JOHNSON WORLDWIDE ASSOCIATES INC
10-K, 1998-12-22
SPORTING & ATHLETIC GOODS, NEC
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-K

            [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                   For the fiscal year ended October 2, 1998
                                       OR
          [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                For the transition period from ______ to ______
                         Commission file number 0-16255

                       JOHNSON WORLDWIDE ASSOCIATES, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

          Wisconsin                                   39-1536083
(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

                  1326 Willow Road, Sturtevant, Wisconsin 53177
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                 (414) 884-1500
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

          Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:
                      Class A common stock, $.05 par value


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  Registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes. [ X ] No. [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of Registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated  by  reference in Part III of this Form 10-K,  or any  amendment to
this Form 10-K. [ ]

As of November 16, 1998,  6,870,045  shares of Class A and  1,223,861  shares of
Class B common stock of the Registrant were  outstanding.  The aggregate  market
value of voting stock of the Registrant held by  nonaffiliates of the Registrant
was approximately $36,015,000 on November 16, 1998.


<PAGE>

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

                                              Part and Item Number of Form 10-K
Document                                      into which Incorporated
- ---------------------------------             ---------------------------------
Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc.            Part III, Items 10, 11, 12 and 13
Notice   of   Annual  Meeting  of
Shareholders and Proxy Statement
for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held January 
26, 1999

Table of Contents 
                                                            Page
Business ..........................................           1
Properties ........................................           5
Legal Proceedings .................................           5
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders           5
Market for Registrant's Common Equity and
Related Stockholder Matters .......................           5
Selected Financial Data ...........................           6
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations .....           7
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
about Market Risk .................................          11
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data .......          11
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure ...............          11
Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant           12
Executive Compensation ............................          12
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management ....................................          12
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions ....          12
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and
Reports on Form 8-K ...............................          12
Signatures ........................................          13
Exhibit Index .....................................          14
Consolidated Financial Statements .................          F-1


<PAGE>

                                     PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

Johnson  Worldwide  Associates,  Inc.  and  its  subsidiaries  (hereinafter  the
Company) are engaged in the design,  manufacture  and  marketing  of  recreation
products.  The Company's primary focus is product design, product innovation and
marketing to maintain its strong brand names and consumer recognition.  Research
and development  activities for each of the Company's five principal  businesses
emphasize new products and innovation to  differentiate  the Company's  products
from those of its  competitors.  The Company is controlled by Samuel C. Johnson,
members of his family and related entities.

The Company was,  until  January  1997,  a leading  supplier in Europe of marine
products and  accessories,  which the Company sold under the Plastimo  name. The
Plastimo business was sold in January 1997.

Diving
The Company is one of the world's  largest  manufacturers  and  distributors  of
technical  underwater  diving  products  which it sells under the  Scubapro  and
SnorkelPro  names.  The  Company  markets a full line of  underwater  diving and
snorkeling equipment,  including regulators,  stabilizing jackets,  tanks, depth
gauges,  masks, fins,  snorkels,  diving  electronics and other accessories.  In
1997,  the Company  acquired the stock of Uwatec AG, a leading  manufacturer  of
dive computers and other electronics, which are sold under the Aladin and Uwatec
brands.  Scubapro,  Aladin and Uwatec products are marketed globally to the high
quality, premium priced segment of the market. The Company maintains a marketing
strategy  of  limited   distribution,   selling  primarily  through  independent
specialty  diving shops worldwide.  These diving shops generally  provide a wide
range of services to divers, including instruction and repair service.

The Company  focuses on  maintaining  Scubapro,  Aladin and Uwatec as the market
leaders in  innovation  and new  products.  The Company  maintains  research and
development  functions  both in the United  States and Europe and holds  several
patents on products and features.  Consumer  advertising focuses on building the
brand  names and  position  as the high  quality  and  innovative  leader in the
industry.  The Company  advertises its equipment in diving magazines and through
in-store displays.

In October  1997,  the Company  acquired  certain  assets of  Soniform,  Inc., a
manufacturer  of  diving  buoyancy  compensators   primarily  for  the  original
equipment  market,  which  expanded the Company's  manufacturing  capability for
these products.

The  Company  maintains  manufacturing  and  assembly  facilities  in the United
States,  Switzerland,  Mexico,  Italy and  Indonesia.  The  Company  procures  a
majority of its rubber and plastic  products  and  components  from  third-party
manufacturers.

Watercraft 
The  Company's  original  watercraft  company  is Old  Town  Canoe.  Whitewater,
tripping,  touring and general  recreational purpose canoes for the high quality
and  mid-price  segments  of the canoe  market and both  entry  level and higher
performance  kayaks are  produced  under the Old Town name.  The Company  uses a
patented  rotational-molding  process for manufacturing  polyethylene  canoes to
compete in the higher  volume,  mid-priced  range of the  market.  These  canoes
feature  many of the  design and  durability  characteristics  of higher  priced
canoes. The Company also manufactures canoes from fiberglass,  Royalex (ABS) and
wood.  Carlisle  Paddles,  a manufacturer of canoe and kayak paddles and rafting
oars,  supplies  paddles  that  are  sold  by  the  Company's  other  watercraft
businesses as well as products distributed directly through the same channels as
the Company's watercraft.

In 1998,  the Company  completed the  acquisition of the common stock of Leisure
Life Limited,  a privately held manufacturer and marketer of small  thermoformed
recreational  boats,  including canoes,  pedal boats, deck boats and tenders. In
1998,  the Company also acquired the stock of  Plastiques  L.P.A.  Limitee,  the
manufacturer  of the Dimension  brand of kayaks.  In 1997, the Company  acquired
Ocean Kayak, a leading manufacturer of sit-on-top kayaks.

The  Company's  canoes and kayaks are sold  primarily to sporting  goods stores,
catalog and mail order houses such as L. L. Bean/R/,  canoe specialty stores and
marine  dealers in the United States and Europe.  Leisure Life products are sold
through marine dealers and large retail chains.

                                        1

<PAGE>

The North  American  market for kayaks is exhibiting  strong  growth,  while the
canoe market is relatively constant. The Company believes, based on industry and
other  data,  that it is the  leading  manufacturer  of canoes and kayaks in the
United States in both unit and dollar sales.

Motors and Fishing
The overall motors and fishing  markets in which the Company  competes have been
stagnant in recent years.  The Company believes it has been able to maintain its
share of most markets primarily as a result of emphasis on marketing and product
innovation.  The Company  controls  the  leading  market  share of the  electric
fishing motor market.

                                     Motors
The Company manufactures, under its Minn Kota and Neptune names, battery powered
motors used on fishing boats and other boats for quiet trolling power or primary
propulsion.  The Company's Minn Kota and Neptune motors and related  accessories
are sold in the United  States,  Canada,  Europe and the Pacific  Basin  through
large retail store  chains such as Wal Mart and K-Mart,  catalogs,  such as Bass
Pro Shops and Cabelas,  sporting goods specialty  stores,  marine  dealers,  and
original  equipment  boat  manufacturers.  Consumer  advertising  and  promotion
include advertising on regional television and in outdoor,  general interest and
sports magazines. Packaging and point-of-purchase materials are used to increase
consumer appeal and sales.

In 1998,  the Company  entered  into an  arrangement  with  Ranger/R/ Boats,  a
premier manufacturer, to supply Minn Kota motors on original equipment boats. In
1998,  the  Company  also  entered  into an  arrangement  with  Outboard  Marine
Corporation  (OMC) to manufacture  all  Evinrude/R/  branded  electric  trolling
motors for use on  original  equipment  and to service the  aftermarket  through
their dealer base.  The Company's  Lake Electric  Motors  division  manufactures
components   for  Minn  Kota  and  electric   motors  for   original   equipment
manufacturers.

The Company's line of Airguide  marine,  weather and  automotive  instruments is
distributed primarily in the United States through large retail store chains and
original  equipment  manufacturers.  Airguide  products are  manufactured by the
Company or sourced from third-party manufacturers.

                                    Fishing
The Company's  fishing  products include Mitchell and Spidercast reels and rods,
Johnson  reels,  Beetle Spin soft body lures,  Johnson  Silver Minnow spoons and
SpiderWire,  a leading brand in the "superline" and monofilament segments of the
fishing line market.

The Company  markets  Johnson  fishing  reels,  which are primarily  closed-face
spincast  reels, as well as Mitchell reels,  primarily  open-faced  spinning and
bait  casting  reels.   Reels  are  sold   individually  and  in  rod  and  reel
combinations,   primarily  through  large  retail  store  chains,  catalogs  and
specialty  fishing shops in the United  States,  Canada,  Europe and the Pacific
Basin.  The Company's reels compete in a segment of the U.S. fishing reel market
which is dominated by larger manufacturers.  Marketing support for the Company's
reels is focused on building  brand  names,  emphasizing  product  features  and
innovation  and on  developing  specific  segments  of the reel  market  through
advertising on television,  in national outdoor  magazines and through trade and
consumer  support  at  retail.  The  Company's  rods and reels are  produced  by
third-party manufacturing sources.

The Company purchases,  from third-party  manufacturers,  its SpiderWire premium
braided  line  and   SpiderWire   Fusion   products,   which  have   performance
characteristics  superior  to those of  monofilament  fishing  line.  SpiderWire
premium  braided line  competes in the  "superline"  segment of the fishing line
category,  while SpiderWire  Fusion is positioned just above the high end of the
monofilament  market.  In 1997, the Company  introduced a  monofilament  product
under the SpiderWire  brand.  These products are sold through large retail store
chains, catalogs and specialty stores.

The Company's artificial lure products are manufactured by third parties.  These
products are sold primarily through large retail store chains.

                                       2

<PAGE>

Outdoor Equipment
The Company's outdoor equipment products include Eureka! and Camp Trails camping
tents  and  backpacks,  Jack  Wolfskin  camping  tents,  backpacks  and  outdoor
clothing, and Silva field compasses.

Eureka!  and Camp Trails  camping tents and backpacks  compete  primarily in the
mid- to  high-price  range within their  respective  markets and are sold in the
United States and Canada through independent sales representatives  primarily to
sporting goods stores, catalog and mail order houses and camping and backpacking
specialty  stores.  Marketing of the Company's tents and backpacks is focused on
building the Eureka! and Camp Trails brand names and establishing the Company as
a leader in product  design and  innovation.  The  Company's  camping  tents and
backpacks are produced primarily by third-party manufacturing sources.

The  Company's  Eureka!  camping  tents have  outside  self-supporting  aluminum
frames,  allowing  quicker and easier set-up, a design approach first introduced
by the  Company.  Most Eureka!  tents are made from  breathable  nylon.  Eureka!
camping products are sold under license in Japan and Korea.

Camp Trails backpacks consist primarily of internal and external frame backpacks
for hiking and  mountaineering,  but also include soft back bags,  day packs and
travel packs. Jack Wolfskin,  a German marketer of camping tents,  backpacks and
outdoor  clothing,  distributes  its  products  primarily  through  camping  and
backpacking  specialty  stores in Germany with additional  distribution in other
European  countries,  Canada and the United States and, under license, in Japan.
Certain of these stores sell Jack Wolfskin products exclusively.

The Company's  Eureka!  commercial tents include party tents,  sold primarily to
general  rental  stores,  and  other  commercial  tents  sold  directly  to tent
erectors. Commercial tents are manufactured by the Company in the United States.
The Company was awarded  several  contracts  for  production of both camping and
commercial tents by the U.S. Armed Forces in 1997.

Silva field  compasses,  which are  manufactured by third parties,  are marketed
exclusively in North America,  the area for which trademark rights for the Silva
brand are owned.

Sales by Principal Business
See Note 12 to the Consolidated  Financial Statements for financial  information
comparing sales by major product category.

International Operations
See Note 12 to the Consolidated  Financial Statements for financial  information
comparing the Company's domestic and international operations.

Research and Development
The  Company  commits   significant   resources  to  research  and  new  product
development.  The Company expenses  research and development  costs as incurred.
The amounts  expended by the Company in connection with research and development
activities  for  each of the  last  three  fiscal  years  are set  forth  in the
Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Competition
The  markets  for the  Company's  products  are very  competitive.  The  Company
believes its  products  compete  favorably  on the basis of product  innovation,
product performance and marketing support and, to a lesser extent, price.

Employees
At October 2, 1998, the Company had approximately 1,400 employees working in its
businesses.  The Company  considers  its  employee  relations  to be  excellent.
Temporary  employees are utilized to manage peaks in the seasonal  manufacturing
of products.

Backlog
The Company's recreation businesses do not receive significant orders in advance
of expected shipment dates for the majority of its products. Unfilled orders for
future delivery of tents to the United States Armed Forces and other governments
totaled $7.2 million at October 2, 1998.

                                       3

<PAGE>

Patents, Trademarks and Proprietary Rights
The Company owns no single  patent which is material to its business as a whole.
However,  the Company holds several  patents,  principally for diving  products,
rotational-molded canoes and electric motors, and has filed several applications
for  patents.  The  Company  has  numerous  trademarks  and trade names which it
considers  important  to its  business,  many  of  which  are  discussed  on the
preceding pages.

Sources and Availability of Materials
The Company's products use materials that are generally in adequate supply.

Seasonality
The Company's  business is seasonal.  The following  table shows total net sales
and operating profit or loss of the Company for each quarter, as a percentage of
the total year.  Inventory  writedowns  of $10.3 million in 1996 are included as
components of the fourth quarter operating losses. Nonrecurring charges totaling
$1.4 million,  $0.3 million and $6.8 million impacted operating results in 1998,
1997 and 1996, respectively.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Year Ended
                           October 2, 1998           October 3, 1997           September 27, 1996
                          Net      Operating        Net      Operating        Net     Operating
                          Sales    Profit (Loss)    Sales    Profit (Loss)   Sales    Profit (Loss)(1)
Quarter Ended 
<S>                       <C>      <C>              <C>       <C>              <C>      <C>
December                   16%     (14)%             17%      (32)%             17%     NM
March                      30       57               32        81               32      NM
June                       32       60               29        66               32      NM
September                  22       (3)              22       (15)              19      NM
                          100%     100%             100%      100%             100%     NM
(1)Results not meaningful.
</TABLE>


Executive Officers
The  following  list sets forth  certain  information,  as of November 16, 1998,
regarding the executive officers of the Company.

R. C.  Whitaker,  age 51, became  President and Chief  Executive  Officer of the
Company in October 1996.  From December 1995 to October 1996,  Mr.  Whitaker was
President and Chief Executive Officer of EWI, Inc., a supplier to the automotive
industry. From 1992 to September 1995, Mr. Whitaker was Chairman,  President and
Chief Executive Officer of Colt's Manufacturing Company, Inc., a manufacturer of
firearms.

Carl G. Schmidt, age 42, became Senior Vice President of the Company in May 1995
and has been Chief  Financial  Officer,  Secretary  and Treasurer of the Company
since July 1994. From July 1994 until May 1995, Mr. Schmidt was a Vice President
of the  Company.  From 1988 to July  1994,  he was a partner in the firm of KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP.

Mamdouh Ashour,  age 60, became a Group Vice President of the Company in October
1997 and President - Worldwide  Diving in August 1996. From 1994 to August 1996,
he served as President of Scubapro Europe.

There are no family relationships between the above executive officers.

                                       4

<PAGE>


ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES
The  Company  maintains  both  leased  and  owned  manufacturing,   warehousing,
distribution  and office  facilities  throughout the world. The Company believes
that its facilities are well  maintained and have capacity  adequate to meet its
current needs.

See Note 5 to the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements for a discussion of lease
obligations.

The Company's  principal  manufacturing  (identified with an asterisk) and other
locations are:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                 <C>                                <C>
Antibes, France                     Genoa, Italy*                      Mansonville, Quebec, Canada*
Bad Sekingen, Germany               Grand Rapids, Michigan*            Marignier, France
Batam, Indonesia*                   Grayling, Michigan*                NykUping, Sweden
Barcelona, Spain                    Hallwil, Switzerland*              Old Town, Maine*
Basingstoke, Hampshire, England     Hamburg, Germany                   Racine, Wisconsin*
Binghamton, New York*               Henggart, Switzerland              El Cajon, California*
Burlington, Ontario, Canada         Honolulu, Hawaii                   Silverwater, Australia
Chi Wan, Hong Kong                  Idstein, Germany                   Tijuana, Mexico*
Ferndale, Washington*               Mankato, Minnesota*                Tokyo (Kawasaki), Japan
</TABLE>

The Company's  corporate  headquarters is located in Mount Pleasant,  Wisconsin.
The Company's mailing address is Sturtevant, Wisconsin.


ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Note 15 to the Consolidated  Financial  Statements for a discussion of legal
proceedings.


ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
There were no matters  submitted to a vote of security  holders  during the last
quarter of the year ended October 2, 1998.


                                    PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S  COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED  STOCKHOLDER  MATTERS
Certain  information  with respect to this item is included in Notes 4, 8, 9 and
10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  The Company's Class A common stock
is traded on The Nasdaq Stock  Market(R)  under the symbol:  JWAIA.  There is no
public  market for the  Company's  Class B common  stock.  However,  the Class B
common stock is convertible at all times at the option of the holder into shares
of Class A common stock on a share for share basis. As of November 16, 1998, the
Company had 722 holders of record of its Class A common  stock and 61 holders of
record of its Class B common stock. The Company has never paid a dividend on its
common stock.

A summary  of the high and low  prices for the  Company's  Class A common  stock
during each quarter of the years ended October 2, 1998 and October 3, 1997 is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                       First              Second             Third            Fourth
              1998     1997      1998     1997      1998     1997    1998     1997
<S>          <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>   
Stock prices:
     High    $17.75   $15.00    $17.28   $14.00    $16.38   $13.25   $14.00   $17.50
     Low      14.50    10.75     15.50    12.00     12.25    10.50     8.00    12.25
</TABLE>

                                       5

<PAGE>

ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
A summary of the Company's operating results and key balance sheet data for each
of the years in the five-year period ended October 2, 1998 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(thousands, except
 per share data)                                                                                Year Ended
                         October 2,        October 3,       September 27,     September 29,    September 30,
                         1998              1997             1996              1995             1994
<S>                         <C>                <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>
Operating Results(1)(2)
Net sales                   $328,525           $303,121         $344,373          $347,190         $284,343
Gross profit                 125,964            111,332          119,724           138,155          110,474
Operating expenses(3)        107,241             99,321          121,200           114,411           91,536
                              ------              -----           ------           -------           ------
Operating profit (loss)       18,723             12,011           (1,476)           23,744           18,938
Interest expense               9,829              8,780           10,181             7,613            6,845
Other income, net               (255)              (728)            (496)             (861)            (391)
                                ----               ----             ----              ----             ---- 
Income (loss) from
 continuing operations 
 before income taxes           9,149              3,959          (11,161)           16,992           12,484
Income tax expense             3,937              1,903              194             6,903            4,338
                               -----              -----              ---             -----            -----
Income (loss) from
 continuing operations         5,212              2,056          (11,355)           10,089            8,146
                               -----              -----          -------            ------            -----
Gain on disposal of
 discontinued operations          -                 -                 -                 -            4,052
                              ------              -----          -------            ------            -----
Net income (loss)             $5,212             $2,056         $(11,355)          $10,089          $12,198
                              ======             ======         ========           =======          =======
Basic earnings (loss) 
  per common share:
     Continuing operations     $0.64              $0.25           $(1.40)            $1.25            $1.01
     Discontinued 
     operations                    -                  -                -                 -             0.51
                               -----              -----           ------             -----            -----
Net income (loss)              $0.64              $0.25           $(1.40)            $1.25            $1.52
                               =====              =====           ======             =====            =====
Diluted earnings (loss)
  per common share:
     Continuing operations     $0.64              $0.25           $(1.40)            $1.24            $1.00
     Discontinued 
       operations                  -                  -                -                 -             0.50
                               -----              -----           ------             -----            -----
Net income (loss)              $0.64              $0.25           $(1.40)            $1.24            $1.50
                               =====              =====           ======             =====            =====
Diluted average common
  shares outstanding           8,114              8,115            8,130             8,117            8,143
                               =====              =====            =====             =====            =====
Balance Sheet Data(1)
Total assets                $296,017           $277,019         $280,768          $278,353         $219,681
Long-term debt,
  less current maturities     82,066             88,753           61,501            68,948           31,190
Shareholders' equity         124,386            117,731          126,424           141,262          128,197
                             =======            =======          =======           =======          =======
</TABLE>
(1)All  periods have been  reclassified  to reflect the  discontinuation  of the
   Company's Marking Systems group.
(2)The year ended October 3, 1997 includes 53 weeks.  All other years include 52
   weeks. 
(3)Includes  nonrecurring  charges of $1,424,  $335 and $6,768 in 1998, 1997 and
   1996, respectively.

                                       6

<PAGE>

ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
          AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The  following  discussion  includes  comments  and  analysis  relating  to  the
Company's  results of  operations  and  financial  condition for the three years
ended October 2, 1998.  This discussion  should be read in conjunction  with the
Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto.

Forward Looking Statements
Certain  matters   discussed  in  this  1998  Form  10-K  are   "forward-looking
statements," intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established
by the Private Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These  forward-looking
statements  can  generally  be  identified  as such  because  the context of the
statement  includes phrases such as the Company  "expects,"  "believes" or other
words of similar  import.  Similarly,  statements  that  describe the  Company's
future plans,  objectives  or goals are also  forward-looking  statements.  Such
forward-looking  statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which
could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those currently
anticipated.  Factors  that could  affect  actual  results or  outcomes  include
changes in consumer spending patterns, the success of the Company's EVA program,
actions of companies  that compete with JWA, the  Company's  success in managing
inventory,  movements in foreign  currencies or interest  rates,  the success of
suppliers,  customers and others regarding compliance with year 2000 issues, and
adverse weather conditions.  Shareholders, potential investors and other readers
are urged to consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements
and  are  cautioned  not  to  place  undue  reliance  on  such   forward-looking
statements.  The forward-looking  statements included herein are only made as of
the date of this 1998 Form 10-K and the Company  undertakes  no  obligations  to
publicly update such forward-looking  statements to reflect subsequent events or
circumstances.

Results of Operations
Summary consolidated financial results are as follows:

(millions, except per share data)         1998        1997         1996
Net sales                                $328.5       $303.1       $344.4
Gross profit                              126.0        111.3        119.7
Operating expenses(1)                     107.2         99.3        121.2
Operating profit (loss)                    18.7         12.0         (1.5)
Interest expense                            9.8          8.8         10.2
Net income (loss)                           5.2          2.1        (11.4)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share   0.64         0.25        (1.40)

(1)Includes  nonrecurring charges of $1.4 million, $0.3 million and $6.8 million
   in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

1998 vs 1997

                                   Net Sales
Net sales totaled  $328.5 million in 1998 compared to $303.1 million in 1997, an
increase of 8%. Sales as measured in U.S.  dollars were  negatively  impacted by
the  effect  of  weaker  foreign  currencies  relative  to the  U.S.  dollar  in
comparison to 1997.  Excluding the effects of foreign currency movements and the
sale of the Plastimo  business in January 1997,  worldwide sales increased $40.6
million,  or 13%, from 1997. The increase was due primarily to sales of products
of businesses  the Company  acquired in 1998 and 1997 and strong growth in sales
of  watercraft,  which more than  offset a decline  in fishing  sales and weaker
diving equipment sales in Asia.

                               Operating Results
The Company  recognized an operating profit of $18.7 million in 1998 compared to
an operating profit of $12 million in 1997. Gross profit margins  increased from
36.7% in 1997 to 38.3% in 1998,  primarily as a result of businesses acquired by
the  Company  in 1998 and 1997.  The  Company  continues  to  experience  margin
pressure in all of its businesses due to competition.

                                       7

<PAGE>

Operating expenses,  excluding nonrecurring charges,  totaled $105.8 million, or
32.2% of sales, in 1998 compared to $99 million, or 32.7% of sales, in 1997. The
improvement  in the operating  expense ratio was  attributable  to  management's
efforts to control such expenses and the impact of weaker foreign currencies for
much of the year. These factors were partially  offset by operating  expenses of
businesses  acquired in 1998 and 1997 and  unusual  legal  expenses  incurred to
successfully  defend certain of the Company's key outdoor equipment,  diving and
motors patents and trademarks.

The Company  recognized  nonrecurring  charges totaling $1.4 million in 1998 and
$0.3 million in 1997. These charges resulted  primarily from severance and other
costs related to the integration of acquired businesses, primarily in the diving
business.   The  Company   anticipates   additional   nonrecurring   charges  of
approximately  $2 million will be incurred in 1999 to further  integrate  recent
acquisitions into its business.

                           Other Income and Expenses
Interest  expense  increased $1 million in 1998,  reflecting  higher debt levels
resulting from the  acquisition of five  businesses  since July 1997,  which was
partially offset by lower levels of working capital,  primarily inventory, and a
favorable interest rate environment.

                                Overall Results
The Company  recognized net income of $5.2 million in 1998, or $0.64 per diluted
share,  compared to net income of $2.1 million,  or $0.25 per diluted share,  in
1997.  The  Company  recorded  income tax  expense of $3.9  million in 1998,  an
effective rate of 43%, due to earnings in foreign  jurisdictions  that are taxed
at higher rates than in the United States.  The tax benefit of operating  losses
generated in the United  States did not fully offset the taxes in these  foreign
jurisdictions. The Company's effective tax rate improved from 48.1% in the prior
year due to a rate reduction in Italy and an increase in profits in Switzerland,
which has lower overall tax rates.


1997 vs 1996

                                    Net Sales
Net sales were  $303.1  million in 1997  compared to $344.4  million in 1996,  a
decrease of 12%.  The sale of the  Company's  Plastimo  business in January 1997
accounted for $28.5 million of the shortfall in sales. Sales as measured in U.S.
dollars were also negatively impacted by the effect of weaker foreign currencies
relative to the U.S.  dollar in  comparison  to 1996.  Excluding  the effects of
foreign  currency  movements  and the sale of the Plastimo  business,  worldwide
sales  decreased  $0.2 million from 1996. The remainder of the shortfall was due
primarily to decreases in sales of motors and fishing  products,  as the overall
market for such products  declined,  offset by sales of  businesses  acquired in
1997.

                                Operating Results
The Company recognized an operating profit of $12 million in 1997 compared to an
operating  loss of $1.5  million  in 1996.  Several  factors  accounted  for the
turnaround.  Gross profit margins increased from 34.8% in 1996 to 36.7% in 1997.
Unusual  charges  related to reduction of  inventories  to their net  realizable
value reduced the 1996 gross profit by $10.3  million and the related  margin by
3%.  Underabsorption of overhead expenses due to lower sales volume and sales of
excess  inventory at lower than normal  margins  mitigated the increase in gross
profit margins in 1997.

Operating  expenses,  excluding  nonrecurring  charges,  totaled $99 million, or
32.7% of sales, in 1997 compared to $114.4 million,  or 33.2% of sales, in 1996.
The sale of the Company's  Plastimo marine business  accounted for $8 million of
the  reduction  in  operating  expenses.  The  remainder  of  the  decrease  was
attributable to management's  efforts to control such expenses and the impact of
weaker foreign currencies,  which were partially offset by operating expenses of
businesses  acquired in 1997.  Virtually all categories of expenses  declined in
the aggregate and as a percentage of sales.

The Company recognized nonrecurring charges totaling $0.3 million in 1997. These
charges  resulted  primarily  from  severance  and other  costs  related  to the
integration of acquired businesses.

                           Other Income and Expenses
Interest  expense  decreased $1.4 million in 1997,  reflecting lower debt levels
resulting from the sale of the Plastimo  marine business and due to lower levels
of working capital,  primarily  inventory.  Partially offsetting the decline was
additional  interest expense from debt used to consummate  acquisitions and from
debt assumed in those acquisitions.


                                       8

<PAGE>

                                Overall Results
The Company  recognized net income of $2.1 million in 1997, or $0.25 per diluted
share, compared to a loss of $11.4 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, in 1996.
The Company  recorded  income tax expense of $1.9 million in 1997,  an effective
rate of 48.1%, due to earnings in foreign jurisdictions that are taxed at higher
rates than in the U.S.  The tax benefit of  operating  losses  generated  in the
United States did not fully offset the taxes in these foreign jurisdictions.

Financial Condition
The  following   discusses  changes  in  the  Company's  liquidity  and  capital
resources.

                                   Operations
The following table sets forth the Company's working capital position at the end
of each of the past three years:

(millions)                 1998              1997            1996
Current assets           $154.5            $152.7          $189.7
Current liabilities        85.0              66.1            88.4
                           ----              ----            ----
Working capital           $69.5             $86.6          $101.3
                          =====             =====          ======
Current ratio          1.8 to 1          2.3 to 1        2.1 to 1

Cash flows provided by operations  totaled $20.5 million in 1998 and $20 million
in 1997. Proactive management efforts,  which led to reduction of inventories of
$6.6  million in 1998 and $13.1  million in 1997,  accounted  for a  significant
amount of the cash  flows.  The  Company's  profitability  in 1998 and 1997 also
contributed to the positive cash flow. Growth in inventories and net losses were
primarily responsible for the $6.5 million of cash used for operations in 1996.

Depreciation and amortization  charges were $14.0 million in 1998, $11.9 million
in 1997 and $10.6 million in 1996.  Amortization  of intangible  assets  arising
from the Company's 1998 and 1997  acquisitions and increased  depreciation  from
capital spending in all years accounted for the increases in these charges.

                              Investing Activities
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment were $14.2 million in 1998, $10.8
million in 1997, and $10.7 million in 1996. The Company's recurring  investments
are primarily  related to tooling for new products,  facilities and  information
systems  improvements.  In 1999,  capital  expenditures are anticipated to total
approximately  $12  million.  These  expenditures  are  expected to be funded by
working capital or existing credit facilities.

The Company  completed  the  acquisitions  of three  businesses  in 1998 and two
businesses in 1997, which increased  tangible and intangible  assets and debt by
$12.8  million  and  $37.2  million,  respectively.  The  sale of the  Company's
Plastimo business in January 1997 provided $13.9 million of cash, which was used
to reduce short-term debt.

                              Financing Activities
The following  table sets forth the Company's debt and capital  structure at the
end of the past three years:

(millions)                               1998              1997            1996
Current debt                            $42.6             $26.1           $43.1
Long-term debt                           82.1              88.7            61.5
                                         ----              ----            ----
Total debt                              124.7             114.8           104.6
Shareholders' equity                    124.4             117.7           126.4
                                        -----             -----           -----
Total capitalization                   $249.1            $232.5          $231.0
                                       ======            ======          ======
Total debt to total capital ratio        50.1%             49.4%           45.3%

Cash flows from financing  activities totaled $7.8 million in 1998, $6.9 million
in 1997 and $17.6  million in 1996. In 1998,  the Company  consummated a private
placement  of long-term  debt  totaling $25  million.  In  anticipation  of this
financing,  short-term debt to be repaid totaling $25 million at October 3, 1997
was  classified as long-term.  Payments on long-term debt required to be made in
1999 total $7.8 million.  At October 2, 1998,  the Company had available  unused
credit facilities in excess of $79 million, which is believed to be adequate for
its needs.

                                       9

<PAGE>

Market Risk Management
The Company is exposed to market risk stemming from changes in foreign  exchange
rates,  interest rates and, to a lesser  extent,  commodity  prices.  Changes in
these factors could cause fluctuations in earnings and cash flows. In the normal
course of business,  exposure to these market risks is managed by entering  into
hedging  transactions  authorized  under Company policies that place controls on
these  activities.  Hedging  transactions  involve  the  use  of  a  variety  of
derivative  financial  instruments.  Derivatives are used only where there is an
underlying exposure: not for trading or speculative purposes.

                               Foreign Operations
The  Company  has  significant  foreign  operations,  for which  the  functional
currencies are denominated  primarily in Swiss and French francs,  German marks,
Italian lire, Japanese yen and Canadian dollars. As the values of the currencies
of the  foreign  countries  in which the  Company  has  operations  increase  or
decrease relative to the U.S. dollar, the sales, expenses,  profits,  assets and
liabilities of the Company's  foreign  operations,  as reported in the Company's
Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  increase  or  decrease,  accordingly.  The
Company  mitigates a portion of the  fluctuations in certain foreign  currencies
through the purchase of foreign currency swaps, forward contracts and options to
hedge known  commitments,  primarily for purchases of inventory and other assets
denominated in foreign  currencies.  The  significant  appreciation  of the U.S.
dollar and the sale of the Plastimo business reduced the cumulative  translation
component  of  shareholders'  equity by $10.5  million  in 1997.  The  impact of
foreign currency movements were less significant in 1998 and 1996.

                                 Interest Rates
The Company's debt structure and interest rate risk are managed  through the use
of fixed and floating  rate debt.  The Company's  primary  exposure is to United
States interest rates. The Company also  periodically  enters into interest rate
swaps, caps or collars to hedge its exposure and lower financing costs.

                                  Commodities
Certain components used in the Company's products are exposed to commodity price
changes.  The Company  manages  this risk through  instruments  such as purchase
orders and  non-cancelable  supply contracts.  Primary commodity price exposures
are metals and packaging materials.

                        Sensitivity to Changes in Value
The  estimates  that follow are intended to measure the maximum  potential  fair
value or earnings  the Company  could lose in one year from  adverse  changes in
foreign exchange rates or market interest rates under normal market  conditions.
The  calculations  are not intended to represent  actual losses in fair value or
earnings  that the  Company  expects to incur.  The  estimates  do not  consider
favorable changes in market rates.  Further,  since the hedging  instrument (the
derivative) inversely correlates with the underlying exposure,  any loss or gain
in the fair value of  derivatives  would be  generally  offset by an increase or
decrease in the fair value of the underlying  exposures.  The positions included
in the calculations are foreign exchange forwards, currency swaps and fixed rate
debt. The calculations do not include the underlying  foreign exchange positions
that are hedged by these  market  risk  sensitive  instruments.  The table below
presents  the  estimated  maximum  potential  one year  loss in fair  value  and
earnings before income taxes from a 10% movement in foreign currencies and a 100
basis  point  movement  in  interest  rate  market  risk  sensitive  instruments
outstanding at October 2, 1998:

                                                             Estimated Impact on
                                                             Earnings Before
(millions)                                  Fair Value       Income Taxes
Foreign exchange rate instruments           $3.3             $0.6
Interest rate instruments                    3.9              0.8

                                       10

<PAGE>

Other Factors 

The Company has not been significantly  impacted by inflationary  pressures over
the last several years. The Company anticipates that changing costs of basic raw
materials may impact future operating costs and, accordingly,  the prices of its
products.  Fluctuations  in foreign  currencies  may also impact the cost of the
Company's  products.  The Company is involved in continuing programs to mitigate
the impact of cost increases  through changes in product design,  identification
of sourcing and  manufacturing  efficiencies and foreign currency hedges.  Price
increases  and, in certain  situations,  price  decreases  are  implemented  for
individual products, when appropriate.

Year 2000
The year 2000 issue is the result of computer  programs using two digits (rather
than four) to define years.  Computers or other  equipment  with date  sensitive
software may recognize "00" as the year 1900 rather than 2000. This could result
in  system  failures  or  miscalculations.  If the  Company  or its  significant
customers or suppliers fail to correct year 2000 issues,  the Company's  ability
to operate could be materially affected.

The Company has  assessed  the impact of year 2000 issues on the  processing  of
date-related  information for all of its information systems  infrastructure and
non-technical   assets,   such  as   production   equipment.   All  systems  and
non-technical  assets are in the process of being  inventoried and classified as
to their compliance with year 2000 data processing.  Any systems found year 2000
deficient will be modified,  upgraded or replaced.  Project plans anticipate all
existing,  critical information systems  infrastructure and non-technical assets
to be year 2000 compliant before failure to comply would  significantly  disrupt
the  Company's  operations.  Contingency  plans will be developed to address any
failures resulting from  relationships with customers,  suppliers or other third
parties.  The Company has made inquiries of its  suppliers,  customers and other
organizations  which impact the Company's  business,  but cannot  guarantee that
circumstances  beyond  its  control  will  not  have an  adverse  impact  on its
operations.

Since 1993,  the Company has invested  approximately  $10 million in information
systems  improvements  and has been migrating its businesses to systems that are
year 2000  compliant.  Based on  assessments  and testing to date, the financial
impact of addressing any potential  remaining  internal system issues should not
be material to the Company's financial  position,  results of operations or cash
flows.

Pending Accounting Changes
In June 1998, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
133,  Accounting  for  Derivative  Instruments  and  Hedging  Activities.   This
Statement  requires  companies  to record  derivatives  on the balance  sheet as
assets and liabilities,  measured at fair value.  Gains or losses resulting from
changes in the values of those  derivatives  will be accounted  for depending on
the use of the  derivative  and whether it qualifies for hedge  accounting.  The
Company has not yet determined  the impact of Statement 133 on the  Consolidated
Financial  Statements.  Statement  133 is effective  for fiscal years  beginning
after June 15,  1999.  The Company will adopt this  accounting  standard for the
year beginning October 1999.

The FASB has  issued a number  of  other  pronouncements  related  to  financial
statement  disclosure.  These  pronouncements  will  not  impact  the  financial
position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company, when adopted.


ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Information with respect to this item is included in Management's Discussion and
Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of  Operations  under the heading
"Market Risk Management."


ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 
Information with respect to this item is included on pages F-1 to F-18.


ITEM 9.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND 
          FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.


                                       11

<PAGE>

                                    PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Information  with  respect  to this  item,  except for  certain  information  on
executive  officers  (which  appears  at the end of Part I of  this  report)  is
included  in  the  Company's   January  26,  1999  Proxy  Statement,   which  is
incorporated herein by reference, under the headings "Election of Directors" and
"Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance."

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information  with respect to this item is included in the Company's  January 26,
1999 Proxy  Statement,  which is  incorporated  herein by  reference,  under the
headings  "Election of Directors -  Compensation  of Directors"  and  "Executive
Compensation"  provided,   however,  that  the  subsection  entitled  "Executive
Compensation - Compensation  Committee Report on Executive  Compensation"  shall
not be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
          MANAGEMENT
Information  with respect to this item is included in the Company's  January 26,
1999 Proxy  Statement,  which is  incorporated  herein by  reference,  under the
heading "Stock Ownership of Management and Others."


ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Information  with respect to this item is included in the Company's  January 26,
1999 Proxy  Statement,  which is  incorporated  herein by  reference,  under the
heading "Certain Transactions."


                                    PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS,  FINANCIAL  STATEMENT  SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K The
following documents are filed as a part of this Form 10-K:

Financial Statements
Included in Item 8 of Part II of this Form 10-K are the following:
Independent Auditors' Report
Consolidated Balance Sheets - October 2, 1998 and October 3, 1997
Consolidated  Statements of Operations - Years ended October 2, 1998, October 3,
1997 and September 27, 1996  Consolidated  Statements of Shareholders'  Equity -
Years ended October 2, 1998, October 3, 1997 and September 27, 1996 Consolidated
Statements  of Cash Flows - Years  ended  October  2, 1998,  October 3, 1997 and
September 27, 1996 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules are omitted because they are not  applicable,  are not required or
equivalent   information  has  been  included  in  the  Consolidated   Financial
Statements or notes thereto.

Exhibits
See Exhibit Index.

Reports on Form 8-K
No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the three months ended October 2, 1998.

                                       12

<PAGE>

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its
behalf  by the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly  authorized,  in the Town of Mount
Pleasant and State of Wisconsin, on the 16th day of December 1998.

                                    JOHNSON WORLDWIDE ASSOCIATES, INC.
                                    (Registrant)
                                    By      /s/ R. C. Whitaker
                                                R. C. Whitaker
                                    President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 16th
day of December 1998.

         /s/ Samuel C. Johnson             Chairman of the Board and Director
         (Samuel C. Johnson)

         /s/ Thomas F. Pyle, Jr.           Vice Chairman of the Board and
         (Thomas F. Pyle, Jr.)             Director

         /s/ R. C. Whitaker                President and Chief Executive Officer
         (R. C. Whitaker)                  and Director (Principal Executive 
                                           Officer)

         /s/ Helen P. Johnson-Leipold               Director
         (Helen P. Johnson-Leipold)

         /s/ Gregory E. Lawton                      Director
         (Gregory E. Lawton)

         /s/ Glenn N. Rupp                          Director
         (Glenn N. Rupp)

         /s/ Carl G. Schmidt               Senior Vice President and Chief
         (Carl G. Schmidt)                 Financial Officer, Secretary and 
                                           Treasurer
                                          (Principal Financial and Accounting 
                                           Officer)

                                       13

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit                       Title                                         Page
3.1  Articles of Incorporation of the Company.                                *
     (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form S-1 Registration
     Statement No. 33-16998 and incorporated herein by reference.)
3.2  Bylaws of the Company as amended through October 7, 1997                 *
     (Filed as Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's Form 10-K for the year
     ended October 3,  1997 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.1  Note Agreement dated May 1, 1993.                                        *
     (Filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company's Form 10-Q for
     the quarter ended July 2, 1993 and incorporated herein by
     reference.)
4.2  Letter Amendment dated September 30, 1993 to Note Agreement              *
     dated May 1, 1993. (Filed as Exhibit 4.8 to the Company's Form
     10-K for the year ended October 1, 1993 and incorporated herein
     by reference.)
4.3  Second Amendment dated October 31, 1996 to Note Agreement                *
     dated May 1, 1993. (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form 10-Q
     for the quarter ended December 27, 1996 and incorporated herein by 
     reference.)
4.4  Third Amendment dated September 30, 1997 to Note Agreement               *
     dated May 1, 1993. (Filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Form 10-K
     for the year ended October 3, 1997 and incorporated herein by 
     reference.)
4.5  Fourth Amendment dated October 3, 1997 to Note Agreement dated           *
     May 1, 1993. (Filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's Form 10-K for
     the year ended October 3, 1997 and incorporated herein by
     reference.)
4.6  Note Agreement dated October 1, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the       *
     Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 29, 1995 and
     incorporated herein by reference.)
4.7  First Amendment dated October 31, 1996 to Note Agreement dated           *
     October 1, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Form 10-Q
     for the quarter ended December 27, 1996 and incorporated herein by 
     reference.)
4.8  Second Amendment dated September 30, 1997 to Note Agreement dated        *
     October 1, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 4.8 to the Company's Form 10-K for
     the year ended October 3, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.9  Third Amendment dated October 3, 1997 to Note Agreement dated            *
     October 1, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 4.9 to the Company's Form 10-K for
     the year ended October 3, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.10 Note Agreement dated as of September 15, 1997. (Filed as Exhibit 4.15    *
     to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended October 3, 1997 and
     incorporated herein by reference.)
4.11 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of April 3, 1998.         *
     (Filed as Exhibit 4.16 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter
     ended April 3, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference.)
9.   Johnson Worldwide Associates,  Inc. Class B common stock Voting * Trust
     Agreement, dated December 30, 1993 (Filed as Exhibit 9 to the Company's
     Form 10-Q for the quarter  ended  December  31,  1993 and  incorporated
     herein by reference.)
10.1 Asset Purchase Agreement between Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc.      *
     and Safari Land Ltd., Inc. dated as of March 31, 1995 (Filed as Exhibit
     2 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter  ended March 31, 1995 and
     incorporated herein by reference.)
10.2 Share Purchase Agreement by and between Johnson Worldwide                *
     Associates, Inc., Societe  Figeacoise de Participations and Plastimo,
     S.A., dated as of January 30, 1997. (Filed as Exhibit 2 to the
     Company's Form 8-K dated January 30, 1997 and incorporated herein
     by reference.)
10.3 Share Purchase Agreement by and between Johnson                          *
     Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc. and
     Heinz Ruchti and Karl Leeman (the selling shareholders of Uwatec AG),
     dated July 11, 1997. (Filed as Exhibit 2 to the Company's Form 8-K
     dated July 11, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.)

                                       14

<PAGE>

Exhibit                           Title                                     Page
10.4+  Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc. Amended and Restated 1986           *
       Stock Option Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form
       10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 1993 and incorporated herein
       by reference.)
10.5   Registration Rights Agreement regarding Johnson Worldwide              *
       Associates, Inc. common stock issued to the Johnson family prior
       to the acquisition of Johnson Diversified, Inc. (Filed as
       Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Form S-1 Registration
       Statement No. 33-16998 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.6   Registration Rights Agreement regarding Johnson Worldwide              *
       Associate,  Inc. Class A common stock held by Mr. Samuel C.
       Johnson. (Filed as Exhibit 28 to the Company's Form 10-Q for
       the quarter ended March 29, 1991 and incorporated herein
       by reference.)
10.7+  Form of Restricted Stock Agreement. (Filed as Exhibit 10.8 to          *
       the  Company's Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-23299 and
       incorporated herein by reference.)
10.8+  Form of Supplemental Retirement Agreement of Johnson Diversified,      *
       Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Form S-1
       Registration Statement No. 33-16998 and incorporated herein
       by reference.)
10.9+  Johnson Worldwide Associates Retirement and Savings Plan.              *
       (Filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Form 10-K for the year
       ended September 29, 1989 and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.10+ Form of Agreement of Indemnity and Exoneration with Directors and      *
       Officers. (Filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Company's Form S-1
       Registration Statement No. 33-16998 and incorporated herein by
       reference.)
10.11  Consulting and administrative agreements with S. C. Johnson &          *
       Son, Inc.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Form S-1
       Registration Statement No. 33-16998 and incorporated herein
       by reference.)
10.12+ Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc. 1994 Long-Term Stock                *
       Incentive Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company's S-8
       Registration Statement No. 33-59325 and incorporated herein
       by reference.)
10.13+ Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc. 1994 Non-Employee Director
       * Stock Ownership Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company's
       Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-52073 and incorporated 
       herein by reference.)
10.14+ Johnson Worldwide Associates Economic Value Added Bonus Plan           *
       (Filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the  Company's  Form 10-K for the year
       ended October 3, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.)
11.    Statement regarding  computation of per share earnings.                *
       (Incorporated by reference to Note 14 to the  Consolidated  
       Financial  Statements  on page F-17 of the Company's 1998 Form 
       10-K.)
21.    Subsidiaries of the Company as of October 2, 1998.                     -
23.    Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.                                      -
27.    Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR version only)                           -
99.    Definitive Proxy Statement for the 1999 Annual Meeting of              *
       Shareholders  (Previously  filed via the EDGAR system and  
       incorporated herein by  reference.)  Except  to the  extent
       incorporated  herein by  reference, the  Proxy  Statement
       for the 1999  Annual  Meeting  of Shareholders  shall not be 
       deemed to be filed with the  Securities  and Exchange Commission 
       as part of this Form 10-K.

* Incorporated herein by reference.
+ A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.


                                       15

<PAGE>

Consolidated Financial Statements
                                                                      Page
Report of Management ..............................................    F-1
Independent Auditors' Report ......................................    F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets .......................................    F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations .............................    F-3
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity ...................    F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows .............................    F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ........................    F-6


<PAGE>


REPORT OF MANAGEMENT

The management of Johnson  Worldwide  Associates,  Inc. is  responsible  for the
preparation  and integrity of all  financial  statements  and other  information
contained in this Form 10-K. We rely on a system of internal  financial controls
to meet the  responsibility  of providing  accurate  financial  statements.  The
system  provides  reasonable  assurances  that  assets  are  safeguarded,   that
transactions are executed in accordance with management's authorization and that
the financial  statements are prepared on a worldwide  basis in accordance  with
generally accepted accounting principles.

The  financial  statements  for each of the years covered in this Form 10-K have
been  audited  by  independent  auditors,   who  have  provided  an  independent
assessment as to the fairness of the financial  statements,  after  obtaining an
understanding of the Company's  systems and procedures and performing such other
tests as deemed necessary.

The Audit  Committee  of the Board of  Directors,  which is  composed  solely of
directors  who are not officers of the Company,  meets with  management  and the
independent  auditors to review the results of their work and to satisfy  itself
that  their  respective  responsibilities  are being  properly  discharged.  The
independent  auditors have full and free access to the Audit  Committee and have
regular  discussions  with the  Committee  regarding  appropriate  auditing  and
financial reporting matters.

/S/R.C. Whitaker                                     /S/Carl G. Schmidt
R. C. Whitaker                                       Carl G. Schmidt
President and Chief Executive Officer                Senior Vice President and
                                                     Chief Financial Officer


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

Shareholders and Board of Directors
Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc.:

We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Johnson Worldwide Associates,
Inc. and subsidiaries as of October 2, 1998 and October 3, 1997, and the related
consolidated statements of operations,  shareholders' equity, and cash flows for
each of the  years  in the  three-year  period  ended  October  2,  1998.  These
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  are  the  responsibility  of the  Company's
management.  Our  responsibility is to express an opinion on these  Consolidated
Financial Statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the Consolidated  Financial Statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material  respects,  the financial  position of Johnson Worldwide
Associates, Inc. and subsidiaries as of October 2, 1998 and October 3, 1997, and
the  results of their  operations  and their cash flows for each of the years in
the  three-year  period ended  October 2, 1998,  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted accounting principles.


/S/KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
November 10, 1998

                                      F-1

<PAGE>


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                    October 2,       October 3,
(thousands, except share data)                           1998              1997
Assets
Current assets:
   Cash and temporary cash investments                $11,496           $7,130
   Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
     accounts of $2,570 and $2,693, respectively       53,421           51,168

   Inventories                                         76,603           78,694
   Deferred income taxes                                6,067            7,976
   Other current assets                                 6,933            7,781
                                                        -----            -----
Total current assets                                  154,520          152,749
                                                      -------          -------

Property, plant and equipment                          35,469           31,360
Deferred income taxes                                  15,435           10,221
Intangible assets                                      90,101           82,127
Other assets                                              492              562
                                                          ---              ---
Total assets                                         $296,017         $277,019
                                                     ========         ========
Liabilities And Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
   Short-term debt and current maturities
     of long-term debt                                $42,614          $26,082
   Accounts payable                                    11,681           10,672
   Accrued liabilities:
       Salaries and wages                               6,213            4,974
       Income taxes                                     3,019            2,076
       Other                                           21,492           22,305
                                                       ------           ------

Total current liabilities                              85,019           66,109
Long-term debt, less current maturities                82,066           88,753
Other liabilities                                       4,546            4,426
                                                        -----            -----

Total liabilities                                     171,631          159,288
                                                      -------          -------

Shareholders' equity:
   Preferred stock: none issued                             -                -
   Common stock:
       Class A shares issued:
                October 2, 1998, 6,909,577;
                October 3, 1997, 6,905,523                345              345
       Class B shares issued (convertible into 
         Class A):
                October 2, 1998, 1,223,861;
                October 3, 1997, 1,227,915                 61               61
   Capital in excess of par value                      44,205           44,186
   Retained earnings                                   85,068           79,882
   Contingent compensation                                (27)             (85)
   Cumulative translation adjustment                   (4,651)          (6,356)
   Treasury stock, Class A shares, at cost:
            October 2, 1998, 39,532;
            October 3, 1997, 23,600                      (615)            (302)
                                                      --------         --------

Total shareholders' equity                            124,386          117,731
                                                      -------          -------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity           $296,017         $277,019
                                                     ========         ========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements.


                                      F-2

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<CAPTION>

                                                                                      Year Ended
                                                    October 2,       October 3,     September 27,
(thousands, except per share data)                       1998              1997             1996
<S>                                                  <C>               <C>              <C>
Net sales                                            $328,525          $303,121         $344,373
Cost of sales                                         202,561           191,789          224,649
                                                      -------           -------          -------

Gross profit                                          125,964           111,332          119,724
                                                      -------           -------          -------

Operating expenses:
    Marketing and selling                              67,567            66,259           78,348
    Finance, information systems and
             administrative management                 25,981            23,031           26,139
    Research and development                            7,033             5,453            6,537
    Amortization of acquisition costs                   3,789             2,631            2,500
    Profit sharing                                      1,447             1,612              908
    Nonrecurring charges                                1,424               335            6,768
                                                        -----               ---            -----

Total operating expenses                              107,241            99,321          121,200
                                                      -------            ------          -------

Operating profit (loss)                                18,723            12,011           (1,476)
Interest income                                          (363)             (471)            (612)
Interest expense                                        9,829             8,780           10,181
Other (income) expense, net                               108              (257)             116
                                                          ---              ----              ---

Income (loss) before income taxes                       9,149             3,959          (11,161)
Income tax expense                                      3,937             1,903              194
                                                        -----             -----              ---

Net income (loss)                                      $5,212            $2,056         $(11,355)
                                                       ======            ======         ========

Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share                  $0.64             $0.25           $(1.40)
                                                        =====             =====           ====== 
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share                $0.64             $0.25           $(1.40)
                                                        =====             =====           ====== 
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

                                      F-3

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
<CAPTION>

                                                   Capital in                            Cumulative
                                         Common     Excess of    Retained  Contingent   Translation     Treasury
(thousands)                               Stock     Par Value    Earnings Compensation   Adjustment        Stock
<S>                                        <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>    
Balance at September 29, 1995              $406       $43,968     $89,525      $(264)        $7,869        $(242) 
Net loss                                      -             -     (11,355)         -              -            -
Exercise of stock options                     -             -         (98)         -              -          295
Tax benefit of stock options exercised        -            61           -          -              -            -
Issuance of restricted stock                  -             -           -        (67)             -           67
Issuance of stock under employee            
         stock purchase plan                  -            55        (132)         -              -          291
Amortization of contingent compensation       -             -           -        210              -            -
Other treasury stock transactions             -             -           -          -              -         (411)
Translation adjustment                        -             -           -          -         (3,754)           -
                                            ---        ------      ------        ---         ------        -----
Balance at September 27, 1996               406        44,084      77,940       (121)         4,115            -
Net income                                    -             -       2,056          -              -            -
Exercise of stock options                     -             -        (114)         -              -          284
Tax benefit of stock options exercised        -            58           -          -              -            -
Issuance of restricted stock                  -            44           -        (67)             -           23
Amortization of contingent compensation       -             -           -        103              -            -
Other treasury stock transactions             -             -           -          -              -         (609)
Translation adjustment                        -             -           -          -        (10,471)           -
                                            ---        ------      ------        ---        --------       -----
Balance at October 3, 1997                  406        44,186      79,882        (85)        (6,356)        (302)
Net income                                    -             -       5,212          -              -            -
Exercise of stock options                     -             -          (4)         -              -          146
Tax benefit of stock options exercised        -             6           -          -              -            -
Issuance of restricted stock                  -            13           -        (32)             -           32
Issuance of stock under employee
         stock purchase plan                  -             -         (22)         -              -          177
Amortization of contingent compensation       -             -           -         90              -            -
Other treasury stock transactions             -             -           -          -              -         (668)
Translation adjustment                        -             -           -          -          1,705            -
                                          -----       -------     -------       ----        -------       ------
Balance at October 2, 1998                 $406       $44,205     $85,068       $(27)       $(4,651)       $(615)
                                           ====       =======     =======       ====       ========       ======
</TABLE>
The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  Consolidated  Financial
Statements.

                                      F-4

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Year Ended
                                                  October 2,        October 3,      September 27,
(thousands)                                            1998              1997               1996
<S>                                                  <C>               <C>              <C>
Cash Provided By (Used For) Operations
Net income (loss)                                    $5,212            $2,056           $(11,355)
Noncash items:
   Depreciation and amortization                     14,038            11,949             10,561
   Provision for doubtful accounts receivable           918             1,604              1,662
   Provision for inventory reserves                     343               445             12,202
   Deferred income taxes                             (3,355)           (4,127)            (6,842)
   Writedown of property, plant and equipment             -                 -              1,846
   Writedown of intangible assets                         -                 -              1,070
   Loss on sale of business                               -                 -              2,000
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effect 
  of businesses acquired  or sold:
   Accounts receivable                               (1,743)           (2,747)             2,412
   Inventories                                        6,583            13,071            (17,571)
   Accounts payable and
   other accrued liabilities                         (2,170)           (3,749)            (1,128)
   Other, net                                           685             1,489             (1,332)
                                                        ---             -----             ------ 
                                                     20,511            19,991             (6,475)
                                                     ------            ------             ------ 
Cash Used For Investing Activities
Net assets of businesses acquired, net of cash      (12,772)          (37,169)                 -
Proceeds from sale of business, net of cash          -                 13,937                  -
Additions to property, plant and equipment          (14,202)          (10,816)           (10,685)
Sales of property, plant and equipment                2,686             2,596              3,583
                                                      -----             -----              -----
                                                    (24,288)          (31,452)            (7,102)
                                                    -------           -------             ------ 
Cash Provided By Financing Activities
Issuance of senior notes                             25,000                 -             45,000
Issuance of other long-term notes                         -            10,543                  -
Principal payments on senior notes and other
         long-term notes                             (8,381)           (7,358)            (7,341)
Repayment of revolving credit facilities                  -                 -            (13,412)
Net change in short-term debt                        (8,424)            4,085             (6,717)
Common stock transactions                              (352)             (382)                61
                                                       ----              ----                 --
                                                      7,843             6,888             17,591
Effect of foreign currency fluctuations on cash         300              (994)              (261)
                                                        ---              ----               ----
Increase (decrease) in cash and temporary
         cash investments                             4,366            (5,567)             3,753
Cash And Temporary Cash Investments
Beginning of year                                     7,130            12,697              8,944
                                                      -----            ------              -----
End of year                                         $11,496            $7,130            $12,697
                                                    =======            ======            =======
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial
Statements.

                                      F-5

<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Johnson Worldwide Associates,  Inc. is an integrated,  global outdoor recreation
products company engaged in the design,  manufacture and marketing of brand name
motors and diving, watercraft, outdoor equipment and fishing products.

1  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
All  monetary  amounts,  other than share and per share  amounts,  are stated in
thousands.

Principles of Consolidation
The Consolidated  Financial Statements include the accounts of Johnson Worldwide
Associates, Inc. and all majority owned subsidiaries (the Company).  Significant
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and operating results and the
disclosure of  commitments  and  contingent  liabilities.  Actual  results could
differ  significantly  from  those  estimates.  For  the  Company,   significant
estimates include the allowance for doubtful accounts  receivable,  reserves for
inventory valuation and the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.

The Company's  fiscal year ends on the Friday  nearest  September 30. The fiscal
years  ended  October  2,  1998  (hereinafter   1998)  and  September  27,  1996
(hereinafter 1996) each comprise 52 weeks. The fiscal year ended October 3, 1997
(hereinafter 1997) comprises 53 weeks.

Cash and Temporary Cash Investments
For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers
all short-term  investments in  interest-bearing  bank accounts,  securities and
other  instruments  with an  original  maturity of three  months or less,  to be
equivalent  to cash.  The Company  maintains  cash in bank accounts in excess of
insured  limits.  The Company has not experienced any losses as a result of this
practice and does not believe that significant credit risk exists.

Inventories
Inventories  are  stated at the lower of cost  (determined  using the  first-in,
first-out method) or market.

Inventories at the end of the respective years consist of the following:

                                                      1998             1997
Raw materials                                       $27,834          $27,032
Work in process                                       4,753            5,036
Finished goods                                       49,875           56,846
                                                     ------           ------
                                                     82,462           88,914
Less reserves                                         5,859           10,220
                                                      -----           ------
                                                    $76,603          $78,694
                                                    =======          =======

In 1996, the Company  recorded  charges  totaling $10,304 to reduce the carrying
value of certain elements of inventory to their net realizable value.

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated  depreciation.
Depreciation  of  plant  and  equipment  is  determined  by  straight-line   and
accelerated methods over estimated useful lives, which range from 3 to 30 years.

Upon retirement or disposition,  cost and the related  accumulated  depreciation
are removed from the accounts and any  resulting  gain or loss is  recognized in
operating results.

Property,  plant and equipment at the end of the respective years consist of the
following:

                                                       1998             1997
Property and improvements                           $   912          $   956
Buildings and improvements                           16,827           16,086
Furniture, fixtures and equipment                    78,351           63,853
                                                     ------           ------
                                                     96,090           80,895
Less accumulated depreciation                        60,621           49,535
                                                     ------           ------
                                                    $35,469          $31,360
                                                    =======          =======

                                      F-6

<PAGE>

Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization
is computed using the  straight-line  method with periods  ranging from 15 to 40
years  for  goodwill  and  3 to 16  years  for  patents,  trademarks  and  other
intangible assets.

The Company annually assesses the recoverability of intangible assets, primarily
by determining  whether the  amortization of the balance over its remaining life
can be recovered through projected  undiscounted  future operating cash flows of
the acquired business.  The amount of impairment,  if any, is measured primarily
based on the  deficiency of projected  discounted  future  operating  cash flows
relative  to the  value of the  asset,  using a  discount  rate  reflecting  the
Company's cost of capital, which is currently approximately 11%.

Intangible assets at the end of the respective years consist of the following:

                                                        1998            1997
Goodwill                                            $105,829         $94,274
Patents, trademarks and other                          4,683           4,113
                                                       -----           -----
                                                     110,512          98,387
Less accumulated amortization                         20,411          16,260
                                                      ------          ------
                                                     $90,101         $82,127
                                                     =======         =======

Income Taxes
The Company  provides for income taxes  currently  payable,  and deferred income
taxes  resulting  from temporary  differences  between  financial  statement and
taxable income, using the asset and liability method.

Federal  and state  income  taxes are  provided  on  foreign  subsidiary  income
distributed  to or taxable in the United  States  during the year. At October 2,
1998, net undistributed  earnings of foreign  subsidiaries  total  approximately
$51,400.  A  substantial   portion  of  these  unremitted   earnings  have  been
permanently  invested abroad and no provision for federal or state taxes is made
on these amounts.  With respect to that portion of foreign earnings which may be
returned to the United  States,  provision  is made for taxes if the amounts are
significant.

The Company's  United States  entities file a  consolidated  federal  income tax
return.

Employee Benefits
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries  have various  retirement and profit
sharing plans. United States pension  obligations,  which are generally based on
compensation  and years of  service,  are funded by  payments  to  pension  fund
trustees.  Other  foreign  pensions  are funded as expenses  are  incurred.  The
Company's  policy is generally  to fund the minimum  amount  required  under the
Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act of 1974 for plans  subject  thereto.
Profit sharing costs are funded at least annually.

Foreign Operations and Derivative Financial Instruments
The  Company  operates  internationally,  which gives rise to exposure to market
risk from movements in foreign exchange rates. The Company uses foreign currency
forward  contracts  and  options in its  selective  hedging of foreign  exchange
exposure. Gains and losses on contracts that qualify as hedges are recognized as
an adjustment of the carrying amount of the item hedged.  The Company  primarily
hedges assets,  inventory purchases and loans denominated in foreign currencies.
The Company does not enter into foreign exchange contracts for trading purposes.
Gains and losses on unhedged exposures are recorded in operating results.

At October 2, 1998,  foreign  currency  forward  contracts  and  options  with a
notional  value of  approximately  $6,700  are in place,  hedging  existing  and
anticipated  transactions.  Substantially all of these contracts mature in 1999.
Failure of the counterparties to perform their obligations under these contracts
would  expose the Company to the risk of foreign  currency  rate  movements  for
those  contracts.  The  Company  does not believe  the risk is  significant.  At
October 2, 1998, the fair value of these instruments is not significant.

Foreign currency swaps effectively denominate,  in foreign currencies,  existing
U.S. dollar  denominated debt of the Company.  This foreign currency debt serves
as a hedge of foreign  assets.  Accordingly,  gains and losses on such swaps are
recorded in shareholders' equity.

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at
the rate of exchange existing at the end of the year.  Results of operations are
translated at monthly average  exchange rates.  Gains and losses  resulting from
the  translation of foreign  currency  financial  statements are classified as a
separate component of shareholders' equity.

                                      F-7

<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Revenue Recognition
Revenue  from sales is  recognized  on the  accrual  basis,  primarily  upon the
shipment of products, net of estimated costs of returns and allowances.

Advertising
The  Company  expenses   substantially   all  costs  related  to  production  of
advertising the first time the advertising takes place.  Cooperative promotional
arrangements are accrued in relation to sales.

Advertising expense in 1998, 1997 and 1996 totals $18,475,  $21,512 and $26,657,
respectively.  Capitalized  costs at October  2, 1998 and  October 3, 1997 total
$1,635 and $1,947,  respectively,  and primarily  include  catalogs and costs of
advertising which has not yet run for the first time.

Research and Development
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation
The Company  accounts for stock options using the intrinsic  value based method.
Accordingly,  compensation  cost is generally  recognized only for stock options
issued with an exercise  price lower than the market price on the date of grant.
The fair value of  restricted  shares  awarded in excess of the amount  paid for
such shares is recognized as contingent  compensation and is amortized over 1 to
3 years  from the  date of  award,  the  period  after  which  all  restrictions
generally lapse.

Pending Accounting Changes
In June 1998, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
133,  Accounting  for  Derivative  Instruments  and  Hedging  Activities.   This
Statement  requires  companies  to record  derivatives  on the balance  sheet as
assets and liabilities,  measured at fair value.  Gains or losses resulting from
changes in the values of those  derivatives  will be accounted  for depending on
the use of the  derivative  and whether it qualifies for hedge  accounting.  The
Company has not yet determined  the impact of Statement 133 on the  Consolidated
Financial  Statements.  Statement  133 is effective  for fiscal years  beginning
after June 15,  1999.  The Company will adopt this  accounting  standard for the
year beginning October 1999.

The FASB has  issued a number  of  other  pronouncements  related  to  financial
statement  disclosure.  These  pronouncements  will  not  impact  the  financial
position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company, when adopted.


2  NONRECURRING CHARGES
In 1998 and 1997, the Company  recorded  severance and other exit costs totaling
$1,424  and  $335,   respectively,   related  to  the  integration  of  acquired
businesses.  1998 severance  costs totaled $781 and  approximately  80 employees
were impacted by these actions.

In 1996,  the  Company  recorded  involuntary  severance  and other  exit  costs
totaling $1,852 related to the relocation of one of its manufacturing  locations
and  the  outsourcing  of  the  distribution   function  of  another   business.
Substantially  all of the $1,389  remaining  accrued  liability at September 27,
1996 was disbursed in 1997.  Approximately  80 employees  were impacted by these
actions.

In 1996, the Company  adopted FASB Statement 121,  Accounting for the Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of, and determined
that certain of its products would be discontinued. As a result, assets totaling
$1,846,  consisting  primarily  of tooling,  were  written off. The Company also
determined that the carrying value of goodwill of one of its subsidiaries, which
the Company  subsequently  closed,  could not be recovered through  undiscounted
future cash flows. Accordingly,  the related intangible assets, totaling $1,070,
were written off.

In 1996, the Board of Directors approved a plan to divest the Company's Plastimo
business. The Company estimated the sale of this business would result in a loss
of $2,000. Accordingly,  this loss was recognized in 1996 operating results. The
Company  completed  the sale of this  business in 1997 without  recognizing  any
additional gain or loss. Net sales and operating losses of this business, to the
date of  disposition,  were $7,910 and $1,184,  respectively,  in 1997. 1996 net
sales and operating profit of the Plastimo  business totaled $36,391 and $2,002,
respectively.

                                      F-8

<PAGE>

3  ACQUISITIONS
In February 1998, the Company  completed the  acquisition of the common stock of
Leisure Life Limited, a privately held manufacturer and marketer of recreational
watercraft.  The purchase price,  including direct expenses, for the acquisition
was  approximately  $10,300,  of which  approximately  $7,300  was  recorded  as
intangible assets and is being amortized over 25 years.

In October  1997,  subsequent  to the end of the 1997 fiscal  year,  the Company
completed the  acquisitions of certain assets of Soniform,  Inc., a manufacturer
of diving  buoyancy  compensators,  and the common  stock of  Plastiques  L.P.A.
Limitee,  a privately held Canadian  manufacturer of kayaks. The purchase prices
for the acquisitions total approximately $3,400.

The following  pro forma  operating  results are unaudited and reflect  purchase
accounting  adjustments  assuming all 1998  acquisitions had been consummated at
the beginning of each year presented:

                                             1998                      1997
Net sales                                $329,779                  $322,506
Net income                                  4,392                     1,947
Diluted earnings per common share            0.54                      0.24

In July 1997,  the Company  completed  the  acquisition  of the common  stock of
Uwatec AG (hereinafter  Uwatec),  a privately held  manufacturer and marketer of
diving computers and other electronic  instruments.  The initial purchase price,
including direct expenses,  for the acquisition was  approximately  $33,500,  of
which $32,800 was recorded as intangible  assets and is being  amortized over 25
years.  Additional  payments in 1999 and 2000 are dependent upon  achievement of
specified levels of  profitability of the acquired  business or upon utilization
of  certain  acquired  inventories.  An  additional  payment of $432 was made in
October 1998. In connection  with the  acquisition,  the Company  entered into a
long-term  product  development  and  intellectual  property  agreement  with an
unaffiliated party with which Uwatec conducts business.

In July 1997, the Company  completed the acquisition of substantially all of the
assets of Ocean  Kayak,  Inc.,  a privately  held  manufacturer  and marketer of
kayaks.  The  initial  purchase  price,   including  direct  expenses,  for  the
acquisition was approximately $5,000, of which $2,700 was recorded as intangible
assets and is being  amortized over 25 years.  An additional  payment in 1999 is
dependent  upon  achievement  of  specified  levels  of  sales  of the  acquired
business. An additional payment of $600 was accrued in 1998.

Additional  payments  in the years 1999  through  2001  related to  acquisitions
consummated  in 1995 are dependent upon the  achievement of specified  levels of
sales and/or  profitability of certain of the acquired  products.  No additional
payments were required in 1998, 1997 or 1996.

All acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method and,  accordingly,
the Consolidated  Financial  Statements  include the results of operations since
the respective  dates of acquisition.  Additional  payments,  if required,  will
increase intangible assets in future years.


4  INDEBTEDNESS
Short-term debt at the end of the respective years consists of the following:

                                                       1998             1997
Commercial paper and bank loans                     $34,846          $43,118
Current maturities of long-term debt                  7,768            7,964
                                                      -----            -----
                                                     42,614           51,082
Less short-term debt to be refinanced                    -            25,000
                                                    -------           ------
                                                    $42,614          $26,082
                                                    =======           ======

Short-term  credit  facilities  provide for  borrowings  with interest rates set
periodically  by reference to market  rates.  Commercial  paper rates are set by
competitive   bidding.   The  weighted   average  interest  rate  on  short-term
indebtedness  was  6.0%  and 5.6% at  October  2,  1998  and  October  3,  1997,
respectively.  The Company's  primary  facility is a $100,000  revolving  credit
agreement  expiring  in 2001,  which  includes  a maximum  amount of  $80,000 in
support of  commercial  paper  issuance.  The Company has lines of credit,  both
foreign and domestic, totaling $127,000 of which $79,000 is available at October
2, 1998.  The  Company  also  utilizes  letters  of credit  for trade  financing
purposes.

                                      F-9

<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Long-term debt at the end of the respective years consists of the following:

                                                        1998             1997
1998 senior notes                                    $27,369          $     -
1996 senior notes                                     45,000           45,000
1993 senior notes                                      7,500           15,000
Short-term debt to be refinanced                         -             25,000
Other long-term notes, 1.8% to 10.9%, 
  maturing through December 2005                       9,965           11,717
                                                       -----           ------
                                                      89,834           96,717
Less current maturities                                7,768            7,964
                                                       -----          -------
                                                     $82,066          $88,753
                                                     =======          =======

In October 1997, the Company issued unsecured senior notes totaling $25,000 with
an interest rate of 7.15%.  Simultaneous  with the commitment of the 1998 senior
notes,  the Company  executed a foreign  currency  swap,  denominating  in Swiss
francs all principal and interest payments required under the 1998 senior notes.
The fixed,  effective  interest  rate to be paid on the 1998  senior  notes as a
result  of the  currency  swap is  4.32%.  The 1998  senior  notes  have  annual
principal  payments  of  $2,189 to $7,663  beginning  October  2001 with a final
payment due October  2007.  Proceeds from issuance of the 1998 senior notes were
used to reduce  outstanding  indebtedness  under the Company's primary revolving
credit facility.  The funding  commitment for the 1998 senior notes was received
in July 1997.  Outstanding  short-term debt totaling  $25,000 at October 3, 1997
was classified as long-term in anticipation of refinancing  with the proceeds of
the 1998 senior notes.

$8,978  of the  initial  purchase  price of Uwatec is  deferred  with  principal
payments of $427 and $8,551 due in 2000 and 2002, respectively.  Interest on the
deferred  amounts is payable  annually at 6%. This  obligation is denominated in
Swiss francs.  The obligation was reduced by $1,711 in 1998 from  liabilities to
third  parties  paid  or  accrued  by the  Company  on  behalf  of  the  selling
shareholders.  A corresponding  amount of the Company's primary revolving credit
facility is reserved in support of this obligation  through issuance of a letter
of credit.

In 1996, the Company  issued  unsecured  senior notes  totaling  $30,000 with an
interest rate of 7.77% and $15,000 with an interest rate of 6.98%.  Total annual
principal  payments  ranging  from  $5,500 to $7,500 are due  beginning  in 2000
through 2006.

In 1993, the Company  issued  unsecured  senior notes  totaling  $15,000 with an
interest rate of 6.58%. The final principal payment of $7,500 is due in 1999.

Aggregate  scheduled  maturities  of  long-term  debt in each of the five  years
ending September 2003 are as follows:

Year
1999                                               $  7,800
2000                                                  6,100
2001                                                  6,200
2002                                                 16,900
2003                                                  8,400

Interest  paid  was  $9,119,   $9,046  and  $8,853  for  1998,  1997  and  1996,
respectively.

Based on the borrowing  rates  currently  available to the Company for debt with
similar terms and average maturities,  the fair value of the Company's long-term
debt as of October  2, 1998 and  October 3, 1997 is  approximately  $92,300  and
$98,700,  respectively.  The carrying value of all other  financial  instruments
approximates the fair value.

Certain of the Company's loan agreements require that Samuel C. Johnson, members
of his family and related entities  (hereinafter the Johnson Family) continue to
own stock having votes  sufficient to elect a 51% majority of the directors.  At
October 2, 1998, the Johnson Family held  approximately  3,099,000 shares or 45%
of the Class A common stock,


                                      F-10

<PAGE>

approximately  1,168,000  shares  or  95%  of  the  Class  B  common  stock  and
approximately 77% of the voting power of both classes of common stock taken as a
whole. The agreements also contain restrictive covenants regarding the Company's
net worth, indebtedness, fixed charge coverage and distribution of earnings. The
Company is in compliance with the restrictive  covenants of such agreements,  as
amended from time to time.


5  LEASES AND OTHER COMMITMENTS
The Company  leases  certain  operating  facilities  and machinery and equipment
under  long-term,   noncancelable   operating  leases.   Future  minimum  rental
commitments  under  noncancelable  operating  leases  having an initial  term in
excess of one year at October 2, 1998 are as follows:

Year
1999                                                $5,900
2000                                                 5,000
2001                                                 4,400
2002                                                 4,000
2003                                                 2,200
Thereafter                                           4,500

Rental expense under all leases was approximately  $6,101, $4,338 and $5,309 for
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

In November 1998,  the Company  executed a guarantee of $1,300 of debt of one of
its suppliers.  The guarantee is supported by a priority lien on equipment owned
by the supplier.

The Company makes  commitments  in a broad variety of areas,  including  capital
expenditures,  contracts for services, sponsorship of broadcast media and supply
of finished products and components,  all of which are in the ordinary course of
business.


6  INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense (benefit) for the respective years consists of the following:

                                        1998              1997             1996
Current:
         Federal                         $56              $242             $518
         State                           514               (11)             346
         Foreign                       6,672             5,847            6,239
Deferred                              (3,305)           (4,175)          (6,909)
                                      ------             -----            -----
                                      $3,937            $1,903             $194
                                      ======            ======             ====
                            
The significant components of deferred tax expense (benefit) are as follows:

                                        1998              1997             1996

Deferred tax benefit (exclusive of 
         effects of other components
         listed below)               $(3,045)          $(4,121)         $(7,304)
Increase (decrease) in beginning of 
         the year balance of the 
         valuation allowance for 
         deferred tax assets            (260)              (54)             395
                                     -------            ------         --------
                                     $(3,305)          $(4,175)         $(6,909)
                                     =======           =======          ======= 

In assessing the  realizability  of deferred tax assets,  the Company  considers
whether it is more likely than not that some  portion or all of the deferred tax
assets will not be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is
dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the years in which
those  temporary  differences  become  deductible.  The  Company  considers  the
scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities,  projected future taxable income
and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

                                      F-11

<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The tax effects of temporary  differences that give rise to significant portions
of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at the end of the respective
years are presented below:

                                                      1998             1997
Deferred tax assets:
         Inventories                                $3,299           $4,773
         Compensation                                2,205            2,555
         Foreign income taxes                        1,212            1,100
         Foreign tax credit carryforwards            4,211            4,211
         Net operating loss carryforwards           15,986            9,487
         Other                                       4,152            3,645
                                                     -----            -----
Total gross deferred tax assets                     31,065           25,771
Less valuation allowance                             5,911            4,417
                                                     -----            -----
                                                    25,154           21,354
                                                    ------           ------
Deferred tax liabilities:
         Foreign statutory reserves                  2,334            2,041
         Acquisition accounting                      1,318            1,116
                                                     -----            -----
Total deferred tax liabilities                       3,652            3,157
                                                     -----            -----
Net deferred tax asset                             $21,502          $18,197
                                                   =======          =======

Following  is the income  (loss)  before income  taxes for domestic and foreign
operations:


                                        1998             1997          1996
United States                        $(6,503)         $(6,998)     $(25,276)
Foreign                               15,652           10,957        14,115
                                      ------           ------        ------
                                      $9,149           $3,959      $(11,161)
                                      ======           ======      ========

The  significant  differences  between  the  statutory  federal tax rate and the
effective income tax rates are as follows:

                                               1998        1997          1996
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate         34.0%       34.0%        (34.0)%
State income taxes, net of federal
  income tax benefit                           (3.0)       (6.2)         (3.4)
Foreign rate differential                      12.7        23.9          22.8
Basis difference on divestiture of
  business                                        -           -           7.5
Change in beginning of year valuation
  allowance for foreign tax credits               -           -           3.9
Foreign operating losses (benefit)             (1.4)       (2.0)          1.2
Other                                           0.7        (1.6)          3.7
                                                ---        ----           ---
                                               43.0%       48.1%          1.7%
                                               ====        ====          ====

At October 2, 1998,  the Company has $4,211 of foreign tax credit  carryforwards
available to be offset against future U.S. tax liability.  The credits expire in
1999 through 2003 if not utilized.

                                      F-12

<PAGE>

During  1998,  1997 and 1996,  foreign net  operating  loss  carryforwards  were
utilized,  resulting in a reduction in income tax expense of $260,  $54 and $34,
respectively.  At October 2, 1998, the Company has a U.S. federal operating loss
carryforward  of  $31,736.  In  addition,   certain  of  the  Company's  foreign
subsidiaries  have net  operating  loss  carryforwards  totaling  $1,593.  These
amounts are  available to offset  future  taxable  income over the next 14 to 20
years and are anticipated to be utilized during this period.

Taxes paid were $6,299, $8,328 and $6,816 for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.


7  EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Net  periodic  pension  cost for  noncontributory  pension  plans  includes  the
following components:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      1998             1997             1996
<S>                                                  <C>             <C>                <C> 
Service cost                                          $301             $292             $282
Interest on projected benefit obligation               697              638              599
Return on plan assets                                 (520)          (1,075)            (436)
Net amortization and deferral                          (40)             547              (72)
                                                       ---              ---              ---
                                                      $438             $402             $373
                                                      ====             ====             ====
</TABLE>

The funded status of the plans is as follows at the end of each year:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       1998             1997
<S>                                                                  <C>              <C>   
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
         Vested benefits                                             $7,416           $6,962
         Non-vested benefits                                            365              234
                                                                        ---              ---
Accumulated benefit obligation                                        7,781            7,196
Effect of projected compensation levels                               1,671            1,466
                                                                      -----            -----
Projected benefit obligation                                          9,452            8,662
Less plan assets at fair value                                        7,516            6,998
                                                                      -----            -----
Projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets                 1,936            1,664
Less unrecognized net loss                                              576              605
Less unrecognized prior service cost                                    200              226
Unrecognized net asset                                                  453              534
                                                                        ---              ---
Pension liability recognized in the consolidated balance sheets      $1,613           $1,367
                                                                     ======           ======
</TABLE>


Plan assets are invested  primarily in stock and bond mutual funds and insurance
contracts.

Actuarial assumptions used to determine the projected benefit obligation and the
expected net periodic pension cost are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1998             1997            1996
<S>                                                      <C>              <C>             <C>
Discount rate                                            8%               8%              8%
Rate of increase in compensation levels                  5                5               5
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets         8                8               8
</TABLE>

A majority of the Company's  full-time  employees are covered by profit  sharing
and defined  contribution  programs.  Participating  entities  determine  profit
sharing distributions under various performance and service based formulas.


8  PREFERRED STOCK
The  Company is  authorized  to issue  1,000,000  shares of  preferred  stock in
various  classes  and  series,  of which  there  are none  currently  issued  or
outstanding.


                                      F-13

<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

9   COMMON STOCK
Common stock at the end of the respective years consists of the following:

                                             1998              1997
Class A, $.05 par value:
         Authorized                    20,000,000        20,000,000
         Outstanding                    6,870,045         6,881,923
Class B, $.05 par value:
         Authorized                     3,000,000         3,000,000
         Outstanding                    1,223,861         1,227,915

Holders of Class A common  stock are entitled to elect 25% of the members of the
Board of Directors and holders of Class B common stock are entitled to elect the
remaining  directors.  With  respect  to  matters  other  than the  election  of
directors or any matters for which class  voting is required by law,  holders of
Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share while holders of Class B
common stock are entitled to ten votes per share.  If any dividends  (other than
dividends  paid in shares of the  Company) are paid by the Company on its common
stock,  a dividend  would be paid on each share of Class A common stock equal to
110% of the  amount  paid on each share of Class B common  stock.  Each share of
Class B common stock is convertible at any time into one share of Class A common
stock.  During 1998, 1997 and 1996,  respectively,  4,054, 222 and 476 shares of
Class B common stock were converted into Class A common stock.


10  STOCK OWNERSHIP PLANS

The Company's  current stock  ownership plans provide for issuance of options to
acquire  shares  of Class A  common  stock by key  executives  and  non-employee
directors.  All stock  options  have been  granted at a price not less than fair
market value at the date of grant and become  exercisable over periods of one to
four years from the date of grant.  Stock  options  generally  have a term of 10
years.  Current  plans  also allow for  issuance  of  restricted  stock or stock
appreciation  rights in lieu of  options.  Grants of  restricted  shares are not
significant  in any year  presented.  No stock  appreciation  rights  have  been
granted.

A summary of stock option activity related to the Company's plans is as follows:

                                                          Weighted Average
                                              Shares        Exercise Price
Outstanding at September 29, 1995            598,946                $19.74
Granted                                      162,000                 22.88
Exercised                                    (12,567)                19.35
Cancelled                                   (182,158)                20.59
                                            --------                 -----
Outstanding at September 27, 1996            566,221                 20.37
Granted                                      256,000                 12.09
Exercised                                    (24,400)                 6.93
Cancelled                                   (111,300)                16.95
                                            --------                 -----
Outstanding at October 3, 1997               686,521                 18.32
Granted                                      247,000                 17.01
Exercised                                    (10,243)                13.96
Cancelled                                   (321,217)                19.11
                                            --------                 -----
Outstanding at October 2, 1998               602,061                $17.43
                                             =======                ======

                                      F-14

<PAGE>

Other information regarding the Company's stock option plans is as follows:

                                                    1998        1997        1996
Options exercisable at end of year               257,055     388,264     356,756
Weighted average exercise price of                                     
  exercisable options                             $19.14      $20.75      $19.54
Weighted average fair value of options                                 
  granted during year                               6.82        4.87        8.85
                                                                     
At October 2, 1998, the weighted average  remaining  contractual  lives of stock
options outstanding and those currently  exercisable are approximately 7.6 years
and 5.9 years, respectively.  Exercise prices of outstanding stock options range
from $11.25 to $25.31 at October 2, 1998.

Had compensation  cost for the Company's stock options been determined using the
fair value method,  the Company's pro forma operating results would have been as
follows:

                                                    1998        1997       1996
Net income (loss)                                 $4,542      $1,659   $(11,608)
Earnings (loss) per common share                    0.56        0.20      (1.43)


For purposes of calculating pro forma operating results,  the fair value of each
option grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes  option pricing model with an
expected  volatility  of 35%,  a risk  free  rate  equivalent  to five year U.S.
Treasury  securities and an expected life of five years. The pro forma operating
results reflect only options granted after 1995.

The Company's  employee  stock  purchase plan provides for the issuance of up to
150,000  shares of Class A common stock at a purchase price of not less than 85%
of the fair market value at the date of grant.  During 1998 and 1996, 11,325 and
17,375 shares, respectively,  were issued under this plan. No shares were issued
under this plan in 1997.


11  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Various  transactions  are  conducted  between  the  Company  and  organizations
controlled by the Johnson  Family.  These include  consulting  services,  office
rental and certain administrative activities.  Total costs of these transactions
are $248, $489 and $440 for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.


12  SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS
The Company conducts its worldwide  recreation  operations through five separate
global  business  units which  represent  major product  lines.  Operations  are
conducted  in the United  States and various  foreign  countries,  primarily  in
Europe, Canada and the Pacific Basin.

Net sales and operating  profit include both sales to customers,  as reported in
the Company's  consolidated  statements of operations,  and interunit transfers,
which are priced to recover cost plus an appropriate profit margin.

Identifiable  assets represent assets that are used in the Company's  operations
in each business unit at the end of the years presented.

                                      F-15

<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

A  summary  of  the  Company's  operations  by  business  units,  based  on  the
requirements of FASB Statement 131,  Disclosure  about Segments of an Enterprise
and Related Information, which the Company adopted in 1998, is presented below:

                                          1998         1997         1996
Net sales:
   Diving:
            Unaffiliated customers   $  90,116    $  77,393    $  78,371
            Interunit transfers             10          421          138
   Outdoor equipment:
            Unaffiliated customers      77,566       74,162       77,267
            Interunit transfers             28           12          242
   Fishing:
            Unaffiliated customers      58,508       63,799       69,737
            Interunit transfers            745        1,021        1,362
   Motors:
            Unaffiliated customers      53,249       53,700       62,041
            Interunit transfers          1,678        1,412        1,826
   Watercraft:
            Unaffiliated customers      47,517       22,885       18,050
            Interunit transfers            266          364          717
   Other                                 1,569       11,182       38,907
   Eliminations                         (2,727)      (3,230)      (4,285)
                                        ------       ------       ------
                                     $ 328,525    $ 303,121    $ 344,373
                                     =========    =========    =========
Operating profit (loss):
         Diving                      $  10,193    $   9,644    $   8,130
         Outdoor equipment               1,987        2,824        3,525
         Fishing                           367       (1,870)     (12,380)
         Motors                          1,156        1,537          291
         Watercraft                      8,658        4,152        3,189
         Other                          (3,638)      (4,276)      (4,231)
                                        ------       ------       ------ 
                                     $  18,723    $  12,011    $  (1,476)
                                     =========    =========    ========= 
Identifiable assets:
         Diving                      $ 104,344    $  92,468
         Outdoor equipment              49,090       50,879
         Fishing                        62,099       70,471
         Motors                         22,905       22,985
         Watercraft                     29,340       16,900
         Other                          28,239       23,316
                                        ------       ------
                                     $ 296,017    $ 277,019
                                     =========    =========

Sales and operating results of the Plastimo business,  which was sold in January
1997,  and  operating  expenses  of the  Company's  corporate  headquarters  are
included above in the caption "Other."

                                      F-16

<PAGE>

A summary of the Company's operations by geographic area is presented below:

                                                1998         1997         1996
Net sales:
         United States:
                  Unaffiliated customers   $ 195,727    $ 175,675    $ 184,372
                  Interarea transfers          6,357        6,426        6,718
         Europe:
                  Unaffiliated customers     110,863      101,751      134,048
                  Interarea transfers          6,830        3,922        3,107
         Other                                22,012       25,701       25,976
         Eliminations                        (13,264)     (10,354)      (9,848)
                                             -------      -------       ------ 
                                           $ 328,525    $ 303,121     $344,373
                                           =========    =========     ========
Identifiable assets:
         United States                     $ 151,864    $ 138,612
         Europe                              128,711      118,577
         Other                                15,442       19,830
                                           ---------    ---------
                                           $ 296,017    $ 277,019
                                           =========    =========

The Company's fishing,  motors and watercraft  businesses  recognized sales to a
single customer and its affiliated entities totaling $37,200 and $33,800 in 1998
and 1997, respectively. No customer accounted for 10% or more of sales in 1996.


13  VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
The following summarizes changes to valuation and qualifying accounts:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Additions  Reserves of
                                       Balance at Charged to   Businesses               Balance
                                        Beginning  Costs and     Acquired       Less     at End
                                          of Year   Expenses      or Sold  Deduction    of Year
<S>                                       <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>    
Year ended October 2, 1998:
         Allowance for doubtful accounts  $ 2,693    $   918      $    35    $ 1,076    $ 2,570
         Inventory reserves                10,220        343          120      4,824      5,859
Year ended October 3, 1997: 
         Allowance for doubtful accounts    2,235      1,604          217      1,363      2,693
         Inventory reserves                13,665        445        1,100      4,990     10,220
Year ended September 27, 1996:
         Allowance for doubtful accounts    2,610      1,662           --      2,037      2,235
         Inventory reserves                 5,118     12,202           --      3,655     13,665
</TABLE>

Deductions include the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the respective
accounts.


14  EARNINGS PER SHARE
In 1998,  the Company  adopted FASB  Statement  128,  Earnings Per Share,  which
replaced  the  previously  reported  earnings  per share with basic and  diluted
earnings per share.  Basic earnings per share  excludes any dilutive  effects of
options,  warrants and  convertible  securities.  Diluted  earnings per share is
similar to the previously  reported fully diluted  earnings per share. Per share
amounts  for 1997  and  1996  were not  impacted  by the  computational  changes
required under Statement 128.

                                      F-17

<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The  following  sets forth the  computation  of basic and diluted  earnings  per
common share:
                                                 1998         1997         1996
Net income (loss) for basic and
         diluted earnings per share       $     5,212  $     2,056  $   (11,355)
Weighted average common
         shares outstanding                 8,100,415    8,111,322    8,113,776
Less nonvested restricted stock                 5,509        9,222       12,212
                                                -----        -----       ------
Basic average common shares                 8,094,906    8,102,100    8,101,564
Dilutive stock options and restricted
  stock                                        18,924       13,218       27,979
                                               ------       ------       ------
Diluted average common shares               8,113,830    8,115,318    8,129,543
                                            =========    =========    =========
Basic earnings (loss) per common share    $      0.64  $      0.25  $     (1.40)
                                          ===========  ===========  =========== 
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share  $      0.64  $      0.25  $     (1.40)
                                          ===========  ===========  ===========


15  LITIGATION
In 1998, certain businesses  acquired by the Company became subject to judgments
in civil  liability  cases in the  amount of  $2,000.  The  judgments  are being
appealed.  The  Company  believes  that any  payments  made as a result of these
judgments,  including costs and expenses,  will reduce payments otherwise due to
selling shareholders of the businesses acquired.

The Company is subject to various  legal actions and  proceedings  in the normal
course of  business,  including  those  related to  environmental  matters.  The
Company  is  insured  against  loss  for  certain  of  these  matters.  Although
litigation  is subject to many  uncertainties  and the  ultimate  exposure  with
respect to these matters cannot be ascertained,  management does not believe the
final outcome will have a material  adverse  effect on the financial  condition,
results of operations, liquidity or cash flows of the Company.


16 QUARTERLY  FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)
The following summarizes quarterly operating results:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        First                 Second               Third              Fourth
                               1998      1997         1998      1997      1998      1997      1998      1997
<S>                         <C>       <C>          <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>    
Net sales                   $51,841   $51,817      $97,938   $96,111  $106,757   $86,894   $71,989   $68,299
Gross profit                 19,194    18,129       39,728    37,133    42,536    32,472    24,506    23,598
Operating profit (loss)      (2,672)   (3,787)      10,623     9,691    11,282     7,909      (510)   (1,802)
Net income (loss)            (2,784)   (3,866)       4,739     4,328     4,904     3,286    (1,647)   (1,692)
                             ======    ======        =====     =====     =====     =====    ======    ======
Basic earnings (loss)
         per common share    $(0.34)   $(0.48)       $0.59     $0.53     $0.61     $0.41    $(0.20)   $(0.21)
                             ======    ======        =====     =====     =====     =====    ======    ======
Diluted earnings (loss)
         per common share    $(0.34)   $(0.48)       $0.58     $0.53     $0.61     $0.41    $(0.20)   $(0.21)
                             ======    ======        =====     =====     =====     =====    ======    ======
</TABLE>

               EXHIBIT 21

               JOHNSON WORLDWIDE ASSOCIATES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

          The following lists the principal direct and indirect  subsidiaries of
Johnson Worldwide Associates,  Inc. as of October 2, 1998. Inactive subsidiaries
are not presented.

                                                              Jurisdiction in
Name of Subsidiary (1)(2)                                     which Incorporated
- -------------------------                                     ------------------
Johnson Worldwide Associates Australia Pty. Ltd.              Australia
Johnson Worldwide Associates Canada Inc.                      Canada
         Plastiques L.P.A. Limitee                            Canada
Mitchell Sports, S.A.                                         France
Old Town Canoe Company                                        Delaware
         Leisure Life Limited                                 Michigan
Scubapro Sweden AB                                            Sweden
Under Sea Industries, Inc.                                    Delaware
    JWA Holding B.V.                                          Netherlands
         Johnson Beteiligungsgesellschaft GmbH                Germany
              Jack Wolfskin Ausrustung fur Draussen GmbH      Germany
              Johnson Outdoors V GmbH                         Germany
              Scubapro Taucherauser GmbH                      Germany
              Uwatec AG                                       Switzerland
                    Uwatec Instruments Deutschland            Germany
                    Uwatec USA, Inc.                          Maine
                    Uwatec Espana, S.A.                       Spain
                    Uwatec U.K., Ltd.                         United Kingdom
                    Uwatec Asia, Ltd. (3)                     Hong Kong
                    Uwatec Batam                              Indonesia
                    Uwaplast AG                               Switzerland
              Scubapro Asia, Ltd.                             Japan
         Scubapro Espana, S.A.(4)                             Spain
         Scubapro Eu AG                                       Switzerland
         Scubapro Europe Benelux, S.A.                        Belgium
                  JWA France                                  France
                           Scuba/Uwatec AG                    France
         Scubapro Europe S.r.l.                               Italy
                  Scubapro Italy S.r.l.                       Italy
         Scubapro Norge AS                                    Norway
         Scubapro Taucherausrustungen Gesellschaft GmbH       Austria
         Scubapro (UK) Ltd.(5)                                United Kingdom
                                                                         
- -------------------
(1)   Unless otherwise indicated in brackets, each company does business only 
      under its legal name.
(2)   Unless otherwise indicated by footnote, each company is a wholly-owned 
      subsidiary of Johnson Worldwide
      Associates, Inc. (through direct or indirect ownership).
(3)   Percentage of stock owned is 60%.
(4)   Percentage of stock owned is 98%.
(5)   Percentage of stock owned is 99%.



EXHIBIT 23






CONSENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP





Board of Directors
Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc.:

          We  consent  to   incorporation   by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statements (No. 33-19804,  33-19805,  33-35309,  33-50680,  33-52073,  33-54899,
33-59325 and 33-61285) on Form S-8 of Johnson Worldwide Associates,  Inc. of our
report dated November 10, 1998,  relating to the consolidated  balance sheets of
Johnson  Worldwide  Associates,  Inc. and subsidiaries as of October 2, 1998 and
October  3,  1997,  and  the  related  consolidated  statements  of  operations,
shareholders'  equity,  and cash  flows for each of the years in the  three-year
period ended October 2, 1998,  which report appears in the 1998 Annual Report on
Form 10-K of Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc.




                                                         KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
December 22, 1998

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THE  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION   EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF JOHNSON WORLDWIDE  ASSOCIATES,  INC. AS OF
AND FOR THE YEAR  ENDED  OCTOBER 2, 1998 AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRITY  BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              OCT-02-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                 OCT-04-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   OCT-02-1998
<CASH>                                              11,496
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                       55,991
<ALLOWANCES>                                       (2,570)
<INVENTORY>                                         76,603
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   154,520
<PP&E>                                              96,090
<DEPRECIATION>                                    (60,621)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     296,017
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               85,019
<BONDS>                                             82,066
                                    0
                                              0
<COMMON>                                               406
<OTHER-SE>                                         123,980
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       296,017
<SALES>                                            328,525
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   328,525
<CGS>                                              202,561
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      202,561
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   106,819
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       167
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   9,829
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      9,149
<INCOME-TAX>                                         3,937
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  5,212
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         5,212
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         0.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0.64
        

</TABLE>


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