KEQU Kewaunee Scientific Corporation

STATESVILLE, N.C., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kewaunee Scientific Corporation (NASDAQ:KEQU) today reported results for its third quarter ended January 31, 2006. Sales for the quarter were $17,724,000, an increase of 13% over sales of $15,623,000 in the same period last year. A net loss of $555,000, or $0.22 per diluted share, was reported for the quarter. This compares to a net loss of $742,000, or $0.30 per diluted share, in the same period last year. The order backlog at January 31, 2006 was $35.5 million. This compares to a backlog of $35.2 million at the beginning of the quarter and $41.7 million at January 31, 2005. A number of factors adversely affected earnings for the quarter. An unexpected cost of $230,000 was incurred when the Company's installation subcontractor on a large project was unable to complete the installation. Additionally, energy costs increased 66%, or $205,000, over the same period last year. The third quarter is traditionally the Company's weakest quarter for sales and earnings, and these costs made the quarter even more difficult. As expected, costs and manufacturing disruptions associated with the completion of three significant cost improvement projects in the Company's Statesville plants adversely impacted results for the quarter. A new $1.8 million finishing system was installed in the Wood Plant. This more efficient system required an entire new layout of the finishing and assembly areas of the facility. This system is now performing well, our Associates have been trained, and the Company should benefit from reduced costs beginning in our fourth quarter. Other projects completed during the quarter included a new automated folding machine in the Metal Plant at a cost of $900,000 and new continuous casting machine in the Resin Plant at a cost of $256,000, both of which are installed and performing well. The Company's financial condition remains strong. Cash on hand at the end of the quarter was $1.3 million and working capital was $11.5 million, while total debt was $7.1 million. Book value per share was $10.41 at January 31, 2006. "The unexpected costs associated with replacing a subcontractor and a further significant jump in energy costs made the third quarter especially difficult," said William A. Shumaker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kewaunee. "However, we believe our fourth quarter will have increased sales and be profitable. We continue to make progress in reducing our costs for the long-term. The capital projects in our plants completed during the quarter will allow us to reduce our operating costs, and we continue to make good progress in reducing our raw material costs by finding alternative vendors and more competitive pricing. The domestic marketplace for our laboratory products continues to be reasonably healthy, although pricing remains extremely competitive. Our international subsidiaries in Asia serving the rapidly-expanding Asian laboratory research market continue to grow and contribute nicely to our sales and profits." Sales for the nine months ended January 31, 2006 were $60,351,000, an increase of 11% over sales of $54,276,000 in the comparable period last year. Net earnings for the nine months were $447,000, or $0.18 per diluted share, including a net gain of $540,000, or $0.22 per diluted share, from the sale of our former Lockhart, Texas property in the first quarter. A net loss of $441,000, or $0.18 per diluted share, was reported 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 March 6, 2006, payable on March 20, 2006. 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. Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data) 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended January 31 January 31 2006 2005 2006 2005 Net sales $17,724 $15,623 $60,351 $54,276 Cost of products sold 15,278 13,586 51,034 45,310 Gross profit 2,446 2,307 9,317 8,966 Operating expenses 3,079 3,030 8,952 9,336 Operating earnings (loss) (633) (993) 365 (370) Other income (expense) 3 (36) 883 4 Interest expense (112) (84) (317) (254) Earnings (loss) before income taxes (742) (1,113) 931 (620) Income tax expense (benefit) (268) (382) 326 (227) Earnings (loss) before minority interests (474) (731) 605 (393) Minority interests 81 11 158 48 Net earnings (loss) $(555) $(742) $447* $(441) Net earnings (loss) per share Basic $(0.22) $(0.30) $0.18 $(0.18) Diluted $(0.22) $(0.30) $0.18 $(0.18) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands) Basic 2,492 2,492 2,492 2,491 Diluted 2,494 2,493 2,493 2,495 * 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) January 31 April 30 2006 2005 Assets (unaudited) Cash and cash equivalents $890 $225 Restricted cash 381 379 Receivables, less allowances 19,103 21,683 Inventories 6,539 3,542 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,338 951 Total current assets 28,251 26,780 Net property, plant and equipment 11,161 10,730 Other assets 7,602 8,702 Total Assets $47,014 $46,212 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Short-term borrowings $6,244 $3,778 Current portion of long-term debt 93 931 Current obligations under capital leases 220 111 Accounts payable 6,873 8,558 Other current liabilities 3,310 3,021 Total current liabilities 16,740 16,399 Other non-current liabilities 4,342 3,824 Total stockholders' equity 25,932 25,989 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $47,014 $46,212 Contact: D. Michael Parker 704/871-3290 First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact: 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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