Exhibit 99.1

Labor Ready Announces 2007 Second Quarter Results

TACOMA, Wash. — July 18, 2007 — Labor Ready, Inc. (NYSE:LRW) reported revenue for the second quarter ended June 29, 2007 of $351.1 million, an increase of 3.3 percent from $339.8 million for the second quarter of 2006. Net income for the second quarter was $18.8 million or $0.41 per diluted share, an increase in net income of 0.8 percent as compared to $18.6 million or $0.35 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2006.

“During 2007, we have been experiencing positive momentum in our same branch sales growth as a result of the increased sales activity we started in the fourth quarter of 2006,” said Labor Ready CEO Steve Cooper.  “We are pleased with the growth trends in same branch revenue since growing average branch revenue and profitability is our main priority.”

Revenue for the quarter from branches open 12 months or longer increased 0.7 percent over the same quarter a year ago, an improvement from the decline of 3.1 percent reported in the first quarter of 2007.

A recent acquisition provided 2.4 percent of additional revenue for the company over the same quarter a year ago.  As expected, the acquisition only made a small contribution to net income due to related amortization of intangible assets.

“We intend to continue pursuing growth through strategic acquisitions that expand our blue-collar staffing services,” said Cooper. “Operating as one company with multiple blue-collar brands in the temporary help industry is a key component of our vision.”

During the quarter the company purchased approximately 0.9 million shares of its outstanding common stock for $18 million, which leaves $93 million available to purchase additional shares under the current share purchase authorization.  Since the beginning of 2006, the company has purchased approximately 9.2 million shares of its common stock at the cost of $184 million.

Labor Ready opened eight new branches, acquired 17 branches and closed six branches during the quarter resulting in 932 branches in operation at the end of the quarter.  Approximately five additional branch openings are planned for 2007.

Labor Ready also provided guidance for the third quarter and updated its outlook for 2007. For the third quarter, the company estimates revenue in the range of $390 million to $395 million and net income per diluted share between $0.48 and $0.50.  For the year, the company estimates revenue in the range of $1.39 to $1.40 billion and net income per diluted share between $1.45 and $1.48.

Management will discuss the company’s performance with analysts on a conference call at 5 p.m. (ET) today, July 18, 2007. The conference call will be broadcast on the internet at www.laborready.com and archived later in the day for replay.

This news release contains forward-looking statements, such as statements about the ranges of revenues, gross margins and net income anticipated for future periods, improvements in safety and workers’ compensation claims and costs, strategies for increasing revenue and net income, and other factors that may affect Labor Ready’s financial results and operations in the future. Labor Ready’s actual results are, however, subject to a number of risks, including without limitation the following:  1) national and global economic conditions; 2) Labor Ready’s ability to continue to attract and retain customers and maintain profit margins in the face of new and




existing competition; 3) potential new laws and regulations that could have a materially adverse effect on Labor Ready’s operations and financial results; 4) significant labor disturbances which could disrupt industries Labor Ready serves; 5) increased costs and collateral requirements in connection with Labor Ready’s insurance obligations, including workers’ compensation insurance; 6) the adequacy of Labor Ready’s financial reserves; 7) Labor Ready’s continuing ability to comply with financial covenants in its lines of credit and other financing agreements; 8) Labor Ready’s ability to attract and retain competent employees in key positions or to find temporary employees or skilled trade workers to fulfill the needs of our customers; 9) Labor Ready’s ability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions that it may make from time to time; 10) Labor Ready’s ability to timely execute strategies for acquired companies; and 11) other risks described in Labor Ready’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings.

About Labor Ready

Labor Ready is an international provider of blue-collar staffing with three primary service lines including on-demand labor, light industrial and skilled construction trades.  The company operates under the brand names of Labor Ready, Labour Ready and Workforce for its on-demand service line; Spartan Staffing for its light industrial service line; and CLP Resources and Skilled Services for its skilled construction trades service line. Labor Ready’s customers are primarily small to mid-sized businesses in the construction, warehousing, hospitality, landscaping, transportation, light manufacturing, retail, wholesale, facilities and sanitation industries. Annually, Labor Ready serves more than 300,000 customers and puts approximately 600,000 people to work through its more than 900 branch offices in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  For additional information, visit Labor Ready’s website at www.laborready.com.

For more information, contact:

Derrek Gafford, CFO

253-680-8214

Stacey Burke, VP, Corporate Communications

253-680-8291




LABOR READY, INC.

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

In Thousands, except per share data

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Thirteen Weeks Ended

 

Twenty Six Weeks Ended

 

 

 

June 29,

 

June 30,

 

June 29,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue from services

 

$

351,131

 

$

339,777

 

$

641,368

 

$

636,844

 

Cost of services

 

239,244

 

230,326

 

436,690

 

434,476

 

Gross profit

 

111,887

 

109,451

 

204,678

 

202,368

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

81,902

 

79,509

 

159,278

 

153,733

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

2,858

 

2,672

 

5,259

 

5,468

 

Income from operations

 

27,127

 

27,270

 

40,141

 

43,167

 

Interest and other income, net

 

2,438

 

3,001

 

5,719

 

5,747

 

Income before tax expense

 

29,565

 

30,271

 

45,860

 

48,914

 

Income tax

 

10,791

 

11,655

 

16,739

 

18,832

 

Net income

 

$

18,774

 

$

18,616

 

$

29,121

 

$

30,082

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.41

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.61

 

$

0.56

 

Diluted

 

$

0.41

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.61

 

$

0.56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

45,888

 

53,277

 

47,482

 

53,478

 

Diluted

 

46,201

 

53,775

 

47,771

 

54,039

 

 




LABOR READY, INC.

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

In Thousands

 

 

 

June 29,

 

December 29,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

58,685

 

$

107,944

 

Marketable securities

 

50,397

 

91,510

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

136,521

 

120,173

 

Other current assets

 

21,904

 

20,131

 

Total current assets

 

267,507

 

339,758

 

Property and equipment, net

 

39,544

 

31,949

 

Other assets

 

240,277

 

220,599

 

Total assets

 

$

547,328

 

$

592,306

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

107,984

 

$

101,385

 

Long-term liabilities

 

143,767

 

138,403

 

Total liabilities

 

251,751

 

239,788

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

295,577

 

352,518

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

547,328

 

$

592,306

 

 




LABOR READY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

In Thousands

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Twenty Six Weeks Ended

 

 

 

June 29,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

29,121

 

$

30,082

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

5,259

 

5,468

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

4,184

 

2,999

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(3,289

)

(6,144

)

Stock-based compensation

 

3,960

 

3,891

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

(1,045

)

(3,505

)

Other operating activities

 

 

414

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, exclusive of business acquired:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(14,557

)

(9,025

)

Income taxes

 

9,566

 

4,001

 

Other assets

 

5,397

 

1,225

 

Accounts payable

 

3,662

 

(6,128

)

Accrued wages and benefits

 

(1,792

)

495

 

Workers’ compensation claims reserve

 

1,579

 

10,460

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

(38

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

42,045

 

34,195

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(11,077

)

(6,808

)

Maturities of marketable securities

 

178,964

 

34,916

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(137,864

)

(36,255

)

Purchase of Skilled Services Corporation, net of cash acquired

 

(26,415

)

 

Change in restricted cash and other assets

 

(3,956

)

(2,087

)

Other

 

 

(167

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(348

)

(10,401

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase and retirement of common stock

 

(94,818

)

(51,833

)

Net proceeds from sale of stock through options and employee benefit plans

 

2,447

 

2,869

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

1,045

 

3,505

 

Payments on debt

 

(745

)

(829

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(92,071

)

(46,288

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rates on cash

 

1,115

 

676

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

(49,259

)

(21,818

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

107,944

 

82,155

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

58,685

 

$

60,337