Wolverine World Wide Form 8-K - 01/31/07

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  January 31, 2007

Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as
Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

001-06024
(Commission
File Number)

38-1185150
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 



9341 Courtland Drive
Rockford, Michigan

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

49351
(Zip Code)

 


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (616) 866-5500

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





Item 2.02

Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

                    On January 31, 2007, Wolverine World Wide, Inc. issued the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K, which is here incorporated by reference. This Report and the Exhibit are furnished to, and not filed with, the Commission.


Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

 

 

(d)

Exhibits:

 

 

 

 

99.1

Press Release dated January 31, 2007. This Exhibit is furnished to, and not filed with, the Commission.
















- -2-


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 hereunto duly authorized.


Dated:  January 31, 2007

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

/s/  Stephen L. Gulis, Jr.


 

     Stephen L. Gulis, Jr.
     Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
     Officer and Treasurer














- -3-


EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number

 

Document

 

 

 

99.1

 

Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Press Release dated January 31, 2007. This Exhibit is furnished to, and not filed with, the Commission.

Wolverine World Wide Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K - 01/31/07

EXHIBIT 99.1



WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
9341 Courtland Drive, Rockford, MI 49351
Phone (616) 866-5500; FAX (616) 866-0257

 


 


 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Stephen L. Gulis Jr.
(616) 866-5570


WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
ANNOUNCES RECORD FOURTH QUARTER
REVENUE AND EARNINGS WITH EPS UP 16.7%

          Rockford, Michigan, January 31, 2007 - Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW) today reported record revenue and earnings per share for its fourth quarter and 2006 fiscal year, marking its sixth consecutive year of record results.

          "The Company had an exceptional year in 2006 as illustrated by our strong financial performance," stated Timothy J. O'Donovan, the Company's Chairman and CEO. The Company achieved record revenue totaling $1.142 billion for 2006, a 7.6 percent increase over 2005 revenue of $1.061 billion. For the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company reported revenue of $341.7 million, a 6.5 percent increase over fourth quarter 2005 revenue of $321.0 million.

          Fourth quarter 2006 earnings per share increased to $0.42, a 16.7 percent increase over fourth quarter 2005 earnings per share of $0.36. Fiscal 2006 earnings per share grew to a record $1.47, which reflected a 15.7 percent increase over the $1.27 reported in 2005 and exceeded the Company's earnings per share estimate. Included in the fourth quarter and full year 2006 results is a one-time $0.02 per share income tax benefit, resulting from the closure of prior year tax audits.

          According to Blake W. Krueger, President and COO of the Company, "Our business model continues to meet our long-term objectives of generating annual mid to upper-single digit revenue increases while driving earnings per share increases at a double-digit pace. For 2006, all of our four major branded operating groups contributed to the profit increase and three of our four branded groups contributed to the revenue increase. The Outdoor Group set the pace, led by Merrell Footwear which posted strong double-digit revenue and earnings improvements. Our strategy of leveraging a highly-recognized global portfolio of brands delivered consistent growth and a record financial performance for a sixth straight year which resulted in a double-digit earnings per share increase for the fourth consecutive year."



- more -




4Q/YE 2006

page 2



          "In the fourth quarter, gross margin increased 140 basis points in comparison to the same quarter of last year, resulting in a 50 basis point improvement for the full year," reported the Company's CFO, Stephen L. Gulis Jr. "The strong gross margin expansion was offset by increased selling and administrative expenses related to investments in Merrell Apparel and Patagonia Footwear. Operating margin for the full year 2006 exceeded our plan and improved to 10.8 percent."

          "Accounts receivable decreased 2.9 percent on a 6.5 percent revenue gain in the fourth quarter. Inventory increased 14.2 percent with the vast majority of the increase occurring in the Outdoor Group to support the growth of the global Merrell Footwear business and the initial launch of Patagonia Footwear. Our strong operating results generated $108 million of cash from operating activities and our year-end return on assets and return on equity reached record levels."

          Mr. O'Donovan continued, "Our investments in Patagonia Footwear and Merrell Apparel are on plan as we began delivering Patagonia Footwear for the spring season and Merrell Apparel will launch in the third quarter of 2007. Our 2006 year-end backlog is up more than 10 percent over the prior year-end level, and we are confirming our 2007 estimates with a revenue range of $1.200 to $1.230 billion and an earnings per share range of $1.56 to $1.62."

          "We are delivering on our vision 'To Excite Consumers Around The World With Innovative Footwear And Apparel That Bring Style To Purpose.' As our brands continue to be enthusiastically embraced by consumers around the globe, we remain steadfast in our dedication to offering a unique point-of-view to the marketplace with fresh thinking and innovative new products."

          The Company will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. EST today to discuss these results and current business trends. To listen to the call at the Company's website, go to www.wolverineworldwide.com, click on "For Our Investors" in the navigation bar, click on "Conference Call" from the top navigation bar of the "For Our Investors" page, and then click on "Webcast." To listen to the webcast, your computer must have Windows Media Player, which can be downloaded for free at www.wolverineworldwide.com. In addition, the conference call can be heard at www.streetevents.com. A replay of the call will be available at the Company's website through February 13, 2007.



- more -




4Q/YE 2006

page 3



          With a commitment to service and product excellence, Wolverine World Wide, Inc. is one of the world's leading marketers of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport and uniform footwear and apparel. The Company's portfolio of highly recognized brands includes: Bates®, Hush Puppies®, HYTEST®, Merrell®, Sebago® and Wolverine®. The Company also is the exclusive footwear licensee of popular brands including CAT®, Harley-Davidson® and Patagonia®. The Company's products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in over 170 countries. For additional information, please visit our website, www.wolverineworldwide.com.

          This press release contains forward-looking statements, including those relating to 2007 sales and earnings, new business initiatives, corporate growth and expansion into apparel. In addition, words such as "estimates," "expects," "intends," "should," "will," variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions ("Risk Factors") that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what may be expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Risk Factors include, among others: changes in duty structures in countries of import and export including anti-dumping measures in Europe with respect to leather footwear imported from China and Vietnam and safety footwear imported from China and India; changes in consumer preferences or spending patterns; cancellation of orders for future delivery; changes in planned customer demand, re-orders or at-once orders; the availability and pricing of foreign footwear factory capacity; reliance on foreign sourcing; the availability of power, labor and resources in key foreign sourcing countries, including China; the impact of competition and pricing; the impact of changes in the value of foreign currencies, including the Chinese Yuan, and the relative value to the U.S. Dollar; integration and operation of newly acquired and licensed businesses; the development of new initiatives in apparel; retail buying patterns; consolidation in the retail sector; changes in economic and market conditions; acts and effects of war and terrorism; the conclusion of the year-end audit by the independent auditors and any potential adjustments; and additional factors discussed in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and exhibits thereto. Other Risk F actors exist, and new Risk Factors emerge from time to time that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Furthermore, the Company undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements.


# # #








WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
($000's, except per share data)

 

16 Weeks Ended


 

52 Weeks Ended


 

 

December 30,
2006


 

December 31,
2005


 

December 30,
2006


 

December 31,
2005


 

Revenue

$

341,739

 

$

321,002

 

$

1,141,887

 

$

1,060,999

 

Cost of products sold


 


214,022


 

 


205,324


 

 


700,349


 

 


655,800


 

     Gross margin

 

127,717

 

 

115,678

 

 

441,538

 

 

405,199

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expenses


 


95,180


 

 


83,404


 

 


318,243


 

 


291,891


 

     Operating margin

 

32,537

 

 

32,274

 

 

123,295

 

 

113,308

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest (income) expense, net

 

(217

)

 

619

 

 

(203

)

 

1,911

 

Other expense (income)


 


287


 

 


322


 

 


1,206


 

 


150


 

 

 


70


 

 


941


 

 


1,003


 

 


2,061


 

     Earnings before income taxes

 

32,467

 

 

31,333

 

 

122,292

 

 

111,247

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 


8,823


 

 


10,889


 

 


38,645


 

 


36,780


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings


$


23,644


 

$


20,444


 

$


83,647


 

$


74,467


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share


$


.42


 

$


.36


 

$


1.47


 

$


1.27


 


CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
($000's)

 

December 30,
2006


 

December 31,
2005


 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Cash & cash equivalents

$

124,663

 

$

85,258

 

     Receivables

 

152,608

 

 

157,119

 

     Inventories

 

184,259

 

 

161,347

 

     Other current assets

 


23,783


 

 


17,024


 

          Total current assets

 

485,313

 

 

420,748

 

     Plant & equipment, net

 

87,952

 

 

93,202

 

     Other assets

 


97,827


 

 


112,630


 

          Total Assets

$


671,092


 

$


626,580


 

LIABILITIES & EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Current maturities on long-term debt

$

10,730

 

$

10,972

 

     Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

 


110,185


 

 


93,065


 

          Total current liabilities

 

120,915

 

 

104,037

 

     Long-term debt

 

10,741

 

 

21,439

 

     Other non-current liabilities

 

34,877

 

 

38,783

 

     Stockholders' equity

 


504,559


 

 


462,321


 

          Total Liabilities & Equity

$


671,092


 

$


626,580