SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): March 2, 2004 ----------------- The Leather Factory, Inc. ---------------------------- (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) Delaware -------- (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) 1-12368 75-2543540 -------------------------- --------------------------------------- (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification Number) 3847 East Loop 820 South, Fort Worth, Texas 76119 -------------------------------------------------- ----- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) (817) 496-4414 --------------- (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code) _____________________________________________________________________________ (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS (c) Exhibits. 99.1 Press release dated March 2, 2004. ITEM 12. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION The Registrant is furnishing the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 announcing the Registrant's 2003 financial results. This press release was issued on March 2, 2004. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. THE LEATHER FACTORY, INC. Date: March 2, 2004 BY: /s/ Wray Thompson ------------------- Wray Thompson, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer EXHIBIT 99.1 ------------ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 2, 2004 THE LEATHER FACTORY, INC. REPORTS 2003 FINANCIAL RESULTS - REVENUE OF $41.7 MILLION AND EPS OF $0.27 FORT WORTH, TEXAS - The Leather Factory, Inc. (AMEX: TLF), the world's largest specialty retailer and wholesale distributor of leather and leathercraft products, today reported results for the year ended December 31, 2003. Consolidated net sales for the year were up 5.0% to $41.7 million over 2002 sales of $39.7 million. Net income for 2003 was $2.7 million compared to a net loss of $1.4 million for 2002, or basic earnings per share for 2003 of $0.27 versus $(0.14) for 2002. Diluted earnings per share was $0.25 for 2003 and $(0.13) for 2002. The 2002 results included a $4.0 million charge, net of tax, for the cumulative effect of a previously reported accounting change. Net income for 2002 before the cumulative effect of the accounting change was $2.6 million or $0.26 per share (basic) and $0.24 per share (diluted). 2003 Accomplishments: - Addition of 12 new Tandy Leather retail stores - Tandy Leather retail store sales up 144% over 2002, a result of both new store openings and increasing store sales - Improved gross profit margin to 54.4% in 2003 from 53.7% as a result of increased retail sales and efficient purchasing - Improved net income to $2.7 million in 2003 from a loss of $1.4 million in 2002 (after accounting charge of $4.0 million) - Bank debt reduced from $4.2 million to $1.8 million - Increased operating cash flow by 133% to $3.3 million in 2003 from $1.4 million in 2002 - Secured a $5 million, two-year line of credit with Wells Fargo Bank Texas, N.A. with reduced fees and interest rates (below prime) from the previous credit arrangement - Addition of an experienced institutional investor to Board of Directors Divisional analysis: The Tandy Leather division reported sales for the year were up $1.8 million, or 24.8%, to $9.2 million in 2003 from $7.4 million in 2002. The Company opened 12 new Tandy Leather retail stores in 2003, increasing the total number of retail stores from 14 at year-end 2002 to 26 at December 31, 2003. The 2002 sales consisted of $3.6 million from Tandy's central mail order facility, which closed on September 1, 2002, combined with the retail stores contributing sales of $3.8 million. The resulting sales increase at the stores from 2002 to 2003 was $5.4 million. The Leather Factory warehouse distribution center sales were up $371,000, or 1.2%, from $30.3 million in 2002 to $30.7 million in 2003, as a result of an increase in retail sales for the year. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in sales to national accounts. The Company believes that this decrease arose from planned and expected periodic adjustments to purchasing programs and therefore assumes the decline is temporary. Robert, Cushman's sales for 2003 decreased $216,000, or 10.6%, due to the continued slowdown in the overall hat industry during the last half of the year. Consolidated gross profit margins for the year increased from 53.7% in 2002 to 54.4% in 2003. Operating expenses for 2003 were $18.6 million, or 44.6% of sales, compared to $17.2 million, or 43.3% of sales, in 2002. The increase in operating expenses in 2003 is predominantly associated with an increase in advertising efforts and investor relations activities. Wray Thompson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased with the continued sales growth, particularly in the Tandy Leather retail operation. The Leather Factory warehouse distribution centers and Tandy Leather stores are performing well and our Tandy store openings are on schedule. We were able to improve our gross margins slightly for the year and held our fourth quarter operating expenses to match the same percentage of sales in last year's fourth quarter. In 2004, we plan to continue to create shareholder value by focusing on three goals - increasing sales and earnings from existing locations, opening 10-15 new Tandy Leather stores and improving our operating margins." Financial Outlook: The following statements are based on TLF's current expectations as of March 2, 2004. These statements are forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with the cautionary information about these statements that appears below. The Company plans to open 10-15 new Tandy Leather stores in 2004 and estimates consolidated net sales for 2004 will be in the range of $46 to $47 million. Basic and diluted EPS for 2004 are expected to be in the range of $0.34 to $0.37 and $0.32 to $0.34, respectively. Average basic and diluted shares outstanding in 2004 are estimated to be approximately 10.5 million and 11 million shares, respectively. The Company assumes an effective tax rate for the year between 35% and 37%. The Leather Factory, Inc., (http://www.leatherfactory.com), headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is a specialty retailer and wholesale distributor of a broad product line including leather, leatherworking tools, buckles and adornments for belts, leather dyes and finishes, shoe repair supplies, saddle and tack hardware, and do-it-yourself leathercraft kits. The Company distributes its products worldwide though its Leather Factory stores, Tandy Leather retail stores and mail/telephone/website orders (http://www.tandyleather.com). Its common stock trades on the American Stock Exchange with the symbol "TLF". Contact: Wray Thompson, The Leather Factory, Inc. (817) 496-4414 Shannon L. Greene, The Leather Factory, Inc.sgreene@leatherfactory.com This news release contains forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made here or in other news releases issued by The Leather Factory, Inc. are based on current expectations as of the date of the release. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the results of The Leather Factory, Inc. to differ materially from management's current expectations. Many of these risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in TLF's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and the most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Additional risks and uncertainties will be described in TLF's annual report on Form 10-K for 2003 to be filed with the SEC. Investors are reminded that past performance may not be predictive of future results. Selected financial data: FOR THE YEAR ENDED NET SALES: 12/31/03 12/31/02 ----------- ----------- Leather Factory $30,684,092 $30,313,478 Tandy Leather 9,216,838 7,387,874 Cushman 1,811,261 2,027,263 ----------- ----------- Total $41,712,191 $39,728,615 =========== =========== FOR THE YEAR ENDED TANDY LEATHER SALES DETAIL: 12/31/03 12/31/02 ---------- ---------- Retail stores (26 in 2003; 14 in 2002) $9,216,838 $3,782,787 Centralized mail order facility (closed 9/1/02) - 3,605,087 ---------- ---------- Total $9,216,838 $7,387,874 ========== ========== THE LEATHER FACTORY, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002 2003 2002 ------------ ------------ NET SALES $41,712,191 $39,728,615 COST OF SALES 19,020,292 18,393,914 ------------ ------------ Gross Profit 22,691,899 21,334,701 OPERATING EXPENSES 18,594,240 17,202,927 ------------ ------------ INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 4,097,658 4,131,774 OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE: Interest expense 206,942 246,878 Other, net (81,774) 65,039 ------------ ------------ Total other expense 125,168 311,917 ------------ ------------ INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE 3,972,490 3,819,857 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 1,232,116 1,224,868 ------------ ------------ NET INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE 2,740,374 2,594,989 CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE, NET OF INCOME TAXES - (4,008,831) ------------ ------------ NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 2,740,374 $(1,413,842) ============ ============ NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC: INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN ACCTG PRINCIPLE . . . . . $ 0.27 $ 0.26 CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN ACCTG PRINCIPLE, NET OF TAX . . . . . . - (0.40) ------------ ------------ $ 0.27 $ (0.14) ============ ============ NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC: INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN ACCTG PRINCIPLE . . . . . $ 0.25 $ 0.24 CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN ACCTG PRINCIPLE, NET OF TAX . . . . . . - (0.37) ------------ ------------ $ 0.25 $ (0.14) ============ ============ WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING: Basic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,323,549 10,063,581 Diluted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,861,305 10,761,670 THE LEATHER FACTORY, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002 DECEMBER 31, 2003 DECEMBER 31, 2002 ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash $ 1,728,344 $ 101,557 Cash restricted for payment on revolving credit facility - 553,839 Accounts receivable-trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $31,000 and $78,000 in 2003 and 2002, respectively 1,828,738 1,938,698 Inventory 11,079,893 12,695,344 Prepaid income taxes 206,023 55,644 Deferred income taxes 134,312 159,090 Other current assets 702,236 672,117 ------------------- ------------------- Total current assets 15,679,546 16,176,289 ------------------- ------------------- PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, at cost 5,574,992 5,321,749 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (3,669,099) (3,301,898) ------------------- ------------------- 1,905,893 2,019,851 ------------------- ------------------- GOODWILL, net of accumulated amortization of $758,000 and 734,000 in 2003 and 2002, respectively 704,235 686,484 OTHER INTANGIBLES, net of accumulated amortization of 164,000 and $113,000 in 2003 and 2002, respectively 432,549 483,507 OTHER assets 336,183 309,471 ------------------- ------------------- $ 19,058,406 $ 19,675,602 ================== =================== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable-trade $ 1,545,079 $ 1,594,909 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 1,000,427 2,503,331 Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt 1,134 4,218,968 ------------------- ------------------- Total current liabilities 2,546,640 8,317,208 ------------------- ------------------- DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 209,289 186,076 NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities 1,792,984 2,256 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred stock, $0.10 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding - - Common stock, $0.0024 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized, 10.487,961 and 10,149,961 shares issued and outstanding at 2003 and 2002, respectively 25,171 24,360 Paid-in capital 4,673,158 4,163,901 Retained earnings 9,804,719 7,064,345 Less: Notes receivable-secured by common stock (20,000) (44,003) Accumulated other comprehensive loss 26,445 (38,541) ------------------- ------------------- Total stockholders' equity 14,509,493 11,170,062 ------------------- ------------------- $ 19,058,406 $ 19,675,602 ================== =================== THE LEATHER FACTORY, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002 2003 2002 ------------ ------------ CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income (loss) $ 2,740,374 $(1,413,842) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities - Depreciation and amortization 529,262 491,312 Loss on disposal of assets (9,103) - Amortization of deferred financing costs - 37,038 Deferred income taxes 47,086 (30,184) Other 48,140 (2,502) Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. - 4,008,831 Net changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect of business acquisitions: Accounts receivable-trade, net 109,960 359,255 Inventory 1,615,451 (3,463,866) Income taxes (150,380) 16,124 Other current assets (30,120) (192,726) Accounts payable-trade (49,831) 291,311 Accrued expenses and other liabilities (1,502,903) 1,332,179 ------------ ------------ Total adjustments 607,562 2,846,772 ------------ ------------ Net cash provided by operating activities 3,347,936 1,432,930 ------------ ------------ CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchase of property and equipment (360,202) (1,073,515) Payments in connection with businesses acquired - (435,747) Proceeds from sale of assets 6,217 - (Increase) decrease in other assets (27,970) (14,754) Other intangible costs - (1,625) ------------ ------------ Net cash used in investing activities (381,955) (1,525,641) ------------ ------------ CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net increase (decrease) in revolving credit loans (2,420,550) (286,889) Payments on notes payable and long-term debt (6,557) (27,482) Decrease (increase) in cash restricted for payment on revolver 553,839 (62,110) Payments received on notes secured by common stock 24,003 27,936 Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants 510,068 133,774 ------------ ------------ Net cash used in financing activities (1,339,195) (214,772) ------------ ------------ NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH 1,626,786 (307,483) CASH, beginning of period 101,557 409,040 ------------ ------------ CASH, end of period $ 1,728,343 $ 101,557 ============ ============ SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Interest paid during the period $ 216,275 $ 213,791 Income tax paid during the period, net of (refunds) 1,138,799 1,254,679