Weyco Reports Third Quarter Sales And Earnings

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Weyco Group, Inc. WEYS (the "Company") today announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2013.

Net sales for the third quarter of 2013 were $83.1 million, an increase of 5% from 2012 sales of $79.5 million. Earnings from operations increased 6% to $8.6 million in the third quarter of 2013, compared to $8.1 million in 2012. Net earnings attributable to the Company were $5.4 million in the third quarter of 2013, up 4% from $5.2 million in 2012.  Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.50 per share in 2013, from $0.48 per share in the third quarter of 2012. Earnings for last year's third quarter included approximately $460,000 ($270,000 after tax, or $0.03 per diluted share) of income resulting from a reduction in the estimated liability for future payments related to the 2011 acquisition of The Combs Company. Without this adjustment, earnings from operations and net earnings attributable to the Company would have been up 12% and 10%, respectively, for the quarter.

Net sales in the North American wholesale segment, which include North American wholesale sales and licensing revenues, were $64.8 million for the third quarter of 2013, compared to $61.0 million in 2012.  Wholesale product sales were $63.9 million in the third quarter of 2013, up from $60.2 million in 2012. This increase was primarily due to higher sales of the Nunn Bush brand. Wholesale net sales of Nunn Bush were up approximately $5.4 million, or 39%, for the quarter due to higher sales volumes at department stores and national shoe chains, driven by increased sales of new casual products. Licensing revenues remained flat at approximately $800,000 in the third quarter of 2013 and 2012. Earnings from operations for the wholesale segment were $7.1 million in the third quarter of 2013, up 8% from $6.6 million in 2012. Last year's third quarter earnings from operations included approximately $460,000 of income resulting from the adjustment referred to above. Without this prior year adjustment, earnings from operations for the wholesale segment would have been up 16% for the quarter.           

Net sales in the North American retail segment, which include sales from the Company's Florsheim retail stores and its internet business in the United States, were $5.2 million in the third quarter of 2013, compared to $5.5 million in 2012. Same store sales increased 7% for the quarter. There were eight fewer domestic retail stores as of September 30, 2013 than at September 30, 2012.  Earnings from operations for the retail segment increased approximately $190,000 for the quarter.

Other net sales, which include the wholesale and retail sales of Florsheim Australia and Florsheim Europe, were $13.1 million in the third quarter of 2013, compared to $12.9 million in 2012. Earnings from operations of these businesses decreased to $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2013, from $1.2 million in the same period last year. This decrease was primarily due to a $700,000 decline in the operating earnings of Florsheim Australia's wholesale business which was offset by a $450,000 increase in the operating earnings of its retail business.  

"We are pleased with our solid growth in both sales and operating earnings this quarter," stated Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr., the Company's Chairman and CEO. "In particular, we are pleased with the performance of our Nunn Bush brand. We believe the brand's new casual products position us well for solid growth as we move into the fourth quarter."

On October 28, 2013, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share to all shareholders of record on December 10, 2013, payable January 2, 2014.

Conference Call Details:

Weyco Group will host a conference call on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the third quarter financial results in more detail.  To participate in the call please dial 888-713-4217 or 617-213-4869, referencing passcode 87879397, five minutes before the start of the call. A replay will be available for one week beginning about one hour after the completion of the call by dialing 888-286-8010 or 617-801-6888, referencing passcode 52225691.  Alternatively, the conference call and replay will be available by visiting the investor relations section of Weyco Group's website at www.weycogroup.com.

About Weyco Group:

Weyco Group, Inc., designs and markets quality and innovative footwear for men, women and children under a portfolio of well-recognized brand names including: Florsheim, Nunn Bush, Stacy Adams, BOGS, Rafters and Umi.  The Company's products can be found in leading footwear, department, and specialty stores worldwide.  Weyco Group also operates Florsheim concept stores in the United States and Australia, as well as in a variety of international markets.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Various factors could cause the results of Weyco Group to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such factors include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to: (i) successfully market and sell its products in a highly competitive industry and in view of changing consumer trends, consumer acceptance of products and other factors affecting retail market conditions; (ii) procure its products from independent manufacturers; and (iii) other factors, including those detailed from time to time in Weyco Group's filings made with the SEC.   Weyco Group undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Weyco Group, Inc.