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 February 1, 2011, Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the Company’s fourth quarter of 2010 and the fiscal year ended January 1, 2011, 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 February 1, 2011. 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 February 1, 2011.

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 FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR; GUIDES TO RECORD REVENUE AND EARNINGS IN FISCAL 2011

Rockford, Michigan, February 1, 2011 — Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW) today reported record revenue and earnings per share for both the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended January 1, 2011. This excellent financial performance underscores the broad strength and consumer appeal of the Company’s portfolio of lifestyle brands.

Reported revenue for the full year was a record $1.249 billion, an increase of 13.4% versus prior year revenue of $1.101 billion. Adjusted earnings per fully diluted share were $2.17, a 22.6% increase compared to 2009 adjusted earnings of $1.77 per share. Both years’ 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 fully diluted earnings for the year were $2.11 per share compared to $1.24 per share in 2009.

Reported revenue for the fourth quarter was a record $385.0 million, a 23.2% increase versus the prior year. Fully diluted earnings in the quarter were a record $0.52 per share, an increase of 15.6% compared to fourth quarter 2009 adjusted diluted earnings of $0.45. The prior year’s adjusted earnings exclude the impact of restructuring charges and other expenses related to the Company’s strategic restructuring plan. Reported earnings for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $0.33 per share.

“We are extremely pleased with the Company’s exceptional financial performance in 2010, highlighted by record revenue and record earnings per share,” said Blake W. Krueger, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “All four branded operating groups contributed to the year’s record results, and all geographic regions delivered double-digit revenue growth. The Company’s fourth quarter performance was also exceptional, and this momentum, coupled with a strong double-digit order backlog and enthusiastic responses to our 2011 product offerings, positions the Company for an excellent 2011.”

— more —

Q4 and Full Year 2010		page 2

Don Grimes, the Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, commented, “The Company’s record financial performance in 2010 is a clear indication of the strength of our portfolio and the discipline with which we manage the business. We remain mindful of the need to deliver superior financial results while still making appropriate investments for the future.”

Highlights for the year:

•

Gross margin for the full year was 39.6%, after adjusting for non-recurring restructuring and related charges included in cost of sales, compared to prior-year adjusted gross margin of 39.7%. Reported gross margin for the full year was 39.5% compared to 2009 reported gross margin of 39.2%.

•

As a percentage of revenue, adjusted operating expenses were 27.8% of revenue, a decrease of 90 basis points compared to the prior year. Full-year operating expenses increased 9.8%, to $347.5 million, after adjusting for non-recurring restructuring and related charges in both years. Reported operating expenses for the full year were $350.3 million compared to 2009 reported operating expenses of $346.1 million.

•

Consolidated inventory at the end of the year was $208.7 million, an increase of 32.0% compared to the prior year. The Company’s inventory level reflects both the excellent outlook for the first half of 2011 and strategic purchases ahead of announced price increases from third-party suppliers.

•

The full-year effective tax rate was 27.1%, reflecting the net benefit from non-recurring adjustments, the settlement of a foreign tax audit and the reinstatement of the research and development tax credit.

•

The Company repurchased 1,795,147 shares during 2010 for an aggregate cost of $51.2 million, or $28.52 per share. The Company continues to maintain a strong balance sheet, with no significant debt and $150.4 million of cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year.

The Company anticipates continued excellent growth across its portfolio of brands. Based on the very positive momentum in the business, the Company currently anticipates:

	•		Fiscal 2011 revenue in the range of $1.350 billion to $1.390 billion, representing growth of 8.1% to 11.3% versus the prior year;
	•		Full-year gross margin in line with the prior-year’s adjusted gross margin, as higher product costs are expected to be offset by strategic price increases and anticipated favorable mix;

— more —

Q4 and Full Year 2010		page 3

•

Modest operating expense leverage;

•

A full-year effective tax rate of 29.0%;

•

Fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding of 49.0 million; and

•

Fully diluted earnings per share in the range of $2.35 to $2.45, representing growth of approximately 8% to 13% versus prior-year adjusted diluted earnings per share (growth of approximately 11% to 16% versus reported earnings per share).

Krueger concluded, “The state of the business has never been better. We have momentum, and opportunities exist for accelerated growth across our entire brand portfolio and all geographic regions. Our Company is known for its fanatical focus on product, and we are very excited about the upcoming launch of the Merrell Barefoot Collection and our brands’ ability to continue capitalizing on the Boot and Vintage Americana trends that are currently dominating footwear. All of these things, and more, put the Company in an enviable position as we look forward to another strong year in 2011.”

The Company will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET 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 February 15, 2011.

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 popular brands including CAT^®, Harley-Davidson^® and Patagonia^®. The Company’s products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in more than 190 countries and territories. For additional information, please visit our website, www.wolverineworldwide.com.

— more —

Q4 and Full Year 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. 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; 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 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)

		4th Quarter Ended								Fiscal Year Ended
		January 1,				January 2,				January 1,				January 2,
		2011				2010				2011				2010
Revenue		$	385,025			$	312,530			$	1,248,517			$	1,101,056
Cost of products sold			242,291				188,523				754,537				663,461
Restructuring and related costs			—				1,234				1,406				5,873
Gross profit			142,734				122,773				492,574				431,722
Gross margin			37.1	%			39.3	%			39.5	%			39.2	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses			111,568				94,197				347,499				316,378
Restructuring and related costs			—				6,897				2,828				29,723
Operating expenses			111,568				101,094				350,327				346,101
Operating profit			31,166				21,679				142,247				85,621
Operating margin			8.1	%			6.9	%			11.4	%			7.8	%
Interest (income) expense, net			247				(112	)			387				111
Other (income), net			(1,288	)			(261	)			(1,366	)			(182	)
			(1,041	)			(373	)			(979	)			(71	)
Earnings before income taxes			32,207				22,052				143,226				85,692
Income taxes			6,560				5,314				38,756				23,780
Net earnings		$	25,647			$	16,738			$	104,470			$	61,912
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.52			$	0.33			$	2.11			$	1.24

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

		January 1,				January 2,
		2011				2010
ASSETS:
Cash & cash equivalents		$	150,400			$	160,439
Receivables			196,457				163,755
Inventories			208,655				158,065
Other current assets			20,871				21,279
Total current assets			576,383				503,538
Property, plant & equipment, net			74,397				73,952
Other assets			132,044				130,443
Total Assets		$	782,824			$	707,933
LIABILITIES & EQUITY:
Current maturities on long-term debt		$	517			$	538
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities			147,628				132,313
Total current liabilities			148,145				132,851
Long-term debt			517				1,077
Other non-current liabilities			90,265				91,972
Stockholders’ equity			543,897				482,033
Total Liabilities & Equity		$	782,824			$	707,933

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

		Fiscal Year Ended
		January 1,				January 2,
		2011				2010
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings		$	104,470			$	61,912
Adjustments necessary to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			16,201				17,621
Deferred income taxes			(1,195	)			(7,845	)
Stock-based compensation expense			10,181				8,473
Pension			17,615				15,891
Restructuring and other transition costs			4,234				35,596
Cash payments related to restructuring			(7,516	)			(20,653	)
Other			1,179				(7,921	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities			(78,922	)			65,535
Net cash provided by operating activities			66,247				168,609
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Business acquisitions			—				(7,954	)
Additions to property, plant and equipment			(16,370	)			(11,670	)
Other			(668	)			(2,679	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(17,038	)			(22,303	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings under revolver			—				(59,500	)
Cash dividends paid			(21,415	)			(21,502	)
Purchase of common stock for treasury			(52,190	)			(6,566	)
Other			16,075				8,324
Net cash used in financing activities			(57,530	)			(79,244	)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes			(1,718	)			3,875
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(10,039	)			70,937
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			160,439				89,502
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	150,400			$	160,439

REVENUE BY OPERATING GROUP
(Unaudited)
($000s)

		4th Quarter Ended
		January 1, 2011								January 2, 2010								Change
		Revenue				% of Total				Revenue				% of Total				$				%
Outdoor Group		$	134,947				35.1	%		$	110,369				35.3	%		$	24,578				22.3	%
Wolverine Footwear Group			97,945				25.4	%			76,759				24.6	%			21,186				27.6	%
Heritage Brands Group			65,101				16.9	%			51,740				16.6	%			13,361				25.8	%
Hush Puppies Group			38,884				10.1	%			33,396				10.7	%			5,488				16.4	%
Other			4,079				1.1	%			2,878				0.8	%			1,201				41.7	%
Total branded footwear, apparel and licensing revenue			340,956				88.6	%			275,142				88.0	%			65,814				23.9	%
Other business units			44,069				11.4	%			37,388				12.0	%			6,681				17.9	%
Total Revenue		$	385,025				100.0	%		$	312,530				100.0	%		$	72,495				23.2	%

		Fiscal Year Ended
		January 1, 2011								January 2, 2010								Change
		Revenue				% of Total				Revenue				% of Total				$				%
Outdoor Group		$	467,612				37.5	%		$	416,165				37.8	%		$	51,447				12.4	%
Wolverine Footwear Group			274,899				22.0	%			233,246				21.2	%			41,653				17.9	%
Heritage Brands Group			222,277				17.8	%			198,289				18.0	%			23,988				12.1	%
Hush Puppies Group			140,279				11.2	%			131,602				11.9	%			8,677				6.6	%
Other			12,577				1.0	%			11,865				1.1	%			712				6.0	%
Total branded footwear, apparel and licensing revenue			1,117,644				89.5	%			991,167				90.0	%			126,477				12.8	%
Other business units			130,873				10.5	%			109,889				10.0	%			20,984				19.1	%
Total Revenue		$	1,248,517				100.0	%		$	1,101,056				100.0	%		$	147,461				13.4	%

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
		4th Quarter Ended				Restructuring and				4th Quarter Ended
		January 2, 2010				Related Costs (a)				January 2, 2010
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.33			$	0.12			$	0.45
		As Reported								As Adjusted
		Fiscal Year Ended				Restructuring and				Fiscal Year Ended
		January 1, 2011				Related Costs (a)				January 1, 2011
Gross profit		$	492,574			$	1,406			$	493,980
Gross margin			39.5	%							39.6	%
Operating expenses		$	350,327			$	(2,828	)		$	347,499
% change from prior year			1.2	%							9.8	%
% of revenue			28.1	%							27.8	%
Diluted earnings per share		$	2.11			$	0.06			$	2.17
		As Reported								As Adjusted
		Fiscal Year Ended				Restructuring and				Fiscal Year Ended
		January 2, 2010				Related Costs (a)				January 2, 2010
Gross profit		$	431,722			$	5,873			$	437,595
Gross margin			39.2	%							39.7	%
Operating expenses		$	346,101			$	(29,723	)		$	316,378
% of revenue			31.4	%							28.7	%
Diluted earnings per share		$	1.24			$	0.53			$	1.77