Columbia Sportswear has signed a licensing agreement with Kruger Optical for binoculars, spotting scopes, high-performance riflescopes and other sports optics products addressing hikers, bird watchers, hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts. The deal is initially for the North American market Columbia already has a separate agreement for sunglasses with L'Amy (see story on the company in this issue). It has other licenses for wristwatches, bicycles and other types of products. Described as a complement to Columbia's clothing for hunting and fishing, Kruger's new line will become available in the first quarter of 2008 in the USA. Kruger hopes to extend the coverage of the agreement to other countries in the future.