Wolverine World Wide Form 8-K - 01/30/08

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 30, 2008

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 30, 2008, 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 January 30, 2008. 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.








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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 30, 2008

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 January 30, 2008. 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 - 01/30/08

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%;
INCREASES 2008 EARNINGS ESTIMATE

          Rockford, Michigan, January 30, 2008 - Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW) today reported record revenue and earnings per share for its fourth quarter and 2007 fiscal year, marking its seventh consecutive year of both record revenue and earnings per share. The Company also increased its earnings per share estimate for 2008.

          "Our exceptional financial performance in 2007 underscores the strength of our global business model," stated Blake W. Krueger, the Company's CEO and President. "Wolverine has a unique operating platform consisting of a powerful portfolio of eight lifestyle brands, a broad geographic reach that spans 180 countries and a diverse global distribution strategy which focuses on many different consumer groups around the world. Our business model has enabled us to consistently deliver growth and record earnings per share, even in the face of macroeconomic headwinds. In 2007, our revenue and earnings increases were broad-based with all major geographic regions experiencing growth."

          Fourth quarter 2007 earnings per share increased to $0.49, a 16.7 percent increase over fourth quarter 2006 earnings per share of $0.42. Fiscal 2007 earnings per share grew to a record $1.70, achieving a 15.6 percent increase over the $1.47 reported in 2006 and exceeded the upper-end of the Company's earnings per share estimate by $0.05.

          The Company achieved record revenue totaling $1.199 billion for 2007, a 5.0 percent increase over 2006 revenue of $1.142 billion. For the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company reported revenue of $357.4 million, a 4.6 percent increase over fourth quarter 2006 revenue of $341.7 million.

          Continued Krueger, "Overall, the Outdoor Group set the pace with the Merrell business posting robust double-digit increases in both revenue and earnings for the year. Merrell enters 2008 with very positive momentum in all geographic regions. Excluding our businesses in transition, the Hush Puppies Company, Heritage Brands Group and Wolverine Footwear Group all posted revenue gains for the year. "


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4Q/YE 2007

page 2



          "In the fourth quarter, gross margin increased 110 basis points compared to the same quarter of last year, helping to contribute to a 70 basis point improvement for the full year," reported the Company's CFO, Stephen L. Gulis Jr. "Operating margin for the full year 2007 significantly exceeded our plan and grew to 11.6 percent, reflecting the strong gross margin improvement.

          "Inventory was down 10.0 percent at year-end and our solid operating results generated approximately $128 million of cash from operating activities. Our return on assets and return on equity reached record levels, and the Company's overall financial position has never been stronger."

          Mr. Krueger continued, "Our 2007 year-end order backlog was up nearly 10 percent over the prior year-end level, and our business model continues to deliver expanding operating margin and improved financial metrics in a challenging consumer environment. We now expect revenue for 2008 to range from $1.230 to $1.260 billion. Based on the strength of our performance and the confidence we have in the breadth and diversity of our global business model, we are increasing our 2008 earnings per share estimate from our previously announced range of $1.78 to $1.84, to a range of $1.80 to $1.88."

          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, 2008.










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4Q/YE 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 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 nearly 180 countries. For additional information, please visit our website, www.wolverineworldwide.com.

          This press release contains forward-looking statements, including those relating to projected 2008 sales and earnings, the Company's business model, 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)

 

16 Weeks Ended


 

52 Weeks Ended


 

 

December 29,
2007


 

December 30,
2006


 

December 29,
2007


 

December 30,
2006


 

Revenue

$

357,423

 

$

341,735

 

$

1,198,972

 

$

1,141,887

 

Cost of products sold

 


219,973


 

 


214,019


 

 


727,041


 

 


700,349


 

     Gross margin

 

137,450

 

 

127,716

 

 

471,931

 

 

441,538

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expenses

 


99,306


 

 


95,179


 

 


333,151


 

 


318,243


 

     Operating margin

 

38,144

 

 

32,537

 

 

138,780

 

 

123,295

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest (income) expense, net

 

309

 

 

(217

)

 

(664

)

 

(202

)

Other expense

 


449


 

 


287


 

 


873


 

 


1,205


 

 

 


758


 

 


70


 

 


209


 

 


1,003


 

     Earnings before income taxes

 

37,386

 

 

32,467

 

 

138,571

 

 

122,292

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 


11,790


 

 


8,823


 

 


45,685


 

 


38,645


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

$


25,596


 

$


23,644


 

$


92,886


 

$


83,647


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

$


.49


 

$


.42


 

$


1.70


 

$


1.47


 



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

 

December 29,
2007


 

December 30,
2006


ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

     Cash & cash equivalents

$

76,087

 

$

124,663

     Receivables

 

179,934

 

 

152,608

     Inventories

 

165,925

 

 

184,259

     Other current assets

 


24,168


 

 


23,783


          Total current assets

 

446,114

 

 

485,313

     Property, plant & equipment, net

 

85,417

 

 

87,952

     Other assets

 


108,204


 

 


97,827


          Total Assets

$


639,735


 

$


671,092


LIABILITIES & EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

     Current maturities on long-term debt

$

10,731

 

$

10,730

     Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

 


112,905


 

 


110,185


          Total current liabilities

 

123,636

 

 

120,915

     Long-term debt

 

-

 

 

10,741

     Other non-current liabilities

 

36,967

 

 

34,877

     Stockholders' equity

 


479,132


 

 


504,559


          Total Liabilities & Equity

$


639,735


 

$


671,092