LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. reported a profit of $560,000, or 8 cents a share, in its first quarter, rebounding from a loss of $650,000, or 10 cents, a year ago. Revenues jumped 31.7 percent to $33.3 million, led by its work/military segment although its outdoor segment management showed a small gain despite the warm weather this past winter.

Sales to the outdoor market were $9.3 million for the quarter, up 2 percent from the same period of 2011. Overall outdoor sales were negatively impacted by unseasonably warm and dry weather conditions, offset by growing demand for the company’s new hiking and lifestyle products.

On a conference call with analysts, Joseph Schneider, president and CEO, said that despite the adverse impact of unusually warm and dry weather during the winter, its outdoor group made good progress in reinvigorating its outdoor product line with new hiking and lifestyle boots to extend the appeal of its LaCrosse and Danner brands across a broader demographic, including a younger consumer and women. The LaCrosse brand's new lifestyle women's line that “has been well-received” and is “generating pre-orders and a buzz for the fall selling season.” Danner is continuing to see demand grow for its outdoor-inspired Heritage styles found in its Stumptown line while its new hiking line “is also seeing positive response with award-winning styles, including the new Mount Defiance and Crater Rim for spring 2012.”  New hunting shoes from Danner are also seeing a good response. The outdoor group also continues to build relationships with new major retailers in North America, citing Nordstrom and J. Crew, while extending its international distribution and growing direct channels

Sales to the work market were $24.0 million, up 50 percent, reflecting fulfillment of a previously announced U.S. military order and growing demand from a variety of non-military government and other niche work markets. Excluding the company’s contract military and discontinued work apparel sales, core work sales in the first quarter of 2012 increased 9 percent. Companywide gross margins were down to 37.9 percent from 41.4 percent, reflecting an increase in U.S. military business and closeout sales.