Columbia China foray

Columbia Sportswear and Swire Resources have appointed a general manager for their Columbia China joint venture, Columbia Sportswear Commercial (Shanghai).

With his appointment announced in Portland, Oregan, Jason Zhu will be responsible for all go-to-market work, including apparel, footwear and accessories product and marketing, as well as wholesale, direct retail and eCommerce development.

Zhu has spent the past 13 years with Nike, serving in Shanghai as senior strategic account director, senior marketplace management director, and action sports category GM, and as global category business development director for the Jordan brand while based at global HQ. A Shanghai native, Zhu launched his business career with Procter & Gamble after graduating from Fudan University.

“We are confident that Jason Zhu’s proven leadership and experience in the China sportswear market will be invaluable as we continue to invest in the significant long-term opportunities we see for the Columbia brand,” says Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle.

Founded in Portland in 1938, the company sells its brands in about 100 countries. As well as the Columbia brand, it also owns the Sorel, Mountain Hardwear, prAna, Montrail and OutDry brands.

Swire Resources is a subsidiary of Swire Pacific, a Hong Kong listed company with five divisions: property, aviation, beverages, marine services, and trading and industrial. Swire Resources is a holding company for retail and wholesale interests in sports and lifestyle footwear and apparel, running more than 200 retail outlets in Hong Kong and mainland China.

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