Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Form 8-K - 07-09-08

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):  July 9, 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 July 9, 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 July 9, 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:

July 9, 2008

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
(Registrant)

     
     
     
    /s/ Donald T. Grimes
   

     Donald T. Grimes
     Senior 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 July 9, 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 - 07-09-08

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:  Donald T. Grimes
(616) 863-4404


WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. REPORTS
RECORD REVENUE AND EARNINGS PER SHARE
FOR 24TH CONSECUTIVE QUARTER


          Rockford, Michigan, July 9, 2008 - Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW) today reported record revenue and earnings per share for the second quarter of 2008, which represents the Company's 24th consecutive quarter of record results.

          Revenue totaled $267.4 million in the quarter ended June 14, 2008, a 6.8% increase over revenue of $250.3 million in the prior year. Earnings per share grew 17.9% to $0.33 versus $0.28 in the second quarter of 2007. For the first half of 2008, revenue reached $555.6 million, a 4.6% gain over the $531.4 million reported for the first half of 2007. Earnings per share grew to $0.79 per share, up 17.9% from $0.67 per share for the same period of 2007.

          Blake W. Krueger, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and President commented, "We are pleased to report another record quarter for the Company, particularly in light of the generally tough economic conditions in several major global markets. Our strong financial results were broad-based -- all four of our branded operating groups contributed to the revenue increase as consumers around the world continued to embrace the style, performance and innovation of the lifestyle brands in the Wolverine portfolio. Our revenue increase was also geographically diverse, as all global regions reported sales increases in the quarter.

          "We are proud of the Company's solid financial performance in the first half of 2008. Our business model of operating multiple brands across a broad array of global markets and distribution channels continues to produce excellent results in a challenging business environment. The innovative product offerings from our eight great brands are in demand with consumers in nearly 200 countries and territories around the world."



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2Q 2008

page 2

          Don Grimes, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, commented, "Gross margin in the second quarter of 2008 increased modestly to 38.3%, as benefits from foreign currency translation were offset by increased product and freight costs. Year-to-date gross margin grew to 40.3%, an improvement of 88 basis points compared to the prior year. Operating margin of 9.7% for the second quarter of 2008 improved 27 basis points over the second quarter of 2007. This improvement reflects continued tight control on operating expenses, which decreased 13 basis points as a percentage of sales compared to the prior year. We are pleased with our operating margin expansion given the continuing investment in our brand marketing and product initiatives.

          "Inventory levels were down 7.0% compared to last year, as sound inventory management programs were successfully executed in the quarter. Our second quarter accounts receivable increased 12.8% due to the strong quarterly sales performance, particularly in the latter half of the quarter. We repurchased 209,700 shares of stock in the quarter for $5.9 million and ended the second quarter with a cash balance of $77.9 million."

          Krueger concluded, "The Company's impressive second quarter performance is a testament to our team's focused execution of our global brand strategy. In light of the challenging retail environment, we were pleased that our order backlog was up in the mid single-digit range at the end of the second quarter. Our business model continues to deliver record financial results."

          The Company is maintaining its full year 2008 revenue guidance of $1.23 to $1.26 billion and its earnings per share range of $1.83 to $1.90, representing growth of 7.6% to 11.8% over the $1.70 reported for 2007.

          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 July 23, 2008.



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2Q 2008

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 200 countries and territories. 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 and corporate growth. 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; the development of 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


 

24 Weeks Ended


 
 

June 14,
2008


 

June 16,
2007


 

June 14,
2008


 

June 16,
2007


 

Revenue

$

267,362

 

$

250,329

 

$

555,600

 

$

531,381

 

Cost of products sold

 

164,963


   

154,801


   

331,640


   

321,852


 

    Gross profit

 

102,399

   

95,528

   

223,960

   

209,529

 

    Gross margin

 

38.3%

   

38.2%

   

40.3%

   

39.4%

 
                         

Selling and administrative expenses

 

76,511


   

71,962


   

161,803


   

153,297


 

    Operating profit

 

25,888

   

23,566

   

62,157

   

56,232

 

    Operating margin

 

9.7%

   

9.4%

   

11.2%

   

10.6%

 
                         

Interest (income) expense, net

 

302

   

(104

)

 

365

   

(795

)

Other expense

 

312


   

332


   

879


   

172


 
   

614


   

228


   

1,244


   

(623


)

    Earnings before income taxes

 

25,274

   

23,338

   

60,913

   

56,855

 
                         

Income taxes

 

8,462


   

7,820


   

20,400


   

19,047


 
                         

Net earnings

$


16,812


 

$


15,518


 

$


40,513


 

$


37,808


 
                         

Diluted earnings per share

$


.33


 

$


.28


 

$


.79


 

$


.67


 

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


 

June 14,
2008


 

June 16,
2007


ASSETS:

         

    Cash & cash equivalents

$

77,923

 

$

77,036

    Receivables

 

195,572

   

173,437

    Inventories

 

171,731

   

184,743

    Other current assets

 

23,388


   

24,843


        Total current assets

 

468,614

   

460,059

    Property, plant & equipment, net

 

84,388

   

86,658

    Other assets

 

110,140


   

99,965


        Total Assets

$


663,142


 

$


646,682


LIABILITIES & EQUITY:

         

    Current maturities on long-term debt

$

10,725

 

$

10,730

    Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

 

120,527


   

115,298


        Total current liabilities

 

131,252

   

126,028

    Long-term debt

 

30,500

   

10,735

    Other non-current liabilities

 

36,901

   

34,447

    Stockholders' equity

 

464,489


   

475,472


        Total Liabilities & Equity

$


663,142


 

$


646,682