Strong Growth in Core Work Products; Growing Direct and International Channels;

Maintaining Profitability and Investing in Future Growth

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2012-- LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. (Nasdaq: BOOT), a leading provider of premium, branded footwear for work and outdoor users, today reported results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011.

For the fourth quarter of 2011, LaCrosse reported net sales of $43.8 million, compared to $52.1 million in the same period of 2010. For the full year 2011, net sales were $131.3 million, compared to $150.5 million in 2010.

Net income was $2.2 million or $0.33 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to $4.0 million or $0.60 per diluted share in the same period of 2010. For the full year 2011, net income was $3.0 million or $0.45 per diluted share, compared to $6.9 million or $1.04 per diluted share in 2010.

Sales to the work market were $27.1 million for the fourth quarter and $76.9 million for the full year of 2011, down 13% and 19%, respectively, from the same periods of 2010. The decrease in work sales primarily reflects a reduction of contract delivery orders to the U.S. military and the Company’s discontinuation of its work apparel products. Excluding its contract military and work apparel sales, the Company’s core work sales for the fourth quarter and full of 2011 increased 10% and 13%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2010.

Sales to the outdoor market were $16.7 million for the fourth quarter and $54.5 million for the full year of 2011, down 20% and 2%, respectively, from the same periods of 2010. The decrease in outdoor sales reflects a cautious retail environment and unfavorable weather conditions during the second half of 2011, partially offset by stronger demand for the Company’s new hiking boots.

Gross margins were 37.4% of net sales for the fourth quarter and 39.0% for the full year 2011, compared to 39.3% for both the fourth quarter and the full year in 2010. The year-over-year decline in fourth quarter gross margins primarily reflects an increase in close-out sales.

For the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company reduced operating expenses by approximately $1.4 million or 10% from the same period in 2010, despite increased investments in product development and marketing activities.

The Company maintained a strong balance sheet while making significant investments in its operations and preparedness for future growth. During 2011, the Company made capital investments of $4.0 million and distributed dividends of $3.3 million to shareholders. As expected, the Company reduced its inventory in the fourth quarter of 2011 by $9.3 million from the third quarter in order to bring inventory levels in line with seasonal demand. In connection with the decline in inventory, short term debt declined $8.8 million during the fourth quarter of 2011.

“While 2011 was a challenging year, we penetrated into niche work and outdoor markets, remained profitable and took important steps to improve the long-term efficiency and strength of our business,” said Joseph P. Schneider, president and CEO of LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. “Our revenue was impacted by fluctuations in our contract military business throughout the year and unfavorably warm and dry weather in the second half of the year. At the same time, we had strong growth in sales of our new hiking boots and our core work boots, particularly in such market segments as mining, oil and gas exploration, and agriculture. We also continued to see strong growth through our direct and international channels.

“As we move into 2012, our relationships with major retailers continue to strengthen and we expect to continue to see strong growth in our direct and international channels. During 2012, we plan to introduce a significant number of new products, including innovative outdoor products, tactical law enforcement boots and an exciting women’s lifestyle product line. While we expect continued quarter-to-quarter fluctuations in our contract military business, we have structured our operating model to improve profitability with or without the upside of future military contracts. We believe LaCrosse is well-positioned to continue to capture market share and grow profitably over the long term.”

Based on the Company’s financial position, the Board of Directors today announced the approval of a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share of common stock. The first quarter dividend will be paid on March 18, 2012 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 22, 2012. The Board of Directors, while not declaring future dividends to be paid, has established a quarterly dividend policy reflecting its intent to declare and pay a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share of common stock.

Fourth Quarter and Year End 2011 Conference Call

LaCrosse will host a conference call to discuss its financial results today, February 2, 2012 at 2:00 PM Pacific (5:00 PM Eastern). A broadcast of the conference call will be available at http://www.lacrossefootwearinc.com under “Investor Events” or by calling 877-941-9205 or +1 480-629-9692. A 48-hour replay will be available by calling 800-406-7325 or +1 303-590-3030 (Access Code: 4503192).

About LaCrosse Footwear, Inc.

LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. is a leading developer and marketer of branded, premium and innovative footwear for work and outdoor users. The Company’s trusted Danner® and LaCrosse® brands are sold to a network of specialty retailers and distributors in North America, Europe and Asia. Work consumers include people in law enforcement, transportation, mining, oil and gas exploration and extraction, construction, Government services and other occupations that require high-performance and protective footwear as a critical tool for the job. Outdoor consumers include people active in hunting, outdoor cross-training, hiking and other outdoor recreational activities. For more information about LaCrosse Footwear products, please visit our Internet websites at http://www.lacrossefootwear.com and http://www.danner.com. For additional investor information, see our corporate website at www.lacrossefootwearinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “plan,” “expect,” “aim,” “believe,” “project,” “target,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will,” “should,” “could” and other terms of similar meaning, typically identify such forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements include without limitation, statements regarding: the anticipated success of new products; the strength of our relationships with major retailers; expected total sales from our combined direct and international channels; anticipated fluctuations in revenues related to future contract military orders; anticipated future profitability; anticipated demand for our products; and the Board of Directors’ intent to declare and pay dividends in future periods. The forward-looking statements included in this release are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events and trends that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Risk factors and other uncertainties which may adversely impact the outcome of such forward-looking statements, our financial position or our results of operations include the risk factors set forth in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for 2011. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence or non-occurrence of future events or circumstances.

Source: LaCrosse Footwear, Inc.

LaCrosse Footwear, Inc.
David Carlson, 503-262-0110 ext. 1331
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
or
Investor Relations
StreetConnect, Inc.
Michael Newman, 800-654-3517
BOOT@stct.com