Johnson Outdoors Inc. Announces Fiscal 2008 First Quarter Results

Johnson Outdoors Inc. (Nasdaq: JOUT), a leading global outdoor recreation company, today announced net sales of $76.0 million for the first quarter ended December 28, 2007, an increase of 6.4 percent compared to sales of $71.4 million for the prior year quarter. Net loss from continuing operations of $3.6 million, or ($0.40) per diluted share for the first quarter of 2008, compared unfavorably to a net loss from continuing operations of $1.3 million, or ($0.14) in the prior year quarter. FIRST QUARTER RESULTS Historically, first quarter results are not indicative of the year’s overall performance due to the warm-weather seasonality of the Company’s business. Quarterly sales are typically at their lowest levels during the first fiscal quarter when the Company is ramping up for the primary selling period of its outdoor recreation products which occurs during the second and third quarters. The increase in total Company net sales was driven by double-digit revenue growth year-over-year in three of the Company’s four business units, while strength in export sales offset slower domestic sales growth in Marine Electronics and Diving. Marine Electronics revenues were 12.9 percent ahead of last year due to growth in Humminbird® and export sales. Watercraft sales increased 17.3 percent over the prior year quarter due to positive response to new products in the paddle sports segment. Diving revenues grew 27.3 percent above last year’s first quarter due to the continued successful rollout of a new-to-world dive computer and favorable currency translation which added 6.4 percent to sales. Outdoor Equipment revenues compared unfavorably to last year’s first quarter due to the expected slowdown of military sales and one-time special market sales of $1.4 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding military and one-time orders, Outdoor Equipment revenues would have increased 22.7 percent. Total Company operating loss from continuing operations during the seasonally slow first quarter was $4.6 million compared to an operating loss of $2.2 million in the prior year quarter. Key drivers behind the unfavorable comparison were: Lower military sales. Lower margins in Marine Electronics driven primarily by both unfavorable product and geographic mix. Lower margins in Diving due in part to cost increases from imported goods to the U.S. market. The Company reported a net loss from continuing operations of $3.6 million, or ($0.40) per diluted share, during the historically slow first quarter, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $1.3 million, or ($0.14) per diluted share, in the same quarter last year. On January 18, 2008, the Company announced it had incurred $1.3 million in pre-tax impairment charges related to inventory and fixed assets during the 2008 first fiscal quarter as a result of its decision to explore strategic alternatives for its Escape® brand of products. The Company anticipates incurring an additional $0.2 million in charges related to Escape®, and results of the Escape® brand products will be reported as discontinued operations. Net loss from discontinued operations totaled $1.1 million versus a $0.3 million loss in the same quarter last year. Total net loss for the quarter was $4.7 million compared to $1.6 million in the prior year. "We enter 2008 with our long-term strategic growth plan on target, working hard to deliver on its cornerstones of winning innovation, targeted acquisitions and geographic expansion. Our healthy balance sheet and solid cash position gives us the financial flexibility to move forward aggressively with our plans,” said Helen Johnson-Leipold, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "At the same time, we will continue investing in strengthening operations and supply chain optimization to ensure we manage growth efficiently. As always, our focus is on driving sustainable, profitable growth behind our commitment to enhanced shareholder value.” OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION The Company’s debt to total capitalization stood at 29 percent at the end of the quarter versus 27 percent at December 29, 2006. Debt, net of cash, was $44.8 million compared to $20.3 million in the prior year quarter. Depreciation and amortization was $2.2 million year-to-date, flat with prior year. Capital spending totaled $2.4 million during the first quarter compared with $2.7 million in the 2007 first fiscal quarter. "Along with lower-margin products and exports driving topline growth, there was a corresponding erosion in profitability. Once our warm-weather domestic selling season kicks in, we expect to see margins and profitability improve,” said David W. Johnson, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "Increased working capital is due to higher sales volume in the quarter, and inventory ramp-up in preparation for our primary selling season. We are watching this closely and ready to take action and make adjustments to help bring working capital more in line when the season kicks into full gear.” INNOVATION UPDATE Johnson Outdoors delivers meaningful innovation to the outdoor recreation marketplace driven by unique consumer insights, with new products representing more than 30 percent of total Company net sales for the past four years. Strong new product growth continues to bolster the Company’s already robust existing brands and differentiate the Company in the industry. Among the 2008 innovations from Diving and Watercraft are: UWATEC® GALILEO™ is the first dive computer to integrate heart rate monitoring, along with digital navigation, downloadable web-based upgrades and patented technology to monitor up to four divers’ tanks. OCEAN KAYAK™ PROWLER TRIDENT 15™ delivers kayak anglers the first-ever Rod Pod™—a spacious storage hatch well within reach of the paddling angler – along with new graphics designed to help consumers identify key features and upgrade possibilities. WEBCAST The Company will host a conference call and audio web cast at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday January 25, 2008. A live listen-only web cast of the conference call may be accessed at Johnson Outdoors' home page. A replay will be available on Johnson Outdoors' home page, or by dialing (888) 286-8010 or (617) 801-6888 and providing confirmation code 46799788. The replay will be available through February 1, 2008 by phone and for 30 days on the Internet. ABOUT JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC. JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global outdoor recreation company that turns ideas into adventure with innovative, top-quality products. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft, Marine Electronics, Diving and Outdoor Equipment. Johnson Outdoors' familiar brands include, among others: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak™ and Necky® kayaks; Lendal® paddles; Carlisle® and Extrasport® paddling accessories; Minn Kota® motors; Cannon® downriggers; Humminbird® fishfinders; Geonav®chartplotters; SCUBAPRO® UWATEC® and Seemann® dive equipment; Silva® compasses; Tech4O® digital instruments; and Eureka!® tents. Visit Johnson Outdoors at http://www.johnsonoutdoors.com SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements,” intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical fact are considered forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those currently anticipated. Factors that could affect actual results or outcomes include changes in consumer spending patterns; the Company’s success in implementing its strategic plan, including its focus on innovation; actions of and disputes with companies that compete with the Company; the Company’s success in managing inventory; movements in foreign currencies or interest rates; the Company’s success in restructuring of its European Diving operations; unanticipated issues related to the Company’s military sales; the success of suppliers and customers; the ability of the Company to deploy its capital successfully; adverse weather conditions; and other risks and uncertainties identified in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included herein are only made as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. - - - - FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW - - - - JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.   (thousands, except per share amounts) Operating Results THREE MONTHS ENDED   December 282007   December 292006 Net sales $ 75,967 $ 71,427 Cost of sales 46,678     42,907   Gross profit 29,289 28,520 Operating expenses 33,870     30,753   Operating loss (4,581 ) (2,233 ) Interest expense, net 792 852 Other expenses, net 54     1   Loss before income taxes (5,427 ) (3,086 ) Income tax benefit (1,803 )   (1,774 ) Net loss from continuing operations (3,624 ) (1,312 ) Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax of $626 and $151 respectively (1,066 )   (257 ) Net loss $ (4,690 )   $ (1,569 ) Net loss basic and diluted per common share: Continuing operations $ (0.40 ) $ (0.14 ) Discontinued operations $ (0.12 )   $ (0.03 ) Diluted average common shares outstanding 9,071     9,006   Segment Results Net sales: Marine electronics $ 33,263 $ 29,466 Outdoor equipment 7,985 13,690 Watercraft 13,454 11,467 Diving 21,531 16,919 Other/eliminations (266 )   (115 ) Total $ 75,967     $ 71,427   Operating profit (loss): Marine electronics $ 263 204 Outdoor equipment (382 ) 1,643 Watercraft (2,113 ) (1,984 ) Diving 560 631 Other/eliminations (2,909 )   (2,727 ) Total $ (4,581 )   $ (2,233 ) Balance Sheet Information (End of Period) Cash and short-term investments $ 37,181 $ 48,548 Accounts receivable, net 69,127 56,518 Inventories, net 106,850 82,078 Net assets of discontinued operations 335 1,936 Total current assets 235,561 209,968 Total assets 353,787 311,929 Short-term debt 82,002 58,801 Total current liabilities 142,494 111,634 Long-term debt 3 10,005 Shareholders’ equity 196,402     181,995