Columbia Sportswear 2010 Annual Report Download - page 16

Employees
At December 31, 2010, we had the following full-time equivalent employees, based in the following
regions:
United States ........................................ 2,096
Asia ................................................ 970
Europe ............................................. 397
Canada ............................................. 163
3,626
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 any of these risks. Please note that additional risks not presently
known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business and operations.
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, 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 various aspects of our business, to
maintain and enhance our information systems and operations to respond to increased demand and to attract,
retain and manage qualified personnel. Changes in our business may place an increasing strain on management,
financial, product design, marketing, distribution 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
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