PORTLAND, OR — Columbia Sportswear Inc., a maker of ski clothing and other outerwear, agreed to buy Mountain Hardwear Inc. for about $36 million in cash and debt.

The company will pay about $30 million in cash and assume $6 million in debt for the maker of mountaineering apparel and equipment, Columbia said Thursday in a statement. The transaction is expected to close March 31.

Columbia expects to boost sales of Mountain Hardware, which had $31.4 million in revenue last year, by as much as $100 million over five years, spokeswoman Sarah Stephan said. Columbia wants to expand sales of Mountain Hardwear's gear through high-end retailers and through international distribution, as well as broaden the range of products the company makes.

— MountainZone.com Staff