Rocky Shoes and boots reported that second quarter sales and income doubled due to their acquisition of EJ Footwear. However, on an organic basis, Rocky sales were relatively flat, only climbing 0.4% during the quarter to $27.5 million, and falling 0.4% to $49.1 million for the first half of the year.

The acquisition of EJ also boosted the company’s gross margins during the second quarter to 39.3% of sales compared to 28.3% last year. Rocky management said that the 1100 basis point increase was primarily due to sales of EJ Footwear product which carry a higher gross margin than Rocky products. The gains in gross margin were mostly offset by gains in SG&A expenses, which were up 10 full percentage points to 29.7% of sales compared to 19.7% of sales, a year ago. This increase was also associated with the EJ Footwear business.

Rocky’s management said that the company “remains comfortable” with its previously issued guidance of net sales climbing roughly 125% to end the year in the range of $300 million to $305 million compared to sales of $132.2 million last year. Earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $2.55 to $2.65, compared to last year when earnings per share were $1.74.