8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):  July 5, 2005

THE TIMBERLAND COMPANY

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

DELAWARE	1-9548	02-0312554
(State or Other Jurisdiction	(Commission File	(I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation)	Number)	Identification No.)
200 Domain Drive, Stratham, NH		03885
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)
(603) 772-9500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.05.  Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.

On July 5, 2005, the Board of Directors of The Timberland Company (referred to as “Timberland”, “Company”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) approved management’s recommendation to close the Company’s manufacturing facility in Isabela, Puerto Rico at the end of 2005.  On July 6, 2005, the Company issued a press release announcing the closure of the manufacturing facility which included information related to the reasons for the closure, the expected timing of the closure, and an estimate of the costs and charges expected to be incurred in connection with the closure.  A copy of our press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99 and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01.              Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)Exhibits.

The Company hereby files as Exhibit 99 to this report our press release dated July 6, 2005 setting forth the Company’s announcement of the planned closure of our Puerto Rico manufacturing facility and information related to the closure.

Exhibit Index

Exhibit Number	Description
99	Press Release of The Timberland Company dated July 6, 2005.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	THE TIMBERLAND COMPANY
Date:    July 8, 2005	By:	/s/ John Crimmins
	Name:		John Crimmins
	Title:		Vice President, Corporate Controller and
			Chief Accounting Officer

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EX-99

EXHIBIT  99

  P r e s s  R e l e a s e

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	INVESTOR CONTACT:
	Susan Ostrow
	Director, Investor Relations
	(603) 773-1212
	MEDIA CONTACT:
	Kate King
	Manager, Corporate Communications
	(603) 773-1379

TIMBERLAND TO CONSOLIDATE CARIBBEAN OPERATIONS

STRATHAM, NH, July 6, 2005 — The Timberland Company (NYSE:  TBL) today announced plans to consolidate its Caribbean manufacturing operations.  The Company will be closing its manufacturing facility in Isabela, Puerto Rico at the end of 2005 and expanding manufacturing volume in its facility based in the Dominican Republic, a strategy that will produce greater operational efficiencies.

Timberland will incur one-time pre-tax restructuring costs of approximately $2.5 million in the third quarter of 2005, $3.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2005 and $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2006 to cover severance, retirement enhancements, outplacement services and asset disposal costs associated with implementation of this strategy.  The efficiencies of this new approach are anticipated to yield cost savings of approximately $4 million in 2006, with benefits weighted toward the second half of the year, and annual cost savings of approximately $5 million in subsequent years.  The Company’s tax benefit from its Puerto Rico operations under Section 30A of the Internal Revenue Code, approximating $4 million annually, expires at the end of 2005.  Timberland does not anticipate an increase in its overall effective tax rate of 34.0% in 2006, however, due to expected benefits from global tax initiatives.

Gary Smith, Timberland’s Senior Vice President – Supply Chain, stated “Timberland has driven significant improvements in its operational performance over the past several years, reflected in lower overall product costs, improved reliability and enhanced customer service.  The Company’s Caribbean manufacturing facilities have played a key role, providing world-class production capability with greater flexibility and short lead-time support to our important U.S. market.  Our decision to consolidate Timberland’s

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manufacturing operations in the Dominican Republic is designed to build on these results to further enhance the power and reliability of our global supply chain.”

Jeffrey B. Swartz, Timberland’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said “This has been a difficult decision for us, and we are committed to assisting the 316 Isabela-based employees during this transition period.  We intend to provide affected employees with a comprehensive program that includes financial assistance, vocational planning, search assistance, training and counseling and will coordinate with local agencies to offer additional government services.”

Timberland (NYSE: TBL) is a global leader in the design, engineering and marketing of premium-quality footwear, apparel and accessories for consumers who value the outdoors and their time in it.  Timberland^Ò products offer quality workmanship and detailing and are built to withstand the elements of nature.  The Company’s products can be found in leading department and specialty stores as well as Timberland^® retail stores throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, South Africa and the Middle East.  More information about Timberland is available in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Various factors could cause the results of The Timberland Company to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such factors include, but are not limited to the Company’s ability to: (i) successfully market and sell its products in a highly competitive industry and in view of changing consumer trends, consumer acceptance of products and other factors affecting retail market conditions; (ii) procure a majority of its products from independent manufacturers; (iii) manage its foreign exchange rate risks; and (iv) other factors, including those detailed from time to time in The Timberland Company’s filings made with the SEC.  The Timberland Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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