Columbia Sportswear Co. will relocate its Sorel footwear brand headquarters and 45 employees to downtown Portland, OR, in May 2017, perhaps a small step forward in the city’s attempt to bring back the larger parent company within city limits.
Sorel will relocate from Columbia Sportswear’s global headquarters located outside in the city in unicorporated Washington County. Columbia Sportswear moved its headquarters away from city of Portland to its current location in 2001. It acquired the Sorel brand in 2000. Since then, city officials have been attempting to lure the company back.
At a joint press conference with Portland Mayor-Elect Ted Wheeler, Columbia CEO Tim Boyle pointed out that company already has a significant employee presence in the city, at its stores and a local distribution center. He said the company also recognized the need to have a downtown presence to help attract employees who prefer a more urban lifestyle and short commute to work. Sorel in particular has benefitted from a shift to more outdoor-urban styled fashion boots.
The Portland Development Commission will provide up to $50,000 in assistance to Sorel for tenant improvements.
Photo courtesy Sorel
