, Oregon

 

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Columbia Sportswear Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Report of Management”. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011 of the Company, and our report dated February 28, 2012, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule.

 

/s/    DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Portland, Oregon

February 28, 2012

 

Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

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PART III

 

Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

The sections of our 2012 Proxy Statement entitled “Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance—Code of Business Conduct and Ethics,” “Corporate Governance—Board Committees,” “Corporate Governance—Director Nomination Policy,” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” are incorporated herein by reference.

 

See Item 4A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding our executive officers.

 

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The sections of our 2012 Proxy Statement entitled “Executive Compensation,” “Director Compensation,” “Corporate Governance—Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and “Compensation Committee Report” are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The section of our 2012 Proxy Statement entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS, RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

The sections of our 2012 Proxy Statement entitled “Corporate Governance—Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,” “Corporate Governance—Related Transactions Approval Process,” and “Corporate Governance—Independence” are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

The sections of our 2012 Proxy Statement entitled “Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—Principal Accountant Fees and Services” and “Pre-approval Policy” are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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PART IV

 

Item 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

 

(a)(1) and (a)(2) Financial Statements. The Financial Statements of Columbia and Supplementary Data filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are on pages 42 to 73 of this Annual Report.

 

(b) See Exhibit Index beginning on page 79 for a description of the documents that are filed as Exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K or incorporated herein by reference.

 

Schedule II

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

(in thousands)

 

Description

   Balance at
Beginning
of Period
     Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
     Deductions
(a)
    Other
(b)
    Balance at
End of
Period
 

Year Ended December 31, 2011:

            

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 7,098       $ 1,045       $ (547   $ (51   $ 7,545   

Allowance for sales returns and miscellaneous claims

     17,236         51,597         (40,651     19        28,201   

Year Ended December 31, 2010:

            

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 7,347       $ 983       $ (1,304   $ 72      $ 7,098   

Allowance for sales returns and miscellaneous claims

     11,951         33,598         (28,819     506        17,236   

Year Ended December 31, 2009:

            

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 9,542       $ 768       $ (3,133   $ 170      $ 7,347   

Allowance for sales returns and miscellaneous claims

     9,706         29,082         (26,758     (79     11,951   

 

(a)   Charges to the accounts included in this column are for the purposes for which the reserves were created.
(b)   Amounts included in this column primarily relate to foreign currency translation.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

By:

  /s/    THOMAS B. CUSICK        
  Thomas B. Cusick
  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: February 28, 2012

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

/s/    TIMOTHY P. BOYLE        

Timothy P. Boyle

  

President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    THOMAS B. CUSICK        

Thomas B. Cusick

  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

/s/    GERTRUDE BOYLE        

Gertrude Boyle

  

Chairman of the Board of Directors

/s/    SARAH A. BANY        

Sarah A. Bany

  

Director

/s/    EDWARD S. GEORGE        

Edward S. George

  

Director

/s/    MURREY R. ALBERS        

Murrey R. Albers

  

Director

/s/    JOHN W. STANTON        

John W. Stanton

  

Director

/s/    WALTER T. KLENZ        

Walter T. Klenz

  

Director

/s/    STEPHEN E. BABSON        

Stephen E. Babson

  

Director

/s/    ANDY D. BRYANT        

Andy D. Bryant

  

Director

/s/    RONALD E. NELSON        

Ronald E. Nelson

  

Director

 

Date: February 28, 2012

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, please remember they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about Columbia or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements may contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other party or parties to the applicable agreement and:

 

   

should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a means of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate;

 

   

may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party or parties in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement;

 

   

may apply standards of materiality in a manner that is different from what may be viewed as material to you or other investors; and

 

   

were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or other date or dates that may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments.

 

Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. Additional information about Columbia may be found elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and Columbia’s other public filings, which are available without charge through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Exhibit No.

    

Exhibit Name

  3.1       Third Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2000) (File No. 000-23939)
  3.2      Amendment to Third Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2002) (File No. 0-23939)
  3.3      2000 Restated Bylaws, as amended (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011) (File No. 000-23939)
  4.1      See Article II of Exhibit 3.1, as amended by Exhibit 3.2, and Article I of Exhibit 3.3
  +10.1      Columbia Sportswear Company 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009) (File No. 000-23939)
  +*10.2      Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement for stock options granted prior to July 20, 2006
  +10.2(a)       Form of Executive Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 (a) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000) (File No. 000-23939)
  +10.2(b)       Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement for stock options granted on or after July 20, 2006 and before January 23, 2009 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2006)
  +10.2(c)       Form of Performance-based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for performance-based restricted stock units granted on or after March 29, 2010 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010) (File No. 000-23939)

 

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Exhibit No.

    

Exhibit Name

  +10.2(d)       Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for awards granted prior to January 23, 2009 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2006)
  +10.2(e)       Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2006)
  +10.2(f)       Form of Performance-based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for performance-based restricted stock units granted on or after February 24, 2009 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009) (File No. 000-23939)
  +10.2(g)       Form of Performance-based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for performance-based restricted stock units granted on or after March 29, 2010 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2011) (File No. 000-23939)
  +10.2(h)       Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement for stock options granted on or after January 23, 2009 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 (e) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008) (File No. 000-23939)
  +10.2(i)       Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for awards granted on or after January 23, 2009 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 (f) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008) (File No. 000-23939)
  +10.2(j)       Columbia Sportswear Company 401(k) Excess Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009) (File No. 000-23939)
  +10.4      Columbia Sportswear Company Change in Control Severance Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 29, 2009) (File No. 000-23939)
  10.5       Credit Agreement between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank National Association dated June 15, 2010 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on June 18, 2010) (File No. 0-23939)
  10.5(a)       First Amendment to Credit Agreement between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank National Association dated December 16, 2010 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-k filed on December 17, 2010) (File No. 0-23939).
  10.5(b)       Second Amendment to Credit Agreement between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank National Association dated September 20, 2011 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 21, 2011) (File No. 0-23939)
  *10.9      Form of Indemnity Agreement for Directors
  +10.10      1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001) (File No. 000-23939)
  +10.11      Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2000) (File No. 000-23939)
  +10.12      Form of Indemnity Agreement for Directors and Executive Officers (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004)
  21.1      Subsidiaries of the Company
  23.1      Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
  31.1      Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Timothy P. Boyle, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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Exhibit No.

    

Exhibit Name

  31.2      Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Thomas B. Cusick, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  32.1      Section 1350 Certification of Timothy P. Boyle, President and Chief Executive Officer
  32.2      Section 1350 Certification of Thomas B. Cusick, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  101.INS       XBRL Instance Document **
  101.SCH       XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document **
  101.CAL      

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document **

  101.DEF      

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document**

  101.LAB      

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document **

  101.PRE      

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document **

 

+   Management Contract or Compensatory Plan
*   Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-43199).
**   Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

 

81