Item 8.01. Other Events
On April 14, 2009, Raven Industries, Inc. issued the following press release:
RAVEN INDUSTRIES CUTS WORKFORCE
SIOUX FALLS, SD-April 14, 2009-Raven Industries, Inc. (RAVN: NasdaqNGS)
announced today that over the past two weeks, it has reduced staffing levels by
29 employees in its Applied Technology Division, located in Sioux Falls. This
cut represents four percent of the company's Sioux Falls employee base and three
percent of its total base. According to Ron Moquist, President and Chief
Executive Officer, "We had a large build-up of 121 workers in this division in
calendar 2008, based on strong growth in the agriculture market and our belief
that it would continue through 2009. It now appears, however, that the overall
market will be down for the year and as a result our current staffing levels
don't match market demand. We deeply regret having to take this action."
"All of our businesses are adjusting to current economic conditions," said
Moquist. "This includes our capital spending levels, discretionary spending,
stock repurchases and working capital utilization, all of which are geared to
preserve cash flow. That will continue until we see visible signs of improvement
in our business segments."
About Raven Industries, Inc.
Raven is an industrial manufacturer that provides electronic
precision-agriculture products, reinforced plastic sheeting, electronics
manufacturing services, and specialty aerostats and sewn products to niche
markets.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the
expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. Without
limiting the foregoing, the words, "anticipates," "believes," "expects,"
"intends," "may," "plans," and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. The company intends that all forward-looking
statements be subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act. Although management believes that the expectations
reflected in forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions,
there is no assurance these assumptions are correct or that these expectations
will be achieved. Assumptions involve important risks and uncertainties that
could significantly affect results in the future. These risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to, those relating to weather conditions and
commodity prices, which could affect sales and profitability in some of the
company's primary markets, such as agriculture, construction and oil and gas
well drilling; or changes in competition, raw material availability, technology
or relationships with the company's largest customers-any of which could
adversely affect any of the company's product lines, as well as other risks
described in Raven's 10-K under Item 1A. This list is not exhaustive, and the
company does not have an obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to
reflect events or circumstances after the date these statements are made.
Additional information on Raven is available at www.ravenind.com.