Johnson Outdoors Inc. reported net income more than doubled in the first quarter ended July 2 on a 54 percent sales gain.

“Strong demand delivered another quarter of unprecedented results. Momentum in Fishing, Camping and Watercraft Recreation continued, and as pandemic-related travel restrictions are being lifted, our work to strengthen the ScubaPro brand has been paying off as Diving begins to recover,” said Helen Johnson-Leipold, chairman and CEO. “Looking ahead, we’re focused on continuing to keep pace with demand and position Johnson Outdoors for marketplace success.”

Third Quarter Results
Fiscal third quarter results typically reflect in-season replenishment orders for the company’s warm-weather outdoor recreation products. Total company net sales in the third quarter increased 54 percent to $213.6 million, versus $138.4 million in the prior year fiscal quarter. The favorable comparison was driven by strong market conditions in the current year quarter and the negative impact of COVID-19-related shutdowns on the prior year’s third quarter. Other contributing factors to the quarterly results were:

  • Fishing revenue increased 51 percent due to continued high demand across all product lines in Minn Kota and Humminbird;
  • Camping grew 84 percent, driven by higher sales for its Jetboil Stash Stove and Eureka stoves and tents;
  • Strong demand across all product categories, including the Sportsman line, drove a 30 percent increase in its Watercraft Recreation sales; and
  • Diving sales were up 93 percent, comparing favorably to the prior year’s fiscal third quarter, as pandemic-related travel restrictions eased.

Total company operating profit during the quarter was $38.1 million versus $12.9 million in the prior-year third quarter. Gross margin rose slightly to 45.7 percent. Increased costs due to tariffs and inbound air freight were more than offset by sales volume-driven operating efficiencies. Operating expenses were $59.4 million, an increase of $9.8 million due primarily to higher sales volume-driven expenses and higher health insurance claims, but decreased as a percentage of sales. Net income more than doubled to $28.8 million, or $2.83 per diluted share, compared to $12.9 million, or $1.27 per diluted share in the previous year’s third quarter.

Year-To-Date Results
Fiscal 2021 year-to-date net sales were $585.4 million, a 36 percent increase over last year’s first fiscal nine-month period. Gross margin improved to 45.4 percent in the first fiscal nine months versus 44.5 percent in the prior fiscal year-to-date period. Operating expenses were $168.1 million in the current year-to-date period versus $139.8 million in the prior-year period, with the increase driven primarily by higher sales-volume driven expenses and higher variable compensation expense and health benefit costs between periods. Favorable market conditions on the company’s deferred compensation plan assets resulted in approximately $4.9 million in higher deferred compensation expense in the current year-to-date period as compared to the prior year-to-date period, which was offset by a gain in Other Income. Total company operating profit rose 90 percent to $97.7 million compared to $51.5 million in the prior fiscal year-to-date period. Operating profit, excluding the effect to compensation expense of market gains on deferred compensation plan assets, would have been $103.2 million for the nine-month period ending July 2, 2021, and $52.2 million for the nine months ending June 26, 2020.

Net income during the fiscal nine-month period increased to $76.5 million, or $7.53 per diluted share, versus $39.7 million, or $3.93 per diluted share, in the prior fiscal year-to-date period. The company’s effective tax rate was 25.3 percent compared to 24.4 percent in the prior-year period.

Other Financial Information
The company reported cash and short-term investments of $249.0 million as of July 2, 2021, versus $181.4 million on June 26, 2020. Depreciation and amortization were $10.0 million compared to $11.5 million in the previous year’s quarter. Capital spending totaled $15.5 million in the fiscal nine-month period compared with $11.4 million in the prior year-to-date period. In May 2021, the company’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of record as of July 15, 2021, which was payable on July 29, 2021.

“At this time, our focus is to manage dynamic supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in order to meet strong demand heading into the end of the fiscal year,” said David W. Johnson, CFO. “Our balance sheet and healthy cash position continue to enable us to invest in strategic opportunities to strengthen the business, while consistently paying dividends to shareholders.”

Photo courtesy Johnson Outdoors/Minn Kota