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): December 6, 2019  

Johnson Outdoors Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Wisconsin0-1625539-1536083
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)(Commission File Number)(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

555 Main Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53403
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (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))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2). Emerging growth company [   ]

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [   ]

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, $.05 par value per shareJOUTNASDAQ Global Select Market SM

 

 
 

Section 2 Financial Information

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On December 6, 2019, Johnson Outdoors Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing results for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2019 (the “Press Release”). A copy of the Press Release is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report.

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 December 6, 2019.


SIGNATURE

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: December 6, 2019By: /s/ David W. Johnson        
  David W. Johnson
  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  


JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

Exhibit Index to Current Report on Form 8-K 

Exhibit Number
   
99.1   Press Release Dated December 6, 2019.  

EdgarFiling

EXHIBIT 99.1

Johnson Outdoors Reports Higher Sales and Earnings for Fiscal Year 2019

RACINE, Wis., Dec. 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Johnson Outdoors Inc. (Nasdaq:JOUT), a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technology, today announced higher revenue and earnings for the 2019 fiscal year ending September 27, 2019. Continued favorable response to new products in Fishing extended into the industry’s seasonally slow fourth quarter driving significantly higher sales and operating profit year-over-year during the quarter.   

FISCAL 2019 HIGHLIGHTS

“Performance this year reflects the value of our sustained focus and investment in delivering the best outdoor recreation experiences possible. Ensuring we are targeting the right consumer with the right product, at the right time, in the right way and at the right price are all critical factors behind continued success. As a result, Fishing has continued on its profitable growth trajectory. Ongoing investment in innovation and digital acceleration across all of our businesses will provide long-term sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive marketplace,” said Helen Johnson-Leipold, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

FISCAL 2019 RESULTS
Total Company revenue grew 3 percent to $562.4 million versus fiscal 2018 revenue of $544.3 million. Key factors in the year-over-year comparison were:

Total Company operating profit was $63.8 million for fiscal 2019, which compared favorably to operating profit of $63.0 million in the prior fiscal year. Exclusions granted during the fourth quarter for certain product components subject to Section 301 tariffs reduced the total impact of tariffs to $2.9 million for fiscal 2019. Gross margins remained steady despite the impact from tariffs. Higher sales-volume related costs and increased bad debt expense largely accounted for the uptick in operating expense dollars. Additionally, investment in marketing increased over the prior year.

Net income for the fiscal year improved to $51.4 million, or $5.11 per diluted share, a 26.4 percent improvement versus $40.7 million, or $4.05 per diluted share, in the last fiscal year. The effective tax rate of 22.7 percent compared favorably to the previous fiscal year’s rate of 40.3 percent, which reflected charges associated with the initial implementation of the new U.S. Tax Reform Act.

FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
During the Company’s fourth quarter, the outdoor recreation industry is in ramp-down mode and sales are historically lower. Total net sales in the quarter increased 14 percent year over year to $104.0 million, due primarily to continued momentum of Fishing new products.

Operating profit was $1.9 million in the current year fourth quarter versus an operating loss of ($2.0 million) in the prior year fourth quarter. Operating profit in the fourth quarter compared favorably to the prior year due largely to increased sales and the timing of tariff exclusions granted in the current year quarter which positively impacted the quarter by $1.2 million. Net earnings for the fourth quarter were $3.9 million compared to a net loss of ($5.0 million) in fiscal 2018.

“We’re pleased by the strong finish to the year, particularly with the performance of Fishing and Camping brands. Looking ahead, we continue to believe the power of our innovation, the enduring strength of our brand equities and the diversity of our outdoor recreation portfolio combine to well-position Johnson Outdoors for the future,” said Johnson-Leipold.

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Company reported cash and short-term investments of $172.4 million as of September 27, 2019, a $21.8 million increase above the prior year, with no debt on its balance sheet. Depreciation and amortization were $14.0 million compared to $13.1 million in fiscal 2018. Capital spending totaled $16.8 million in fiscal 2019 compared with $19.2 million in fiscal 2018.

“Heading into fiscal 2020, we expect continued moderate sales growth. Tariffs are estimated to have a negative impact of $5.0 - $6.0 million on fiscal 2020 operating profit, which includes foreseeable mitigation efforts at this time. The balance sheet remains strong, and our healthy cash position enables us to continue to invest in future growth strategies and strategic plan priorities while continuing to enhance long-term value for shareholders,” said David W. Johnson, Chief Financial Officer.

WEBCAST
The Company will host a conference call and audio web cast at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 6, 2019. A live listen-only web cast of the conference call may be accessed at Johnson Outdoors’ home page. A replay of the call will be available for 30 days on the Internet.

About Johnson Outdoors Inc.

JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technologies that inspire more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft Recreation, Fishing, Diving and Camping. Johnson Outdoors' iconic brands include: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak; Carlisle® paddles; Minn Kota® fishing motors, batteries and anchors; Cannon® downriggers; Humminbird® marine electronics and charts; SCUBAPRO® dive equipment; 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 the matters described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the Company’s Form 10-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 6, 2019, and the following: changes in economic conditions, consumer confidence levels and discretionary spending patterns in key markets; uncertainties stemming from changes in U.S. trade policies, tariffs, and the reaction of other countries to such changes; the Company’s success in implementing its strategic plan, including its targeted sales growth platforms, innovation focus and its increasing digital presence; litigation costs related to actions of and disputes with third parties, including competitors; the Company’s continued success in its working capital management and cost-structure reductions; the Company’s success in integrating strategic acquisitions; the risk of future write-downs of goodwill or other long-lived assets; the ability of the Company’s customers to meet payment obligations; the impact of actions of the Company’s competitors with respect to product development or enhancement or the introduction of new products into the Company’s markets; movements in foreign currencies, interest rates or commodity costs; fluctuations in the prices of raw materials or the availability of raw materials or components used by the Company; any disruptions in the Company’s supply chain as a result of material fluctuations in the Company’s order volumes and requirements for raw materials and other components necessary to manufacture and produce the Company’s products; the success of the Company’s suppliers and customers and the impact of any consolidation in the industries 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; and adverse weather conditions. 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 filing. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

(thousands, except per share amounts)     
 THREE MONTHS
ENDED
 TWELVE MONTHS
ENDED
Operating ResultsSeptember 27
2019
September 28
2018
 September 27
2019
September 28
2018
Net sales$104,019 $91,132  $562,419 $544,268 
Cost of sales 57,436  51,611   312,663  302,408 
Gross profit 46,583  39,521   249,756  241,860 
Operating expenses 44,660  41,494   185,982  178,839
Operating profit (loss) 1,923  (1,973)  63,774  63,021
Interest income, net (783) (640)  (1,937) (963
Other (income) expense, net (558) 109   (796) (4,122
Income (loss) before income taxes 3,264  (1,442)  66,507  68,106
Income tax (benefit) expense (639) 3,514   15,094  27,437
Net income (loss)$3,903 $(4,956) $51,413 $40,669
Diluted average common shares outstanding 10,029  10,013   10,021  9,996
Diluted net income (loss) per common share$0.39 $(0.49) $5.11 $4.05

Segment Results
     
Net sales:     
Fishing$66,899 $54,777  $412,121 $391,110
Camping 10,302  7,927   40,379  37,770
Watercraft Recreation 6,312  7,000   33,498  36,280
Diving 20,440  21,350   76,306  78,932
Other/eliminations 66  78   115  176
Total$104,019 $91,132  $562,419 $544,268
Operating profit (loss):     
Fishing$8,408 $5,825  $84,092 $83,696
Camping 848  135   2,896  1,867
Watercraft Recreation (1,194) (902)  (2,822) (1,555
Diving 886  1,634   3,042  2,766
Other (7,025) (8,665)  (23,434) (23,753
Total$1,923 $(1,973) $63,774 $63,021
Balance Sheet Information (End of Period)     
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments   $172,382 $150,591
Accounts receivable, net    44,508  40,866
Inventories, net    94,298  88,864
Total current assets    322,528  285,694
Total assets    436,444  395,936
Total current liabilities    87,866  92,784
Total liabilities    111,910  116,739
Shareholders’ equity    324,534  279,197


At Johnson Outdoors Inc.
David JohnsonPatricia Penman
VP & Chief Financial OfficerVP – marketing services & global communications
262-631-6600262-631-6600