SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If  “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the Registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_N/A_.

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Gildan Activewear Announces First Quarter Earnings in Excess of Previous Guidance

— E.P.S. up 64.7% From Last Year, and U.S. $0.03 Above Top End of Previously Communicated Guidance Range —

Montreal, Tuesday, February 1, 2005 — Gildan Activewear Inc. (NYSE: GIL; TSX: GIL.A) today announced its financial results for the first quarter of its 2005 fiscal year, ended January 2, 2005. The Company reported record net earnings for the first quarter of a fiscal year of U.S. $8.4 million or U.S. $0.28 per share, on a diluted basis, compared with U.S. $2.9 million or U.S. $0.10 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. After adjusting prior year results for the impact on cost of sales of revaluing opening inventories, due to the adoption of the U.S. dollar as the Company's functional currency with effect from October 6, 2003, net earnings in the first quarter of fiscal 2004 were U.S. $5.0 million or U.S. $0.17 per share. The year-over-year increase in net earnings and diluted E.P.S. was 68.0% and 64.7% respectively. The Company had provided E.P.S. guidance of U.S. $0.20-$0.25 for the first quarter of fiscal 2005.

Compared to last year, the increase in first quarter net earnings was driven by continuing growth in unit sales volumes, higher selling prices and more favourable product-mix, together with the continuing ramp-up of the Rio Nance textile facility. These positive factors were partially offset by higher SG&A expenses, increased costs for cotton, energy and transportation and the impact of lower capacity utilization on the efficiency of Gildan’s Canadian yarn-spinning operations.

“We are pleased to have again delivered sales and earnings performance in excess of expectations,” commented Glenn J. Chamandy, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Industry conditions continue to be strong, and the Gildan brand continues to have excellent momentum in all of our served markets.”

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Sales in the first quarter were U.S. $109.0 million, representing an increase of 39.8% over the first quarter of fiscal 2004. The significant growth in sales revenues was due to improved selling prices, a 27.5% increase in unit sales volumes, and a higher-valued product-mix within the T-shirt category.

Gross margins in the first quarter were 29.7%, compared with 27.1% in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. Before the impact of the functional currency adjustment on cost of sales in the first quarter of last year, comparative gross margins were 29.8%. The positive gross margin impact of higher selling prices and more favourable product-mix was offset by higher cotton, energy and transportation costs and higher costs for the Canadian yarn-spinning operations.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were U.S. $16.3 million, or 15.0% of sales, up 43.0% from U.S. $11.4 million, or 14.6% of sales in the first quarter of last year. In addition to reflecting the continuing development of the organization to manage the Company’s growth and expansion plans, SG&A expenses increased due to the strengthening of the Canadian dollar, the timing of professional and consulting fees and increased volume-related selling and distribution costs. As a percentage of sales, SG&A is higher in the first quarter as this is seasonally the lowest sales quarter in the fiscal year.

The Company reduced its cash position by U.S. $8.3 million during the quarter, after financing U.S. $22.1 million of capital expenditures and its seasonal build-up of inventories for the peak summer selling season. Inventories increased by U.S. $25.8 million during the first quarter. Capital expenditures were primarily incurred for the new textile facility which the Company is constructing in the Dominican Republic, and the expansion of the Company’s U.S. distribution centre to prepare for entry into the retail channel. The Company ended the first quarter with cash and cash equivalents of U.S. $52.4 million.

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The Company is maintaining its full year diluted E.P.S. guidance of approximately U.S. $2.60 per share, before a special charge for the closure of its Canadian yarn-spinning facilities. The Company has issued a separate Press Release, concurrent with this earnings release, in which it announces the closure of its Canadian yarn-spinning facilities, and the relocation of the majority of its yarn-spinning assets to a new joint venture facility in the U.S. The resulting special charge, estimated at approximately U.S. $7.8 million after-tax or $0.26 per diluted share, will be reflected in the second quarter of fiscal 2005. After taking account of this charge, full year diluted E.P.S. is estimated at approximately U.S. $2.34. As previously indicated, the Company’s full year earnings guidance reflects unit sales growth of approximately 20% over fiscal 2004, which will fully utilize the Company’s available production capacity, and also assumes sequentially lower unit selling prices in the second half of the fiscal year, reflecting the possible flow-through of lower cotton prices. On this basis, full year sales are projected at approximately U.S. $640 million, up approximately 20% from U.S. $533 million in fiscal 2004.

As of January 31, 2005 there were 29,722,207 Class A Subordinate Voting Shares issued and outstanding along with 549,896 options outstanding. There were no Class B Multiple Voting Shares outstanding and shareholders will be asked to approve the elimination of this class of shares at the Company’s Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders on February 2, 2005. Shareholders will also be asked at the Meeting to create a new class of shares, namely Common Shares, and to subsequently convert each of the issued and outstanding Class A Subordinate Voting Shares into one Common share.

Gildan Activewear is a vertically-integrated manufacturer and marketer of premium quality branded basic activewear for sale principally in the wholesale imprinted activewear segment of the Canadian, U.S., European and other international markets. The Company manufactures and sells premium quality 100% cotton and 50% cotton/50% polyester T-shirts, placket collar sport shirts and sweatshirts in a variety of weights, sizes, colours and styles. The Company sells its products as blanks, which are ultimately decorated with designs and logos for sale to consumers. Gildan employs more than 7,800 full-time employees.

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Certain statements included in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We refer you to the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities for a discussion of the various factors that may affect the Company’s future results.

Information for shareholders

Gildan Activewear Inc. will hold a conference call to discuss these results today at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 800-261-3417 (Canada & U.S.) or 617-614-3673 (international) and entering passcode 39968661, or by live sound web cast on Gildan’s Internet site (“Investor Relations” section) at the following address: www.gildan.com. If you are unable to participate in the conference call, a replay will be available starting that same day at 7:00 PM EST by dialing 888-286-8010 (Canada & U.S.) or 617-801-6888 (international) and entering passcode 93856450, until February 8, 2005 at midnight, or by sound web cast on Gildan’s Internet site for 30 days.

 

Gildan Activewear Inc. — Notes to Interim consolidated financial statements

For complete notes to the interim consolidated financial statements please refer to filings with the various securities regulatory authorities.

1.

The January 2, 2005 unaudited consolidated financial statements include the consolidation of Cedartown Manufacturing LLC (“Cedartown”) the Company’s 50% owned joint venture with Frontier Spinning Mills, Inc. Historically, the Company has accounted for its investment in Cedartown using the proportionate consolidation method. The consolidation of Cedartown at October 4, 2004, the beginning of its 2005 fiscal year, increased total assets by $7.9 million and total liabilities by $5.0 million, while creating a non-controlling interest of $2.9 million. The Company’s net earnings will not be affected by this change.

2.

The Company announced on February 1, 2005 that it will close its two Canadian yarn-spinning operations at the end of March 2005. A majority of the equipment will be transferred to a new yarn spinning facility in Clarkton, North Carolina, which will be operated by the Company’s yarn-spinning joint-venture with Frontier Spinning Mills Inc. The Company anticipates that the closure costs will be approximately $7.8 million after tax, or $0.26 per diluted share. The closure costs will consist mainly of severance costs and the loss on disposal of fixed assets that are not being transferred. This charge will be recognized in the second quarter of fiscal 2005.

3.

Certain comparative figures have been reclassified in order to conform to the current’s year’s presentation.

SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securitiecs Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.