CONTACT:
Rocky Shoes & Boots, Inc.
Jim McDonald
Chief Financial Officer
(740) 753-1951 |
Investor Relations:
Integrated Corporate Relations, Inc.
Brendon E. Frey/Chad A. Jacobs
(203) 682-8200 |
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Media Relations:
Integrated Corporate Relations, Inc.
Megan McDonnell
(203) 682-8200 |
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NELSONVILLE, Ohio --May 5, 2005-- Rocky Shoes & Boots, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCKY) today announced record financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2005.
For the three months ended March 31, 2005, net sales increased 181% to a record $61.5 million compared to $21.9 million for the corresponding period a year ago. Net income rose to a record $1.1 million versus net income of $0.1 million and diluted earnings per share increased to $0.20 versus $0.01 last year.
On January 6, 2005, Rocky Shoe & Boots, Inc. completed the acquisition of EJ Footwear Group. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2005 represent the performance of the consolidated company, while the year ago results reflect Rocky Shoe & Boots on a stand-alone basis.
Mike Brooks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rocky Shoes & Boots, stated, "Our record first quarter performance highlights the strength of EJ's portfolio of brands as well as the continued growth of our Rocky branded business. These results reflect our strategic decision to acquire EJ Footwear, which in turn has allowed us to significantly enhance sales and earnings and further reduce the seasonality of our business. We are very pleased with the progress we have made integrating our two organizations and we look forward to taking full advantage of the many synergies that still lie ahead."
First Quarter Results
Net sales for the first quarter increased 181% to $61.5 million compared to $21.9 million a year ago. The first quarter results reflect the acquisition of EJ Footwear, which contributed $39.9 million in revenue during the three month period ended March 31, 2005.
Gross margin in the first quarter of 2005 increased to $24.2 million, or 39.4% of sales, from $5.6 million or 25.7% of sales, for the same period last year. The 1370 basis point increase was primarily due to sales of EJ Footwear product which carry a higher gross margin than Rocky products, as well as a decrease in shipments to the U.S. military in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2004. Military boots are sold at lower gross margins than branded products.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $20.7 million, or 33.6% of sales for the first quarter of 2005 compared to $5.3 million, or 24.3% of sales, a year ago. The increase is primarily a result of higher SG&A associated with the EJ Footwear business.
Income from operations increased to $3.5 million or 5.8% of net sales for the period from $0.3 million or 1.3% of net sales in the prior year.
Funded Debt and Interest Expense
The Company's funded debt at March 31, 2005 was $98.1 million versus $14.5 million at March 31, 2004. The year-over-year increase was principally due to borrowings under the credit facility to fund the purchase of EJ Footwear. Interest expense increased to $1.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 versus $0.3 million for same period last year, primarily due to the increase in borrowings.
Inventory
Inventory increased to $69.3 million at March 31, 2005 compared with $35.1 million on the same date a year ago due to the acquisition of EJ Footwear.
Outlook
The Company stated it remains comfortable with its previously issued guidance for fiscal 2005 of net sales in the range of $300 million to $305 million and earnings per share in the range of $2.55 to $2.65.
Mr. Brooks concluded, "We have begun fiscal 2005 with positive momentum and solid financial results. We are excited about the opportunities that we have created in the marketplace and move forward dedicated to executing a strategy that will allow us to fully maximize the strength of our assets and expand our business into the future."
About Rocky Shoes & Boots, Inc.
Rocky Shoes & Boots, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures and markets premium quality rugged outdoor, occupational, and casual footwear, as well as branded apparel and accessories. The Company's footwear, apparel and accessories are marketed through several distribution channels, primarily under owned brands, ROCKY® and GATES®, and as a result of the acquisition of EJ Footwear, GEORGIA BOOT®, LEHIGH®, DURANGO, and the licensed brand DICKIES®.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Those statements include, but may not be limited to, all statements regarding intent, beliefs, expectations, projections, forecasts, and plans of the Company and its management, and include statements in this press release regarding future synergies from the EJ Footwear acquisition (paragraph 4) and management's sales and earnings guidance for fiscal 2005 (paragraph 11). These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the various risks inherent in the Company's business as set forth in periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. One or more of these factors have affected historical results, and could in the future affect the Company's businesses and financial results in future periods and could cause actual results to differ materially from plans and projections. Therefore there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the Company, or any other person should not regard the inclusion of such information as a representation, that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. All forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on information presently available to the management of the Company. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Rocky Shoes & Boots, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2005 2004
---- ----
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
NET SALES $61,498,084 $21,882,089
COST OF GOODS SOLD 37,290,212 16,263,485
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GROSS MARGIN 24,207,872 5,618,604
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 20,661,683 5,327,691
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INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 3,546,189 290,913
OTHER INCOME AND (EXPENSES):
Interest expense (1,881,210) (258,573)
Other - net (6,630) 74,206
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Total other - net (1,887,840) (184,367)
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INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX 1,658,349 106,546
INCOME TAX 563,895 34,095
----------- -----------
NET INCOME $1,094,454 $72,451
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NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic $0.21 $0.02
Diluted $0.20 $0.01
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES
OUTSTANDING
Basic 5,163,271 4,428,023
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Diluted 5,588,653 4,971,569
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ROCKY SHOES & BOOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, March 31, December 31,
2005 2004 2004
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
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ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $1,844,354 $1,164,802 $5,060,859
Trade receivables - net 50,121,610 17,657,161 27,182,198
Other receivables 1,164,271 842,220 1,114,959
Inventories 69,334,020 35,135,584 32,959,124
Deferred income taxes 1,297,850 959,810 230,151
Income taxes receivable 2,134,642 2,264,531
Prepaid expenses 1,053,732 1,132,264 588,618
------------ ----------- -----------
Total current assets 126,950,479 56,891,841 69,400,440
FIXED ASSETS - net 22,563,726 17,325,445 20,179,486
DEFERRED PENSION ASSET 1,347,825 1,499,524 1,347,824
INTANGIBLE AND OTHER ASSETS 70,275,056 4,498,312 5,777,904
------------ ----------- -----------
TOTAL ASSETS $221,137,086 $80,215,122 $96,705,654
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY:
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $11,879,873 $2,082,062 $4,349,248
Current maturities
- long-term debt 6,376,401 511,006 6,492,020
Accrued taxes - other 438,624 451,917 422,692
Accrued salaries and wages 2,310,280 644,661 1,295,722
Accrued income taxes 380,652
Accrued other 4,285,853 421,583 1,228,708
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Total current liabilities 25,291,031 4,491,881 13,788,390
LONG TERM DEBT - less current
maturities 91,746,122 13,998,680 10,044,544
DEFERRED LIABILITIES 19,709,368 2,057,783 1,501,922
------------ ----------- -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 136,746,521 20,548,344 25,334,856
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, no par value 50,284,512 36,089,849 38,399,114
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss (1,077,586) (1,950,400) (1,077,586)
Retained earnings 35,183,639 25,527,329 34,049,270
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Total shareholders' equity 84,390,565 59,666,778 71,370,798
------------ ----------- -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $221,137,086 $80,215,122 $96,705,654
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