McRae Industries’ Sales Climb in its Second Quarter

McRae Industries, Inc. reported consolidated net revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 of $21.7 million as compared to $16.7 million a year ago. Net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 amounted to $1.02 million, or 49 cents a share from $711,000, or 35 cents, for the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

The company's footwear brands include McRae, Dingo, Dan Post, Laredo as well as John Deere.

Consolidated net revenues for the first six months of fiscal 2011 totaled $41,417,000 as compared to $33,753,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2010. Net earnings for the first six months of fiscal 2011 amounted to $2,305,000, or $1.08 per diluted Class A common share, as compared to net earnings of $1,748,000, or $.84 per diluted Class A common share, for the first six months of fiscal 2010.

Consolidated net revenues totaled $21.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 as compared to $16.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Revenues from its our western and lifestyle footwear products were $12.4 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 as compared to $11.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2010, as demand for women's fashion related footwear remained strong. Revenues related to our work boot products, which include our licensed, private label, and military boot products, totaled approximately $9.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 as compared to $5.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Revenues from our non-core businesses, primarily the downsized bar code business, were approximately $100,000 for both second quarters of fiscal 2011 and 2010. We expect our western and life style business activity to remain steady for the remainder of fiscal 2011. In addition, we expect our work boot business to continue to grow as the economy improves.

Consolidated gross profit amounted to approximately $5.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 as compared to $4.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Gross profit from our western and lifestyle product sales increased by 10.2%, primarily attributable to the increase in related net revenues. Gross profit from our work boot product sales increased 40% as demand for these products grew. Increased production of military boots for the U. S. Government had a positive impact on per unit manufacturing costs. A decline in gross profit contributions from our non-core businesses had minimal impact on consolidated gross profit.

Consolidated operating costs and expenses totaled approximately $3.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 as compared to nearly $3.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2010. This 8% increase in consolidated operating costs and expenses resulted primarily from higher outlays for sales compensation costs, travel expenses, building rentals, depreciation charges, group health insurance charges, administration salaries, professional fees, and employee benefit charges, which were partially offset by reduced expenditures for sales and marketing costs.

As a result of the above, consolidated operating profit amounted to $1.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 as compared to $1.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

Consolidated net revenues grew from $33.8 million for the first six months of fiscal 2010 to $41.4 million for the first six months of fiscal 2011. Our western and lifestyle product sales increased from $22.7 million for the first six months of fiscal 2010 to $24.9 million for the first six months of fiscal 2011, as demand for these products remained strong. Net revenues from our work boot business grew nearly 52%, up from $10.7 million for the first six months of fiscal 2010 to $16.2 million for the first six months of fiscal 2011. This improvement in work boot products net revenues resulted primarily from a growing economy and an increased demand for military combat boot products. Revenues from our non-core businesses declined nearly $200,000 for the comparative six month periods.

Consolidated gross profit totaled $11.7 million for the first six months of fiscal 2011 as compared to $10.1 million for the first six months of fiscal 2010. Gross profit attributable to our western and lifestyle products totaled $9.0 million for the first six months of fiscal 2011 as compared to $8.2 million for the first six months of fiscal 2010. This increase in gross profit resulted primarily from increased net revenues for our western and lifestyle products. Gross profit attributable to our work boot products grew from $1.8 million for the first six months of fiscal 2010 to $2.6 million for the first six months of fiscal 2011. This growth in gross profit was primarily attributable to the increase in net revenues for our work boot products. Our non-core businesses had a negligible impact on gross profit for the comparative six month periods.

Consolidated operating costs and expenses increased from $7.3 million for the first six months of fiscal 2010 to $8.0 million for the first six months of fiscal 2011. This 10% increase in operating costs and expenses resulted primarily from higher outlays for sales compensation costs, building rentals, travel expenses, depreciation charges, administrative salaries, group health insurance costs, and employee benefit charges attributable to our core footwear operations.

As a result of the above, the consolidated operating profit amounted to $2.8 million for the first six months of fiscal 2010 as compared to $3.7 million for the first six months of fiscal 2011.

Our financial condition remained strong at January 29, 2011 as cash and cash equivalents totaled $9.0 million as compared to $9.9 million at July 31, 2010. Our working capital amounted to $34.5 million at January 29, 2011 as compared to $32.8 million at July 31, 2010.

At January 29, 2011 we maintained two lines of credit with a bank totaling $4.75 million, all of which was available at the end of the second quarter. One credit line totaling $1.75 million (which is restricted to one hundred percent of the outstanding receivables due from the U. S. Government) expires in January 2012. Our $3.0 million line of credit was increased to $5.0 million on March 4, 2011 and it expires in March 2012.

We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operations, and available credit lines will be sufficient to meet our capital requirements for the remainder of fiscal 2011.

For the first six months of fiscal 2010, operating activities used approximately $94,000 of cash. Net earnings, as adjusted for depreciation, provided $2.6 million of cash. Accounts and notes receivable, as adjusted for valuation allowances, used approximately $3.6 million of cash as a result of timing of payments related to significantly increased second quarter sales. Our normal seasonal reduction of inventory levels in our western and lifestyle product lines provided $1.7 million of cash and was partially offset by increased inventory related to our work boot business. Prepaid insurance and a deposit on a new production machine used approximately $911,000 of cash. Income tax refunds provided approximately $462,000 of cash.

Investing activities for the first six months of fiscal 2011 used approximately $478,000 of cash. Capital expenditures, primarily for manufacturing equipment and computer related equipment and software, used $248,000 of cash. Land development costs also used approximately $245,000 of cash.

Dividend payments for the first six months of fiscal 2011 used $370,000 of cash.