Exhibit 99.1
Columbia Sportswear Company Reports Record First Quarter 2004 Results;
Company Announces Fall Backlog Increase of 12.7%
PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 2004--Columbia
Sportswear Company (Nasdaq:COLM) Highlights:
-- Global sales increased 22.4 percent to a first quarter record
of $206.7 million.
-- First quarter net income increased 34.2 percent to a record
$20.0 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, compared to $0.37
last year.
-- Global fall future orders product backlog increased 12.7
percent to $664.0 million.
-- Fiscal 2004 net sales are estimated to increase 11 to 12
percent, and net income is estimated to increase approximately
10 percent, over 2003 results.
Columbia Sportswear Company (Nasdaq:COLM), a global leader in the
active outdoor apparel and footwear industries, today announced record
first quarter net sales of $206.7 million for the quarter ended March
31, 2004, an increase of 22.4 percent over net sales of $168.9 million
for the same period of 2003. The Company reported record net income
for the first quarter of $20.0 million, a 34.2 percent increase over
net income of $14.9 million for the same period of 2003. Earnings per
share for the first quarter of 2004 were $0.49 (diluted) on 41.0
million weighted average shares, compared to earnings per share of
$0.37 (diluted) for the first quarter of 2003 on 40.4 million weighted
average shares.
Compared to the first quarter of 2003, U.S. sales increased 15.8
percent to $115.3 million, European sales increased 33.2 percent to
$42.9 million, Other International sales increased 37.4 percent to
$26.1 million, and Canadian sales increased 23.8 percent to $22.4
million for the first quarter of 2004.
Excluding changes in currency exchange rates, Other International
sales increased 31.9 percent, European sales increased 14.5 percent,
and Canadian sales increased 8.2 percent for the first quarter of
2004. Consolidated net sales for the first quarter of 2004 increased
16.5 percent, excluding changes in currency exchange rates, compared
to the same period of last year.
Sportswear sales increased 19.6 percent to $117.0 million,
outerwear sales increased 12.2 percent to $40.4 million, footwear
sales increased 29.3 percent to $38.4 million, and accessories sales
increased 51.9 percent to $8.2 million, compared to the first quarter
of 2003. Mountain Hardwear, acquired on March 31, 2003, contributed
$9.7 million in sales for the first quarter, including $2.7 million of
equipment sales, a new category for Columbia Sportswear.
Tim Boyle, Columbia's president and chief executive officer,
commented, "Columbia again delivered strong sales and operational
performance in the first quarter, driven by accelerating demand for
our spring related sportswear and footwear products. Our strategies
for developing our sportswear and footwear product categories are
working well as the spring business at Columbia is now providing a
material contribution to the overall profitability of the Company.
During the quarter, operating margins expanded to record first quarter
levels, demonstrating the strong financial leverage in the
organization. Sourcing and operational strengths, combined with
foreign currency benefits, contributed to operating leverage and
record first quarter earnings."
Backlog
The Company reported that as of March 31, 2004, consolidated
backlog increased 14.3 percent to $777.3 million compared to
consolidated backlog of $680.1 million at March 31, 2003. Of this
total, fall product backlog at March 31, 2004 was $664.0 million, an
increase of 12.7 percent when compared to fall product backlog of
$589.4 million at March 31, 2003. Excluding changes in currency
exchange rates, consolidated backlog increased 10.4 percent, and fall
product backlog increased 8.9 percent, when compared to the prior
year. Due to the timing of the acquisition last year, Mountain
Hardwear's backlog was not included in prior year reported backlog
results. To provide comparability on current year backlog and future
revenue growth, fall backlog at March 31, 2003 has been increased to
include $17.7 million in Mountain Hardwear orders that existed in the
prior year comparative period.
Boyle continued, "We are pleased with our exceptional fall future
orders backlog growth, particularly with fall backlog growth in the
United States. Growth in fall backlog was led by continued momentum in
our sportswear and footwear categories, particularly in the U.S.
Global outerwear backlog was also healthy, driven by strong outerwear
demand in Europe and Other International markets. We believe that the
consistent execution of our strategies, combined with our balance
sheet strength, position us well for continued strong growth."
Guidance
Mr. Boyle continued, "Based on our current outlook and the backlog
we released today, we currently believe that our strategies will
enable us to generate second quarter 2004 revenue growth of 8 to 10
percent with net income flat when compared to the second quarter of
2003. For the full year 2004, we anticipate net sales growth of 11 to
12 percent, and net income growth of approximately 10 percent,
compared to 2003. These projections are forward-looking in nature, and
are based on backlog and forecasts, which may change, perhaps
significantly."
Stock Repurchase
The board of directors of Columbia Sportswear has authorized the
repurchase of up to $100 million of Columbia common stock. The
repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire any
specific number of shares or acquire shares over any specified period
of time.
The Company will host a conference call to elaborate on first
quarter 2004 results on Thursday, April 29, 2004 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.
The call will include discussions regarding the Company's first
quarter 2004 performance in general, the Company's geographic and
merchandise category performance, and the Company's future
opportunities. To participate, please dial 800-257-6566 in the United
States (outside the United States, please dial 303-262-2140) five to
ten minutes prior to the call. The call will also be webcast live on
the investor information section of the Company's website at
www.columbia.com. The webcast can also be accessed on the investor
information section of the Company's website at www.columbia.com until
May 13, 2004.
Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, Columbia Sportswear Company
is a global leader in the design, sourcing, marketing and distribution
of active outdoor apparel and footwear. As one of the largest
outerwear manufacturers in the world and the leading seller of skiwear
in the United States, the Company has developed an international
reputation for quality, performance, functionality and value. To learn
more about Columbia Sportswear, please visit the Company's Web site at
www.columbia.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including
Mr. Boyle's statements regarding anticipated revenues and earnings for
the second quarter of 2004 and for the full year 2004 and growth in
future periods. Actual results could differ materially from those
projected in these and other forward-looking statements as a result of
a number of risks and uncertainties, including those set forth in this
press release, those described in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, under the heading "Factors
That May Affect Our Business and the Price of Our Common Stock," and
other risks and uncertainties that have been or may be described from
time to time in other reports filed by the Company, including reports
on Form 8-K, Form 10-Q, and Form 10-K. Risk factors that may affect
future revenues, earnings and deliveries include international risks,
including trade disruptions, political instability in foreign markets,
exchange rate fluctuations, and changes in quotas and tariffs or other
duties; unfavorable economic conditions generally and weakness in
consumer confidence; the financial health of Company customers; the
Company's ability to fully and cost-effectively integrate Sorel and
Mountain Hardwear into its existing operations; the Company's ability
to effectively deliver its products to customers in a timely manner
despite potential service interruptions; the Company's reliance on
product acceptance by consumers; effects of unseasonable weather
(including, for example, warm weather in the winter and cold weather
in the spring which affects demand for the Company's products);
dependence on independent manufacturers and suppliers; effectiveness
of the Company's sales and marketing efforts; intense competition in
the industry (which the Company expects to increase); the Company's
ability to achieve and manage growth effectively; business disruptions
and costs arising from disease outbreaks, acts of terrorism or
military activities around the globe; effective implementation and
expansion of the Company's distribution facilities; operations of the
Company's and third party computer systems; and the Company's ability
to establish and protect its intellectual property. Although
forward-looking statements help provide complete information about the
Company, investors should keep in mind that forward-looking statements
are inherently less reliable than historical information. The Company
does not undertake any duty to update any of the forward-looking
statements after the date of this release, to conform them to actual
results or to changes in Company expectations.
-table follows-
COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
March 31,
-------------------
2004 2003
-------- --------
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $288,059 $179,197
Accounts receivable, net 169,972 130,156
Inventories 128,077 115,759
Deferred tax asset 17,183 10,884
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 6,889 4,456
-------- --------
Total current assets 610,180 440,452
Property, plant and equipment, net 131,238 122,557
Intangibles and other assets 37,656 36,369
-------- --------
Total assets $779,074 $599,378
======== ========
Current Liabilities:
Notes payable $ - $ 9,928
Accounts payable 40,082 37,781
Accrued liabilities 43,322 25,590
Current portion of long-term debt 4,625 4,502
-------- --------
Total current liabilities 88,029 77,801
Long-term debt 15,867 20,183
Deferred tax liability 8,503 7,104
Shareholders' equity 666,675 494,290
-------- --------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $779,074 $599,378
======== ========
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
-------------------
2004 2003
-------- --------
Net sales $206,670 $168,871
Cost of sales 112,787 92,127
-------- --------
Gross profit 93,883 76,744
45.4% 45.4%
Selling, general, and administrative 64,529 53,161
Net licensing income (697) (105)
-------- --------
Income from operations 30,051 23,688
Interest (income) expense, net (898) (183)
-------- --------
Income before income tax 30,949 23,871
Income tax provision 10,987 8,952
-------- --------
Net income $ 19,962 $ 14,919
======== ========
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.50 $ 0.38
Diluted 0.49 0.37
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 40,318 39,768
Diluted 40,996 40,399
CONTACT: Columbia Sportswear Company
David W. Kiser, 503-985-4584 (Investor Relations)