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8-K - 8-K - Vista Outdoor Inc.vsto1282015x8-k.htm
Exhibit 99.1


 
 
 
 
News Release
Corporate Communications
938 University Park Boulevard, Suite 200
Clearfield, UT 84015
Phone:  703-412-3231
Fax:  703-412-3222
 
For Immediate Release
 
 
 
Media Contact:
Investor Contact:
 
 
Amanda Covington
Michael Pici
Phone: 703-412-3231
Phone: 703-412-3216
E-mail: amanda.covington@atk.com
E-mail: michael.pici@atk.com
 
Vista Outdoor Reports FY15 Third Quarter Operating Results
 
Transaction Anticipated to Close on February 9, 2015

Transaction to Spin Off ATK's Sporting Business to Create Long-Term Shareholder Value
via Increased Focus to Deliver Innovative Products and Increased Leadership Positions in Key Markets


Clearfield, Utah,  Jan. 28, 2015 — Vista Outdoor Inc. ("Vista Outdoor") today reported operating results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2015 (FY15), which ended on December 28, 2014. As previously announced, Alliant Techsystems Inc. ("ATK") (NYSE: ATK) and Orbital Sciences Corporation ("Orbital") have entered into a transaction agreement, whereby ATK's Aerospace and Defense Groups will merge with Orbital immediately following the spin-off of ATK's Sporting Group business as Vista Outdoor. The companies anticipate completing the transaction on February 9, 2015, subject to the satisfaction of remaining closing conditions.

Vista Outdoor operates two business segments: Shooting Sports and Outdoor Products (see Segment Results below).

Third quarter sales for Vista Outdoor were $507 million, down 3 percent from the prior-year quarter of $524 million, due to decreased volume in the Shooting Sports segment, partially offset by an increase in the Outdoor Products segment. On a proforma basis, sales in the prior-year quarter were $580 million, which was calculated by combining the results of Vista Outdoor with the standalone results of Bushnell for the pre-acquisition period prior to November 1, 2013. On a proforma organic basis, sales decreased 13 percent.

Gross profit was flat in the third quarter compared to the prior-year period at $134 million. The increase in gross profit in the Outdoor Products segment was offset by decreased gross profit in the Shooting Sports segment and increased corporate costs.

As previously announced, during the third quarter, Vista Outdoor recorded a $52 million ($48 million, net of tax) non-cash, goodwill/trade name impairment charge associated with the Savage acquisition with only partial tax benefits. The basis for this impairment charge reflects the current market correction impacting demand for firearms. A major factor to this impairment is the significant impact to the valuations of other firearms market participants, which was considered as a basis for this impairment. Also, contributing to this impairment is a decline in the company’s near-term projected cash flows in the firearms business.





Reflecting this impairment charge, third quarter operating profit was $11 million compared to $63 million in the prior-year period. Excluding the goodwill/trade name impairment and transaction costs in both the current and prior-year periods, adjusted operating profit was $66 million compared to $75 million (see reconciliation tables for details). This is a result of the gross profit being flat as noted above and an increase in selling and general and administrative costs, primarily due to a full-quarter of the November 2013 Bushnell acquisition.

"Vista Outdoor's leadership in its current markets, broad portfolio of widely recognized brands, scale position and common distribution uniquely position Vista Outdoor for growth in an attractive $63 billion outdoor recreation industry," said Mark DeYoung, ATK President and Chief Executive Officer and named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Vista Outdoor. "Despite the recent market conditions in certain segments of the shooting sports industry, our ability to outperform our competitors, maintain attractive margins, deliver innovative products and strategically position our portfolio with a variety of customers enables Vista Outdoor to position itself for new market opportunities and utilize proven execution excellence to deliver results for our shareholders. Due to the nature of the transaction, Vista Outdoor will be spun off with low leverage and will pursue a balanced capital deployment strategy."
Please see segment and corporate results below.
 
SUMMARY OF REPORTED RESULTS
 
The following tables present the company’s results for the third quarter of the fiscal year, which ended December 28, 2014 (in thousands).
 
Sales:
 
 
 
Quarters Ended
 
 
December 28, 2014
 
December 29, 2013
 
Change
 
Change
Shooting Sports
 
$
308,787

 
$
383,543

 
$
(74,756
)
 
(19.5
)%
Outdoor Products
 
198,094

 
140,685

 
57,409

 
40.8
 %
Total sales
 
$
506,881

 
$
524,228

 
$
(17,347
)
 
(3.3
)%
 
Gross Profit:
 
 
 
Quarters Ended
 
 
December 28, 2014
 
December 29, 2013
 
$
Change
 
%
 Change
Shooting Sports
 
$
80,973

 
$
104,566

 
$
(23,593
)
 
(22.6
)%
Outdoor Products
 
54,224

 
28,253

 
25,971

 
91.9
 %
Corporate
 
(1,160
)
 
857

 
(2,017
)
 
235.4
 %
Total gross profit
 
$
134,037

 
$
133,676

 
$
361

 
0.3
 %

SEGMENT RESULTS
 
The Shooting Sports segment designs, develops and manufactures ammunition, long guns and related equipment products. Brands under the Shooting Sports segment include: American Eagle, Blazer, CCI, Estate Cartridge, Federal Premium, Fusion, Savage Arms, Speer and Stevens.
    
The Outdoor Products segment designs, develops, manufactures and sources optics, archery products, helmets, eyewear and accessories. The segment currently includes the following brands: Alliant Powder, Bee Stinger, BLACKHAWK!, Bollé, Bushnell, Butler Creek, Cébé, Champion Target, Eagle, Final Approach, GunMate, Gunslick Pro, Gold Tip, Hoppe's, Millett, Night Optics, Outers, Primos, RCBS, Serengeti, Simmons, Stoney Point, Tasco, Uncle Mike's and Weaver Optics.


    


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SHOOTING SPORTS
 
Sales in the third quarter decreased 19 percent to $309 million, compared to $384 million in the prior-year quarter. The decrease was driven primarily by reduced volume of .223/5.56 ammunition (which is primarily sourced from ATK), primers and firearms as a result of softening market demand.
 
Gross profit for the quarter was $81 million, down 23 percent, compared to $105 million in the prior-year period, reflecting the decrease in sales noted above, product mix and targeted promotional activity in response to current market conditions.

OUTDOOR PRODUCTS
 
Third quarter sales increased 41 percent to $198 million, compared to $141 million in the prior-year quarter, including results from the Bushnell acquisition. On a proforma basis, sales in the prior-year quarter were $197 million, which was calculated by combining the results of the Outdoor Products segment with the standalone results of Bushnell for the pre-acquisition period. Proforma organic sales grew 1 percent largely due to growth in the optics business, partially offset by softening in the tactical accessories and reloading business. Sales from the Bushnell acquisition were $151 million in the current year period compared to $85 million in the prior-year period.
 
Gross profit in the third quarter was $54 million, up 92 percent compared to $28 million in the prior-year quarter, including results from the Bushnell acquisition and the absence of facility rationalization costs incurred in the prior-year quarter. Gross profit from the Bushnell acquisition was $44 million in the current-year period compared to $21 million in the prior-year period, including inventory step-up and transition costs.

CORPORATE AND OTHER
 
Corporate gross profit primarily reflects expenses incurred for foreign currency gain/loss, pension and postretirement expense, derivative instruments and self-insurance results. In the third quarter, corporate and other was $1 million of expense, compared to $1 million in income from the prior-year quarter, primarily reflecting changes in foreign currency and derivative gain/loss.     

Operating expenses increased by $52 million from the prior-year period, driven by the goodwill/trade name impairment recorded in the current year. Research and development costs were relatively flat. Selling expenses increased primarily due to increased commissions as a result of the full-quarter costs associated with the Bushnell acquisition. General and administrative costs decreased due to the absence of acquisition transaction costs in the prior-year quarter, partially offset by transaction costs related to the anticipated transaction and full-quarter costs associated with the Bushnell acquisition.

The current financial statements include approximately $1 billion of allocated long-term debt and associated interest expense of approximately $8.4 million. Following the spin-off of Vista Outdoor from ATK, the company will have $350 million of debt at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.75 and approximately $175 million of cash.

OUTLOOK
"After exceptional prior-period growth rates, the shooting sports market is currently settling back to normalized demand levels," said Stephen Nolan, the named Chief Financial Officer for Vista Outdoor. "Our results are in line with our expectations for the market correction and recovery. The average market correction period is approximately18 months. Consistent with previous expectations, we see Vista Outdoor generating modest growth for FY16, primarily in the second half of the year. We continue to position the company for future growth with our focus on delivering new, innovative solutions to the market, such as the Bushnell Tour-X Golf Laser Range Finder and the Savage A17 rifle."
    
Vista Outdoor anticipates providing guidance in its fiscal year 2015 year-end earnings release in the May 2015 time frame.

On the anticipated closing date, February 9, ATK stockholders as of the applicable record date, February 2, will receive two shares of Vista Outdoor common stock for every one share of ATK common stock they hold.

Vista Outdoor common stock is expected to trade on a "when-issued" basis on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") from January 29 through February 9. On the first trading day following the closing, which is expected to be February

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10, "regular way" trading of Vista Outdoor common stock under the symbol "VSTO" will begin. Additional information concerning Vista Outdoor and the proposed spin-off is contained in Vista Outdoor's registration statement on Form 10.

Vista Outdoor will be headquartered in Utah, an outdoor recreation hub for manufacturers and recreational-equipment suppliers to the outdoor industry. The company will have approximately 5,800 employees across the U.S. and internationally. The company's widely known and respected brands include: Alliant Powder, CCI, Cébé, Champion Targets, BLACKHAWK!, Bollé, Bushnell, Federal Premium, Final Approach, Gold Tip Arrows, Hoppe's, Outers, Primos, RCBS, Savage Arms, Serengeti, Speer, Uncle Mike's, Weaver Optics.

The company's competitive strengths include a portfolio of authentic brands focused on outdoor sports and recreation; leading innovation and product development competencies; proven manufacturing, global sourcing and distribution platforms; and proven M&A capabilities, highlighted by the recent acquisitions of BLACKHAWK!, Savage Arms and Bushnell.

Vista Outdoor has built a long-tenured, highly experienced and capable leadership team focused on executing a strategy to capitalize on a growing and fragmented market, develop new and innovative products to drive organic growth and customer loyalty, leverage relationships with wholesale and retail channels, continuously improve operations and expand into complementary or adjacent categories through M&A.

  
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBIT
 
EBIT, excluding goodwill/trade name impairment, transaction costs for Bushnell acquisition and proposed transactions, and Bushnell inventory step-up, is a non-GAAP financial measure that Vista Outdoor defines as EBIT excluding the impact of these items. Vista Outdoor management is presenting this measure so a reader may compare EBIT excluding these items as the measures provide investors with an important perspective on the operating results of the Company. Vista Outdoor management uses these measurements internally to assess business performance, and Vista Outdoor's definition may differ from those used by other companies.
Total Vista Outdoor for the Quarter Ending

 
 
 
 
 
December 28, 2014:

 
 
 
 
 
EBIT
 
As reported
 
$
11,394

 
Goodwill/trade name impairment
 
52,220

 
Transaction costs
 
2,597

 
As adjusted
 
$
66,211

 
 
 
 
 
December 29, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
EBIT
 
As reported
 
$
62,575

 
Transaction costs
 
10,591

 
Inventory step-up
 
1,377

 
As adjusted
 
$
74,543

 
 
 
 
 
About Vista Outdoor Inc.
Vista Outdoor is a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer in the growing outdoor sports and recreation markets. The company operates in two segments, Shooting Sports and Outdoor Products, and has more than 30 well-recognized brands that provide consumers with a range of performance-driven, high-quality and innovative products in the ammunition, firearms and outdoor accessories categories. Vista Outdoor products are sold at leading retailers and distributors across North America and worldwide. Vista Outdoor is headquartered in Utah and has manufacturing operations and facilities in 10 U.S.

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States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Canada along with international sales and sourcing operations in Mexico, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. 
Certain information discussed in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although Vista Outdoor believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Among those factors are: Vista Outdoor’s ability to operate successfully as a standalone business; the ability to retain and hire key personnel and maintain and grow its relationships with customers, suppliers and other business partners, including the ability to obtain acceptable third party licenses; the company’s ability to adapt its products to changes in technology or the marketplace and the corresponding assumptions regarding customer preferences and market acceptance of new products; assumptions regarding the ability to maintain and enhance brand recognition and reputation; reductions or changes in demand for commercial ammunition, firearms or accessories or other outdoor sports and recreation products, including the risk that placed orders exceed actual customer requirements; assumptions regarding seasonality and weather conditions in the company’s markets; the company’s competitive environment; risks associated with compliance and diversification into international and commercial markets; the supply, availability and costs of raw materials and components, including commodity price fluctuations; changes in government laws and other rules and regulations, such as federal and state firearms and ammunition regulations; assumptions regarding the company’s long-term growth strategy; assumptions regarding growth opportunities in international and commercial markets; increases in commodity costs, energy prices and production costs; foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates; assumptions regarding orders; the terms and timing of awards and contracts; changes in projections or cost estimates related to relocation of facilities; the outcome of contingencies, including litigation relating to intellectual property, product liability, warranty liability and personal injury; environmental remediation; cybersecurity and other industrial and physical security threats; actual pension asset returns and assumptions regarding future returns, discount rates and service costs; capital market volatility and corresponding assumptions related to the company’s shares outstanding; the availability of capital market financing; changes to accounting standards or policies; changes in tax rules or pronouncements; economic conditions; and the company’s capital deployment strategy, including debt repayment, any dividend payments, share repurchases, pension funding, mergers and acquisitions - including the related costs and any integration thereof. Vista Outdoor undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For further information on factors that could impact Vista Outdoor, and statements contained herein, please refer to Vista Outdoor’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s registration statement on Form 10.
#          #          #

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VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(preliminary and unaudited)
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
(Amounts in thousands except per share data)
 
December 28, 2014
 
December 29, 2013
 
December 28, 2014
 
December 29, 2013
Net sales
 
$
506,881

 
$
524,228

 
$
1,598,025

 
$
1,308,754

Cost of sales
 
372,844

 
390,552

 
1,191,942

 
998,414

Gross profit
 
134,037

 
133,676

 
406,083

 
310,340

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Research and development
 
2,318

 
1,842

 
7,043

 
6,274

Selling
 
39,377

 
34,542

 
114,801

 
78,634

General and administrative
 
28,728

 
34,717

 
86,598

 
77,298

Goodwill/trade name impairment
 
52,220

 

 
52,220

 

Income before interest, and income taxes
 
11,394

 
62,575

 
145,421

 
148,134

Interest expense
 
(8,357
)
 
(6,416
)
 
(25,281
)
 
(7,671
)
Interest income
 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes
 
3,037

 
56,159

 
120,140

 
140,463

Income tax provision
 
14,206

 
22,794

 
56,519

 
55,137

Net income (loss)
 
(11,169
)
 
33,365

 
63,621

 
85,326

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
(11,169
)
 
$
33,365

 
$
63,621

 
$
85,326

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax benefit (expense) of $2, $(180), $(316) and $(471), respectively
 
(3
)
 
287

 
504

 
753

Change in cumulative translation adjustment, net of tax benefits of $4,806, $1,035, $9,650, and $1,011, respectively
 
(7,677
)
 
(1,654
)
 
(15,415
)
 
(1,620
)
Total other comprehensive income
 
$
(7,680
)
 
$
(1,367
)
 
$
(14,911
)
 
$
(867
)
Comprehensive income
 
(18,849
)
 
31,998

 
48,710

 
84,459



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VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
(preliminary and unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands except share data)
 
December 28, 2014
 
March 31, 2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
65,766

 
$
40,004

Net receivables
 
361,720

 
300,734

Net inventories
 
418,241

 
425,558

Deferred income tax assets
 
48,146

 
58,876

Other current assets
 
12,309

 
24,502

Total current assets
 
906,182

 
849,674

Net property, plant, and equipment
 
184,409

 
189,096

Goodwill
 
794,681

 
829,238

Net intangible assets
 
493,619

 
567,380

Deferred charges and other non-current assets
 
53,892

 
22,270

Total assets
 
$
2,432,783

 
$
2,457,658

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
123,968

 
181,506

Accrued compensation
 
23,964

 
32,449

Accrued income taxes
 
4,155

 
2,079

Federal excise tax
 
24,684

 
27,990

Other accrued liabilities
 
111,898

 
88,603

Total current liabilities
 
288,669

 
332,627

Long-term debt
 
1,001,686

 
1,014,911

Noncurrent deferred income tax liabilities
 
209,552

 
216,138

Other long-term liabilities
 
26,696

 
23,251

Total liabilities
 
1,526,603

 
1,586,927

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 16)
 

 

Parent Equity
 
922,596

 
872,236

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(16,416
)
 
(1,505
)
Total equity
 
906,180

 
870,731

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
2,432,783

 
$
2,457,658



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VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(preliminary and unaudited)
 
 
Nine Months Ended
(Amounts in thousands)
 
December 28, 2014
 
December 29, 2013
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
63,621

 
$
85,326

Adjustments to net income to arrive at cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
24,384

 
16,479

Amortization of intangibles
 
23,112

 
13,135

Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
1,923

 
359

Goodwill/tradename impairment
 
52,220

 

Deferred income taxes
 
(3,873
)
 
(3,277
)
Loss on disposal of property
 
1,129

 
3,463

Changes in assets and liabilities net of effects of business acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
Net receivables
 
(71,034
)
 
3,799

Net inventories
 
3,552

 
(7,817
)
Accounts payable
 
(45,303
)
 
(92,261
)
Accrued compensation
 
(8,840
)
 
(3,720
)
Accrued income taxes
 
9,628

 
(5,560
)
Other assets and liabilities
 
28,655

 
36,477

Cash provided by operating activities
 
79,174

 
46,403

Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(30,630
)
 
(21,951
)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired
 

 
(1,301,597
)
Proceeds from the disposition of property, plant, and equipment
 
(4
)
 
138

Cash used for investing activities
 
(30,634
)
 
(1,323,410
)
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
Borrowings on line of credit
 

 
280,000

Repayments of line of credit
 

 
(280,000
)
Net transfers from (to) parent
 
(7,386
)
 
300,899

Payments made on long term debt to parent
 
(13,225
)
 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt to parent
 
50,000

 
1,021,273

Payments made to extinguish debt
 
(50,000
)
 
(12,273
)
Payments made for debt issue costs
 
(501
)
 

Cash provided by (used for) financing activities
 
(21,112
)
 
1,309,899

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on cash
 
(1,666
)
 
(121
)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
 
25,762

 
32,771

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
40,004

 
67

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
65,766

 
$
32,838



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