Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Leisure / Johnson Outdoors Inc.

Johnson Outdoors Inc.

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FY2019 Annual Report · Johnson Outdoors Inc.
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2019 ANNUAL REPORT

FOR ADVENTURERS.
BY ADVENTURERS.

50 YEARS OF INNOVATION

FROM YESTERDAY   
INTO TOMORROW

Fifty years ago, American business legend 
Sam Johnson channeled his lifelong passion for 
adventure into the founding of Johnson Outdoors.

Today Helen Johnson-Leipold, his daughter, carries 
on the spirit of adventure, leading us in creating 
the best possible outdoor experiences for our 
consumers. Johnson Outdoors is proud to be a 
global leader in innovative outdoor recreation 
equipment and technology, building on our legacy 
to inspire awe for generations to come.

WHO WE ARE 
Johnson Outdoors inspires people  
to “get out there” to experience and 
appreciate the “awe” of the great outdoors 
and its value for generations to come.

We always have been and 
always will be a company 
FOR ADVENTURERS,  
BY ADVENTURERS.  

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JOUT-NASDAQ

COMPANY 
SNAPSHOT

AS OF 9.30.19

$562.4 m NET SALES 

1,200

EMPLOYEES

20

FACILITIES 
WORLDWIDE

80

COUNTRIES

16

PRODUCT 
CATEGORIES

FISHING

DIVING

Fishing motors
Fish finders
Downriggers
Shallow water anchors
Digital charts & maps

Regulators
Buoyancy compensators
Dive computers
Masks/fins/snorkels
Divewear

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CAMPING

WATERCRAFT RECREATION

Tents
Sleeping bags & pads
Personal & family cooking systems 
Camp furniture & accessories

Kayaks & canoes
Fishing craft
Personal flotation devices
Paddles & accessories

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LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

TAKING THE 
LONG VIEW

AND CELEBRATING SUCCESS

1973 
Minn Kota acquired

Eureka! acquired

Old Town Canoe acquired

SCUBAPRO acquired

1986—1987
Initial public offering 
makes Johnson Outdoors 
a publicly traded company

1970 
Founded under the S.C. Johnson 
umbrella by Samuel C. Johnson, 
passionate outdoorsman and 
environmentalist

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1991 
The World Business Council 
on Sustainable Development 
launches with Sam Johnson as a 
founding member, recognizing 
his decision to eliminate CFCs 
12 years before the 1987 
Montreal Protocol

FOR NEARLY HALF A CENTURY, MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HAVE RELIED ON 
JOHNSON OUTDOORS TO ENJOY GREAT TIMES IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS. 
OVER THE COMING DECADES WE PLAN TO PLEASE MILLIONS MORE, 
BECAUSE WE DON’T SETTLE FOR “GOOD”; OUR GOAL IS “GREAT.”    

To soar above this ever-rising bar, we embrace 
change and innovation across our businesses. 
We are a dynamic family of adventurers, with a 
clear competitive edge: deeper, richer consumer 
insights. Every touchpoint with our consumers 
must emanate from an intimate knowledge 
of exactly who they are, what they want and 
expect, and what they truly need for the best 
outdoor experience.  

With these insights, we can better target the 
right consumer with the right product in the 
right place in the right way at the right time. 
This fiscal year’s financial performance shows 
the results of our sustained focus. Yet even as 
we celebrate the successes of 2019, and of our 

first 50 years, we look eagerly to the future. 
Our 2021 strategic plan is designed to take 
our businesses to the next level, building on 
three pillars of excellence.    

GREAT BRANDS
No competitor can match the breadth of 
our brand portfolio and the strength of our 
brands. We cover the outdoor recreation 
landscape with the names outdoor lovers 
know and trust, whether their chosen 
adventure is fishing, kayaking, hiking, 
camping, diving—or all of the above. 

Our brands are building ever-deeper 
connections as consumers plan their next 

1993 
Sam Johnson named to the U.S. 
President’s Council on Sustainable 
Development and inducted into the 
U.S. National Business Hall of Fame for 
his visionary environmental leadership 

1992 
United Nations Environmental 
Programme presents Sam Johnson 
with the Lifetime Environmental 
Award for individual and corporate 
environmental leadership

1997 
Uwatec acquired, later rolled 
under the SCUBAPRO brand

Ocean Kayak acquired

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LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

adventure, shop for equipment and put their 
gear into action. Nearly three years ago, we 
launched our digital transformation against the 
backdrop of a rapidly changing marketplace. 
We recognized consumers needed and wanted 
immediate access to our brands from the device 
of their choosing. Today our brands’ digital and 
social media presence reflects the face and voice 
of our consumer, with the capabilities to make 
shopping and purchasing faster and easier.   

Taking our brands into the evolving digital 
marketplace is a continuing process, turning 
our investment into even more meaningful, 
relevant relationships with even more targeted 
outdoor consumers.      

GREAT INNOVATION
For 50 years, Johnson Outdoors has been 
an outdoor technology pioneer, confidently 

leading with an unparalleled portfolio of 
industry firsts. Many of our original products 
were conceived by entrepreneurs in their home 
workshops, looking to have more fun doing 
what they loved outdoors. 

Today, we purposefully pursue innovation in a 
product development process that engages 
consumers at every step—and creates plenty 
of opportunities for “aha” insights, in concept, 
design, commercialization and beyond. 
Disciplined data analysis helps us identify 
the biggest opportunities with the longest 
staying power.      

GREAT PEOPLE
My father, Sam Johnson, founded this company 
driven by his passion for the outdoors. You can 
see that same passion today in the people of 
Johnson Outdoors—adventurers themselves, 

2000 
Innovation Portfolio 
Strategy launched

$347 million  
in net sales

2004 
Upon Sam Johnson’s death, 
the company incorporates his 
favorite bird, the loon, 
in the Johnson 
Outdoors logo.

Humminbird 
acquired

Cannon acquired

1999 
Leadership passes to the 
second generation as Helen 
Johnson-Leipold is named 
chairman and CEO

Sam Johnson becomes 
Chairman Emeritus 

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2002 
Johnson Outdoors moves 
HQ to new LEED-certified 
building in downtown 
Racine, Wisconsin

thrilled to fish, camp, paddle, hike and dive. 
Our love for outdoor recreation, be it on the 
water, around the water, or under the water, 
gives us extra incentive to help our consumers 
find their own awe. 

From the small towns around the world we 
call home, our people are driven to create 
and craft the best…to deliver innovative, top-
quality products, equipment and service. This 
collective intensity and know-how keeps us at 
the cutting edge of outdoor recreation design 
and technology.  

of our outdoor recreation portfolio combine to 
well-position Johnson Outdoors for the future.

Rapid change and ever-increasing competition 
are the new normal in our industry—making it 
important to take the long view.  We continually 
work to position all of our brands and 
businesses for growth beyond the next quarter, 
the next year, the next decade. For generations 
to come, Johnson Outdoors will deliver value 
as the first choice, the only choice, because 
the outdoor experience we deliver is uniquely 
“For Adventurers, By Adventurers.”

TOWARD TOMORROW
Success for Johnson Outdoors is continuing our 
evolution as a portfolio of thriving businesses 
delivering consistent, sustained growth and 
profitability. The power of our innovation, the 
enduring strength of our brands and the diversity 

Helen P. Johnson-Leipold  
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

2007 
Minn Kota becomes 
the company’s first 
$100 million brand

2012 
Jetboil acquired

2018 
Net sales top 
$500 million

2011 
LakeMaster acquired

2016 
Northport digital 
cartography technologies  
acquired

2020 
Johnson 
Outdoors  
turns 50

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BY ADVENTURERS

Adventure Across Generations
To corporate America, Sam Johnson was a leading 
environmentalist, passionate about the great outdoors.  
To me, he was Dad, instigator of family adventures. 

We spent our time together camping, 
paddling, fishing, diving—activities that I’ve 
gone on to share with my sons, and that today 
make up the core of Johnson Outdoors.

Dad’s love of adventure was clearly inherited. 
My grandfather had flown to Brazil in 1936 in 
search of the Carnaúba palm as a sustainable 
source of wax. In 1998, Dad re-created that 
historic expedition with an airplane replicating 
the original “Spirit of Carnaúba.” He said it 
was a wonderful adventure that brought his 
father back to life for him.

In 2006, two years after Dad’s death, our 
family learned that a plane similar to my 
grandfather’s had been found off the coast 
of New Guinea, where it had crashed in 

1938. With Mom, my brothers and one of 
my sons, I headed to Manokwari Bay, visiting 
S.C. Johnson locations along the way.

We used SCUBAPRO® dive gear and a 
Humminbird fish finder with Side Imaging™ 
technology. And after multiple dives, 
we found the wreckage—the plane that 
in our hearts we knew immediately was 
the Carnaúba. 

Finding and seeing and touching the plane 
that meant so much to Dad brought him 
back to life for us one more time. And in 
that everlasting spirit, we placed a granite 
plaque at the site, with this inscription:  
“I am Carnaúba. My true home is not this bay 
but the hearts of all who love adventure.”

THREE GENERATIONS OF THE JOHNSON FAMILY SHARED A SPECIAL DIVE ADVENTURE IN 2006.

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FISHING

For as long as there have been 
fish, there have been anglers 
seeking better ways to catch 
them. And our brands have been 
there to help.

Minn Kota® introduced electric trolling motors 
in 1934 and over the years added the first 
electronic speed control (1985), self-steering 
motor (1991) and wireless remote (2002). The 
newest innovations unite Minn Kota motors 
with Humminbird®—which launched in 1971 and 
introduced the first waterproof depth sounder 
(1975), LCD display (1984) and 360-degree 
imaging (2012). Cannon® downriggers 
have long set the gold 
standard for trolling 
dependability, with 
innovations like the first 
speed and temperature 
sensor to provide actual 
lure depth (2009).

Today Johnson Outdoors 
continues to combine 
consumer insights with 
technology innovations 
to delight anglers—
reimagining and 
redefining trolling motors, 
underwater imaging and 
the ultimate experience 
of fishing.

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U LT I M AT E

CONNECTION

Whether you’re a fishing pro 
pursuing championships or a 
weekender angling for the next big 
catch, the more your trolling motor 
and fish finder work together, the 
more likely you are to win.

The One-Boat Network® connects the power 
and precision of Minn Kota® trolling motors 
and anchors—and as of this year, Cannon 
downriggers—with the intelligence of 
Humminbird®. The result is unprecedented 
boat control and unstoppable fishing power. 

Automatically navigate to a saved waypoint, 
follow a shoreline, retrace a path. Set your 
anchor to deploy on arrival, or on command 
through the Humminbird app. Instant access, 
wireless ease and complete connectivity 
make The One Boat Network one of the most 
enjoyable ways to put more fish on the line.

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P R E C I S I O N 
F O O T- P E D A L 
F I S H I N G . 

Only Ultrex combines 
responsive foot-pedal steering 
with GPS-powered automatic 
boat control and even Built-In 
MEGA Down Imaging™. It’s like 
power steering for a trolling 
motor—always on tap.

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Y E A R - R O U N D   V I S I O N . 

The ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3N All-Season uses 
crystal-clear Dual Spectrum CHIRP Digital Sonar 
to create views specifically for the ice angler.

BEST OF   
ICE FISHING

BEST OF   
ELECTRONICS

E V E R Y   D E TA I L 
I N   E V E R Y   D I R E C T I O N . 

Like underwater radar, the MEGA 360 Imaging® beam rotates 
to deliver a constantly updating 360-degree view.

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C O O L

CONFIDENCE

An informed angler is a successful 
angler—and with best-in-class 
Humminbird® technology, anglers 
have the information to find fish like 
clockwork. This year’s breakthroughs 
won top awards at the prestigious 
International Convention of Allied  
Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) show. 

Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging® was voted  
“Best of Electronics” for bringing our 360 Imaging 
technology into the megahertz range, delivering 
unmatched coverage and clarity. 

And the ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3N All-Season 
won “Best of Ice Fishing” thanks to new AutoChart® 
Live Ice. Anglers can quickly create a custom map 
and then display contours below the ice. 

Anglers choose Humminbird for built-in mapping, 
impressive screen resolution, intuitive control and the 
best information of all: a deeper understanding of 
what’s below the water, even when that water is ice. 

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BY ADVENTURERS

DAN

Engineering

Fishing With a Fierce Angler

I grew up on the water. I lived near a large lake in Wisconsin,  
and started driving boats when I was 12. But I think my favorite 
times on the water have been with my kids—fishing, a lot of times 
up in Hayward.

One time, when the kids were young, we were out fishing for 
panfish, and an eagle was watching us from a tree. One of the fish 
died, so we threw it out into the water. I told my youngest son, 
“Watch the eagle”—and sure enough, it swooped down, took the 
fish and flew off.

My son just gasped. He thought it was the coolest thing, and he 
talked about it for months.

DAN AND HIS SONS ENJOYING ADVENTURES TOGETHER.

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DIVING

Founded in 1963 by divers passionate 
about performance, SCUBAPRO® has 
continually advanced diving gear and 
accessories. 

Breakthroughs marked with the iconic “S” include the 
powerfully efficient Jet Fin (1965); the first integrated inflator/
second stage regulator (1970); the first jacket-style buoyancy 
compensator (1971); the first frameless mask (1990); and 
advanced Galileo wrist-mount dive computers (2007).

The brand’s commitment to inspiring divers worldwide 
continues today, with innovations 
like the full-color Galileo G2 
wrist-mount computer (2017) 
and the industry’s first “green” 
wetsuit (2018). With intuitive, 
sophisticated designs that 
make the most of leading-edge 
technologies, SCUBAPRO 
demonstrates deep 
understanding of what divers 
want down deep—the best. 

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E F F O R T L E S S

PERFORMANCE

The SCUBAPRO® philosophy is 
simple: We make it easy for divers 
to focus on their adventure, 
not their gear. Enthusiasts and 
hobbyists alike turn to our iconic 
brand for reliability, durability and 
intuitive simplicity.

The Hydros™ Pro BCD, for example, uses 
moldable Monoprene®, adjustable fit and 
multiple attachment points to reach new 
heights of comfort and convenience. And the 
S620 Ti regulator embraces the best features 
of SCUBAPRO’s renowned S600 in a smaller, 
lighter, state-of-the-art design that delivers 
effortless airflow under all dive conditions. 

SCUBAPRO has earned the diving world’s 
respect for nearly 60 years. With continuing 
innovation, responding to and shaping our 
market’s continuing evolution, we aim to 
be the world’s most trusted dive brand for 
decades to come.

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H E A D S   U P, 
H A N D S   F R E E .   

The Galileo HUD is a mask-mounted, 
hands-free dive computer with a 
virtual floating display. Divers get 
vital information right up front while 
staying immersed in the dive.

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BY ADVENTURERS

MATIAS

Production Manager

Diving for Clear Memories

I’ve been lucky to dive in most parts of the world, including 
a year as a diving instructor in the Maldives. Yet the best 
memories have been here, in the Mediterranean.

Just a few years ago I was on a dive in September, the best 
month for diving here, at a promontory called Punta Manara. 
The waters were crystal clear, which doesn’t happen often. 
I remember the emotion of descending along a wall leading 
down to a wreck, and at a depth of almost 40 meters, being 
able to look up and see the keel of the boat above me, and 
the fish swimming all around…in my sea, on that perfect day.

It was just a simple dive with a friend, but frankly, it is the one 
I cherish the most of my entire diving career.

MATIAS PREPARING FOR A DIVE

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CAMPING

In the late 1800s, the Eureka! 
Tent & Awning company began 
making rugged canvas 
products including 
Conestoga wagon  
covers, U.S. flags and,  
of course, tents. 

By the mid-1900s, Eureka!® tents 
had been deployed from the top of 
Mt. Everest to army barracks to family 
backyards. The brand’s firsts have 
included external aluminum frames 
(1960); use of lightweight, water-
repellant nylon (1963); and the Scout 
favorite Timberline A-frame tent (1973). 

At the turn of the next century, in 
2001, Jetboil® launched with a stove 
that revolutionized outdoor cooking. 
The brand’s FluxRing® technology 
slashes boil times and drives fresh 
innovations—like the Jetboil Genesis 
(2016), setting a new benchmark in 
basecamp cooking.

Together, Eureka! and Jetboil 
continue to build on top 
technology, engineering and 
insights, to bring campers at all 
levels a peak experience in the  
great outdoors.

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I N S TA N T

CLASSIC

Camping is the gateway to the 
outdoor recreation market, 
reaching more consumers than 
any other segment. And Johnson 
Outdoors knows food is a quick 
way to reach campers’ hearts.  

Our Jetboil® brand continues to wow today’s 
tech-savvy outdoor enthusiasts, as we 
obsessively engineer stoves and systems 
that pack light, set up fast, and boil faster. 
Designed for use from basecamp to summit, 
Jetboil cooking systems appeal to new 
adventurers as well as seasoned pros. 

Our Eureka!® Ignite Stoves serve a crew with 
everything from eggs to enchiladas, perfect 
for small groups enjoying a few days together. 
The Ignite and Ignite Plus make camping a 
breeze with portability, push-button ignition 
and effortless cleanup.

Both brands use enhanced digital marketing to 
engage even more with our target audience, 
reaching out in minutes to build connections 
that will last for generations.

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L I G H T N I N G 
Q U I C K . 

The Jetboil Flash personal 
cooking system boils water 
in just 100 seconds, perfect 
for preparing coffee, soup 
or dehydrated meals on the 
trail and on the run.

P R E C I S I O N 
S I M M E R I N G .   

Eureka! Ignite camp stoves 
feature an innovative two-
turn simmer control for 
ultimate cooking precision—
better performance, for 
better flavor.

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BY ADVENTURERS

ANDREW 

Information Services/IT

Camping and Camaraderie

The best outdoor experience? First and foremost, being with 
my kids. Then I’d have to go with weather; great weather makes 
a great experience. 

We do a lot of camping with friends, mostly in Wisconsin, which 
has so many excellent state parks and campgrounds. Usually 
about 10 or 15 of us go together, sharing meals and stories and 
time by the campfire. 

One of my buddies makes up the craziest stories, which 
definitely makes for a memorable experience. My kids love it.

ANDREW AND HIS FAMILY ON A CAMPING ADVENTURE.

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WATERCRAFT RECREATION

Hands-on craftsmanship has long 
shaped our watercraft brands.  
Old Town Canoe launched its 
first wood-and-canvas 
models in 1898. In 1917, 
the brand introduced square 
sterns for new “detachable 
motors.” 

Continuing innovations included the use 
of fiberglass in the 1960s and 
rotomolded plastic composites 
in the 1970s. In 1995, Old Town® 
began making kayaks, launching 
the breakthrough Predator series 
in 2013. 

Ocean Kayak® was born in 1971 
from an old surfboard with two 
hand-carved niches—one to sit 
in and one to hold scuba gear. 
The brand turned to rotomolded 
polyethylene in the 1980s to create 
sit-on-top kayaks that are affordable 
and nearly indestructible.

With the world’s oldest, largest and 
most revered watercraft brands, 
Johnson Outdoors continues to shape 
canoes, kayaks and paddles to the needs 
of our consumers—and thereby shape 
the industry’s future.

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AG I L E

ADVANTAGE

Our award-winning PDL™ Drive 
system uses foot pedals connected 
to an underwater propeller to move 
sit-on-top kayaks easily through the 
water. Old Town designed the PDL 
Drive with exacting tolerances and 
exhaustive testing before its launch 
in 2016. 

Today it’s the most advanced, user-friendly 
pedal system on the market. Convenient rudder 
controls and simple forward/reverse pedaling 
deliver turn-on-a-dime agility. Efficient gear ratios 
empower kayakers to reach an impressive 5.5 MPH. 

The PDL Drive mounts to the kayak in seconds 
and tips up instantly for shallow water docking. 
Sealed and saltwater safe, the advanced PDL 
Drive is backed by an industry-leading 5-year 
warranty, more than double the competition’s.

With the PDL Drive, anglers appreciate the ease 
of maneuvering around shore and structure. 
Fitness fans, fun-seekers and families glide 
happily toward the next horizon—all propelled 
by Johnson Outdoors.

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F E E T- F I R S T   F U N .   

The Ocean Kayak Malibu Pedal 
takes recreational kayakers on 
fresh new adventures. Features 
from cargo space to cup 
holders make for carefree ease.

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BY ADVENTURERS

JON

Customer Service

Kayaking to a Turning Point

In the summer I like going hiking. Acadia is beautiful, with so 
many different trails. And of course canoeing and kayaking. 
Working here, we can rent out any of the boats that we want, 
pretty much whenever we want. 

Last year, my girlfriend and I went kayaking on a little stream 
right near here—Branch Stream.  It funnels into a lake, but we 
usually just go up the stream and back. On this day we saw so 
much wildlife—at least three bald eagles. A beaver. Several 
blue herons. A moose! 

Here in Maine, you see wildlife, but not so much within a 
couple hours. It was majestic. And that was when I asked my 
girlfriend to marry me.

JON AND HIS GIRLFRIEND ON THE TRAIL AND ON THE WATER.

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A   L E G AC Y   O F

LEADERSHIP

For nearly 50 years, Johnson Outdoors 
has focused our passion for adventure on 
creating a diverse, unparalleled portfolio 
of outdoor recreation brands. 

We’ve seen changes no one could have imagined 
at the start of it all—shifting global markets, ever-
faster industry change, and of course undreamed-of 
technology advances. 

As a dynamic family of adventurers, we know how to 
manage change. Today we shape our strategy around 
five key drivers:

CONSUMER UNDERSTANDING AND INSIGHTS

SUSTAINED INNOVATION LEADERSHIP

NEW SOURCES FOR MARKET GROWTH

ACCELERATED DIGITAL SOPHISTICATION

EVOLVING ECOMMERCE

Our multi-generational legacy makes Johnson 
Outdoors unique. Our people, and their knowledge and 
dedication to creating the best outdoor experiences, 
make us successful. The result is a portfolio built to last, 
and to keep Johnson Outdoors first.

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BY ADVENTURERS

MEGAN

Human Resources

Bringing in the Next Generation

My dad is a scuba diver, and he encouraged me to get certified when 
I was 16. I did many dives with him in the Bahamas. One dive was also 
with my uncle and my cousin, who’s close to my age. 

We were kind of goofing around under the water, and our dads nudged 
us to look over—and across the way was a six-foot hammerhead shark. 
Probably now I would be terrified, but at 16, it was just a really cool 
moment to share with my family. 

Now I spend time outdoors with my children. We fish the ponds at my 
grandparents’ cabin in Northern Wisconsin. Teaching my oldest son to 
fish, and watching him catch his first fish, has been really special.

MEGAN PREPARING FOR A DIVE

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MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE

NEW PRODUCTS

DRIVE HIGHER SALES AND EARNINGS
FOR FY2019

Fishing Continues Profitable Growth Trajectory

Continued favorable response to new products 
helped drive higher sales and earnings this year 
for Johnson Outdoors, including positive results 
in the industry’s seasonally slow fourth quarter.   

Total company revenue grew 3 percent to 

compared favorably to the prior fiscal year’s 

$63.0 million. Net income improved to $51.4 

million, or $5.11 per diluted share, a 26.4 

percent improvement over $40.7 million, or 

$4.05 per diluted share, in the last fiscal year. 

$562.4 million, versus fiscal 2018 revenue of 
$544.3 million. Operating profit of $63.8 million 

Fishing continued its profitable growth, with 

demand for new products and technologies 

FY2019 Financial Highlights
•  Sustained momentum in Fishing 

•  Improved performance in Camping

•  Enhanced digital and ecommerce capacity

•  Effective tariff mitigation 

•  Stable gross margins 

•  Strong cash flow 

•  Increased quarterly dividend to shareholders

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40  |  JOUT-NASDAQ  |  2019 Annual Report

in Minn Kota® and Humminbird® powering a 

our technology and market leadership—

5 percent increase in sales. With the improved 

and, most important, to provide the 

performance of our Camping brands, this 

next generation of outdoor consumers 

brought the year to a strong finish. 

with the best outdoor recreation 

Looking ahead, we expect continued 

moderate sales growth for 2020. We will 

continue to invest in our five strategic 

drivers—consumer understanding, sustained 

innovation leadership, new paths to market 

growth, accelerated digital sophistication and 

ecommerce—to provide long-term sustainable 

growth in an increasingly competitive 

marketplace. 

experiences possible.

Helen P. Johnson-Leipold  
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer 

Our balance sheet is strong, and our 

healthy cash position enables us to sustain 

David W. Johnson 
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Operating Results*
Net sales

Gross profit

Operating profit

Net income 

Diluted earnings per common share

Diluted average common shares outstanding

Capitalization

Total debt

Shareholders’ equity

Total debt to total capital

* $ Thousands, except per-share amount

2017

2018

2019

$ 490,565

$ 544,268

$ 562,419

210,940

241,860

249,756

45,591

35,157

$3.51

9,920

2017

—

243,004

0%

63,021

40,669

$4.05

9,996

2018

—

63,744

51,413

$5.11

10,021

2019

—

279,197

324,534

0%

0%

  JOUT-NASDAQ  |  2019 Annual Report  |  41
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JOUT-NASDAQ

2019 BUSINESS 
PERFORMANCE

FISHING

DIVING

$412.1 M

$76.3 M

FY2019 NET SALES

FY2019 NET SALES

Demand for new products and advanced 
technologies from Minn Kota® and Humminbird® 
powered a 5 percent increase in Fishing sales, 
with momentum carrying into the seasonally 
slow fourth quarter. Humminbird had a great 
year, driven primarily by continued demand and 
excitement for MEGA Imaging™, particularly 
in the Helix® fish finder series. Connectivity 
between Minn Kota and Humminbird was 
another driver of this success. Our One-Boat 
Network® platform enhances the ease and 
fun for anglers by enabling Minn Kota and 
Humminbird products to work together. 

We continue to invest in building upon our 
knowledge of fishing and anglers, coupled with 
our technical know-how, to meet consumers’ 
high expectations.

Positive momentum continued 
throughout fiscal 2019 in our North 
American business. The European market 
was flat, and Asia declined, primarily due 
to political unrest in Hong Kong. Gains 
were driven by our emphasis on digital 
marketing, resulting in positive trends in 
retail and ecommerce sales. 

Our digital efforts, along with sustained 
innovation and continued simplification 
of our business model, will ensure 
SCUBAPRO® remains the world’s most 
trusted dive brand.

42  |  JOUT-NASDAQ  |  2019 Annual Report

Outstanding Brands 
Minn Kota® | Fishing Motors
Minn Kota® | Shallow Water Anchors
Humminbird® | Fish Finders
Humminbird® | Digital Maps
Eureka!® | Family Tents

Jetboil® | Personal Cooking Systems
Old Town® | Canoes & Kayaks
Old Town® | Fishing Craft
Ocean Kayak® | Kayaks
SCUBAPRO® | Diving Gear
SCUBAPRO® | Regulators & Computers

WATERCRAFT RECREATION

CAMPING & HIKING

$33.5 M

$40.4 M

FY2019 NET SALES

FY2019 NET SALES

Our Watercraft Recreation business 
continues to face challenging marketplace 
dynamics, and that’s why our investment 
in innovation and technology is key to 
positioning our brands for future success. 
The fishing kayak segment continues 
to grow, and we’re gaining share in this 
segment with innovations like the Old Town® 
Topwater pedal-powered fishing kayak. 

More work and more time are necessary 
to strengthen innovation and capitalize on 
opportunities for long-term growth of our 
watercraft recreation brands.

Camping benefitted from continued growth in 
Jetboil® and improved performance in military 
tent sales. With participation in camping strong 
and growing among the next generation, a 
deep understanding of what consumers want 
in a camping experience is critical. Jetboil, the 
technology leader in portable outdoor cooking 
systems, continues to grow, giving us a strong 
position with the new, emerging group of  
tech-savvy, outdoor enthusiasts. 

Looking ahead, we will continue to invest 
in consumer-insight-driven innovation and 
enhanced digital marketing and ecommerce 
to engage even more with our target 
camping consumer.

  JOUT-NASDAQ  |  2019 Annual Report  |  43

EXECUTIVE TEAM

LEADERSHIP

Our executive team gives 
us an edge with their 
experience and capabilities.

TOP

CENTER

BOTTOM

Helen P. Johnson-Leipold
Chairman and CEO

David W. Johnson
Vice President and CFO

Larry Baab
Group Vice President,  
Camping and Watercraft

John Moon
Vice President and  
Chief Information Officer

Judy Douglas
Group Vice President,  
Fishing

Karen James
Vice President, 
Global Operations

Khalaf M. Khalaf
Vice President,  
General Counsel and 
Corporate Secretary

Patricia Penman
Vice President,  
Marketing Services and  
Global Communication

Joe Stella
Group Vice President,  
Global Diving

Sara Vidian
Vice President,  
Human Resources

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  JOUT-NASDAQ  |  2019 Annual Report  |  45

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

GOVERNANCE

Our board of directors 
offers vital business acumen 
and experience.

Helen P. Johnson-Leipold, Johnson Outdoors chairman and CEO, leads 
with skills in strategic planning, global operations, strategic marketing and 
branding, drawing on deep knowledge of the company and its industry. 
She served as a marketing executive with S.C. Johnson and Foote, Cone 
& Belding. Ms. Johnson-Leipold is chairman and director of Johnson Bank 
and Johnson Financial Group, Inc.; director of S.C. Johnson; and chairman, 
The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread.

Thomas F. Pyle, Jr., Johnson Outdoors vice chairman, brings extensive 
managerial, transactional, operational and financial expertise to the 
role. Currently chairman, The Pyle Group, and non-executive chairman 
of Uniek, Inc., Mr. Pyle is former owner, chairman and CEO of Rayovac 
Corporation. He serves as director of Sub-Zero Wolf, Inc.; and emeritus 
trustee of Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and other leading 
research institutions.

Kathy Button Bell is senior vice president and chief marketing officer 
of Emerson Electric Co., a $25 billion manufacturing conglomerate. 
In 2016, she was appointed to Emerson’s Office of the Chief Executive. 
A renowned branding strategist with expertise in global marketing, 
digital strategy and market research, she has served in lead marketing 
roles with recreational giants Converse, Inc. and Wilson Sporting Goods.  
Ms. Button Bell is past director of Sally Beauty Holdings and past 
chairwoman, Business Marketing Association.

John M. Fahey, Jr., non-executive chairman of the board of directors of 
Time, Inc., from June 28, 2017 to April 2018, and retired chairman and 
CEO of the National Geographic Society, is knowledgeable in key Johnson 
Outdoors markets and outdoor leisure, travel and recreational industries. 
He brings skills in leadership, strategic planning, international business 
and enterprise risk management. Mr. Fahey is also a director of Lindblad 
Expeditions Holdings and a regent of the Smithsonian Institution.

46  |  JOUT-NASDAQ  |  2019 Annual Report

Edward F. Lang, senior vice president and CFO of the NFL’s  
New Orleans Saints and the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, provides insight 
in leisure industries and consumer products as well as broad experience 
in corporate finance, operations and enterprise risk management. He 
previously served with the NHL’s Nashville Predators for 13 years, most 
recently as president of business operations and alternate governor.

Terry E. London, past CEO and interim president of Pier 1 Imports, 
chairman of the Pier 1 Imports, Inc. board of directors, and former 
chairman of London Broadcasting Company LP and LBK Entertainment 
Holdings, provides insight on a broad range of corporate management 
and financial matters. Mr. London has been involved with the outdoor 
industry for more than 20 years.

William “Bill” D. Perez, founder of FamGen consultants for family-
owned businesses, brings extensive experience in corporate transactions, 
international business, operations and manufacturing, finance, strategy 
and brand marketing. He was president and CEO for the Wm. Wrigley Jr. 
Company; Nike, Inc; and S.C. Johnson, where he spent 34 years. He is on 
the boards of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Johnson & Johnson, and 
Whirlpool Corporation, a Presidential Counselor at Cornell University and 
a Director’s Circle member for The Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

Richard “Casey” Sheahan, CEO of Simms Fishing Products LLC, brings 
proven knowledge, expertise and leadership in management, marketing and 
sustainable business practices in the outdoor industry. Former president of 
Keen Footwear and former president and CEO of Patagonia, Inc. and Lost 
Arrow Corporation, Mr. Sheahan also held senior leadership and marketing 
positions at Kelty, Inc., Wolverine Worldwide, Inc., Merrell Outdoor Division 
and Nike, Inc. A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Mr. Sheahan has served on the 
board of the Outdoor Industry Association.

Edward Stevens, founder and CEO of Preciate, Inc., a software-based 
workplace recognition and feedback solution, and past strategic board 
advisor and previous CEO for KIBO Software, Inc., brings extensive 
experience in digital strategy, ecommerce, and omni-channel distribution, 
along with his international business strategy skills. Prior to his role at KIBO 
Software, Inc., he was founder and CEO of Shopatron. He is also chairman of 
the board for Demand Q, a software-based peak demand energy solution.

  JOUT-NASDAQ  |  2019 Annual Report  |  47

Certain matters discussed in this report are “forward-looking statements” intended to be covered by the safe 
harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 
1995. Please see “Forward-Looking Statements” in the 2019 Form 10-K for a discussion of uncertainties and 
risks associated with these statements.

www.JohnsonOutdoors.com

© 2019 Johnson Outdoors Inc.

Publisher: Patricia Penman 
Vice President, Marketing Services  
and Global Communication 
Johnson Outdoors Inc.

Editor-In-Chief: Allison Kitzerow

Corporate Secretary 
Johnson Outdoors Inc. • 555 Main Street  
Racine, WI USA • 53403-1015

For more information, contact: 
Johnson Outdoors Inc. 
Patricia Penman
Vice President, Marketing Services and Global Communication 
262-631-6600 • patricia.penman@johnsonoutdoors.com

Design: Lynne and Gil Leigh, Modern Media 
www.modernmediausa.com

To contact the Board of Directors, visit: 
https://www.johnsonoutdoors.com/contact-us

Editor: Mary Jo Thome

Production Coordinator: Amy Helvick 

48  |  JOUT-NASDAQ  |  2019 Annual Report

J O H N S O N O U T D O O R S . C O M