KEQU Kewaunee Scientific Corporation

STATESVILLE, N.C., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kewaunee Scientific Corporation (NASDAQ:KEQU) today reported results for its first quarter ended July 31, 2006. Sales for the quarter were $19,294,000, a decrease of 5% from sales of $20,308,000 in the same period last year. Domestic sales of laboratory and technical furniture products declined 8%, while sales of the Company's Asian subsidiaries increased 22%. The order backlog at July 31, 2006 was $36.5 million, up slightly from $36.4 million at April 30, 2006. Net earnings for the quarter were $133,000, or $0.05 per diluted share. Net earnings for the comparable period of the prior year, which benefited from an after-tax gain of $540,000 related to the sale of the Company's property in Texas, were $763,000, or $0.31 per diluted share. Excluding the gain on the sale of the property, net earnings in the prior year period were $223,000, or $0.09 per diluted share. "The domestic market for laboratory and technical furniture products remains very competitive and price sensitive," said William A. Shumaker, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Pricing pressures, the continuing escalating costs of raw materials and energy, and higher borrowing costs continue to impact earnings. At the same time, however, our Asian subsidiaries continue to experience strong sales and earnings growth and have become a significant source of our revenue and earnings. "Looking forward," Mr. Shumaker continued, "we remain committed to improving our profitability, both in the domestic and international markets. We are confident our plans for improving manufacturing efficiencies and reducing costs will allow us to successfully compete in the worldwide marketplace. We are continuing to aggressively expand our sales representation and capabilities in India and China to take advantage of the rapidly-growing Asian laboratory research market." The Company's balance sheet remained strong at the end of the quarter. Working capital was $11.0 million, including cash on hand of $2.1 million. Stockholders' equity was $25.5 million, or $10.22 per share. Total bank debt and capital lease obligations at July 31, 2006 were $9.4 million, resulting in a debt to equity ratio of .37-to-1. 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 6, 2006, payable on September 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) Three Months Ended July 31 July 31 2006 2005 Net sales $19,294 $20,308 Cost of products sold 16,166 16,922 Gross profit 3,128 3,386 Other operating income -- 884* Operating expenses 2,637 2,920 Operating earnings 491 1,350 Other income (expense) 18 (5) Interest expense (187) (87) Earnings before income taxes 322 1,258 Income tax expense 78 457 Earnings before minority interests 244 801 Minority interests in subsidiaries 111 38 Net earnings $133 $763* Net earnings per share Basic $0.05 $0.31 Diluted $0.05 $0.31 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands) Basic 2,492 2,492 Diluted 2,493 2,492 * Includes a non-recurring pretax gain of $884,000 and an after-tax gain of $540,000, or $.22 per diluted share, on the sale of property. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands) July 31 April 30 2006 2006 Assets [unaudited] Cash and cash equivalents $2,087 $929 Restricted cash 400 399 Receivables, less allowances 19,114 23,199 Inventories 6,156 5,860 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,298 1,011 Total current assets 29,055 31,398 Net property, plant and equipment 11,129 11,163 Other assets 8,012 7,911 Total Assets $48,196 $50,472 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Short-term borrowings $8,531 $8,216 Current obligations under capital leases 297 260 Accounts payable 6,526 9,074 Other current liabilities 2,690 2,823 Total current liabilities 18,044 20,373 Other non-current liabilities 4,682 4,553 Total stockholders' equity 25,470 25,546 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $48,196 $50,472 Contact: D. Michael Parker 704/871-3290 DATASOURCE: Kewaunee Scientific Corporation CONTACT: D. Michael Parker of Kewaunee Scientific Corporation, +1-704-871-3290 Web site: http://www.kewaunee.com/

Copyright