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

Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-06024		38-1185150
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

9341 Courtland Drive Rockford, Michigan		49351
(Address of principal executive offices)		(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:

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 5, 2010, Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the Company’s third quarter of 2010, attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K (the “8-K”), which is here incorporated by reference. This 8-K and Exhibit 99.1 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 5, 2010. 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.

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.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number				Document
	99.1			Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Press Release dated October 5, 2010.

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: Don Grimes
(616) 863-4404

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. ANNOUNCES RECORD
PERFORMANCE FOR THIRD QUARTER 2010; RAISES
FULL-YEAR EARNINGS GUIDANCE

Rockford, Michigan, October 5, 2010 — Wolverine World Wide, Inc. today reported record sales and earnings per share for the third quarter of 2010. The Company has now delivered record earnings per share for three consecutive quarters.

Revenue totaled a record $320.4 million in the quarter ended September 11, 2010, an increase of 11.7% versus the prior year. A slightly stronger U.S. dollar in the quarter reduced revenue growth by 1.1%.

Diluted earnings per share increased 12.9% to a record $0.70 per share, compared to 2009 adjusted earnings of $0.62 per share. The prior year’s adjusted earnings exclude the impact of restructuring charges and other expenses related to the Company’s strategic restructuring plan that was completed in the second quarter of 2010. Reported earnings for the third quarter 2009 were $0.54 per share.

“The momentum in our business continues to build, and we are pleased to report excellent results for the third quarter, with record performance in both revenue and earnings per share,” stated Blake W. Krueger, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our standout financial performance was broad-based, with all of our branded business units, including the consumer direct and leathers divisions, contributing to the strong revenue increase. Additionally, the Outdoor Group, Heritage Brands Group and Wolverine Footwear Group all delivered strong double-digit increases in operating profit. The actions we took last year to position the Company for accelerated growth coming out of a recessionary environment are having the intended beneficial impact.”

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Q3 2010		page 2

Don Grimes, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, commented, “The Company’s proven multi-brand, multi-geography and multi-distribution channel business model remains one of our key competitive advantages. The quarter’s excellent financial performance underscores both the strength of our business model and the Company’s continued focus on delivering solid returns to our shareholders.”

Highlights for the quarter:

	•		Gross margin in the quarter was 40.1%, essentially flat compared to the prior year’s gross margin of 40.2%, adjusted for restructuring and related charges. Selected selling price increases and a positive shift in channel and geographic mix helped offset the impact of modestly higher product and freight costs. Reported gross margin for third quarter 2009 was 39.7%.
	•		Operating expenses in the quarter were $80.7 million, up 9.0% versus the prior year, excluding restructuring and related charges. The increase in operating expenses was driven by planned investments in key strategic growth initiatives and included a 24% increase in marketing spend across the portfolio. These important investments were partially offset by continued discipline in general and administrative expenses, which were down 5.3% versus the prior year. Reported operating expenses for third quarter 2009 were $77.8 million.
	•		Accounts receivable at the end of the quarter were up 6.7%, well below the quarter’s 11.7% revenue increase. Days sales outstanding at quarter end decreased notably versus the prior year, to 58.3. Consolidated inventory at the end of the quarter was up $24.6 million, or 13.3%, compared to the prior year. After four consecutive quarters of year-over-year inventory decreases, this quarter’s inventory increase reflects strong year-to-date revenue growth and the excellent prospects for the business going forward.
	•		The Company repurchased 158,700 of its own shares in the quarter for an aggregate cost of $4.0 million. The Company continues to maintain a solid balance sheet, with no significant debt and $95.3 million of cash and cash equivalents at the end of the third quarter.

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Q3 2010		page 3

Based on the strength of the financial performance during the first three quarters of the year, the Company is adjusting its full-year revenue guidance to a range of $1.200 to $1.220 billion, representing growth of 9.0% to 10.8% versus the prior year. The Company is also increasing its full-year earnings outlook to a range of $2.04 to $2.08 per share, excluding restructuring and related charges of $0.06 per share. This range represents growth of 15.3% to 17.5% versus the prior year’s adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.77. Reported earnings per diluted share are anticipated in the range of $1.98 to $2.02 compared to prior year reported earnings per share of $1.24.

Krueger concluded, “We are very optimistic about the future, as the first three quarters of 2010 have signaled a return to accelerated growth for our Company. While the consumer recovery is not as robust or as steady as many predicted, we continue to be encouraged by the eagerness with which both our retail partners and consumers are embracing our global lifestyle brands. Our order backlog is exceptionally strong, and we remain focused on delivering innovation and performance in everything we do.”

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 on “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 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 October 19, 2010.

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^®, Chaco^®, Cushe^™, Hush Puppies^®, HYTEST^®, Merrell^®, Sebago^® Soft Style^® and Wolverine^®. The Company also is the exclusive footwear licensee of the well-known brands CAT^®, Harley-Davidson^® and Patagonia^®. The Company’s products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in 180 countries and territories. For additional information, please visit our website, www.wolverineworldwide.com.

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Q3 2010		page 4

This press release contains forward-looking statements. In addition, words such as “estimates,” “anticipates”, “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. Current uncertainty in global economic conditions makes it particularly difficult to predict product demand and other related matters and makes it more likely that the Company’s actual results could differ materially from expectations. Risk Factors include, among others: the Company’s ability to successfully develop brands and businesses; changes in duty structures in countries of import and export including anti-dumping measures in Europe and other countries; trade defense actions by countries; the Company’s ability to implement and recognize benefits from tax planning strategies; 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 and the relative value to the U.S. Dollar; 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 international conflict 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 CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
($000s, except per share data)

		12 Weeks Ended								36 Weeks Ended
		September 11,				September 12,				September 11,				September 12,
		2010				2009				2010				2009
Revenue		$	320,396			$	286,764			$	863,492			$	788,526
Cost of products sold			191,825				171,498				512,245				474,939
Restructuring and related costs			—				1,301				1,406				4,639
Gross profit			128,571				113,965				349,841				308,948
Gross margin			40.1	%			39.7	%			40.5	%			39.2	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses			80,670				74,015				235,930				222,158
Restructuring and related costs			—				3,787				2,828				22,826
Operating expenses			80,670				77,802				238,758				244,984
Operating profit			47,901				36,163				111,083				63,964
Operating margin			15.0	%			12.6	%			12.9	%			8.1	%
Interest expense, net			56				15				141				223
Other (income) expense, net			(244	)			(333	)			(79	)			79
			(188	)			(318	)			62				302
Earnings before income taxes			48,089				36,481				111,021				63,662
Income taxes			13,946				9,687				32,197				18,467
Net earnings		$	34,143			$	26,794			$	78,824			$	45,195
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.70			$	0.54			$	1.59			$	0.91

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

		September 11,				September 12,
		2010				2009
ASSETS:
Cash & cash equivalents		$	95,305			$	78,539
Receivables			238,524				223,453
Inventories			208,534				183,983
Other current assets			19,847				24,352
Total current assets			562,210				510,327
Property, plant & equipment, net			71,501				75,741
Other assets			131,096				121,536
Total Assets		$	764,807			$	707,604
LIABILITIES & EQUITY:
Current maturities on long-term debt		$	513			$	556
Revolving credit agreement			—				9,900
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities			163,638				148,398
Total current liabilities			164,151				158,854
Long-term debt			513				1,112
Other non-current liabilities			91,623				75,143
Stockholders’ equity			508,520				472,495
Total Liabilities & Equity		$	764,807			$	707,604

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
REVENUE BY OPERATING GROUP
(Unaudited)
($000s)

		12 Weeks Ended
		September 11, 2010								September 12, 2009								Change
		Revenue				% of Total				Revenue				% of Total				$				%
Outdoor Group		$	121,293				37.9	%		$	114,855				40.1	%		$	6,438				5.6	%
Wolverine Footwear Group			65,447				20.4	%			53,357				18.6	%			12,090				22.7	%
Heritage Brands Group			63,456				19.8	%			55,293				19.3	%			8,163				14.8	%
Hush Puppies Group			36,552				11.4	%			36,411				12.7	%			141				0.4	%
Other			3,154				1.0	%			2,887				0.9	%			267				9.2	%
Total branded footwear, apparel and licensing revenue			289,902				90.5	%			262,803				91.6	%			27,099				10.3	%
Other business units			30,494				9.5	%			23,961				8.4	%			6,533				27.3	%
Total Revenue		$	320,396				100.0	%		$	286,764				100.0	%		$	33,632				11.7	%

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
($000s)

		36 Weeks Ended
		September 11,				September 12,
		2010				2009
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings		$	78,824			$	45,195
Adjustments necessary to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			11,869				13,011
Deferred income taxes			(562	)			(822	)
Stock-based compensation expense			6,840				6,356
Pension			11,275				10,726
Restructuring and other transition costs			4,234				27,465
Cash payments related to restructuring			(6,185	)			(14,608	)
Other			7,326				(11,376	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities			(105,959	)			(4,874	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			7,662				71,073
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Business acquisitions			—				(7,954	)
Additions to property, plant and equipment			(9,244	)			(7,440	)
Other			(1,552	)			(1,876	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(10,796	)			(17,270	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings under revolver			—				(49,600	)
Cash dividends paid			(16,115	)			(16,105	)
Purchase of common stock for treasury			(52,164	)			(6,197	)
Other			8,800				3,871
Net cash used in financing activities			(59,479	)			(68,031	)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes			(2,521	)			3,265
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(65,134	)			(10,963	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			160,439				89,502
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	95,305			$	78,539

As required by the Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation G, the following tables contain information regarding the non-GAAP adjustments used by the Company in the presentation of its financial results:

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED FINANCIAL RESULTS TO ADJUSTED FINANCIAL
RESULTS, EXCLUDING RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED COSTS*
(Unaudited)
($000s, except per share data)

		As Reported								As Adjusted
		12 Weeks Ended				Restructuring and				12 Weeks Ended
		September 12, 2009				Related Costs(a)				September 12, 2009
Gross profit		$	113,965			$	1,301			$	115,266
Gross margin			39.7	%							40.2	%
Operating expenses		$	77,802			$	(3,787	)		$	74,015
% of revenue			27.1	%							25.8	%
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.54			$	0.08			$	0.62

RECONCILIATION OF EPS GUIDANCE TO ADJUSTED EPS GUIDANCE, EXCLUDING
RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED COSTS*
(Unaudited)

		Full-Year 2010						Full-Year 2010
		Guidance		Restructuring and				Guidance
		(GAAP Basis)		Related Costs(a)				As Adjusted
Diluted earnings per share		$1.98 - $2.02		$	0.06			$	2.04 - $2.08