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

FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022

OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______ to ______

Commission file number 0-16255

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Wisconsin 39-1536083
(State or other jurisdiction of  incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. 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)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each ClassTrading SymbolName of Exchange on Which Registered
Class A Common Stock, $.05 par value per shareJOUTNASDAQ Global Select Market
 
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:  None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.          Yes  ☐ No  ☒
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.          Yes ☐ No  ☒
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes  ☒ No  ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes  ☒ No ☐
 

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
 
 Large Accelerated Filer 
 Accelerated Filer 
 Non-Accelerated Filer
 Smaller Reporting Company 
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. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.        

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).          Yes  ☐ No 
 
As of November 25, 2022, 8,985,510 shares of Class A and 1,207,798 shares of Class B common stock of the registrant were outstanding. The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $420,000,000 on April 1, 2022 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed fiscal second quarter) based on approximately 5,301,000 shares of Class A common stock held by non-affiliates as of such date. For purposes of this calculation only, shares of all voting stock are deemed to have a market value of $79.26 per share, the closing price of the Class A common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select MarketSM on April 1, 2022 (the last trading day of the registrant’s most recently completed fiscal second quarter). Shares of common stock held by any executive officer or director of the registrant (including all shares beneficially owned by the Johnson Family, as defined herein) have been excluded from this computation because such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not a conclusive determination for other purposes.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of the Registrant are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

As used in this report, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Johnson Outdoors” and the “Company” mean Johnson Outdoors Inc. and its subsidiaries collectively, unless the context indicates another meaning.




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F-1

Forward Looking Statements
 
Certain matters discussed in this Form 10-K are “forward-looking statements,” and the Company intends these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this statement for purposes of those safe harbor provisions. 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.  Similarly, statements that describe the Company’s future plans, objectives or goals are also 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 the matters described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this report and the following:  changes in economic conditions, consumer confidence levels and discretionary spending patterns in key markets; uncertainties stemming from political instability (and its impact on the economies in jurisdictions where the Company has operations), changes in US trade policies, tariffs, and the reaction of other countries to such changes; the global outbreaks of disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected, and may continue to affect, market and economic conditions, along with wide-ranging impacts on employees, customers and various aspects of our operations; 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 working capital management and cost-structure reductions; 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; 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
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and requirements for raw materials and other components, or the demand for those same raw materials and components by third parties, necessary to manufacture and produce the Company's products, including related to shortages in procuring necessary raw materials and components to manufacture and produce such 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.

Trademarks
 
We have registered the following trademarks, among others, which may be used in this report: Minn Kota®, Cannon®, Humminbird®, Eureka!®, Jetboil®, Old Town®, Ocean KayakTM, Carlisle® and SCUBAPRO®.

PART I
ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

Johnson Outdoors is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of branded seasonal, outdoor recreation products used primarily for fishing from a boat, diving, paddling, hiking and camping. The Company’s portfolio of well-known consumer brands has attained leading market positions due to continuous innovation, marketing excellence, product performance and quality.  Company values and culture support innovation in all areas, promoting and leveraging best practices and synergies within and across its subsidiaries to advance the Company’s strategic vision set by executive management and approved by the Board of Directors.  The Company is controlled by Helen P. Johnson-Leipold (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer), members of her family and related entities.

The Company was incorporated in Wisconsin in 1987 as successor to various businesses.

Fishing

The Company’s Fishing segment key brands are: Minn Kota electric motors for quiet trolling or primary propulsion, marine battery chargers and shallow water anchors; Humminbird sonar and GPS equipment for fish finding, navigation and marine cartography; and Cannon downriggers for controlled-depth fishing.

Minn Kota trolling motors and shallow water anchors and Cannon downriggers are designed and manufactured primarily at the Company's Mankato, Minnesota facility. Humminbird sonar and GPS equipment are designed and manufactured primarily in Eufaula, Alabama and Alpharetta, Georgia.

Fishing brands and related accessories are sold across the globe, with the majority of sales coming from North America through large outdoor specialty retailers, such as Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s; large retail store chains; distributors that service independent marine, sporting goods and internet dealers; and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) of boat brands such as Tracker, Skeeter and Ranger.  The Company also sells direct to consumers via its Minn Kota, Humminbird and Cannon websites. Markets outside of North America are accessed through a network of independent international distributors. The Company markets its Fishing brands through several media channels, and is focused on innovation leadership, reliable technology, and quality products.

Camping

The Company’s Camping segment key brands are:  Eureka! consumer, commercial and military tents and accessories, camping furniture and stoves and other recreational camping products; and Jetboil portable outdoor cooking systems.

Eureka! consumer tents, camping stoves, and other recreational camping products are mid to high-price range products sold in the U.S. and Canada, primarily to camping and backpacking specialty stores, sporting goods stores, internet retailers and direct to consumer via the Eureka! brand website. The Company’s consumer camping products are produced by third party manufacturing sources in Asia.  Marketing of the brand is focused on building brand awareness and leadership in product features and innovation, primarily through digital marketing and social media.

Eureka! commercial tents include party tents and accessories, sold primarily to general rental stores, and other commercial tents and accessories sold directly to tent erectors. The Company’s commercial tent products range from 10’x10’ canopies to 120’
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wide pole tents and other large scale frame structures and are primarily manufactured by the Company at the Company’s Binghamton, New York location.

Eureka! also designs and manufactures large, heavy-duty tents and lightweight backpacking tents primarily for the U.S. military at its Binghamton, New York location. Tents produced for military use include modular general purpose tents, rapid deployment shelters and various lightweight one and two person tents. The Company manufactures military tent accessories like fabric floors and insulated thermal liners and is also a subcontract manufacturer for other providers of military tents.

Jetboil portable outdoor cooking systems, single burner and two burner stoves, and accessories are sold in the U.S. and Canada, primarily to camping and backpacking specialty stores, sporting goods stores, internet retailers, and direct to consumer via the Jetboil brand website.  Markets outside of North America are accessed through a network of independent international distributors. Marketing of Jetboil systems is focused on building brand awareness and leadership in product features and innovation, primarily through digital marketing and social media. Jetboil products are designed at the Company’s operating locations in Manchester, New Hampshire and Old Town, Maine, and manufactured by third party sources in Asia. 

Watercraft Recreation

The Company’s Watercraft Recreation segment designs and markets canoes and kayaks under the Ocean Kayaks and Old Town brand names for family recreation, touring and angling. These brands are manufactured at the Company’s facility in Old Town, Maine.

Watercraft Recreation accessory brands, including Carlisle branded paddles, are produced primarily by third party sources located in North America and Asia. The company's personal flotation devices are manufactured by third party sources located in Asia and are sold under the Old Town brand.

The Company’s kayaks, canoes and accessories are sold through multiple channels primarily in the U.S. and Canada with an emphasis on independent specialty dealers and outdoor specialty chain retailers. The Company also sells products direct to consumers via the Old Town and Ocean Kayak websites, and internet retailer sites.  The Company has a network of distributors who sell Company products outside of North America.

The Company’s Watercraft Recreation business competes in the mid to high-end of the product category by introducing product innovations, creating quality products and by focusing on the product-specific needs of each marketing channel. Marketing of brands is focused on building brand awareness and leadership in product features and innovation, primarily through digital marketing and social media.

Diving

The Company manufactures and markets underwater diving products for recreational divers, which it sells and distributes under the SCUBAPRO brand name.

The Company markets a complete line of underwater diving and snorkeling equipment, including regulators, buoyancy compensators, dive computers and gauges, wetsuits, masks, fins, snorkels and accessories. SCUBAPRO diving equipment is marketed to the premium recreational segment and high-performance technical diving market. Products are sold via select distribution to independent specialty dive stores worldwide. These specialty dive stores generally provide a wide range of services to divers, including regular maintenance, product repair, diving education and travel programs. The Company also sells diving gear direct to consumers via the SCUBAPRO website and to dive training centers, resorts and public safety units.

The Company manufactures regulators, dive computers, gauges, and instruments at its Italian and Indonesian facilities. The Company designs and develops buoyancy compensators, neoprene goods, diving and snorkeling soft goods, proprietary materials, and other components from third party contract manufacturers.

The Company’s consumer communication focuses on building brand awareness and highlighting exclusive product features and consumer benefits of its product lines. The Company’s communication and distribution strategies reinforce the SCUBAPRO brand’s position as the industry’s quality and innovation leader. The Company markets its equipment via websites, through social media, through information and displays in dive specialty stores, and in diving magazines.

Financial Information for Business Segments

As noted above, the Company has four reportable business segments. See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for financial information concerning each business segment.

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International Operations

See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for financial information regarding the Company’s domestic and international operations. See Note 1, subheading “Foreign Operations and Related Derivative Financial Instruments,” to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report, along with the information under “Risk Factors” below, for information regarding risks related to the Company’s foreign operations.

Research and Development

The Company commits significant resources to new product research and development in each of its business segments.  Fishing conducts its product research, design, engineering and software development activities at its locations in Mankato and Little Falls, Minnesota; Alpharetta, Georgia; Toronto, Canada; and Eufaula, Alabama.  Diving maintains research and development facilities in Zurich, Switzerland and Casarza Ligure, Italy.  Research and development activities for Watercraft Recreation are performed in Old Town, Maine and Racine, Wisconsin.  Product research, design and innovation for Camping products are conducted at the Company's Binghamton, New York, Racine, Wisconsin, Manchester, New Hampshire, and Old Town, Maine locations.

The Company expenses research and development costs as incurred, except for software development for new electronics products and bathymetry data collection and processing.  These software development and bathymetry data collection and processing costs are capitalized once technological feasibility is established and then amortized over the expected useful life of the software or database. The amounts expensed by the Company in connection with research and development activities for each of the last three fiscal years are set forth in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations included elsewhere in this report.

Industry and Competitive Environment

The Company believes its products compete favorably on the basis of product innovation, product performance and marketing support and, to a lesser extent, price.

Fishing:  Minn Kota’s primary competitors in the electric trolling motors business are Motor Guide® and Lowrance, owned by Brunswick Corporation, and Garmin. Power-Pole is Minn Kota's main competitor in the shallow water anchor business. Competition in both businesses is focused on technological innovation, product quality and durability as well as product features and benefits for fishing.

Humminbird’s main competitors in the market for on-boat electronics are Garmin, Lowrance, and Raymarine®.  Competition in this business is primarily focused on the quality of sonar imaging and display, easy to use graphical interfaces as well as the integration of mapping and GPS technology.  Humminbird's competitors in marine cartography include Navionics®, owned by Garmin, and C-Map®, owned by Brunswick Corporation.  Competition in this business focuses primarily on quality of data and quantity of available charts for inland lakes and ocean shoreline.

Cannon’s main competitors in the downrigger market are Big Jon Sports®, Walker and Scotty®. Competition in this business primarily focuses on ease of operation, speed and durability.

Camping:  The Company’s Camping brands and products compete in the sporting goods and specialty segments of the Camping market. Competitive brands with a strong position in the sporting goods channel include Coleman® and private label brands. The Company also competes with specialty companies such as Kelty®, The North Face®, Marmot® and Big Agnes® on the basis of materials and innovative designs for consumers who want performance products priced at a value.

The Company’s portable outdoor cooking systems compete in the specialty and higher end performance backpacking and camping markets.  The primary competitor in portable outdoor cooking systems is MSR®.  Competition in this market is based on product size and weight, ease of use, reliability and performance.

The Company’s competitors in the commercial tent market include Anchor Industries® and Aztec Tents for tension, frame and canopy tents.  Competition in the commercial tent business is based on price, quality, structure, styling, ease of installation and technical support.

The Company sells military tents via third party distributors who hold supply contracts primarily with the U.S. Government, as well as to international governments.  Such supply contracts can be for commercial off-the-shelf products in addition to products required to be built to unique specifications.  Competitors in the military tent business include HDT®, Alaska Structures®, Camel, Outdoor Venture, and Diamond Brand.
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Watercraft Recreation:  The Company primarily competes in this segment in the kayak and canoe product categories of the paddlesports market. The Company’s main competitors in this market are Hobie Cat®, Pelican International Inc., Wenonah Canoe, Jackson Kayak and Legacy Paddlesports™, each of which competes on the basis of their product’s design, performance, quality and price.

Diving:  The main competitors in the Diving segment include Aqua Lung®, Suunto®, Atomic Aquatics, Oceanic, Cressi and Mares®.  Competitive advantage in the life support product category of this segment, which consists of regulators, dive computers, and buoyancy compensators, is a function of product innovation, performance, quality and safety. Competition in the general diving product category of fins, masks, snorkels and wetsuits is characterized by low barriers to entry and numerous competitors who compete on the basis of product innovation, performance, quality and price.

Backlog

Unfilled orders for future delivery of products varies as a result of numerous factors impacting the Company (including those described in the section titled “Risk Factors” below) and because of the non-binding nature of such orders, the Company does not believe that backlog information is material to the understanding of its business.

Employees and Human Capital Resources

At September 30, 2022, the Company had approximately 1,500 regular, full-time employees, of which approximately 1,200 were employed in the United States and approximately 300 were employed outside of the United States.  Approximately 55 or 4% were represented by a collective bargaining agreement, all of whom are located at our facilities in Batam, Indonesia. In recent years, we have not experienced any significant work slowdowns, stoppages, or other labor disruptions. The Company considers its employee relations to be excellent. Temporary employees are utilized primarily to manage peaks in the seasonal manufacturing of products.

The Company remains committed to areas of work place safety, product quality and customer satisfaction. Successful execution of our mission is dependent on attracting, developing and retaining key employees and members of our management team, as well as providing competitive pay and benefits.

Patents, Trademarks and Proprietary Rights

The Company holds patents for various of the products it sells and regularly files applications for patents.  The Company has numerous trademarks and trade names which it considers important to its business, many of which are noted in this report. Historically, the Company has vigorously defended its intellectual property rights and expects to continue to do so.

Supply Chain and Sourcing of Materials

The Company manufactures some products that use parts or materials that, due to geographical distance, limited supplier capacity or availability or competing demands for such parts or materials, are only available in a cost effective manner from a single vendor or require the Company to place orders several months in advance of required delivery.

Historically, the Company attempted to mitigate product availability and these supply chain risks when possible through the purchase of safety stock, use of forecast-based supply contracts, and, to a lesser extent, with just in time inventory deliveries or supplier-owned inventory located close to the Company’s manufacturing locations.  In doing so, the Company strived to balance the businesses’ need to maintain adequate inventory levels with the cost of holding such inventory by manufacturing to forecast for high volume products, utilizing build-to-order strategies wherever possible, and by having contract-manufactured products delivered to customers directly from the supplier.  The Company also seeks to manage its inventory through on-going product design and logistical initiatives with its suppliers to reduce lead times.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been significant widely-documented supply chain and logistics disruptions across industries, including those in which the Company operates. While the Company expects that these supply chain disruptions will continue into fiscal 2023, the Company remains focused on evaluating and pursuing additional options (beyond building inventory) to manage its supply chain and meet consumer demand for its products. Supply chain disruptions are dynamic and may impact the cost of goods sold for future sales of product or the Company’s ability to fill demand for its products, especially given the volatility and changing circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic environment.

Seasonality
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The Company’s products in each of its business segments are primarily warm-weather, outdoor recreation-related, which has historically resulted in seasonal variations in sales and profitability for the Company. This seasonal variability was traditionally due to customers’ increasing their inventories in the quarters ending March and June, which is the typical primary selling season for the Company’s outdoor recreation products, with lower inventory volumes during the quarters ending September and December.

Due to the timing of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Company’s primary-selling season during fiscal 2020 was interrupted resulting in a significant shift in sales volumes during the 2020 fiscal year toward the last fiscal quarter of that year versus the typical primary selling season which usually occurs during the second and third fiscal quarters, as noted above. During fiscal years 2021 and 2022, as described above under "Supply Chain and Sourcing of Materials," the Company was impacted by supply chain disruptions that impacted sales and operating profit towards the latter half of fiscal 2022. Accordingly, because of the ongoing supply chain disruption and the current macroeconomic conditions (including related to rising prices and inflationary conditions), the Company cannot predict at this time whether it will experience typical seasonality in demand for its products during fiscal 2023 and beyond.

Typically and prior to the impact of COVID-19 as noted above, the Company had mitigated the seasonality of its businesses somewhat by encouraging customers to purchase and take delivery of products more evenly through the year.  The following table shows, for the past three fiscal years, the total consolidated net sales and operating profit or loss of the Company for each quarter, as a percentage of the total year. See “Coronavirus (COVID-19)” in Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for additional information of the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s seasonality for fiscal 2021 and 2022.

 Fiscal Year
 202220212020
Quarter EndedNet
Sales
Operating
Profit
Net
Sales
Operating
Profit 
Net
  Sales
Operating
Profit
December21 %21 %22 %22 %22 %10 %
March26 %23 %27 %32 %27 %45 %
June27 %36 %29 %34 %23 %17 %
September26 %20 %22 %12 %28 %28 %
 100 %100 %100 %100 %100 %100 %
 
Environment and Climate Change

The Company is subject to various supranational, federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances, regulations, and other requirements of governmental authorities.  We believe we comply with such laws and regulations.  Expenditures on environmental compliance have not had, and we believe in the future, are not expected to have, a material adverse effect on the Company’s capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.  We do not believe that any direct or indirect consequences of legislation related to climate change will have a material adverse effect on our operating costs, facilities or products. However, risk of environmental liability and charges associated with maintaining compliance with environmental laws is inherent in the nature of the Company’s business and there is no assurance that material liabilities or charges could not arise.

Available Information

The Company maintains a website at www.johnsonoutdoors.com. On its website, the Company makes available, free of charge, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practical after the reports have been electronically filed or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Company makes available on its website, free of charge, its (a) proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders; (b) Code of Business Conduct; (c) Code of Ethics for its Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial and Accounting Officers; (d) the charters for the following committees of the Board of Directors: Audit; Compensation; Executive; and Nominating and Corporate Governance; and (e) Corporate Governance Guidelines, Insider Trading Policy and Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy. Except as specifically provided herein, the Company is not including the information contained on or available through its website as a part of, or incorporating such information by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This report includes all material information about the Company that is included on the Company’s website and is otherwise required to be included in this report.  Copies of any materials the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) can also be obtained free of charge through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.   The SEC’s Public Reference Room can be contacted at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, or by calling 1 (800) 732-0330.
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ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

The risks described below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks that we do not yet know of or that we currently think are immaterial may also impair our future business operations. If any of the events or circumstances described in the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such cases, the trading price of our common stock could decline.

Operational Risk Factors

Our net sales and profitability depend on our ability to continue to conceive, design and market products that appeal to our consumers.

Our business depends on our ability to continue to conceive, design, manufacture and market new products and upon continued market acceptance of our product offering. As described elsewhere in this Report, product research and development is an important component of our success and our market strategy. Rapidly changing consumer preferences and trends make it difficult to predict how long consumer demand for our existing products will continue or what new products will be successful. A decline in consumer demand for our products, our failure to develop new products on a timely basis in anticipation of changing consumer preferences or the failure of our new products to achieve and sustain consumer acceptance could reduce our net sales and profitability.

Intellectual property disputes relating to our products could increase our costs.

Our industry is susceptible to litigation regarding patent infringement and infringement of other intellectual property rights. We could be either a plaintiff or a defendant in trademark, patent and/or other intellectual property infringement or misappropriation claims and claims of breach of license from time to time. The prosecution or defense of any intellectual property litigation is both costly and disruptive of the time and resources of our management and product development teams, even if the claim or defense against us is without merit. The scope of any patent or other intellectual property to which we have or may obtain rights also may not prevent others from developing and selling competing products.  The validity and breadth of claims covered in patents and other intellectual property involve complex legal and factual questions, and the resolution of such claims may be highly uncertain, lengthy and expensive.  In addition, our patents or other intellectual property may be held invalid upon challenge, or others may claim that we have improperly or invalidly sought patent or other intellectual property protection for our technology, thus exposing us to direct or counter claims in any patent or intellectual property proceeding. We could also be required to pay substantial damages or settlement costs to resolve intellectual property litigation. Furthermore, we may rely on trade secret law to protect technologies and proprietary information that we cannot or have chosen not to patent. Trade secrets, however, are difficult to protect. Although we attempt to maintain protection through confidentiality agreements with necessary personnel, contractors and consultants, we cannot guarantee that such contracts will not be breached. In the event of a breach of a confidentiality agreement or the divulgence of proprietary information, we may not have adequate legal remedies to maintain our trade secret protection. Litigation to determine the scope of intellectual property rights, even if ultimately successful, could be costly and could divert management’s attention away from the Company’s business.  Any of these negative events could adversely affect our profitability or operating results.

Product recalls and other claims could affect our financial position and results of operations.

As a manufacturer and distributor of consumer products, we could be required to repurchase or recall one or more of our products if they are found to not meet quality or safety standards or be defective.  A repurchase or recall of our products could be costly to us and could damage the reputation of our brands.  If we were required to remove, or voluntarily remove our products from the market, our reputation could be tarnished and we might have large quantities of finished products that we could not sell.  As a result, product recalls could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may experience difficulties in integrating strategic acquisitions.

We have, as part of our strategy, historically pursued strategic acquisitions.  The pursuit of future growth through acquisitions involves significant risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business.  Risks associated with integrating strategic acquisitions include, but are not limited to:

unanticipated costs relating to the integration of acquired businesses may increase our expenses and reduce our profitability;
difficulties in achieving planned cost savings and synergies may increase our expenses;
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unanticipated management or operational problems or liabilities may adversely affect our profitability and financial condition; and/or
breaches of the representations or warranties or other violations of the contractual obligations required by the acquisition agreement of other parties to the acquisition transaction and any contractual remedies related thereto may not adequately protect or compensate us.

We are dependent upon certain key members of management.

Our success will depend to a significant degree on the abilities and efforts of our senior management. Moreover, our success depends on our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified management, marketing, technical and sales personnel. These people are in high demand and often have competing employment opportunities. The labor market for skilled employees is highly competitive and we may lose key employees or be forced to increase their compensation to retain these people. Employee turnover could significantly increase our recruitment, training and other related employee costs. The loss of key personnel, or the failure to attract qualified personnel, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We rely on our credit facilities to provide us with sufficient working capital to operate our business.

Because of the historic seasonal nature of our business, we have from time to time relied upon our credit facilities to provide us with adequate working capital to operate our business.  To the extent we again become more dependent upon our credit facilities to fund our operations, if our lenders reduce or terminate our access to amounts under our credit facilities, we may not have sufficient capital to fund our working capital needs and/or we may need to secure additional capital or financing to fund our working capital requirements or to repay outstanding debt under our credit facilities.  We can make no assurance that we will be successful in ensuring our availability of amounts under our credit facilities when they are needed or in connection with raising additional capital and that any amount, if raised, will be sufficient to meet our cash flow requirements.  In the event we do not have available cash balances on hand for funding future operations, and if we are not able to maintain our borrowing availability under our credit facilities at that time and/or raise additional capital when needed, we may be forced to sharply curtail our efforts to manufacture and promote the sale of our products or to curtail our operations. 

Our debt covenants may limit our ability to complete acquisitions, incur debt, make investments, sell assets, merge or complete other significant transactions.
 
Our credit facilities and certain other of our debt instruments include limitations on a number of our activities in the event of a default, and in some cases regardless of whether a default has occurred, including our ability to:
 
incur additional debt;
create liens on our assets or make guarantees;
make certain investments or loans; or
dispose of or sell assets, make acquisitions above certain amounts or enter into a merger or similar transaction.

Although in recent periods we have not had to borrow funds under our credit facilities, we still are required to comply with certain restrictive covenants in our credit facilities, any of which may limit our ability to engage in acts that may be in our best long term interests.  Additionally, a breach of any of the restrictive covenants in our credit facilities could result in a default under these facilities.  If a default occurs while we have borrowing amounts outstanding, the lenders under our credit facilities may elect to declare all outstanding borrowings, together with accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable, to terminate any commitments they have to provide further borrowings and to exercise any other rights they have under the facilities or applicable law.

We may be subject to disruptions or failures in our information technology systems and network infrastructures that could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We rely on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of complex information technology systems and network infrastructures to operate our business. We also hold data in various company-owned and third party data center facilities upon which our business depends. A disruption, infiltration, breach or failure of these information technology systems or any of these data centers as a result of software or hardware malfunctions, system implementations or upgrades, computer viruses, third-party security breaches, employee error, theft or misuse, malfeasance, power disruptions, natural disasters or accidents could cause breaches of data security, loss of intellectual property and critical data and the release and misappropriation of sensitive competitive information. Any of these events could result in the loss of key information, impair our production and supply chain processes, harm our competitive position, damage our reputation with customers, cause us to incur significant costs to remedy any damages and ultimately materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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While we have implemented a number of protective measures, such measures may not be adequate or implemented properly to prevent or fully address the adverse effect of such events.

Regulatory Risk Factors

Uncertainty over global tariffs, or the financial impact of tariffs, may negatively affect our results.

Changes in U.S. domestic and global tariff frameworks over the last three years have increased our costs of producing goods and resulted in additional risks to our supply chain. More tariff changes are also possible. We have developed strategies to mitigate, in part, previously implemented and, in some cases, proposed tariff increases, but there is no assurance we will be able to continue to mitigate the impact of tariff increases in substantial part on our financial and operating results. Further, uncertainties about future tariff changes could result in mitigation actions undertaken by us that could prove to be detrimental to our business and our relationships with our customers and suppliers. The scope of the tariffs and the rates at which they are implemented may continue to fluctuate and change in an unpredictable manner that further complicates our ability to implement mitigation actions.

The effective tax rate of the Company may be negatively impacted by future changes to tax laws in global jurisdictions in which we operate.

Changes in tax laws or tax rulings could have a material impact on our effective tax rate. Many countries in the European Union, as well as a number of other countries and organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, are actively considering changes to existing tax laws. Certain proposals could include recommendations that could increase our tax obligations in many countries where we do business. Any changes in the taxation of our activities in such jurisdictions may result in a material increase in our effective tax rate.

We are subject to environmental, climate change, safety and human rights regulations and legislation.

We are subject to supranational, federal, state, local and foreign laws and other legal requirements related to the generation, storage, transport, treatment and disposal of materials as a result of our manufacturing and assembly operations. These laws include the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (as amended), the Clean Air Act (as amended) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (as amended), as well as similar laws in foreign jurisdictions.  Risk of environmental liability and changes associated with maintaining compliance with environmental laws is inherent in the nature of our business and there is no assurance that material liabilities or changes would not arise.

We are also subject to various supranational, federal, state and local environmental, laws, ordinances, regulations and other legislation or requirements of governmental authorities as it relates to climate change. We believe we comply with such laws and regulations. We do not believe that any direct or indirect consequences of legislation related to climate change will have a material adverse effect on our operating costs, facilities, or products. However, evolving regulatory and legislative measures related to protecting against climate change could ultimately pose a risk to our business by influencing the buying patterns of our customers or increasing internal compliance costs.

The Company is also subject to the requirement of Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and SEC rules related thereto to conduct due diligence and disclose and report on whether certain minerals and metals, known as “conflict minerals,” are contained in the Company’s products and whether they originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo (“DRC”) and adjoining countries. We may face reputational challenges if we determine that certain of our products contain minerals not determined to be conflict free or if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origins of all conflict minerals used in our products through the procedures we implement.

Our failure to adequately protect personal information could have a material adverse effect on our business.

A wide variety of local, state, national, and international laws, directives and regulations apply to the collection, use, retention, protection, disclosure, transfer, and other processing of personal data (including with respect to the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation and U.S. state laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act). These data protection and privacy-related laws and regulations continue to evolve and may result in ever-increasing regulatory and public scrutiny and escalating levels of enforcement and sanctions and increased costs of compliance. Our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, or to protect such data, could result in enforcement actions against us, including fines, imprisonment of company officials and public censure, claims for damages by end-customers and other affected individuals, damage to our reputation and loss of goodwill (both in relation to existing end-customers and prospective end-customers), any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial performance, and business. Changing definitions of personal data and personal information, within the European Union, the United States, and elsewhere may limit or inhibit our ability to operate or
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expand our business, including limiting strategic partnerships that may involve the sharing of data. The evolving data protection regulatory environment may require significant management attention and financial resources to analyze and modify our information technology infrastructure to meet these changing requirements all of which could reduce our operating margins and impact our operating results and financial condition.

Market and Economic Risk Factors

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted worldwide economic conditions and could continue to have a material adverse effect on our operations and business.

Our operations are exposed to risks associated with pandemics, epidemics or other public health emergencies, such as the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Outbreaks such as these have resulted, and can continue to result, in governments around the world implementing stringent or restrictive measures to help control the spread of the virus, including quarantines, "shelter in place" and "stay at home" orders, travel restrictions, business curtailments, school closures, and other measures. Depending on the timing of these actions, and the scope of the economic activity they impact, we may experience negative impacts on our operations, supply chain, transportation networks, customers and employees and any of such events can impact or adjust the historic seasonality or buying patterns for our products. Further, any health pandemic (or any worsening thereof), including COVID-19 or a similar pandemic, may result in public health measures that may cause an economic downturn that adversely affects demand for our products, and negatively impacts our business or results of operations through the temporary closure of our operating locations or those of our customers or suppliers. The pandemic (or the continuing worsening of it) may also impact the buying patterns and demand for our products (either positively or negatively) by our customers including by generally limiting or discouraging various leisure and travel activities that may adversely impact consumer use of certain of our products.

As we have previously disclosed in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, during the latter half of fiscal 2020 and throughout fiscal 2021, we saw favorable impact of COVID-19 on our results due to increased participation in fishing, camping and watercraft recreation and related demand for our products, largely driven by consumer desire to engage in socially distant and safe activities in the great outdoors. It is not certain any previously experienced favorable impacts will continue or will recur in the future, especially as demand for outdoor recreation products moderate. Additionally, even where demand may be strong, we face the potential for supply chain constraints and disruptions (including as it relates to the timing, sourcing, availability and cost of raw materials and components) given the overall increased stress on global supply chains and the need to operate with appropriate safety measures in operating environments. The extent to which COVID-19 or another similar pandemic may continue to adversely or favorably impact our business depends on future developments, which are highly uncertain and unpredictable, including new information concerning the severity of the outbreak, the effectiveness of actions globally to contain or mitigate its effects, including government actions to stimulate the economy and prevent further downturns, and the impact of these events on the timing, sourcing, availability and cost of raw materials and components for production of our products. The current level of uncertainty over the economic and operational impacts of any pandemic (including COVID-19 or similar health pandemic) and the impact of such a pandemic on our supply chain requirements means the related financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

Competition, consolidation and financial distress in our markets could reduce our net sales, profitability and cash flows.

We operate in highly competitive markets. We compete with several large domestic and foreign companies such as Brunswick, Garmin, and Aqua Lung, with private label products sold by many of our retail customers and with other producers of outdoor recreation products. Some of our competitors have longer operating histories, stronger brand recognition and greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than us. In addition, due to limited barriers to entry in some of the product industries we engage in, we may face competition from new participants in our markets or from existing participants developing and introducing new products into our market segments. Further, we experience price competition for our products, and competition for shelf space at retailers, all of which may increase in the future. Consolidation of our retail markets could result in fewer but larger retail customers, which may further result in lower selling prices or reduced sales volumes of our products or greater competition for shelf space in these retail markets. Further, financial distress or bankruptcies in our retail markets could negatively impact our operating results and cash flows.  If we cannot compete in our product markets successfully in the future, our net sales, profitability and cash flows will likely decline.

General economic conditions affect the Company’s results.

Our revenues are affected by economic conditions and consumer confidence worldwide, but especially in the United States and Europe.  In times of economic uncertainty, consumers tend to defer expenditures for discretionary items, which affects demand for our products.  Moreover, our businesses are cyclical and seasonal in nature, and their success is impacted by general economic conditions and specific economic conditions affecting the regions and markets we serve, the overall level of
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consumer confidence in the economy and discretionary income levels.  Any substantial deterioration in general economic conditions that diminishes consumer confidence or discretionary income can reduce our sales and adversely affect our financial results.  Moreover, declining economic conditions create the potential for future impairments of goodwill and other intangible and long-lived assets that may negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.  Various uncertainties tied to economic conditions, including significant adverse changes in business climate, adverse actions by regulators, unanticipated competition, loss of key customers, a downturn in the economy or in discretionary income levels or changes in consumer preferences could impact the expected cash flows to be generated by an asset or group of assets, and may result in an impairment of those assets. The impact of weak consumer credit markets, corporate restructurings, layoffs, prolonged high unemployment rates, declines in the value of investments and residential real estate, higher fuel prices and increases in federal and state taxation all can negatively affect our operating results.

As noted above, because a substantial majority of our net revenue is generated through discretionary spending by consumers for our outdoor recreation products, a downturn in the economy resulting from prolonged supply chain disruptions or labor shortages, a significant increase in inflation rates (including in connection with rising interest rates through government action to fight inflationary trends), or a reduction in consumer confidence in the U.S. economy may have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations, as consumers generally reduce their discretionary spending during such periods. Inflation rates have increased and may continue to rise or stay elevated for some time, all of which negatively impact consumer confidence and discretionary spending patterns. Additionally, inflationary trends and uncertainties in the economic climate in the United States and elsewhere could have a similar negative impact on the rate and amounts of purchases by our current and potential customers, create price inflation for our products, or otherwise have a negative impact on our expenses, gross margins and revenues, all of which could hinder our growth.

A limited number of our shareholders can exert significant influence over the Company.

As of September 30, 2022, Helen P. Johnson-Leipold, members of her family and related entities (hereinafter the Johnson Family), held approximately 75% of the voting power of both classes of our common stock taken as a whole. This voting power would permit these shareholders, if they chose to act together, to exert significant influence over the outcome of shareholder votes, including votes concerning the election of directors, by-law amendments, possible mergers, corporate control contests and other significant corporate transactions.  Moreover, certain members of the Johnson Family have entered into a voting trust agreement covering approximately 99% of our outstanding class B common shares.  This voting trust agreement permits these shareholders, if they continue to choose to act together, to exert significant influence over the outcome of shareholder votes, including votes concerning the election of directors, by-law amendments, possible mergers, corporate control contests and other significant corporate transactions.

Our shares of common stock are thinly traded and our stock price may be volatile.

Because our common stock is thinly traded, its market price may fluctuate significantly more than the stock market in general or the stock prices of similar companies, which are exchanged, listed or quoted on NASDAQ or another stock exchange. We believe there are approximately 5,301,000 shares of our Class A common stock held by non-affiliates as of September 30, 2022. Thus, our common stock will be less liquid than the stock of companies with broader public ownership, and as a result, the trading price for our shares of common stock may be more volatile. Among other things, trading of a relatively small volume of our common stock may have a greater impact on the trading price for our stock than would be the case if our public float were larger.

Our stock price is volatile and our shareholders may not be able to resell shares of Class A Common Stock at or above the price they paid.

The trading price of our Class A Common Stock is highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include:

announcements relating to our earnings trends or with respect to any cost-cutting actions or other strategic transactions involving Johnson Outdoors;
announcements relating to, and disruptions in, the sourcing, timing, availability and cost of raw materials and components necessary for the production of our products;
announcements relating to product development efforts of Johnson Outdoors or competitors;
announcements relating to the receipt, modification or termination of customer or supplier contracts, including with respect to any government contracts or grants;
prevailing economic conditions;
business disruptions caused by weather events, pandemics, or other natural disasters;
disputes concerning Johnson Outdoors' or its competitors' intellectual property or other proprietary rights;
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sales of our Class A Common Stock by our executive officers and directors or our significant shareholders in the future;
the lack of an active, liquid, and orderly market in our Class A Common Stock;
fluctuations in our quarterly operating results; and
the issuance of new or changed securities analysts' reports or recommendations regarding the shares of our Class A Common Stock

In addition, the stock markets in general, and the markets for equity securities in companies principally operating in the outdoor leisure or recreational product markets, have experienced periods of high volatility that have been often unrelated to the operating performance of the issuer. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price or liquidity of our Class A Common Stock.

Sources of and fluctuations in market prices of raw materials can affect our operating results.

The primary raw materials we use in manufacturing our products are metals, resins, electronic components, and packaging materials. These materials are generally available from a number of suppliers, but traditionally we have chosen to concentrate our sourcing with a limited number of vendors for each commodity or purchased component. Under normal circumstances, we believe our sources of raw materials are reliable and adequate for our needs. However, many materials and components continue to be subject to shortages and significant commodity pricing fluctuations due to deterioration of the global supply chain. The development of future sourcing issues related to the availability of these materials as well as significant fluctuations in the market prices of these materials may have an adverse effect on our financial results.

Our profitability is also affected by significant fluctuations in the prices of the raw materials and components we use in our products, including the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on raw materials and purchased components.  We may not be able to pass along any price increases in our raw materials or other component costs to our customers.  As a result, an increase in the cost of raw materials, labor or other costs associated with the manufacturing of our products could increase our costs of sales and reduce our gross margins.

Financial distress in supply chain and shortage of raw materials or components of supply.

Deteriorating industry conditions can adversely affect our supply base.  Lower production levels at our major suppliers and volatility in certain raw material and energy costs may result in severe financial distress among many companies within our supply base, which may result in issues impacting the sourcing, timing, availability and cost of raw materials and components necessary to manufacture our products.  Financial distress within our supply base and/or our suppliers’ inability to obtain credit from lending institutions could lead to commercial disputes and possible supply chain interruptions to our business.  In addition, potential adverse industry conditions may require us to provide financial assistance or other measures to ensure uninterrupted production of key components or materials used in the production of our products which could have a material adverse effect on our existing and future revenues and net income. For example, our inventory levels have increased significantly in recent periods as we attempt to build inventory with the goal of mitigating and/or preparing for a continuing disruption of the supply chain, originally starting as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but continuing as a result of global economic conditions, including due to rising interest rates, inflationary pressures and the conflict in the Ukraine.

We are currently experiencing supply shortages and cost increases for certain components and raw materials that are crucial to our manufacturing process. Continued higher levels of consumer demand or growth in demand for our outdoor recreation products may exacerbate these pressures, and, therefore, depending upon the severity of, and any continuing adverse impact to, global economic conditions affecting the cost and availability of raw materials and components used in our products, these supply chain challenges described above may continue for the foreseeable future, and may continue to adversely impact our margins for some time. As noted above, we have chosen to take action to increase our inventories and purchase commitments in an attempt to ensure we have adequate inventory levels to meet customer expectations and demand for our products. Nonetheless not all necessary components to build inventory have been readily available at reasonable prices or at all.

Additionally, in the event of catastrophic acts of nature such as fires, tsunamis, hurricanes and earthquakes or a rapid increase in production demands, either we, or our suppliers may experience supply shortages of raw materials or components.  This could be caused by a number of factors, including a lack of production line capacity or manpower or working capital constraints.  As our industry consolidates its supply base in order to manage the costs of purchased goods and services, there is greater dependence on fewer sources of supply for certain components and materials used in our products, which could increase the possibility of a supply shortage of any particular component.  If we or one of our own suppliers experience a supply shortage, we may become unable to produce the affected products if we cannot procure the components from another source.  Such production interruptions could impede a ramp-up in production and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

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We consider the production capacities and financial condition of suppliers in our selection process, and expect that they will meet our delivery requirements.  However, there can be no assurance that strong demand, capacity limitations, shortages of raw materials, labor disputes, freight capacity or other problems will not result in any shortages or delays in the supply of components to us.

Currency exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect the Company’s results.

We have significant foreign operations, for which the functional currencies are denominated primarily in euros, Swiss francs, Hong Kong dollars and Canadian dollars. As the values of the currencies of the foreign countries in which we have operations increase or decrease relative to the U.S. dollar, the sales, expenses, profits, losses, assets and liabilities of our foreign operations, as reported in our consolidated financial statements, increase or decrease, accordingly. Approximately 13% of our revenues for the year ended September 30, 2022 were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Approximately 4% were denominated in euros and approximately 6% were denominated in Canadian dollars with the remaining 3% denominated in various other foreign currencies. We may mitigate a portion of the impact of fluctuations in certain foreign currencies on our operations through the purchase of foreign currency swaps, forward contracts and options to hedge known commitments denominated in foreign currencies or to reduce the risk of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on foreign currency borrowings.

Because we rely on foreign suppliers and we sell products in foreign markets, we are susceptible to numerous international business risks that could increase our costs or disrupt the supply of our products.

Our international operations subject us to risks, including:
 
economic and political instability;
restrictive actions by foreign governments, including with respect to tariffs or trade policies;
opportunity costs and reputational damage related to the presence of counterfeit versions of the Company’s products in such foreign markets;
greater difficulty enforcing intellectual property rights and weaker laws protecting intellectual property rights;
changes in tariffs, import duties or import or export restrictions;
timely shipping of product and unloading of product, including the timely rail/truck delivery to our warehouses and/or a customer’s warehouse of our products;
complications in complying with the laws and policies of the United States affecting the importation of goods, including tariffs, duties, quotas and taxes;
required compliance with U.S. laws that impact the Company’s operations in foreign jurisdictions that do not impact local operating companies; and
complications in complying with trade and foreign tax laws.

General Risk Factors

Cyber security vulnerabilities, threats and more sophisticated and targeted computer crime could pose a risk to our systems, networks, products, solutions, services and data. 

Increased global cyber security vulnerabilities, threats, computer viruses and more sophisticated and targeted cyber-related attacks, as well as cyber security failures resulting from human error and technological errors, pose a risk to our systems, products and data as well as potentially to our employees’, customers’ and suppliers’ data and systems that may ultimately impact us. We attempt to mitigate these risks by employing a number of measures, including employee training, monitoring and testing, and maintenance of protective systems and contingency plans, but we remain potentially vulnerable to additional known or unknown threats. There is no assurance the impact from such threats will not be material to our financial results or reputation and it could result in security breaches, theft, lost or corrupted data, misappropriation of sensitive, confidential or personal data or information, loss of trade secrets and commercially valuable information, production downtimes and operational disruptions, any of which may adversely affect our profitability or operating results.

Future terror attacks, war, natural disasters or other catastrophic events beyond our control could negatively impact our business.

Terror attacks, war or other civil disturbances, natural disasters and other catastrophic events could lead to economic instability and decreased demand for our products, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.  In the past, terrorist attacks have caused instability in global financial markets and the industries in which we compete and have negatively affected spending on consumer discretionary products.  In addition, our facilities are located throughout the world and could be subject to damage from terrorism incidents or from fires, floods, earthquakes or other natural
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or man-made disasters.  Terrorist incidents could also lead to increased border security which could in turn negatively impact our global supply chain by causing shipping delays or shortages in key materials or components, increasing the cost of such goods or requiring us to keep greater inventories, any of which may adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

Our business is susceptible to adverse weather conditions or events.

Our success is in part affected by adverse weather conditions, including fires, floods, tornadoes, severe cold and other natural disasters. Such events have the tendency to create fluctuations in demand for our products which may increase our expenses and reduce our profitability.  Moreover, our profitability is affected by our ability to successfully manage our inventory levels and demand for our products, which, in part depends upon the efficient operation of our production and delivery systems. These systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from the aforementioned natural disasters.  Such natural disasters could adversely impact our ability to meet delivery requirements of our customers, which may result in our need to incur extra costs to expedite production and delivery of product to meet customer demand. Any of these events could negatively impact our profitability.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not Applicable

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

The Company maintains leased and owned manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and office facilities throughout the world. The Company believes that its facilities are well maintained and have capacity adequate to meet its current needs.

See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for a discussion of the Company’s lease obligations.

As of September 30, 2022, the Company’s principal manufacturing (identified with an asterisk) and other locations are:

Alpharetta, Georgia (Fishing)
Antibes, France (Diving)
Batam, Indonesia* (Diving)
Binghamton, New York* (Camping)
Burlington, Ontario, Canada (Fishing, Camping, Watercraft Recreation)
Casarza Ligure, Italy* (Diving)
Chai Wan, Hong Kong (Diving)
Chatswood, Australia (Diving)
El Cajon, California (Diving)
Eufaula, Alabama* (Fishing)
Little Falls, Minnesota (Fishing)
Manchester, New Hampshire (Camping)
Mankato, Minnesota* (Fishing)
Mexicali, Mexico* (Fishing)
Old Town, Maine* (Watercraft Recreation)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Fishing)
Nuremberg, Germany (Diving)
Zurich, Switzerland (Diving)

The Company’s corporate headquarters is located in a facility in Racine, Wisconsin.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the normal course of business, we may be involved in various legal proceedings from time to time.  As of the date of the filing of this Report, we are not involved in any litigation involving amounts deemed to be material to the business or financial condition of the Company.

ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

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PART II


ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information
 
Certain information with respect to this item is included in Notes 9 and 10 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. The Company’s Class A common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select MarketSM under the symbol: JOUT. There is no public market for the Company’s Class B common stock. However, the Class B common stock is convertible at all times at the option of the holder into shares of Class A common stock on a share for share basis. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had 419 holders of record of its Class A common stock and 20 holders of record of its Class B common stock. We believe the number of beneficial owners of our Class A common stock on that date was substantially greater.

A summary of the high and low closing prices for the Company’s Class A common stock during each quarter of the years ended September 30, 2022, October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020 is as follows:
 First QuarterSecond QuarterThird QuarterFourth Quarter
 202220212020202220212020202220212020202220212020
Stock prices:            
High$115.87 $113.21 $78.17 $95.60 $148.50 $78.84 $82.48 $154.09 $88.41 $73.32 $122.23 $95.54 
Low92.82 83.60 57.53 77.44 109.00 51.29 59.04 117.92 57.46 50.54 105.51 80.27 

Dividends
 
The Company’s Articles of Incorporation provide that no dividend, other than a dividend payable in shares of the Company’s common stock, may be declared or paid upon the Class B common stock unless such dividend is declared or paid upon both classes of common stock. Whenever a dividend (other than a dividend payable in shares of Company common stock) is declared or paid upon any shares of Class B common stock, at the same time there must be declared and paid a dividend on the shares of Class A common stock equal in value to 110% of the amount per share of the dividend declared and paid on the shares of Class B common stock. Whenever a dividend is payable in shares of Company common stock, such dividend must be declared or paid at the same rate on the Class A common stock and the Class B common stock.

Quarterly dividends declared in the first three quarters of fiscal 2022 were $0.30 per share of Class A common stock, and $0.31 per share for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2022. Quarterly dividends declared per share of Class B common stock were $0.27 for the first three quarters of fiscal 2022, and $0.28 per share for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2022.  Total dividends declared in fiscal 2022 were $12,171.  Cash dividends paid in fiscal 2022 totaled $12,056 and dividends payable of $3,120 were included in current liabilities at September 30, 2022.

While the Board of Directors of the Company presently intends to continue the payment of regular quarterly cash dividends on the Company’s common stock, they review the Company’s dividend quarterly and may elect to increase, decrease or not pay a dividend at any time. The Company’s ability to pay dividends could be affected by future business performance (including as a result of the continued impact of supply chain disruption, inflation and macroeconomic dynamics on our operations and cash flows), liquidity, capital needs, alternative investment opportunities and compliance with debt covenants in its loan agreements.

Total Shareholder Return

The graph below compares on a market cap weighted cumulative basis the yearly percentage change since September 29, 2017 in the total return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) to shareholders on the Class A common stock with (a) the total return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on The NASDAQ Stock Market-U.S. Index; (b) the total return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on the Russell 2000 Index; and (c) the total return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on a self-constructed peer group index. The Company’s peer group consists of Clarus Corporation, Brunswick Corporation, Callaway Golf Company, Escalade Inc., Garmin Ltd., Marine Products Corporation, Malibu Boats Inc. and Nautilus, Inc.  The graph assumes $100 was invested on September 29, 2017 in the Company’s Class A common stock, The NASDAQ Stock Market-U.S. Index, the Russell 2000 Index and the peer group index.

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https://cdn.kscope.io/7b4e5fe836a7597528f4a1a6385da214-jout-20220930_g1.jpg

* $100 invested on September 29, 2017 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Indices calculated on a mid-month basis.
 
 9/29/20179/28/20189/27/201910/2/202010/1/20219/30/2022
Johnson Outdoors Inc.$100.0 $127.7 $81.1 $120.4 $154.4 $73.3 
NASDAQ Composite100.0 125.2 124.9 175.9 232.9 170.4 
Russell 2000 Index100.0 115.2 104.8 107.6 158.3 119.1 
Peer Group100.0 133.1 135.8 162.5 257.1 148.1 

The information in this section titled “Total Shareholder Return” shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to the liabilities of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and this information shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


ITEM 6.    RESERVED


ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Unless otherwise stated, all monetary amounts in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, other than per share amounts, are stated in thousands.

Executive Overview

The Company designs, manufactures and markets high quality recreational products for the outdoor enthusiast. Through a combination of innovative products, strong marketing, a talented and passionate workforce and efficient distribution, the Company seeks to set itself apart from the competition in its markets. Its subsidiaries operate as a network that promotes innovation and leverages best practices and synergies, following the strategic vision set by executive management and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) 

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The COVID-19 pandemic drove consumer desire to engage in socially distant and safe activities outdoors. As a result, increased participation in Fishing, Camping and Watercraft Recreation also increased demand for our products across Company segments beginning in fiscal 2020 and continuing throughout fiscal 2022. As global travel restrictions also eased, we experienced increased participation and resulting increased product demand in the Diving segment beginning in fiscal 2021 and continuing through fiscal 2022.

In addition to this increase in demand for Company products, COVID-19 and the resulting macroeconomic dynamics have also caused widely-documented supply chain and logistics disruptions across industries. Specifically, the adverse supply chain and logistics constraints and disruptions have impacted the timing, sourcing, availability and cost of raw materials and components that are necessary to manufacture our outdoor recreation products, especially in our Fishing segment due to the electronic components used in those products. Because certain electronic components that are necessary for manufacturing our higher volume products in that segment have been most impacted by the supply chain and logistics disruptions, there has been limited availability of those materials and components, as well as increased pricing and inflationary pressures on such components when they have become available, all of which impacted our margins during fiscal 2022. The Company has attempted to mitigate these disruptions by purchasing significantly higher levels of certain raw material and component inventory as they have been available, in many cases at higher price points than what was historically paid, to enable the Company to complete finished product orders as soon as the missing raw material and component inventory items become available. Nonetheless, shortages throughout fiscal 2022 have impacted the Fishing segment's ability to complete products for shipping, which has ultimately resulted in decreased sales volumes in the Fishing segment over the prior year, despite continued demand for our Fishing products, as evidenced by outstanding orders.

Additionally, the Company's buying actions have subsequently resulted in decreased margins and the Company carrying significantly higher levels of inventory for a number of its materials, components and products at the end of fiscal 2022. Though the Company continues to believe the inventory that it has built and which exists on its balance sheet is useable and salable in the ordinary course of business, it continues to monitor the current reserve balances for obsolete and excess inventory. However, any changes in consumer demand for the Company's outdoor recreation products, changes in economic conditions, or changes in customer inventory levels or competitive conditions could have a favorable or unfavorable effect on required reserve balances in the future.

Because the Company expects that supply chain disruptions, as well as inflationary pricing conditions for raw materials and components necessary to manufacture product, will continue into fiscal 2023, the Company remains focused on evaluating and pursuing additional options (beyond building inventory) to meet the demand for its products. During fiscal 2023 the Company expects to closely monitor customer demand and proactively manage its higher than normal inventory levels. Nonetheless, these supply chain and logistics disruptions and inflationary pricing conditions remain fluid and will likely adversely impact the cost of goods sold for future sales of product.

Highlights

The Company's fiscal 2022 and 2021 each comprised 52 weeks, whereas the fiscal year ended October 2, 2020 comprised 53 weeks. The Company’s fiscal 2022 revenues decreased by 1% from the prior year. While consumer and customer demand for the Company's products remained strong throughout fiscal 2022 as evidenced by outstanding order volumes, sales volumes were negatively impacted by product availability caused by the supply chain disruptions described above, particularly in Fishing, the Company's largest segment. This sales volume decrease and lower gross margins resulting from higher costs of sales were the primary drivers of the $44,973 decrease in operating profit in fiscal 2022 over fiscal 2021.
 
Results of Operations

Summary consolidated financial results from continuing operations for the fiscal years presented were as follows:
 
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(thousands, except per share data)202220212020
Net sales$743,355 $751,651 $594,209 
Gross profit271,332 334,125 264,993 
Operating expenses205,022 222,842 193,923 
Operating profit66,310 111,283 71,070 
Interest income, net(654)(221)(1,270)
Other income, net8,076 (1,418)(1,362)
Income tax expense14,397 29,541 18,469 
Net income44,491 83,381 55,233 

The Company’s internal and external sales and operating profit (loss) by business segment for each of the three most recent completed fiscal years were as follows:
 
 202220212020
Net sales:   
Fishing$526,582 $553,000 $449,878 
Camping70,355 62,921 41,592 
Watercraft Recreation67,940 66,603 41,857 
Diving78,874 69,447 60,873 
Other / Eliminations(396)(320)
 $743,355 $751,651 $594,209 
 202220212020
Operating profit (loss):   
Fishing$65,433 $122,490 $95,884 
Camping13,415 14,025 4,406 
Watercraft Recreation6,173 9,173 (329)
Diving4,705 1,530 (2,576)
Other / Eliminations(23,416)(35,935)(26,315)
 $66,310 $111,283 $71,070 
 
See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report for the definition of segment net sales and operating profit.

Fiscal 2022 vs. Fiscal 2021

Net Sales

Net sales in fiscal 2022 decreased by 1% to $743,355 compared to $751,651 in fiscal 2021. Foreign currency exchange had an unfavorable impact of less than 1% on the current year’s sales versus the prior year.

Net sales for the Fishing business decreased by $26,418, or 5% during fiscal 2022 from fiscal 2021.  While customer and consumer demand was strong, the decrease over the prior year was driven by significant supply chain disruptions and the resulting unavailability of certain necessary components (especially as it related to electronic components) experienced in the current year, which impacted the ability to complete product build and fill customer orders. Specifically, due to the technical and electronic nature of the product categories, the Fishing segment has been the most susceptible to the previously discussed supply chain issues, as discussed in "Coronavirus (COVID-19)" above.

Camping net sales increased $7,434, or 12%, in 2022 from 2021.  Increased sales of Eureka and Jetboil products as a result of continued participation in outdoor recreation activities were the primary driver of the increase year over year.

Net sales in the Watercraft Recreation business increased $1,337, or 2%. Continued new product success drove the overall increase over the prior year.

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Diving net sales increased $9,427, or 14%, year over year. Prior year sales were negatively impacted due to the negative effects of COVID-19 on demand due to restrictions in destination travel and tourism. As several regions around the world have re-opened, sales volumes have increased along with the increase in tourism, partially offset by an unfavorable foreign currency translation impact on sales in these segment of approximately 4.5% in 2022 versus the prior year period.

Cost of Sales
 
Cost of sales was $472,023, or 63.5% of net sales, on a consolidated basis for fiscal 2022 compared to $417,526, or 55.5% of net sales, in the prior year.  Despite the decrease in sales over the prior fiscal year, the increase in cost of sales was primarily driven by significant increases in materials costs between years. The Company continues to manage disruptions in its supply chain to ensure the availability of necessary components, parts and other raw materials, in some cases at significantly higher price points than what was historically paid, to try to meet sales demand for our products across segments.

Gross Profit
 
Gross profit of $271,332 was 36.5% of net sales on a consolidated basis for the year ended September 30, 2022 compared to $334,125, or 44.5% of net sales in the prior year.

Gross profit in the Fishing business decreased by $66,217 from the prior year due primarily to the 5% decrease in net sales year over year, as well as significant increases in materials costs, as discussed above.

Camping gross profit increased by $1,857 from 2021 due primarily to increased sales volumes, pricing actions and a favorable mix of products sold in the current year as compared to the prior year.

Gross profit in the Watercraft Recreation segment decreased by $2,525 from 2021, despite increased sales in 2022 versus the prior year, primarily due to increased materials and freight costs.

The $4,169 increase in gross profit in the Diving segment was due primarily to increased sales volumes and pricing actions during fiscal 2022 as compared to the prior year.

Operating Expenses
 
Operating expenses decreased from the prior year by $17,820.  The decrease was primarily due to the impact of overall lower sales volume-driven expenses, as well as lower variable and deferred compensation expense incurred in fiscal 2022 as compared to the prior fiscal year.

Operating expenses for the Fishing segment decreased by $9,160 from fiscal 2021 levels.  The decrease was due primarily to lower sales volume related expenses between years.

Camping operating expenses increased by $2,467 from the prior year due primarily to increased sales volume related expenses and increased people costs.

In the Watercraft Recreation segment, operating expenses increased $475 from their levels in fiscal 2021 due primarily to increased sales volume related expenses in 2022.

Operating expenses for the Diving business increased by $993 year over year due primarily to increased sales volume related expenses between periods.

The Company's fiscal 2022 general corporate expenses of $23,722 decreased $12,595 from $36,317 in fiscal 2021. The year over year decrease reflects lower people costs, including $11,200 of lower deferred compensation expenses, as well as lower incentive compensation and lower health insurance costs from the prior year.

Operating Results
 
The Company’s operating profit was $66,310 in fiscal 2022 compared to an operating profit of $111,283 in fiscal 2021.  Fishing operating profit decreased by $57,057 to $65,433 from $122,490 in the prior year due primarily to higher costs of goods and also lower sales volumes between years, stemming from supply chain disruptions, which were particularly acute in electronics.  The operating profit for Camping was $13,415 compared to $14,025 in 2021 which decrease was primarily a result of the higher operating expenses between periods.  The operating profit for the Watercraft Recreation business was $6,173 in fiscal 2022 compared to $9,173 in fiscal 2021 due to the factors noted above on changes in sales volumes and operating
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expenses.  Operating profit for the Diving business increased by $3,175 in fiscal 2022 from fiscal 2021, due primarily to increased sales volumes and pricing actions.

Other Income and Expenses
 
Interest expense of $153 was relatively flat as compared to the prior year expense of $145. Interest income of $807 increased from prior year interest income of $366 due to the increase in deposit interest rates year over year.  Net other expense of $8,076 in fiscal 2022 decreased from net other income of $1,418 in fiscal 2021.  The current year net other expense included currency losses of $1,741 and market losses net of dividend income of $5,878 on deferred compensation plan assets. In the prior year, net other income included $5,329 of market gains and dividends on the deferred compensation plan assets, partially offset by $215 of currency losses and pension termination expense of $2,526.  The dividends and market gains and losses on deferred compensation plan assets recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in “Other expense (income), net” are offset as compensation expense in “Operating expenses.”

Pretax Income and Income Taxes
 
The Company realized pretax income of $58,888 in fiscal 2022 compared to $112,922 in fiscal 2021. The Company recorded income tax expense of $14,397 in 2022, which equated to an effective tax rate of 24.4%, compared to $29,541 in 2021, which equated to an effective tax rate of 26.2%. 

Net Income
 
The Company recognized net income of $44,491, or $4.37 per diluted common share, in fiscal 2022 compared to $83,381, or $8.21 per diluted common share, in fiscal 2021 based on the factors discussed above.

Fiscal 2021 vs. Fiscal 2020

Net Sales

Net sales in 2021 increased by 26% to $751,651 compared to $594,209 in 2020. Foreign currency exchange had a favorable impact of less than 1%, on the fiscal 2021 sales versus the prior year.

Net sales for the Fishing business increased by $103,122, or 23% during 2021 from 2020.  The increase over fiscal 2020 was driven by continued new product success and increased participation in fishing, principally as a result of the effect of COVID-19 on consumer recreation and leisure choices, resulting in higher demand across all product lines in this segment.

Camping net sales increased $21,329, or 51%, in 2021 from 2020.  Increased sales of consumer tents and Jetboil products as a result of increased participation in outdoor recreation activities were the primary driver of the increase year over year.

Net sales in the Watercraft Recreation business increased $24,746, or 59% from 2020 to 2021. Increased demand as a result of increased participation in watercraft recreation activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with new product success, drove the overall increase between years.

Diving net sales increased $8,574, or 14%, year over year. Fiscal 2020 sales were negatively impacted due to the effects of COVID-19 on demand globally due to restrictions in destination travel and tourism. As travel restrictions started to lift throughout fiscal 2021, tourism began to recover, resulting in increased demand and sales in this segment between years. In addition, foreign currency translation favorably impacted sales by approximately 3.3% in 2021 versus 2020.

Cost of Sales
 
Cost of sales was $417,526, or 55.5% of net sales, on a consolidated basis for fiscal 2021 compared to $329,216, or 55.4% of net sales, in fiscal 2020. Higher sales volumes between years were the primary driver of the increase in the cost of sales between periods. Favorable product mix and pricing between fiscal years offset the impact of approximately $7,200 of additional tariffs on Chinese goods and components during fiscal 2021, as well as increased freight costs over fiscal 2020.

Gross Profit
 
Gross profit of $334,125 was 44.5% of net sales on a consolidated basis for the year ended October 1, 2021 compared to $264,993, or 44.6% of net sales in fiscal 2020.

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Gross profit in the Fishing business in fiscal 2021 increased by $39,676 from fiscal 2020 due primarily to the 23% increase in net sales year over year. Favorable product mix and improved absorption of overhead costs during fiscal 2021 partially offset approximately $5,900 of additional tariff costs on Chinese sourced goods and components and higher freight costs incurred during fiscal 2021 versus fiscal 2020.

Camping gross profit increased by $11,497 from 2020 due primarily to increased sales volumes, pricing actions and a favorable mix of products sold in fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020.

Gross profit in the Watercraft Recreation segment increased by $12,289 from fiscal 2020 due primarily to increased sales volumes in fiscal 2021 versus the prior year and the resulting improvement in absorption of overhead costs.

The $5,463 increase in gross profit in the Diving segment was due primarily to increased sales volumes, pricing actions and favorable product mix during fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020.

Operating Expenses
 
Operating expenses increased in fiscal 2021 from fiscal 2020 by $28,919.  The increase was driven primarily by higher sales volume related costs incurred in fiscal 2021 as compared to the prior fiscal year. Additionally, increased headcount and compensation costs further increased expenses year over year.

Operating expenses for the Fishing segment increased by $13,069 from fiscal 2020 levels.  The increase was due primarily to higher sales volume related expenses, as well as increased people costs between years.

Camping operating expenses increased by $1,879 in fiscal 2021 from the prior year due primarily to increased sales volume related expenses.

In the Watercraft Recreation segment, operating expenses increased $2,787 in fiscal 2021 from their levels in fiscal 2020 due primarily to increased sales volume related expenses in 2021, partially offset by decreased spending rate on advertising and promotions.

Operating expenses for the Diving business increased by $1,357 year over year due primarily to increased sales volume related expenses, as well as increased people costs between periods.

The Company's 2021 general corporate expenses of $36,317 increased $9,827 from $26,490 in 2020. The year over year increase reflects higher people costs including $2,900 of higher deferred compensation expenses and higher health insurance costs over the prior year as well as higher professional services expense.

Operating Results
 
The Company’s operating profit was $111,283 in fiscal 2021 compared to an operating profit of $71,070 in fiscal 2020.  Fishing operating profit increased by $26,606 to $122,490 from $95,884 in the prior year due primarily to higher sales volumes between years.  The operating profit for Camping was $14,025 compared to $4,406 in 2020 which increase was also primarily a result of higher sales volumes between periods.  The operating profit for the Watercraft Recreation business was $9,173 in fiscal 2021 compared to a loss of $329 in fiscal 2020 due to the factors noted above on changes in sales volumes and operating expenses.  Operating profit for the Diving business increased by $4,106 in fiscal 2021 from fiscal 2020, due to recovery from the impact of COVID-19 and demand for our Diving products and the other factors discussed above.

Other Income and Expenses
 
Interest expense in fiscal 2021 of $145 was relatively flat as compared to the prior year expense of $143. Interest income of $366 decreased from fiscal 2020 year interest income of $1,413 due to the decrease in deposit interest rates year over year.  Net other income of $1,418 in fiscal 2021 increased slightly from net other income of $1,362 in fiscal 2020.  Fiscal 2021 net other income included currency losses of $215 and market gains and dividends of $5,329 on deferred compensation plan assets, partially offset by pension termination expense of $2,526. In fiscal 2020, net other income included $269 of currency losses and $2,454 of market gains and dividends on the deferred compensation plan assets.  The dividends and market gains and losses on deferred compensation plan assets recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in “Other income, net” are offset as compensation expense in “Operating expenses.”

Pretax Income and Income Taxes
 
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The Company realized pretax income of $112,922 in fiscal 2021 compared to $73,702 in fiscal 2020. The Company recorded income tax expense of $29,541 in fiscal 2021, which equated to an effective tax rate of 26.2%, compared to $18,469 in fiscal 2020, which equated to an effective tax rate of 25.1%. 

Net Income
 
The Company recognized net income of $83,381, or $8.21 per diluted common share, in fiscal 2021 compared to $55,233, or $5.47 per diluted common share, in fiscal 2020 based on the factors discussed above.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company believes its existing balances of cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to satisfy its working capital needs, capital asset purchase requirements, outstanding commitments and other liquidity requirements associated with its existing operations over the next twelve months. The Company currently anticipates the cash used for future dividends will come from its current cash and cash generated from ongoing operating activities.

The Company considers all short-term investments in interest-bearing bank accounts, and all securities and other instruments with an original maturity of three months or less, to be equivalent to cash. Short-term investments in prior years consisted of certificates of deposit, with original maturities greater than three months but less than one year, with the primary objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal loss. The Company’s investment policy generally requires securities to be investment grade.

The Company’s cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, are summarized in the following table:
Year Ended
(thousands)September 30
2022
October 1
2021
October 2
2020
Cash (used for) provided by :   
Operating activities$(62,144)$58,318 $61,493 
Investing activities(31,678)(21,381)(15,587)
Financing activities(12,233)(9,033)(7,107)
Effect of foreign currency rate changes on cash(4,590)107 1,256 
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents$(110,645)$28,011 $40,055 

Operating Activities

The following table sets forth the Company’s working capital position at the end of each of the years shown:
(thousands, except share data)September 30
2022
October 1
2021
Current assets$480,316 $491,264 
Current liabilities114,713 137,570 
Working capital$365,603 $353,694 
Current ratio4.2:13.6:1

Cash flows used for operations in fiscal 2022 totaled $62,144, and cash provided by operations totaled $58,318 and $61,493 in fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively. The change in operating cash flow from the prior year is due primarily to a decrease in net income, as well as increases in inventory levels and other working capital changes.

Depreciation and amortization charges were $14,234, $13,401 and $14,926 in fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Investing Activities

Cash flows used for investing activities were $31,678, $21,381, and $15,587 in fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. There were no sales or purchases of short-term investments in fiscal 2022, 2021 or 2020. Expenditures for property, plant and equipment were $31,690, $21,409 and $15,600 in fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase from the prior year is due primarily to additional capacity investments made in the current year. In general, the Company’s ongoing capital expenditures are primarily related to tooling for new products, facilities investments and information systems improvements.
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Financing Activities

Cash flows used for financing activities totaled $12,233 in fiscal 2022 compared to $9,033 and $7,107 in 2021 and 2020, respectively, and were primarily for the payment of dividends of $12,056 and $8,400 in 2022 and 2021, respectively. In 2020, dividend payments totaled $6,773.

Contractual Obligations and Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has contractual obligations and commitments to make future payments under its operating leases and open purchase orders.  There have been no changes outside of the ordinary course of business in the specified contractual obligations during the year ended September 30, 2022.

The Company utilizes letters of credit primarily as security for the payment of future claims under its workers’ compensation insurance. Letters of credit outstanding at September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021 were $173 and $181, respectively, and were included in the Company’s total loan availability.  The Company had no unsecured revolving credit facilities at its foreign subsidiaries as of September 30, 2022 or October 1, 2021.

The Company has no other off-balance sheet arrangements.

Market Risk Management

Coronavirus outbreak

As disclosed in our prior filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and elsewhere herein, in December 2019, a new strain of coronavirus ("COVID-19"), began to spread globally, leaving no region or part of the world unaffected by the pandemic it has created. Governments and health authorities took measures to prevent the spread of this virus (including in certain cases requiring or recommending a vaccine or imposing testing requirements), all of which impacted the Company's business and operations. To the extent that COVID-19 continues to persist or recur, among other things, the ability of the Company’s suppliers to manufacture and deliver the products that it sells to the Company, the ability of the Company to manufacture and deliver its products to its customers, the Company's ability to display its products at trade shows and similar events, the Company's ability to conduct meetings with its customers and prospective customers, and, if a significant number of its employees at a particular facility or location were to contract coronavirus, the Company’s ability to conduct its day-to-day operations could be adversely impacted. The financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the Company will depend on future developments, including related to any supply chain disruptions, that the Company cannot reasonably predict or estimate at this time, but any of which could materially and adversely affect its results for an unknown but possibly extended period. See the section "Risk Factors" identified in Part I, Item 1A in this Form 10-K for more information.

Foreign Exchange Risk

The Company has significant foreign operations, for which the functional currencies are denominated primarily in euros, Swiss francs, Hong Kong dollars and Canadian dollars. As the values of the currencies of the foreign countries in which the Company has operations increase or decrease relative to the U.S. dollar, the sales, expenses, profits, losses, assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations, as reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, increase or decrease, accordingly.  Approximately 13% of the Company’s revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.  Approximately 4% were denominated in euros and approximately 6% were denominated in Canadian dollars, with the remaining 3% denominated in various other foreign currencies.  Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can cause unexpected financial losses or cash flow needs.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company operates in a seasonal business and experiences significant fluctuations in operating cash flow as working capital needs increase in advance of the Company’s primary selling and cash generation season, and decline as accounts receivable are collected and cash is accumulated. 

Commodities

Certain components used in the Company’s products are exposed to commodity price changes. The Company manages this risk through instruments such as purchase orders and non-cancellable supply contracts. Primary commodity price exposures include costs associated with metals, resins and packaging materials.
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Impact of Inflation

The Company anticipates that changing costs of basic raw materials (including due to inflationary conditions in the economy) may impact future operating costs and, accordingly, the prices of its products. The Company is involved in continuing programs to mitigate the impact of cost increases through changes in product design and identification of sourcing and manufacturing efficiencies. Price increases and, in certain situations, price decreases are implemented for individual products, when appropriate.

The Company’s results of operations and financial condition are presented based on historical cost. 

Critical Accounting Estimates

The Company’s management discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.  The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of its assets, liabilities, sales and expenses, and related footnote disclosures.  On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates for product returns, bad debts, inventories, long lived assets and goodwill, income taxes, warranty obligations, pensions and other post-retirement benefits, litigation and other subjective matters impacting the financial statements.  The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The Company believes the following critical accounting policies affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.  Management has discussed these policies with the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowances for doubtful accounts are estimated by the individual operating companies based on estimates of losses related to customer accounts receivable balances.  Estimates are developed by using standard quantitative measures based on historical losses, adjusting for current economic conditions and, in some cases, evaluating specific customer accounts for risk of loss. The establishment of reserves requires the use of judgment and assumptions regarding the potential for losses on receivable balances. Though the Company considers these balances adequate and proper, changes in economic conditions in specific markets in which the Company operates and any specific customer collection issues the Company identifies could have a favorable or unfavorable effect on required reserve balances.

Inventories

The Company values inventory at the lower of cost (determined using the first-in first-out method) or net realizable value. Management’s judgment is required to determine the reserve for obsolete or excess inventory. Inventory on hand may exceed future demand either because the product is outdated or because the amount on hand is more than will be used to meet future needs. Inventory reserves are estimated by the individual operating companies using standard quantitative measures based on criteria established by the Company. The Company also considers current forecast plans, as well as market and industry conditions in establishing reserve levels. Though the Company considers these reserve balances to be adequate, changes in economic conditions, customer inventory levels or competitive conditions could have a favorable or unfavorable effect on required reserve balances.

Deferred Taxes

The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. While the Company has considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, in the event the Company were to determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be charged to income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would increase income in the period such determination was made.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Impairment
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Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired.  Generally, annual impairment tests are performed by the Company in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year.

In assessing the recoverability of the Company’s goodwill, the Company estimates the fair value of the businesses to which the goodwill relates.  Fair value is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis.  If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its net book value, no impairment exists. When fair value is less than the carrying value of the net assets and related goodwill, an impairment charge is recognized based on the excess of carrying amount over its fair value.  The Company did not recognize any goodwill impairment charges in 2022, 2021 or 2020.

The discounted cash flow analysis used to estimate fair value requires a number of key estimates and assumptions.  The Company estimates the future cash flows of the reporting units based on historical and forecasted revenues and operating costs and applies a discount rate to the estimated future cash flows for purposes of the valuation.  This discount rate is based on the estimated weighted average cost of capital, which includes certain assumptions made by management such as market capital structure, market betas, the risk-free rate of return and the estimated costs of borrowing.  Changes in these key estimates and assumptions, or in other assumptions used in this process, could materially affect our impairment analysis in a given year.

In assessing the recoverability of the Company’s other indefinite lived intangible assets, the Company estimates the fair value of the various intangible assets.  The fair value of trademarks and patents is estimated using the relief from royalty method.  If the fair value of an intangible asset exceeds its net book value, no impairment exists. When fair value is less than the carrying value of the intangible asset, an impairment loss is recognized for the amount of the difference. 

A number of factors, many of which the Company has no ability to control, could affect its financial condition, operating results and business prospects and could cause actual results to differ from the estimates and assumptions that the Company uses in preparing its financial statements.  These factors include:  a prolonged global economic crisis, a significant decrease in demand for the Company’s products, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator and successful efforts by the Company’s competitors to gain market share.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of

The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances, such as unplanned negative cash flow indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. If such assets are determined to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Application of alternative assumptions, such as changes in the estimate of future cash flows, could produce significantly different results. Because of the significance of the judgments and estimation processes, it is likely that materially different amounts could be recorded if we used different assumptions or if the underlying circumstances were to change.

Warranties

The Company accrues a warranty reserve for estimated costs to provide warranty services. Warranty reserves are estimated using standard quantitative measures based on criteria established by the Company. Estimates of costs to service its warranty obligations are based on historical experience, expectation of future conditions and known product issues. To the extent the Company experiences increased warranty claim activity or increased costs associated with servicing those claims, revisions to the estimated warranty reserve would be required. The Company engages in product quality programs and processes, including monitoring and evaluating the quality of its suppliers, to help minimize warranty obligations.


ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Information with respect to this item is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the heading “Market Risk Management.”


ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

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Information with respect to this item is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements attached to this report on pages F-1 to F-31.


ITEM 9.    CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.



ITEM 9A.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  The Company carried out an evaluation as of September 30, 2022, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2022 at reaching a level of reasonable assurance.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.  The Company has designed its disclosure controls and procedures to reach a level of reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

The report of management required under this Item 9A is included on page F-2 of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements attached to this Report under the heading “Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting” and is incorporated herein by reference.

(b)Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that occurred during the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(c)Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

RSM US LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm who audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements, has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which is contained in the Company’s consolidated financial statements under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.”


ITEM 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION

None.


ITEM 9C.    DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTION

Not Applicable.
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PART III


ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information with respect to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the discussion under the headings “Proposal 1:  Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Section 16(a) Reports,” "Directors Meetings and Committees - Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee” and “Audit Committee Matters – Audit Committee Financial Expert” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before January 28, 2023.  Information regarding the Company’s Code of Business Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to the discussion under “Corporate Governance Matters – Employee Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics; Corporate Governance Guidelines; and Procedures for Reporting of Accounting Concerns” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before January 28, 2023.

The Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors is an “audit committee” for purposes of Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The members of the Audit Committee are Edward F. Lang (Chairman), William D. Perez, Richard ("Casey") Sheahan, and Edward Stevens.


ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information with respect to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the discussion under the headings “Directors Compensation” and “Executive Compensation” and “CEO Pay Relative to Median Pay of our Employees” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before January 28, 2023.

The information incorporated by reference from “Report of the Compensation Committee” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before January 28, 2023, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.


ITEM 12.    SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Information with respect to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the discussion under the heading “Stock Ownership of Management and Others” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before January 28, 2023.

Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The following table summarizes share information, as of September 30, 2022, for the Company’s equity compensation plans, including the Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2012 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan, the Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, the Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2020 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan and the Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.  All of these plans have been approved by the Company’s shareholders.
 
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Plan CategoryNumber of Common
Shares to Be Issued
Upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
Weighted-average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
Number of Common
Shares Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans
2020 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan39,252 (1)$— 424,954 (2)
2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan31,017 (3)— 44,388 (4)
2012 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan14,088 — 22,691 
2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan— — 78,728 
Total All Plans84,357 — 570,761 

(1) Includes 39,252 performance stock unit awards at their target values. The ultimate amount of performance stock units that could vest can range from 0% to 150% of the target amount, or from 0 units to 58,878 units for all awards.

(2) Includes 366,076 of future shares to be issued, as well as up to 58,878 shares of performance stock units that may be issued in shares of Class A Common Stock at the maximum earned level.

(3) Includes 26,742 performance stock unit awards at their target values, as well as 4,275 of previously issued shares for which vesting was deferred. The ultimate amount of performance stock units that could vest can range from 0% to 150% of the target amount, or from 0 units to 40,113 units for all awards.

(4) Includes up to 40,113 shares of performance stock units that may be issued in shares of Class A Common Stock at the maximum earned level, as well as 4,275 shares of previously issued shares for which vesting was deferred.

ITEM 13.    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Information with respect to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the discussion under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before January 28, 2023. Information regarding director independence is incorporated by reference to the discussions under “Corporate Governance Matters-Director Independence” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before January 28, 2023.


ITEM 14.    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Information with respect to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the discussion under the heading “Audit Committee Matters – Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before January 28, 2023.

PART IV


ITEM 15.    EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

Financial Statements

Included in Item 8 of Part II of this report are the following:

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Operations – Years ended September 30, 2022, October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Years ended September 30, 2022, October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020
Consolidated Balance Sheets – September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021
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Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity – Years ended September 30, 2022, October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Years ended September 30, 2022, October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Exhibits

See Exhibit Index.

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ITEM 16.    FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Racine and State of Wisconsin, on the 9th day of December 2022.
  
JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
(Registrant)
   
 By/s/ Helen P. Johnson-Leipold
  Helen P. Johnson-Leipold
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 9th day of December 2022.
/s/ Helen P. Johnson-Leipold Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Helen P. Johnson-Leipold) (Principal Executive Officer)
  
/s/ John M. Fahey, Jr. Vice Chairman of the Board and Lead Outside Director
(John M. Fahey, Jr.)  
   
/s/ Edward Stevens Director
(Edward Stevens)  
   
/s/ Edward F. Lang Director
(Edward F. Lang)  
   
/s/ Katherine Button Bell Director
(Katherine Button Bell)  
   
/s/ Richard Sheahan Director
(Richard (“Casey”) Sheahan)  
   
/s/ William D. Perez Director
(William D. Perez)  
/s/ Annie ZipfelDirector
(Annie Zipfel)
/s/ Paul G. AlexanderDirector
(Paul G. Alexander)
/s/ David W. Johnson Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(David W. Johnson) (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
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EXHIBIT INDEX
ExhibitTitle
  
  
Articles of Incorporation of the Company as amended through February 17, 2000. (Filed as Exhibit 3.1(a) to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference.)
  
Bylaws of the Company as amended and restated through December 6, 2010. (Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended October 1, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.)
Description of Registrant's Securities (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 27, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.)
  
Johnson Outdoors Inc. Class B common stock Amended and Restated Voting Trust Agreement, dated as of February 16, 2010 (Filed as Exhibit 2 to Amendment No. 14 to the Schedule 13D filed by Helen P. Johnson-Leipold on February 24, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.)
  
Registration Rights Agreement regarding Johnson Outdoors Inc. common stock issued to the Johnson family prior to the acquisition of Johnson Diversified, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-K dated and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 8, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.)
  
Registration Rights Agreement regarding Johnson Outdoors Inc. Class A common stock held by Mr. Samuel C. Johnson. (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-K dated and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 8, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.)
  
Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2000 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 29, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)
  
Johnson Outdoors Inc. Worldwide Key Executives’ Discretionary Bonus Plan. (Filed as Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.)
  
Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q dated April 2, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.)
  
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-115298 and incorporated herein by reference.)
  
Form of Stock Option Agreement under Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-115298 and incorporated herein by reference.)
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 15, 2017 among Johnson Outdoors Inc., certain subsidiaries of Johnson Outdoors Inc., PNC Bank, National Association, as lender and administrative agent, PNC Capital markets LLC, as sole lead arranger and bookrunner, and the other lender named therein (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the current report on Form 8-K dated and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 20, 2017).
  
Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2009 Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the current report on Form 8-K dated and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 8, 2010.)
  
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Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2010 Long Term Stock Incentive Plan. (Filed as Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 15, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.)
  
Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2012 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan.  (Filed as Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.)
  
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2012 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.31 to the annual report on Form 10-K dated and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 5, 2014.)
  
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Performance Based) under Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2010 Long Term Stock Incentive Plan.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.32 to the annual report on Form 10-K dated and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2015.)
  
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2012 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.14 to the annual report on Form 10-K dated and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2018.)
Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2020 Long Term Stock Incentive Plan. (Filed as Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 10, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.)
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Performance Based) under Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2020 Long Term Stock Incentive Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the registration statement on Form S-8 dated and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2020 Long Term Stock Incentive Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the registration statement on Form S-8 dated and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.)
First Amendment dated July 15, 2021 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 15, 2017 among Johnson Outdoors Inc., certain subsidiaries of Johnson Outdoors Inc., PNC Bank, National Association, as lender and administrative agent, PNC Capital markets LLC, as sole lead arranger and bookrunner, and the other lender named therein (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K dated and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 16, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).
Subsidiaries of the Company as of September 30, 2022
  
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a).
  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a).
  
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. (1)
  
101The following materials from Johnson Outdoors Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) and furnished electronically herewith:  (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. XBRL Instance Document - the XBRL Instance Document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
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104The cover page from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2022 has been formatted in Inline XBRL (included in Exhibit 101).

+    A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

(1)This certification is not “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Table of Contents Page
   
 
F-2
  
 
F-3
  
 
F-4
  
 
F-6
  
 
F-7
  
 
F-8
  
 
F-9
  
 
F-10
  
 
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MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The management of Johnson Outdoors Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

(a)pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

(b)provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

(c)provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2022. In making this assessment, management used the criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in 2013.  Based on our assessment, management believes that, as of September 30, 2022, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
 
/s/ Helen P. Johnson-Leipold /s/ David W. Johnson 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Johnson Outdoors Inc.

Opinion on the Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Johnson Outdoors Inc.'s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated December 9, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion.

Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.





/s/ RSM US LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
December 9, 2022

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Johnson Outdoors Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Johnson Outdoors Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2022, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013, and our report dated December 9, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Evaluation of Obsolete and Excess Inventory Reserve
As described within Note 1 and 15 to the consolidated financial statements, the consolidated inventory balance as of September 30, 2022 was $248,649,000, net of $9,089,000 in reserves, of which a significant portion relates to the Fishing segment. The Company values inventory at the lower of cost (determined using the first-in first-out method) or net realizable value. Management develops assumptions when estimating the inventory reserves based on expected future demand, market conditions, and industry conditions.

We identified the value of the obsolete and excess inventory related to the Fishing segment as a critical audit matter as there was a high degree of auditor judgment and increased audit effort when performing audit procedures given the subjective nature of the significant assumptions utilized by management.

Our audit procedures related to the Company’s evaluation of the obsolete and excess inventory reserve for the fishing segment include the following primary procedures, among others:

We obtained an understanding of the relevant controls related to the obsolete and excess inventory and tested such controls for design and operating effectiveness.

We tested the completeness of the inventory population subject to the obsolete and excess reserve, and in addition, we recalculated the reserve and confirmed that calculation conformed to the Company policy for inventory reserves.
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We performed a comparison of current year results compared to prior year estimates to evaluate management's reserve for obsolete and excess inventory by testing write-offs of inventory.

We evaluated the reasonableness of management's significant assumptions related to predicted or forecasted demand, market conditions, and other industry conditions.

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2010.


/s/ RSM US LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
December 9, 2022

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 Year Ended
 
(thousands, except per share data)
September 30
2022
October 1
2021
October 2
2020
Net sales$743,355 $751,651 $594,209 
Cost of sales472,023 417,526 329,216 
Gross profit271,332 334,125 264,993 
Operating expenses:   
Marketing and selling133,891 141,059 121,517 
Administrative management, finance and information systems43,419 56,083 47,785 
Research and development27,712 25,700 24,621 
Total operating expenses205,022 222,842 193,923 
Operating profit66,310 111,283 71,070 
Interest income(807)(366)(1,413)
Interest expense153 145 143 
Other expense (income), net8,076 (1,418)(1,362)
Profit before income taxes58,888 112,922 73,702 
Income tax expense14,397 29,541 18,469 
Net income$44,491 $83,381 $55,233 
Weighted average common shares - Basic:   
Class A8,913 8,864 8,822 
Class B1,208 1,212 1,212 
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock units30 44 30 
Weighted average common shares - Dilutive10,151 10,120 10,064 
Net income per common share - Basic:   
Class A$4.42 $8.34 $5.54 
Class B$4.02 $7.57 $5.04 
Net income per common share - Diluted:   
Class A$4.37 $8.21 $5.47 
Class B$4.37 $8.21 $5.47 
Dividends declared per common share:   
Class A$1.21 $0.93 $0.72 
Class B$1.10 $0.85 $0.65 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 Year Ended
 
(thousands, except per share data)
September 30
2022
October 1
2021
October 2
2020
Net income$44,491 $83,381 $55,233 
Other comprehensive (loss) income:   
Foreign currency translation:
Foreign currency translation(6,815)283 2,533 
Defined benefit pension plan:
Change in pension plans, net of tax of $(16), $(357), and $(209), respectively

49 2,386 626 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income (6,766)2,669 3,159 
Total comprehensive income$37,725 $86,050 $58,392 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
(thousands, except share data)
September 30
2022
October 1
2021
ASSETS  
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$129,803 $240,448 
Accounts receivable, net91,919 71,321 
Inventories248,649 166,615 
Other current assets9,945 12,880 
Total current assets480,316 491,264 
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $171,843 and $163,891, respectively
89,125 71,510 
Right of use assets56,625 49,032 
Deferred income taxes11,411 13,129 
Goodwill11,160 11,221 
Other intangible assets, net8,372 8,633 
Other assets22,922 29,498 
Total assets$679,931 $674,287 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY  
Current liabilities:  
Accounts payable53,796 56,744 
Current lease liability7,223 5,938 
Accrued liabilities:  
Salaries, wages and benefits20,806 26,820 
Accrued warranty9,639 14,073 
Income taxes payable3,186 9,436 
Accrued discounts and returns5,214 6,633 
Accrued customer programs4,726 6,874 
Other10,123 11,052 
Total current liabilities114,713 137,570 
Non-current lease liability50,680 44,056 
Deferred income taxes1,752 1,599 
Retirement benefits1,563 1,389 
Deferred compensation liability21,466 27,885 
Other liabilities1,743 3,283 
Total liabilities191,917 215,782 
Shareholders' equity:  
Preferred stock:  none issued
  
Common stock:  
Class A shares issued and outstanding: 8,984,253 and 8,915,636, respectively
451 448 
Class B shares issued and outstanding: 1,207,798 and 1,211,564, respectively
61 61 
Capital in excess of par value87,351 82,899 
Retained earnings402,821 370,501 
Accumulated other comprehensive income620 7,386 
Treasury stock at cost, shares of Class A common stock: 45,961 and 42,598, respectively
(3,290)(2,790)
Total shareholders' equity488,014 458,505 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$679,931 $674,287 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(thousands except for shares)SharesCommon StockCapital in
Excess of Par
Value
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Treasury
Stock
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 27, 201910,045,771 $504 $75,856 $248,377 $1,558 $(1,761)
Net income— — — 55,233 — — 
Dividends declared— — — (7,179)— — 
Issuance of stock under employee stock purchase plan2,190 — 126 — — — 
Award of non-vested shares43,967 — — — — 1 
Stock-based compensation— — 2,686 — — — 
Currency translation adjustment— — — — 2,533 — 
Change in pension plans, net of tax of $209
— — — — 626 — 
Purchase of treasury stock at cost(7,129)— — — — (460)
BALANCE AT OCTOBER 2, 202010,084,799 504 78,668 296,431 4,717 (2,220)
Net income— — — 83,381 — — 
Dividends declared— — — (9,311)— — 
Award of non-vested shares48,683 5 (4)— —  
Stock-based compensation— — 4,160 — — — 
Currency translation adjustment— — — — 283 — 
Change in pension plans, net of tax of $357
— — — — 2,386 — 
Non-vested stock forfeitures(621)— 75 — — (75)
Purchase of treasury stock at cost(5,661)— — — — (495)
BALANCE AT OCTOBER 1, 202110,127,200 509 82,899 370,501 7,386 (2,790)
Net income— — — 44,491 — — 
Dividends declared— — — (12,171)— — 
Issuance of stock under employee stock purchase plan5,112 — 332 — — — 
Award of non-vested shares66,868 3 (3)— —  
Stock-based compensation— — 4,129 — — — 
B to A conversion— — (156)— — 156 
Currency translation adjustment— — — — (6,815)— 
Change in pension plans, net of tax of $16
— — — — 49 — 
Non-vested stock forfeitures(2,040)— 150 — — (150)
Purchase of treasury stock at cost(5,089)— — — — (506)
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 202210,192,051 $512 $87,351 $402,821 $620 $(3,290)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 Year Ended
(thousands)September 30
2022
October 1
2021
October 2
2020
CASH (USED FOR) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES   
Net income$44,491 $83,381 $55,233 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Depreciation13,973 12,980 12,592 
Amortization of intangible assets261 421 2,334 
Amortization of deferred financing costs35 29 27 
Loss (gain) on sale of productive assets90 161 217 
Stock based compensation4,129 4,160 2,686 
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable30 308 2,095 
Provision for inventory reserves4,409 518 878 
Pension contributions(99)(166)(176)
Deferred income taxes1,848 (2,277)486 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:   
Accounts receivable, net(22,028)(3,948)(24,625)
Inventories, net(89,259)(69,637)(2,867)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(21,722)31,702 10,417 
Other current assets2,831 (1,499)(12)
Other non-current assets67 (226)(22)
Other long-term liabilities(2,294)2,780 1,934 
Other, net1,094 (369)296 
 (62,144)58,318 61,493 
CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES   
Capital expenditures(31,690)(21,409)(15,600)
Proceeds from sale of productive assets12 28 13 
 (31,678)(21,381)(15,587)
CASH USED FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES   
Debt issuance costs paid (138) 
Common stock transactions332  126 
Dividends paid(12,056)(8,400)(6,773)
Purchases of treasury stock(509)(495)(460)
 (12,233)(9,033)(7,107)
Effect of foreign currency rate changes on cash(4,590)107 1,256 
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents(110,645)28,011 40,055 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   
Beginning of period240,448 212,437 172,382 
End of period$129,803 $240,448 $212,437 
Supplemental Disclosure:   
Non-cash dividends$115 $911 $406 
Cash paid for taxes19,086 26,544 19,240 
Cash paid for interest113 114 112 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
1    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business

Johnson Outdoors Inc. (the “Company”) is an integrated, global outdoor recreation products company engaged in the design, manufacture and marketing of brand name camping, diving, watercraft and marine electronics products.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Johnson Outdoors Inc. and all majority owned subsidiaries and are stated in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and operating results and the disclosure of commitments and contingent liabilities. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Fiscal Year
 
The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Friday nearest September 30. The fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 (hereinafter 2022) and October 1, 2021 (hereinafter 2021) comprised 52 weeks. The fiscal year ended October 2, 2020 (hereinafter 2020) comprised 53 weeks.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

In March 2020, the World Health Organization recognized the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak as a global pandemic. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the governments of many countries, states, cities and other geographic regions imposed varying degrees of restrictions on social and commercial activity, including travel restrictions, quarantine guidelines and related actions, to promote social distancing, encourage and promote taking the vaccine and implementing other similar programs all in an effort to slow the spread of the illness. These measures have had a significant adverse impact upon many sectors of the economy, including manufacturing and retail commerce.

While government mandates eased in the latter half of fiscal 2020, these mandates continued to emphasize social distancing measures to the general public. As a result, because we sell products that are used in a safe and socially distant manner in the great outdoors, the COVID-19 pandemic has had an overall favorable effect on our sales levels and the demand for our products, starting at the end of fiscal 2020 and continuing throughout fiscal 2022. Nonetheless, the continued evolution of the pandemic, and its impact on the global economy, including macroeconomic dynamics, inflation, and raw materials and component pricing levels, has resulted in disruptions to the global supply chain and the logistics infrastructure (including with respect to the sourcing, timing, availability and cost of raw materials and components that are necessary to manufacture our products). The lingering impact of these disruptions is not fully known as they, along with certain ongoing inflationary pressures in the economy and the rising interest rate environment, have resulted in increased costs associated with building certain items of our inventory, and may result in future economic slowdowns and ultimately lower demand for discretionary goods, like our outdoor recreational products. Furthermore, the continued impact of these economic conditions on the global supply chain (including with respect to impacting the sourcing, timing, availability and cost of raw materials and components that are necessary to manufacture our products), and demand for outdoor recreation products, is beyond our control and remains highly uncertain and, as such, cannot be predicted at this time.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments

The Company considers all short-term investments in interest-bearing bank accounts, and all securities and other instruments with an original maturity of three months or less, to be equivalent to cash.  Cash equivalents are stated at cost which
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approximates market value. Short-term investments consist of certificates of deposit with original maturities greater than three months but less than one year.

The Company maintains cash in bank accounts in excess of insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses and does not believe that significant credit risk exists as a result of this practice.

As of September 30, 2022, the Company held approximately $51,790 of cash and cash equivalents in bank accounts in foreign jurisdictions.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at face value less an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where specific collection concerns exist, a reserve is established to reduce the amount recorded to an amount the Company believes will be collected. For all other customers, the Company recognizes allowances for doubtful accounts based on historical experience of bad debts as a percent of outstanding accounts receivable for each business unit. Uncollectible accounts are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts after collection efforts have been exhausted. The Company typically does not require collateral on its accounts receivable.

Inventories

The Company values inventory at the lower of cost (determined using the first-in first-out method) or net realizable value. Management’s judgment is required to determine the reserve for obsolete or excess inventory. Inventory on hand may exceed future demand either because the product is outdated or because the amount on hand is more than will be used to meet future needs. Inventory reserves are estimated by the individual operating companies using standard quantitative measures based on criteria established by the Company. The Company also considers current forecast plans, as well as market and industry conditions in establishing reserve levels. Though the Company considers these reserve balances to be adequate, changes in economic conditions, customer inventory levels or competitive conditions could have a favorable or unfavorable effect on required reserve balances.

Inventories at the end of the respective fiscal years consisted of the following:
  September 30
2022
October 1
2021
Raw materials$166,443 $110,974 
Work in process230 116 
Finished goods81,976 55,525 
 $248,649 $166,615 

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widely-documented supply chain and logistics disruptions in the industries in which we operate, resulting in supply shortages across all of our segments for certain materials and components necessary to manufacture our products. Current global macroeconomic conditions, including rising interest rates and ongoing inflationary pressures, have added to these supply chain issues. As a result of these disruptions, the Company took action to build and procure numerous categories of inventory (in some cases at significantly higher price points than what was historically paid) in an attempt to mitigate against potential shortages of necessary raw materials and components. These actions have resulted in the Company carrying significantly higher levels of inventory for a number of its materials, components and products at the end of fiscal 2022.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is determined by straight-line methods over the following estimated useful lives:
Property improvements
5-20 years
Buildings and improvements
20-40 years
Furniture and fixtures, equipment and computer software
3-10 years

Upon retirement or disposition of any of the foregoing types of assets, cost and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the applicable account and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in the statements of operations.

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Property, plant and equipment at the end of the respective years consisted of the following:
 20222021
Property improvements$586 $589 
Buildings and improvements33,930 26,769 
Furniture and fixtures, equipment and computer software226,452 208,043 
 260,968 235,401 
Less accumulated depreciation171,843 163,891 
 $89,125 $71,510 
 
Goodwill

The Company applies a fair value-based impairment test to the carrying value of goodwill on an annual basis as of the last day of the eleventh month of the Company’s fiscal year and, if certain events or circumstances indicate that an impairment loss may have been incurred, on an interim basis. The results of the impairment tests performed in 2022, 2021, and 2020 indicated no impairment to the Company’s goodwill.
 
In conducting its analysis, the Company uses the income approach to compare the reporting unit’s carrying value to its indicated fair value.  Fair value is determined primarily by using a discounted cash flow methodology that requires considerable management judgment and long-term assumptions and is considered a Level 3 (unobservable) fair value determination in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 4 below).

The Company’s impairment analysis is based on management’s estimates.  Due to the uncertainty of future events, the Company cannot assure that growth rates will not be lower than expected, that discount rates will not increase or that projected cash flows will not decline, all of which factors could impact the carrying value of any remaining goodwill (or portion thereof) in future periods, and accordingly, whether any impairment losses need to be recorded in future periods.

The changes in the carrying amount and the composition of the Company's goodwill for fiscal 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
FishingCampingWatercraftDivingTotal
Balance at October 2, 2020
Goodwill$17,413 $7,038 $6,242 $33,078 $63,771 
Accumulated impairment losses(6,229)(7,038)(6,242)(33,078)(52,587)
11,184    11,184 
Currency translation37    37 
Balance at October 1, 2021
Goodwill17,450 7,038 6,242 33,078 63,808 
Accumulated impairment losses(6,229)(7,038)(6,242)(33,078)(52,587)
11,221    11,221 
Currency translation(61)   (61)
Balance at September 30, 2022
Goodwill17,389 7,038 6,242 33,078 63,747 
Accumulated impairment losses(6,229)(7,038)(6,242)(33,078)(52,587)
$11,160 $ $ $ $11,160 


Other Intangible Assets

Indefinite-lived intangible assets are also tested for impairment annually and, if certain events or circumstances indicate that an impairment loss may have been incurred, on an interim basis.  There were no impairment losses recognized in fiscal 2022, 2021 or 2020.

Intangible assets with definite lives are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method over periods ranging from 4 to 15 years.  Amortization of patents and other intangible assets with definite lives was $261, $421 and $2,334 for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Amortization of these definite-lived intangible assets is expected to be approximately $264 for each of the next 4 fiscal years and $247 for fiscal 2027.
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Intangible assets at the end of the last two years consisted of the following:
 20222021
 Gross
Intangible
Accumulated
Amortization
NetGross
Intangible
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Amortized other intangible assets:      
Patents and trademarks$3,959 $(3,956)$3 $4,207 $(4,203)$4 
Other amortizable intangibles12,137 (10,793)1,344 11,234 (9,630)1,604 
Non-amortized trademarks7,025 — 7,025 7,025 — 7,025 
 $23,121 $(14,749)$8,372 $22,466 $(13,833)$8,633 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances, such as unplanned negative cash flow, indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be fully recoverable.  In such an event, the carrying amount of the asset group is compared to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group to determine if impairment exists on these assets.  If impairment is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on the difference between the fair value and the carrying value on these assets. During the fourth quarters of fiscal 2022 and 2021, the Company determined it was not necessary to perform an impairment analysis, as there were no events or changes in business circumstances that indicated that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. Accordingly, there was no impairment.

Warranties

The Company provides for warranties of certain products as they are sold. Warranty reserves are estimated using standard quantitative measures based on criteria established by the Company. Estimates of costs to service its warranty obligations are based on historical experience, expectation of future conditions and known product issues.  The following table summarizes the warranty activity for the three years in the period ended September 30, 2022.
Balance at September 27, 2019$9,190 
Expense accruals for warranties issued during the period11,714 
Less current period warranty claims paid10,055 
Balance at October 2, 2020$10,849 
Expense accruals for warranties issued during the period13,112 
Less current period warranty claims paid9,888 
Balance at October 1, 2021$14,073 
Expense accruals for warranties issued during the period4,563 
Less current period warranty claims paid8,997 
Balance at September 30, 2022$9,639 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The components of Accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the end of fiscal year 2022, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
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 202220212020
 Pre-Tax
Amount
Tax EffectNet of Tax
Effect
Pre-Tax
Amount
Tax EffectNet of Tax
Effect
Pre-Tax
Amount
Tax EffectNet of Tax
Effect
Foreign currency translation adjustment$791 $ $791 $7,606 $ $7,606 $7,323 $ $7,323 
Unamortized loss on pension plans(321)150 (171)(386)166 (220)(3,129)523 (2,606)
Accumulated other comprehensive income$470 $150 $620 $7,220 $166 $7,386 $4,194 $523 $4,717 
 
The reclassifications out of AOCI for the year ended September 30, 2022 were as follows:
  Statement of Operations
Presentation
Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans    
Amortization of loss$45 Cost of sales / Operating expense
Tax effects(11)Income tax expense
Total reclassifications for the period$34  
 
The reclassifications out of AOCI for the year ended October 1, 2021 were as follows:
 
  Statement of Operations
Presentation
Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans:    
Amortization of loss$576 Cost of sales / Operating expense
Tax effects(144)Income tax expense
Total reclassifications for the period$432  

The reclassifications out of AOCI for the year ended October 2, 2020 were as follows:
  Statement of Operations
Presentation
Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans:    
Amortization of loss$537 Cost of sales / Operating expense
Tax effects(134)Income tax expense
Total reclassifications for the period$403  
 
The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the year ended September 30, 2022 were as follows:
 Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
Unamortized
Loss on Defined
Benefit Pension
Plans
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance at October 1, 2021$7,606 $(220)$7,386 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications(6,815)20 (6,795)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 45 45 
Tax effects (16)(16)
Balance at September 30, 2022$791 $(171)$620 
 
The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the year ended October 1, 2021 were as follows:
 
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 Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
Unamortized
Loss on Defined
Benefit Pension
Plans
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance at October 2, 2020$7,323 $(2,606)$4,717 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications283 2,167 2,450 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 576 576 
Tax effects (357)(357)
Balance at October 1, 2021$7,606 $(220)$7,386 

Earnings per Share (“EPS”)

Net income or loss per share of Class A common stock and Class B common stock is computed using the two-class method.  Grants of restricted stock (whether vested or unvested) which receive non-forfeitable dividends are required to be included as part of the basic weighted average share calculation under the two-class method.

Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to cash dividends equal to 110% of all dividends declared and paid on each share of Class B common stock. The Company grants shares of unvested restricted stock in the form of Class A shares, which carry the same distribution rights as the Class A common stock described above.  As such, the undistributed earnings for each period are allocated to each class of common stock based on the proportionate share of the amount of cash dividends that each such class is entitled to receive.

Basic EPS

Basic net income or loss per share is computed by dividing net income or loss allocated to Class A common stock and Class B common stock by the weighted-average number of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding, respectively.  In periods with cumulative year to date net income and undistributed income, the undistributed income for each period is allocated to each class of common stock based on the proportionate share of the amount of cash dividends that each such class is entitled to receive.  In periods where there is a cumulative year to date net loss or no undistributed income because distributions through dividends exceed net income, Class B shares are treated as anti-dilutive and, therefore, net losses are allocated equally on a per share basis among all participating securities.

For the years ended September 30, 2022, October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020, basic income per share for Class A and Class B shares has been presented using the two class method as described above.

Diluted EPS
Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing allocated net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, adjusted for the effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and non-vested restricted stock. Anti-dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and non-vested stock are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS.  The computation of diluted net income per share of Class A common stock assumes that Class B common stock is converted into Class A common stock.  Therefore, diluted net income per share is the same for both Class A and Class B common shares.  In periods where the Company reports a net loss, the effect of anti-dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and non-vested stock is excluded and diluted loss per share is equal to basic loss per share.

For the years ended September 30, 2022, October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020, diluted net income per share reflects the effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units and assumes the conversion of Class B common stock into Class A common stock.

There were no stock options that could potentially dilute earnings per share in the future which were not included in the fully diluted computation because they would have been anti-dilutive for the years ended September 30, 2022, October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020.  Non-vested stock that could potentially dilute earnings per share in the future which were not included in the fully diluted computation because they would have been anti-dilutive totaled 39,956, 38,914 and 40,094 shares for the years ended September 30, 2022, October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020, respectively.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income to dilutive earnings used in the diluted earnings per common share calculations and the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:
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 202220212020
Net income$44,491 $83,381 $55,233 
Less: Undistributed earnings reallocated to non-vested shareholders(174)(320)(220)
Dilutive earnings$44,317 $83,061 $55,013 
Weighted average common shares – Basic:   
Class A8,913 8,864 8,822 
Class B1,208 1,212 1,212 
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock units30 44 30 
Weighted average common shares - Dilutive10,151 10,120 10,064 
Net income per common share – Basic:   
Class A$4.42 $8.34 $5.54 
Class B$4.02 $7.57 $5.04 
Net income per common share – Diluted:   
Class A$4.37 $8.21 $5.47 
Class B$4.37 $8.21 $5.47 

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation cost is recorded for all awards of non-vested stock and restricted stock units based on their grant-date fair value.  Stock-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of each award. See Note 10 of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Company’s stock-based incentive plans, including non-vested stock, restricted stock units and employee stock purchase plans.

Income Taxes

The Company provides for income taxes currently payable and deferred income taxes resulting from temporary differences between financial statement income/loss and taxable income/loss.  Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized as a component of income tax expense.  Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the amounts reported in the financial statements and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.  A valuation allowance is established if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred income tax asset will not be realized. See Note 6 of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Employee Benefits

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have various retirement and profit sharing plans.  The Company does not have any significant foreign retirement plans. Pension obligations, which are generally based on compensation and years of service, are funded by payments to pension fund trustees. The Company’s policy is to annually fund the minimum amount required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 for plans subject thereto although the Company may choose to fund more than the minimum amount at its discretion.  Other retirement costs are funded at least annually.  See Note 7 of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion.

Foreign Operations and Related Derivative Financial Instruments

The functional currencies of the Company’s foreign operations are the local currencies. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange existing at the end of the year. Results of operations are translated at monthly average exchange rates. Adjustments resulting from the translation of foreign currency financial statements are classified as “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),” a separate component of Shareholders’ equity.

Currency gains and losses are recognized when assets and liabilities of foreign operations, denominated in other than their local currency, are converted into the local currency of the entity. Additionally, currency gains and losses are recognized through the settlement of transactions denominated in other than the local currency.  The Company recognized currency losses from transactions of $1,741 and $215 and gains of $269 in 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively, which were included in Other income, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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Because the Company operates internationally, it has exposure to market risk from movements in foreign currency exchange rates.  Approximately 13% of the Company’s revenues for the year ended September 30, 2022 were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Approximately 4% were denominated in euros and approximately 6% were denominated in Canadian dollars, with the remaining 3% denominated in various other foreign currencies.  The Company may mitigate the impact on its operating results of a portion of the fluctuations in certain foreign currencies through the purchase of foreign currency swaps, forward contracts and options to hedge known commitments denominated in foreign currencies or borrowings in foreign currencies.  The Company did not use foreign currency forward contracts in 2022, 2021 or 2020.  The Company does not enter into foreign exchange contracts for trading or speculative purposes.

Advertising & Promotions

The Company expenses substantially all costs related to the production of advertising the first time the advertising takes place. Cooperative promotional arrangements are accrued as related revenue is earned.

Advertising and promotions expense in 2022, 2021 and 2020 totaled $30,574, $30,882 and $26,727, respectively. These charges are included in “Marketing and selling expenses.”  Capitalized advertising costs, included in Other current assets, totaled $470 and $429 at September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021, respectively, and primarily included catalogs and costs of advertising which have not yet run for the first time.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are included in “Net sales.” Shipping and handling costs are included in “Marketing and selling expenses” and totaled $17,923, $16,093 and $12,651 for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Research and Development

The Company expenses research and development costs as incurred except for costs of software development for new electronic products and bathymetry data collection and processing, which are capitalized once technological feasibility is established and are included in Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment. The gross amount capitalized related to software development was $58,857, less accumulated amortization of $33,872, at September 30, 2022 and $50,850, less accumulated amortization of $30,428, at October 1, 2021.  These costs are amortized over the expected life of the software of three to seven years.  Amortization expense related to capitalized software in 2022, 2021 and 2020 was $3,444, $3,637 and $3,829, respectively, and is included in depreciation expense on plant, property and equipment.

Fair Values

The carrying amounts of cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximated fair value at September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021 due to the short maturities of these instruments. During 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company held investments in equity and debt securities that were carried at fair value related to its deferred compensation liability which was also carried at the same fair value.  When indicators of impairment are present, the Company may be required to value certain long-lived assets such as property, plant, and equipment, and other intangibles at fair value.

Valuation Techniques

Rabbi Trust Assets
Rabbi trust assets, used to fund amounts the Company owes to certain officers and other employees under the Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan, are included in “Other assets,” and are classified as trading securities.  These assets are comprised of marketable debt and equity securities that are marked to fair value based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
In assessing the recoverability of the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets, the Company estimates the future discounted cash flows of the business segments to which the goodwill relates.  When estimated future discounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the net assets and related goodwill, an impairment charge is recognized based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value.  In determining estimated future cash flows, the Company makes assumptions regarding anticipated financial position, future earnings and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets.

See Note 4 of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosures regarding fair value measurements.

New Accounting Pronouncements
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Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). In July 2018, the FASB also issued ASU 2018-10 Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases and ASU 2018-11 Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements. In February 2019, the FASB also issued ASU 2019-01 Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements. This ASU and the updates to this ASU require organizations to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and to disclose key information about leasing arrangements. This guidance was effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, and may be applied through a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements with certain practical expedients available. The Company adopted the provisions of these ASU's using the modified retrospective approach at the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2020, coinciding with the standard's effective date. The additional disclosures required by the ASU and its updates are included in Note 5 "Leases" of these Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)” and also issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance under ASU 2018-19, ASU 2019-04 and ASU 2019-05 (collectively Topic 326). Topic 326 requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. This replaces the existing incurred loss model with an expected loss model and requires the use of forward-looking information to calculate credit loss estimates. This guidance was effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, and must be adopted by applying a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. The Company adopted the provisions of this ASU at the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2021, however the ASU did not have a significant impact on its financial statements, and therefore no adjustment to retained earnings was necessary.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans (Topic 715). This ASU will modify the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined pension or postretirement plans. The amendments in this guidance are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the provisions of this ASU in fiscal 2021, however, the ASU did not have a significant impact on its disclosures.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740)—Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. ASU 2019-12 is intended to simplify accounting for income taxes. It removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the provisions of this ASU in fiscal 2022, however, the ASU did not have a significant impact on its financial statements or disclosures.


2    INDEBTEDNESS
 
The Company had no outstanding debt at September 30, 2022 or October 1, 2021.

Revolvers

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have entered into an unsecured revolving credit facility with PNC Bank, National Association and Associated Bank, N.A. ("the Lending Group"). This credit facility consists of a $75 million Revolving Credit Facility among the Company, certain of the Company's subsidiaries, PNC Bank National Association, as lender and as administrative agent, and the other lender named therein (the "Credit Agreement" or "Revolver"). The Revolver provides for borrowing of up to an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $75,000 with a $50,000 accordion feature that gives the Company the option to increase the maximum financing availability (i.e., an aggregate borrowing amount of $125,000) subject to the conditions of the Credit Agreement and subject to the approval of the lenders. On July 15, 2021, the Company entered into a First Amendment to this credit facility that extended its expiration date from November 15, 2022, to July 15, 2026. Other key provisions of the credit facility remained as outlined above and the description herein is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the original Debt Agreement (a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the current report on Form 8-K dated and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 20, 2017) and the Amendment (a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K dated and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 16, 2021).

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The interest rate on the Revolver is based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin, which margin resets each quarter. The applicable margin ranges from 1.00% to 1.75% and is dependent on the Company's leverage ratio for the trailing twelve month period. The interest rates on the Revolver were approximately 4.1% at September 30, 2022 and 1.1% at October 1, 2021.

The Credit Agreement restricts the Company's ability to incur additional debt, includes maximum leverage ratio and minimum interest coverage ratio covenants and is unsecured.

Other Borrowings
 
The Company utilizes letters of credit primarily as security for the payment of future claims under its workers’ compensation insurance which totaled $173 and $181 at September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021, respectively.  The Company had no other unsecured lines of credit as of September 30, 2022 or October 1, 2021.

Under the Company’s Credit Agreement, a change in control of the Company would constitute an event of default.  A change in control would be deemed to have occurred if, among other events described in the terms of the Credit Agreement, a person or group other than the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Helen P. Johnson-Leipold, members of her family and related entities (hereinafter the Johnson Family) became or obtained rights as a beneficial owner (as interpreted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of a certain minimum percentage of the outstanding capital stock of the Company.


3    DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The following disclosures describe the Company’s objectives in using derivative instruments, the business purpose or context for using derivative instruments, and how the Company believes the use of derivative instruments helps achieve the stated objectives.  In addition, the following disclosures describe the effects of the Company’s use of derivative instruments and hedging activities on its financial statements.  See Note 4 of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosures regarding the fair value and effects of changes in the fair value of derivative instruments.

Foreign Exchange Risk

The Company has significant foreign operations, for which the functional currencies are denominated primarily in euros, Swiss francs, Hong Kong dollars and Canadian dollars. As the values of the currencies of the foreign countries in which the Company has operations increase or decrease relative to the U.S. dollar, the sales, expenses, profits, losses, assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations, as reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, increase or decrease, accordingly. Approximately 13% of the Company’s revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.  Approximately 4% were denominated in euros and approximately 6% were denominated in Canadian dollars, with the remaining 3% denominated in various other foreign currencies.  Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can cause unexpected financial losses or cash flow needs.

The Company may mitigate the impact on its operating results of a portion of the fluctuations in certain foreign currencies through the use of foreign currency forward contracts.  Foreign currency forward contracts enable the Company to lock in the foreign currency exchange rate for a fixed amount of currency to be paid or received on a specified date in the future. The Company may use such foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate the risk associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates on financial instruments and known commitments denominated in foreign currencies.  As of September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021, the Company held no foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest Rate Risk

As of September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021, the Company held no interest rate swap contracts. 


4    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. A fair value hierarchy has been established based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable.

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Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. These are typically obtained from real-time quotes for transactions in active exchange markets involving identical assets.

Level 2 - Inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These are typically obtained from readily-available pricing sources for comparable instruments.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs, where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability. These inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions of the data that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, based on the best information available in the circumstances.

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value as of September 30, 2022:
 
    Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:    
Rabbi trust assets$21,436 $ $ $21,436 
 
The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value as of October 1, 2021:
 
    Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:    
Rabbi trust assets$27,851 $ $ $27,851 
 
Rabbi trust assets are classified as trading securities and are comprised of marketable debt and equity securities that are marked to fair value based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets.  The rabbi trust assets are owed by the Company to certain officers and other employees under the Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan.  These assets are included in "Other assets" in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the mark-to-market adjustments on the assets are recorded in “Other income, net” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. The offsetting deferred compensation liability is also reported at fair value and is included in “Deferred compensation liability” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the liability are recorded in "Administrative management, finance and information systems" expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
The effect of changes in the fair value of financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2022, October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020 was:
   Location of income recognized in Statement of
Operations    
202220212020
Rabbi trust assetsOther expense (income), net$6,424 $(4,878)$(2,140)
 
Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in periods subsequent to their initial recognition. No assets or liabilities were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in 2022, 2021, or 2020.


5    LEASES

Adoption of Topic 842

At the beginning of fiscal 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02 and all subsequent ASUs that modified accounting standards Topic 842 using a modified retrospective adoption method, in which right-of-use ("ROU") assets and lease liabilities are recognized in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Under the effective date transition method, financial results reported in periods prior to fiscal year 2020 are unchanged. The Company also elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the standard, which does not require reassessment of prior conclusions related to contracts containing a lease, lease classification and initial direct lease costs. As an ongoing accounting policy election, the Company will exclude short-term leases (terms of 12 months or less) from the balance sheet presentation and will account for non-lease and lease components in a contract as a single lease component for most asset classes. All leases in which the Company is the lessee are classified as operating leases, and the Company does not have any finance leases or sublease agreements. Additionally, the Company does not have any leases in which it is the lessor.

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The adoption of this new standard had a significant impact on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet due to the recognition of approximately $41 million of lease liabilities with corresponding ROU assets for operating leases. The adoption of this new standard did not have a significant impact on the condensed consolidated statements of operations or cash flows, and did not impact our debt covenant compliance under our current credit agreements.

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. The Company leases certain facilities and machinery and equipment under long-term, non-cancelable operating leases. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had approximately 200 leases, with remaining terms ranging from less than one year to 17 years. Some of the leases contain variable payment terms, such as payments based on fluctuations in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Some leases also contain options to extend or terminate the lease. To the extent the Company is reasonably certain to exercise these options, they have been considered in the calculation of the ROU assets and lease liabilities. Under current lease agreements, there are no residual value guarantees or restrictive lease covenants. In calculating the ROU assets and lease liabilities, several assumptions and judgments were made by the Company, including whether a contract is or contains a lease under the new definition, and the determination of the discount rate, which is assumed to be the incremental borrowing rate. The incremental borrowing rate is derived from information available to the Company at the lease commencement date based on lease length and location.

As of September 30, 2022, the components of lease expense recognized in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
Year endedYear endedYear ended
September 30, 2022October 1, 2021October 2, 2020
Lease Cost
Operating lease costs$9,129 $8,323 $7,483 
Short-term lease costs1,739 1,549 1,828 
Variable leases costs172 184 173 
Total lease cost$11,040 $10,056 $9,484 

Included in the amounts in the table above was rent expense to related parties of $1,209, $1,043 and $1,028, for the years ended September 30, 2022 October 1, 2021, and October 2, 2020, respectively.

As of September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021, the Company did not have any finance leases. During fiscal 2021, the Company amended its agreement with the landlord on an existing leased facility. Payments under the amended agreement began in fiscal year 2022 and will go through June 2039. Total rental payments are approximately $14 million over the course of the lease, as amended, and are included in the calculation of ROU assets and lease liabilities as disclosed below. While the Company extended or renewed various existing leases during the year, there were no other significant new leases entered into during the year ended September 30, 2022. As of September 30, 2022, the Company did not have any significant operating lease commitments that have not yet commenced.

Supplemental balance sheet, cash flow, and other information related to operating leases was as follows:

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Year endedYear ended
September 30, 2022October 1, 2021
Operating leases:
Operating lease ROU assets$56,625 $49,032 
Current operating leases liabilities7,223 5,938 
Non-current operating lease liabilities50,680 44,056 
Total operating lease liabilities$57,903 $49,994 
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)12.5912.20
Weighted average discount rate3.15 %3.08 %
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities$8,066 $7,608 

Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases with an initial lease term in excess of one year at September 30, 2022 were as follows:

YearRelated parties included
in total
Total
2023$1,233 $8,931 
20241,270 7,981 
20251,308 7,363 
20261,348 5,777 
2027226 4,634 
Thereafter 36,023 
Total undiscounted lease payments5,385 70,709 
Less: Imputed interest(175)(12,806)
Total net lease liability$5,210 $57,903 

6    INCOME TAXES
 
The U.S. and foreign income before income taxes for the respective years consisted of the following:
 202220212020
United States$51,229 $99,774 $72,602 
Foreign7,659 13,148 1,100 
 $58,888 $112,922 $73,702 

Income tax expense for the respective years consisted of the following:
 202220212020
Current:   
Federal$8,798 $22,860 $13,735 
State834 6,392 3,348 
Foreign2,922 3,236 1,109 
Deferred1,843 (2,947)277 
 $14,397 $29,541 $18,469 
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The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at the end of the respective years are presented below:
 20222021
Deferred tax assets:  
Inventories$2,366 $1,355 
Compensation8,099 8,771 
Tax credit carryforwards2,356 2,817 
Net operating loss carryforwards4,805 3,996 
Other6,430 8,756 
Total gross deferred tax assets24,056 25,695 
Less valuation allowance6,700 6,372 
Deferred tax assets17,356 19,323 
Deferred tax liabilities:  
Goodwill and other intangibles1,848 1,717 
Depreciation and amortization5,224 5,714 
Foreign statutory reserves625 362 
Net deferred tax assets$9,659 $11,530 
 
The net deferred tax assets recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the years ended September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021 were as follows:
 20222021
Non-current assets$11,411 $13,129 
Non-current liabilities1,752 1,599 
Net deferred tax assets$9,659 $11,530 

The significant differences between the statutory federal tax rate and the effective income tax rates for the Company for the respective years shown below were as follows:
 202220212020
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate21.0 %21.0 %21.0 %
State income tax, net of federal benefit3.4 %4.4 %4.6 %
Uncertain tax positions, net of settlements(0.5)%0.1 %(0.1)%
Foreign-derived intangible income ("FDII") deduction(0.9)%(1.1)%(1.1)%
Net tax cost of foreign income2.0 %0.7 % %
Compensation0.1 %0.8 %0.7 %
Changes in estimates related to prior years tax return filing(1.6)%0.6 %0.5 %
Deferred tax asset - valuation allowance1.6 %(0.5)%0.1 %
Other(0.7)%0.2 %(0.6)%
 24.4 %26.2 %25.1 %

The Company’s net operating loss carryforwards and their expirations as of September 30, 2022 were as follows:
 StateForeignTotal
Year of expiration   
2023-2027$801 $8,021 $8,822 
2028-20323,116 6,267 9,383 
2033-20376,028  6,028 
2038-2042721  721 
Indefinite 3,466 3,466 
Total$10,666 $17,754 $28,420 

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The Company has tax credit carryforwards as follows:
 StateFederalTotal
Year of expiration   
2023-2027$1,365 $1,365 
2028-2032751 751 
2033-2037239 239 
Total$2,355 $ $2,355 
 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits follows:
20212020
Beginning balance$6,757 $7,372 
Gross increases - tax positions in prior period  
Gross increases - tax positions in current period476 1,288 
Settlements  
Lapse of statute of limitations
(1,032)(1,903)
Ending balance$6,201 $6,757 
 
The total accrued interest and penalties with respect to income taxes was approximately $1,866 and $1,884 for the years ended September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021, respectively.  The Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2022 was $6,201, and if recognized, $5,188 of such amount would have an effective tax rate impact.

In accordance with its accounting policy, the Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.  Interest and penalties of $(15), $(63) and $5 were recorded as a component of income tax expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The Company’s policy is to remit earnings from foreign subsidiaries only to the extent the remittance does not result in an incremental U.S. tax liability. The Company does not currently provide for the additional U.S. and foreign income taxes which would become payable upon remission of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. If all undistributed earnings were remitted, an additional income tax provision of approximately $16.1 million would have been necessary as of September 30, 2022.
The Company files income tax returns, including returns for its subsidiaries, with federal, state, local and foreign taxing jurisdictions. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits recognized within the next twelve months may decrease due to expiration of the statute of limitations for certain years in various jurisdictions.  However, it is possible that a jurisdiction may open an audit prior to the statute expiring that may result in adjustments to the Company’s tax filings.  At this time, an estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change cannot be made.

The following tax years remain subject to examination by the Company's respective major tax jurisdictions:
JurisdictionFiscal Years
United States2019-2022
Canada2018-2022
France2019-2022
Germany2020-2022
Italy2020-2022
Switzerland2012-2022


7    EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

A majority of the Company’s full-time employees are covered by defined contribution programs. Expenses attributable to the defined contribution programs were approximately $2,044, $1,680 and $1,592 for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The Company also has a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that provides certain officers and employees the ability to defer a portion of their compensation until a later date.  The deferred amounts and earnings thereon are payable to participants,
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or designated beneficiaries, at specified future dates upon retirement, death or termination of employment from the Company.  The deferred compensation liability, which is reported at fair value equal to the related rabbi trust assets, and is classified as “Deferred compensation liability” on our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, was approximately $21,466 and $27,885 as of September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021, respectively.  See “Note 4 Fair Value” for additional information.

During fiscal 2021, the Company terminated its Johnson Outdoors Inc. Mankato Operations Pension Plan and Old Town Canoe Company Pension Plan (collectively, "the Terminated Plans"), both of which were frozen defined benefit pension plans at the time of termination. In connection with the plan terminations, the Company settled all future obligations under the Terminated Plans through a combination of lump-sum payments to eligible participants who elected to receive them, and the transfer of any remaining benefit obligations under the Terminated Plans to a third-party insurance company under a group annuity contract. As a result of these actions, the Company recognized a non-cash pre-tax pension termination charge of $2,526 in our fiscal 2021 Consolidated Statements of Operations as Other Expense (Income), Net. The remaining over-funded plan assets have been or will be utilized by the Company to fund remaining expenses related to the Terminated Plans, as well as obligations associated with other qualified retirement programs. The Company still maintains the Johnson Outdoors Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP"), and all future benefit payments to participants under this plan are made from the Company's general assets.


8    PREFERRED STOCK
 
The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock in various classes and series, of which there are none currently issued and none outstanding.


9    COMMON STOCK

The number of authorized and outstanding shares of each class of the Company’s common stock at the end of the respective years was as follows:
 20222021
Class A, $0.05 par value:
  
Authorized20,000,000 20,000,000 
Outstanding8,984,253 8,915,636 
Class B, $0.05 par value:
  
Authorized3,000,000 3,000,000 
Outstanding1,207,798 1,211,564 

Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to elect 25%, or the next highest whole number, of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors and holders of Class B common stock are entitled to elect the remaining directors. With respect to matters other than the election of directors or any matters for which class voting is required by law, holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share while holders of Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share. If any dividends (other than dividends paid in shares of the Company’s stock) are paid by the Company on its common stock, a dividend would be paid on each share of Class A common stock equal to 110% of the amount paid on each share of Class B common stock. Each share of Class B common stock is convertible at any time into one share of Class A common stock. During 2022 and 2021 there were 3,766 and 0 shares of Class B common stock converted into Class A common stock, respectively.


10    STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLANS

The Company’s current stock ownership plans provide for issuance of options to acquire shares of Class A common stock by key executives and non-employee directors. Current plans also allow for issuance of shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units or stock appreciation rights in lieu of options.
 
Under the Company’s 2012 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan and the 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the only plans where shares currently remain available for future equity incentive awards) there were a total of 447,645 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock available for grant to key executives and non-employee directors at September 30, 2022.  Share awards previously made under the Company's 2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, which no longer allows for additional share grants, also remain outstanding.
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The Company recognized additional tax benefits from the vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock units of $98, $581 and $238 for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  These amounts were recorded as a component of income tax expense. The Company recognizes forfeitures of equity awards as incurred.
 
Non-Vested Stock
 
All shares of non-vested stock awarded by the Company have been granted at their fair market value on the date of grant and vest within five years after the grant date.  The fair value at date of grant is based on the number of shares granted and the average of the Company’s high and low Class A common stock price on the date of grant or, if the Company’s shares did not trade on the date of grant, the average of the Company’s high and low Class A common stock price on the last preceding date on which the Company’s shares traded.

A summary of non-vested stock activity for the two year period ended September 30, 2022 related to the Company’s stock ownership plans is as follows:
 SharesWeighted Average
Grant Price
Non-vested stock at October 2, 202040,492 $62.15 
Non-vested stock grants14,954 101.97 
Non-vested stock forfeited(621)120.77 
Restricted stock vested(17,234)53.79 
Non-vested stock at October 1, 202137,591 80.86 
Non-vested stock grants33,911 72.40 
Non-vested stock forfeited(2,040)73.53 
Restricted stock vested(11,326)95.34 
Non-vested stock September 30, 202258,136 73.37 

Non-vested stock grantees may elect to reimburse the Company for withholding taxes due as a result of the vesting of shares by tendering a portion of the vested shares back to the Company. Shares tendered back to the Company were 1,778 and 2,341 during 2022 and 2021, respectively.  The fair value of restricted stock vested during 2022, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $1,002, $1,950 and $1,288, respectively.

Stock compensation expense, net of forfeitures, related to non-vested stock was $1,252, $1,179 and $1,032 during 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  The tax benefit recognized during 2022, 2021 and 2020 related to stock based compensation was $295, $287 and $252, respectively.  Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock as of September 30, 2022 was $2,481, which amount will be amortized to expense through November 2025 or adjusted for changes in future estimated or actual forfeitures.

Restricted Stock Units
 
All restricted stock units awarded by the Company during fiscal 2022 and in prior years have been granted at their fair market value on the date of grant.  The fair value at date of grant is based on the number of units granted and the average of the Company’s high and low Class A common stock trading price on the date of grant or, if the Company’s shares did not trade on the date of grant, the average of the Company’s high and low Class A common stock trading price on the last preceding date on which the Company’s shares traded.  The vesting period for RSUs is generally one year from the date of grant for RSUs granted to directors and three years from the date of the grant for RSUs granted to employees.
 
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A summary of RSU activity follows:
 Number of RSUsWeighted Average
Grant Price
RSUs at October 2, 202067,821 $68.34 
RSUs granted20,059 88.49 
RSUs vested(18,112)70.39 
RSUs at October 1, 202169,768 73.60 
RSUs granted19,758 101.22 
RSUs forfeited(1,340)74.62 
RSUs vested(22,192)71.42 
RSUs at September 30, 202265,994 82.58 

RSU grantees may elect to reimburse the Company for withholding taxes due as a result of the vesting of units and issuance of unrestricted shares of Class A common stock by tendering a portion of such unrestricted shares back to the Company. Shares tendered back to the Company were 3,331 and 3,320 during 2022 and 2021, respectively.  The fair value of restricted stock recognized as a tax deduction during 2022, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $3,240, $3,353 and $1,600, respectively.

Stock compensation expense, net of forfeitures, related to restricted stock units was $2,522, $2,895 and $1,611 for the years ended September 30, 2022, October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020, respectively.  The tax benefit recognized during 2022, 2021 and 2020 related to restricted stock unit based compensation was $242, $290 and $166, respectively. Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock units as of September 30, 2022 was $1,583, which amount will be amortized to expense through September 2024 or adjusted for changes in future estimated or actual forfeitures.

Compensation expense related to units earned by certain employees is based upon the attainment of certain financial goals related to cumulative net sales and cumulative operating profit over a three-year performance period. Awards are only paid if at least 80% of the target levels are met and maximum payouts are made if 120% of more of target levels are achieved. The payouts for achievement at the minimum threshold levels of performance are equal to 50% of the target award amount. The payouts for achievement at maximum levels of performance are equal to 150% of the target award amount. To the extent earned, awards are issued in shares of Company common stock after the end of the three year performance period.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
The 2009 Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase Plan”) provides for the issuance of shares of Class A common stock at a purchase price of not less than 85% of the fair market value of such shares on the date of grant or at the end of the offering period, whichever is lower.
 
The Company issued 5,112, 0 and 2,190 shares of Class A common stock under the Purchase Plan during the years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and recognized expense of $355, $86 and $43 in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

11    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company conducts transactions with certain related parties including organizations controlled by the Johnson Family. These transactions include product purchases, aviation services, office rental, and facility fees.  Total costs of these transactions were $1,425, $1,243 and $1,099 for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  Amounts due to/from related parties were immaterial at September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021.

12    REVENUES

Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with our customer are satisfied; generally this occurs with the transfer of control of our goods at a point in time based on shipping terms and transfer of title. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods. The amount of consideration received can vary, primarily because of customer incentive or rebate arrangements. The Company estimates variable consideration based on the expected value of total consideration to which customers are likely to be entitled based on historical experience and
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projected market expectations. Included in the estimate is an assessment as to whether any variable consideration is constrained. Revenue estimates are adjusted at the earlier of a change in the expected value of consideration or when the consideration becomes fixed. For all contracts with customers, the Company has not adjusted the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component as the period between the transfer of the promised goods and the customer's payment is expected to be one year or less. Sales are made on normal and customary short-term credit terms, generally ranging from 30 to 90 days, or upon delivery of point of sale transactions. Sales, value add, and other taxes we collect concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue.

The Company enters into contractual arrangements with customers in the form of individual customer orders which specify the goods, quantity, pricing, and associated order terms. The Company does not have contracts which are satisfied over time. Due to the nature of these contracts, no significant judgment exists in relation to the identification of the customer contract, satisfaction of the performance obligation, or transaction price. The Company expenses incremental costs of obtaining a contract due to the short-term nature of the contracts.

Estimated costs of returns, allowances and discounts, based on historic experience, are accrued as a reduction to sales when revenue is recognized. The Company provides customers the right to return eligible products under certain circumstances. At September 30, 2022, the right to returns asset was $768 and the accrued returns liability was $2,173. At October 1, 2021, the right to returns asset was $769 and the accrued returns liability was $2,061. The Company also offers assurance-type warranties relating to its products sold to end customers that continue to be accounted for under ASC 460 Guarantees.

The Company generally accounts for shipping and handling activities as a fulfillment activity, consistent with the timing of revenue recognition; that is, when a customer takes control of the transferred goods. In the event that a customer were to take control of a product upon or after shipment, the Company has made an accounting policy election to treat such shipping and handling activities as a fulfillment cost. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are included in "Net Sales," and shipping and handling costs are recognized within "Marketing and selling expenses" in the same period the related revenue is recognized.

The Company has a wide variety of seasonal, outdoor recreation products used primarily for fishing from a boat, diving, paddling, hiking and camping, that are sold to a variety of customers in multiple end markets. While there are multiple products sold, the nature of products are similar in terms of the nature of the revenue recognition policies.

See Note 13 of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for required disclosures of disaggregated revenue.

13    SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS

The Company conducts its worldwide operations through separate business segments, each of which represent major product lines. Operations are conducted in the U.S. and various foreign countries, primarily in Europe, Canada and the Pacific Basin. During the years ended September 30, 2022, October 1, 2021, and October 2, 2020, combined sales to one customer of the Company's Fishing, Camping and Watercraft Recreation segments represented approximately $97,174, $114,008, and $93,478 respectively, of the Company's consolidated revenues.

Net sales and operating profit include both sales to customers, as reported in the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, and inter-unit transfers, which are priced to recover costs plus an appropriate profit margin. Total assets represent assets that are used in the Company’s operations in each business segment at the end of the years presented.

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A summary of the Company’s operations by business segment is presented below:
 2022 20212020
Net sales:    
Fishing:    
Unaffiliated customers$525,563  $552,073 $449,186 
Interunit transfers1,019  927 692 
Camping:    
Unaffiliated customers70,308  62,879 41,554 
Interunit transfers47  42 38 
Watercraft Recreation:    
Unaffiliated customers67,884  66,396 41,786 
Interunit transfers56  207 71 
Diving    
Unaffiliated customers78,862  69,433 60,853 
Interunit transfers12  14 20 
Other / Corporate738  870 830 
Eliminations(1,134) (1,190)(821)
Total$743,355  $751,651 $594,209 
Operating profit (loss):    
Fishing$65,433  $122,490 $95,884 
Camping13,415  14,025 4,406 
Watercraft Recreation6,173  9,173 (329)
Diving4,705 1,530 (2,576)
Other / Corporate(23,416) (35,935)(26,315)
 $66,310  $111,283 $71,070 
Depreciation and amortization expense:    
Fishing$9,690  $8,770 $8,654 
Camping727  644 639 
Watercraft Recreation620  707 899 
Diving635  765 1,761 
Other / Corporate2,562  2,515 2,973 
 $14,234  $13,401 $14,926 
Capital expenditures:    
Fishing$26,114  $18,570 $12,847 
Camping87  399 206 
Watercraft Recreation1,079  681 685 
Diving834  742 947 
Other / Corporate3,576  1,017 915 
 $31,690  $21,409 $15,600 
Goodwill, net:    
Fishing$11,160  $11,221  
Camping    
Watercraft Recreation    
Diving    
 $11,160  $11,221  
Total assets (end of period):    
Fishing$382,850  $285,321  
Camping59,247  54,276  
Watercraft Recreation33,496  27,530  
Diving76,475  67,069  
Other / Corporate127,863  240,091  
 $679,931  $674,287  


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A summary of the Company’s operations by geographic area is presented below:
 202220212020
Net sales:   
United States:   
Unaffiliated customers$649,867 $659,330 $525,204 
Interunit transfers34,212 30,593 17,503 
Europe:   
Unaffiliated customers34,427 30,509 28,880 
Interunit transfers12,109 9,974 8,561 
Canada:   
Unaffiliated customers44,635 48,867 29,512 
Interunit transfers 12 35 
Other:   
Unaffiliated customers14,425 12,945 10,613 
Interunit transfers17 106 10 
Eliminations(46,337)(40,685)(26,109)
 $743,355 $751,651 $594,209 
Total assets:   
United States$581,004 $574,916  
Europe40,040 45,916  
Canada and other58,887 53,455  
 $679,931 $674,287  
Long-term assets (1):
   
United States$177,191 $158,868  
Europe6,363 8,038  
Canada and other4,650 2,988  
 $188,204 $169,894  

(1)Long term assets consist of net property, plant and equipment, right of use assets, net intangible assets, goodwill and other assets excluding deferred income taxes.


14    CONTINGENCIES
 
The Company is subject to various legal actions and proceedings in the normal course of business, including those related to commercial disputes, product liability, intellectual property and environmental matters. The Company is insured against loss for certain of these matters. Although litigation is subject to many uncertainties and the ultimate exposure with respect to these matters cannot be ascertained, management does not believe the final outcome of any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or cash flows of the Company.


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15    VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
The following summarizes changes to valuation and qualifying accounts for 2022, 2021 and 2020:
 Balance at
Beginning of Year
Additions Charged
to Costs and
Expenses
Less DeductionsBalance at End of
Year
Year Ended September 30, 2022    
Allowance for doubtful accounts$2,494 $30 $1,487 $1,037 
Reserves for inventory valuation5,548 4,409 868 9,089 
Valuation of deferred tax assets6,372 1,072 744 6,700 
Reserves for sales returns2,095 2,429 2,324 2,200 
Year ended October 1, 2021    
Allowance for doubtful accounts$2,697 $308 $511 $2,494 
Reserves for inventory valuation5,385 518 355 5,548 
Valuation of deferred tax assets6,524 1,352 1,504 6,372 
Reserves for sales returns3,043 1,705 2,653 2,095 
Year ended October 2, 2020    
Allowance for doubtful accounts$2,550 $2,095 $1,948 $2,697 
Reserves for inventory valuation5,223 878 716 5,385 
Valuation of deferred tax assets5,964 875 315 6,524 
Reserves for sales returns4,880 1,532 3,369 3,043 


16    QUARTERLY FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)

The following summarizes quarterly operating results for the years presented below:
 First QuarterSecond QuarterThird QuarterFourth Quarter
(thousands, except per share data)20222021202220212022202120222021
Net sales$153,524 $165,667 $189,623 $206,156 $203,819 $213,568 $196,389 $166,260 
Gross profit60,631 75,030 68,585 93,254 73,509 97,511 68,607 68,330 
Operating profit13,760 23,557 15,429 36,036 23,799 38,099 13,322 13,591 
Income before income taxes14,589 26,011 13,210 37,310 19,244 39,074 11,845 10,527 
Income tax expense3,733 6,164 3,310 9,476 5,162 10,300 2,192 3,601 
Net income $10,856 $19,847 $9,900 $27,834 $14,082 $28,774 $9,653 $6,926 
Net income per common share - Basic:        
Class A$1.08 $1.99 $0.99 $2.78 $1.40 $2.87 $0.96 $0.70 
Class B$0.98 $1.81 $0.90 $2.53 $1.27 $2.61 $0.87 $0.62 
Net income per common share - Diluted:        
Class A$1.07 $1.96 $0.97 $2.74 $1.38 $2.83 $0.95 $0.68 
Class B$1.07 $1.96 $0.97 $2.74 $1.38 $2.83 $0.95 $0.68 

Due to changes in stock prices during the year and the timing of issuance of shares, the cumulative total of quarterly net income per share amounts may not equal the net income per share for the entire year.

F-32

EXHIBIT 21

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

The following lists the principal direct and indirect subsidiaries of Johnson Outdoors Inc. as of September 30, 2022.  Inactive subsidiaries are not presented:

Name of Subsidiary(1)(2)
Jurisdiction in
which Incorporated
Johnson Outdoors Canada Inc.
Canada
Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Inc.
Delaware
Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics. Inc.
Alabama
Johnson Outdoors Gear Inc.
Delaware
Johnson Outdoors Diving LLC
Delaware
Under Sea Industries, Inc.
Delaware
JWA Holding B.V.
Netherlands
Johnson Beteiligungsellschaft GmbH
Germany
Uwatec AG
Switzerland
Scubapro Asia Pacific Ltd.
Hong Kong
P.T. Uwatec Batam
Indonesia
Scubapro Espana, S.A.
Spain
Scubapro AG
Switzerland
Scubapro Europe Benelux, S.A.
Belgium
Johnson Outdoors France
France
Scubapro/Uwatec France S.A.
France
Scubapro Europe S.r.l
Italy
Scubapro Italy S.r.l.
Italy
Scubapro-Uwatec Australia Pty. Ltd.
Australia
Johnson Outdoors Vertriebsgesellschaft GmbH
Germany

(1)
Unless otherwise indicated in brackets, each company does business only under its legal name.
(2)
Unless otherwise indicated by footnote, each company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Johnson Outdoors Inc. (through direct or indirect ownership).




EXHIBIT 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (No. 333-238004, 333-217855, 333-217854, 333-166418, 333-166417, 033−19804, 033−19805, 033−35309, 033−50680, 033−52073, 033−54899, 033−59325, 033−61285, 333−88089, 333−88091, 333−84480, 333−84414, 333−107354 and 333−115298) on Form S-8 of Johnson Outdoors Inc. of our reports dated December 9, 2022, relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Johnson Outdoors Inc. appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Johnson Outdoors Inc. for the year ended September 30, 2022.

/s/ RSM US LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
December 9, 2022




EXHIBIT 31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

I, Helen P. Johnson-Leipold, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Johnson Outdoors Inc.;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:


a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;


b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;


c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and


d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):


a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and


b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Date:  December 9, 2022
/s/ Helen P. Johnson-Leipold


Helen P. Johnson-Leipold


Chairman and Chief Executive Officer





EXHIBIT 31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

I, David W. Johnson, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Johnson Outdoors Inc.;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:


a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;


b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;


c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and


d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):


a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and


b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Date:  December 9, 2022
/s/ David W. Johnson


David W. Johnson


Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


Treasurer





EXHIBIT 32.1

Written Statement of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

Solely for the purposes of complying with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, I, the undersigned Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Outdoors Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certify that the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended September 30, 2022 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Helen P. Johnson-Leipold

Helen P. Johnson-Leipold

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

December 9, 2022


Written Statement of the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

Solely for the purposes of complying with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, I, the undersigned Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Johnson Outdoors Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certify that the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended September 30, 2022 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ David W. Johnson

David W. Johnson

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Treasurer

December 9, 2022


The above certifications are made solely for the purpose of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, subject to the knowledge standard contained therein, and not for any other purpose.