johnsonoutdoorsoct3200810k.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
[ X ]
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended October 3, 2008
 
OR
 
[____]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from ______ to ______
 
Commission file number 0-16255
 
JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
                                     Wisconsin
 
39-1536083
(State or other jurisdiction of  incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
           555 Main Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53403
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
 
                              (262) 631-6600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Exchange on Which Registered
Class A Common Stock, $.05 par value per share
 
NASDAQ Global MarketSM

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:  None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  [    ] No  [ X ]
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  [    ] No  [ X ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes  [ X ] No  [     ]




Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K, or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ X ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definition of "large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer" and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):
 
Large Accelerated Filer
[   ]
Accelerated Filer
[X]
Non-Accelerated Filer
[   ]
Smaller Reporting Company
[   ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Yes  [    ] No  [ X ]
 
As of December 5, 2008, 8,007,069 shares of Class A and 1,216,464 shares of Class B common stock of the registrant were outstanding. The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting Class A common stock of the registrant held by nonaffiliates of the registrant was approximately $73,917,159 on March 28, 2008 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second quarter) based on approximately 4,386,775 shares of Class A common stock held by nonaffiliates. For purposes of this calculation only, shares of all voting stock are deemed to have a market value of $16.85 per share, the closing price of the Class A common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global MarketSM on March 28, 2008. Shares of common stock held by any executive officer or director of the registrant (including all shares beneficially owned by the Johnson Family) have been excluded from this computation because such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not a conclusive determination for other purposes.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of the Registrant are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.
 
As used in this report, the terms "we," "us," "our," "Johnson Outdoors" and the "Company" mean Johnson Outdoors Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates another meaning.
 
 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Page
Business
 
1
Risk Factors
 
5
Unresolved Staff Comments
 
8
Properties
 
9
Legal Proceedings
 
10
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
10
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
10
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
 
12
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
14
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
26
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
26
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
26
Controls and Procedures
 
27
Other Information
 
28
Directors, and Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
28
Executive Compensation
 
28
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
28
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
29
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
29
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
30
Signatures
 
31
Exhibit Index
 
32
Consolidated Financial Statements
 
F-5




Forward Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this Form 10-K are “forward-looking statements,” and the Company intends these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this statement for purposes of those safe harbor provisions. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement includes phrases such as the Company “expects,” “believes” or other words of similar meaning. Similarly, statements that describe the Company’s future plans, objectives or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those currently anticipated. Factors that could affect actual results or outcomes include the matters described under the caption "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of this report and the following:  changes in consumer spending patterns; the Company’s success in implementing its strategic plan, including its focus on innovation; actions of companies that compete with the Company; the Company’s success in managing inventory; movements in foreign currencies or interest rates; unanticipated issues related to the Company’s military tent business; the success of suppliers and customers; the ability of the Company to deploy its capital successfully; unanticipated outcomes related to outsourcing certain manufacturing processes; unanticipated outcomes related to outstanding litigation matters; successful integration of acquisitions; and adverse weather conditions. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included herein are only made as of the date of this filing. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
 
Trademarks
We have registered the following trademarks, which are used in this report: Minn Kota®, Cannon®, Humminbird®, Bottom Line®, Fishin' Buddy®, Silva®, Eureka!®, Geonav®, Old Town®, Ocean Kayak Necky®, Escape®, Lendal Extrasport®, Carlisle®, Scubapro®, UWATEC® and Seemann.
 
PART I
 
ITEM 1.
BUSINESS
 
Johnson Outdoors Inc. (the Company) is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of branded seasonal, outdoor recreation products used primarily for fishing, diving, paddling and camping. The Company’s portfolio of well-known consumer brands have attained leading market positions due to continuous innovation, marketing excellence, product performance and quality and enjoy a premium reputation among outdoor recreation enthusiasts and novices alike.  Company values and culture support entrepreneurism in all areas, promoting and leveraging best practices and synergies within and across its subsidiaries to advance the Company’s strategic vision set by executive management and approved by the Board of Directors.  The Company is controlled by Helen P. Johnson-Leipold (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer), members of her family and related entities.
 
The Company was incorporated in Wisconsin in 1987 as successor to various businesses.
 
Marine Electronics
The Company’s marine electronic segment brands are: Minn Kota battery-powered fishing motors for quiet trolling or primary propulsion; Humminbird sonar and GPS equipment for fishfinding and navigation; Cannon downriggers for controlled-depth fishing; and Geonav chartplotters for navigation.  Marine electronic brands and related accessories are sold in North America, South America, Europe and the Pacific Basin through large outdoor specialty retailers, such as Bass Pro Shops and Cabelas, large retail store chains, marine distributors, international distributors and original equipment manufacturers, such as Ranger Boats, Skeeter Boats and Stratos Champion.
 
Market share gains have been achieved by emphasizing innovation, quality products and marketing.  Consumer marketing and promotion includes: product placements on fishing-related television shows; print advertising and editorial coverage in outdoor, general interest and sport magazines; professional angler and tournament sponsorships; packaging and point-of-purchase materials and offers to increase consumer appeal and sales; branded websites; and, on-line promotions.
 
On November 16, 2007, the Company acquired Geonav S.r.l. (Geonav), a marine electronics company in Italy for approximately $5.6 million, including transaction costs. Geonav is a major European brand of chart plotters based in Viareggio, Italy. Also sold under the Geonav brand are marine autopilots, VHF radios and fish finders.
 
 
1

 
Outdoor Equipment
 
The Company’s Outdoor Equipment segment brands are:  Eureka! tents, sleeping bags and backpacks; Silva field compasses and digital instruments; and Tech40 performance measurement instruments.
 
Eureka! consumer tents, sleeping bags and backpacks are mid- to high-price range products sold in the U.S. and Canada through independent sales representatives, primarily to sporting goods stores, catalog and mail order houses and camping and backpacking specialty stores. Marketing of the Company’s tents, sleeping bags and backpacks is focused on building the Eureka! brand name and establishing the Company as a leader in tent design and innovation. Although the Company’s camping tents, sleeping bags and backpacks are produced primarily by third-party manufacturing sources, design and innovation are conducted at the Company's Binghamton, New York location. Eureka! camping products are sold under license in Japan, Australia and Europe.
 
Eureka! commercial tents include party tents, sold primarily to general rental stores, and other commercial tents sold directly to tent erectors. Commercial tents are manufactured by the Company at the Company’s Binghamton, New York location and the Company’s tent products range from 10’x10’ canopies to 120’ wide pole tents and other large scale frame structures.
 
Eureka! also designs and manufactures large, heavy-duty tents and lightweight backpacking tents for the military at its Binghamton, New York location. Tents produced in the last twelve months include modular general purpose tents, TEMPER tents, a rapid deploy tent system, and various lightweight one to four person tents. Military tent accessories like fabric floors and tent liners are also manufactured.
 
Silva field compasses are manufactured by third parties and marketed exclusively in North America where the Company owns Silva trademark rights. Tech40 digital instruments are manufactured by third parties and are primarily sold in the North American market.
 
Watercraft
 
The Company’s Watercraft brands are:  Old Town canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak; Necky kayaks; Carlisle and Lendal paddles; and Extrasport personal flotation devices.
 
The Company manufactures its Watercraft products in two locations in the U.S. and one in New Zealand. The Company also contracts for manufacturing of Watercraft products with third parties in Michigan, Tunisia and the Czech Republic.
 
In its Old Town, Maine facility, the Company produces high quality Old Town kayaks, canoes and accessories for family recreation, touring and tripping. The Company uses a rotational-molding process for manufacturing polyethylene kayaks and canoes to compete in the high volume, low and mid-priced range of the market. These kayaks and canoes feature stiffer and more durable hulls than higher priced boats. The Company also manufactures canoes from fiberglass, Royalex (ABS) and wood.
 
Sit-on-top Ocean Kayaks and high-performance Necky sea touring kayaks are manufactured in the Company’s Ferndale, Washington facility.
 
Watercraft accessory brands, including Extrasport personal flotation devices and wearable paddle gear, as well as Carlisle branded paddles are produced primarily by third-party sources.  Lendal paddles are produced in-house at the Old Town Canoe facility.
 
The Company’s kayaks, canoes and accessories are sold primarily to specialty stores, marine dealers, sporting goods stores and catalog and mail order houses such as L. L. Bean® in the U.S., Europe and Australasia.
 
Diving
 
The Company manufactures and markets underwater diving products for technical and recreational divers, which it sells and distributes under the SCUBAPRO, UWATEC and Seemann brand names.
 
The Company markets a complete line of underwater diving and snorkeling equipment, including regulators, stabilizing jackets, dive computers and gauges, wetsuits, masks, fins, snorkels and accessories. SCUBAPRO and UWATEC diving equipment are marketed to the premium segment of the market for both diving enthusiasts and more technical, advanced divers. Seemann products are marketed to the recreational diver interested in owning quality equipment at an affordable price. Products are sold via selected distribution to independent specialty dive stores worldwide. These specialty dive stores generally provide a wide range of services to divers, including sales, service and repair, diving education and travel.
 
2

 
The Company focuses on maintaining SCUBAPRO and UWATEC as the market leaders in innovation. The Company maintains research and development functions in the U.S. and Europe and holds a number of patents on proprietary products. The Company’s consumer communication focuses on building the brand and highlighting exclusive product features and consumer benefits of the SCUBAPRO and UWATEC product lines. The Company’s communication and distribution reinforce the SCUBAPRO and UWATEC brands’ position as the industry’s quality and innovation leader. The Company markets its equipment in diving magazines, via websites and through dive specialty stores. Seemann’s full-line of dive equipment and accessories are marketed and sold primarily in Europe. Seemann products compete in the mid-market on the basis of quality at an affordable price.
 
The Company maintains manufacturing and assembly facilities in Italy and Indonesia and is currently in the process of moving the Swiss manufacturing operation to Batam, Indonesia, as described in Note 2 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements attached to this report.  The Company sources stabilizing jackets from a third-party manufacturer in Mexico. The majority of the Company’s rubber, proprietary materials, plastic products and other components are also sourced from third-parties.
 
Financial Information for Business Segments
 
As noted above, the Company has four reportable business segments. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report for financial information concerning each business segment.
 
International Operations
 
See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report for financial information regarding the Company’s domestic and international operations. See Note 1, subheading “Foreign Operations and Related Derivative Financial Instruments,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report for information regarding risks related to the Company’s foreign operations.
 
Research and Development
 
The Company commits significant resources to new product research and  development. The Company expenses these costs as incurred except for  software development for new fishfinder products which are capitalized once technological feasibility is established and then amortized over the expected life of the software. The amounts expensed by the Company in connection with research and development activities for each of the last three fiscal years are set forth in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations included elsewhere in this report.
 
Competition
 
The Company believes its products compete favorably on the basis of product innovation, product performance and marketing support and, to a lesser extent, price.
 
Marine Electronics:  The main competitor in electric trolling motors is Motor Guide, owned by Brunswick Corporation, which manufactures and sells a full range of trolling motors and accessories. Competition in this business is focused on product quality and durability as well as product benefits and features for fishing. The main competitors in the fishfinder market are Lowrance, Garmin, Navman, and Ray Marine. Competition in this business is primarily focused on the quality of sonar imaging and display as well as the integration of mapping and GPS technology. The main competitors in the downrigger market are Big Jon, Walker and Scotty. Competition in this business primarily focuses on ease of operation, speed and durability.
 
Outdoor Equipment:  The Company’s brands and products compete in the sporting goods and specialty segments of the outdoor equipment market. Competitive brands with a strong position in the sporting goods channel include Coleman and private label brands. The Company also competes with specialty companies such as The North Face and Kelty on the basis of materials and innovative designs for consumers who want performance products priced at a value. Commercial tent market competitors include Anchor Industries and Aztec for tension and frame tents along with canopies based on structure and styling. The Company also competes for military tent contracts under the U.S. Government bidding process; competitors include Base-X, DHS Systems and Alaska Structures, Camel, Outdoor Ventures, and Diamond Brands.
 
Watercraft:  The Company primarily competes in the paddle boat segment of kayaks and canoes. The Company’s main competitors in this segment are Confluence Watersports, Pelican, Wenonah Canoe and Legacy Paddlesports, each of  which primarily competes on the basis of their design, performance and quality.
 
Diving:  The main competitors in Diving include Aqualung/U.S. Divers, Oceanic, Mares, Cressi-sub, and Suunto, each of which primarily competes on the basis of product innovation, performance, quality and safety.
 
 
3

 
Employees
 
At October 3, 2008, the Company had approximately 1,400 regular, full-time employees. The Company considers its employee relations to be excellent. Temporary employees are utilized primarily to manage peaks in the seasonal manufacturing of products.
 
Backlog
 
Unfilled orders for future delivery of products totaled approximately $38.2 million at October 3, 2008 and $36.0 million September 28, 2007. For the majority of its products, the Company’s businesses do not receive significant orders in advance of expected shipment dates, with the exception of the military tent business which has orders outstanding based on contractual agreements.
 
Patents, Trademarks and Proprietary Rights
 
The Company owns no single patent that is material to its business as a whole. However, the Company holds various patents, principally for diving products, electric motors and fishfinders and regularly files applications for patents. The Company has numerous trademarks and trade names which it considers important to its business, many of which are noted on the preceding pages. Historically, the Company has vigorously defended its intellectual property rights and the Company expects to continue to do so.
 
Sources and Availability of Materials
 
The Company’s products are made using materials that are generally in adequate supply and are available from a variety of third-party suppliers.
 
The Company has an exclusive supply contract with a single vendor for materials used in its military tent business. Interruption or loss in the availability of these materials could have a material adverse impact on the sales and operating results of the Company’s Outdoor Equipment business.
 
Seasonality
 
The Company’s products are outdoor recreation related which results in seasonal variations in sales and profitability. This seasonal variability is due to customers increasing their inventories in the quarters ending March and June, the primary selling season for the Company’s outdoor recreation products. The following table shows, for the past three fiscal years, the total net sales and operating profit or loss of the Company for each quarter, as a percentage of the total year.
 
Year Ended
 
   
October 3, 2008
   
September 28, 2007
   
September 29, 2006
 
Quarter Ended
 
Net
 Sales
   
Operating
 Profit
 (Loss)
   
Net
 Sales
   
Operating
 Profit
 (Loss)
   
Net
 Sales
   
Operating
 Profit
 (Loss)
 
December
    18 %     (12 )%     17 %     (11 )%     19 %     (1 )%
March
    29       10       28       23       27       38  
June
    34       38       35       74       34       62  
September
    19       (136 )     20       14       20       1  
      100 %     (100 )%     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %
 
Available Information
 
The Company maintains a website at www.johnsonoutdoors.com. On its website, the Company makes available, free of charge, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practical after the reports have been electronically filed or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Company makes available on its website, free of charge, its (a) Code of Business Conduct; (b) Code of Ethics for its Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial and Accounting Officers; and (c) the charters for the following committees of the Board of Directors: Audit; Compensation; Executive; and Nominating and Corporate Governance. The Company is not including the information contained on or available through its website as a part of, or incorporating such information by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This report includes all material information about the Company that is included on the Company’s website and is otherwise required to be included in this report.
 
 
4

 
ITEM 1A.
 RISK FACTORS
 
The risks described below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks that we do not yet know of or that we currently think are immaterial may also impair our future business operations. If any of the events or circumstances described in the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such cases, the trading price of our common stock could decline.
 
Our net sales and profitability depend on our ability to continue to conceive, design and market products that appeal to our consumers.
 
The introduction of new products is critical in our industry and to our growth strategy. Our business depends on our ability to continue to conceive, design, manufacture and market new products and upon continued market acceptance of our product offering. Rapidly changing consumer preferences and trends make it difficult to predict how long consumer demand for our existing products will continue or what new products will be successful. Our current products may not continue to be popular or new products that we may introduce may not achieve adequate consumer acceptance for us to recover development, manufacturing, marketing and other costs. A decline in consumer demand for our products, our failure to develop new products on a timely basis in anticipation of changing consumer preferences or the failure of our new products to achieve and sustain consumer acceptance could reduce our net sales and profitability.
 
Competition in our markets could reduce our net sales and profitability.
 
We operate in highly competitive markets. We compete with several large domestic and foreign companies such as Brunswick, Lowrance, Confluence and Aqualung/U.S. Divers, with private label products sold by many of our retail customers and with other producers of outdoor recreation products. Some of our competitors have longer operating histories, stronger brand recognition and greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than us. In addition, we may face competition from new participants in our markets because the outdoor recreation product industries have limited barriers to entry. We experience price competition for our products, and competition for shelf space at retailers, all of which may increase in the future. If we cannot compete successfully in the future, our net sales and profitability will likely decline.
 
General economic conditions affect our results.
 
Our revenues are affected by economic conditions and consumer confidence worldwide, but especially in the United States and Europe.  In times of economic uncertainty, consumers tend to defer expenditures for discretionary items, which affects demand for our products.  Our businesses are cyclical in nature, and their success is dependent upon favorable economic conditions, the overall level of consumer confidence and discretionary income levels.  Any substantial deterioration in general economic conditions that diminishes consumer confidence or discretionary income can reduce our sales and adversely affect our financial results including the potential for future impairments of goodwill and other intangible assets.  The impact of weakening consumer credit markets; corporate restructurings; layoffs; declines in the value of investments and residential real estate; higher fuel prices and increases in federal and state taxation all can negatively affect our results.

Trademark infringement or other intellectual property claims relating to our products could increase our costs.
 
Our industry is susceptible to litigation regarding trademark and patent infringement and other intellectual property rights. We could be either a plaintiff or defendant in trademark and patent infringement claims and claims of breach of license from time to time. The prosecution or defense of intellectual property litigation is both costly and disruptive of the time and resources of our management even if the claim or defense against us is without merit. We could also be required to pay substantial damages or settlement costs to resolve intellectual property litigation.
 
Impairment charges could reduce our profitability.
 
In accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, the Company tests goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives for impairment on an annual basis or on an interim basis if an event occurs that might reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value.  We conduct testing for impairment during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year.  Various uncertainties, including changes in consumer preferences, deterioration in the political environment, continued adverse conditions in the capital markets or changes in general economic conditions, could impact the expected cash flows to be generated by an intangible asset or group of intangible assets, and may result in an impairment of those assets.  Although any such impairment charge would be a non-cash expense, any impairment of our intangible assets could materially increase our expenses and reduce our profitability.   If we are required to record an impairment charge, the charge could affect our compliance with the debt covenants in our credit facility.  Additionally, should we violate a covenant under our debt agreements, the cost of obtaining an amendment or waiver could be significant, or the lenders could be unwilling to provide a waiver or agree to an amendment.  For our fiscal year ending October 3, 2008, we recorded an impairment charge of $41.0 million.
 

5

 
Sales of our products are seasonal, which causes our operating results to vary from quarter to quarter.
 
Sales of our products are seasonal. Historically, our net sales and profitability have peaked in the second and third fiscal quarters due to the buying patterns of our customers. Seasonal variations in operating results may cause our results to fluctuate significantly in the first and fourth quarters and may tend to depress our stock price during the first and fourth quarters.
 
The trading price of shares of our common stock fluctuates and investors in our common stock may experience substantial losses.
 
The trading price of our common stock has been volatile and may continue to be volatile in the future. The trading price of our common stock could decline or fluctuate in response to a variety of factors, including:
 
·  
the timing of our announcements or those of our competitors concerning significant product developments, acquisitions or financial performance;
·  
fluctuation in our quarterly operating results;
·  
substantial sales of our common stock;
·  
general stock market conditions; or
·  
other economic or external factors.
 
You may be unable to sell your stock at or above your purchase price.
 
A limited number of our shareholders can exert significant influence over the Company.
 
As of December 5, 2008, Helen P. Johnson-Leipold, members of her family and related entities (hereinafter the Johnson Family) held approximately 78% of the voting power of both classes of our common stock taken as a whole. This voting power would permit these shareholders, if they chose to act together, to exert significant influence over the outcome of shareholder votes, including votes concerning the election of directors, by-law amendments, possible mergers, corporate control contests and other significant corporate transactions.
 
We may experience difficulties in integrating strategic acquisitions.
 
As part of our growth strategy, we intend to pursue acquisitions that are consistent with our mission and that will enable us to leverage our competitive strengths. Over the past three fiscal years we have acquired:
 
·  
certain assets of Computrol, Inc. on October 3, 2005, including, without limitation certain intellectual property used in its business;
·  
Lendal Products Ltd. on October 3, 2006, including, without limitation certain intellectual property used in its business;
·  
Seemann Sub GmbH & Co. KG on April 2, 2007, including, without limitation certain intellectual property used in its business; and
·  
Geonav S.r.l. on November 16, 2007, including without limitation certain intellectual property used in its business.
 
Risks associated with integrating strategic acquisitions include:
 
·  
the acquired business may experience losses which could adversely affect our profitability;
·  
unanticipated costs relating to the integration of acquired businesses may increase our expenses;
·  
possible failure to obtain any necessary consents to the transfer of licenses or other agreements of the acquired company;
·  
possible failure to maintain customer, licensor and other relationships after the closing of the transaction of the acquired company;
·  
difficulties in achieving planned cost-savings and synergies may increase our expenses;
·  
diversion of our management’s attention could impair their ability to effectively manage our other business operations; and
·  
unanticipated management or operational problems or liabilities may adversely affect our profitability and financial condition.
 
 
6

 
We are dependent upon certain key members of management.
 
Our success will depend to a significant degree on the abilities and efforts of our senior management. Moreover, our success depends on our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified management, marketing, technical and sales personnel. These people are in high demand and often have competing employment opportunities. The labor market for skilled employees is highly competitive due to limited supply, and we may lose key employees or be forced to increase their compensation to retain these people. Employee turnover could significantly increase our training and other related employee costs. The loss of key personnel, or the failure to attract qualified personnel, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations and on the value of our securities.
 
Sources of and fluctuations in market prices of raw materials can affect our operating results.
 
The primary raw materials we use are metals, resins and packaging materials. These materials are generally available from a number of suppliers, but we have chosen to concentrate our sourcing with a limited number of vendors for each commodity or purchased component. We believe our sources of raw materials are reliable and adequate for our needs. However, the development of future sourcing issues related to the availability of these materials as well as significant fluctuations in the market prices of these materials may have an adverse affect on our financial results.
 
Currency exchange rate fluctuations could increase our expenses.
 
We have significant foreign operations, for which the functional currencies are denominated primarily in euros, Swiss francs, Japanese yen and Canadian dollars. As the values of the currencies of the foreign countries in which we have operations increase or decrease relative to the U.S. dollar, the sales, expenses, profits, losses, assets and liabilities of our foreign operations, as reported in our consolidated financial statements, increase or decrease, accordingly. Approximately 29% of our revenues for the year ended October 3, 2008 were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Approximately 17% were denominated in euros, with the remaining 12% denominated in various other foreign currencies.  In the past, we have mitigated a portion of the fluctuations in certain foreign currencies through the purchase of foreign currency swaps, forward contracts and options to hedge known commitments, primarily for purchases of inventory and other assets denominated in foreign currencies; however, no such transactions were entered into during fiscal years 2008 or 2007.
 
We are subject to environmental and safety regulations.
 
We are subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and other legal requirements related to the generation, storage, transport, treatment and disposal of materials as a result of our manufacturing and assembly operations. These laws include the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (as amended), the Clean Air Act (as amended) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (as amended). We believe that our existing environmental management system is adequate and we have no current plans for substantial capital expenditures in the environmental area. We do not currently anticipate any material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition or competitive position as a result of compliance with federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws or other legal requirements. However, risk of environmental liability and changes associated with maintaining compliance with environmental laws is inherent in the nature of our business and there is no assurance that material liabilities or changes would not arise.
 
We rely on our credit facility to provide us with sufficient working capital to operate our business.
 
Historically, we have relied upon our existing credit facilities to provide us with adequate working capital to operate our business.  The availability of borrowing amounts under our credit facilities are dependent upon our compliance with the debt covenants set forth in the facilities.  Violation of those covenants, whether as a result of recording goodwill impairment charges, incurring operating losses or otherwise, could result in our lenders restricting or terminating our borrowing ability under our credit facilities.  If our lenders reduce or terminate our access to amounts under our credit facilities, we may not have sufficient capital to fund our working capital needs and/or we may need to secure additional capital or financing to fund our working capital requirements or to repay outstanding debt under our credit facilities.  We can make no assurance that we will be successful in ensuring our availability to amounts under our credit facilities or in connection with raising additional capital and that any amount, if raised, will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements.  If we are not able to maintain our borrowing availability under our credit facilities and/or raise additional capital when needed, we may be forced to sharply curtail our efforts to manufacture and promote the sale of our products or to curtail our operations.
 
 
7

 
Our debt covenants may limit our ability to complete acquisitions, incur debt, make investments, sell assets, merge or complete other significant transactions.
 
Our credit agreement and certain other of our debt instruments include financial measure requirements that if breached may result in limitations on a number of our activities, including our ability to:
 
·  
incur additional debt;
·  
create liens on our assets or make guarantees;
·  
make certain investments or loans;
·  
pay dividends; or
·  
dispose of or sell assets or enter into a merger or similar transaction.
 
These debt covenants could restrict our ability to pursue opportunities to expand our business operations, including engaging in strategic acquisitions.  In addition, a violation of covenants under our credit facilities could cause a cross-default under our interest rate swap contract or other financial agreements.  A cross-default under our interest rate swap could accelerate our obligation to perform under the terms of the interest rate swap contract.
 
Our shares of common stock are thinly traded and our stock price may be more volatile.
 
Because our common stock is thinly traded, its market price may fluctuate significantly more than the stock market in general or the stock prices of similar companies, which are exchanged, listed or quoted on NASDAQ. We believe there are 4,375,894 shares of our Class A common stock held by nonaffiliates as of December 5, 2008. Thus, our common stock will be less liquid than the stock of companies with broader public ownership, and as a result, the trading prices for our shares of common stock may be more volatile. Among other things, trading of a relatively small volume of our common stock may have a greater impact on the trading price for our stock than would be the case if our public float were larger.
 
ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
None.
 
8

 
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
 
The Company maintains both leased and owned manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and office facilities throughout the world. The Company believes that its manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and office facilities are well maintained and have capacity adequate to meet its current needs.
 
See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report for a discussion of the Company’s lease obligations.
 
The Company’s principal manufacturing (identified with an asterisk) and other locations are:
 
Alpharetta, Georgia (Marine Electronics)
Antibes, France (Diving)
Barcelona, Spain (Diving)
Basingstoke, Hampshire, England (Diving)
Batam, Indonesia* (Diving and Outdoor Equipment)
Binghamton, New York* (Outdoor Equipment)
Brignais, France (Watercraft)
Brussels, Belgium (Diving)
Burlington, Ontario, Canada (Marine Electronics, Outdoor Equipment)
Chai Wan, Hong Kong (Diving)
Chatswood, Australia (Diving)
El Cajon, California (Diving)
Eufaula, Alabama* (Marine Electronics)
Ferndale, Washington* (Watercraft)
Genoa, Italy* (Diving)
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, United Kingdom (Watercraft)
Hallwil, Switzerland (Diving)
Henggart, Switzerland (Diving)
Mankato, Minnesota* (Marine Electronics)
Napier, New Zealand* (Watercraft)
Old Town, Maine* (Watercraft)
Silverdale, New Zealand* (Watercraft)
Viareggio, Italy (Marine Electronics)
Wendelstein, Germany (Diving)
Yokohama, Japan (Diving)
 
 
The Company’s corporate headquarters is leased and located in Racine, Wisconsin.
 
 
9

 
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report for a discussion of legal proceedings.
 
 
ITEM 4.
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended October 3, 2008.
 
PART II
 
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
Certain information with respect to this item is included in Notes 9 and 10 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report. The Company’s Class A common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global MarketSM under the symbol: JOUT. There is no public market for the Company’s Class B common stock. However, the Class B common stock is convertible at all times at the option of the holder into shares of Class A common stock on a share for share basis. As of December 16, 2008, the Company had 735 holders of record of its Class A common stock and 35 holders of record of its Class B common stock. We believe the number of beneficial owners of our Class A common stock on that date was substantially greater.
 
 
10

 
A summary of the high and low prices for the Company’s Class A common stock during each quarter of the years ended October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007 is as follows:
 
   
First Quarter
   
Second Quarter
   
Third Quarter
   
Fourth Quarter
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Stock prices:
                                               
High
  $ 23.50     $ 19.13     $ 22.50     $ 18.83     $ 17.77     $ 20.25     $ 16.06     $ 23.91  
Low
    21.44       17.06       16.00       17.00       15.40       18.02       12.40       17.00  

In fiscal 2008 and 2007, the Company declared the following dividends:
 
·  
A cash dividend declared on June 14, 2007, with a record date of July 12, 2007, payable on July 26, 2007 of $0.055 per share to Class A common stockholders and $0.05 per share to Class B common stockholders.
 
·  
A cash dividend declared on September 19, 2007, with a record date of October 11, 2007, payable on October 25, 2007 of $0.055 per share to Class A common stockholders and $0.05 per share to Class B common stockholders.
 
·  
A cash dividend declared on December 7, 2007, with a record date of January 10, 2008, payable on January 25, 2008 of $0.055 per share to Class A common stockholders and $0.05 per share to Class B common stockholders.
 
·  
A cash dividend declared on February 28, 2008, with a record date of April 10, 2008, payable on April 24, 2008 of $0.055 per share to Class A common stockholders and $0.05 per share to Class B common stockholders.
 
·  
A cash dividend declared on May 28, 2008, with a record date of July 10, 2008, payable on July 24, 2008 of $0.055 per share to Class A common stockholders and $0.05 per share to Class B common stockholders.
 
·  
A cash dividend declared on October 1, 2008, with a record date of October 16, 2008, payable on October 30, 2008 of $0.055 per share to Class A common stockholders and $0.05 per share to Class B common stockholders.
 
The following limitations apply to the ability of the Company to pay dividends:
 
·  
Pursuant to the Company’s revolving credit agreement, dated as of October 7, 2005, by and among the Company, the subsidiary borrowers from time to time parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., the Company is limited in the amount of restricted payments (primarily dividends and purchases of treasury stock) made during each fiscal year. The limitation was approximately $27 million for the fiscal year ending October 3, 2008.
 
·  
The Company’s Articles of Incorporation provide that no dividend, other than a dividend payable in shares of the Company’s common stock, may be declared or paid upon the Class B common stock unless such dividend is declared or paid upon both classes of common stock. Whenever a dividend (other than a dividend payable in shares of Company common stock) is declared or paid upon any shares of Class B common stock, at the same time there must be declared and paid a dividend on shares of Class A common stock equal in value to 110% of the amount per share of the dividend declared and paid on shares of Class B common stock. Whenever a dividend is payable in shares of Company common stock, such dividend must be declared or paid at the same rate on the Class A common stock and the Class B common stock.
 
On December 4, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors voted to suspend quarterly dividends to shareholders.
 
 
11

 
Total Shareholder Return
 
The graph below compares on a cumulative basis the yearly percentage change since October 3, 2003 in the total return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) to shareholders on the Class A common stock with (a) the total return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on The NASDAQ Stock Market-U.S. Index; (b) the total return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on the Russell 2000 Index; and (c) the total return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on a self-constructed peer group index. The peer group consists of Arctic Cat Inc., Brunswick Corporation, Callaway Golf Company, Escalade Inc., Marine Products Corporation and Nautilus, Inc. The graph assumes $100 was invested on October 3, 2003 in the Company’s Class A common stock, The NASDAQ Stock Market-U.S. Index, the Russell 2000 Index and the peer group indices.
 
 
             
   
10/3/03
 
10/1/04
 
9/30/05
 
9/29/06
 
9/28/07
 
10/3/08
Johnson Outdoors
100.00
142.96
123.41
128.07
160.85
93.21
NASDAQ Composite
 100.00
 107.74
 123.03
 131.60
 158.88
 119.05
Russell 2000 Index
 100.00
 118.77
 140.09
 154.00
 173.00
 147.94
Peer Group
 100.00
 145.24
 134.04
 110.69
 94.86
 57.47
 
 
The information in this section titled “Total Shareholder Return” shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to the liabilities of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and this information shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
 
ITEM 6.                       SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
The following table presents selected consolidated financial data, which should be read along with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements and with “Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included or referred to elsewhere in this report. The consolidated statements of operations for the years ended October 3, 2008, September 28, 2007 and September 29, 2006, and the consolidated balance sheet data as of October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007, are derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein. The consolidated statements of operations for the years ended September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2004, and the consolidated balance sheet data as of September 29, 2006, September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2004, are derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements which are not included herein.
 

12

 
 
Year Ended
(thousands, except per share data)
 
October 3
2008
 
(6)
 
September 28
2007
 
(7)
 
September 29
2006 
 
(8)
 
September 30
2005
   
October 1
 2004
 
Operating Results(1)
                             
Net sales
  $ 420,789     $ 430,604     $ 393,950     $ 377,146     $ 351,813  
Gross profit
    159,551       175,496       165,277       155,678       146,511  
Operating expenses (2)
    197,604       155,470       141,918       137,216       127,813  
Operating (loss) profit
    (38,053 )     20,026       23,359       18,462       18,698  
Interest expense
    5,695       5,162       4,989       4,792       5,283  
Other expense (income)
    549       (931 )     (128 )     (1,250 )     (670 )
(Loss) Income before income taxes
    (44,297 )     15,795       18,498       14,920       14,085  
Income tax expense (3)
    24,178       5,246       8,061       6,044       5,806  
(Loss) Income from continuing operations
    (68,475 )     10,549       10,437       8,876       8,279  
(Loss) Income from discontinued operations
    (2,559 )     (1,315 )     (1,722 )     (1,775 )     410  
Net (Loss) Income
  $ (71,034 )   $ 9,234     $ 8,715     $ 7,101     $ 8,689  
Balance Sheet Data
                                       
Current assets (4)
  $ 189,714     $ 205,221     $ 185,290     $ 186,591     $ 194,847  
Total assets
    255,069       319,679       284,227       283,326       293,719  
Current liabilities (5)
    55,386       66,260       57,651       55,457       59,115  
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    60,000       10,006       20,807       37,800       50,797  
Total debt
    60,003       42,806       37,807       50,800       67,019  
Shareholders’ equity
    122,284       200,165       180,881       166,434       160,644  
Common Share Summary
                                       
Earnings per share, continuing operations – Dilutive:
                                       
Class A
  $ (7.53 )   $ 1.14     $ 1.14     $ 1.01     $ 0.94  
Class B
  $ (7.53 )   $ 1.14     $ 1.14     $ 1.01     $ 0.94  
Net earnings per share – Dilutive:
                                       
Class A
  $ (7.81 )   $ 1.00     $ 0.95     $ 0.81     $ 0.99  
Class B
  $ (7.81 )   $ 1.00     $ 0.95     $ 0.81     $ 0.99  
Cash dividends per share:
                                       
Class A
  $ 0.22     $ 0.11     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.00  
    Class B
  $ 0.20     $ 0.10     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.00  
 
(1)  
The year ended October 3, 2008 included 53 weeks. All other years include 52 weeks.
(2)  
The year ended October 3, 2008 includes goodwill and other impairment charges of $41.0 million.
(3)  
The year ended October 3, 2008 includes a deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $29.5 million.
(4)  
Includes cash and cash equivalents of $41,791, $39,232, $51,689, $72,111 and $69,572, as of the years ended 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
(5)  
Excluding short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt.
(6)  
The results in 2008 contain approximately ten months of operating results of the acquired Geonav business and a full year of operating results of the acquired Seemann business.
(7)  
The results in 2007 contain a full year of operating results of the acquired Lendal Products Ltd. business and six months of operating results of the acquired Seemann  business.
(8)  
The results in 2006 contain a full year of operating results of the acquired Cannon/Bottom Line business.

13

 
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Executive Overview
 
The Company designs, manufactures and markets top-quality recreational products for the outdoor enthusiast. Through a combination of innovative products, strong marketing, a talented and passionate workforce and efficient distribution, the Company sets itself apart from the competition. Its subsidiaries operate as a network that promotes entrepreneurialism and leverages best practices and synergies, following the strategic vision set by executive management and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.
 
Recent Developments
 
The Company’s senior debt agreement in place at October 3, 2008 requires that it meet certain operating requirements and financial ratios in order to avoid a default or event of default under the agreement.  The Company was in non-compliance with its net worth covenant at October 3, 2008. On December 31, 2008, the Company entered into an amended financing arrangement with its lenders, effective January 2, 2009.  Changes to the senior debt agreement include shortening the maturity date of the term loan, adjusting financial covenants and interest rates.  Additionally, the Company’s revolving credit facility was reduced from $75.0 million to $35.0 million, with an additional reduction of $5.0 million required by January 31, 2009.  Due to the fact the Company has entered into this amended agreement, the Company’s debt has been classified as long-term at October 3, 2008, in accordance with the terms of the amended debt agreement.  See further information regarding the Company’s indebtedness at Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.
 
On December 29, 2008, the Company and JPMorgan Chase (“the Counterparty”) agreed to amend the terms of its $60.0 million LIBOR interest rate swap (“the Swap”) contract to include an automatic termination clause.  The Company and the Counterparty are negotiating a modification of the terms of the Swap to accommodate the new debt agreements.  If the Company and the Counterparty cannot agree to acceptable modification terms, the Swap will automatically terminate on January 8, 2009.  Early termination of the Swap would require the Company and the Counterparty to settle their respective obligations to each other under the Swap contract terms.  If such a termination had occurred on December 29, 2008, it would have required the Company to pay the Counterparty approximately $6.5 million, which was the fair value of the Swap on that date.  If the Swap were to terminate on January 8, 2009, the amount required to be paid by the Company to settle this contract could be materially different.
 
As of October 3, 2008, the Company recorded a non-cash charge for impairment of goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets of $41.0 million related to all four of the Company’s business segments based on assessments performed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS No. 142”), we are required to test goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets at least annually for impairment. We determined that as of October 3, 2008, portions of our goodwill and portions of our indefinite lived intangible assets were impaired due to our expectations of lower future profitability and increases in our cost of capital.
 
During 2008, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $29.5 million in respect of the net deferred tax assets recorded in our U.S., Germany, Spain, United Kingdom and New Zealand tax jurisdictions.  Given the current market conditions of the outdoor recreation equipment market as well as other factors arising during fiscal 2008 which may impact future operating results, the Company considered both positive and negative evidence in evaluating the need for a valuation allowance relating to the deferred tax assets of these tax jurisdictions.  The Company determined that it was more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized and a valuation allowance of $29.2 million, $1.8  million, $0.2 million, $0.4 million and $0.1 million was recorded against the net deferred tax assets in the U.S., Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, and New Zealand tax jurisdictions respectively.
 
On December 17, 2007, management committed to divest the Company’s Escape business.  This decision resulted in the reporting of the Escape business as a discontinued operation in the current year and the reclassification of the results of this business as discontinued operations for comparable reporting periods.  Individual lines of boats in this business have either been sold or are in the process of being divested.  The Company will continue to explore strategic alternatives for the remaining lines of the Escape business through the first quarter of 2009 at which point we expect to have either sold or otherwise disposed of the remaining assets of the Escape business.  We believe we have adequately reserved for any losses that could result from the disposal of the remaining lines.
 
 
14

 
Results of Operations
 
Summary consolidated financial results from continuing operations for the fiscal years presented were as follows:
 
(millions, except per share data)
 
2008
(2)  
2007
(3)  
2006
 
Operating Results
             
 
 
Net sales
  $
420.8
    $
430.6
    $
394.0
 
Gross profit
   
159.6
 
   
175.5
     
165.3
 
Impairment charges
   
41.0
     
     
 
Other operating expenses
   
156.7
     
155.5
     
141.9
 
Operating (loss) profit
   
(38.1
)     
20.0
 
   
23.4
 
Interest expense
   
5.7
     
5.2
     
5.0
 
(Loss) income from continuing operations
   
(68.5
)    
10.5
     
10.4
 
Net (loss) income (1)
   
(71.0
)    
9.2
     
8.7
 
(1) The results of 2008 contain a deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $29.5 million.
(2) The results of 2008 contain a full year of operating results of the acquired Seemann business and approximately ten months of operating results of the acquired Geonav business.
(3) The results in 2007 contain a full year of operating results of the acquired Lendal Products Ltd. business and six months of operating results of the acquired Seemann business.
 
The Company’s sales and operating earnings by business segment are summarized as follows:
 
(millions)
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Net sales:
                 
Marine Electronics
  $ 186.7     $ 198.0     $ 164.5  
Outdoor Equipment
    48.3       55.9       65.9  
Watercraft
    88.1       88.8       85.5  
Diving
    98.2       88.7       78.5  
Other/corporate/eliminations
    (0.5 )     (0.8 )     (0.4 )
Total
  $ 420.8     $ 430.6     $ 394.0  
Operating profit (loss):
                       
Marine Electronics
  $ 0.4     $ 22.9     $ 21.6  
Outdoor Equipment
    2.0       8.5       8.2  
Watercraft
    (8.3 )     (4.2 )     0.2  
Diving
    (21.5 )     6.9       5.6  
Other/corporate/eliminations
    (10.7 )     (14.1 )     (12.2 )
Total
  $ (38.1 )   $ 20.0     $ 23.4  

See Note 12 in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report for the definition of segment net sales and operating profit.
 
 
15

 
Fiscal 2008 vs Fiscal 2007
 
Net Sales
 
Net sales totaled $420.8 million in 2008 compared to $430.6 million in 2007, a decrease of 2.3% or $9.8 million.  Sales declined in all but the Company’s Diving business unit.  Foreign currency translations favorably impacted 2008 net sales by $9.6 million in comparison to 2007.
 
Net sales for the Marine Electronics business decreased $11.3 million, or 5.7%, despite incremental sales from the Geonav business, acquired in November, 2007, which added $12.4 million in sales for the year.  The decline was primarily the result of general economic conditions and weakness in the domestic boat market which reduced demand for trolling motors and downriggers, and unfavorable volume comparisons due to high levels of new product purchases by customers in the prior year.  This weakness was partially offset by higher sales of Humminbird fishfinder/GPS combo units.
 
Outdoor Equipment net sales declined $7.6 million, or 13.6%, primarily due to the expected $6.6 million decline in military tent sales.  Commercial tent sales were also down from the prior year by $1.2 million due to softness in the U.S. economy driving cautious spending by tent rental companies.
 
Net sales for the Watercraft business decreased $0.7 million, or 0.8%, as a result of a decline in sales to big-box retailers in light of unfavorable weather conditions and economic uncertainty in the retail marketplace. This decline was partially offset by an increase in sales to outdoor specialty stores driven mainly by the timing of orders in the prior year.
 
The Diving business saw increased sales of $9.5 million, or 10.7%, due mainly to $4 million of incremental sales related to the Seemann business acquired in April, 2007, and $6.7 million of favorable currency translations.
 
Gross Profit
 
Gross profit of $159.6 million was 37.9% of net sales on a consolidated basis for the year ended October 3, 2008 compared to $175.5 million or 40.8% of net sales in the prior year.
 
Gross profit in the Marine Electronics business declined $11.2 million, from 37.5% of net sales in 2007 to 33.8% of net sales in the current year.  The incremental Geonav gross profit of $2.8 million was more than offset by the effects of unfavorable overhead expense absorption due to lower production volumes for electric motors and downriggers and an unfavorable product mix.  In addition, as a result of the weak consumer demand, reserves for excess and obsolete inventory increased by $1.8 million over the prior year.
 
Gross profit in the Outdoor Equipment business declined $3.9 million from 34.0% of net sales in 2007 to 31.3% of net sales in the current year due largely to unfavorable product mix and lower production volumes of government and commercial tents.
 
Gross profit in the Watercraft segment of 34.4% of net sales in 2008 was $3.9 million less than 2007 levels at 38.5% of net sales due primarily to lower volume and related operating inefficiencies, closeout pricing, and $1.2 million of increased material costs.  In addition, the Company recorded an additional reserve of $1.0 million for excess and obsolete inventory in 2008 compared to 2007 as a result of lower sales and the Company’s efforts to reduce the number of unique inventory items.
 
Gross profit for the Diving segment increased by $3.1 million but decreased as a percent of net sales from 53.6% in 2007 to 51.6% in 2008 due largely to currency impacts on purchased product and close out sales on end-of-life products.
 
 
16

 
Operating Expenses
 
During fiscal 2008, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $41.0 million related to goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets.  Excluding the impairment charge, operating expenses in 2008 would have been $156.6 million as compared to $155.5 million in 2007.
 
Goodwill impairment charges of $7.2 million and $7.4 million of operating expenses generated by the newly acquired Geonav business were recognized in the Marine Electronics segment during 2008.  All other operating expenses decreased $3.2 million from the prior year. This decrease was due mainly to the decrease in bonus, profit sharing and other incentive compensation of $2.7 million, partially offset by increased warranty expense.
 
Outdoor Equipment operating expenses increased by $2.7 million from the prior year due primarily to a goodwill impairment charge of $0.6 million in the current year and the favorable impact in the prior year of $2.9 million of insurance recoveries related to the flood at the Company’s facility in Binghamton, New York in 2006.
 
The Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $6.2 million in 2008 related to the Watercraft business.  Other operating expenses in the Watercraft business decreased by $6.0 million due primarily to the impact of a $4.4 million legal settlement recorded in the prior year and the reduction of bonus, profit sharing and other incentive compensation expense in the current year.
 
An impairment charge of $27.0 million was included in the Diving business operating expenses for 2008.  Other Diving operating expenses increased $4.6 million from the prior year due to $2.5 million of restructuring costs incurred related to the relocation of dive computer manufacturing and $3.4 million due to currency impacts, offset by decreased bonus, profit sharing and other incentive compensation expenses.
 
Operating Results
 
The Company recognized an operating loss of $38.1 million in 2008 compared to an operating profit of $20 million in fiscal 2007. Primary factors driving the decrease in operating profit margins were the goodwill impairment loss, the underabsorption of overhead expenses due to significantly lower production volumes as well as higher raw material costs, close out pricing and additional inventory reserves on slow moving inventory. Operating expenses totaled $197.6 million, or 47.0% of net sales in fiscal 2008 compared to $155.5 million or 36.1% of net sales in fiscal 2007. Marine Electronics operating profit decreased by $22.5 million, or 98.2%, in fiscal 2008 from the prior year.  Outdoor Equipment operating profit decreased $6.5 million, or 76.5%. Watercraft operating loss worsened by $4.1 million from the prior year. Diving operating profit turned into a loss of $21.5 million, a $28.4 million decrease from the prior year amount.
 
Other Income and Expenses
 
Interest income remained consistent with the prior year at $0.8 million in fiscal 2008. Interest expense increased $0.5 million from 2007 to $5.7 million in 2008, due largely to higher long term borrowings incurred to fund higher working capital needs. The Company realized currency losses of $1.9 million in fiscal 2008 as compared to $0.6 million in fiscal 2007.  The increase was primarily due to significant weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Swiss franc and the euro.
 
Pretax Income and Income Taxes
 
The Company recognized a pretax loss of $44.3 million in fiscal 2008, compared to pretax income of $15.8 million in fiscal 2007. The Company recorded income tax expense of $24.2 million in fiscal 2008, an effective rate of (54.6%), compared to $5.2 million in fiscal 2007, an effective rate of 33.2%. The 2008 expense includes a valuation allowance of $29.5 million in respect of deferred tax assets in the U.S. and certain foreign tax jurisdictions. The effective tax rate for 2007 benefited from a German tax law change, an increased tax rate used to record federal deferred tax assets and research and development tax credits.
 
 
17

 
Loss from Continuing Operations
 
The loss from continuing operations was $68.5 million for the year compared to income of $10.5 million in the prior year as a result of the fluctuations discussed above.
 
Loss from Discontinued Operations
 
On December 17, 2007, the Company’s management committed to a plan to divest the Company’s Escape business and is continuing to explore strategic alternatives for its Escape brand products. In accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (SFAS No. 144), the results of operations of the Escape business have been reported as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal years ended October 3, 2008, September 28, 2007, and September 29, 2006 and in the consolidated balance sheets as of October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007. The Company recorded after tax losses related to the discontinued Escape business of $2.6 million and $1.3 million for 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
Net Loss
 
The Company recognized a net loss of $71.0 million in fiscal 2008, or $7.81 per diluted share, compared to net income of $9.2 million in fiscal 2007, or $1.00 per diluted share.
 
Fiscal 2007 vs Fiscal 2006
Net Sales
 
Net sales totaled a record $430.6 million in 2007 compared to $394.0 million in 2006, an increase of 9.3% or $36.6 million. Foreign currency translations favorably impacted 2007 net sales by $3.9 million in comparison to 2006. Sales growth in the Company’s Marine Electronics, Watercraft and Diving business units overcame a decline in the Outdoor Equipment business unit.
 
Net sales for the Marine Electronics business increased $33.5 million, or 20.4% primarily due to the successful launch of new products across the Marine Electronics brands. Net sales for the Company’s Watercraft business increased $3.3 million, or 3.9%, as a result of new product introductions and product offerings in the U.S. and improved volumes in international markets. Net sales for the Diving business increased $10.2 million, or 13.0% primarily due to an increase of $4.6 million from the acquired Seemann Sub business, increased volume in Europe and the far east and a $2.8 million favorable currency translation. Net sales in the Company’s Outdoor Equipment business declined $10.0 million, or 15.2%, primarily due to the expected decline in total military tent sales and a $5.3 million decline in specialty market sales. The declines in military tent sales and specialty market sales were partially offset by strong sales in the Consumer and Commercial businesses.
 
Operating Results
 
The Company recognized an operating profit of $20.0 million in fiscal 2007 compared to an operating profit of $23.4 million in fiscal 2006. Company gross profit margins decreased to 40.8% in fiscal 2007 from 42.0% in fiscal 2006. Primary factors driving the decrease in gross profit margins were production inefficiencies in Marine Electronics and Diving supply chain challenges in Europe. Operating expenses totaled $155.5 million, or 36.1% of net sales in fiscal 2007 compared to $141.9 million, or 36.0% of net sales in fiscal 2006.
 
Marine Electronics operating profit improved by $1.3 million, or 6.2%, in fiscal 2007 from the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by favorable net sales volume on successful launch of new products across the Marine Electronics brands, slightly offset by increased labor due to production inefficiencies incurred in meeting higher new product demand.
 
Outdoor Equipment operating profit increased $0.2 million, or 2.8%, mainly due to the insurance recoveries related to the 2006 Binghamton, New York flood. The Company recognized gains on the recoveries of $2.9 million compared to losses incurred in the prior year of $1.5 million. No additional costs or recoveries are expected related to this event. Without the insurance recoveries the Outdoor Equipment business operating profit would have declined as a result of lower military tent sales and $5.3 million of specialty market sales occurring in 2006 which did not recur in 2007.
 
Watercraft operating profit of $0.2 million in 2006 decreased by $4.4 million to an operating loss of $4.2 million for fiscal 2007. However fiscal 2007 operating losses for this segment included a one-time legal settlement of $4.4 million. Nonetheless, Watercraft saw improvements in its core Paddlesports business.
 
Diving operating profit increased by $1.3 million, or 23.7%, due primarily to operating profit provided by the acquired Seemann Sub business along with improved profitability on increased sales volume in far east markets. Additionally, the Diving business incurred $0.6 million in restructuring costs related to the closure of its Wendelstein, Germany facility.
 
18

 
Other Income and Expenses
 
Interest income in 2007 increased $0.2 million to $0.7 million in fiscal 2007. Interest expense increased $0.2 million to $5.2 million. Favorability resulting from lower amounts of term debt outstanding for the year was offset by higher short term borrowings incurred to fund working capital needs. The Company realized currency losses of $0.6 million in fiscal 2007 as compared to $0.2 million in fiscal 2006.
 
Pretax Income and Income Taxes
 
The Company recognized pretax income of $15.8 million in fiscal 2007, compared to $18.5 million in fiscal 2006. The Company recorded income tax expense of $5.2 million in fiscal 2007, an effective rate of 33.2%, compared to $8.1 million in fiscal 2006, an effective rate of 43.6%. The effective tax rate for 2007 benefited from a German tax law change, an increased tax rate used to record federal deferred tax assets and research and development tax credits.
 
Loss from Continuing Operations
 
The income from continuing operations was $10.5 million for the year compared to income of $10.4 million in the prior year as a result of the fluctuations discussed above.
 
Loss from Discontinued Operations
 
On December 17, 2007, the Company’s management committed to a plan to divest the Company’s Escape business and is continuing to explore strategic alternatives for its Escape brand products. In accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (SFAS No. 144), the results of operations of the Escape business have been reported as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal years ended October 3, 2008, September 28, 2007, and September 29, 2006 and in the consolidated balance sheets as of October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007. The Company recorded after tax losses related to the discontinued Escape business of $1.3 million and $1.7 million for 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
Net Income
 
The Company recognized net income of $9.2 million in fiscal 2007, or $1.00 per diluted share, compared to net income of $8.7 million in fiscal 2006, or $0.95 per diluted share.
 
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
The Company’s cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the consolidated statements of cash flows, is summarized in the following table:
 
(millions)
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Cash provided by (used for):
                 
Operating activities
  $ 4.9     $ 0.6     $ 7.5  
Investing activities
    (18.2 )     (22.0 )     (18.6 )
Financing activities
    15.5       5.3       (12.8 )
Effect of exchange rate changes
    0.4       3.6       3.5  
Increase (decrease) in cash and temporary cash investments
  $ 2.6     $ (12.5 )   $ (20.4 )

 
19

 
Operating Activities
 
The following table sets forth the Company’s working capital position at the end of each of the past three years:
 
(millions)
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Current assets (1)
  $ 189.7     $ 205.2     $ 185.3  
Current liabilities (2)
    55.4       66.3       57.7  
Working capital (2)
  $ 134.3     $ 138.9     $ 127.6  
Current ratio (2)
 
3.4:1
   
3.1:1
   
3.2:1
 
 
(1)
2008, 2007 and 2006 information includes cash and cash equivalents of $41.8, $39.2 and $51.7 million, respectively.
 
(2) Excludes short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt.
 
Cash flows provided by operations totaled $4.9 million, $0.6 million and $7.5 million in fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The major driver in the increase in cash flows from operations in fiscal 2008 was a decline in accounts receivable due to collections of prior year receivables and lower sales in fiscal 2008 partially offset by fiscal 2007 incentive compensation paid out in fiscal 2008 and income tax payments.
 
The major driver in the decline of cash flows from operations in fiscal 2007 was created by an increase in working capital. Increases in accounts receivable of $3.1 million and inventory of $22.6 million were offset by increases in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities of $5.4 million, all of which reflect the increase in working capital in fiscal 2007.
 
Depreciation and amortization charges were $10.1 million in fiscal 2008, $9.4 million in fiscal 2007 and $9.2 million in fiscal 2006.
 
Investing Activities
 
Cash flows used for investing activities were $18.2 million, $22.0 million and $18.6 million in fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The acquisition of Geonav used $5.6 million of cash in fiscal 2008.  The acquisition of Lendal used $1.5 million of cash in fiscal 2007.  The acquisition of Seemann used $0.7 million and $7.9 million of cash in fiscal 2008 and 2007, respectively. The acquisition of Cannon/Bottom Line used $9.9 million of cash in fiscal 2006. Expenditures for property, plant and equipment were $12.4 million, $13.4 million, $8.9 million in fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. In general, the Company’s ongoing expenditures are primarily related to tooling for new products and facilities and information systems improvements.
 
Financing Activities
 
The following table sets forth the Company’s debt and capital structure at the end of the past three fiscal years:
 
(millions)
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Current debt
  $     $ 32.8     $ 17.0  
Long-term debt
    60.0       10.0       20.8  
Total debt
    60.0       42.8       37.8  
Shareholders’ equity
    122.3       200.2       180.9  
Total capitalization
  $ 182.3     $ 243.0     $ 218.7  
Total debt to total capitalization
    32.9 %     17.6 %     17.3 %

Cash flows provided by (used for) financing activities totaled $15.5 million, $5.3 million and ($12.8) million in fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Payments on long-term debt were $20.8 million, $17.0 million and $13.0 million in fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
On October 7, 2005, the Company entered into a $75 million unsecured revolving credit facility agreement expiring October 7, 2010. The Company had no outstanding borrowings on this credit facility as of October 3, 2008.
 
On February 1, 2007, the Company entered into an additional $10.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility agreement to satisfy the Company's working capital requirements. The Company repaid and closed this credit facility in May 2007 as it was no longer needed.
 
 
20

 
On February 12, 2008, the Company entered into a Term Loan Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., as lender and agent and the other lenders named therein (the "lending group").  This Term Loan Agreement consists of a $60.0 million term loan maturing on February 12, 2013, bearing interest at a three month LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on the Company’s ratio of consolidated debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and varies between 1.25% and 2.00%. At October 3, 2008, the margin in effect was 2.00% for LIBOR loans.
 
On October 13, 2008, the Company entered into an Omnibus Amendment of its Term Loan Agreeement and revolving credit facility effective as of October 3, 2008 with the lending group.  On the same date, the Company also entered into a Security Agreement with the lending group.  The Omnibus Amendment temporarily modified certain provisions of the Company’s Term Loan Agreement and revolving credit facility.  The Security Agreement was granted in favor of the lending group and covers certain inventory and accounts receivable.
 
The Omnibus Amendment reset the applicable margin on the LIBOR based debt at 3.25%.  Under the terms of the Omnibus Amendment, certain financial and non-financial covenants were modified, including restrictions on the Company’s ability to increase the amount or frequency of dividends, a restriction in the aggregate amount of acquisitions to no more than $2.0 million, adjustments to the maximum leverage ratio which cannot exceed 5.0 to 1.0 and adjustments to the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio which cannot be less than 1.75 to 1.0 for the quarter ended October 3, 2008.  In addition, the definition of consolidated EBITDA was modified to exclude certain non-cash items.
 
The Omnibus Amendment did not reset the net worth covenant and the Company was in non-compliance with this covenant as of October 3, 2008.  On December 31, 2008, the Company entered into an amended term loan and revolving credit facility agreement with the lending group, effective January 2, 2009.  Changes to the term loan include shortening the maturity date to October 7, 2010, adjusting financial covenants and interest rates.  The revolving credit facility was reduced from $75.0 million to $35.0 million, with an additional reduction of $5.0 million required by January 31, 2009.  The maturity of the revolving credit facility remains unchanged at October 7, 2010.  The revised term loan bears interest at a LIBOR rate plus 5.00% with a LIBOR floor of 3.50%.  The revolving credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 4.50%.
 
On October 29, 2007, the Company entered into a forward starting interest rate swap with a notional amount of $60.0 million, receiving a floating three month LIBOR interest rate while paying at a fixed rate of 4.685% over the period beginning December 14, 2007 and ending December 14, 2012. Interest is payable quarterly, starting on March 14, 2008. The Swap has been designated as a cash flow hedge and is expected to be an effective hedge against the impact on interest payments of changes in the three-month LIBOR benchmark rate. The effect of the interest rate swap is to lock the interest rate on $60.0 million of three-month floating rate LIBOR debt at 4.685% before applying the applicable margin.
 
As a result of the amendment of the Company’s debt agreements entered into on December 31, 2008, the Company has prepared an analysis of the Swap in respect of the new terms as of that date and concluded that the Swap is no longer an effective hedge against the impact on interest payments of changes in the three-month LIBOR benchmark rate due to the LIBOR floor in the amended terms.  The Company will evaluate the effectiveness of the Swap on a quarterly basis going forward.
 
On December 29, 2008, the Company and JPMorgan Chase (“the Counterparty”) agreed to amend the terms of its $60.0 million LIBOR interest rate swap (“the Swap”) contract to include an automatic termination clause.  The Company and the Counterparty are negotiating a modification of the terms of the Swap to accommodate the new debt agreements.  If the Company and the Counterparty cannot agree to acceptable modification terms, then the Swap will automatically terminate on January 8, 2009.  Early termination of the Swap would require the Company and the Counterparty to settle their respective obligations to each other under the Swap contract terms.  If such a termination had occurred on December 29, 2008, it would have required the Company to pay the Counterparty approximately $6.5 million, which was the fair value of the Swap on that date.  If the Swap were to terminate on January 8, 2009, the amount required to be paid by the Company to settle this contract could be materially different.
 
21

 
Contractual Obligations and Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
The Company has contractual obligations and commitments to make future payments under its existing credit facility, including interest, operating leases and open purchase orders. The following schedule details these significant contractual obligations at October 3, 2008.
 
   
Payment Due by Period
 
(millions)
 
Total
   
Less than
 1 year
   
2-3 years
   
4-5 years
   
After 5
 years
 
Long-term debt
  $ 60.0     $     $ 60.0     $     $  
Short-term debt
                             
Operating lease obligations
    27.6       6.5       8.6       5.1       7.4  
Open purchase orders
    47.1       47.1                    
Contractually obligated interest payments
    10.9       3.6       7.3              
Total contractual obligations
  $ 145.6     $ 57.2     $ 75.9     $ 5.1     $ 7.4  

Interest obligations on short-term debt are included in the category "contractually obligated interest payments" noted above only to the extent accrued as of October 3, 2008. Future interest costs on the revolving credit facility cannot be estimated due to the variability of the amount of borrowings and the interest rates on that facility. Estimated future interest payments on the $60.0 million floating rate LIBOR term debt were calculated under the terms of the debt agreement in place at October 3, 2008 using the market rate applicable in the current period and assumed this rate would not change over the life of the term loan. Actual LIBOR market rates and the Company’s applicable margin may differ significantly from this estimate under its new debt agreement.
 
The Company also utilizes letters of credit for trade financing purposes. Letters of credit outstanding at October 3, 2008 totaled $2.2 million.
 
The Company anticipates making contributions to its defined benefit pension plans of $0.3 million through September 30, 2009.
 
The Company has no other off-balance sheet arrangements.
 
Market Risk Management
 
The Company is exposed to market risk stemming from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and, to a lesser extent, commodity prices. Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in earnings and cash flows. The Company may reduce exposure to certain of these market risks by entering into hedging transactions authorized under Company policies that place controls on these activities. Hedging transactions involve the use of a variety of derivative financial instruments. Derivatives are used only where there is an underlying exposure, not for trading or speculative purposes.
 
 
22

 
Foreign Operations
 
The Company has significant foreign operations for which the functional currencies are denominated primarily in euros, Swiss francs, Japanese yen and Canadian dollars. As the values of the currencies of the foreign countries in which the Company has operations increase or decrease relative to the U.S. dollar, the sales, expenses, profits, losses, assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations, as reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, increase or decrease, accordingly. Approximately 29% of the Company’s revenues for the year ended October 3, 2008 were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Approximately 17% were denominated in euros, with the remaining 12% denominated in various other foreign currencies.

In the past, the Company has mitigated a portion of the fluctuations in certain foreign currencies through the purchase of foreign currency swaps, forward contracts and options to hedge known commitments, primarily for purchases of inventory and other assets denominated in foreign currencies; however, no such transactions were entered into during fiscal years 2008 or 2007.
 
Interest Rates
 
The Company uses interest rate swaps, caps or collars in order to maintain a mix of floating rate and fixed rate debt such that permanent working capital needs are largely funded with fixed rate debt and seasonal working capital needs are funded with floating rate debt. The Company’s primary exposure is to U.S. interest rates. The Company had no interest rate swaps, caps or collars outstanding as of the fiscal 2007 year end. On October 29, 2007 the Company entered into a forward starting interest rate swap (the “Swap”) with a notional amount of $60.0 million, receiving a floating three month LIBOR interest rate while paying at a fixed rate of 4.685% over an accruing period beginning December 14, 2007 and ending December 14, 2012. Interest will be payable quarterly. The Swap has been designated as a cash flow hedge of a forecasted floating rate debt issuance of approximately $60.0 million and as of October 3, 2008, was expected to be an effective hedge of the impact on interest payments due to changes in the three-month LIBOR benchmark rate.
 
As a result of the amendment of the Company’s debt agreements entered into on December 31, 2008, effective January 2, 2009, the Company has prepared an analysis of the Swap in respect of the new terms as of that date and concluded that the Swap is no longer an effective hedge against the impact on interest payments of changes in the three-month LIBOR benchmark rate due to the LIBOR floor in the amended terms.  The Company will evaluate the effectiveness of the Swap on a quarterly basis going forward.
 
On December 29, 2008, the Company and JPMorgan Chase (“the Counterparty”) agreed to amend the terms of its $60.0 million LIBOR interest rate swap (“the Swap”) contract to include an automatic termination clause.  The Company and the Counterparty are negotiating a modification of the terms of the Swap to accommodate the new debt agreements.  If the Company and the Counterparty cannot agree to acceptable modification terms, then the Swap will automatically terminate on January 8, 2009.  Early termination of the Swap would require the Company and the Counterparty to settle their respective obligations to each other under the Swap contract terms.  If such a termination had occurred on December 29, 2008, it would have required the Company to pay the Counterparty approximately $6.5 million, which was the fair value of the Swap on that date.  If the Swap were to terminate on January 8, 2009, the amount required to be paid by the Company to settle this contract could be materially different.
 
Commodities
 
Certain components used in the Company’s products are exposed to commodity price changes. The Company manages this risk through instruments such as purchase orders and non-cancelable supply contracts. Primary commodity price exposures include costs associated with metals, resins and packaging materials.
 
 
23

 
Sensitivity to Changes in Value
 
The estimates that follow are intended to measure the maximum potential fair value or earnings the Company could lose in one year from adverse changes in market interest rates. The calculations are not intended to represent actual losses in fair value or earnings that the Company expects to incur. The estimates do not consider favorable changes in market rates. The table below presents the estimated maximum potential loss in fair value and annual income before income taxes from a 100 basis point movement in interest rates on the Company's term loan outstanding at October 3, 2008:
 
Estimated Impact on
(millions)
Fair Value
Income Before
Income Taxes
Interest rate instruments
$            —
$            0.6
 
The Company had $60.0 million outstanding in a LIBOR based term loan, maturing on February 12, 2013, with interest payable quarterly. The term loan bears interest at three-month LIBOR, which is reset each quarter at the prevailing three month LIBOR. The fair market value of this term loan was $60.0 million as of October 3, 2008.
 
Other Factors
 
The Company experienced inflationary pressures during fiscal 2008 on energy, metals, resins and freight charges. The Company anticipates that changing costs of basic raw materials may impact future operating costs and, accordingly, the prices of its products. The Company is involved in continuing programs to mitigate the impact of cost increases through changes in product design and identification of sourcing and manufacturing efficiencies. Price increases and, in certain situations, price decreases are implemented for individual products, when appropriate.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The Company’s management discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of its assets, liabilities, sales and expenses, and related footnote disclosures. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates for product returns, bad debts, inventories, intangible assets, income taxes, warranty obligations, pensions and other post-retirement benefits, and litigation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
 
The Company believes the following critical accounting policies affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. Management has discussed these policies with the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
The Company recognizes revenue when title and risk of ownership have passed to the buyer. Allowances for doubtful accounts are estimated by the individual operating companies based on estimates of losses related to customer accounts receivable balances. Estimates are developed by using standard quantitative measures based on historical losses, adjusting for current economic conditions and, in some cases, evaluating specific customer accounts for risk of loss. The establishment of reserves requires the use of judgment and assumptions regarding the potential for losses on receivable balances. Though the Company considers these balances adequate and proper, changes in economic conditions in specific markets in which the Company operates and any specific customer collection issues the Company identifies could have a favorable or unfavorable effect on required reserve balances.
 
Inventories
 
The Company values inventory at the lower of cost (determined using the first-in first-out method) or market. Management’s judgment is required to determine the reserve for obsolete or excess inventory. Inventory on hand may exceed future demand either because the product is outdated or because the amount on hand is more than will be used to meet future needs. Inventory reserves are estimated by the individual operating companies using standard quantitative measures based on criteria established by the Company. The Company also considers current forecast plans, as well as market and industry conditions in establishing reserve levels. Though the Company considers these balances to be adequate, changes in economic conditions, customer inventory levels or competitive conditions could have a favorable or unfavorable effect on required reserve balances.
 
24

 
Deferred Taxes
 
The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. While the Company has considered ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, in the event the Company were to determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be charged to income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would increase income in the period such determination was made.
 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Impairment
 
In assessing the recoverability of the Company's goodwill and other intangible assets, the Company makes assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record impairment charges for these assets not previously recorded.
 
Warranties
 
The Company accrues a warranty reserve for estimated costs to provide warranty services. Warranty reserves are estimated by the individual operating companies using standard quantitative measures based on criteria established by the Company. Estimates of costs to service its warranty obligations are based on historical experience, expectation of future conditions and known product issues. To the extent the Company experiences increased warranty claim activity or increased costs associated with servicing those claims, revisions to the estimated warranty reserve would be required. The Company engages in product quality programs and processes, including monitoring and evaluating the quality of its suppliers, to help minimize warranty obligations.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”). This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 clarifies the definition of exchange price as the price between market participants in an orderly transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability in the market in which the reporting entity would transact for the asset or liability, which market is the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The Company will be required to adopt SFAS No. 157 beginning in fiscal 2009. The Company does not believe the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS No. 159”). This standard permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The fair value option permits a company to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. A company will report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings after adoption. SFAS No. 159 will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2009. The Company does not believe the adoption of SFAS No. 159 will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
 
25

 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised 2007), Business Combinations (“SFAS No. 141(R)”). The objective of SFAS No. 141(R) is to improve the information provided in financial reports about a business combination and its effects. SFAS No. 141(R) requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date. SFAS No. 141(R) also requires the acquirer to recognize and measure the goodwill acquired in a business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase. SFAS No. 141(R) will be applied on a prospective basis for business combinations where the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the Company’s 2010 fiscal year.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements-an amendment of ARB No. 51(“SFAS No. 160”). The objective of SFAS No. 160 is to improve the financial information provided in consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 160 amends ARB No. 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS No. 160 also changes the way the consolidated income statement is presented, establishes a single method of accounting for changes in a parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in deconsolidation, requires that a parent recognize a gain or loss in net income when a subsidiary is deconsolidated, and expands disclosures in the consolidated financial statements in order to clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent’s owners and the interest of the noncontrolling owners of a subsidiary. SFAS No. 160 is effective for the Company’s 2010 fiscal year. The Company does not anticipate that SFAS No. 160 will have any material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of SFAS No. 133 (“SFAS No. 161”). SFAS No. 161 is intended to improve financial standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand the effect these instruments and activities have on an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about: how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations; and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We will adopt SFAS No. 161 beginning in fiscal 2009. The Company does not believe the adoption of SFAS No. 161 will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Information with respect to this item is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the heading “Market Risk Management.”
 
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
Information with respect to this item is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements attached to this report on pages F-1 to F-39.
 
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
None.
 
 
26

 
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
(a)  
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that the Company files with or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission. It should be noted that in designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. The Company has designed its disclosure controls and procedures to reach a level of reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives and based on the evaluation described above, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at reaching that level of reasonable assurance.
 
(b)  
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
 
There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) during the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
(c)  
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
The annual report of management required under this Item 9A is contained in the section titled “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” under the heading “Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.”
 
(d)  
Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm who audited the Company's consolidated financial statements, has issued an attestation report on the Company's internal control over financial reporting, which is contained in the Company's consolidated financial statements under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.”
 
 
27

 
ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
None.
PART III
 
 
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
Information with respect to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the discussion under the heading “Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Audit Committee Matters – Audit Committee Financial Expert” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Commission on or before January 31, 2009. Information regarding the Company’s Code of Business Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to the discussion under “Corporate Governance Matters – Employee Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics and Procedures for Reporting of Accounting Concerns” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
 
The Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors is an “audit committee” for purposes of Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The members of the Audit Committee are Terry E. London (Chairman), Thomas F. Pyle, Jr. and John M. Fahey, Jr.
 
 
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
Information with respect to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the discussion under the headings “Compensation of Directors” and “Executive Compensation” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Commission on or before January 31, 2009.
 
The information incorporated by reference from the “Report of the Compensation Committee” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
 
 
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
Information with respect to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the discussion under the heading “Stock Ownership of Management and Others” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Commission on or before January 31, 2009.
 
 
28

 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The following table summarizes share information, as of October 3, 2008, for the Company’s equity compensation plans, including the Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan, the Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2000 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, and the Johnson Outdoors Inc. 1987 Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan. All of these plans have been approved by the Company’s shareholders.
 
Plan Category
Number of Common Shares to Be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
Weighted-average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
Number of Common Shares Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders
271,043
$8.36
500,458              (1)
 
(1)
All of the available shares under the 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan (104,817) and under the 2000 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (395,641) may be issued upon the exercise of stock options or granted as restricted stock, and, in the case of the 2000 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, as share units. There are 55,764 shares available for issuance under the Johnson Outdoors Inc. 1987 Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan, as amended.
 
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
 
Information with respect to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the discussion under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Commission on or before January 31, 2009. Information regarding director independence is incorporated by reference to the discussions under “Corporate Governance Matters-Director Independence” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Commission on or before January 31, 2009.
 
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
 
Information with respect to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the discussion under the heading “Audit Committee Matters – Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Commission on or before January 31, 2009.
 
 
29

 
PART IV
 
 
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
The following documents are filed as a part of this report:
 
 
Financial Statements
 
Included in Item 8 of Part II of this report are the following:
 
·  
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
·  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
·  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Consolidated Financial Statements
·  
Consolidated Balance Sheets - October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007
·  
Consolidated Statements of Operations - Years ended October 3, 2008, September 28, 2007 and September 29, 2006
·  
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity - Years ended October 3, 2008, September 28, 2007 and September 29, 2006
·  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended October 3, 2008, September 28, 2007 and September 29, 2006
·  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
Financial Statement Schedules
 
All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, are not required or the required information has been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.
 
 
Exhibits
 
See Exhibit Index.
 

30


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Racine and State of Wisconsin, on the 2nd day of January 2009.
 
JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
 
(Registrant)
 
BY/s/  Helen P. Johnson-Leipold                                         
            Helen P. Johnson-Leipold
            Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 2nd day of January 2009.
 

 
/s/ Helen P. Johnson-Leipold                
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Helen P. Johnson-Leipold)              
 
and Director
   
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
/s/ Thomas F. Pyle, Jr.                            
 
Vice Chairman of the Board
(Thomas F. Pyle, Jr.)                        
 
and Director
     
/s/ Terry E. London                                 
 
Director
(Terry E. London)                           
   
     
/s/ John M. Fahey, Jr.                              
 
Director
(John M. Fahey, Jr.)                         
   
     
/s/ W. Lee McCollum                             
 
Director
(W. Lee McCollum)                        
   
     
/s/ Edward F. Lang, III                           
 
Director
(Edward F. Lang, III)                         
   
     
/s/ David W. Johnson                           
 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(David W. Johnson)                          
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


31


EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
Title
2
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 28, 2004, by and between JO Acquisition Corp. and Johnson Outdoors Inc (Filed as Exhibit 2 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated October 28, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.)
3.1
Articles of Incorporation of the Company as amended through February 17, 2000. (Filed as Exhibit 3.1(a) to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference.)
3.2
Bylaws of the Company as amended and restated through September 23, 2008.
4.1
Note Agreement dated October 1, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 29, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.2
First Amendment dated October 11, 1996 to Note Agreement dated October 1, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 27, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.3
Second Amendment dated September 30, 1997 to Note Agreement dated October 1, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 4.8 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended October 1, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.4
Third Amendment dated October 1, 1997 to Note Agreement dated October 1, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 4.9 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended October 1, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.5
Fourth Amendment dated January 10, 2000 to Note Agreement dated October 1, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 4.9 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.6
Fifth Amendment dated December 13, 2001 to Note Agreement dated October 1, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended October 3, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.7
Consent and Amendment dated September 6, 2002 to Note Agreement dated October 1, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended October 3, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.8
Note Agreement dated as of September 15, 1997. (Filed as Exhibit 4.15 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended October 1, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.9
First Amendment dated January 10, 2000 to Note Agreement dated September 15, 1997. (Filed as Exhibit 4.10 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.10
Second Amendment dated December 13, 2001 to Note Agreement dated September 15, 1997. (Filed as Exhibit 4.9 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended October 3, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.11
Consent and Amendment dated as of September 6, 2002 to Note Agreement dated September 15, 1997. (Filed as Exhibit 4.11 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended October 3, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.12
Note Agreement dated as of December 13, 2001. (Filed as Exhibit 4.12 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended October 3, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.13
Consent and Amendment dated of September 6, 2002 to Note Agreement dated as of December 13, 2001. (Filed as Exhibit 4.15 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended October 3, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.14
Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 7, 2005, by and among Johnson Outdoors Inc. and, among others, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (Filed as Exhibit 4.15 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)
9.1
Johnson Outdoors Inc. Class B common stock Amended and Restated Voting Trust Agreement, dated December 10, 2007 (Filed as Exhibit 99.54 to Amendment No. 11 to the Schedule 13D filed by Helen P. Johnson-Leipold on December 10, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.)
 
 
32

 
10.1 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2000, by and between Johnson Outdoors Inc. and Berkley Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated March 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.2 Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2000, by and between Johnson Outdoors Inc. and Berkley Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated March 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.3+ Johnson Outdoors Inc. Amended and Restated 1986 Stock Option Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.4 Registration Rights Agreement regarding Johnson Outdoors Inc. common stock issued to the Johnson family prior to the acquisition of Johnson Diversified, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-16998 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.5 Registration Rights Agreement regarding Johnson Outdoors Inc. Class A common stock held by Mr. Samuel C. Johnson. (Filed as Exhibit 28 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 1991 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.6+ Form of Restricted Stock Agreement. (Filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-23299 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.7+ Form of Supplemental Retirement Agreement of Johnson Diversified, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-16998 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.8+ Johnson Outdoors Retirement and Savings Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended September 29, 1989 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.9+ Form of Agreement of Indemnity and Exoneration with Directors and Officers. (Filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-16998 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.10 Consulting and administrative agreements with S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-16998 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.11+ Johnson Outdoors Inc. 1994 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-88091 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.12+ Johnson Outdoors Inc. 1994 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-88089 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.13+ Johnson Outdoors Economic Value Added Bonus Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended October 1, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.14+ Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2000 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 29, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.15+ Share Purchase and Transfer Agreement, dated as of August 28, 2002, by and between, among others, Johnson Outdoors Inc. and an affiliate of Bain Capital Fund VII-E (UK), Limited Partnership. (Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated September 9, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.16+ Johnson Outdoors Inc. Worldwide Key Executive Phantom Share Long-Term Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q dated March 28, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.17+ Johnson Outdoors Inc. Worldwide Key Executives’ Discretionary Bonus Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 29, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.18 Stock Purchase Agreement by and between Johnson Outdoors Inc. and TFX Equities Incorporated. (Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q dated April 2, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.19 Intellectual Property Purchase Agreement by and among Johnson Outdoors Inc., Technology Holding Company II and Teleflex Incorporated. (Filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q dated April 2, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.20+ Johnson Outdoors Inc. 1987 Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan as amended. (Filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 29, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.21+ Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q dated April 2, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.)
 
 
 
33

 
10.22+ Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-115298 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.23+ Form of Stock Option Agreement under Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-115298 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.24 Amended and Restated Credit Term Loan Agreement (Term), dated as of January 2, 2009, among Johnson Outdoors, Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lender and agent, and the other lenders named therein (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the current report on Form 8-K dated and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 2, 2009).
10.25 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (Revolving), dated as of January 2, 2009, among Johnson Outdoors, Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lender and agent, and the other lenders named therein (filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the current report on Form 8-K dated and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 2, 2009).
21 Subsidiaries of the Company as of October 3, 2008.
23 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a).
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a).
32.1            (1) Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
+ A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
(1)        This certification is not “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 

34


CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Table of Contents
 
Page
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
F-2
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Consolidated Financial Statements
 
F-4
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
F-5
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
F-6
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
 
F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
F-8
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
F-9



 
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
 
The management of Johnson Outdoors Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
 
(a)
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
 
(b)
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
 
(c)
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 3, 2008. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment, management believes that, as of October 3, 2008, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
 
 /s/ Helen P. Johnson-Leipold                 /s/  David W. Johnson                               
Helen P. Johnson-Leipold
David W. Johnson
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
F-1

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
 
Shareholders and Board of Directors
 
Johnson Outdoors Inc.:
 
We have audited Johnson Outdoors Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 3, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Johnson Outdoors Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
 
F-2

 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, Johnson Outdoors Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of October 3, 2008, based on the COSO criteria.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Johnson Outdoors Inc. as of October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended October 3, 2008 of Johnson Outdoors Inc. and our report dated January 2, 2009, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
 
  /s/ Ernst & Young LLP       
 
Ernst & Young LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
 
January 2, 2009
 

 
F-3


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Shareholders and Board of Directors
Johnson Outdoors Inc.:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Johnson Outdoors Inc. as of October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended October 3, 2008. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Johnson Outdoors Inc. as of October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended October 3, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
As discussed in Note 1 of the financial statements, in the year ended October 3, 2008, the Company changed its method of accounting for uncertain tax positions to conform with FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.”  As discussed in Note 7 of the financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for pensions and other post retirement benefits, in the year ended September 28, 2007.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Johnson Outdoors Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 3, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated January 2, 2009, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
 
  /s/  Ernst & Young LLP          
 
Ernst & Young LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
 
January 2, 2009
 


 
F-4


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(thousands, except share data)
 
October 3
2008
   
September 28
2007
 
Assets
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 41,791     $ 39,232  
Accounts receivable less allowance for doubtful
accounts of $2,577 and $2,267, respectively
    52,710       57,275  
Inventories
    85,999       87,726  
Assets held for sale
    47       1,706  
Deferred income taxes
    2,963       11,029  
Other current assets
    6,204       8,253  
Total current assets
    189,714       205,221  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    39,077       36,406  
Deferred income taxes
    594       13,097  
Goodwill
    14,085       51,454  
Other intangible assets, net
    6,442       6,638  
Other assets
    5,157       6,863  
Total assets
  $ 255,069     $ 319,679  
Liabilities And Shareholders’ Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Short-term notes payable
  $     $ 22,000  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    3       10,800  
Accounts payable
    24,674       23,051  
Accrued liabilities:
               
Salaries, wages and benefits
    8,671       17,326  
Accrued discounts and returns
    5,776       5,524  
Accrued interest payable
    234       610  
Income taxes payable
    1,318       2,192  
Other
    14,637       16,619  
Liabilities held for sale
    76       938  
Total current liabilities
    55,389       99,060  
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    60,000       10,006  
Deferred income taxes
    1,111        
Retirement benefits
    6,774       2,402  
Other liabilities
    9,511       8,046  
Total liabilities
    132,785       119,514  
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock: none issued
           
Common stock:
               
Class A shares issued and outstanding:  October 3, 2008, 8,006,569; September 28, 2007, 7,949,617
    400       397  
Class B shares issued and outstanding:  October 3, 2008, 1,216,464; September 28, 2007, 1,217,409
    61       61  
Capital in excess of par value
    57,873       56,835  
Retained earnings
    53,171       126,253  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    10,779       16,619  
Total shareholders’ equity
    122,284       200,165  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 255,069     $ 319,679  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
F-5


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
           
Year Ended
   
(thousands, except per share data)
October 3
2008
 
September 28
2007
   
 September 29
2006
 
 
Net sales
$ 420,789  
$
430,604   $ 393,950  
Cost of sales
  261,238     255,108     228,673  
Gross profit
  159,551     175,496     165,277  
Operating expenses:
                   
Marketing and selling
  101,127     100,818     91,362  
Administrative management, finance and information systems
  42,796     38,646     35,823  
Research and development
  12,495     12,254     11,199  
Goodwill and other impairment charges
  41,007          
Litigation settlement
      4,400      
(Gains) losses related to New York flood
      (2,874 )   1,500  
Profit sharing
  179     2,226     2,034  
Total operating expenses
  197,604     155,470     141,918  
Operating (loss) profit
  (38,053 )   20,026     23,359  
Interest income
  (766 )   (738 )   (504
)
Interest expense
  5,695     5,162     4,989  
Other expense (income), net
  1,315     (193 )   376  
(Loss) income before income taxes
  (44,297 )   15,795     18,498  
Income tax expense
  24,178     5,246     8,061  
(Loss) income from continuing operations
  (68,475 )   10,549     10,437  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit of  $0, $772 and $1,012 respectively
  (2,559 )   (1,315 )   (1,722
)
Net (loss) income
$ (71,034 )
$
9,234   $ 8,715  
Weighted average common shares – Basic:
                   
Class A
  7,876     7,848     7,771  
Class B
  1,217     1,218     1,219  
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock
  169     188     171  
Weighted average common shares – Dilutive
  9,262     9,254     9,161  
(Loss) Income from continuing operations per common share – Basic:
                   
Class A
$ (7.53 )
$
1.18   $ 1.18  
Class B
$ (7.53 )
$
1.06   $ 1.06  
Loss from discontinued operations per common share – Basic:
                   
Class A
$ (0.28 )
$
(0.15 ) $ (0.20
)
Class B
$ (0.28 )
$
(0.13 ) $ (0.18
)
Net (loss) income per common share – Basic:
                   
Class A
$ (7.81 )
$
1.03   $ 0.98  
Class B
$ (7.81 )
$
0.93   $ 0.88  
(Loss) income from continuing operations per common Class A and B share – Dilutive
$ (7.53 )
$
1.14   $ 1.14  
Loss from discontinued operations per common Class A and B share – Dilutive
$ (0.28 )
$
(0.14 ) $ (0.19
)
Net (loss) income per common Class A and B share – Dilutive
$ (7.81 )
$
1.00   $ 0.95  
Dividends per share:
                   
Class A Common Stock
$ 0.22  
$
0.11   $ 0.00  
Class B Common Stock
$ 0.20  
$
0.10   $ 0.00  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
F-6


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
(thousands)
CommonStock
 
Capital in Excess of Par Value
 
Retaind
Earnings
 
Deferred
Compensation
 
TreasuryStock
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Balance at September 30, 2005
$ 451   $ 55,279   $ 109,300   $ (598 ) $   $ 2,002   $ 3,719  
Net income
          8,715                 8,715  
Exercise of stock options (1)
      65                      
Issuance of stock under employee stock purchase plan
  1     109                      
Stock-based compensation and award of restricted shares
  2     604                      
Adoption of SFAS 123 (R)
      (598 )       598                
Translation adjustment
                      3,454     3,454  
Additional minimum pension liability (2)
                      1,497     1,497  
Balance at September 29, 2006
  454     55,459     118,015             6,953     13,666  
Net income
          9,234                 9,234  
Dividends declared
          (996 )                
Exercise of stock options (1)
  1     591                      
Issuance of stock under employee stock purchase plan
  1     160                      
Stock-based compensation and award of restricted shares
  2     625                      
Translation adjustment
                      10,379     10,379  
Additional minimum pension liability (2)
                      45     45  
Comprehensive income
                          19,658  
Adoption of SFAS 158(3)
                      (758 )      
Balance at September 28, 2007
  458     56,835     126,253             16,619        
Net loss
          (71,034 )               (71,034 )
Dividends declared
          (2,003 )                
Exercise of stock options (1)
  1     154     (45 )       80          
Issuance of stock under employee stock purchase plan
  1     135                      
Stock-based compensation and award of restricted shares
  1     749                      
Translation adjustment
                      (1,295 )   (1,295 )
Change in pension plans (2)
                      (1,786 )   (1,786 )
Purchase of treasury stock at cost
                  (80 )        
Cash Flow Hedge
                      (2,759 )   (2,759 )
Comprehensive income
                        $ (76,874 )
Balance at October 3, 2008
$ 461   $ 57,873   $ 53,171   $   $   $ 10,779        
 
(1)  
Includes tax benefit related to exercise of stock options of $29, $111 and $25 for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
(2)  
Net of tax provision of $(705), $33 and $771 for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
(3)  
Net of tax provision of $560 for 2007.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
F-7


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
Year Ended
 
(thousands)
 
October 3
2008
   
September 28
2007
   
September 29
2006
 
Cash Provided By Operating Activities
                 
Net (loss) income
  $ (71,034 )   $ 9,234     $ 8,715  
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation
    9,423       9,079       8,813  
Amortization of intangible assets and deferred financing costs
    633       323       351  
Goodwill and other impairment charges
    41,007              
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment
    565       12       107  
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable
    735       990       629  
Provision for inventory reserves
    5,552       1,687       2,163  
Stock-based compensation
    711       651       686  
Deferred income taxes
    20,647       (88 )     3,755  
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of businesses acquired or sold:
                       
Accounts receivable
    7,079       (3,063 )     (3,591 )
Inventories
    (577 )     (22,550 )     (10,617 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (15,809 )     5,366       1,166  
Other current assets
    2,153       (831 )     (2,074 )
Other non-current assets
    1,800       (1,855 )     (575 )
Other long-term liabilities
    1,898       2,371       (1,479 )
Other, net
    117       (668 )     (558 )
      4,900       658       7,491  
Cash Used For Investing Activities
                       
Payments for purchase of business
    (6,329 )     (9,409 )     (9,863 )
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (12,424 )     (13,418 )     (8,865 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
    534       814       178  
      (18,219 )     (22,013 )     (18,550 )
Cash Provided By (Used For) Financing Activities
                       
Net (repayments) borrowings on short-term debt
    (22,000 )     22,000        
Borrowings on long-term debt
    60,000             7  
Principal payments on senior notes and other long-term debt
    (20,803 )     (17,001 )     (13,000 )
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
    30       111       25  
Dividends paid
    (2,000 )     (498 )      
Common stock transactions
    301       642       150  
      15,528       5,254       (12,818 )
Effect of foreign currency fluctuations on cash
    350       3,644       3,455  
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    2,559       (12,457 )     (20,422 )
Cash and cash equilavents
                       
Beginning of year
    39,232       51,689       72,111  
End of year
  $ 41,791     $ 39,232     $ 51,689  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
F-8

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OCTOBER 3, 2008
 
(in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Business
 
Johnson Outdoors Inc. (“the Company”) is an integrated, global outdoor recreation products company engaged in the design, manufacture and marketing of brand name outdoor equipment, diving, watercraft and marine electronics products.
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Johnson Outdoors Inc. and all majority owned subsidiaries and are stated in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and operating results and the disclosure of commitments and contingent liabilities. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. For the Company, significant estimates include the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, reserves for inventory valuation, impairment of goodwill, reserves for sales returns, reserves for warranty service, pension actuarial assumptions and the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.
 
Fiscal Year
 
The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Friday nearest September 30. The fiscal year ended October 3, 2008 (hereinafter 2008), comprised 53 weeks. The fiscal years ended September 28, 2007 (hereinafter 2007) and September 29, 2006 (hereinafter 2006) each comprised 52 weeks.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
The Company considers all short-term investments in interest-bearing bank accounts, securities and other instruments with an original maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be equivalent to cash.  Cash equivalents are stated at cost which approximates market value.
 
The Company maintains cash in bank accounts in excess of insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses and does not believe that significant credit risk exists as a result of this practice.
 
Accounts Receivable
 
Accounts receivable are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where specific collection concerns exist, a reserve is established to reduce the amount recorded to an amount the Company believes will be collected. For all other customers, the Company recognizes allowances for doubtful accounts based on historical experience of bad debts as a percent of accounts receivable for each business unit. Uncollectible accounts are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts after collection efforts have been exhausted. The Company typically does not require collateral on its accounts receivable.
 
 
F-9

 
Inventories
 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (determined using the first-in, first-out method) or market.
 
Inventories at the end of the respective years consist of the following:
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Raw materials
  $ 30,581     $ 34,585  
Work in process
    2,834       3,850  
Finished goods
    59,897       53,315  
      93,312       91,750  
Less reserves
    7,313       4,024  
    $ 85,999     $ 87,726  
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
 
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of plant and equipment is determined by straight-line methods over the following estimated useful lives:
 
Property improvements
 5-20 years
Buildings and improvements
 20-40 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
 3-10 years

Upon retirement or disposition, cost and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in the results of operations.
 
Property, plant and equipment at the end of the respective years consist of the following:
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Property and improvements
  $ 1,240     $ 1,307  
Buildings and improvements
    25,481       22,731  
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
    106,252       100,790  
      132,973       124,828  
Less accumulated depreciation
    93,896       88,422  
    $ 39,077     $ 36,406  
 
 
F-10

 
Goodwill
 
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS 142”), the Company applies a fair value-based impairment test to the net book value of goodwill on an annual basis and, if certain events or circumstances indicate that an impairment loss may have been incurred, on an interim basis.  The analysis of potential impairment of goodwill requires a two-step process.  The first step is the estimation of fair value of the applicable reporting units.  Reporting units are defined as operating segments or one level below an operating segment when that component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of that component.  The Company has identified its Outdoor Equipment segment and Diving segment as reporting units as well as the component businesses of its Marine Electronic segment and Watercraft segment.  Estimated fair value is based on management judgments and assumptions and those fair values are compared with the aggregate carrying values of the reporting units.  If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, there is no impairment.  If the reporting unit carrying amount is greater than the fair value, then the second step must be completed to measure the amount of impairment, if any.
 
The second step calculates the implied fair value of the goodwill which is compared to its carrying value.  If the implied fair value is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference.
 
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test.  The fair value of the reporting units was estimated based on a discounted projection of future cash flows.  The rate used in determining discounted cash flows is a rate corresponding to the Company’s cost of capital, adjusted for risk where appropriate.  In determining the estimated future cash flows, current and future levels of income are considered as well as business trends and market conditions. Due to reduced growth expectations resulting from weakening economic conditions and increases in the Company’s weighted average cost of capital, the analysis indicated the potential for impairment.
 
With the assistance of a third-party valuation firm, the Company performed the second step and determined that an impairment of goodwill existed.  Accordingly, a non-cash charge of $39.6 million was recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 for goodwill impairment.  Due to the current economic uncertainty and other factors, the Company cannot assure that remaining goodwill will not be further impaired in future periods.  There was no impairment recorded for the years ended September 28, 2007 and September 29, 2006.
 
The changes in the carrying amount of segment goodwill for fiscal 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
   
Marine
Electronics
   
Outdoor
Equipment
   
Watercraft
   
Diving
   
Consolidated
 
Balance at September 29, 2006
  $ 14,596     $ 563     $ 5,518     $ 22,270     $ 42,947  
Currency translation
    -       -       359       1,918       2,277  
Acquisitions
    -       -       710       5,520       6,230  
Balance at September 28, 2007
    14,596       563       6,587       29,708       51,454  
Currency translations
    (92 )     -       (345 )     933       496  
Acquisitions
    1,738       -       -       -       1,738  
Impairment charges
    (6,229 )     (563 )     (5,904 )     (26,907 )     (39,603 )
Balance at October 3, 2008
  $ 10,013     $ -     $ 338     $ 3,734     $ 14,085  
 
Other Intangible Assets
 
Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method over periods ranging from 3 to 25 years for patents and other intangible assets with definite lives.  During 2008, the final allocation of the purchase price related to the Geonav acquisition was completed resulting in definite lived intangible assets of $1,833.  The weighted average amortization period for these assets is 17 years.
 
In accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 142, the Company carried out its annual fair value-based impairment test on indefinite lived intangibles as of October 3, 2008.  As a result of the test, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.
 
 
F-11

 
Intangible assets at the end of the respective years consist of the following:
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Patents
  $ 3,457     $ 3,443  
Trademarks
    5,218       5,997  
Other
    1,620       744  
      10,295       10,184  
Less accumulated amortization
    3,853       3,546  
Net patents, trademarks and other
  $ 6,442     $ 6,638  

Trademarks at October 3, 2008 contain $4,158 of trademarks ($5,382 at September 28, 2007) which have indefinite lives and are not amortized. Amortization of patents and other intangible assets with definite lives was $453, $150 and $172 for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Amortization of these intangible assets is expected to be approximately $581 per year until they are fully amortized (the unamortized value of these assets was $2,284 and $1,256 as of October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007, respectively).
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The components of “Accumulated other comprehensive income” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of fiscal year-end 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  $ 16,380     $ 17,674  
Unamortized loss on pension plans, net of tax of $33 and $771, respectively
    (2,842 )     (1,055 )
Cash flow hedge
    (2,759 )     -  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
  $ 10,779     $ 16,619  
 
Warranties
 
The Company provides for warranties of certain products as they are sold. The following table summarizes the warranty activity for the three years in the period ended October 3, 2008.
 
Balance at September 30, 2005
  $ 3,287  
Expense accruals for warranties issued during the year
    3,915  
Reserve for businesses acquired
    100  
Less current year warranty claims paid
    3,458  
Balance at September 29, 2006
    3,844  
Expense accruals for warranties issued during the year
    4,006  
Less current year warranty claims paid
    3,560  
Balance at September 28, 2007
    4,290  
Expense accruals for warranties issued during the year
    3,742  
Less current year warranty claims paid
    3,671  
Balance at October 3, 2008
  $ 4,361  

 
F-12

 
Earnings per Share
 
Net income or loss per share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is computed in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, Earnings per Share ("SFAS No. 128") using the two-class method.
 
Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to cash dividends equal to 110% of all dividends declared and paid on each share of Class B Common Stock. As such, and in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force 03-06, Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128 ("EITF 03-06"), the undistributed earnings for each period are allocated to each class of common stock based on the proportionate share of the amount of cash dividends that each such class is entitled to receive.
 
Basic EPS
 
Under the provisions of SFAS No. 128 and EITF 03-06, basic net income or loss per share is computed by dividing net income or loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding less any non-vested stock.  In periods with cumulative year to date net income and undistributed income, the undistributed income for each period is allocated to each class of common stock based on the proportionate share of the amount of cash dividends that each such class is entitled to receive.  In periods where there is a cumulative year to date net loss or no undistributed income because distributions through dividends exceeds net income, Class B shares are treated as anti-dilutive and losses are allocated equally on a per share basis among Class A and Class B shareholders.
 
For 2007 and 2006, basic income per share for Class A and Class B shares has been presented using the two class method in accordance with EITF 03-06.  For 2008, basic loss per share for Class A and Class B shares is the same due to the cumulative net loss incurred.
 
Diluted EPS
 
Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, adjusted for the effect of dilutive stock options and non-vested stock using the treasury method. The computation of diluted net income per share of Common Stock assumes that Class B Common Stock is converted into Class A Common Stock.  Therefore, diluted net income per share is the same for both Class A and Class B shares.  In periods where the Company reports a net loss, the effect of anti-dilutive stock options and non-vested stock is excluded and diluted loss per share is equal to basic loss per share.
 
For 2007 and 2006, diluted net income per share reflects the effect of dilutive stock options and non-vested stock using the treasury method and assumes the conversion of Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock.  For 2008, the effect of stock options and non-vested stock is excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation as they would be anti-dilutive.
 
 
F-13

 
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
(Loss) income from continuing operations
  $ (68,475 )   $ 10,549     $ 10,437  
Loss from discontinued operations
    (2,559 )     (1,315 )     (1,722 )
Net (loss) income
  $ (71,034 )   $ 9,234     $ 8,715  
(Loss) Income from continuing operations per common share – Basic:
                       
Class A
  $ (7.53 )   $ 1.18     $ 1.18  
Class B
  $ (7.53 )   $ 1.06     $ 1.06  
Loss from discontinued operations per common share – Basic:
                       
Class A
  $ (0.28 )   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.20 )
Class B
  $ (0.28 )   $ (0.13 )   $ (0.18 )
(Loss) Income per common share – Basic:
                       
Class A
  $ (7.81 )   $ 1.03     $ 0.98  
Class B
  $ (7.81 )   $ 0.93     $ 0.88  
(Loss) Income from continuing operations per common Class A and B share – Dilutive
  $ (7.53 )   $ 1.14     $ 1.14  
Loss from discontinued operations per common Class A and B share – Dilutive
  $ (0.28 )   $ (0.14 )   $ (0.19 )
(Loss) Income per common Class A and B share – Dilutive
  $ (7.81 )   $ 1.00     $ 0.95  

Stock options that could potentially dilute earnings per share in the future which were not included in the fully diluted computation for 2008 and 2006 because they would have been anti-dilutive totaled 271,043 and 19,750 respectively. There were no anti-dilutive stock options for 2007.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
Effective October 1, 2005, the Company adopted the fair value recognition and measurements provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), using the modified-prospective-transition method.  Under that transition method, compensation cost for stock options recognized in fiscal 2006 includes compensation cost for all options granted prior to, but not vested as of October 1, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123.  Compenstation cost will be recorded for all options granted, if any, subsequent to October 1, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). 
 
No stock options were granted in 2008, 2007 or 2006.  See Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Company’s stock-based incentive plans, including stock options, restricted stock, phantom stock and employee stock purchase plans.
 
In accordance with SFAS No. 123(R) Share-Based Payment, cash flows from income tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for stock-based awards have been classified as financing cash flows.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company provides for income taxes currently payable and deferred income taxes resulting from temporary differences between financial statement and taxable income.
 
In assessing the realizeability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of the deferred tax assets, will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of taxable income during the years in which those temporary differences become deductible. The Company considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, tax planning strategies, and when appropriate, projected future taxable income in making this assessment.
 
The Company’s U.S. entities file a consolidated federal income tax return.
 
On October 1, 2007, the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”).  FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertain tax positions.  See Note 6 for additional discussion.
 
 
F-14

 
Employee Benefits
 
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have various retirement and profit sharing plans. The Company does not have any significant foreign retirement plans. Pension obligations, which are generally based on compensation and years of service, are funded by payments to pension fund trustees. The Company’s policy is to annually fund the minimum amount required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 for plans subject thereto. Other retirement costs are funded at least annually.
 
Foreign Operations and Related Derivative Financial Instruments
 
The functional currencies of the Company’s foreign operations are the local currencies. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange existing at the end of the year. Results of operations are translated at monthly average exchange rates. Adjustments resulting from the translation of foreign currency financial statements are classified as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of shareholders’ equity.
 
Currency gains and losses are realized when assets and liabilities of foreign operations, denominated in other than their local currency, are converted into the local currency of the entity. Additionally, currency gains and losses are realized through the settlement of transactions denominated in other than the local currency. The Company realized currency losses from transactions of $1,945, $584 and $221 for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
The Company operates internationally, which gives rise to exposure to market risk from movements in foreign currency exchange rates.  The Company does not enter into foreign exchange contracts for trading or speculative purposes. Gains and losses on unhedged exposures are recorded in operating results.
 
Approximately 29% of the Company’s revenues for the year ended October 3, 2008 were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Approximately 17% were denominated in euros, with the remaining 12% denominated in various other foreign currencies.  In the past, the Company has mitigated a portion of the fluctuations in certain foreign currencies through the purchase of foreign currency swaps, forward contracts and options to hedge known commitments, primarily for purchases of inventory and other assets denominated in foreign currencies; however, no such transactions were entered into during fiscal years 2008, 2007 or 2006.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Revenue from sales is recognized when all substantial risk of ownership transfers to the customer, which is generally upon shipment of products. Estimated costs of returns and allowances are accrued as an offset to sales when revenue is recognized.
 
Advertising
 
The Company expenses substantially all costs related to the production of advertising the first time the advertising takes place. Cooperative promotional arrangements are accrued as related revenue is earned.
 
Advertising expense in 2008, 2007 and 2006 totaled $24,355 $22,743 and $21,137, respectively. Capitalized costs at October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007 totaled $1,390 and $1,194, respectively, and primarily include catalogs and costs of advertising which have not yet run for the first time.
 
Shipping and Handling Costs
 
Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are included in net sales. Shipping and handling costs are included in marketing and selling expense and totaled $14,156, $15,001 and $14,615 for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
Research and Development
 
The Company expenses research and development costs as incurred except for costs of software development for new fishfinder products which are capitalized once technological feasibility is established. The amount capitalized related to software development for new fishfinders was $2,854, less accumulated amortization of $1,752 at October 3, 2008 and $2,227, less accumulated amortization of $712 at September 28, 2007.  These costs are amortized over the expected life of the software. The amounts expensed by the Company in connection with research and development activities for each of the last three fiscal years are set forth in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
 
F-15

 
Fair Values
 
The carrying amounts of cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximated fair value at October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007 due to the short maturities of these instruments. See Note 4 for the fair value of long-term debt.
 
Reclassifications
 
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2008 presentation.  These reclassifications were primarily associated with the classification of our Escape business as discontinued.  See Note 15 for additional information.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”). This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 clarifies the definition of exchange price as the price between market participants in an orderly transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability in the market in which the reporting entity would transact for the asset or liability, which market is the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The Company will be required to adopt SFAS No. 157 beginning in fiscal 2009. The Company does not believe the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS No. 159”). This standard permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The fair value option permits a company to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. A company will report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings after adoption. SFAS No. 159 will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2009. The Company does not believe the adoption of SFAS No. 159 will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised 2007), Business Combinations (“SFAS No. 141(R)”). The objective of SFAS No. 141(R) is to improve the information provided in financial reports about a business combination and its effects. SFAS No. 141(R) requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date. SFAS No. 141(R) also requires the acquirer to recognize and measure the goodwill acquired in a business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase. SFAS No. 141(R) will be applied on a prospective basis for business combinations where the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the Company’s 2010 fiscal year.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements-an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS No. 160”). The objective of SFAS No. 160 is to improve the financial information provided in consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 160 amends ARB No. 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS No. 160 also changes the way the consolidated income statement is presented, establishes a single method of accounting for changes in a parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in deconsolidation, requires that a parent recognize a gain or loss in net income when a subsidiary is deconsolidated, and expands disclosures in the consolidated financial statements in order to clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent’s owners and the interest of the noncontrolling owners of a subsidiary. SFAS No. 160 is effective for the Company’s 2010 fiscal year. The Company does not anticipate that SFAS No. 160 will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of SFAS No. 133 (“SFAS No. 161”). SFAS No. 161 is intended to improve financial standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand the effect these instruments and activities have on an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about: how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations; and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We will adopt SFAS No. 161 beginning in fiscal 2009.
 
 
F-16

 
2
RESTRUCTURING
 
Diving- Hallwil
 
In March 2008, the Company announced plans to consolidate UWATEC dive computer manufacturing and distribution at its existing facility in Batam, Indonesia which, for the past nine years, was a sub-assembly site for UWATEC’s main production in Hallwil, Switzerland. Batam operations were expanded and upgraded to accommodate needed additional capacity.  Consolidation is focused on improving operating efficiencies and reducing inventory lead times and operating costs. The total costs incurred during the twelve month period ended October 3, 2008 were $2,451, consisting of $825 of employee termination costs, and $1,626 of other costs. The Company expects the total cost of this restructuring to be approximately $2,783 consisting of employee termination benefits and related costs of $1,157 and other costs of $1,626.  The other costs  consist principally of project management, legal, moving and contract termination costs. These charges were included in the “Administrative management, finance and information systems” line in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. This action impacted 35 employees, resulting in the elimination of 33 positions and the reassignment of 2 employees to other roles in the Company.
 
The following represents a reconciliation of the changes in restructuring reserves related to this project through October 3, 2008.
 
   
Employee
Termination
Costs
   
Contract Exit
 Costs
   
Other Exit
 Costs
   
Total
 
Accrued liabilities as of September 28, 2007
  $     $     $     $  
Activity during the period ended October 3, 2008:
                               
Charges to earnings
    825             1,626       2,451  
Settlement payments
                (1,626 )     (1,626 )
Accrued liabilities as of October 3, 2008
    825                   825  
Estimated completion costs
    332                   332  
Total estimated restructuring cost
  $ 1,157     $     $ 1,626     $ 2,783  
 
 
F-17

 
Outdoor Equipment - Binghamton
 
In June 2008, the Company announced plans to restructure and downsize its Binghamton, New York operations due to continued significant declines in sales of Military tents. The total costs incurred for this restructuring during the twelve month period ended October 3, 2008 were $320, consisting entirely of employee termination costs. The Company expects the total cost of this restructuring to be $320.  Approximately $47 and $45 of payments will be made in the first and second quarter of fiscal 2009, respectively. These charges are included in the “Administrative management, finance and information systems” line in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. This action resulted in the elimination of 27 positions.
 
The following represents a reconciliation of the changes in restructuring reserves related to this project through October 3, 2008:
 
   
Employee
Termination
 Costs
   
Contract Exit
 Costs
   
Other Exit
 Costs
   
Total
 
Accrued liabilities as of September 28, 2007
  $     $     $     $  
Activity during the year ended  October  3, 2008:
                               
Charges to earnings
    320                   320  
Settlement payments
    (228 )                 (228 )
Accrued liabilities as of October 3, 2008
    92                   92  
Estimated completion costs
                       
Total estimated restructuring cost
  $ 320     $     $     $ 320  
 

F-18

 
Diving – Bad Säkingen
 
In May 2007, the Company announced plans to relocate the operations of the Scubapro facility in Bad Säkingen, Germany into the Seemann operations in Wendelstein, Germany. As a result of the relocation of the positions at the Bad Säkingen facility in fiscal 2007, the Company recognized an expense of $578, consisting of employee termination benefits and related costs of $428 and non-employee exit costs of $150, principally consisting of moving and contract termination costs.  These charges were included in the “Administrative management, finance and information systems” line in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. This relocation resulted in the movement or elimination of 21 positions. The Company incurred charges of $74 in 2008 to exit its lease of the Bad Säkingen facility. No further restructuring charges or payments are anticipated in the future. Total restructuring costs for the Bad Säkingen closure were $652, consisting of approximately $130 of exit costs, $428 of employee termination costs, and $94 of other exit costs.
 
The following represents a reconciliation of the changes in restructuring reserves related to this project through October 3 2008:
 
   
Employee
Termination
 Costs
   
Contract Exit
 Costs
   
Other Exit
 Costs
   
Total
 
Accrued liabilities as of September 29, 2006
  $     $     $     $  
Activity during the year ended
        September 28, 2007:
                               
Charges to earnings
    428       130       20       578  
Settlement payments
    (281 )     (14 )     (20 )     (315 )
Accrued liabilities as of September 29, 2007
    147       116             263  
Activity during the year ended
        October  3, 2008:
                               
Charges to earnings
                74       74  
Settlement payments
    (147 )     (116 )     (74 )     (337 )
Accrued liabilities as of October 3, 2008
  $     $     $       $  

Diving – European Distribution
 
In September 2005, the Company approved a plan to consolidate distribution in Europe. These actions resulted in the closure of warehouses in Germany, Italy and Switzerland and office space in France during fiscal 2006. Additionally, actions were taken during fiscal 2005 to reorganize the European management structure to unify the marketing and sales efforts across Europe. This decision resulted in the reduction of 14 positions. These charges are included in the "Administrative management, finance and information systems" line in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations.
 
A summary of charges, payments and accruals for 2006 and 2005 are as follows:
 
   
Employee
Termination
 Costs
   
Contract Exit
 Costs
   
Other Exit
 Costs
   
Total
 
Accrued liabilities as of
         September 30, 2005
  $ 675     $ 43     $     $ 718  
Activity during the year ended
         September 29, 2006:
                               
Charges to earnings
    51       9       292       352  
Settlement payments
    (726 )     (52 )     (292 )     (1,070 )
Accrued liabilities as of
        September 29, 2006
  $
    $     $     $  
 
 
F-19

 
3
ACQUISITIONS
 
Geonav S.r.l.
 
On November 16, 2007, the Company acquired 100% of outstanding common stock of Geonav S.r.l. (Geonav), a marine electronics company for approximately $5,646 (cash of $5,242 and transaction costs of $404). The acquisition was funded with existing cash and borrowings under our credit facilities.  Geonav is a major European brand of chart plotters based in Viareggio, Italy. The Company believes that the purchase of Geonav will allow the Company to expand its product line and add to its marine electronics distribution channels in Europe. Also sold under the Geonav brand are marine autopilots, VHF radios and fishfinders. Geonav is included in the Company’s Marine Electronics segment.
 
The following table summarizes the final allocation of the purchase price, fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and the resulting goodwill acquired at the date of the Geonav acquisition.
 
Accounts receivable
  $ 3,991  
Inventories
    3,291  
Other current assets
    111  
Property, plant and equipment
    429  
Trademark
    855  
Customer list
    978  
Goodwill
    1,738  
Total assets acquired
    11,393  
Total liabilities assumed
    5,747  
Net purchase price
  $ 5,646  
 
The goodwill acquired is not deductible for tax purposes.
 
The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method and, accordingly, the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements include the results of operations since the date of acquisition.
 
The Company is not required to present pro forma financial information with respect to the Geonav acquisition due to the immateriality of the transaction.
 
 
F-20

 
Seemann Sub GmbH & Co.
 
On April 2, 2007, the Company purchased the assets and assumed related liabilities of Seemann Sub GmbH & Co. KG (Seemann) for an initial payment of $7,757, plus $178 in transaction costs and $683 in additional purchase price consideration.  All  of the additional purchase price consideration was paid in fiscal 2008.  The transaction was funded using cash and was made to add to the breadth of the Diving product lines. Seemann, located in Wendelstein, Germany, is one of that country’s largest dive equipment providers. The purchase of the Seemann Sub brand was made to expand the Company’s product line with dive gear for the price-driven consumer. The Seemann product line is sold through the same channels as the Company’s other diving products and is included in the Company’s Diving segment.
 
The following table summarizes the final allocation of the purchase price, fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and the resulting goodwill acquired at the date of the Seemann acquisition.
 
Total current assets
  $ 1,831  
Property, plant and equipment
    122  
Trademark
    936  
Customer list
    267  
Goodwill
    5,915  
Total assets acquired
    9,071  
Total liabilities assumed
    453  
Net purchase price
  $ 8,618  

The goodwill acquired is deductible for tax purposes.
 
The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method and, accordingly, the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements include the results of operations since the date of acquisition.
 
The Company is not required to present pro forma financial information with respect to the Seemann acquisition due to the immateriality of the transaction.
 
Lendal Products Ltd.
 
On October 3, 2006, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Lendal Products Ltd. (Lendal) from Lendal's founders for $1,404, plus $106 in transaction costs. The transaction was funded using cash and was made to add to the breadth of the Watercraft product lines.  Lendal manufactures and markets premium performance sea touring, whitewater and surf paddles and blades. The Lendal products are sold through the same channels as the Company’s other Watercraft products and are included in the Company’s Watercraft segment.
 
The following table summarizes the final allocation of the purchase price, fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and the resulting goodwill acquired at the date of the Lendal acquisition.
 
Total current assets
  $ 623  
Property, plant and equipment
    122  
Trademark
    175  
Patents
    75  
Customer list
    49  
Goodwill
    710  
Total assets acquired
    1,754  
Total liabilities assumed
    244  
Net purchase price
  $ 1,510  

The goodwill acquired is not deductible for tax purposes.
 
The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method and, accordingly, the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements include the results of operations since the date of acquisition.
 
The Company is not required to present pro forma financial information with respect to the Lendal acquisition due to the immateriality of the transaction.
 
 
F-21

 
Cannon/Bottom Line
 
On October 3, 2005, the Company acquired the assets of Cannon downriggers and Bottom Line fishfinders (Cannon/Bottom Line) from Computrol, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Armstrong International. The purchase price was $9,863 and the transaction was funded using cash on hand. Cannon/Bottom Line is included in the Company’s Marine Electronics segment and was acquired to add to the breadth of the Marine Electronic product lines.
 
The following table summarizes the final allocation of the purchase price, fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and the resulting goodwill acquired at the date of the Cannon/Bottom Line acquisition.
 
Total current assets
  $ 4,348  
Property, plant and equipment
    260  
Trademark
    940  
Patents
    195  
Goodwill
    4,582  
Total assets acquired
    10,325  
Total liabilities assumed
    462  
Net purchase price
  $ 9,863  

The goodwill acquired is deductible for tax purposes.
 
The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method and, accordingly, the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements include the results of operations since the date of acquisition.
 
The Company is not required to present pro forma financial information with respect to the Cannon/Bottom Line acquisition due to the immateriality of the transaction.
 
 
F-22

 
4
INDEBTEDNESS
 
At October 3, 2008, the Company had a $75,000 unsecured revolving credit facility agreement dated October 7, 2005 which expires October 7, 2010. The Company had no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility at October 3, 2008.
 
On February 12, 2008, the Company entered into a Term Loan Agreement, with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., as lender and agent, and the other lenders named therein. On the same date, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lender and agent, and the other lenders named therein (“the lending group”). This amendment updated the Company’s October 7, 2005 revolving credit facility to allow for the term loan and to amend the financial covenants in the revolving credit facility.
 
The Term Loan Agreement consists of a $60,000 term loan maturing on February 12, 2013. At October 3, 2008, the Company had Term Loan Agreement borrowings outstanding of $60,000 which bear interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on the Company’s ratio of consolidated debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and varies between 1.25% and 2.00%. At October 3, 2008, the margin in effect was 2.00%.
 
The Term Loan Agreement requires the Company to comply with certain financial and non-financial covenants.  Among other restrictions, the Company is restricted in its ability to pay dividends, incur additional debt and make acquisitions above certain amounts. The key financial covenants include minimum fixed charge coverage and maximum leverage ratios. The most significant changes to the previous covenants include the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio increasing from 2.00 to 2.25 and the pledge of 65% of the shares of material foreign subsidiaries.
 
On October 3, 2008, the Company violated certain of its covenants and on October 13, 2008, the Company entered into an Omnibus Amendment of its Term Loan Agreement and revolving credit facility effective as of October 3, 2008 with the lending group.  On the same date, the Company also entered into a Security Agreement with the lending group which resulted in certain inventories and receivables being used as collateral.  The Omnibus Amendment temporarily modified certain provisions of the Company’s Term Loan Agreement and revolving credit facility.
 
The Omnibus Amendment reset the applicable margin on the LIBOR based debt at 3.25%.  Under the terms of the Omnibus Amendment, certain financial and non-financial covenants were modified, including restrictions on the Company’s ability to increase the amount or frequency of dividends, a restriction in the aggregate amount of acquisitions to no more than $2 million, adjustments to the maximum leverage ratio which cannot exceed 5.0 to 1.0 and adjustments to the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio which cannot be less than 1.75 to 1.0 for the quarter ended October 3, 2008.  In addition, the definition of consolidated EBITDA was modified to exclude certain non-cash items.

The Omnibus Amendment did not reset the net worth covenant and the Company violated this covenant as of October 3, 2008.  On December 31, 2008, the Company entered into an amended Term Loan Agreement and revolving credit facility agreement with the lending group, effective January 2, 2009.  Changes to the term loan include shortening the maturity date to October 7, 2010, adjusting financial covenants and adjusting interest rates.  The revised term loan bears interest at a LIBOR rate plus 5.00% with a LIBOR floor of 3.50%.  The revolving credit facility was reduced from $75,000 to $35,000, with an additional reduction of $5,000 required by January 31, 2009.  The maturity of the revolving credit facility remains unchanged at October 7, 2010 and bears interest at LIBOR plus 4.50%. The Amended Term Loan and Credit Facility agreements provide for collateral of fixed assets and intellectual properties in the United States, in addition to certain inventory and accounts receivable already pledged under the Omnibus Amendment.  The Credit Facility is limited to a borrowing base calculated at 70% of accounts receivable and 55% of inventory for the months of October through January, and 50% of accounts receivable and 50% of inventory for the other months of the year, then reduced by other outstanding borrowings.
 
Due to the fact the Company has entered into this amendment, the Company’s term loan has been classified as long-term as of October 3, 2008, in accordance with the terms of the Amended Term Loan Agreement.
 
 
F-23

The Company uses interest rate swaps in order to maintain a mix of floating rate and fixed rate debt such that permanent working capital needs are largely funded with fixed rate debt and seasonal working capital needs are funded with floating rate debt. To manage this risk in a cost efficient manner, the Company enters into interest rate swaps in which the Company agrees to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed upon notional principal amount. The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objectives and strategies for understanding hedge transactions. Interest rate swaps that meet specific conditions under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS No. 133”), are accounted for as cash flow hedges. The mark-to-market values of both the cash flow hedging instruments and the underlying debt obligations are recorded as equal and offsetting gains and losses in the interest expense component of the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations.
 
On October 29, 2007 the Company entered into a forward starting interest rate swap (the “Swap”) with a notional amount of $60,000 receiving a floating three month LIBOR interest rate while paying at a fixed interest rate of 4.685% over the period beginning on December 14, 2007 and ending on December 14, 2012. Interest is payable quarterly, starting on March 14, 2008.  The Swap has been designated as a cash flow hedge and as of October 3, 2008, is expected to be an effective hedge against the impact on interest payments of changes in the three-month LIBOR benchmark rate.  As of October 3, 2008, ineffectiveness of the Swap is immaterial.  The effect of the Swap is to lock the interest rate on $60,000 of three-month floating rate LIBOR debt at 4.685%, before applying the applicable margin. The market value of the Swap will rise and fall as market expectations of future floating rate LIBOR interest rates over the five year life of the Swap change in relation to the fixed rate of 4.685%.  The Swap has been recorded as a liability at its fair value of $2,759 at October 3, 2008, and as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in equity net of tax, in accordance with SFAS No. 133.
 
As a result of the amendment of the Company’s debt agreements entered into on December 31, 2008, the Company has prepared an analysis of the Swap in respect of the new terms as of that date and concluded that the Swap is no longer an effective hedge against the impact on interest payments of changes in the three-month LIBOR benchmark rate due to the LIBOR floor in the amended terms.  The Company will evaluate the effectiveness of the Swap on a quarterly basis going forward.
 
On December 29, 2008, the Company and JPMorgan Chase (“the Counterparty”) agreed to amend the terms of its $60,000 LIBOR interest rate swap (“the Swap”) contract to include an automatic termination clause.  The Company and the Counterparty are negotiating a modification of the terms of the Swap to accommodate the new debt agreements.  If the Company and the Counterparty cannot agree to acceptable modification terms, then the Swap will automatically terminate on January 8, 2009.  Early termination of the Swap would require the Company and the Counterparty to settle their respective obligations to each other under the Swap contract terms.  If such a termination had occurred on December 29, 2008, it would have required the Company to pay the Counterparty approximately $6,500 which was the fair value of the Swap on that date.  If the Swap were to terminate on January 8, 2009, the amount required to be paid by the Company to settle this contract could be materially different.
 
Long-term debt at the end of the respective years shown below consisted of the following:
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Term loan
  $ 60,000     $  
2001 senior notes
          20,000  
1998 senior notes
          800  
Other
    3       6  
      60,003       20,806  
Less current maturities
    3       10,800  
    $ 60,000     $ 10,006  

The 2001 senior notes were unsecured and accrued interest at 7.82%.  The 1998 senior notes were unsecured and accrued interest at 7.15%.  The Company has in place $6,989 in unsecured revolving credit facilities at its foreign subsidiaries. There was no borrowing outstanding on any of these facilities during the year ended October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007.
 
The Company utilizes letters of credit for trade financing purposes which totaled $2,245 at October 3, 2008.
 
The Company has total unsecured lines of credit, both foreign and domestic, with availability totaling $88,398 as of October 3, 2008.  This availability is reduced to $48,398 effective January 2, 2009 under the amended debt agreements, and then to $43,398 by January 31, 2009.
 
Aggregate scheduled maturities of long-term debt as of October 3, 2008 are as follows:
F-24

 
Year
     
2009
  $ 3  
2010
    60,000  

Interest paid was $5,932, $5,498 and $5,496 for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and maturities, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt as of October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007 was approximately $60,003 and $21,522, respectively.
 
Certain of the Company’s loan agreements require that the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Helen P. Johnson-Leipold, members of her family and related entities (hereinafter the Johnson Family) continue to own stock having votes sufficient to elect a majority of the directors. At December 5, 2008, the Johnson Family held 3,739,454 shares or approximately 46% of the Class A common stock, 1,211,196 shares or approximately 100% of the Class B common stock and approximately 78% of the voting power of both classes of common stock taken as a whole.
 
5
LEASES AND OTHER COMMITMENTS
 
The Company leases certain facilities and machinery and equipment under long-term, noncancelable operating leases. Future minimum rental commitments under noncancelable operating leases with an initial lease term in excess of one year at October 3, 2008 were as follows:
 
Year
 
Related parties
included in total
   
Total
 
2009
  $ 798     $ 6,457  
2010
    689       4,858  
2011
    542       3,715  
2012
          2,836  
2013
          2,302  
Thereafter
          7,354  

Rental expense under all leases was approximately $9,126, $8,257 and $7,162 for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
The Company makes commitments related to capital expenditures, contracts for services, sponsorship of broadcast media and supply of finished products and components, all of which are in the ordinary course of business.
 
6
INCOME TAXES
 
Income tax expense for the respective years consisted of the following:
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Current:
                 
Federal
  $     $     $  
State
    251       109       159  
Foreign
    2,678       3,410       3,919  
Deferred
    21,249       1,727       3,983  
    $ 24,178     $ 5,246     $ 8,061  
 
 
F-25

 
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at the end of the respective years are presented below:
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Deferred tax assets:
           
Inventories
  $ 5,146     $ 3,303  
Compensation
    6,980       7,387  
Tax credit carryforwards
    2,528       2,333  
Goodwill and other intangibles
    4,171        
Net operating loss carryforwards
    7,820       5,965  
Depreciation and amortization
    6,631       4,838  
Accrued liabilities
    3,754       3,762  
Other
    1,594       1,583  
Total gross deferred tax assets
    38,624       29,171  
Less valuation allowance
    35,067       3,437  
Deferred tax assets
    3,557       25,734  
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Goodwill and other intangibles
          652  
Foreign statutory reserves
    1,111       956  
Net deferred tax assets
  $ 2,446     $ 24,126  
 
The net deferred tax assets of $2,446 in 2008 are recorded as $2,963 in current assets, $594 in non-current assets and $1,111 in non-current liabilities.  Net deferred tax assets of $24,126 in 2007 are recorded as $11,029 in current assets and $13,097 in non-current assets.
 
Income before income taxes for the respective years consists of the following:
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
United States
  $ (20,813 )   $ 5,719     $ 10,645  
Foreign
    (23,484 )     10,076       7,853  
    $ (44,297 )   $ 15,795     $ 18,498  
 
 
F-26

 
The significant differences between the statutory federal tax rate and the effective income tax rates for the Company for the respective years shown below are as follows:
 
 
2008
2007
2006
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate
   34.0%
34.0%
34.0%
Foreign rate differential
(4.1)
3.9
8.4
Tax law change
¾
(4.0)
Impairment of intangibles
(15.4)
Reduction in valuation reserve for deferred assets
¾
(5.2)
Increase in valuation reserve for deferred assets
(66.8)
Reduction (increase)  in rate utilized to record deferred taxes
¾
(2.9)
4.9
Other
(2.3)
2.2
1.5
 
   (54.6)%
33.2%
43.6%

The foreign rate differential of (4.1)%, 3.9% and 8.4% for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, is comprised of several foreign tax related items including the statutory rate differential in each year, settlement of tax audits and additional contingency reserves in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. During 2007, the Company increased the U.S. federal tax rate used in valuing deferred tax assets from 34% to 35%, positively impacting the 2007 effective tax rate by 2.9% and the Company reduced the state income tax rate used in valuing deferred tax assets during December of 2006, negatively impacting the 2006 effective tax rate by 4.9%. Deferred tax assets have been recorded at the maximum federal income tax rate in effect in the future year(s), when they are anticipated to be utilized. A German tax law change (Revised Reorganization Tax Code) during 2007 resulted in a tax receivable recorded by the Company that reduced the effective tax rate by 4.0%.
 
At October 3, 2008, the Company has federal net operating loss carryforwards of $10,746 which begin to expire in 2016, as well as various state net operating loss carryforwards. In addition, certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have operating loss carryforwards totaling $2,379. These operating loss carryforwards are available to offset future taxable income over the next 3 to approximately 20 years.  The Company has established a valuation allowance for the portion of deferred tax assets in the U.S., Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, and New Zealand tax jurisdictions that are anticipated to expire unused.
 
SFAS No. 109 requires an assessment of whether a valuation allowance should be established against deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence and considering whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Given the current market conditions of the outdoor recreation equipment market as well as other factors arising during fiscal 2008 which may impact future operating results, the Company considered both positive and negative evidence in evaluating the need for a valuation allowance relating to the deferred tax assets of the U.S., Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, and New Zealand tax jurisdictions. Based on projections for these tax jurisdictions the Company determined that it was more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets will not be realized and a valuation allowance of $29,175, $1,837, $153, $374, and $91 was recorded against the net deferred tax assets for the U.S., Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, and New Zealand tax jurisdictions respectively, during fiscal 2008.
 
Taxes paid were $3,739, $2,823 and $2,074 for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”), on September 29, 2007. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
 
   
2008
 
Balance at September 29, 2007
  $ 1,074  
Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period
    (109 )
Gross increases - tax positions in current period
    175  
Balance at October 3, 2008
  $ 1,140  
 
After adoption of FIN 48 on September 29, 2007, the Company’s total gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $1,074, including $100 of accrued interest. The Company is currently under examination in the U.S., and is not currently undergoing examinations in any major foreign tax jurisdiction. There have been no material changes in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of tax positions in the current year ended October 3, 2008.  The Company estimates that the unrecognized tax benefits will not change significantly within the next year.
 
In accordance with its accounting policy, the Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. During fiscal 2008, $3 of interest was recorded as a component of income tax expense in the consolidated statement of operations. At October 3, 2008, $103 of accrued interest and penalties are included in the consolidated balance sheet.
 
 
F-27

 
The Company files income tax returns, including returns for its subsidiaries, with federal, state, local and foreign taxing jurisdictions. The following tax years remain subject to examination by the respective major tax jurisdictions:
 
Jurisdiction
Fiscal Year(s)
United States
1993-2007
Canada
2004-2007
France
2006-2007
Germany
2005-2007
Italy
2004-2007
Japan
2007
Switzerland
1998-2007
 
Federal and state income taxes are provided on foreign subsidiary income distributed to, or taxable in, the U.S. during the year. At October 3, 2008, net undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries totaled approximately $117,512. The Company considers these unremitted earnings to be permanently invested abroad and no provision for federal or state income taxes has been made on these amounts. In the future, if foreign earnings are returned to the U.S., provision for U.S. income taxes will be made.
 
7         EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
 
The Company has non-contributory defined benefit pension plans covering certain U.S. employees. Retirement benefits are generally provided based on employees’ years of service and average earnings. Normal retirement age is 65, with provisions for earlier retirement.  The Company recognizes retirement plan expenses in accordance with SFAS No. 87, Employers’ Accounting for Pensions.  Effective September 28, 2007, the Company adopted SFAS No. 158 Employers' Accounting for Defined Pension and Other Postretirement Plans.  SFAS No. 158 requires the recognition of the funded status of defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plans in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, with changes in the funded status recognized through “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),” net of tax. SFAS No. 158 also requires the measurement of the funded status to be the same as the balance sheet date by 2008. The Company currently uses its fiscal year-end as its measurement date. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 did not change the amount of net periodic benefit cost included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
The impact of adopting SFAS No. 158 on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 28, 2007 is summarized in the following table:

   
Before Application of SFAS No. 158
   
Incremental Effect of Application of SFAS No. 158
   
After Application of SFAS No. 158
 
Deferred income taxes
  $ 12,592     $ 505     $ 13,097  
Other intangible assets, net
    6,641       (3 )     6,638  
Total assets
    319,177       502       319,679  
Other liabilities
    9,193       1,260       10,453  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    17,377       (758 )     16,619  
Total shareholders’ equity
    200,923       (758 )     200,165  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
    319,177       502       319,679  

 
 
F-28

 
The status of the Company’s non-contributory defined benefit plans as of fiscal year end 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Projected benefit obligation:
           
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year
  $ 16,676     $ 16,040  
Service cost
    682       630  
Interest cost
    1,074       1,005  
Actuarial gain
    (1,336 )     (266 )
Benefits paid
    (748 )     (733 )
Projected benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 16,348     $ 16,676  
Fair value of plan assets:
               
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
  $ 12,629     $ 11,594  
Actual (loss) return on plan assets
    (1,505 )     1,230  
Company contributions
    440       538  
Benefits paid
    (748 )     (733 )
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
  $ 10,816     $ 12,629  
Funded status of the plan
  $ (5,532 )   $ (4,047 )
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
               
Net deferred tax assets
  $     $ 705  
Current pension liabilities
    194       193  
Noncurrent pension liabilities
    5,338       3,854  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (2,842 )     (1,760 )
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
               
Net actuarial loss
  $ (2,842 )   $ (1,756 )
Prior service cost
          (4 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
  $ (2,842 )   $ (1,760 )
 
Net periodic benefit cost, for our non-contributory defined benefit pension plans, for the respective years includes the following components:
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Service cost
  $ 682     $ 630     $ 703  
Interest cost
    1,074       1,005       925  
Expected return on plan assets
    (975 )     (923 )     (871 )
Amortization of unrecognized:
                       
Net loss
    59       92       268  
Prior service cost
    4       9       9  
Transition asset
    (1 )     (2 )     (2 )
Net periodic pension cost
  $ 843     $ 811     $ 1,032  
Other changes in benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI):
                       
Prior service cost
  $ (4 )   $ (9 )        
Net loss
    1,085       (922 )        
Transition asset
    1       2          
Total recognized in OCI
    1,082       (929 )        
Total recognized in net periodic benefit costs and OCI
  $ 1,925     $ (118 )        

The Company expects to recognize $25 of unrecognized loss amortization as a component of net periodic benefit cost in 2009.  This amount is included in accumulated other comprehensive income as of October 3, 2008.
 
The accumulated benefit obligation for all plans was $13,933 and $13,916 at October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007, respectively.
 
At October 3, 2008, the aggregate accumulated benefit obligation and aggregate fair value of plan assets for plans with benefit obligations in excess of plan assets was $13,933 and $10,816, respectively, and there were no plans with plan assets in excess of benefit obligations. At September 28, 2007, the aggregate accumulated benefit obligation and aggregate fair value of plan assets for plans with benefit obligations in excess of plan assets was $1,678 and $0, respectively, and the aggregate accumulated benefit obligation and aggregate fair value of plan assets for plans with plan assets in excess of benefit obligations was $12,238 and $12,629, respectively.
 
 
F-29

 
The Company anticipates making contributions to the defined benefit pension plans of $324 through September 30, 2009.
 
Estimated benefit payments from the defined benefit plans to participants for the next five years ending September 2013 and five years thereafter are as follows:
 
Year
     
2009
  $ 741  
2010
    753  
2011
    749  
2012
    787  
2013
    826  
Five years thereafter
    4,946  
 
Actuarial assumptions used to determine the projected benefit obligation as of fiscal year end are as follows:
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Discount rate
    7.00 %     6.50 %     6.25 %
Long-term rate of return
    8.00       8.00       8.00  
Average salary increase rate
    3.70       4.00       4.00  

The impact of the change in discount rates resulted in an actuarial gain of $1,225 and $668 in 2008 and 2007, respectively. The remainder of the change in actuarial gains for each year results from adjustments to mortality tables, other modifications to actuarial assumptions and investment returns in excess of or less than estimates.
 
To determine the discount rate assumption used in the Company’s pension valuation, the Company identified a benefit payout stream based on the demographics of the pension plans and constructed a hypothetical bond portfolio using high-quality corporate bonds with cash flows that matched that benefit payout stream.  A yield curve was calculated based on this hypothetical portfolio which was used for the discount rate determination.
 
To determine the long-term rate of return assumption for plan assets, the Company studies historical markets and preserves the long-term historical relationships between equities and fixed-income securities consistent with the widely accepted capital market principle that assets with higher volatility generate a greater return over the long run. The Company evaluates current market factors such as inflation and interest rates before it determines long-term capital market assumptions and reviews peer data and historical returns to check for reasonableness and appropriateness. The Company uses measurement dates of October 1 to determine pension expenses for each year and the last day of the fiscal year to determine the fair value of the pension assets.
 
The Company’s pension plans’ weighted average asset allocations at October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007, by asset category were as follows:
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Equity securities
    73 %     71 %
Fixed income securities
    26       27  
Other securities
    1       2  
Total
    100 %     100 %

The Company’s primary investment objective for the plans’ assets is to maximize the probability of meeting the plans’ actuarial target rate of return of 8%, with a secondary goal of returning 4% above the rate of inflation. These return objectives are targeted while simultaneously striving to minimize risk to the plans’ assets. The investment horizon over which the investment objectives are expected to be met is a full market cycle or five years, whichever is greater.
 
The Company’s investment strategy for the plans is to invest in a diversified portfolio that will generate average long-term returns commensurate with the aforementioned objectives while minimizing risk.
 
A majority of the Company’s full-time employees are covered by defined contribution programs. Expense attributable under the defined contribution programs was approximately $1,025 $2,800 and $2,600 for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
 
F-30

 
8         PREFERRED STOCK
 
The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock in various classes and series, of which there are none currently issued or outstanding.
 
9
COMMON STOCK
 
The number of authorized and outstanding shares of each class of the Company's common stock at the end of the respective years was as follows:
 
 
2008
2007
Class A, $.05 par value:
   
Authorized
20,000,000
20,000,000
Outstanding
8,006,569
7,949,617
Class B, $.05 par value:
 
 
Authorized
3,000,000
3,000,000
Outstanding
1,216,464
1,217,409

Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to elect 25% of the members of the Board of Directors and holders of Class B common stock are entitled to elect the remaining directors. With respect to matters other than the election of directors or any matters for which class voting is required by law, holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share while holders of Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share. If any dividends (other than dividends paid in shares of the Company’s stock) are paid by the Company on its common stock, a dividend would be paid on each share of Class A common stock equal to 110% of the amount paid on each share of Class B common stock. Each share of Class B common stock is convertible at any time into one share of Class A common stock. During 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, 945, 568 and 1,690 shares of Class B common stock were converted into Class A common stock.
 
10
STOCK OWNERSHIP PLANS
 
The Company’s current stock ownership plans provide for issuance of options to acquire shares of Class A common stock by key executives and non-employee directors. Current plans also allow for issuance of restricted stock or stock appreciation rights in lieu of options. Shares available for grant to key executives and non-employee directors are 500,458 at October 3, 2008.
 
Stock Options
 
All stock options have been granted at a price not less than fair market value at the date of grant and become exercisable over periods of one to three years from the date of grant. Stock options generally have a term of 10 years.
 
All of the Company’s stock options outstanding are fully vested, with no further compensation expense to be recorded. There were no grants of stock options in 2008, 2007 or 2006.
 
 
F-31

 
A summary of stock option activity related to the Company’s plans is as follows:
 
   
Shares
   
Weighted
 Average
 Exercise
 Price
 
 Weighted
 Average
Remaining
Contractual
  Term
  (in years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Outstanding at September 29, 2005
    343,034     $ 9.13          
Exercised
    (6,501 )     6.28       $ 75  
Cancelled
    (4,000 )     22.06            
Outstanding at September 29, 2006
    332,533     $ 9.03            
Exercised
    (44,190 )     10.94       $ 326  
Cancelled
    (1,950 )     19.88            
Outstanding at September 28, 2007
    286,393     $ 8.66            
Exercised
    (15,350 )     13.94       $ 86  
Cancelled
                     
Outstanding and exercisable at October 3, 2008
    271,043     $ 8.36  
 2.1
  $ 1,217  

The range of options outstanding at October 3, 2008 is as follows:
 
 Price Range
 per Share
Number of Options
Outstanding and
Exercisable
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Weighted Average
  Remaining
Contractual Life
 (in years)
$5.31  –    8.00
145,033
$6.87
 2.4
$8.01  –  10.00
95,390
 8.24
 0.7
$10.01  –  20.00
30,620
 15.77
 4.7
 
271,043
$8.36
 2.1

 
F-32

 
Restricted Stock
 
All restricted stock has been granted at fair market value on the date of grant and vests either immediately or in three to five years.  The Company granted 35,972, 43,328 and 69,754 shares of restricted stock with a total value of $782, $798 and $1,165 during 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Restricted stock forfeitures totaled 0, 7,496 and 22,770 shares during 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. These forfeited restricted shares had an original fair market value at date of grant of $0, $130 and $385, respectively.  Stock compensation expense related to the restricted stock was $711, $596, $530 during 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Unvested restricted stock issued and outstanding as of October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007 totaled 109,277 and 105,102 shares, respectively, having a gross unamortized value of $992 and $921, respectively, which will be amortized to expense through November 2012 or adjusted for changes in future estimated or actual forfeitures.  Restricted stock grantees may elect to reimburse the Company for withholding taxes due as a result of the vesting of restricted shares by tendering a portion of the vested shares back to the Company.  Shares tendered back to the Company totaled 4,881 for the year ended October 3, 2008.
 
A summary of unvested restricted stock activity for 2008 and 2007 related to the Company’s plans is as follows:
 
   
Shares
   
Weighted Average
 Grant Price
 
Unvested restricted stock at September 29, 2006
    76,120     $ 16.88  
Restricted stock grants
    43,328       18.42  
Restricted stock cancelled
    (7,496 )     17.35  
Restricted stock vested
    (6,850 )     18.25  
Unvested restricted stock at September 28, 2007
    105,102       17.39  
Restricted stock grants
    35,972       21.75  
Restricted stock vested
    (31,797 )     (17.77 )
Unvested restricted stock at October 3, 2008
    109,277     $ 18.72  

Phantom Stock Plan
 
The Company adopted a phantom stock plan during fiscal 2003. Under this plan, certain employees were entitled to earn cash bonus awards based upon the performance of the Company’s Class A common stock. The Company recognized expense under the phantom stock plan of $0, $24 and $80 during 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company made payments of $319 and $411 to participants in the plan during 2007 and 2006, respectively. No payments were made to participants in this plan in 2008.  There were no grants of phantom shares by the Company in fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006 and the Company does not anticipate grants of phantom shares in the future. No further payments are expected to be made under this Plan.
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
The Company’s employees’ stock purchase plan provides for the issuance of shares of Class A common stock at a purchase price of not less than 85% of the fair market value of such shares on the date of grant or at the end of the offering period, whichever is lower. Shares available for purchase by employees under this plan were 55,764 at October 3, 2008. The Company issued 9,566 and 10,227 shares under the plan on March 31, 2008 and April 30, 2007, respectively. The Company recognized expense under the employees’ stock purchase plan of $29, $31 and $22, respectively, during 2008, 2007 and 2006.
 
 
F-33

 
11
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
The Company conducts transactions with certain related parties including organizations controlled by the Johnson family and other related parties. These include consulting services, aviation services, office rental, royalties and certain administrative activities. Total costs of these transactions were $1,889, $1,833 and $1,838 for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Amounts due to/from related parties were immaterial at October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007.
 
12
SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS
 
The Company conducts its worldwide operations through separate business segments, each of which represent major product lines. Operations are conducted in the U.S. and various foreign countries, primarily in Europe, Canada and the Pacific Basin.
 
Net sales and operating profit include both sales to customers, as reported in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, and interunit transfers, which are priced to recover costs plus an appropriate profit margin. Total assets represent assets that are used in the Company’s operations in each business segment at the end of the years presented.

 
 
F-34


A summary of the Company’s operations by business segment is presented below:
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Net sales:
                 
Marine Electronics:       Unaffiliated customers
  $ 186,534     $ 197,728     $ 164,362  
      Interunit transfers
    189       321       110  
Outdoor Equipment      Unaffiliated customers
    48,247       55,786       65,903  
      Interunit transfers
    68       76       45  
Watercraft:                     Unaffiliated customers
    87,862       88,632       85,287  
      Interunit transfers
    225       216       175  
Diving:                            Unaffiliated customers
    97,485       87,881       77,880  
      Interunit transfers
    761       797       590  
Other/Corporate
    660       577       518  
Eliminations
    (1,242 )     (1,410 )     (920 )
    $ 420,789     $ 430,604     $ 393,950  
Operating profit (loss):
                       
Marine Electronics
  $ 414     $ 22,933     $ 21,583  
Outdoor Equipment
    1,982       8,463       8,236  
Watercraft
    (8,282 )     (4,219 )     161  
Diving
    (21,520 )     6,933       5,604  
Other/Corporate
    (10,647 )     (14,084 )     (12,225 )
    $ (38,053 )   $ 20,026     $ 23,359  
Depreciation and amortization expense:
                       
Marine Electronics
  $ 4,389     $ 3,647     $ 3,195  
Outdoor Equipment
    560       442       358  
Watercraft
    2,042       2,182       2,525  
Diving
    1,664       1,663       1,646  
Other/Corporate
    1,401       1,468       1,440  
    $ 10,056     $ 9,402     $ 9,164  
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
                       
Marine Electronics
  $ 6,969     $ 6,149     $ 4,583  
Outdoor Equipment
    310       2,615       321  
Watercraft
    2,597       1,832       1,336  
Diving
    1,519       1,199       1,547  
Other/Corporate
    1,029       1,623       1,078  
    $ 12,424     $ 13,418     $ 8,865  
Total assets:
                       
Marine Electronics
  $ 89,487     $ 95,725          
Outdoor Equipment
    25,400       23,739          
Watercraft
    45,586       59,019          
Diving
    79,138       114,091          
Other/Corporate
    15,458       27,105          
    $ 255,069     $ 319,679          
Goodwill, net:
                       
Marine Electronics
  $ 10,013     $ 14,596          
Outdoor Equipment
          563          
Watercraft
    338       6,587          
Diving
    3,734       29,708          
    $ 14,085     $ 51,454          

 
F-35


A summary of the Company’s operations by geographic area is presented below:
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Net sales:
                 
United States:
                 
Unaffiliated customers
  $ 293,354     $ 332,830     $ 313,496  
Interarea transfers
    19,089       12,840       11,712  
Europe:
                       
Unaffiliated customers
    82,315       59,976       46,684  
Interarea transfers
    15,123       13,187       12,527  
Other:
                       
Unaffiliated customers
    45,119       37,798       33,769  
Interarea transfers
    1,259       2,037       1,561  
Eliminations
    (35,470 )     (28,064 )     (25,799 )
    $ 420,789     $ 430,604     $ 393,950  
Total assets:
                       
United States
  $ 139,024     $ 180,761          
Europe
    83,642       109,580          
Other
    32,403       29,338          
    $ 255,069     $ 319,679          
Long-term assets (1)
                       
United States
  $ 50,113     $ 60,057          
Europe
    12,303       38,556          
Other
    2,345       2,748          
    $ 64,761     $ 101,361          
 
(1) 
Long-term assets consist of net property, plant and equipment, net intangible assets, goodwill and other assets excluding deferred income taxes.
 

The Company had no single customer that accounted for more than 10% of its net sales in 2008, 2007, or 2006.
 
 
F-36

 
13
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
The following summarizes changes to valuation and qualifying accounts for 2008, 2007 and 2006:
 
   
Balance at
Beginning
of Year
   
Additions
Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
   
Reserves
 of
Businesses
Acquired
   
Less
Deductions
   
Balance
at End
of Year
 
Year ended October 3, 2008:
                             
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 2,267     $ 735     $ 95     $ 520     $ 2,577  
Reserves for inventory valuation
    4,024       4,010             1,688       6,346  
Valuation of deferred tax assets
    3,437       31,630                   35,067  
Reserves for sales returns
    1,314       2,979       119       2,855       1,557  
Year ended September 28, 2007:
                                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 2,250     $ 977     $ 39     $ 999     $ 2,267  
Reserves for inventory valuation
    3,405       1,086             467       4,024  
Valuation of deferred tax assets
    3,260       663             486       3,437  
Reserves for sales returns
    1,023       2,648             2,357       1,314  
Year ended September 29, 2006:
                                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 2,481     $ 554     $     $ 785     $ 2,250  
Reserves for inventory valuation
    2,540       2,734             1,869       3,405  
Valuation of deferred tax assets
    4,568       224             1,532       3,260  
Reserves for sales returns
    1,323       583       78       961       1,023  
 
Deductions include the net impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the respective accounts. Previously reported amounts have changed due to the Company’s accounting for its Escape business as a discontinued operation.
 
 
14
LITIGATION
 
The Company is subject to various legal actions and proceedings in the normal course of business, including those related to product liability, intellectual property and environmental matters. The Company is insured against loss for certain of these matters. Although litigation is subject to many uncertainties and the ultimate exposure with respect to these matters cannot be ascertained, management does not believe the final outcome of any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or cash flows of the Company.
 
On July 10, 2007, after considering the costs, risks and business distractions associated with continued litigation, the Company reached a settlement agreement with Confluence Holdings Corp. that ended a long-standing intellectual property dispute between the two companies. The Company has made a claim with its insurance carriers to recover the $4,400 settlement, plus defense costs (approximately $800). This matter is presently the subject of litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The Company is unable to estimate at this time the amount of insurance recovery and, accordingly, has not recorded a receivable for this matter.
 
 
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15
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
On December 17, 2007, the Company committed to a plan to divest the Company’s Escape business. In accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (SFAS No. 144), the operations of the Escape business have been reported as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended October 3, 2008, September 28, 2007, and September 29, 2006.  Accordingly, certain amounts in the 2007 and 2006 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified from the prior year presentation.  The Company recorded after tax losses related to the discontinued Escape business of $2,559, $1,315 and $1,722 for 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Revenues of the Escape business were $206, $1,457 and $1,840 for 2008, 2007, and 2006 respectively.
 
The assets and liabilities of the Escape business have been reported as “held for sale” in the consolidated balance sheets as of October 3, 2008 and September 28, 2007.    As of October 3, 2008, assets of $47 consist entirely of inventory and liabilities of $76 consist primarily of reserves for customer claims.  As of September 28, 2007, assets consist primarily of $335 of net accounts receivable, $1,107 of net inventory and $264 of property, plant and equipment and liabilities of $938 consist entirely of trade accounts payable.

 
 
F-38

 
16
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL SUMMARY (unaudited)
 
The following summarizes quarterly operating results:
 
   
First Quarter
   
Second Quarter
   
Third Quarter
   
Fourth Quarter
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net sales
  $ 75,967     $ 71,427     $ 121,813     $ 121,972     $ 141,243     $ 149,868     $ 81,766     $ 87,337  
Gross profit
    29,289       28,520       46,806       47,157       55,751       63,738       27,705       36,081  
Operating (loss) profit
    (4,581 )     (2,233 )     3,647       4,608       14,569       14,783       (51,688 )     2,868  
(Loss) income from continuing operations
    (3,624 )     (1,312 )     782       1,931       7,887       8,335       (73,520 )     1,595  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit
    (1,066 )     (257 )     (320 )     (338 )     (104 )     (67 )     (1,069 )     (653 )
Net (loss) income
   $ (4,690 )    $ (1,569 )   $ 462     $ 1,593     $ 7,783     $ 8,268     $ (74,589 )   $ 942  
(Loss) Income from continuing operations per common share – Basic:
                                                               
Class A
  $ (0.40 )   $ (0.14 )   $ 0.09     $ 0.22     $ 0.88     $ 0.93     $ (8.07 )   $ 0.18  
Class B
  $ (0.40 )   $ (0.14 )   $ 0.09     $ 0.19     $ 0.79     $ 0.84     $ (8.07 )   $ 0.16  
Loss from discontinued operations per common share – Basic:
                                                               
Class A
  $ (0.12 )   $ (0.03 )  
$
(0.04
)
 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
---    
$
(0.11
)
 
$
(0.07
)
Class B
  
$
(0.12
)
 
$
(0.03
)
  $ (0.04 )   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.11 )   $ (0.07 )
Net (loss) income per common share – Basic:
                                                               
Class A
  $ (0.52 )   $ (0.17 )   $ 0.05     $ 0.18     $ 0.87     $ 0.93     $ (8.18 )   $ 0.11  
Class B
   $ (0.52 )   $ (0.17 )   $ 0.05     $ 0.16     $ 0.78     $ 0.83     $ (8.18 )   $ 0.09  
(Loss) Income from continuing operations per common Class A and B share – Dilutive
  $ (0.40 )   $ (0.14 )   $ 0.09     $ 0.21     $ 0.85     $ 0.90     $ (8.07 )   $ 0.17  
Loss from discontinued operations per common Class A and B share – Dilutive
   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.11 )   $ (0.07 )
Net (loss) income per common Class A and B share – Dilutive
   $ (0.52 )   $ (0.17 )   $ 0.05     $ 0.17     $ 0.84     $ 0.89     $ (8.18 )   $ 0.10  

Operating loss, loss from continuing operations, and net loss for the fourth quarter of 2008 reflect a goodwill and other intangible impairment charge of $41.0 million recognized in that quarter.  Loss from continuing operations and net loss for the fourth quarter of 2008 also reflect a deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $29.5 million recorded in that quarter.
 
Due to changes in stock prices during the year and timing of issuance of shares, the cumulative total of quarterly net income (loss) per share amounts may not equal the net income per share for the year. The first three fiscal quarters in 2008 were 13 weeks long with the last fiscal quarter being 14 weeks long. Each of the fiscal quarters in 2007 was thirteen weeks long.  Fiscal quarters end on the Friday nearest to the calendar quarter end.
 
17
SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
The Company entered into a revised debt agreement on December 31, 2008, effective January 2, 2009.  See further discussion at Note 4, Indebtedness.  The Company also modified the terms of its interest rate swap contract on December 29, 2008.  See further discussion at Note 4, Indebtedness. 
 
 
F-39