UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2004
For the transition period from _________ to _________
Commission file number 0-16255
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 [X] No [_]
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [X] No [_]
As of January 5, 2005, 7,618,331 shares of Class A and 1,221,715 shares of Class B common stock of the Registrant were outstanding.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
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The following discussion includes comments and analysis relating to the results of operations and financial condition of Johnson Outdoors Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and January 2, 2004. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes that immediately precede this section, as well as the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2004.
Certain matters discussed in this Form 10-Q 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 forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement includes phrases such as the Company “expects,” “believes” 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 changes in consumer spending patterns; unanticipated issues related to the Company’s military tent business; the Company’s success in implementing its strategic plan, including its focus on innovation; actions of companies that compete with the Company; the Company’s success in managing inventory; movements in foreign currencies or interest rates; the success of 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 outstanding litigation matters; adverse weather conditions; and unanticipated events related to the Buy-Out transaction. 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 Form 10-Q. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
The Company has registered the following trademarks which are used in this Form 10-Q: Minn Kota(R); Humminbird(R); and Eureka!(R).
The Company designs, manufactures and markets top-quality outdoor recreational products for the whole family. Through a combination of innovative products, strong marketing and distribution, the Company meets the needs of the consumer, seeking to set itself apart from the competition. Its subsidiaries comprise a network that promotes entrepreneurialism and leverages best practices and synergies, following the strategic vision set by executive management and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.
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The 19.1% increase in net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2004 resulted primarily from strong military tent sales (up 19.3%) and the addition of Techsonic Industries Inc. (Techsonic), which was acquired in May 2004. This acquisition added the popular Humminbird brand to the Company’s Marine Electronics portfolio (the Marine Electronics business was known as the Motors business prior to July 2, 2004). The Techsonic business added $9.0 million in net sales to the current quarter.
Although strong growth has been seen in military tent sales in recent years, sales in this business are expected to drop up to 40% in fiscal 2005 as current contracts and emergency orders come to an end. Though it remains a strong brand, the Company’s Eureka! consumer line of camping products continues to face a declining market for its higher quality consumer tents, as the shift to lower priced and private label products continues in its retail channels. TheEureka! commercial line of tents continues to maintain its position in a flat market.
Watercraft business net sales declined 3.0% from the year ago period. In July 2004, the Company began a $3.1 million restructuring plan to increase efficiency and improve profitability of this business. This effort is intended to make Watercraft leaner, yet more flexible, more focused, and more competitive going forward. It should make the Watercraft business better prepared to deliver financial performance equal to the strength of the Company’s brands.
The Diving business’ net sales include $0.9 million of favorable currency translation, which partially offsets declines in net sales compared to the first quarter of last year. Continued soft market conditions in Europe and Asia and the delayed introduction of new products drove much of the decline. Profits declined with net sales and were also negatively affected by unfavorable volume-related manufacturing variances, lower margins on close-out product sales and unfavorable impact of currencies on operating expenses. Continued investment is needed to support better performance by the Company’s Diving business.
Debt-to-total capitalization stands at 25% at the end of the quarter, well below historical levels. Compared to prior year levels, the increases in trade receivables and inventories primarily reflect the addition of Techsonic and the impact of currency fluctuation in the Company’s foreign operations
Due to the seasonality of the Company’s businesses, first quarter results are not expected be indicative of the Company’s primary selling period, which takes place in its second and third fiscal quarters. The table below sets forth a historical view of the Company’s seasonality.
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The Company’s sales and operating earnings by segment are summarized as follows:
See Note 11 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for the definition of segment net sales and operating profits.
Net sales on a consolidated basis for the three months ended December 31, 2004 totaled $75.0 million, an increase of 19.1% or $12.0 million, compared to $62.9 million in the three months ended January 2, 2004. The Company acquired Techsonic on May 5, 2004. Net sales for the Techsonic business for the three months ended December 31, 2004 were $9.0 million. Foreign currency translations favorably impacted quarterly sales by $1.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2005. Two of the Company’s business units had sales growth over the prior year. The Marine Electronics business sales increased $9.8 million, or 54.7%, to $27.9 million. This increase was primarily the result of the addition of the Techsonic business, which added $9.0 million to sales. Sales for the Outdoor Equipment business increased $3.0 million, or 19.3%, to $18.8 million. Military tent sales in the current fiscal year accounted for this growth; however, the Company’s backlog of orders under existing military contracts only extends through approximately April of 2005. Subsequent to April of 2005, the Company anticipates declines in military tent sales as a result of the expiration of existing contracts. The Watercraft business sales decreased $0.4 million, or 3.0%, to $12.1 million. The Diving business sales decreased $0.6 million, or 3.6%, to $16.3 million, including favorable currency translations totaling $0.9 million resulting from the strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar. The declines in the Diving business are the result of continued market softness and delayed new product launches due to implementation of the Company’s new enhanced design validation process. Diving’s sales were also negatively impacted by actions taken to eliminate sales through undesirable channels including E-bay sellers and grey market traders.
Gross profit as a percentage of sales was 40.4% for the three months ended December 31, 2004 compared to 42.8% in the corresponding period in the prior year. The overall gross margin rate was negatively affected by the addition of the Techsonic business, where gross margin rates are well below the Company’s overall gross margin rate. Declines in margins in the Diving business also contributed to the lower rate in the quarter. The Diving business margins have declined from the prior year as a result of lower volumes from continued market softness, unfavorable volume-related manufacturing variances, and lower pricing on close-out product sales. Margins in the Watercraft and Outdoor Equipment businesses improved over the prior year. The Marine Electronics business saw margins decline as the margins for the Minn Kota business were flat and margins for the newly acquired Humminbird business were lower than the historical margins for the Minn Kota business.
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The Company recognized an operating loss of $0.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004 compared to an operating profit of $1.3 million for the corresponding period of the prior year. The Outdoor Equipment business improvements were driven by increased military sales. Diving incurred an operating loss of $0.1 million as a result of the issues noted in previous paragraphs. Watercraft operating losses for the three months were improved over the losses incurred in the prior year as a result of improvements made to the business’s operations. Operating profit in fiscal 2005 was also negatively impacted by expenses (approximately $0.9) recorded at the corporate level related to the Company’s going private transaction.
Interest expense declined to $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004, from $1.4 million for the three months ended January 2, 2004. In the current year, the Company benefited from reductions in overall debt.
Interest income declined to $0.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004 from $0.2 million for the three months ended January 2, 2004, as cash balances and market rates on short-term cash investments declined.
The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2004 was insignificant, compared to 38.7% for the corresponding period of the prior year. The effective tax rate in the current year was impacted by the non-deductibility of certain expenses related to the buy-out proposal and not benefiting certain losses with foreign subsidiaries.
Net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2004 was $1.0 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, compared to net income of $0.2 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, for the corresponding period of the prior year due to the factors noted above.
On October 28, 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a definitive merger agreement with JO Acquisition Corp., a newly formed entity established by members of the family of the late Samuel C. Johnson, including Helen P. Johnson-Leipold, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Under the terms of the proposed merger, public shareholders of the Company would receive $20.10 per share in cash, and the members of the Johnson family would acquire 100% ownership of the Company.
The merger is subject to a number of conditions, including shareholder approval of the merger agreement and receipt of debt financing. GE Commercial Finance has committed, subject to customary conditions, to provide debt financing for the transaction.
The Company has tentatively scheduled a special meeting of its shareholders on March 22, 2005 for the purpose of obtaining shareholder approval of the merger agreement. If the necessary shareholder approval is obtained, then the merger is expected to be completed in the first calendar quarter of 2005, subject to customary conditions and approvals.
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The Company’s cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the consolidated statements of cash flows, is summarized in the following table:
In the first quarter, the Company typically invests in operating assets in anticipation of the Company’s selling season, which is strongest in the second and third quarters of the Company’s fiscal year.
The Company’s debt to capital ratio has declined to 25% as of December 31, 2004 from 31% as of January 2, 2004, further strengthening the Company’s liquidity and strategic flexibility.
Cash flows used for operations totaled $24.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004 compared with $19.7 million used for operations for the corresponding period of the prior year.
Accounts receivable increased $6.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004, flat with the increase in the year ago period. Inventories increased by $3.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004 compared to an increase of $9.4 million in the prior year period. The inventory build in the current year is primarily related to a build-up of products for the Company’s selling season. The decline in the inventory build compared with the prior years is the result of improved inventory management in the Watercraft business and declines in inventory levels in the Outdoor Equipment business that are in-line with the expiration of military tent contracts. The Company believes it is producing products at levels adequate to meet expected customer demand.
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased $14.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004 versus a decrease of $2.8 million for the corresponding period of the prior year. The decrease during the quarter ended January 2, 2004 was the result of settlement of various accruals.
Depreciation and amortization charges were $2.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and $1.8 million for the corresponding period of the prior year.
Cash used for investing activities, consisting solely of expenditures for property, plant and equipment, totaled $1.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004 versus $1.4 million for the corresponding period of the prior year. The Company’s recurring investments are made primarily for tooling for new products and enhancements. In 2005, capitalized expenditures are anticipated to be in line with prior year levels. These expenditures are expected to be funded by working capital or existing credit facilities. The Company received $0.4 million in cash from the sale of its facility in Mansonville, Quebec during the three months ended December 31, 2004.
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Cash flows used for financing activities totaled $12.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and $9.2 million for the corresponding period of the prior year. The Company made principal payments on senior notes and other long-term debt of $16.2 million and $9.5 million during the first quarters of fiscal years 2005 and 2004.
On October 29, 2004, the Company entered into a new $30.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility agreement expiring in October 2005. This agreement is expected to provide adequate funding for the Company’s operations during that period. The Company had borrowings outstanding on revolving credit facilities of $4.0 million as of December 31, 2004
The Company has obligations and commitments to make future payments under debt agreements and operating leases. The following schedule details these obligations at December 31, 2004.
The Company also utilizes letters of credit for trade financing purposes. Letters of credit outstanding at December 31, 2004 total $2.5 million.
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
The Company is exposed to market risk stemming from changes in foreign exchange rates, interest rates and, to a lesser extent, commodity prices. Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in earnings and cash flows. The Company may reduce exposure to certain of these market risks by entering into hedging transactions authorized under Company policies that place controls on these activities. Hedging transactions involve the use of a variety of derivative financial instruments. Derivatives are used only where there is an underlying exposure, not for trading or speculative purposes.
The Company has significant foreign operations, for which the functional currencies are denominated primarily in Euros, Swiss francs, Japanese yen 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. The Company has mitigated a portion of the fluctuations in certain foreign currencies through the purchase of foreign currency swaps, forward contracts and options to hedge known commitments, primarily for purchases of inventory and other assets denominated in foreign currencies; however, no such transactions were entered into during fiscal 2004 or the first quarter of fiscal 2005.
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The Company’s debt structure and interest rate risk are managed through the use of fixed and floating rate debt. The Company’s primary exposure is to United States interest rates. The Company also periodically enters into interest rate swaps, caps or collars to hedge its exposure and lower financing costs.
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-cancelable supply contracts. Primary commodity price exposures are metals and packaging materials.
The estimates that follow are intended to measure the maximum potential fair value or earnings the Company could lose in one year from adverse changes in market interest rates under normal market conditions. The calculations are not intended to represent actual losses in fair value or earnings that the Company expects to incur. The estimates do not consider favorable changes in market rates. The table below presents the estimated maximum potential one year loss in fair value and earnings before income taxes from a 100 basis point movement in interest rates on the senior notes outstanding at December 31, 2004:
The Company has outstanding $50.8 million in unsecured senior notes as of December 31, 2004. The senior notes bear interest rates that range from 7.15% to 7.82% and are to be repaid through December 2008. The fair market value of the Company’s fixed rate debt was $55.4 million as of December 31, 2004.
On November 6, 2003, the Company terminated the swap instruments relating to certain 1998 and 2001 debt instruments. The Company realized gains on the 1998 and 2001 instruments of $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The gains are being amortized as a reduction in interest expense over the remaining life of the underlying debt instruments through October 2005. The unamortized gain related to the 1998 and 2001 instruments was $0.2 million as of December 31, 2004.
The Company experienced inflationary pressures during 2004 on energy, metals and resins. The Company anticipates that changing costs of basic raw materials 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 critical accounting policies are identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending October 1, 2004 in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the heading “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.” There were no significant changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies during the three months ended December 31, 2004.
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In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, a revision to SFAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. This statement supersedes APB Opinion No. 25,Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. SFAS No. 123(R) establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. This statement requires that the cost of share based payment transactions be recorded as an expense at their fair value determined by applying a fair value measurement method. The provisions of this statement are effective as of the first interim reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company will adopt this statement during the fourth quarter of its fiscal 2005 year on a prospective basis. This statement is not expected to have a material impact on the financial results of the Company.
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.”
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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