UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  September 29, 2016

Johnson Outdoors Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Wisconsin
 
0-16255
 
39-1536083
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

555 Main Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53403
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(262) 631-6600
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 



Section 7 – Regulation FD

Item 7.01.    Regulation FD Disclosure.

On September 29, 2016, Johnson Outdoors Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing approval by the Board of Directors of a quarterly cash dividend payable on October 27, 2016 to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 13, 2016  (the “Press Release”). A copy of the Press Release is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of this Form 8-K Report as Exhibit 99.1.

The information in this Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that Section, nor shall such information be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as otherwise stated in such filing.

Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 
(d)
Exhibits. The following exhibit is being furnished herewith:

 
99.1
-- Press Release Dated September 29, 2016.
 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
   
Date:  September 29, 2016
By: 
/s/ David W. Johnson
   
David W. Johnson,
   
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

Exhibit Index to Current Report on Form 8-K

Exhibit
Number

-- Press Release Dated September 29, 2016.

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Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

At Johnson Outdoors Inc.
David Johnson
 
Patricia Penman
VP & Chief Financial Officer
 
VP – Global Marketing Services & Communication
 262-631-6600
 
262-631-6600

JOHNSON OUTDOORS ANNOUNCES INCREASE IN CASH DIVIDEND

RACINE, WISCONSIN,  September 29, 2016 …….Johnson Outdoors Inc. (Nasdaq: JOUT), a global leader in innovative outdoor recreation equipment products, today announced approval by its Board of Directors of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.090 per Class A share and $0.082 per Class B share – a 12.5% increase from the dividend rates declared in previous quarters.

“We have continued to pay down our debt and add to our healthy cash position.  This dividend increase reflects our confidence in our business performance and strategic plans,” said David W. Johnson, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

The quarterly cash dividend is payable on October 27, 2016 to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 13, 2016.

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 Gear.  Johnson Outdoors’ familiar brands include, among others: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak and Necky® kayaks; Carlisle® paddles; Extrasport® personal flotation devices; Minn Kota® motors; Cannon® downriggers; Humminbird® marine electronics and charts; SCUBAPRO® dive equipment; Silva® compasses; Jetboil® outdoor cooking systems; and Eureka!® camping and hiking equipment. 
 
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. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “confident,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “planned,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “would’’ or the negative of those terms or other words of similar meaning. 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 economic conditions, consumer confidence levels and discretionary spending patterns in key markets; the Company’s success in implementing its strategic plan, including its targeted sales growth platforms and focus on innovation; litigation costs related to actions of and disputes with third parties, including competitors; the Company’s continued success in working capital management and cost-structure reductions; the Company’s ongoing success in meeting financial covenants in its credit agreements with its lenders; the Company’s success in integrating strategic acquisitions; the risk of future writedowns of goodwill or other long-lived assets; the ability of the Company’s customers to meet payment obligations; movements in foreign currencies, interest rates or commodity costs; fluctuations in the prices of raw materials or the availability of raw materials used by the Company; the success of the Company’s suppliers and customers; the ability of the Company to deploy its capital successfully; unanticipated outcomes related to outsourcing certain manufacturing processes; unanticipated outcomes related to litigation matters; 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.

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