Wolverine World Wide Form 8-K - 10/03/07

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):  October 3, 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 October 3, 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 shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.


Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

 

 

(d)

Exhibits:

 

 

 

 

99.1

Press Release dated October 3, 2007. This Exhibit shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.









- -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:  October 3, 2007

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

/s/  Stephen L. Gulis, Jr.


 

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










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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number

 

Document

 

 

 

99.1

 

Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Press Release dated October 3, 2007. This Exhibit shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Wolverine World Wide Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K - 10/03/07

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 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
AND INCREASES 2007 EARNINGS ESTIMATE

          Rockford, Michigan, October 3, 2007 - Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW) today reported record revenue and earnings for its third quarter of 2007, and increased its full- year 2007 earnings per share estimate.

          Third quarter 2007 revenue totaled $310.2 million, a 3.8 percent increase over third quarter 2006 revenue of $298.9 million. Earnings per share for the third quarter of 2007 were $0.54 compared to $0.46 reported for the third quarter of 2006, an increase of 17.4 percent.

          For the first three quarters of 2007, revenue reached $841.5 million, a 5.2 percent gain over the $800.2 million reported for the first three quarters of 2006. Earnings per share for the first three quarters of 2007 grew to $1.21 per share, up 15.2 percent from $1.05 per share for the same period of 2006.

          "We are pleased to have achieved another record quarter, with strong contributions across our branded footwear groups," stated Blake W. Krueger, the Company's CEO and President. "Our performance represents our 21st consecutive quarter of both record revenue and earnings per share. The Hush Puppies Company, the Heritage Brands Group, the Outdoor Group and the Wolverine brand all contributed to the record earnings gains in the quarter. The Merrell brand continued its portfolio-leading performance by posting double-digit gains in both revenue and earnings.

          "Our decision to focus on our portfolio of highly recognized global brands and transition out of our lower margin businesses reduced our revenue increase in the quarter, but also contributed to our significant gross margin improvement. This action, combined with anticipated lower leather demand, reduced our third quarter revenue increase by more than $15 million. Revenue gains in our core businesses more than offset these reductions.


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3Q 2007

Page 2


          "Our business strategy, which is focused on building a strong portfolio of global consumer brands, continues to drive record performance. Our diverse brands are now marketed in nearly 180 countries reaching a variety of consumers through a flexible distribution channel strategy. This diversity helps insulate us from volatility in any particular market or channel, and enables the Company to reward our shareholders with consistent financial performance."

          "Our operating model continues to generate strong results, as evidenced by the strong earnings gain and gross margin expansion in the quarter," stated the Company's CFO, Stephen L. Gulis Jr. "Gross margin expanded 100 basis points reflecting a better business mix and, combined with a 10 basis point decrease in expenses, drove 110 basis points of improvement in operating margin. Our balance sheet remains strong with inventories being reduced 3.4 percent and a cash balance of approximately $25 million."

          Mr. Krueger continued, "The order backlog for footwear at the end of the third quarter was up more than 11 percent. Due to the Company's strong third quarter results, and current backlog position, we are increasing the Company's 2007 earnings per share estimate. We now expect earnings per share to range from $1.63 to $1.65 for the full year, up from our previous estimate of $1.60 to $1.64. We are maintaining our 2007 revenue range at $1.200 to $1.230 billion and still expect revenue to be at the lower end of the range.

          "Looking ahead to 2008, our initial estimates are for revenue to range from $1.245 to $1.275 billion and earnings per share to range from $1.78 to $1.84. Our 2008 estimates are in line with our stated long-term financial objectives of growing revenue in the mid to upper single-digit range and generating double-digit earnings per share growth. We will continue to invest in future growth initiatives in 2008 while driving further operating leverage."

          The Company will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. EDT 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 "Investors" in the navigation bar, and then click "Webcast" from the top navigation bar of the "Investors" page. To listen to the webcast, your computer must have Windows Media Player, which can be downloaded for free on the Wolverine World Wide website. 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 October 17, 2007.


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3Q 2007

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. 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 nearly 180 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; trade defense actions by countries; 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; regulatory or other changes affecting the supply of materials used in manufacturing; 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; weather; and additional factors discussed in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and exhibits thereto. Other Risk Factors 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)

 

12 Weeks Ended


 

36 Weeks Ended


 

September 8,
2007


 

September 9,
2006


 

September 8,
2007


 

September 9,
2006


Revenue

$

310,168

 

$

298,856

 

$

841,549

 

$

800,150

Cost of products sold

 

185,216


   

181,314


   

507,068


   

486,329


   Gross margin

 

124,952

   

117,542

   

334,481

   

313,821

                       

Selling and administrative expenses

 

80,548


   

78,079


   

233,845


   

223,063


   Operating margin

 

44,404

   

39,463

   

100,636

   

90,758

                       

Interest (income) expense, net

 

(179

)

 

(122

)

 

(973

)

 

16

Other expense

 

252


   

452


   

424


   

917


   

73


   

330


   

(549


)

 

933


   Earnings before income taxes

 

44,331

   

39,133

   

101,185

   

89,825

                       

Income taxes

 

14,848


   

12,993


   

33,895


   

29,823


                       

Net earnings

$


29,483


 

$


26,140


 

$


67,290


 

$


60,002


                       

Diluted earnings per share

$


.54


 

$


.46


 

$


1.21


 

$


1.05




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

 

September 8,
2007


 

September 9,
2006


ASSETS:

         

   Cash & cash equivalents

$

24,770

 

$

70,339

   Receivables

 

235,525

   

218,034

   Inventories

 

198,318

   

205,318

   Other current assets

 

25,616


   

20,480


      Total current assets

 

484,229

   

514,171

   Plant & equipment, net

 

86,026

   

89,395

   Other assets

 

102,158


   

112,704


      Total Assets

$


672,413


 

$


716,270


LIABILITIES & EQUITY:

         

   Current maturities on long-term debt

$

10,730

 

$

10,730

   Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

 

141,460


   

146,076


      Total current liabilities

 

152,190

   

156,806

   Long-term debt

 

10,731

   

21,461

   Other non-current liabilities

 

36,052

   

39,976

   Stockholders' equity

 

473,440


   

498,027


      Total Liabilities & Equity

$


672,413


 

$


716,270