Johnson Outdoors Sees Record Growth as Outdoor Enthusiasts Flock to Market-Leading Brands
Johnson Outdoors, a leading manufacturer of outdoor recreation equipment, announced today that it has achieved record-breaking growth in its second quarter 2026 results. The company's revenue grew by 15.5% compared to the same period last year, with all business segments contributing to the improvement.
In a conference call with investors and analysts, Helen Johnson-Leipold, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Outdoors, highlighted the company's strong performance across its portfolio of brands, including Humminbird, Minn Kota, Old Town, Jetboil, and SCUBAPRO. "We are pleased with our second quarter and year-to-date results and are particularly proud of our market-leading brands, which continue to resonate with consumers and reinforce our leadership positions across our portfolio," she said.
The company's fishing business delivered strong results in the second quarter, driven by improved trade conditions, continued robust demand for Humminbird's XPLORE series and MEGA Live 2 fish finders, and Minn Kota's full lineup of trolling motors. The launch of new products, including Jetboil's TrailCook innovation, also contributed to growth in the company's camping and watercraft segment.
Johnson Outdoors' diving business also saw a solid increase in sales during the quarter, driven by improved conditions across global markets and continued growth in e-commerce. Digital engagement continues to play an increasingly important role in enhancing connectivity between the SCUBAPRO brand, retail partners, and consumers.
On a financial front, Dave Johnson, Chief Financial Officer of Johnson Outdoors, reported that gross margin for the second quarter improved to 38.8%, up 3.8 points from the prior year quarter. The company's strategic cost savings program remains critical and continues to deliver meaningful benefits to its bottom line.
"By investing in and executing our strategic priorities, consumer-driven innovation, digital and e-commerce excellence, and operational efficiencies, we are strengthening our market position and taking the right steps to navigate macroeconomic uncertainty while building long-term resilience," said Helen Johnson-Leipold.
The company's year-to-date net sales are 21.5% higher than last year's fiscal 6-month period, with operating income and gross margin also up for the fiscal year-to-date period. Overall, Johnson Outdoors is optimistic about its ability to continue delivering strong growth and reinforcing its position in the market.
