RACINE, Wis., Nov. 10, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Johnson Outdoors Inc. (Nasdaq:JOUT), a leading global outdoor recreation company, today announced consolidation of U.S. operations for its Watercraft brands in Old Town, Maine has been completed ahead of schedule. The Company hosted an open house today for local and state officials at its newly refurbished 136,000 square foot facility in Old Town to celebrate the achievement. The Honorable John Baldacci, governor of Maine, proclaimed November 10 "Old Town Canoe Day" to commemorate the milestone event.
"Old Town Canoe's craftsmanship, quality and brand are known worldwide," said Governor John Baldacci. "Old Town Canoe plays an important role in Maine's boatbuilding history and culture, and the company has earned the reputation for being a valued employer and good corporate citizen. We appreciate the commitment of Johnson Outdoors to Maine workers."
Old Town Canoe(R) was established in 1898 and became a Johnson Outdoors brand in 1974. A recognized innovator in the paddle sports industry, Old Town Canoe(R) is credited largely with the industry's transition from aluminum boats to plastic canoes and kayaks. As a result of the consolidation, the Company's Ocean Kayak(TM) and Necky(R) kayaks brands are now being produced in Old Town, benefiting from the craftsmanship there while retaining the unique individual signatures of design, styling and performance that have made both brands leaders in their paddling segments. The newly converted facility also serves as the U.S. warehouse and distribution center for all the Company's paddle boat and accessory brands, which include Extrasport(R) personal flotation devices (PFD) and Carlisle(R) paddles, and is the hub for all related Watercraft support services and functions.
The former distribution center has been redesigned for maximum production efficiency, while reducing energy use by 50 percent. An estimated additional 48 jobs will be created in Old Town as a result of the consolidation.
"Old Town Canoe has had a reputation as the makers of the world's best canoes for decades," said Old Town City Manager Peggy Daigle. "The investments Johnson Outdoors is making here in Old Town represent investments in the talented and skilled workforce in this community. We are proud to serve as a partner working to help ensure continued success and future prosperity both for the company and for the employees that so proudly call Old Town their home."
In June, the Company announced it was working to transform Watercraft into a stronger, more competitive and cash-generating business better positioned for growth in the future. Transformation began in March 2009 when the Company merged leadership of its Watercraft and Marine Electronics business units under a single Group Vice President. In May 2009, brand sales for the two businesses were combined and Watercraft marketing was restructured to simplify and streamline customer communication. Consolidation of U.S. operations in Old Town, Maine is anticipated to result in annual cost-savings of more than $4 million dollars beginning in fiscal 2010.
"In June, we made a commitment to convert our distribution center in Old Town, Maine into an energy-efficient state-of-the-art manufacturing and office facility, and bring more jobs into the local community. Such an effort could not have succeeded without the assistance of a great many people locally and throughout the state. We are grateful for the support of Governor Baldacci and the City of Old Town enabling us to continue our 100-plus year tradition of quality boat production in Maine," said Helen Johnson-Leopold, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
ABOUT JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global outdoor recreation company that turns ideas into adventure with innovative, top-quality products. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft, Marine Electronics, Diving and Outdoor Equipment. Johnson Outdoors' familiar brands include, among others: Old Town(R) canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak(TM) and Necky(R) kayaks; Lendal(R) paddles; Carlisle(R) and Extrasport(R) paddling accessories; Minn Kota(R) motors; Cannon(R) downriggers; Humminbird(R) fishfinders; Geonav(R)chartplotters; SCUBAPRO(R) UWATEC(R) and Seemann(R) dive equipment; Silva(R) compasses; Tech4O(R) digital instruments; and Eureka!(R) tents.
Visit Johnson Outdoors at http://www.johnsonoutdoors.com
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements," intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical fact are considered forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "expect," "intend," "may," "planned," "potential," "should," "will," "would" or the negative of those terms or other words of similar meaning. 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 changes in consumer spending patterns; the Company's success in implementing its strategic plan, including its focus on innovation; actions of and disputes with companies that compete with the Company; the Company's success in managing inventory; the risk that the lenders may be unwilling to provide a waiver or amendment if the Company is in violation of its financial covenants and the cost to the Company of obtaining any waiver or amendment that the lenders would be willing to provide; risk of future write-downs of goodwill or other intangible assets; movements in foreign currencies or interest rates; the Company's success in restructuring of its Watercraft operations; the success of suppliers and customers; the ability of the Company to deploy its capital successfully; adverse weather conditions; and other risks and uncertainties identified in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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 press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.