OUTDOOR enthusiasts and advocates have made Columbia Sportswear Company a global giant in the apparel, accessory, and equipment markets. Founded in 1938 — making hats in the rugged state of Oregon — Columbia has grown to become a leading global manufacturer and distributor of outdoor sportswear and equipment. The company aims to “do right” by the people it reaches, the places it touches, and the products it makes. Through Columbia’s Empowering People programme in 2017, its employees donated more than 3,000 hours to charitable causes. Around $2m was invested in 500 non-profit organisations worldwide, and 9,000 women received financial literacy and health education via flagship HERproject training. Columbia has a lifelong love of the great outdoors, and partners with diverse non-profits to support often underrepresented groups in the outdoor lifestyle community. The BV judging panel recognises Columbia for its outstanding leadership in corporate responsibility with the 2019 award for Most Impactful Global Empowerment Initiatives (US).
