Business news :Bauer's Revenues Increase in First Quarter

Bauer Performance Sports Ltd. reported sales grew 4 percent in its fiscal first quarter ended Aug 31, to $148.3 million. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, sales increased 8 percent, helped by a strong performance in several ice hockey equipment categories and apparel driven by recent new product launches.

Overall revenues from the North American market grew by 2 percent in the three month period ended Aug. 31, 2012 compared to the same period last year, while sales outside North America grew by 10 percent in the same period.
Adjusted gross profit in the three month period ended Aug. 31, 2012 increased by $800,000, or 1 percent, to $61.0 million. Adjusted gross profit as a percentage of revenues was 41.1 percent for the three month period ended Aug. 31, 2012 versus 42.3 percent in the three month period ended Aug. 31, 2011. The decline in adjusted gross profit as a percentage of revenues was driven primarily by higher product costs and unfavourable foreign exchange, partially offset by favourable other cost of goods sold.

Adjusted net income in the three month period ended Aug. 31, 2012 increased by $2.0 million, or 10 percent, to $22.9 million. The increase in adjusted net income is driven by increased adjusted gross profit, continued benefits of operating leverage in selling, general and administrative expenses, and a favourable impact from the company''s hedging activities.

Adjusted EPS decreased 2 percent, or 1 cent a share, to 65 cents, compared to the same period last year due to the higher number of common shares outstanding as a result of the share offerings in June to fund the Cascade Acquisition. Excluding the impact of the Cascade acquisition and related share offerings, adjusted EPS would have been approximately 70 cents a share. For the full fiscal year the company currently expects the Cascade acquisition to be accretive to adjusted EPS, however due to the seasonality of Cascade''s business, the income from Cascade in the first fiscal quarter did not offset the dilutive impact of the higher number of common shares outstanding.

In addition to Bauer's strong first quarter results, the company also announced that booking orders for its 2012 "Holiday" season (October 2012 - March 2013) increased 12 percent over the 2011 "Holiday" season. This growth of $8.0 million increased "Holiday" booking orders to $75.1 million, reflecting our retail customers'' continuing enthusiasm for Bauer''s innovative products.

"We followed up our record fourth quarter with a very strong start to fiscal 2013, outperforming the industry and growing our top line at over 8 percent on a currency-neutral basis and our bottom line at 10 percent in the first quarter" said Kevin Davis, president and chief executive officer, Bauer "The 12 percent growth in our Holiday booking orders is further evidence that our high performing products and brands continue to be in strong demand by our customers and consumers".

As of Aug. 31, 2012, Bauer had working capital of $250.4 million compared to working capital of $202.2 million as of Aug. 31, 2011, an increase of 24 percent. This increase was driven by sales growth of 18 percent and 4 percent in the two most recent quarters, the acquisition of Cascade, and a higher mix of advance booking orders by the company''s customers which carry longer payment terms. The company continued to manage its balance sheet as its leverage ratio, defined as net indebtedness divided by EBITDA, was 2.78 compared to 2.80 as of August 31, 2011.

Other Recent Highlights
On June 29, 2012, Bauer completed the acquisition of Cascade, a leading manufacturer and distributor of men''s and youth lacrosse helmets in North America for $65.0 million (excluding cash acquired). The purchase price and related transaction expenses were funded through the issuance of approximately C$30 million of new equity and the balance in new borrowings.

On Sept. 21, 2012, Bauer was added to the S&P/TSX SmallCap Index.

On Sept. 26, 2012, certain Kohlberg Funds managed by Kohlberg Management VI LLC, Bauer''s largest shareholder, entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters to sell 3.6 million common shares of the company. As of Oct. 2, 2012 the Kohlberg Funds, collectively, own approximately 53.0 percent of the outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis (43.8 percent on a fully-diluted basis). Upon completion of this secondary offering, but before giving effect to the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters, of up to 540,000 common shares, the Kohlberg Funds will own approximately 42.6 percent of the outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis (35.1 percent on a fully-diluted basis), and approximately 41.0 percent of the outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis (33.8 percent on a fully-diluted basis) if the over-allotment option is exercised in full. Bauer will not receive any proceeds from the sale.

( Source Bauer )