KEQU Kewaunee Scientific Corporation

STATESVILLE, N.C., June 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kewaunee Scientific Corporation (NASDAQ:KEQU) today reported results for its fiscal year and fourth quarter ended April 30, 2007. Net earnings for the year were $1,540,000, or $0.62 per diluted share, as compared to net earnings of $193,000, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the prior year. Excluding an after-tax gain of $540,000 in the prior year related to the sale of the Company's former Lockhart, Texas property, a net loss of $347,000, or $0.14 per diluted share, was incurred for that year. Earnings for the current year benefited from significantly improved manufacturing costs, continuing success in identifying new global supply sources for raw materials and components, and other cost improvement initiatives. Sales for the year were $81,441,000, a decrease of 3.1% from sales of $84,071,000 in the prior year. Incoming orders, both domestic and international, were extremely strong in the second half of the year and included several prestigious laboratory furniture projects. The order backlog climbed to $51.1 million at April 30, 2007, an increase of $14.7 million from $36.4 million at April 30, 2006. Sales from domestic operations were $66,585,000, a decrease of 7.6% from the prior year. However, as reflected in the growth of the Company's order backlog, the domestic marketplace for laboratory products continues to be healthy, particularly for larger laboratory projects. The Company's international operations continued to experience strong sales, as sales increased 23.3% to $14,856,000. The Asian markets of India, Singapore, and China continue to be a key in the Company's long-term growth strategy. During the year, the Company strengthened its sales representation in these countries and further expanded its manufacturing capabilities in India. Confirming the Company's excellent reputation in the Asian laboratory furniture market, during the year the Company was awarded a prestigious contract to provide and install laboratory furniture and fume hoods for the Olympic testing laboratory in Beijing, China. This laboratory will test all athletes who participate in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and will be one of only a few laboratories in the world designed to comply with the stringent standards required for a laboratory to be certified by the International Olympics Committee. The order will be shipped and installed in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. "We ended fiscal year 2007 with very positive momentum," said William A. Shumaker, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The strong influx of orders in the last half of the year provides us a foundation for increased sales in fiscal year 2008 when the majority of these orders will be shipped. Our lower costs are making us more competitive in the domestic marketplace, while also improving our profit margins and profitability. Our international operations continue to grow in sales and profitability. Excellent progress was also made during the year in improving our financial position, as we significantly improved cash flow, reduced borrowings, and strengthened our balance sheet. These factors should place the Company on a solid track for continued success and profitability." During the year, the Company generated cash from operations of $8.7 million. Bank borrowings and capital lease obligations totaled $4.3 million at year-end, down from $9.1 million at the end of the prior year. The debt-to- equity ratio declined to .18-to-1 at year-end, and cash on hand increased to $2.6 million, up from $1.3 million at the end of the prior year. Working capital was $12.3 million at April 30, 2007, up from $11.0 million at the end of the prior year. Sales for the fourth quarter ended April 30, 2007 were $22,721,000, a decrease of 4.2% from sales of $23,720,000 in the same quarter of the prior year. Sales from domestic operations for the quarter were flat from the same quarter of the prior year, while sales from international operations declined because especially large shipments were made for several projects in the fourth quarter of the prior year. Net earnings for the fourth quarter were $517,000, or $.21 per diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $254,000, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the prior year. Kewaunee Scientific Corporation is a recognized leader in the design, manufacture, and installation of scientific and technical furniture. The Company's corporate headquarters and domestic 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 Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended Year Ended April 30 April 30 2007 2006 2007 2006 (Unaudited) Net sales $22,721 $23,720 $81,441 $84,071 Cost of products sold 18,467 20,629 66,355 71,663 Gross profit 4,254 3,091 15,086 12,408 Other operating income -- -- -- 884* Operating expenses 3,363 3,223 11,728 12,175 Operating earnings (loss) 891 (132) 3,358 1,117 Other income 20 51 53 50 Interest expense (146) (153) (670) (470) Earnings (loss) before income taxes 765 (234) 2,741 697 Income tax expense (benefit) 289 (38) 902 288 Earnings (loss) before minority interests 476 (196) 1,839 409 Minority interests in subsidiaries 41 (58) (299) (216) Net earnings (loss) $517 $(254) $1,540 $193* Net earnings (loss) per share Basic $0.21 $(0.11) $0.62 $0.08 Diluted $0.21 $(0.11) $0.62 $0.08 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands) Basic 2,494 2,492 2,493 2,492 Diluted 2,502 2,492 2,495 2,493 * 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) April 30 April 30 Assets 2007 2006 Cash and cash equivalents $2,231 $929 Restricted cash 372 399 Receivables, less allowances 19,061 23,199 Inventories 5,869 5,860 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 981 1,011 Total current assets 28,514 31,398 Net property, plant and equipment 11,255 11,163 Other assets 5,471 7,911 Total Assets $45,240 $50,472 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Short-term borrowings $3,489 $8,216 Current obligations under capital leases 360 260 Accounts payable 8,437 9,074 Other current liabilities 3,897 2,823 Total current liabilities 16,183 20,373 Other non-current liabilities 5,009 4,553 Total stockholders' equity 24,048 25,546 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $45,240 $50,472 DATASOURCE: Kewaunee Scientific Corporation CONTACT: D. Michael Parker, Kewaunee Scientific Corporation, +1-704-871-3290 Web site: http://www.kewaunee.com/

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