Johnson Outdoors 2011 First Quarter Sales Up 12 Percent

RACINE, Wis., Feb. 4, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Johnson Outdoors Inc.
(Nasdaq:JOUT), a leading global outdoor recreation company, today announced a 12
percent increase in net sales during the first fiscal quarter ended December 31,
2010. Due to the seasonality of the warm-weather outdoor recreational products
industry, the Company's first fiscal quarter results historically reflect a
loss; however, on the strength of higher volume, improved operating efficiency
and sustained cost reductions, the Company's first quarter net loss was cut by
more than half.

"Recovery of outdoor recreational markets is central to continued progress
against our three-year plan to ensure sustained profitability. Markets are on
the upswing, credit is reportedly easing and our brands are off to a solid start
this year. At the same time, cost-reductions, supply chain efficiency and
process improvements implemented over the past two years strengthened operations
and competitiveness, and as expected, bottom-line benefits from these
initiatives are on-going," said Helen Johnson-Leipold, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. "While it is too early to predict how the year will go, early
indicators suggest customer demand is up and our focus now is on sustaining
marketplace momentum and gaining additional share."

FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

First fiscal quarter sales are typically at their lowest as the Company ramps up
for the primary selling period of its outdoor recreation products during the
second and third fiscal quarters.

Net sales of $78.7 million in the first fiscal quarter were 12 percent above net
sales of $70.5 million in the prior year quarter. Outdoor recreational markets
demonstrated resiliency and continued recovery this period with three of the
Company's four business units posting solid revenue gains during the first
quarter. Key drivers behind the favorable comparison were:

-- Marine Electronics revenue surged 30 percent ahead of last year due to
growth in Minn Kota, Humminbird and Cannon brands in all markets and all
channels.
-- Outdoor Equipment sales climbed 19 percent above last year driven by
gains in Consumer camping and Military tents.
-- Diving revenue grew 5 percent on the strength of domestic and export
sales despite the negative impact of unfavorable currency translation of
3 percent.
-- Watercraft sales dropped 40 percent due to Year I implementation of a
new go-to-market strategy which customizes brand and mix for specific
channels as opposed to providing a full portfolio offering across every
channel.

Total Company operating loss during the seasonally slow first fiscal quarter
declined 63 percent to $1.3 million compared to an operating loss of $3.6
million in the prior year quarter. Primary factors behind the favorable
comparison were:

-- Continued recovery of outdoor recreational markets.
-- Higher sales in Marine Electronics, Outdoor Equipment and Diving leading
to lower operating expense as a percentage of sales.
-- An increase in gross profit margin to 39.0 percent from 37.4 percent in
the prior year due largely to improved operating efficiency
year-over-year in Diving and Marine Electronics.

The Company reported a net loss of $1.2 million, or ($0.13) per diluted share,
during the first fiscal quarter, compared to a net loss of $4.2 million, or
($0.45) per diluted share, in the same quarter last year.

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

At December 31, 2010, debt, net of cash, was $14.1 million compared to $21.1
million at the end of the prior year quarter. Depreciation and amortization was
$2.4 million year-to-date, compared to $2.6 million during the prior
year-to-date period. Capital spending totaled $1.6 million during the first
fiscal quarter compared with $1.5 million in the 2010 first fiscal quarter.

"Higher demand is naturally driving higher working capital and will continue to
do so during the year; however, we are being vigilant and disciplined to ensure
the critically important measure of days of working capital remains consistent
with Fiscal 2010 levels. At this time, we remain focused on driving continued
progress against our 2012 financial targets of five percent compound annual
growth rate in sales and six percent operating margin," said David W. Johnson,
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

WEBCAST

The Company will host a conference call and audio web cast at 11:00 a.m. Eastern
Time on Friday February 4, 2011. A live listen-only web cast of the conference
call may be accessed at Johnson Outdoors' home page. A replay of the call will
be available for 30 days on the Internet.

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; Carlisle paddles;
Extrasport(R) personal flotation devices; Minn Kota(R) motors; Cannon(R)
downriggers; Humminbird(R) fishfinders; Geonav(R)marine electronics; SCUBAPRO(R)
and SUBGEAR(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 discretionary
consumer spending patterns; the Company's success in implementing its strategic
plan, including its focus on innovation; actions of and disputes with third
parties, including companies that compete with the Company; the Company's
success in managing working capital and its on-going cost-structure reduction
efforts; the Company's success in meeting financial covenants and potential risk
associated with the cost of obtaining any waiver or amendment that lenders would
be willing to provide; risk of future write-downs of goodwill or other
intangible assets; ability of the Company's customers to meet payment
obligations; movements in foreign currencies or interest rates; the Company's
success in implementing targeted sales growth initiatives; 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.

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW

JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
(thousands, except per
share amounts)
THREE MONTHS
ENDED

December 31 January 1
Operating Results 2010 2010
---------------------- --------------------- -------------------
Net sales $ 78,700 $ 70,460

Cost of sales 48,020 44,104
---------------------- --------------------- -------------------
Gross profit 30,680 26,356

Operating expenses 32,015 29,911
---------------------- --------------------- -------------------
Operating loss (1,335) (3,555)
Interest expense, net 824 1,157

Other income, net (6) (680)
---------------------- --------------------- -------------------
Loss before income
taxes (2,153) (4,032)

Income tax (benefit)
expense (916) 204
---------------------- --------------------- -------------------
Net loss $ (1,237) $ (4,236)
Diluted average common
shares outstanding 9,611 9,383

Net loss per common
share - Basic and
Diluted $ (0.13) $ (0.45)
---------------------- --------------------- -------------------

Segment Results
------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales:
Marine electronics $ 42,945 $ 33,095
Outdoor equipment 10,456 8,762
Watercraft 6,136 10,269
Diving 19,352 18,495

Other/eliminations (189) (161)
---------------------- --------------------- -------------------

Total $ 78,700 $ 70,460
---------------------- --------------------- -------------------
Operating profit
(loss):
Marine electronics $ 378 $ (493)
Outdoor equipment 1,501 730
Watercraft (1,743) (1,145)
Diving 1,151 (84)

Other/eliminations (2,622) (2,563)
---------------------- --------------------- -------------------

Total $ (1,335) $ (3,555)
---------------------- --------------------- -------------------

Balance Sheet Information (End of Period)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash
equivalents $ 33,041 $ 25,688
Accounts receivable,
net 60,792 55,754
Inventories, net 84,190 65,811
Total current assets 185,218 157,472
Total assets 252,079 225,063
Short-term debt 32,363 30,627
Total current
liabilities 91,999 77,482
Long-term debt 14,818 16,145

Shareholders' equity 126,512 111,780
---------------------- --------------------- -------------------

CONTACT: David Johnson
VP & Chief Financial Officer
262-631-6600

Cynthia Georgeson
VP - Worldwide Communication
262-631-6600