A group led by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon is close to purchasing the Portland Trail Blazers, with potential additional local investors like Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle showing interest.
Columbia Sportswear has sued Columbia University for trademark infringement, alleging the university's merchandise resembles its own and breaches a prior agreement on the use of the 'Columbia' name, potentially causing brand confusion and harm. The lawsuit seeks to halt sales, recall products, and damages, amid ongoing legal and financial issues faced by the university.
Columbia jackets are on sale during Amazon's Big Spring Sale, with prices starting at just $29 for full-zip fleeces, $46 for insulated jackets, and $94 for cold-weather puffers. The sale includes popular models like the Benton Springs Full Zip and the Watertight II Rain Jacket, offering significant discounts on high-quality outerwear. Additionally, the sale features discounts on running shoes, Garmin fitness watches, and other outdoor gear.
Columbia Sportswear's "Omni-Heat Infinity" thermal reflective fabric, originally designed for outdoor use, was used to protect Intuitive Machines' Nova-C spacecraft during its historic moon landing, showcasing the crossover between space exploration and commercial products. The fabric covered a panel on the lander and wrapped its fuel tanks, successfully withstanding the extreme temperatures of space. In other space news, SpaceX and the FAA close an investigation into Starship's flight test, Intuitive Machines' lander sends back photos from the moon, and various space companies make significant industry maneuvers and market movements.
Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lunar lander "Odysseus" is set to land on the moon using insulation technology developed by Columbia Sportswear, originally based on NASA's Apollo missions. The partnership aims to incorporate Columbia's Omni-Heat Infinity into the lander's design to protect its systems during the lunar night. This collaboration not only benefits the lunar mission but also helps Columbia develop improved clothing technology.
Columbia Sportswear CEO discusses the impact of warm winter weather on fourth-quarter sales, highlighting the company's dependence on winter conditions for revenue. Facing challenges from increasingly warm weather, the company is focusing on innovation and updating its footwear brand for the upcoming spring season. Despite reporting weaker than expected earnings, the CEO remains optimistic about the company's financial strength and ability to manage inventory, while acknowledging the challenges ahead in 2024 due to cautious retailer orders and economic uncertainty.
Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle announced layoffs at the company's Oregon headquarters, aiming to reduce U.S. personnel costs by 3% to 5% by the end of March, with most of the cuts impacting corporate workers.