STATESVILLE, N.C., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kewaunee Scientific Corporation today announced results for its first quarter ended July 31, 2008.
Net earnings for the quarter increased 46% to $981,000, or $0.38 per diluted share, from net earnings of $674,000, or $0.27 per diluted share, in the first quarter of the prior year. Earnings benefited from increased domestic and international sales volumes, solid manufacturing performances in all three Statesville plants, and on-going cost savings initiatives. The favorable impact of these items more than offset higher prices during the quarter for certain raw materials, particularly steel and resin, and for energy and transportation.
Sales for the quarter were a record $25,395,000, up 22% from sales of $20,784,000 in the first quarter of the prior year, as the global marketplace for the Company's products remained strong. Domestic operations sales increased 17% over the comparable period of the prior year to $21,013,000, while international operations sales increased 58% to $4,382,000. The order backlog increased to a record $60.4 million at July 31, 2008, up from $58.7 million at April 30, 2008, and $54.7 million at July 31, 2007.
"All aspects of our operations performed well during the first quarter," said William A. Shumaker, President and Chief Executive Officer. "With continuing healthy demand for our products, our strong order backlog, improved operational performance, and growing international opportunities, we feel Kewaunee is on track for a good year. Our on-going improvement continues to be challenged, however, by higher prices for certain raw materials and by higher energy and transportation costs. To date, we have been successful in moderating the impact of these increases on our bottom line, as we have implemented strategies to increase sales volumes, increase sales prices when possible, and reduce energy consumption and costs. We will continue to diligently pursue these and other strategies as we progress through this challenging year."
The Company's balance sheet remains strong. Bank borrowings and capital lease obligations totaled $6.1 million at July 31, 2008, as compared to $5.3 million at July 31, 2007. The debt-to-equity ratio was .22-to-1 at the end of the quarter, as compared to .21-to-1 at the end of the first quarter last year. Cash on hand was $3.6 million at the end of the quarter, as compared to $2.2 million at the end of the first quarter last year. Working capital was $16.3 million at July 31, 2008, up from $13.0 million at the end of the comparable period last 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 and Middle East 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.
[see financial information on back of page] Consolidated Statements of Operations [unaudited] (in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended July 31 July 31 2008 2007 Net sales $25,395 $20,784 Cost of products sold 20,044 16,521 Gross profit 5,351 4,263 Operating expenses 3,586 3,148 Operating earnings 1,765 1,115 Other income (expense) (38) 3 Interest expense (89) (110) Earnings before income taxes 1,638 1,008 Income tax expense 541 312 Earnings before minority interests 1,097 696 Minority interests in subsidiaries 116 22 Net earnings $981 $674 Net earnings per share Basic $0.38 $0.27 Diluted $0.38 $0.27 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands) Basic 2,551 2,502 Diluted 2,570 2,521 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands) July 31 April 30 2008 2008 Assets [unaudited] Cash and cash equivalents $3,131 $3,784 Restricted cash 439 480 Receivables, less allowances 22,969 20,087 Inventories 7,310 6,984 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,246 1,847 Total current assets 35,095 33,182 Net property, plant and equipment 12,042 11,825 Other assets 5,573 5,599 Total Assets $52,710 $50,606 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Short-term borrowings $5,707 $4,551 Current obligations under capital leases 291 323 Accounts payable 8,928 8,929 Other current liabilities 3,845 3,459 Total current liabilities 18,771 17,262 Other non-current liabilities 6,346 6,397 Total stockholders' equity 27,593 26,947 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $52,710 $50,606 Contact: D. Michael Parker 704/871-3290
