KEQU Kewaunee Scientific Corporation

STATESVILLE, N.C., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kewaunee Scientific Corporation (NASDAQ:KEQU) today reported results for its first quarter ended July 31, 2005. Net earnings for the quarter were $763,000, or $0.31 per diluted share. Excluding a gain on the sale of property, net earnings for the quarter were $223,000, or $0.09 per diluted share, as compared to net earnings of $193,000, or $0.08 per diluted share, in the same quarter last year. The previously reported sale of the Company's plant site in Lockhart, Texas resulted in an after-tax gain of $540,000, or $0.22 per diluted share. Sales for the quarter were $20,308,000, slightly above sales of $20,288,000 in the same period last year, and 5.7% above the previous quarter. The laboratory furniture marketplace continued its improvement during the quarter. The favorable impact of this improved marketplace on sales and earnings was partially offset by a softer marketplace for technical furniture. Order activity continued to improve, as in-coming orders of $20.4 million were the highest level in the past five quarters. The order backlog at July 31, 2005 increased to $40.7 million, as compared to $39.6 million at July 31, 2004, and was up slightly from April 30, 2005. The Company's balance sheet remains strong. Total debt at July 31, 2005 was $6.1 million, down from $9.8 million at July 31, 2004, while cash on hand at the end of the quarter was $1.0 million. Book value per share was $10.66 at July 31, 2005. "The laboratory furniture marketplace continues to improve," said William A. Shumaker, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our recent quoting activity for projects over $1 million is the highest in several years. Although larger projects have delivery dates usually between 6-18 months from the order award date, this increased activity bodes well for the long-term. Our efforts to reduce raw material costs have been successful in obtaining more competitive pricing from new and existing suppliers, and we are aggressively expanding this effort. "Looking forward," Mr. Shumaker continued, "We expect progress to continue in most of our markets for the remainder of the fiscal year. The gradual improvement of the laboratory furniture market is projected to continue, but we do not yet see a strong improvement in sales for our technical furniture business. Our subsidiaries in India and Singapore continue to grow and contribute nicely, though modestly, to our sales and profits. We are particularly pleased to see improvement in the Singapore marketplace, which has been soft the past year." The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of seven cents per outstanding share to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 8, 2005, payable on September 23, 2005. Kewaunee Scientific Corporation is a recognized leader in the design, manufacture, and installation of scientific and technical furniture. The Company's corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities are located in Statesville, North Carolina. The Company also has subsidiaries in Singapore and Bangalore, India that serve the Asian markets. Kewaunee Scientific's website is located at http://www.kewaunee.com/. Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could significantly impact results or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, markets, products, services, and prices. Contact: D. Michael Parker 704/871-3290 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [unaudited] (in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended July 31 July 31 2005 2004 Net sales $20,308 $20,288 Cost of products sold 16,922 16,912 Gross profit 3,386 3,376 Operating expenses 2,920 3,046 Operating earnings 466 330 Other income 879 46 Interest expense (87) (86) Earnings before income taxes 1,258 290 Income tax expense 457 100 Earnings before minority interests 801 190 Minority interests 38 (3) Net earnings $763* $193 Net earnings per share Basic $0.31 $0.08 Diluted $0.31 $0.08 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands) Basic 2,492 2,490 Diluted 2,492 2,500 * Includes a non-recurring after-tax gain on the sale of property in the amount of $540,000, or $.22 per diluted share. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except per share data) July 31 April 30 2005 2005 Assets [unaudited] Cash and cash equivalents $646 $225 Restricted cash 373 379 Receivables, less allowances 21,231 21,683 Inventories 4,938 3,542 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,237 951 Total current assets 28,425 26,780 Net property, plant and equipment 11,140 10,730 Other assets 7,328 8,702 Total Assets $46,893 $46,212 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Short-term borrowings $5,038 $3,778 Current portion of long-term debt 652 931 Current obligations under capital leases 114 111 Accounts payable 7,443 8,558 Other current liabilities 3,219 3,021 Total current liabilities 16,466 16,399 Other non-current liabilities 3,852 3,824 Total stockholders' equity 26,575 25,989 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $46,893 $46,212 DATASOURCE: Kewaunee Scientific Corporation CONTACT: D. Michael Parker of Kewaunee Scientific Corporation, +1-704-871-3290 Web site: http://www.kewaunee.com/

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