KEQU Kewaunee Scientific Corporation

STATESVILLE, N.C., Nov. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kewaunee Scientific Corporation (NASDAQ:KEQU) today reported results for its second quarter ended October 31, 2005. Sales for the quarter were $22,319,000, an increase of 21.5% over the same period last year and an increase of 9.9% over the previous quarter. Net earnings for the quarter were $239,000, or $0.10 per diluted share, as compared to net earnings of $108,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, in the same quarter last year. The laboratory products marketplace continued its improvement during the quarter, with sales increases experienced in all our major product lines and in our international business. Our outstanding quotations for projects of greater than $1 million continue to be at the highest level in several years. The order backlog was $35.2 million at October 31, 2005, as compared to $38.6 million at October 31, 2004. Earnings for the quarter were unfavorably impacted by aggressive pricing in the marketplace and continuing higher raw material, energy, and transportation costs. The impact of these factors was partially offset by reduced costs achieved from on-going cost reduction activities, including the diligent pursuit of more competitive pricing from new and existing suppliers. The Company's financial condition remains strong. Total debt at October 31, 2005 was $6.4 million, down from $7.6 million at October 31, 2004, while cash on hand at the end of the quarter was $1.0 million. Operations provided cash of $900,000 during the quarter. Book value per share was $10.67 at October 31, 2005. "The marketplace for our products continues to be much improved over last year," said William A. Shumaker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kewaunee. "However, we have much more work to do to achieve acceptable profit margins, and we continue to work relentlessly toward this goal. A number of cost improvement projects are currently ongoing, including significant capital projects in all three of our Statesville plants. Although the completion of these projects will increase costs in our third quarter, which is traditionally our weakest quarter, we feel they are important as we work toward reducing our costs over the long term." Sales for the six months ended October 31, 2005 were $42,627,000, an increase of 10.3% over the comparable period last year. Net earnings for the six months were $1,002,000, or $0.40 per diluted share. Excluding a gain on the sale of our former Lockhart, Texas property in the first quarter, net earnings for the six months were $462,000, or $0.18 per diluted share, as compared to net earnings of $301,000, or $0.12 per diluted share, in the comparable period last 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 December 5, 2005, payable on December 19, 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 Six Months Ended October 31 October 31 2005 2004 2005 2004 Net sales $22,319 $18,365 $42,627 $38,653 Cost of products sold 18,834 14,812 35,756 31,724 Gross profit 3,485 3,553 6,871 6,929 Operating expenses 2,953 3,260 5,873 6,306 Operating earnings 532 293 998 623 Other income (expense) 1 (6) 880 40 Interest expense (118) (84) (205) (170) Earnings before income taxes 415 203 1,673 493 Income tax expense 137 55 594 155 Earnings before minority interests 278 148 1,079 338 Minority interests 39 40 77 37 Net earnings $239 $108 $1,002* $301 Net earnings per share Basic $0.10 $0.04 $0.40 $0.12 Diluted $0.10 $0.04 $0.40 $0.12 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands) Basic 2,492 2,492 2,492 2,491 Diluted 2,493 2,494 2,493 2,497 *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) October 31 April 30 Assets 2005 2005 (unaudited) Cash and cash equivalents $588 $225 Restricted Cash 367 379 Receivables, less allowances 21,058 21,683 Inventories 4,342 3,542 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,416 951 Total current assets 27,771 26,780 Net property, plant and equipment 11,611 10,730 Other assets 7,563 8,702 Total Assets $46,945 $46,212 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Short-term borrowings $5,567 $3,778 Current portion of long-term debt 372 931 Current obligations under capital leases 137 111 Accounts payable 7,001 8,558 Other current liabilities 3,203 3,021 Total current liabilities 16,280 16,399 Other non-current liabilities 4,077 3,824 Total stockholders' equity 26,588 25,989 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $46,945 $46,212 DATASOURCE: Kewaunee Scientific Corporation CONTACT: D. Michael Parker of Kewaunee Scientific Corporation, +1-704-871-3290 Web site: http://www.kewaunee.com/

Copyright