UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018

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)

(262) 631-6600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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    No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes    No

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and "emerging“emerging growth company"company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one): Large accelerated filer ☐AcceleratedAccelerated filer ☒Non-acceleratedNon-accelerated filer (do not check if a smaller reporting company) ☐SmallerSmaller reporting company Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes   No

As of January 26,July 27, 2018, 8,783,5298,855,015 shares of Class A and 1,211,686 shares of Class B common stock of the Registrant were outstanding.
 


JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
 
Index
Page No.
  
PART IFINANCIAL INFORMATION 
   
 Item 1. 
    
  1
    
  2
    
  3
    
  4
    
  5
    
 Item 2. 1719
    
 Item 3. 2327
    
 Item 4. 2428
    
PART IIOTHER INFORMATION 
   
 Item 1. 2428
    
 Item 1A. 2428
    
 Item 6. 2428
    
   2529
    
   2529
 

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
 
PART IFINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
(thousands, except per share data) 
June 29,
2018
  
June 30,
2017
  
June 29,
2018
  
June 30,
2017
 
Net sales $170,779  $155,274  $453,136  $398,810 
Cost of sales  91,446   84,644   250,797   226,702 
Gross profit  79,333   70,630   202,339   172,108 
Operating expenses:                
Marketing and selling  31,191   29,438   89,280   79,056 
Administrative management, finance and information systems  11,071   11,584   32,713   33,146 
Research and development  5,116   4,871   15,352   14,239 
Total operating expenses  47,378   45,893   137,345   126,441 
Operating profit  31,955   24,737   64,994   45,667 
Interest income  (172)  (52)  (493)  (84)
Interest expense  55   77   170   687 
Other (income) expense, net  293   (848)  (4,231)  (2,288)
Profit before income taxes  31,779   25,560   69,548   47,352 
Income tax expense  8,009   9,007   23,923   12,784 
Net income
 
$
23,770
  
$
16,553
  
$
45,625
  
$
34,568
 
                 
Weighted average common shares - Basic:                
Class A  8,739   8,688   8,727   8,670 
Class B  1,212   1,212   1,212   1,212 
Participating securities  50   28   49   26 
Weighted average common shares - Dilutive  10,001   9,928   9,988   9,908 
Net income per common share - Basic:
                
Class A 
$
2.40
  
$
1.68
  
$
4.62
  
$
3.50
 
Class B 
$
2.19
  
$
1.52
  
$
4.20
  
$
3.18
 
Net income per common share - Diluted:
                
Class A 
$
2.37
  
$
1.65
  
$
4.54
  
$
3.45
 
Class B 
$
2.37
  
$
1.65
  
$
4.54
  
$
3.45
 
Dividends declared per common share:
                
Class A 
$
0.12
  
$
0.09
  
$
0.32
  
$
0.27
 
Class B 
$
0.11
  
$
0.08
  
$
0.29
  
$
0.25
 
 Three Months Ended 
(thousands, except per share data) 
December 29,
2017
  
December 30,
 2016
 
Net sales $116,579  $93,729 
Cost of sales  67,768   57,164 
Gross profit  48,811   36,565 
Operating expenses:        
Marketing and selling  26,495   20,822 
Administrative management, finance and information systems  10,407   10,561 
Research and development  4,872   4,710 
Total operating expenses  41,774   36,093 
Operating profit  7,037   472 
Interest income  (202)  (23)
Interest expense  72   486 
Other (income) expense, net  (1,157)  54 
Profit (loss) before income taxes  8,324   (45)
Income tax expense (benefit)  8,089   (4,101)
Net income $235  $4,056 
         
Weighted average common shares - Basic:        
Class A  8,704   8,633 
Class B  1,212   1,212 
Participating securities  46   29 
Weighted average common shares - Dilutive  9,962   9,874 
Net income per common share - Basic:        
Class A $0.02  $0.41 
Class B $0.02  $0.37 
Net income per common share - Diluted:        
Class A $0.02  $0.40 
Class B $0.02  $0.40 
Dividends declared per common share:        
Class A $0.10  $0.09 
Class B $0.09  $0.08 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
- 1 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
(thousands)
 
June 29,
2018
  
June 30,
2017
  
June 29,
2018
  
June 30,
2017
 
Comprehensive income:
            
Net income 
$
23,770
  
$
16,553
  
$
45,625
  
$
34,568
 
Other comprehensive income (loss):                
Foreign currency translation  
(2,442
)  
2,350
   
(2,213
)
  
(523
)
Write off of currency translation adjustment gain  
61
   
   
(2,290
)
  
 
Change in pension plans, net of tax of $12, $100, $100 and $208, respectively  
38
   
165
   
315
   
340
 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)  
(2,343
)  
2,515
   
(4,188
)
  
(183
)
Total comprehensive income
 
$
21,427
  
$
19,068
  
$
41,437
  
$
34,385
 
  Three Months Ended 
(thousands) 
December 29,
 2017
  
December 30,
2016
 
Comprehensive income:      
Net income $235  $4,056 
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Foreign currency translation  (276)  (3,747)
Change in pension plans, net of tax of $44 and $54, respectively  139   88 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)  (137)  (3,659)
Total comprehensive income $98  $397 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
- 2 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
 
(thousands, except share data) 
June 29,
2018
  
September
29, 2017
  
June 30,
2017
 
ASSETS
         
Current assets:
         
Cash and cash equivalents 
$
104,277
  
$
63,810
  
$
53,741
 
Short term investments  
25,000
   
46,607
   
40,000
 
Accounts receivable, net  
80,877
   
46,814
   
79,292
 
Inventories  
77,299
   
79,148
   
68,239
 
Other current assets  
1,012
   
4,470
   
2,495
 
Total current assets  
288,465
   
240,849
   
243,767
 
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $129,028, $132,567 and $132,188, respectively  
54,152
   
48,938
   
48,239
 
Deferred income taxes
  
12,829
   
22,632
   
22,291
 
Goodwill
  
11,184
   
11,238
   
11,201
 
Other intangible assets, net
  
12,716
   
13,476
   
13,727
 
Other assets
  
18,205
   
16,526
   
15,732
 
Total assets
 
$
397,551
  
$
353,659
  
$
354,957
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
            
Current liabilities:
            
Accounts payable 
$
32,978
  
$
31,686
  
$
33,889
 
Accrued liabilities:            
Salaries, wages and benefits  
17,590
   
21,825
   
17,211
 
Accrued warranty  
8,897
   
6,393
   
6,251
 
Income taxes payable  
11,551
   
5,434
   
8,647
 
Accrued discounts and returns  
6,450
   
5,137
   
5,751
 
Other  
14,780
   
13,602
   
15,140
 
Total current liabilities  
92,246
   
84,077
   
86,889
 
Deferred income taxes
  
1,775
   
1,845
   
1,232
 
Retirement benefits
  
3,788
   
8,844
   
11,355
 
Other liabilities
  
17,682
   
15,889
   
15,557
 
Total liabilities
  
115,491
   
110,655
   
115,033
 
Shareholders’ equity:
            
Common stock:            
Class A shares issued and outstanding:  
442
   
442
   
442
 
June 29, 2018:  8,785,735            
September 29, 2017:  8,784,513            
June 30, 2017:  8,783,099            
Class B shares issued and outstanding:  
61
   
61
   
61
 
June 29, 2018:  1,211,686            
September 29, 2017:  1,211,686            
June 30, 2017:  1,211,686            
Capital in excess of par value  
74,229
   
72,801
   
72,143
 
Retained earnings  
209,169
   
166,905
   
167,304
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  
805
   
4,993
   
2,171
 
Treasury stock at cost, shares of Class A common stock:  67,655, 67,137 and 67,137, respectively   
(2,646
)
  
(2,198
)
  
(2,197
)
Total shareholders’ equity
  
282,060
   
243,004
   
239,924
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
$
397,551
  
$
353,659
  
$
354,957
 
(thousands, except share data) 
December 29,
2017
  
September 29,
2017
  
December 30,
2016
 
ASSETS         
Current assets:         
Cash and cash equivalents $73,006  $63,810  $51,860 
Short term investments  5,313   46,607    
Accounts receivable, net  71,895   46,814   72,349 
Inventories  90,861   79,148   76,037 
Other current assets  3,483   4,470   4,819 
Total current assets  244,558   240,849   205,065 
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $135,497, $132,567 and $125,286, respectively  52,113   48,938   48,544 
Deferred income taxes  16,176   22,632   22,745 
Goodwill  11,228   11,238   11,170 
Other intangible assets, net  13,235   13,476   14,060 
Other assets  17,823   16,526   14,883 
Total assets $355,133  $353,659  $316,467 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
Current liabilities:            
Accounts payable $37,893  $31,686  $32,033 
Accrued liabilities:            
Salaries, wages and benefits  13,522   21,825   12,171 
Accrued warranty  7,408   6,393   4,781 
Income taxes payable  6,551   5,434   1,055 
Accrued discounts and returns  6,836   5,137   6,116 
Other  13,379   13,602   12,159 
Total current liabilities  85,589   84,077   68,315 
Long-term debt, less current maturities        13,001 
Deferred income taxes  1,835   1,845   1,147 
Retirement benefits  8,602   8,844   12,527 
Other liabilities  17,161   15,889   14,641 
Total liabilities  113,187   110,655   109,631 
Shareholders’ equity:            
Common stock:            
Class A shares issued and outstanding:  442   442   443 
December 29, 2017:  8,781,668            
September 29, 2017:  8,784,513            
December 30, 2016:  8,773,175            
Class B shares issued and outstanding:  61   61   61 
December 29, 2017:  1,211,686            
September 29, 2017:  1,211,686            
December 30, 2016:  1,212,006            
Capital in excess of par value  73,145   72,801   71,554 
Retained earnings  166,151   166,905   138,571 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  4,856   4,993   (1,305)
Treasury stock at cost, shares of Class A common stock:  69,982, 67,137 and 79,071, respectively  (2,709)  (2,198)  (2,488)
Total shareholders’ equity  241,946   243,004   206,836 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $355,133  $353,659  $316,467 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
- 3 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
 
 Three Months Ended  
Nine Months Ended
 
(thousands) 
December 29,
2017
  
December 30,
2016
  
June 29,
2018
  
June 30,
2017
 
CASH USED FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES      
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
      
Net income $235  $4,056  
$
45,625
  
$
34,568
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                
Depreciation  2,943   2,821   
8,901
   
8,699
 
Amortization of intangible assets  248   302   
716
   
978
 
Amortization of deferred financing costs  38   217   
51
   
270
 
Write off of currency translation adjustment gain  
(2,290
)
  
 
Stock based compensation  537   504   
1,585
   
1,377
 
Gain on disposal of fixed assets  (98)   
Gain on disposal of productive assets  
(1,262
)
  
(205
)
Pension contributions  
(5,140
)
  
(1,308
)
Deferred income taxes  6,469   (4,198)  
9,780
   
(3,073
)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable, net  (25,028)  (31,355)  
(34,798
)
  
(37,503
)
Inventories, net  (11,607)  (8,631)  
1,218
   
380
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  1,756   1,801   
8,685
   
19,443
 
Other current assets  1,091   (140)  
3,526
   
2,191
 
Other non-current assets  (1)  17   
   
18
 
Other long-term liabilities  (217)  3   
463
   
335
 
Other, net  (307)  277   
(34
)
  
(284
)
  (23,941)  (34,326)  
37,026
   
25,886
 
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES                
Purchase of short-term investments
  
(25,000
)
  
(40,000
)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments  41,294      
46,607
   
 
Proceeds from sale of productive assets  105      
1,306
   
205
 
Capital expenditures  (6,454)  (2,666)  
(14,653
)
  
(8,147
)
  34,945   (2,666)  
8,260
   
(47,942
)
CASH (USED FOR) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES        
Net borrowings from revolving credit lines     12,730 
CASH USED FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES
        
Principal payments on term loans and other long-term debt     (7,099)  
   
(7,374
)
Common stock transactions
  
68
   
 
Debt issuance costs paid  (57)     
(61
)
  
 
Dividends paid  (989)  (890)  
(3,164
)
  
(2,669
)
Purchases of treasury stock  (675)  (664)  
(675
)
  
(663
)
  (1,721)  4,077   
(3,832
)
  
(10,706
)
Effect of foreign currency rate changes on cash  (87)  (2,519)  
(987
)
  
(791
)
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  9,196   (35,434)  
40,467
   
(33,553
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                
Beginning of period  63,810   87,294   
63,810
   
87,294
 
End of period $73,006  $51,860  
$
104,277
  
$
53,741
 
                
Supplemental Disclosure:                
Cash paid for taxes $542  $644  
$
8,049
  
$
9,170
 
Cash paid for interest  38   290   
117
   
447
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
- 4 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

1BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited. In the opinion of management, these statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items) necessary to present fairly the financial position of Johnson Outdoors Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of DecemberJune 29, 20172018 and DecemberJune 30, 2016,2017, and their results of operations for the three and nine month periods then ended and cash flows for the threenine month periods then ended. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2017 which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 8, 2017.

Due to seasonal variations and other factors, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the Company’s full 2018 fiscal year.  See “Seasonality” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere herein for additional information.

The Company considers all short-term investments in interest-bearing accounts and all securities and other instruments with an original maturity of three months or less, to be equivalent to cash.  Cash equivalents are stated at cost which approximates market value.  Short-term investments consist of certificates of deposit with original maturities greater than three months but less than one year.

All monetary amounts, other than share and per share amounts, are stated in thousands.

2ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Accounts receivable are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $2,328,$1,446, $2,231 and $1,924$1,931 as of DecemberJune 29, 2017,2018, September 29, 2017 and DecemberJune 30, 2016,2017, respectively. The increase in net accounts receivable to $71,895$80,877 as of DecemberJune 29, 20172018 from $46,814 as of September 29, 2017 is attributable to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business.business and the resulting increases in sales volumes between periods. The determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts is based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where specific collection concerns about a receivable exist, a reserve is established to value the affected account receivable at 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 outstanding for each business segment. 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.

3EARNINGS PER SHARE (“EPS”)

Net income or loss per share of Class A common stock and Class B common stock is computed using the two-class method.  Grants of restricted stock which receive non-forfeitable dividends are classified as participating securities and are required to be included as part of the basic weighted average share calculation under 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. The Company grants shares of unvested restricted stock in the form of Class A shares, which carry the same distribution rights as the Class A common stock described above.  As such, 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.
- 5 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

Basic EPS

Basic net income or loss per share is computed by dividing net income or loss allocated to Class A common stock and Class B common stock by the weighted-average number of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding, respectively.  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 exceed net income, Class B shares are treated as anti-dilutive and, therefore, net losses are allocated equally on a per share basis among all participating securities.
- 5 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
 
For the three and nine month periods ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 and DecemberJune 30, 2016,2017, basic income per share for the Class A and Class B shares has been presented using the two class method and reflects the allocation of undistributed income described above.

Diluted EPS

Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing allocated net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, adjusted for the effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units (“stock units” or “units”) and non-vested restricted stock.  Anti-dilutive stock options, units and non-vested stock are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS.  The computation of diluted net income per share of Class A 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 common shares.  In periods where the Company reports a net loss, the effect of anti-dilutive stock options and units is excluded and diluted loss per share is equal to basic loss per share for both classes of stock.

For the three and nine month periods ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 and DecemberJune 30, 2016,2017, diluted net income per share reflects the effect of dilutive stock units and assumes the conversion of Class B common stock into Class A common stock.

Non-vested stock that could potentially dilute earnings per share in the future which were not included in the fully diluted computation because they would have been anti-dilutive totaled 46,776 and 95,068 for the three months ended DecemberJune 29, 2018 and June 30, 2017, respectively, and December57,624 and 111,061 for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 and June 30, 2016,2017, respectively.  Stock units that could potentially dilute earnings per share in the future which were not included in the fully diluted computation because they would have been anti-dilutive were 038,392 and 032,357 for the three month periods ended DecemberJune 29, 2018 and June 30, 2017, respectively, and December39,605 and 34,746 for the nine month periods ended June 29, 2018 and June 30, 2016,2017, respectively.

4STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLANS

The Company’s current stock ownership plans allow for issuance of stock options to acquire shares of Class A common stock by key executives and non-employee directors. Current plans also allow for issuance of shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units or stock appreciation rights in lieu of stock options.

Under the Company’s 2010 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan and the 2012 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan (the only two plans where shares remain available for future equity incentive awards) there were a total of 586,860578,880 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock available for future grant to key executives and non-employee directors at DecemberJune 29, 2017.2018.

Non-vested Stock

All shares of non-vested stock awarded by the Company have been granted in the form of shares of Class A common stock at their fair market value on the date of grant and vest four years after the grant date.  The fair value at date of grant is based on the number of shares granted and the average of the Company’s high and low Class A common stock price on the date of grant or, if the Company’s Class A shares did not trade on the date of grant, the average of the Company’s high and low Class A common stock price on the last preceding date on which the Company’s Class A shares traded.

A summary of non-vested stock activity for the three months ended December 29, 2017 related to the Company’s stock ownership plans is as follows:
  Shares  
Weighted Average
Grant Price
 
Non-vested stock at September 29, 2017  95,068  $27.68 
Non-vested stock grants  6,532   70.39 
Restricted stock vested  (54,824)  25.36 
Non-vested stock at December 29, 2017  46,776   36.37 
 
- 6 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

A summary of non-vested stock activity for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 related to the Company’s stock ownership plans is as follows:
 
  Shares  
Weighted Average
Grant Price
 
Non-vested stock at September 29, 2017  95,068  
$
27.68
 
Non-vested stock grants  6,532   70.39 
Restricted stock vested  (54,824)  25.36 
Non-vested stock at June 29, 2018  46,776   36.37 
Non-vested stock grantees may elect to reimburse the Company for withholding taxes due as a result of the vesting of shares by tendering a portion of the vested shares back to the Company.  Shares tendered back to the Company were 9,377 and 17,832 during the threenine month periods ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 and DecemberJune 30, 2016,2017, respectively.

Stock compensation expense, net of forfeitures, related to non-vested stock was $182$106 and $283$219 for the three month periods ended DecemberJune 29, 2018 and June 30, 2017, respectively, and December$394 and $722 for the nine month periods ended June 29, 2018 and June 30, 2016,2017, respectively.  Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock as of DecemberJune 29, 20172018 was $1,011,$798, which amount will be amortized to expense through November 20202021 or adjusted for changes in future estimated or actual forfeitures.

The fair value of restricted stock vested during the threenine month periods ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 and DecemberJune 30, 20162017 was $3,948 and $3,219, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units

All restricted stock units (RSUs) awarded by the Company have been granted in the form of units payable in shares of Class A common stock upon vesting.  The units are valued at the fair market value of a share of Class A common stock on the date of grant and vest within one year from the date of grant for RSUs granted to directors and three years from the date of grant for RSUs granted to employees.  The fair value at the date of grant is based on the number of units granted and the average of the Company’s high and low Class A common stock trading price on the date of grant or, if the Company’s Class A shares did not trade on the date of grant, the average of the Company’s high and low Class A common stock trading price on the last preceding date on which the Company’s Class A shares traded.

A summary of RSU activity for the threenine months ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 follows:
 
 Number of RSUs  
Weighted Average
Grant Price
  Number of RSUs  
Weighted Average
Grant Price
 
RSUs at September 29, 2017  60,642  $31.85   60,642  
$
31.85
 
RSUs granted  19,888   70.39   27,868   67.82 
RSUs vested  (1,257)  35.81   (8,931)  35.27 
RSUs at December 29, 2017  79,273   39.12 
RSUs at June 29, 2018  79,579   44.06 

Stock compensation expense, net of forfeitures, related to RSUs was $345$450 and $221$213 for the three months ended DecemberJune 29, 2018 and June 30, 2017, respectively, and December$1,149 and $640 for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 and June 30, 2016,2017, respectively.  Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs as of DecemberJune 29, 20172018 was $1,847,$1,532, which amount will be amortized to expense through NovemberSeptember 2020 or adjusted for changes in future estimated or actual forfeitures.
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

Compensation expense related to units earned by employees is based upon the attainment of certain financial goals related to cumulative net sales and cumulative operating profit over a three-year performance period.  Awards are only paid if at least 80% of the target levels are met and maximum payouts are made if 120% ofor more of target levels are achieved.  The payouts for achievement ofat the threshold levels of performance are equal to 50% of the target award amount.  The payouts for achievement ofat maximum levels of performance are equal to 150% of the target award amount.  To the extent earned, awards are issued in shares of Company common stock after the end of the three yearthree-year performance period.

Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan

The Company’s shareholders have adopted the Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2009 Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan, which was most recently amended on March 2, 2017, and which 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 on the date of purchase, whichever is lower.

During the three month period ended DecemberJune 29, 2018, the Company issued no shares of Class A common stock and recognized $20 of expense in connection with the Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan.  During the nine months ended June 29, 2018, the Company issued 1,740 shares of Class A common stock and recognized $41 of expense in connection with the Plan.  During the three and nine month periods ended June 30, 2017, the Company issued no shares of Class A common stock and recognized $11$10 and $15 of expense, respectively, in connection with the Employees' Stock Purchase Plan.  During the three months ended December 30, 2016, the Company issued no shares of Class A common stock and recognized no expense in connection with the Employees' Stock Purchase Plan.
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

5PENSION PLANS

The Company has non-contributory defined benefit pension plans covering certain of its U.S. employees. Retirement benefits are generally provided based on the employees’ years of service and average earnings. Normal retirement age is 65, with provisions for earlier retirement.

The Company has elected to adopt ASU 2017-07 at the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The adoption of this standard resulted in a reduction of operating expense of $145$347 and an increase in other expense of $145 related to$347 for the applicationthree months ended June 29, 2018 and a reduction of this standard.operating expense of $637 and an increase in other expense of $637 for the nine months ended June 29, 2018. There was no effect on the Company'sCompany’s condensed consolidated balance sheet or statement of cash flows as a result of adopting this standard.

The Company made contributions to its pension plans of $47 and $1,043 for the three months ended June 29, 2018 and June 30, 2017, respectively, and contributions of $5,140 and $1,308 for the nine month periods ended June 29, 2018 and June 30, 2017, respectively.

The components of net periodic benefit cost related to Company sponsored defined benefit plans for the three and nine month periods ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 and DecemberJune 30, 20162017 were as follows:
 
  Three Months Ended 
  
December 29,
2017
  
December 30,
2016
 
Components of net periodic benefit cost:      
Service cost $  $ 
Interest on projected benefit obligation  261   284 
Less estimated return on plan assets  298   274 
Amortization of unrecognized losses  182   142 
Net periodic benefit cost $145  $152 
- 8 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
  
Three Months Ended
  
Nine Months Ended
 
  
June 29, 2018
  
June 30, 2017
  
June 29, 2018
  
June 30, 2017
 
Components of net periodic benefit cost:            
Service cost 
$
  
$
  
$
  
$
 
Interest on projected benefit obligation  
272
   
215
   
794
   
783
 
Less estimated return on plan assets  
(25
)  
347
   
572
   
895
 
Amortization of unrecognized losses  
50
   
265
   
415
   
548
 
Net periodic benefit cost 
$
347
  
$
133
  
$
637
  
$
436
 

6INCOME TAXES

On December 22, 2017, the United States (“U.S.”) enacted significant changescomprehensive tax legislation generally referred to the U.S. tax law following the passage and signing of H.R.1, “An Act to Provide for Reconciliation Pursuant to Titles II and V of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018” (the “Tax Act”) (previously known as “Thethe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”).  The Tax Act included significant changes to existing tax law including a permanent reduction to the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, a one-time repatriation tax on deferred foreign income (“Transition Tax”), deductions, credits and business-related exclusions.

On December 22, 2017,Shortly after the Tax Act was enacted, the SEC issued guidance under Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“SAB 118”) directing taxpayers to consider the impact, which provides a one-year measurement period during which a company may complete its accounting for certain tax effects of the U.S. legislationTax Act impact as “provisional” when it does not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete its accounting for the change in tax law.  In accordance with SAB 118, the additional provisional income tax of $6,433 represents our best estimate based on interpretation of the U.S. legislation as we are still accumulating data to finalize the underlying calculations, or in certain cases, the U.S. Treasury is expected to issue further guidance on the application of certain provisions of the U.S. legislation. Future adjustments to the provisional numbers willare to be recorded as discrete adjustments to income tax expense in the period in which those adjustments become estimable and/or are finalized.

Accordingly, the Company’sadditional provisional income tax provisionof $6,763 as of DecemberJune 29, 20172018 reflects (i) the current year impacts of the U.S. Tax Act on the Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate and (ii) the following discrete items resulting directly from the enactment of the Tax Act based on the information currently available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail.

(i)The Tax Act reduces the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. The impact from the permanent reduction to the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% is effective January 1, 2018 (the “Effective Date”).2018.  When a U.S. federal tax rate change occurs during a fiscal year, taxpayers are required to compute a weighted daily average rate for the fiscal year of enactment and as a result the Company calculated a U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 24.5% for the current fiscal year end September 28, 2018.

(ii)The tax expense impact associated with the enactment of the U.S. Tax Act enacted on December 22, 2017 which resulted in additional discrete tax expense in the current period as follows:
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
  Three Months Ended 
(thousands) December 29, 2017 
Transition tax (provisional) $2,000 
Net impact on U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities (provisional)  4,433 
Net impacts of the enactment of the Tax Act $6,433 

The Tax Act imposes a one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred and creates new taxes on certain foreign-sourced earnings.  The one-time transition tax is based on our total post-1986 foreign earnings and profits ("E&P") for which we have previously deferred from U.S. income taxes.  The Company recorded a provisional amount for its one-time transition tax liability for its foreign subsidiaries, resulting in an increase in income tax expense of $2,000. We have not yet completed our calculation of the total post-1986 foreign E&P for these foreign subsidiaries. Further, the transition tax is based in part on the amount of those earnings held in cash and other specified assets which may change when we finalize these amounts and the calculation of post-1986 foreign E&P previously deferred from U.S. federal taxation. No additional income taxes have been provided for any remaining undistributed foreign earnings not subject to the transition tax and any additional outside basis difference (i.e., basis difference in excess of that subject to the one-time transition tax) inherent in these entities as these amounts continue to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. It is not practicable to determine the amount of unrecognized withholding taxes and deferred tax liability related to any remaining undistributed foreign earnings not subject to the transition tax and additional outside basis difference in these entities.

The Company determined that the impact of the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate change on the U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities is a provisional amount of $4,433 because the final number cannot be calculated until the underlying timing differences are known rather than estimated.
(thousands) 
Nine Months Ended
June 29, 2018
 
Transition tax (provisional) 
$
3,200
 
Net impact on U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities (provisional)  
3,563
 
Net impacts of the enactment of the Tax Act 
$
6,763
 

Within the calculation of the Company’s annual effective tax rate, the Company has used assumptions and estimates that may change as a result of future guidance, interpretation, and rule-making from the Internal Revenue Service, the SEC, and the FASB and/or various other taxing jurisdictions.  For example, the Company anticipates that the state jurisdictions will continue to determine and announce their conformity to the Tax Act which could have an impact on the Company’s annual effective tax rate.

- 9 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
For the three and nine months ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 and DecemberJune 30, 2016,2017, the Company’s earnings before income taxes, income tax expense and effective income tax rate were as follows:

 Three Months Ended  
Three Months Ended
  
Nine Months Ended
 
(thousands, except tax rate data) 
December 29,
 2017
  
December 30,
2016
  
June 29, 2018
  
June 30, 2017
  
June 29, 2018
  
June 30, 2017
 
Profit (loss) before income taxes $8,324  $(45) 
$
31,779
  
$
25,560
  
$
69,548
  
$
47,352
 
Income tax expense  8,089   (4,101)  
8,009
   
9,007
   
23,923
   
12,784
 
Effective income tax rate  97.2%  9,113.3%  
25.2
%  
35.2
%  
34.4
%
  
27.0
%

The change in the Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 versus the prior year period was primarily due to the impact of a $6,433the reduced federal statutory income tax rate on current year earnings from the enactment of the Tax Act.  During the current year quarter, the Company recorded no change to tax expense related to the estimated provisional amount previously recorded.

The change in the Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 versus the prior year period was primarily due to the impact of the $6,763 provisional tax expense generated by the enactment of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 in the current year period versus thecompared to a prior year period impact of a foreign tax credit net tax benefit of approximately $4,200 generated by the repatriation of approximately $22,000 from foreign jurisdictions to the U.S.  Also, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $433 and $397 realized from the exercise of the share-based payment arrangements during the three month periods ended December 29, 2017 and December 30, 2016, respectively.

Adverse changes in profitability and financial outlook in both the U.S. and/or foreign jurisdictions or changes in the Company'sCompany’s geographic footprint may require changes in valuation allowances in order to reduce the Company’s deferred tax assets.  Such changes may drive fluctuations in the effective tax rate.  The impact of the Company’s operations in jurisdictions where a valuation allowance is assessed, primarily in the foreign locations, is removed from the overall effective tax rate methodology and recorded directly based on year to date results for the year for which no tax expense or benefit can be recognized.  The tax jurisdictions that have a valuation allowance for the periods ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 and DecemberJune 30, 20162017 were:
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

DecemberJune 29, 20172018DecemberJune 30, 20162017
AustraliaAustralia
AustriaAustria
FranceFrance
IndonesiaIndonesia
 Italy
JapanJapan
NetherlandsNetherlands
New ZealandNew Zealand
SpainSpain
 Switzerland

The Company regularly assesses the adequacy of its provisions for income tax contingencies in accordance with the applicable authoritative guidance on accounting for income taxes.  As a result, the Company may adjust the reserves for unrecognized tax benefits due to the impact of changes in its assumptions or as a result of new facts and developments, such as changes to interpretations of relevant tax law, assessments from taxing authorities, settlements with taxing authorities and lapses of statutes of limitation.  The Company’s 2018 fiscal year tax expense is anticipated to include approximately $500 related to uncertain income tax positions.

- 10 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

In accordance with its accounting policy, the Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized benefits as a component of income tax expense.  The Company is projecting accrued interest of $300 related to uncertain income tax positions for the fiscal year ending September 28, 2018.

The Company files income tax returns, including returns for its subsidiaries, with federal, state, local and foreign taxing jurisdictions.   The Company is currently undergoing income tax examinations in Italy. As of the date of this report, the following tax years remain open to examination by the respective tax jurisdictions:

JurisdictionFiscal Years
United States2014-20172015-2017
Canada2013-2017
France2014-2017
Germany2013-2017
Italy2012-2017
Switzerland2007-2017

7INVENTORIES

Inventories at the end of the respective periods consisted of the following:

 
December 29,
2017
  
September 29,
2017
  
December 30,
2016
  
June 29,
2018
  
September 29,
2017
  
June 30,
2017
 
Raw materials $39,810  $32,826  $33,170  
$
32,141
  
$
32,826
  
$
26,250
 
Work in process  91   48   307   
77
   
48
   
168
 
Finished goods  50,960   46,274   42,560   
45,081
   
46,274
   
41,821
 
 $90,861  $79,148  $76,037  
$
77,299
  
$
79,148
  
$
68,239
 
 
- 10 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
8GOODWILL

The changes in goodwill during the threenine months ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 and DecemberJune 30, 20162017 were as follows:

 
December 29,
2017
  
December 30,
2016
  
June 29, 2018
  
June 30, 2017
 
Balance at beginning of period $11,238  $11,196  
$
11,238
  
$
11,196
 
Amount attributable to movements in foreign currency rates  (10)  (26)  
(54
)  
5
 
Balance at end of period $11,228  $11,170  
$
11,184
  
$
11,201
 

The Company evaluates the carrying value of goodwill on an annual basis or more frequently when events and circumstances warrant such an evaluation.  In conducting this analysis, the Company uses the income approach to compare the reporting unit'sunit’s carrying value to its indicated fair value.  Fair value is determined primarily by using a discounted cash flow methodology that requires considerable management judgment and long-term assumptions and is considered a Level 3 (unobservable) fair value determination in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 13) below.

9WARRANTIES

The Company provides warranties on certain of its products as they are sold. The following table summarizes the Company’s warranty activity for the threenine months ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 and DecemberJune 30, 2016.2017.
 
  
December 29,
2017
  
December 30,
2016
 
Balance at beginning of period $6,393  $4,326 
Expense accruals for warranties issued during the period  2,490   1,448 
Less current period warranty claims paid  1,475   993 
Balance at end of period $7,408  $4,781 
- 11 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
  
June 29, 2018
  
June 30, 2017
 
Balance at beginning of period 
$
6,393
  
$
4,326
 
Expense accruals for warranties issued during the period  
7,485
   
5,386
 
Less current period warranty claims paid  
4,981
   
3,461
 
Balance at end of period 
$
8,897
  
$
6,251
 

10CONTINGENCIES

The Company is subject to various legal actions and proceedings in the normal course of business, including those related to commercial disputes, product liability, intellectual property and regulatory 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.

11INDEBTEDNESS

Debt was comprised of the followingThe Company had no debt at DecemberJune 29, 2017,2018, September 29, 2017, and Decemberor June 30, 2016:2017.
  
December 29,
 2017
  
September 29,
 2017
  
December 30,
2016
 
Term loans $  $  $ 
Revolvers        12,730 
Other        271 
Total debt        13,001 
Less current portion of long term debt         
Less short term debt         
Total long-term debt $  $  $13,001 

Term Loans
On October 24, 2016 the Company repaid its outstanding term loans with Ridgestone Bank totaling $7,068.  The early repayment of these loans resulted in a 3% pre-payment penalty.  The Company’s term loans had a maturity date of September 29, 2029.   The interest rate in effect on the term loans was 5.50% at the date of repayment.
- 11 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

Revolvers
During the quarternine months ended DecemberJune 29, 2017,2018, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a new unsecured credit facility with PNC Bank National Association and Associated Bank, N.A. ("(“the Lending Group"Group”).  This credit facility replaced the Company'sCompany’s previous revolving credit agreement dated September 16, 2013 and consists of an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated November 15, 2017 among the Company, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, PNC Bank National Association, as lender and as administrative agent, and the other lender named therein (the “New Revolving Credit Agreement” or “New Revolver”).  The New Revolver has an expiration date of November 15, 2022 and provides for borrowing of up to an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $75,000 with a $50,000 accordion feature that gives the Company the option to increase the maximum financing availability (i.e., an aggregate borrowing amount of $125,000) subject to the conditions of the New Revolving Credit Agreement and subject to the approval of the lenders.

The interest rate on the New Revolver is based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin, which margin resets each quarter.  The applicable margin ranges from 1.00% to 1.75% and is dependent on the Company’s leverage ratio for the trailing twelve month period.  The interest rate in effect on the Company'sCompany’s revolving credit agreement at DecemberJune 29, 20172018 and DecemberJune 30, 20162017 was approximately 2.5%3.1% and 2.0%2.5%, respectively.

The New Revolving Credit Agreement restricts the Company'sCompany’s ability to incur additional debt, includes maximum leverage ratio and minimum interest coverage ratio covenants and is unsecured.

Other Borrowings
The Company had no unsecured revolving credit facilities at its foreign subsidiaries as of DecemberJune 29, 20172018 or DecemberJune 30, 2016.2017.  The Company utilizes letters of credit primarily as security for the payment of future claims under its workers’ compensation insurance, which totaled approximately $279 and $392$279 at DecemberJune 29, 20172018 and DecemberJune 30, 2016,2017, respectively.

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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
12DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The following disclosures describe the Company’s objectives in using derivative instruments, the business purpose or context for using derivative instruments, and how the Company believes the use of derivative instruments helps achieve the stated objectives.  In addition, the following disclosures describe the effects of the Company’s use of derivative instruments and hedging activities on its financial statements.

Foreign Exchange Risk
The Company has significant foreign operations, for which the functional currencies are denominated primarily in euros, Swiss francs, Japanese yen, Hong Kong dollars 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 15% of the Company’s revenues for the threenine month period ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Approximately 7%6% were denominated in euros, approximately 5%6% were denominated in Canadian dollars and approximately 2% were denominated in Hong Kong dollars, with the remaining revenues denominated in various other foreign currencies. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can cause the Company to experience unexpected financial losses or cash flow needs.

During the nine months ended June 29, 2018, the Company recognized a currency translation gain of $2,290 related to the liquidation of a foreign subsidiary. This gain is reported as a component of “Other (income) expense, net” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company may mitigate a portion of the fluctuations in certain foreign currencies through the use of foreign currency forward contracts.  Foreign currency forward contracts enable the Company to lock in the foreign currency exchange rate to be paid or received for a fixed amount of currency at a specified date in the future. The Company may use such foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate the risk associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates on financial instruments and known commitments, including commitments for inventory purchases, denominated in foreign currencies. As of DecemberJune 29, 20172018 and DecemberJune 30, 2016,2017, the Company held no foreign currency forward contracts.

13FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. A fair value hierarchy has been established based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable.
- 12 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. These are typically obtained from real-time quotes for transactions in active exchange markets involving identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These are typically obtained from readily-available pricing sources for comparable instruments.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs, where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability. These inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions of the data that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, based on the best information available in the circumstances.

The carrying amounts of cash, cash equivalents, short term investments, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximated their fair values at DecemberJune 29, 2017,2018, September 29, 2017 and DecemberJune 30, 20162017 due to the short term maturities of these instruments. When indicators of impairment are present, the Company may be required to value certain long-lived assets such as property, plant, and equipment, and other intangibles at their fair value.
- 13 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

Valuation Techniques

Rabbi Trust Assets
Rabbi trust assets are classified as trading securities and are comprised of marketable debt and equity securities that are marked to fair value based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets.  The rabbi trust assets are used to fund amounts the Company owes to certain officers and other employees under the Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan.  The mark to market adjustments are recorded in “Other (income) expense, net” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The offsetting deferred compensation liability is also reported at fair value and is included in "Other liabilities"“Other liabilities” in the Company'sCompany’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the liability are recorded in "Administrative“Administrative management, finance and information systems"systems” expense in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
In assessing the recoverability of the Company’s goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets, the Company estimates the future discounted cash flows of the businesses to which such goodwill and intangibles relate.  When estimated future discounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the net assets and related goodwill, an impairment test is performed to measure and recognize the amount of the impairment loss, if any.  In determining estimated future cash flows, the Company makes assumptions regarding anticipated financial position, future earnings, and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets.  This calculation is highly sensitive to changes in key assumptions and could result in a future impairment charge.  The Company will continue to evaluate whether circumstances and events have changed to the extent that they require the Company to conduct an interim test of goodwill.  In particular, if the Company’s business units do not achieve short term revenue and gross margin goals, an interim impairment test may be triggered which could result in a goodwill and indefinite lived intangible asset impairment charge in future periods.

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value as of DecemberJune 29, 2017:2018:

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total  
Level 1
  
Level 2
  
Level 3
  
Total
 
Assets:                    
Rabbi trust assets $16,207  $  $  $16,207  
$
16,659
  
$
  
$
  
$
16,659
 

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value as of September 29, 2017:

  
Level 1
  
Level 2
  
Level 3
  
Total
 
Assets:            
Rabbi trust assets 
$
14,932
  
$
  
$
  
$
14,932
 
- 13 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value as of DecemberJune 30, 2016:2017:

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total  
Level 1
  
Level 2
  
Level 3
  
Total
 
Assets:                    
Rabbi trust assets $13,172  $  $  $13,172  
$
14,071
  
$
  
$
  
$
14,071
 
The effect of changes in the fair value of financial instruments on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three month periods ended June 29, 2018 and June 30, 2017 was:
- 14 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
    Three Months Ended 
 
Location of (income) loss
recognized in Statement of
Operations 
 June 29, 2018  June 30, 2017 
Rabbi trust assetsOther (income) expense, net 
$
(283
) 
$
(499
)

The effect of changes in the fair value of financial instruments on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the threenine month periods ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 and DecemberJune 30, 20162017 was:

  Three Months Ended 
Location of (income) loss
recognized in Statement of
Operations
December 29,
2017
 
December 30,
2016
 
Rabbi trust assetsOther (income) expense, net $(528) $202 
    Nine Months Ended 
 
Location of (income) loss
recognized in Statement of
Operations
 June 29, 2018  June 30, 2017 
Rabbi trust assetsOther (income) expense, net 
$
(854
) 
$
(1,050
)

There were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in periods subsequent to their initial recognition for either of the three or nine month periods ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 or DecemberJune 30, 2016.2017.

14NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes existing revenue recognition requirements and provides a new comprehensive revenue recognition model.  The underlying principle of the new standard requires entities to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services.  The Company has developed a project plan for the implementation of the new standard including a review of all revenue streams in each business segment to identify potential differences in the performance obligations, timing, measurement or presentation that would result from applying the new standard from the Company's current accounting policies and practices.  The Company is still in the process of determining the impact on the timing of revenue recognition and the allocation of revenue to the Company's goods and services across each of the revenue streams and business segments. The provisions are effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and permit adoption under either the full retrospective approach (recognizing effects of the amended guidance in each prior reporting period presented) or the modified retrospective approach (recognizing the cumulative effect of adoption as an adjustment to retained earnings at the date of initial application).

The Company has developed a project plan including a review of all revenue streams in each business segment.  We continue to assess the potential impact of adopting this guidance and are finalizing our implementation plan.  We are in process of identifying and designing appropriate changes to our processes, systems and controls to support the recognition and disclosure requirements under the new guidance.  Preliminarily, we have not identified any significant impacts to our consolidated financial statements based on our assessment to date. The Company expects to adopt this standard by applying the modified retrospective approach but is still evaluating its methodapproach.  Our continued evaluation of adoption and the expected impact of this standard on its consolidated resultsthe new guidance or the issuance of operations and financial position.additional interpretations, if any, could result in an impact that is different from our preliminary conclusions.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendments in this update will increase the transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. This amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The ASU includes provisions intended to simplify the measurement of inventory and to more clearly articulate the requirements for the measurement and disclosure of inventory. Under such provisions, an entity should measure inventory within the scope of this amendment at the lower of cost or net realizable value.  Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The Company adopted this standard at the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The adoption of this ASU did not have a significant impact on the Company'sCompany’s consolidated financial statements.
 
- 1415 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
 
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The ASU includes, among other provisions, one that will require presentation of the service cost component of net benefit cost in the same line item(s) as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period.  The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside of a subtotal of income from operations.  This amendment is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and the interim periods within those annual periods.  The Company has elected to adopt this accounting standard at the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2018. See Note 5 "Pension Plans"“Pension Plans” of these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the effect of this new accounting standard.

In January 2017,February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04,2018-02, Intangibles – Goodwill andIncome Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Topic 350) – Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment220), which eliminatesallows for a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the requirement to calculateTax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.  ASU No. 2018-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  The ASU allows for early adoption in any interim period after issuance of the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value.update.  The Company early adoptedis currently assessing the impact this ASU in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 in conjunction withwill have on its annual impairment test. The amendments in this ASU are to be applied on a prospective basis.  The adoption of this ASU did not have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

15SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS

The Company conducts its worldwide operations through separate business segments, each of which represents major product lines. Operations are conducted in the United States and various foreign countries, primarily in Europe, Canada and the Pacific Basin.  During the three and nine month periodperiods ended DecemberJune 29, 2017,2018, combined net sales to one customer of the Company'sCompany’s Fishing, Camping and Watercraft Recreation segments represented approximately $18,826$26,755 and $76,035, respectively, of the Company'sCompany’s consolidated revenues.  During December 30, 2016 thereThere was no single customer that represented more than 10% of the Company’s total net sales.sales during either of the three or nine month periods ended June 30, 2017.

Net sales and operating profit include both sales to customers, as reported in the Company’s accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, and interunit transfers, which are priced to recover cost 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 periods presented.
 
- 1516 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

A summary of the Company’s operations by business segment is presented below:

  
Three Months Ended
  
Nine Months Ended
    
  
June 29,
2018
  
June 30,
2017
  
June 29,
2018
  
June 30,
2017
  
September 29,
 2017
 
Net sales:               
Fishing:               
Unaffiliated customers 
$
121,765
  
$
103,808
  
$
335,965
  
$
276,187
    
Interunit transfers  
155
   
166
   
368
   
282
    
Camping:                   
Unaffiliated customers  
13,898
   
12,115
   
29,810
   
29,213
    
Interunit transfers  
17
   
14
   
33
   
26
    
Watercraft Recreation:                   
Unaffiliated customers  
14,000
   
17,199
   
29,138
   
38,477
    
Interunit transfers  
115
   
91
   
142
   
117
    
Diving                   
Unaffiliated customers  
20,766
   
21,814
   
57,565
   
54,411
    
Interunit transfers  
8
   
170
   
17
   
492
    
Other / Corporate  
350
   
338
   
658
   
522
    
Eliminations  
(295
)  
(441
)  
(560
)  
(917
)
   
Total 
$
170,779
  
$
155,274
  
$
453,136
  
$
398,810
    
Operating profit (loss):                   
Fishing 
$
33,044
  
$
24,293
  
$
77,871
  
$
54,324
    
Camping  
2,154
   
1,452
   
1,732
   
1,691
    
Watercraft Recreation  
661
   
2,417
   
(653
)  
2,466
    
Diving  
1,503
   
1,218
   
1,132
   
468
    
Other / Corporate  
(5,407
)  
(4,643
)  
(15,088
)  
(13,282
)
   
  
$
31,955
  
$
24,737
  
$
64,994
  
$
45,667
    
Total assets (end of period):                   
Fishing         
$
147,479
  
$
137,259
  
$
128,706
 
Camping          
34,368
   
29,777
   
32,652
 
Watercraft Recreation          
23,259
   
26,551
   
20,222
 
Diving          
58,763
   
55,410
   
58,190
 
Other / Corporate          
133,682
   
105,960
   
113,889
 
          
$
397,551
  
$
354,957
  
$
353,659
 
1
  Three Months Ended    
  
December 29,
2017
  
December 30,
2016
  
September 29,
2017
 
Net sales:           
Fishing:           
Unaffiliated customers��$88,845  $67,050    
Interunit transfers  62   21    
Camping:             
Unaffiliated customers  5,837   5,728    
Interunit transfers  9   7    
Watercraft Recreation:             
Unaffiliated customers  4,349   6,208    
Interunit transfers  8   9    
Diving             
Unaffiliated customers  17,433   14,703    
Interunit transfers  5   190    
Other / Corporate  115   40    
Eliminations  (84)  (227)   
Total $116,579  $93,729    
Operating profit (loss):             
Fishing $14,065  $7,193    
Camping  (724)  (772)   
Watercraft Recreation  (1,144)  (798)   
Diving  (385)  (1,061)   
Other / Corporate  (4,775)  (4,090)   
  $7,037  $472    
Total assets (end of period):             
Fishing $161,135  $151,978 $128,706 
Camping  29,082   27,096  32,652 
Watercraft Recreation  21,562   23,270  20,222 
Diving  59,189   58,566  58,190 
Other / Corporate  84,165   55,557  113,889 
  $355,133  $316,467 $353,659 
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

16ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) by component, net of tax, for the three months ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 were as follows:
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
  
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
  
Unamortized
Loss on Defined
Benefit Pension
Plans
  
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Balance at September 29, 2017 $11,179  $(6,186) $4,993 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications  (276)     (276)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income     183   183 
Tax effects     (44)  (44)
Balance at December 29, 2017 $10,903  $(6,047) $4,856 
  
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
  
Unamortized
Loss on Defined
Benefit Pension
Plans
  
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Balance at March 30, 2018 
$
9,057
  
$
(5,909
) 
$
3,148
 
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications  
(2,442
)  
   
(2,442
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income  
61
   
50
   
111
 
Tax effects  
   
(12
)  
(12
)
Balance at June 29, 2018 
$
6,676
  
$
(5,871
) 
$
805
 

The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the three months ended DecemberJune 30, 20162017 were as follows:
 
  
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
  
Unamortized
Loss on Defined
Benefit Pension
Plans
  
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Balance at March 31, 2017 
$
7,652
  
$
(7,996
) 
$
(344
)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications  
2,350
   
   
2,350
 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income  
   
265
   
265
 
Tax effects  
   
(100
)  
(100
)
Balance at June 30, 2017 
$
10,002
  
$
(7,831
) 
$
2,171
 
  
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
  
Unamortized
Loss on Defined
Benefit Pension
Plans
  
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Balance at September 30, 2016 $10,525  $(8,171) $2,354 
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications  (3,747)     (3,747)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income     142   142 
Tax effects     (54)  (54)
Balance at December 30, 2016 $6,778  $(8,083) $(1,305)

The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 were as follows:
  
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
  
Unamortized
Loss on Defined
Benefit Pension
Plans
  
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Balance at September 29, 2017 
$
11,179
  
$
(6,186
) 
$
4,993
 
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications  
(2,213
)  
   
(2,213
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income  
(2,290
)  
415
   
(1,875
)
Tax effects  
   
(100
)  
(100
)
Balance at June 29, 2018 
$
6,676
  
$
(5,871
) 
$
805
 

The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 were as follows:
  
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
  
Unamortized
Loss on Defined
Benefit Pension
Plans
  
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Balance at September 30, 2016 
$
10,525
  
$
(8,171
) 
$
2,354
 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications  
(523
)  
   
(523
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income  
   
548
   
548
 
Tax effects  
   
(208
)  
(208
)
Balance at June 30, 2017 
$
10,002
  
$
(7,831
) 
$
2,171
 
- 18 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
 
The reclassifications out of AOCI for the three months ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 were as follows:
    
Statement of Operations
Presentation
Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans:     
Amortization of loss 
$
50
 Other income and expense
Tax effects  
(12
)Income tax expense
Foreign currency translation adjustments:      
Write off of currency translation adjustment gain  
61
 Other income and expense
Total reclassifications for the period 
$
99
  

    
Statement of Operations
Presentation
 
Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans      
Amortization of loss $183 Cost of sales / Operating expense 
Tax effects  (44)Income tax expense 
Total reclassifications for the period $139   
The reclassifications out of AOCI for the three months ended DecemberJune 30, 20162017 were as follows:
    
Statement of Operations
Presentation
Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans:     
Amortization of loss 
$
265
 Cost of sales / Operating expense
Tax effects  
(100
)Income tax expense
Total reclassifications for the period 
$
165
  

    
Statement of Operations
Presentation
 
Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans:      
Amortization of loss $142 Cost of sales / Operating expense 
Tax effects  (54)Income tax expense 
Total reclassifications for the period $88   
The reclassifications out of AOCI for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 were as follows:
    
Statement of Operations
Presentation
Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans:     
Amortization of loss 
$
415
 Other income and expense
Tax effects  
(100
)Income tax expense
Foreign currency translation adjustments:      
Write off of currency translation adjustment gain  
(2,290
)Other income and expense
Total reclassifications for the period 
$
(1,975
) 

The reclassifications out of AOCI for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 were as follows:
    
Statement of Operations
Presentation
Unamortized loss on defined benefit pension plans:     
Amortization of loss 
$
548
 Cost of sales / Operating expense
Tax effects  
(208
)Income tax expense
Total reclassifications for the period 
$
340
  
 
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) includes comments and analysis relating to the results of operations and financial condition of Johnson Outdoors Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of and for the three and nine month periods ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 and DecemberJune 30, 2016.2017.  All monetary amounts, other than share and per share amounts, are stated in thousands.

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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
Our MD&A is presented in the following sections:

Forward Looking Statements
Trademarks
- 17 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
Overview
Results of Operations
Liquidity and Financial Condition
Contractual Obligations and Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes that immediately precede this section, as well as the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2017 which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 8, 2017.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this Form 10-Q 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 they include phrases such as the Company “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” use of words such as “confident,” “could,” “may,” “planned,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “would” or the negative of such words 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 the Company’s Form 10-K which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 8, 2017 and the following:  changes in economic conditions, consumer confidence levels and discretionary spending patterns in key markets; the Company’s success in implementing its strategic plan, including its targeted sales growth platforms, innovation focus and its increasing digital presence; litigation costs related to actions of and disputes with third parties, including competitors; the Company’s continued success in its working capital management and cost-structure reductions; the Company’s success in integrating strategic acquisitions; the risk of future writedowns of goodwill or other long-lived assets; the ability of the Company’s customers to meet payment obligations; movements in foreign currencies, interest rates or commodity costs; fluctuations in the prices of raw materials or the availability of raw materials used by the Company; any disruptions in the Company's supply chain as a result of material fluctuations in the Company's order volumes and requirements for raw materials and other components necessary to manufacture and produce the Company's products;  the success of the Company’s suppliers and customers and the impact of any consolidation in the industries of the Company's 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 litigation matters; 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, among others, which may be used in this report: Minn Kota®, Cannon®, Humminbird®, Eureka!®, Jetboil®, Old Town®, Ocean Kayak®, Carlisle®, and SCUBAPRO®.

Overview

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 has attained leading market positions due to continuous innovation, marketing excellence, product performance and quality.  The Company’s values and culture support innovation 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 Company’s Board of Directors.  The Company is controlled by Helen P. Johnson-Leipold, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, members of her family and related entities.

Highlights

Net sales of $116,579 for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 increased $22,850, or 24%, from the same period in the prior year reflecting record sales volumes in the Fishing business.  This sales volume increase was the primary driver of a $6,565 improvement in operating income over the prior year quarter.   Tax expense had a significant impact on net income in the current quarter as the Company recognized provisional expenses related to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
Seasonality

The Company’s business is seasonal in nature. The first fiscal quarter falls prior to the Company’s primary selling season for its warm-weather outdoor recreation products.  The table below sets forth a historical view of the Company’s seasonality during the last three fiscal years.

  Fiscal Year 
  2017  2016  2015 
Quarter Ended 
Net
Sales
  
Operating
Profit
  
Net
Sales
  
Operating
Profit
  
Net
Sales
  
Operating
Profit
 
December  19%  1%  20%  -4%  16%  -41%
March  30%  45%  31%  66%  31%  43%
June  32%  54%  32%  59%  33%  92%
September  19%  %  17%  -21%  20%  6%
   100%  100%  100%  100%  100%  100%

Results of Operations

The Company’s net sales and operating profit (loss) by business segment for the periods shown below were as follows:

  Three Months Ended 
  December 29, 2017  December 30, 2016 
Net sales:      
Fishing $88,907  $67,071 
Camping  5,846   5,735 
Watercraft Recreation  4,357   6,217 
Diving  17,438   14,893 
Other / Eliminations  31   (187)
Total $116,579  $93,729 
Operating profit (loss):        
Fishing $14,065  $7,193 
Camping  (724)  (772)
Watercraft Recreation  (1,144)  (798)
Diving  (385)  (1,061)
Other / Eliminations  (4,775)  (4,090)
Total $7,037  $472 
See “Note 15 – Segments of Business” of the notes to the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the definition of segment net sales and operating profit.

Net Sales

Consolidated net sales for the three months ended December 29, 2017 were $116,579 an increase of $22,850, or 24%, compared to $93,729 for the three months ended December 30, 2016.  Foreign currency translation had a favorable impact of 1% on current year first quarter sales compared to the prior year's first quarter.
- 19 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
Net sales for the three months ended December 29, 2017 for the Fishing business were $88,907, up $21,836, or 33%, from $67,071 during the first fiscal quarter of the prior year.  Sales of electric steer trolling motors, Ultrex trolling motors and large display HELIX series fish finders drove the growth over the prior year quarter.

Net sales for the Camping business were $5,846 for the first quarter of the current fiscal year, an increase of $111, or 2%, from the prior year net sales during the same period of $5,735.  Increased military tent sales during the current year quarter was the primary driver of the improvement.

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 for the Watercraft Recreation business were $4,357, a decrease of $1,860, or 30%, compared to $6,217 in the prior year period due primarily to a weakened recreational kayak market.

Diving net sales were $17,438 for the three months ended December 29, 2017 versus $14,893 for the three months ended December 30, 2016, an increase of $2,545, or 17%.  The increase was driven by strong sales across all product segments due to successful new product introductions. Foreign currency translation impacted Diving’s first quarter sales favorably by 3.8% versus the prior year’s first fiscal quarter.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales for the three months ended December 29, 2017 was $67,768 compared to $57,164 for the three months ended December 30, 2016.  The increase year over year was driven primarily by higher sales volume in the current period.

Gross Profit Margin

For the three months ended December 29, 2017, gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 41.9% compared to 39.0% in the three month period ended December 30, 2016.  Favorable product mix and overhead efficiencies driven by sales volume increases were the primary drivers of the increase year over year.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were $41,774 for the three months ended December 29, 2017 compared to $36,093 for the three months ended December 30, 2016.  The increase of $5,681 was primarily due to higher sales volume related expenses and increased costs associated with the Company's digital initiatives in the current year quarter.

Operating Profit

Operating profit on a consolidated basis for the three month period ended December 29, 2017 was $7,037 compared to an operating profit of $472 in the first quarter of the prior fiscal year.   The improvement year over year was driven primarily by the increased sales volume between quarters and the other factors noted above.

Interest

For the three months ended December 29, 2017, interest expense was $72 compared to $486 in the three months ended December 30, 2016.  This decrease in interest expense was due to the decrease in interest bearing indebtedness for the current year period versus the prior fiscal year first quarter. Interest income for the three month periods ended December 29, 2017 and December 30, 2016 was $202  and $23, respectively. This increase was driven by interest earnings on short term investments and interest bearing cash in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 versus the corresponding period of fiscal 2017.

Other (Income) Expense, net

Other income was $1,157 for the three months ended December 29, 2017 compared to other expense of $54 in the prior year period.  For the three months ended December 29, 2017, foreign currency exchange gains were $394 compared to losses of $175 for the three months ended December 30, 2016.  Investment gains and earnings on the assets related to the Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan were $703 in the three month period ended December 29, 2017 compared to investment gains and earnings of $105 in the three month period ended December 30, 2016.
- 20 -

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
Income Tax Expense

The Company’s provision for income taxes is based upon estimated annual effective tax rates in the tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates.  The effective tax rate for the three month period ended December 29, 2017 was 97.2% compared to 9113.3% in the corresponding period of the prior year.

The change in the Company’s effective tax rate for the three month period ended December 29, 2017 versus the prior year quarterly period was primarily due to the impact of a $6,433 provisional tax expense generated by the enactment of "An Act to Provide for Reconciliation Pursuant to Titles II and V of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018" (the "Tax Act") in the current period.  Additionally, in the prior year period, the tax rate was impacted by a foreign tax credit net tax benefit of roughly $4,200 generated by the repatriation of approximately $22,000 to the U.S. from foreign jurisdictions in that period.

The Tax Act, enacted on December 22, 2017, reduces the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, requires companies to pay a one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred and creates new taxes on certain foreign-sourced earnings.  The impact from the permanent reduction to the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% is effective as of January 1, 2018.  When a U.S. federal tax rate change occurs during a fiscal year, taxpayers are required to compute a weighted daily average rate for the fiscal year of enactment and as a result the Company calculated a U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 24.5% for the current fiscal year ending September 28, 2018.  The Company expects the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to be 21% for fiscal years beginning after September 28, 2018.

At December 29, 2017, the Company has not completed its accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act; however, within the calculation of the Company's annual effective tax rate, the Company has made a reasonable estimate of the one-time transition tax and effects on its existing deferred tax balances that may change as a result of future guidance, interpretation and rule-making from the Internal Revenue Service, the SEC and the FASB and/or various other taxing jurisdictions.  For example, the company anticipates that the state jurisdictions will continue to determine and announce their conformity to the Tax Act which could have an impact on the annual effective tax rate.

Net Income

Net income for the three months ended December 29, 2017 was $235, or $0.02 per diluted common class A and B share compared to net income of $4,056, or $0.40 per diluted common class A and B share, for the first quarter of the prior fiscal year.

Liquidity and Financial Condition

Cash and cash equivalents and short term investments totaled $78,319 as of December 29, 2017, compared to cash, net of debt, of $38,859 as of December 30, 2016.  The Company’s debt to total capitalization ratio was 0% as of December 29, 2017 and 6% as of December 30, 2016.  The Company’s total debt balance was $0 as of December 29, 2017 compared to $13,001 as of December 30, 2016.  See “Note 11 – Indebtedness” in the notes to the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, were $71,895 as of December 29, 2017, a decrease of $454 compared to $72,349 as of December 30, 2016.  Inventories, net of inventory reserves, were $90,861 as of December 29, 2017, an increase of $14,824, compared to $76,037 as of December 30, 2016.  Accounts payable were $37,893 at December 29, 2017 compared to $32,033 as of December 30, 2016.

The Company’s cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as presented in the Company’s accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, are summarized in the following table:
  Three Months Ended 
(thousands) 
December 29,
2017
  
December 30,
2016
 
Cash (used for) provided by:      
Operating activities $(23,941) $(34,326)
Investing activities  34,945   (2,666)
Financing activities  (1,721)  4,077 
Effect of foreign currency rate changes on cash  (87)  (2,519)
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $9,196  $(35,434)
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
Operating Activities

Cash used for operations totaled $23,941 for the three months ended December 29, 2017 compared with cash used for operations of $34,326 during the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.   The increase in profit before taxes and the non-cash tax expense impact of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was the primary driver of the decrease in cash used year over year.

Depreciation and amortization charges were $3,191 for the three month period ended December 29, 2017 compared to $3,123 for the corresponding period of the prior year.

Investing Activities

Cash provided by investing activities totaled $34,945 for the three months ended December 29, 2017 compared to $2,666 of cash used for investing activities for the three months ended December 30, 2016.  The current year period reflects the sale of approximately $40,000 of short-term investments and the purchase of cash equivalents. Cash usage for capital expenditures totaled $6,454 for the current year quarter and $2,666 for the prior year.  The increase in expenditures in the current year period was primarily related to a planned global systems infrastructure upgrade. The Company’s recurring investments are made primarily for software development and tooling for new products and enhancements on existing products. Any additional expenditures in fiscal 2018 are expected to be funded by working capital.

Financing Activities

Cash flows used for financing activities totaled $1,721 for the three months ended December 29, 2017 compared to cash flows provided by financing activities of $4,077 for the three month period ended December 30, 2016.  The year over year change was due primarily to net borrowings on the Company's revolving credit line offset in part by the repayment of term loans in the prior year period.

On October 24, 2016 the Company repaid its outstanding term loans with Ridgestone Bank totaling $7,068.  The early repayment of these loans resulted in payment of a 3% pre-payment penalty.  The Company’s term loans had a maturity date of September 29, 2029.   The interest rate in effect on the term loans was 5.50% at the date of repayment.

During the quarter ended December 29, 2017, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a new unsecured revolving credit facility with PNC Bank National Association and Associated Bank, N.A. ("the Lending Group").  This credit facility replaced the Company's previous revolving credit agreement dated September 16, 2013 and consists of an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated November 15, 2017 among the Company, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, PNC Bank National Association, as lender and as administrative agent, and the other lender named therein (the “New Revolving Credit Agreement” or “New Revolver”).  The New Revolver has an expiration date of November 15, 2022 and provides for borrowing of up to an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $75,000 with a $50,000 accordion feature that gives the Company the option to increase the maximum financing availability (i.e., an aggregate borrowing amount of $125,000) subject to the conditions of the New Revolving Credit Agreement and subject to the approval of the lenders.  The New Revolving Credit Agreement restricts the Company's ability to incur additional debt and includes maximum leverage ratios and minimum interest coverage ratio covenants.

The interest rate on the New Revolver resets each quarter and is based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin.  The applicable margin on the New Revolver ranges from 1.00% to 1.75% and is dependent on the Company’s leverage ratio for the trailing twelve month period.  The interest rate on the Company's revolving credit agreement at December 29, 2017 and December 30, 2016 was approximately 2.5% and 2.0%, respectively.

As of December 29, 2017 the Company held approximately $36,069 of cash and cash equivalents in bank accounts in foreign taxing jurisdictions.

Contractual Obligations and Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has contractual obligations and commitments to make future payments including under operating leases and open purchase orders.  The following schedule details these significant contractual obligations existing at December 29, 2017.
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
  Total  
Less than 1
year
  2-3 years  4-5 years  After 5 years 
Operating lease obligations $22,715  $4,495  $10,114  $5,914  $2,192 
Open purchase orders  98,122   98,122          
Contractually obligated interest payments  548   84   225   225   14 
Total contractual obligations $121,385  $102,701  $10,339  $6,139  $2,206 
The Company utilizes letters of credit primarily as security for the payment of future claims under its workers compensation insurance.  Letters of credit outstanding were approximately $279 and $392 at December 29, 2017 and December 30, 2016, respectively.

The Company anticipates making contributions of $1,105 to its defined benefit pension plans during the remainder of fiscal 2018.

The Company has no other off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes that immediately precede this section, as well as the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2017 which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 8, 2017.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this Form 10-Q 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 they include phrases such as the Company “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” use of words such as “confident,” “could,” “may,” “planned,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “would” or the negative of such words 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 the Company’s Form 10-K which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 8, 2017 and the following:  changes in economic conditions, consumer confidence levels and discretionary spending patterns in key markets; uncertainties stemming from changes in U.S. trade policies, tariffs, and the reaction of other countries to such changes; the Company’s success in implementing its strategic plan, including its targeted sales growth platforms, innovation focus and its increasing digital presence; litigation costs related to actions of and disputes with third parties, including competitors; the Company’s continued success in its working capital management and cost-structure reductions; the Company’s success in integrating strategic acquisitions; the risk of future writedowns of goodwill or other long-lived assets; the ability of the Company’s customers to meet payment obligations; movements in foreign currencies, interest rates or commodity costs; fluctuations in the prices of raw materials or the availability of raw materials used by the Company; any disruptions in the Company’s supply chain as a result of material fluctuations in the Company’s order volumes and requirements for raw materials and other components necessary to manufacture and produce the Company’s products;  the success of the Company’s suppliers and customers and the impact of any consolidation in the industries of the Company’s 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 litigation matters; 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, among others, which may be used in this report: Minn Kota®, Cannon®, Humminbird®, Eureka!®, Jetboil®, Old Town®, Ocean Kayak®, Carlisle®, and SCUBAPRO®.

Overview

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 has attained leading market positions due to continuous innovation, marketing excellence, product performance and quality.  The Company’s values and culture support innovation 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 Company’s Board of Directors.  The Company is controlled by Helen P. Johnson-Leipold, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, members of her family and related entities.
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

Highlights

Net sales of $170,779 for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 increased $15,505, or 10%, from the same period in the prior year reflecting record sales volumes in the Fishing business.  This sales volume increase was the primary driver of a $7,218 improvement in operating profit over the prior year quarter.

Seasonality

The Company’s business is seasonal in nature. The third fiscal quarter falls within the Company’s primary selling season for its warm-weather outdoor recreation products.  The table below sets forth a historical view of the Company’s seasonality during the last three fiscal years.

  Fiscal Year 
  2017  2016  2015 
Quarter Ended 
Net
Sales
  
Operating
Profit
  
Net
Sales
  
Operating
Profit
  
Net
Sales
  
Operating
Profit
 
December  19%  1%  20%  -4%  16%  -41%
March  30%  45%  31%  66%  31%  43%
June  32%  54%  32%  59%  33%  92%
September  19%  %  17%  -21%  20%  6%
   100%  100%  100%  100%  100%  100%

Results of Operations

The Company’s net sales and operating profit (loss) by business segment for the periods shown below were as follows:

  
Three Months Ended
  
Nine Months Ended
 
  
June 29, 2018
  
June 30, 2017
  
June 29, 2018
  
June 30, 2017
 
Net sales:            
Fishing 
$
121,920
  
$
103,974
  
$
336,333
  
$
276,469
 
Camping  
13,915
   
12,129
   
29,843
   
29,239
 
Watercraft Recreation  
14,115
   
17,290
   
29,280
   
38,594
 
Diving  
20,774
   
21,984
   
57,582
   
54,903
 
Other / Eliminations  
55
   
(103
)  
98
   
(395
)
Total 
$
170,779
  
$
155,274
  
$
453,136
  
$
398,810
 
Operating profit (loss):                
Fishing 
$
33,044
  
$
24,293
  
$
77,871
  
$
54,324
 
Camping  
2,154
   
1,452
   
1,732
   
1,691
 
Watercraft Recreation  
661
   
2,417
   
(653
)
  
2,466
 
Diving  
1,503
   
1,218
   
1,132
   
468
 
Other / Eliminations  
(5,407
)
  
(4,643
)  
(15,088
)
  
(13,282
)
Total 
$
31,955
  
$
24,737
  
$
64,994
  
$
45,667
 
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

See “Note 15 – Segments of Business” of the notes to the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the definition of segment net sales and operating profit.

Net Sales

Consolidated net sales for the three months ended June 29, 2018 were $170,779, an increase of $15,505, or 10%, compared to $155,274 for the three months ended June 30, 2017.  Foreign currency translation had a favorable impact of 1% on current year third quarter net sales compared to the prior year’s third quarter.

Net sales for the three months ended June 29, 2018 for the Fishing business were $121,920, up $17,946, or 17%, from $103,974 during the third fiscal quarter of the prior year.  Strong performance of new products drove the growth over the prior year quarter.

Net sales for the Camping business were $13,915 for the third quarter of the current fiscal year, an increase of $1,786, or 15%, from the prior year net sales during the same period of $12,129.  The increase was driven by higher sales in military and Eureka consumer tents and increases in Jetboil sales, which were offset in part by the divestiture of the Silva brand since the prior year quarter.

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 for the Watercraft Recreation business were $14,115, a decrease of $3,175, or 18%, compared to $17,290 in the prior year same period due primarily to a weakened kayak market as well as lost distribution related to retail consolidations.

Diving net sales were $20,774 for the three months ended June 29, 2018 versus $21,984 for the three months ended June 30, 2017, a decrease of $1,210, or 6%.  The decrease was driven primarily by the closure of the Japan entity which was offset in part by foreign currency translation which impacted Diving’s third quarter sales favorably by 3% versus the prior year’s third fiscal quarter.

For the nine months ended June 29, 2018, consolidated net sales increased 14% to $453,136 compared to $398,810 for the nine months ended June 30, 2017.  Foreign currency translation had a favorable impact of 1% on current year to date net sales compared to the prior year period.

Net sales for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 for the Fishing business were $336,333, up $59,864, or 22%, from $276,469 for the first nine months of the prior year.  Strong performance of new products was the primary driver of the increase over the prior year to date period.

Net sales for the Camping business were $29,843 for the nine months ended June 29, 2018, an increase of $604, or 2%, from the prior year net sales during the same period of $29,239.  An increase in Jetboil sales was offset in part by the divestiture of the Silva brand as noted above.

Net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2018 for the Watercraft Recreation business were $29,280, a decrease of $9,314, or 24%, compared to $38,594 in the prior year period.  The decline was due primarily to a weakened kayak market as well as lost distribution related to retail consolidations.

Diving net sales were $57,582 for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 versus $54,903 for the nine months ended June 30, 2017, an increase of $2,679, or 5%.  Foreign currency translation impacted Diving’s year to date sales favorably by 5% versus the prior year to date period.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales for the three months ended June 29, 2018 was $91,446 compared to $84,644 for the three months ended June 30, 2017.  The increase year over year was driven primarily by higher sales volume in the current year quarter over the prior year quarter.
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

For the nine months ended June 29, 2018, cost of sales was $250,797 compared to $226,702 in the same period of the prior year.  The increase year over year was again driven primarily by higher sales volume in the current year to date period over the prior year to date period.

The Company’s business is impacted by international or cross-border trade, including related to tariffs and trade tensions among nations.  The Company is currently analyzing the future impact of recently announced changes in U.S. trade policies, including the announcement of new tariffs on the import of components and other supplies from certain foreign countries, on its cost of sales, operating profit and net income.

Gross Profit Margin

For the three months ended June 29, 2018, gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 46.5% compared to 45.5% in the three month period ended June 30, 2017.  Favorable product mix was the primary driver of the improvement year over year.

For the nine months ended June 29, 2018, gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 44.7% compared to 43.2% in the nine months ended June 30, 2017.  Favorable product mix, lower inventory reserves and overhead efficiencies driven by sales volume increases were the primary drivers of the improvement over the prior year to date period.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were $47,378 for the three months ended June 29, 2018 compared to $45,893 for the three months ended June 30, 2017.  The increase of $1,485 was primarily due to higher sales volume related expenses between quarters, such as marketing and selling expenses.

Operating expenses were $137,345 for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 compared to $126,441 for the nine months ended June 30, 2017.  Increased sales volume related expenses, headcount and discretionary compensation expense, warranty costs and professional services related to the Company’s digital initiatives in the current year to date period were the primary drivers of the increase over the same period in the prior year.

Operating Profit

Operating profit on a consolidated basis for the three month period ended June 29, 2018 was $31,955 compared to an operating profit of $24,737 in the third quarter of the prior fiscal year.   The improvement year over year was driven primarily by the increased sales volume between quarters and the other factors noted above.

Operating profit on a consolidated basis for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 was $64,994 compared to an operating profit of $45,667 in the prior year to date period.   The improvement year over year was driven primarily by the increased sales volume between periods and the other factors noted above.

Interest

For the three months ended June 29, 2018, interest expense was $55 compared to $77 in the three months ended June 30, 2017.  Interest expense was $170 for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 compared to $687 for the nine months ended June 30, 2017.   The decrease in the current year-to-date period was due primarily to the write off of deferred financing costs and a 3% prepayment penalty triggered by the prepayment of the Company’s term loans occurring during the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

Interest income for the three month periods ended June 29, 2018 and June 30, 2017 was $172 and $52, respectively. For the nine months ended June 29, 2018, interest income was $493 compared to $84 for the nine months ended June 30, 2017.   The increase in income year over year was driven by interest earnings on short term investments and interest bearing cash in fiscal 2018 versus the corresponding periods of fiscal 2017.
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

Other (Income) Expense, net

Other expense was $293 for the three months ended June 29, 2018 compared to other income of $848 in the prior year period.  For the three months ended June 29, 2018, foreign currency exchange losses were $213 compared to gains of $147 for the three months ended June 30, 2017.  Investment gains and earnings on the assets related to the Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan were $345 in the three month period ended June 29, 2018 compared to investment gains and earnings of $558 in the three month period ended June 30, 2017.

For the nine months ended June 29, 2018, other income was $4,231 compared to other income of $2,288 in the nine months ended June 30, 2017.  Foreign currency exchange gains were $2,393 for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 compared to gains of $658 for the nine months ended June 30, 2017.  The current nine month period reflects a gain of $2,290 on the recognition of currency translation adjustments related to the liquidation of the Company’s subsidiary in Japan.  Investment gains and earnings on the assets related to the Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan were $1,132 for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 compared to investment gains and earnings of $1,456 for the nine months ended June 30, 2017.  The gain on sale of certain trademarks in the Camping business of approximately $1,200 was also included in Other income for the nine months ended June 29, 2018.

Income Tax Expense

The Company’s provision for income taxes is based upon estimated annual effective tax rates in the tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates.  The effective tax rates for the three and nine month periods ended June 29, 2018 were 25.2% and 34.4%, respectively, compared to 35.2% and 27.0%, respectively, in the corresponding periods of the prior year.

The change in the Company’s effective tax rate for the nine month period ended June 29, 2018 versus the prior year nine month period was primarily due to the impact of a $6,763 provisional tax expense generated by the enactment of comprehensive tax legislation generally referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”) in the current year to date period.  Additionally, in the prior year to date period, the tax rate was impacted by a foreign tax credit net tax benefit of roughly $4,200 generated by the repatriation of approximately $22,000 to the U.S. from foreign jurisdictions in that period.

The Tax Act, enacted on December 22, 2017, reduces the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, requires companies to pay a one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred and creates new taxes on certain foreign-sourced earnings.  The impact from the permanent reduction to the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% was effective as of January 1, 2018.  When a U.S. federal tax rate change occurs during a fiscal year, taxpayers are required to compute a weighted daily average rate for the fiscal year of enactment and as a result the Company calculated a U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 24.5% for the current fiscal year ending September 28, 2018.  The Company expects the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to be 21% for fiscal years beginning after September 28, 2018.

As of June 29, 2018, the Company has not yet completed its accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act; however, within the calculation of the Company’s annual effective tax rate, the Company has made a reasonable estimate of the one-time transition tax and its effect on the Company’s existing deferred tax balances that may change as a result of future guidance, interpretation and rule-making from the Internal Revenue Service, the SEC and the FASB and/or various other taxing jurisdictions.  For example, the company anticipates that the state jurisdictions will continue to determine and announce their conformity to the Tax Act which could have an impact on the Company’s annual effective tax rate.

Net Income

Net income for the three months ended June 29, 2018 was $23,770, or $2.37 per diluted common class A and B share, compared to net income of $16,553, or $1.65 per diluted common class A and B share, for the third quarter of the prior fiscal year.

Net income for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 was $45,625, or $4.54 per diluted common class A and B share, compared to net income of $34,568, or $3.45 per diluted common class A and B share, for the nine months ended June 30, 2017.
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

Liquidity and Financial Condition

Cash and cash equivalents and short term investments totaled $129,277 as of June 29, 2018, compared to cash and cash equivalents and short term investments of $93,741 as of June 30, 2017.  The Company’s debt to total capitalization ratio was 0% as of June 29, 2018 and June 30, 2017.  The Company’s total debt balance was $0 as of June 29, 2018 and June 30, 2017.  See “Note 11 – Indebtedness” in the notes to the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, were $80,877 as of June 29, 2018, an increase of $1,585 compared to $79,292 as of June 30, 2017.  Inventories, net of inventory reserves, were $77,299 as of June 29, 2018, an increase of $9,060, compared to $68,239 as of June 30, 2017.  Accounts payable were $32,978 at June 29, 2018 compared to $33,889 as of June 30, 2017.

The Company’s cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as presented in the Company’s accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, are summarized in the following table:

  Nine Months Ended 
(thousands) 
June 29,
2018
  
June 30,
2017
 
Cash provided by (used for):      
Operating activities 
$
37,026
  
$
25,886
 
Investing activities  
8,260
   
(47,942
)
Financing activities  
(3,832
)  
(10,706
)
Effect of foreign currency rate changes on cash  
(987
)  
(791
)
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 
$
40,467
  
$
(33,553
)

Operating Activities

Cash provided by operations totaled $37,026 for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 compared with cash provided by operations of $25,886 during the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.  The increase over the prior year nine month period was due primarily to the $11,057 increase in net income.  Depreciation and amortization charges were $9,617 for the nine month period ended June 29, 2018 compared to $9,677 for the corresponding period of the prior year.

Investing Activities

Cash provided by investing activities totaled $8,260 for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 compared to $47,942 of cash used for investing activities for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.  The current year period reflects net proceeds from the change in the level of short-term investments of $21,607 versus the purchase of $40,000 of short-term investments in the prior year period. Cash usage for capital expenditures totaled $14,653 for the current year to date period and $8,147 for the prior year to date period.  The increase in expenditures in the current year period was primarily related to a planned global systems infrastructure upgrade and investments in digital transformation. The Company’s recurring investments are made primarily for software development and tooling for new products and enhancements on existing products. Any additional expenditures in fiscal 2018 are expected to be funded by working capital.

Financing Activities

Cash flows used for financing activities totaled $3,832 for the nine months ended June 29, 2018 compared to cash flows used for financing activities of $10,706 for the nine month period ended June 30, 2017.  The year over year change was due primarily to repayments of debt in the prior year period.
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

On October 24, 2016 the Company repaid its outstanding term loans with Ridgestone Bank totaling $7,068.  The early repayment of these loans resulted in payment of a 3% pre-payment penalty.  The Company’s term loans had a maturity date of September 29, 2029.   The interest rate in effect on the term loans was 5.50% at the date of repayment.

During the quarter ended December 29, 2017, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a new unsecured revolving credit facility with PNC Bank National Association and Associated Bank, N.A. (“the Lending Group”).  This credit facility replaced the Company’s previous revolving credit agreement dated September 16, 2013 and consists of an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated November 15, 2017 among the Company, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, PNC Bank National Association, as lender and as administrative agent, and the other lender named therein (the “New Revolving Credit Agreement” or “New Revolver”).  The New Revolver has an expiration date of November 15, 2022 and provides for borrowing of up to an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $75,000 with a $50,000 accordion feature that gives the Company the option to increase the maximum financing availability (i.e., an aggregate borrowing amount of $125,000) subject to the conditions of the New Revolving Credit Agreement and subject to the approval of the lenders.  The New Revolving Credit Agreement restricts the Company’s ability to incur additional debt and includes maximum leverage ratios and minimum interest coverage ratio covenants.

The interest rate on the New Revolver resets each quarter and is based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin.  The applicable margin on the New Revolver ranges from 1.00% to 1.75% and is dependent on the Company’s leverage ratio for the trailing twelve month period.  The interest rate on the Company’s revolving credit agreement at June 29, 2018 and June 30, 2017 was approximately 3.1% and 2.5%, respectively.

As of June 29, 2018 the Company held approximately $35,623 of cash and cash equivalents in bank accounts in foreign taxing jurisdictions.

Contractual Obligations and Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has contractual obligations and commitments to make future payments including under operating leases and open purchase orders.  The following schedule details these significant contractual obligations existing at June 29, 2018.

  
Total
  
Less than 1
year
  
2-3 years
  
4-5 years
  
After 5 years
 
Operating lease obligations
 
$
19,718
  
$
1,498
  
$
10,114
  
$
5,914
  
$
2,192
 
Open purchase orders
  
66,807
   
66,807
   
   
   
 
Contractually obligated interest payments
  
492
   
28
   
225
   
225
   
14
 
Total contractual obligations
 
$
87,017
  
$
68,333
  
$
10,339
  
$
6,139
  
$
2,206
 

The Company utilizes letters of credit primarily as security for the payment of future claims under its workers compensation insurance.  Letters of credit outstanding were approximately $279 and $279 at June 29, 2018 and June 30, 2017, respectively.

The Company anticipates making contributions of $47 to its defined benefit pension plans during the remainder of fiscal 2018.

The Company has no other off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates are identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending September 29, 2017 in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the heading “Critical Accounting Estimates.”  There were no significant changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates during the threenine months ended DecemberJune 29, 2017.2018.

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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company’s exposure to market risk is limited to fluctuations in raw material commodity prices, interest rate fluctuations on borrowings under our secured credit facilities and foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with our foreign operations.  The Company does not utilize financial instruments for trading purposes.

Foreign Exchange Risk

The Company has significant foreign operations, for which the functional currencies are denominated primarily in euros, Swiss francs, Hong Kong dollars, 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 15% of the Company’s revenues for the threenine month period ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Approximately 7%6% were denominated in euros, approximately 5%6% in Canadian dollars and approximately 2% in Hong Kong dollars, with the remaining revenues denominated in various other foreign currencies. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can cause unexpected financial losses or cash flow needs.  The Company may mitigate a portion of the fluctuations in certain foreign currencies through the use of foreign currency forward contracts.  Foreign currency forward contracts enable the Company to lock in the foreign currency exchange rate to be paid or received for a fixed amount of currency at a specified date in the future. The Company may use such foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate the risk associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates on financial instruments and known commitments, including commitments for inventory purchases, denominated in foreign currencies. As of DecemberJune 29, 20172018 and DecemberJune 30, 2016,2017, the Company held no foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company operates in a seasonal business and experiences significant fluctuations in operating cash flow as working capital needs increase in advance of the Company’s primary selling and cash generation season, and decline as accounts receivable are collected and cash is accumulated or debt is repaid.  The Company is subject to interest rate risk on its seasonal working capital needs whenif such needs are funded with short term floating rate debt.
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

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.

Impact of Inflation

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.

The Company’s results of operations and financial condition are presented based on historical cost.  The Company does not believe that inflation has significantly affected its results of operations.

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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 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 Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. 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 at reaching a level of reasonable assurance. 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.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a‑15(f) and 15d‑15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II
OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of business, the Company may be involved in various legal proceedings from time to time.  We do not believe we are currently involved in any claim or action the ultimate disposition of which would have a material adverse effect on our financial statements.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 8, 2017 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.2017.

Item 6.
Exhibits

See Exhibit Index to this Form 10-Q report.
 
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JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
Signatures Dated: February 2,August 7, 2018 
 /s/ Helen P. Johnson-Leipold
 Helen P. Johnson-Leipold
 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 (Principal Executive Officer)
  
 /s/ David W. Johnson
 David W. Johnson
 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Exhibit Index to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

Exhibit
Number
Description
  
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
32(1)
Certification of Periodic Financial Report by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
101
The following materials from Johnson Outdoors Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended DecemberJune 29, 20172018 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) and furnished electronically herewith: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

(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.
 

 
 
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