Racine, Wisc.’s Johnson Outdoors Inc., owner of Old Town Canoe, announced higher revenue and earnings for the fiscal year ending October 1, 2021. Continued high demand for products in Fishing, Camping and Watercraft Recreation propelled a 26 percent increase in sales as operating profit grew 56.6 percent and net income rose 51 percent over the prior fiscal year. Fourth quarter net sales rose slightly above the prior year quarter’s unprecedented results.
Of particular interest to those in paddlesports, it reports Watercraft Recreation sales — including those from Old Town Canoe, Ocean Kayak, Carlisle and other brands — rose 59 percent due to continued high demand across all product categories, including the Sportsman line.
“Johnson Outdoors had an exceptional year, driven by people’s continued interest in spending time outdoors,” said CEO Helen Johnson-Leipold,. “Fishing, Camping and Watercraft Recreation saw strong sales during all four quarters, with Diving beginning to recover in the third and fourth fiscal quarters. While ongoing global supply chain disruptions remain challenging, we’re pleased with our results and our employees’ hard work to continue to meet demand and deliver the best outdoor experiences possible.”
FISCAL 2021 HIGHLIGHTS
- Ongoing strong consumer demand in Fishing, Camping and Watercraft Recreation
- Innovation and new product success
- Record operating profits and net income
- Strong, debt-free balance sheet
- Increased quarterly dividend to shareholders 43 percent
FISCAL 2021 RESULTS
Total Company revenue grew 26 percent to $751.7 million versus fiscal 2020 revenue of $594.2 million. Key factors in the year-over-year comparison were:
- Fishing revenue increased 23 percent due to continued demand across all product lines
- Camping grew 51 percent due to higher sales in both Jetboil® and Eureka®
- Watercraft Recreation sales rose 59 percent due to continued high demand across all product categories, including the Sportsman line
- Diving sales were up 14 percent, comparing favorably to the prior fiscal year as markets began to recover from pandemic-related restrictions
Total Company operating profit was $111.3 million in fiscal 2021, which compared favorably to operating profit of $71.1 million in the prior fiscal year. Despite higher raw material and freight costs, gross margins only dipped slightly due to volume efficiencies and favorable product mix. Operating expenses increased $28.9 million versus the prior year due largely to volume-related expenses, but declined as a percentage of sales versus fiscal 2020.
Net income for the fiscal year improved to $83.4 million, or $8.21 per diluted share, a 51 percent improvement versus $55.2 million, or $5.47 per diluted share, in the last fiscal year. The effective tax rate was 26.2 percent compared to the previous fiscal year’s rate of 25.1 percent.
FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
Total Company net sales in the fiscal fourth quarter were $166.3 million, an increase from the prior fiscal year’s strong fourth quarter sales. Operating profit of $13.6 million in the current year fourth quarter declined from $19.5 million in the prior year fourth quarter. Gross margin declined from the prior year quarter due to increased tariffs, inbound air freight costs and higher cost of goods sold. Operating expenses increased slightly due to higher sales volume-related expenses, but remained consistent with the prior year quarter as a percent of net sales. Net earnings for the fourth quarter were $6.9 million compared to $15.5 million in fiscal 2020.
About Johnson Outdoors Inc.
JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technologies that inspire more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft Recreation, Fishing, Diving and Camping. Johnson Outdoors’ iconic brands include: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak™; Carlisle®paddles; Minn Kota® fishing motors, batteries and anchors; Cannon® downriggers; Humminbird® marine electronics and charts; SCUBAPRO® dive equipment; Jetboil® outdoor cooking systems; and, Eureka!®camping and hiking equipment.
Visit Johnson Outdoors at http://www.johnsonoutdoors.com