Exhibit 99
         
    ROCKY SHOES & BOOTS, INC.
 
       
 
  Company Contact:   Jim McDonald
 
      Chief Financial Officer
 
      (740) 753-1951
 
  Investor Relations:   Integrated Corporate Relations, Inc.
 
      Brendon E. Frey/Chad A. Jacobs
 
      (203) 682-8200
 
  Media Relations:   Integrated Corporate Relations, Inc.
 
      Megan McDonnell
 
      (203) 682-8200
ROCKY SHOES & BOOTS, INC. REPORTS RECORD THIRD QUARTER REVENUES AND
EARNINGS
— Third Quarter Revenues Increase 88.0% to a Record $94.1 million —
— Reports Record Third Quarter Diluted Earnings Per Share of $1.15 —
NELSONVILLE, Ohio, October 26, 2005 – Rocky Shoes & Boots, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCKY) today announced record financial results for the third quarter and nine month period ended September 30, 2005.
For the three months ended September 30, 2005, net sales increased 88.0% to a record $94.1 million compared to $50.1 million for the corresponding period a year ago. Net income rose to a record $6.5 million versus net income of $4.9 million and diluted earnings per share increased to $1.15 versus $0.98 last year.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, net sales increased 122.5% to a record $221.1 million compared to net sales of $99.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Net income rose to a record $10.4 million versus net income of $6.4 million a year ago, and diluted earnings per share increased to $1.86 versus $1.30 for the corresponding period last year.
On January 6, 2005, Rocky Shoe & Boots, Inc. completed the acquisition of EJ Footwear Group. The results for the three month and nine month period ended September 30, 2005 represent the performance of the consolidated company, while the year ago results reflect Rocky Shoes & Boots on a stand-alone basis.
Mike Brooks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rocky Shoes & Boots, stated, “As we previously announced, third quarter sales of our outdoor footwear were weaker than expected, partially offset by strength in our work and western categories. While we are disappointed with our recent results, we remain very confident in the vitality of our brands and optimistic about our prospects for growth.”
Third Quarter Results
Net sales for the third quarter increased 88.0% to $94.1 million compared to $50.0 million a year ago. The third quarter results reflect the acquisition of EJ Footwear, which contributed $43.8 million in revenue during the three month period ended September 30, 2005.
Gross profit in the third quarter of 2005 increased to $34.1 million, or 36.2% of sales, from $16.0 million or 32.0% of sales, for the same period last year. The 420 basis point increase was primarily due to sales of EJ Footwear product which carry a higher gross margin than Rocky products.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $21.8 million, or 23.2% of sales for the third quarter of 2005 compared to $8.3 million, or 16.6% of sales, a year ago. The increase was primarily a result of higher SG&A associated with the EJ Footwear business.
Income from operations increased to $12.3 million or 13.0% of net sales for the period from $7.7 million or 15.3% of net sales in the prior year.

 


 

Nine Month Results
Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased 122.5% to $221.1 million compared to $99.3 million a year ago. This was primarily a result of the EJ Footwear acquisition, which contributed $121.6 million in revenue during the period.
Gross profit increased to $84.0 million, or 38.0% of sales, from $29.4 million or 29.6% of sales, for the same period last year. The 840 basis point increase was primarily due to sales of EJ Footwear product which carry a higher gross margin than Rocky products.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $62.0 million, or 28.0% of sales compared to $19.0 million, or 19.2% of sales, a year ago. The increase was primarily a result of higher SG&A associated with the EJ Footwear business.
Income from operations increased to $22.0 million or 10.0% of net sales versus $10.3 million or 10.4% of net sales in the prior year.
Funded Debt and Interest Expense
The Company’s funded debt at September 30, 2005 was $127.5 million versus $32.9 million at September 30, 2004. The year-over-year increase was principally due to borrowings under the credit facility to fund the purchase of EJ Footwear. Interest expense increased to $2.5 million for the third quarter fiscal 2005, versus $0.4 million for same period last year, primarily due to the increase in borrowings.
Inventory
Inventory increased to $77.3 million at September 30, 2005 compared with $38.7 million on the same date a year ago, primarily due to the acquisition of EJ Footwear.
Outlook
The Company stated it remains comfortable with its previously updated guidance for fiscal 2005 of net sales in the range of $294 million to $296 million and diluted earnings per share in the range of $2.25 to $2.29. The Company also reaffirmed its fiscal 2006 guidance of net sales between $313 million to $318 million and diluted earnings per share in the range of $3.05 to $3.15.
It is important to note that Rocky Shoes & Boots filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 15, 2005 for a follow-on equity offering of 2.6 million shares of common stock consisting of 2 million primary shares offered by the Company and 600,000 shares offered by certain selling stockholders. If the equity offering is completed, there will be dilution to the Company’s forward looking guidance that is not currently reflected in the guidance issued today, October 26, 2005.
Mr. Brooks concluded, “We are very pleased with our accomplishments year-to-date, particularly our record sales and profits, as well as our ability to successfully integrate the Rocky and EJ organizations. Looking ahead, we have a tremendous opportunity to increase our share of the market and expand our position in the industry. Our entire Company is focused on achieving our strategic goals and delivering long-term value to our shareholders.”
About Rocky Shoes & Boots, Inc.
Rocky Shoes & Boots, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures and markets premium quality rugged outdoor, occupational, and casual footwear, as well as branded apparel and accessories. The Company’s footwear, apparel and accessories are marketed through several distribution channels, primarily under owned brands, ROCKY® and GATES®, and as a result of the acquisition of EJ Footwear, GEORGIA BOOT®, LEHIGH®, DURANGO, and the licensed brand DICKIES®.

 


 

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Those statements include, but may not be limited to, all statements regarding intent, beliefs, expectations, projections, forecasts, and plans of the Company and its management, and include statements in this press release regarding sales and earnings guidance for fiscal 2005 (paragraph 16), the potential dilutive effect of a follow-on offering (paragraph 17), and the achievement of the Company’s strategic goals (paragraph 18). These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the various risks inherent in the Company’s business as set forth in periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 (filed March 16, 2005) quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 (filed August 9, 2005), and amended quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 (filed September 13, 2005). One or more of these factors have affected historical results, and could in the future affect the Company’s businesses and financial results in future periods and could cause actual results to differ materially from plans and projections. Therefore there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the Company, or any other person should not regard the inclusion of such information as a representation, that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. All forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on information presently available to the management of the Company. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

 


 

ROCKY SHOES & BOOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                         
    September 30, 2005           September 30, 2004  
    Unaudited     December 31, 2004     Unaudited  
ASSETS:
                       
CURRENT ASSETS:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,050,120     $ 5,060,859     $ 780,739  
Trade receivables — net
    83,711,308       27,182,198       45,522,136  
Other receivables
    1,629,606       1,114,959       782,285  
Inventories
    77,322,005       32,959,124       38,738,153  
Deferred income taxes
    1,297,850       230,151       959,810  
Income tax receivable
            2,264,531          
Prepaid expenses
    1,339,103       588,618       809,482  
 
                 
Total current assets
    167,349,992       69,400,440       87,592,605  
FIXED ASSETS — net
    23,690,488       20,179,486       20,091,910  
DEFERRED PENSION ASSET
    1,347,825       1,347,824       2,499,524  
IDENTIFIED INTANGIBLES
    47,116,646       2,561,427       2,708,179  
GOODWILL
    20,620,543       1,557,861       1,557,861  
OTHER ASSETS
    4,072,998       1,658,616       587,942  
 
                 
 
                       
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 264,198,492     $ 96,705,654     $ 115,038,021  
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
                       
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
                       
Accounts payable
  $ 13,242,936     $ 4,349,248     $ 6,704,676  
Current maturities — long term debt
    6,389,559       6,492,020       525,596  
Accrued expenses:
                       
Income taxes
    3,222,774               2,354,207  
Taxes — other
    596,460       422,692       382,846  
Salaries and wages
    2,656,279       1,295,722       2,270,769  
Other
    2,717,026       1,228,708       1,328,492  
 
                 
Total current liabilities
    28,825,034       13,788,390       13,566,586  
LONG TERM DEBT — less current maturities
    121,111,944       10,044,544       32,388,913  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
    18,527,196       1,205,814       262,907  
DEFERRED LIABILITIES
    1,472,442       296,108       2,232,671  
 
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    169,936,616       25,334,856       48,451,077  
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
                       
Common stock, no par value;
                       
10,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding September 30, 2005 - 5,295,725; December 31, 2004 - 4,694,670; September 30, 2004 - 4,620,170
    50,694,385       38,399,114       36,674,834  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (889,564 )     (1,077,586 )     (1,950,400 )
Retained earnings
    44,457,055       34,049,270       31,862,510  
 
                 
 
                       
Total shareholders’ equity
    94,261,876       71,370,798       66,586,944  
 
                 
 
                       
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 264,198,492     $ 96,705,654     $ 115,038,021  
 
                 

 


 

ROCKY SHOES & BOOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
NET SALES
  $ 94,087,786     $ 50,052,894     $ 221,105,507     $ 99,368,970  
 
                               
COST OF GOODS SOLD
    60,014,309       34,056,404       137,100,919       69,977,667  
 
                       
 
                               
GROSS MARGIN
    34,073,477       15,996,490       84,004,588       29,391,303  
 
                               
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
    21,820,251       8,323,464       61,966,723       19,047,531  
 
                       
 
                               
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
    12,253,226       7,673,026       22,037,865       10,343,772  
 
                               
OTHER INCOME AND (EXPENSES):
                               
Interest expense
    (2,523,143 )     (422,120 )     (6,517,313 )     (955,561 )
Other — net
    130,958       (54,404 )     248,597       43,984  
 
                       
Total other — net
    (2,392,185 )     (476,524 )     (6,268,716 )     (911,577 )
 
                               
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    9,861,041       7,196,502       15,769,149       9,432,195  
 
                               
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
    3,352,605       2,309,143       5,361,364       3,024,563  
 
                       
 
                               
NET INCOME
  $ 6,508,436     $ 4,887,359     $ 10,407,785     $ 6,407,632  
 
                       
 
                               
NET INCOME PER SHARE
                               
Basic
  $ 1.23     $ 1.06     $ 1.99     $ 1.41  
Diluted
  $ 1.15     $ 0.98     $ 1.86     $ 1.30  
 
                               
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
                               
Basic
    5,289,736       4,605,800       5,232,964       4,530,867  
 
                       
Diluted
    5,646,161       4,992,319       5,585,224       4,943,929