Exhibit 99.1
(VF LOGO)
         
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  Contact:   Cindy Knoebel
 
      VP, Financial & Corporate
 
      Communications
 
      VF Services, Inc.
 
      (336) 424-6189/(212) 841-7141
 
       
 
      Paul Mason
 
      Director, Corporate
 
      Communications
 
      VF Corporation
 
      (336) 424-6192
VF TO SELL INTIMATE APPAREL BUSINESS TO FRUIT OF THE LOOM, INC.
    Move Enhances VF’s Business Mix, Growth and Margins
 
    Proceeds to be Used to Repurchase Shares
 
    Expects Record Fourth Quarter for 2006
 
    2007 Initial Guidance Provided
Management will host a webcast and conference call to discuss this announcement today at 10:00 a.m. ET. Interested parties should call 1-800-811-8824 domestic, or 1-913-981-4903 international, to access the call. You may also access this call via the Internet at www.vfc.com. A replay will be available through January 30, 2007 and can be accessed by dialing 1-888-203-1112 domestic, and 1-719-457-0820 international. The pass code is 6403506. A replay also can be accessed at the Company’s web site at www.vfc.com.
Greensboro, NC — January 23, 2007 — VF Corporation (NYSE:VFC), a leader in branded lifestyle apparel whose primary brands include Wrangler®, Lee®, The North Face®, Nautica®, Vans® and JanSport®, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its global intimate apparel business to Fruit of the Loom, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A and BRK.B) for $350 million in cash. VF’s intimate apparel business includes such leading brands as Vanity Fair®, Lily of France®, Vassarette®, Bestform® and Curvation® in the U.S., and Lou®, Gemma® and Belcor® in Europe. The agreement is subject to government approvals and customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2007. VF currently intends to use the proceeds from the sale to repurchase shares in 2007.
“This marks an important chapter in VF’s ongoing transformation toward becoming a higher growth, higher margin lifestyle company — and another example of our willingness to take bold steps to enhance total shareholder value,” said Mackey J. McDonald, VF’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our Intimates business has been a positive and important contributor to VF’s success over our 100-plus year history. But the time has come to strategically rebalance our portfolio and to focus our energies and resources on the many growth opportunities across our Jeanswear, Outdoor, Imagewear and Sportswear businesses.”

 


 

Key highlights of this move in VF’s transformation include the following:
  Business Mix: An increase in the contribution to total revenues from VF’s growing lifestyle businesses — Outdoor and Sportswear — to 40%, with the Company’s strong heritage businesses — Jeanswear and Imagewear — accounting for 60%. In 2005, lifestyle businesses accounted for 30% of total revenues.
  Revenue Growth Targets: We are targeting 8% annual revenue growth including acquisitions, and expect strong organic growth of 5% annually. Acquisitions will continue to be an important component of our growth plan.
  Operating Margin Goal: Operating margins should approach our goal of 14% in 2007, up from 12.7% reported in both 2005 and 2004.
Fruit of the Loom plans to operate these businesses as Vanity Fair Brands, a wholly-owned subsidiary. Curt Holtz, President of VF’s Intimates coalition, and his management team will continue directing current operations from headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia and Igualada, Spain.
“We are delighted at the prospect of adding such strong brands to our portfolio,” said John Holland, Chief Executive Officer of Fruit of the Loom. “We were most impressed with the heritage, experience and innovative talent of the VF Intimates worldwide team.”
Implications for 2006 Financial Results
VF’s Intimates business generated over $800 million in revenues and approximately $50 million in operating income on a global basis in 2006, representing 12% and 6% of VF’s total 2006 revenues and operating income, respectively.
The business will be reported as a discontinued operation in 2006. Accordingly, restated operating results for the first nine months of 2006, as well as for 2005 and prior years, are attached. Additional restated financial information is available on our website, www.vfc.com. The implications for 2006 full year and fourth quarter results from continuing operations are expected as follows:
     Full Year 2006:
    Total revenues of approximately $6.22 billion, an increase of 10% over revenues of $5.65 billion in 2005.
 
    Earnings of approximately $4.70 to $4.72 per share, up approximately 11% from $4.23 per share in the prior year.
     Fourth Quarter 2006:
    Total revenues of approximately $1.60 billion, an increase of 9% over revenues of $1.46 billion in 2005.
 
    Earnings of approximately $1.20 to $1.22 per share, up about 9% from $1.11 per share in the prior year’s quarter.
These results reflect a healthy increase over prior year results, and represent another quarter of record revenues and earnings. However, we do expect 2006 results from continuing operations to be 2 to 4 cents per share lower than our previous guidance, reflecting a more difficult mass channel retail environment in the fourth quarter. We plan to release 2006 results on February 6, 2007.
We expect to report a loss on the sale of the business of approximately $45 million, or $.40 per share. This includes the write-off of $55 million of accumulated foreign currency translation losses, reflecting changes in foreign currency rates (weaker U.S. dollar) since acquiring our international intimates operations. Full year

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2006 results are expected to include approximately $41 million ($.36 per share) of this loss. The remainder of the loss will be recorded primarily during the first quarter of 2007.
2007 Outlook: Another Record Year
We are looking forward to another year of very healthy top and bottom line increases in 2007. We expect revenues in 2007 to increase approximately 8%, with growth in earnings per share from continuing operations of 10%.
We will provide additional details related to this guidance upon the release of fourth quarter and year-end results on February 6.
“Our ability to commit to such a strong outlook underscores the fundamental strength and momentum of our Growth Plan, our ability to execute that plan and our enthusiasm for the continued transformation of our business,” concluded McDonald.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements included in this release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting VF and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.
Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of operations or financial condition of VF to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this release include the successful completion of the sale of the intimate apparel business; VF’s reliance on a small number of large customers; the financial strength of VF’s customers; changing fashion trends and consumer demand; increasing pressure on margins; VF’s ability to implement its growth strategy; VF’s ability to maintain information technology systems; stability of VF’s manufacturing facilities and foreign suppliers; continued use by VF’s suppliers of ethical business practices; VF’s ability to accurately forecast demand for products; continuity of members of VF’s management; VF’s ability to protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights; maintenance by VF’s licensees and distributors of the value of VF’s brands; the overall level of consumer spending; general economic conditions and other factors affecting consumer confidence; fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials; foreign currency fluctuations; and legal, regulatory, political and economic risks in international markets. More information on potential factors that could affect VF’s financial results is included from time to time in VF’s public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including VF’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
About the Company
VF Corporation is a leader in branded lifestyle apparel including jeanswear, outdoor products, image apparel and sportswear. Its principal brands include Wranglerâ, Leeâ, Ridersâ, Rustlerâ, The North Faceâ, Vansâ, Reefâ, Napapijriâ, Kiplingâ, Nauticaâ, John Varvatosâ, JanSportâ, Eastpakâ, Lee Sportâ and Red Kapâ.

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VF Corporation
2006 Consolidated Statements of Income by Quarter
Reclassified to Present Continuing Operations
(In thousands, except per share amount)
                                 
    2006  
    First     Second     Third     Nine  
    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Months  
Net Sales
  $ 1,436,706     $ 1,332,892     $ 1,791,648     $ 4,561,246  
Royalty Income
    18,916       18,421       18,450       55,787  
 
                       
 
                               
Total Revenues
    1,455,622       1,351,313       1,810,098       4,617,033  
 
                       
 
                               
Costs and Operating Expenses
                               
Cost of goods sold
    824,600       765,554       1,018,021       2,608,175  
Marketing, administrative and general expenses
    443,709       439,970       504,253       1,387,932  
 
                       
 
    1,268,309       1,205,524       1,522,274       3,996,107  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating Income
    187,313       145,789       287,824       620,926  
 
                               
Other Income (Expense)
                               
Interest income
    1,418       1,292       1,439       4,149  
Interest expense
    (12,679 )     (13,856 )     (15,835 )     (42,370 )
Miscellaneous, net
    829       542       1,869       3,240  
 
                       
 
    (10,432 )     (12,022 )     (12,527 )     (34,981 )
 
                       
 
                               
Income from Continuing Operations
                               
Before Income Taxes
    176,881       133,767       275,297       585,945  
Income Taxes
    58,739       44,208       89,340       192,287  
 
                       
 
                               
Income from Continuing Operations
    118,142       89,559       185,957       393,658  
 
                               
Discontinued Operations
    10,043       9,473       11,750       31,266  
 
                       
 
                               
Net Income
  $ 128,185     $ 99,032     $ 197,707     $ 424,924  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings Per Common
                               

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    2006  
    First     Second     Third     Nine  
    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Months  
Share — Basic
                               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 1.07     $ 0.81     $ 1.68     $ 3.57  
 
                               
Discontinued operations
    0.09       0.09       0.11       0.28  
Net income
    1.16       0.90       1.78       3.85  
 
                               
Earnings Per Common Share — Diluted
                               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 1.05     $ 0.80     $ 1.64     $ 3.49  
Discontinued operations
    0.09       0.08       0.10       0.28  
Net income
    1.14       0.88       1.75       3.77  
VF Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income
Reclassified to Present Continuing Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
                         
    Year Ended December  
    2005     2004     2003  
Net Sales
  $ 5,582,075     $ 5,150,985     $ 4,377,233  
Royalty Income
    72,080       67,081       36,121  
 
                 
Total Revenues
    5,654,155       5,218,066       4,413,354  
 
                 
 
                       
Costs and Operating Expenses
                       
Cost of goods sold
    3,209,312       3,067,678       2,728,164  
Marketing, administrative and general expenses
    1,676,892       1,486,031       1,132,667  
 
                 
 
    4,886,204       4,553,709       3,860,831  
 
                 
 
                       
Operating Income
    767,951       664,357       552,523  
 
                       
Other Income (Expense)
                       
Interest income
    8,217       7,151       11,456  
Interest expense
    (70,596 )     (76,021 )     (61,167 )
Miscellaneous, net
    6,121       182       9,917  
 
                 
 
    (56,258 )     (68,688 )     (39,794 )
 
                 
 
                       
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes
    711,693       595,669       512,729  
 
Income Taxes
    229,064       196,790       169,468  
 
                 

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    Year Ended December  
    2005     2004     2003  
Income from Continuing Operations
    482,629       398,879       343,261  
Discontinued Operations
    35,906       75,823       54,672  
Cumulative Effect of a Change in Accounting Policy
    (11,833 )            
 
                 
 
                       
Net Income
  $ 506,702     $ 474,702     $ 397,933  
 
                 
 
                       
Earnings Per Common Share — Basic
                       
Income from continuing operations
  $ 4.33     $ 3.61     $ 3.17  
Discontinued operations
    0.32       0.69       0.51  
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting policy
    (0.11 )            
Net income
    4.54       4.30       3.67  
 
                       
Earnings Per Common Share — Diluted
                       
Income from continuing operations
  $ 4.23     $ 3.54     $ 3.11  
Discontinued operations
    0.31       0.67       0.50  
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting policy
    (0.10 )            
Net income
    4.44       4.21       3.61  
VF Corporation
2005 Consolidated Statements of Income by Quarter
Reclassified to Present Continuing Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                         
    2005
    First   Second   Third   Fourth    
    Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Year
     
Net Sales
  $ 1,336,366     $ 1,212,817     $ 1,589,782     $ 1,443,110     $ 5,582,075  
Royalty Income
    18,116       16,099       18,536       19,329       72,080  
     
 
                                       
Total Revenues
    1,354,482       1,228,916       1,608,318       1,462,439       5,654,155  
     
 
                                       
Costs and Operating Expenses
                                       
Cost of goods sold
    766,214       688,354       912,837       841,907       3,209,312  
Marketing, administrative and general expenses
    423,740       400,417       429,432       423,303       1,676,892  
     
 
    1,189,954       1,088,771       1,342,269       1,265,210       4,886,204  
     
 
                                       
Operating
                                       

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    2005
    First   Second   Third   Fourth    
    Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Year
     
Income
    164,528       140,145       266,049       197,229       767,951  
 
                                       
Other Income (Expense)
                                       
Interest income
    3,016       2,041       1,402       1,758       8,217  
Interest expense
    (18,666 )     (18,479 )     (19,343 )     (14,108 )     (70,596 )
Miscellaneous, net
    (336 )     605       1,849       4,003       6,121  
     
 
    (15,986 )     (15,833 )     (16,092 )     (8,347 )     (56,258 )
     
 
                                       
Income from Continuing Operations
                                       
Before Income taxes
    148,542       124,312       249,957       188,882       711,693  
 
                                       
Income Taxes
    47,476       35,389       83,026       63,173       229,064  
     
 
                                       
Income from Continuing Operations
    101,066       88,923       166,931       125,709       482,629  
 
                                       
Discontinued Operations
    13,620       7,826       12,699       1,761       35,906  
 
                                       
Cumulative Effect of a Change in Accounting Policy
    (11,833 )                       (11,833 )
     
 
                                       
Net Income
  $ 102,853     $ 96,749     $ 179,630     $ 127,470     $ 506,702  
     
 
                                       
Earnings Per Common Share — Basic
                                       
Income from continuing operations
  $ 0.90     $ 0.80     $ 1.50     $ 1.14     $ 4.33  
Discontinued operations
    0.12       0.07       0.11       0.02       0.32  
 
                                       
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting policy
    (0.11 )                       (0.11 )
Net income
    0.92       0.87       1.61       1.15       4.54  

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    2005
    First   Second   Third   Fourth    
    Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Year
     
Earnings Per Common Share — Diluted
                                       
Income from continuing operations
  $ 0.88     $ 0.78     $ 1.46     $ 1.11     $ 4.23  
Discontinued operations
    0.12       0.07       0.11       0.02       0.31  
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting policy
    (0.10 )                       (0.10 )
Net income
    0.89       0.85       1.57       1.13       4.44  
CONTACT: VF Services, Inc.
VP, Financial & Corporate Communications:
Cindy Knoebel, CFA, 336-424-6189 or 212-841-7141
or
Director, Corporate Communications:
Paul Mason, 336-424-6192
SOURCE: VF Corporation

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