10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended January 31, 2012 

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _________to_________

Commission File No. 000-21084

Champion Industries, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

West Virginia	55-0717455
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2450-90 1st Avenue

P.O. Box 2968

Huntington, WV 25728

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(304) 528-2700

(Registrant’s telephone number,

including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes üNo _____.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ü No _____.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o	Accelerated filer  o	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company þ
		(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes _____ No ü .

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class	Outstanding at January 31, 2012
Common stock, $1.00 par value per share	11,299,528 shares

Champion Industries, Inc.

INDEX

	Page No.
Part I.  Financial Information
Item 1.  Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)	3
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)	5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)	6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	15
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk	20
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures	20
Part II.Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	21
Item 1A.  Risk Factors	21
Item 6.Exhibits	21
Signatures	22

2

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

ASSETS		January 31,		October 31,
		2012 (Unaudited)		2011
Current assets:
Cash	$	29,690	$	-
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,061,000 and $933,000		16,453,551		18,779,592
Inventories		9,248,700		8,897,726
Income tax refund		9,293		9,293
Other current assets		1,343,140		572,102
Deferred income tax assets		864,108		864,108
Total current assets		27,948,482		29,122,821
Property and equipment, at cost:
Land		1,881,839		1,881,839
Buildings and improvements		11,882,347		11,876,675
Machinery and equipment		55,335,758		55,148,156
Furniture and fixtures		4,266,578		4,248,530
Vehicles		3,185,648		3,206,318
		76,552,170		76,361,518
Less accumulated depreciation		(57,439,362)		(56,605,876	)
		19,112,808		19,755,642
Goodwill		12,968,255		12,968,255
Deferred financing costs		720,319		830,323
Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization		4,703,487		4,778,052
Trademark and masthead		3,648,972		3,648,972
Deferred tax asset, net of current portion		10,924,416		10,894,159
Other assets		24,766		26,058
		32,990,215		33,145,819
Total assets	$	80,051,505	$	82,024,282

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

3

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	January 31,			October 31,
	2012 (Unaudited)			2011
Current liabilities:
Notes payable, line of credit	$	9,725,496		$	9,725,496
Negative book cash balances		-			1,153,931
Accounts payable		5,942,479			5,331,327
Deferred revenue		985,217			737,748
Accrued payroll and commissions		1,488,527			1,738,582
Taxes accrued and withheld		1,395,555			1,195,899
Accrued expenses		1,995,579			2,149,295
Current portion of long-term debt:
Notes payable		35,381,463			38,629,011
Total current liabilities		56,914,316			60,661,289
Long-term debt, net of current portion:
Notes payable		291,631			430,997
Notes payable - related party		2,000,000			-
Other liabilities		3,300			3,750
Total liabilities		59,209,247			61,096,036
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, $1 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; 11,299,528 shares issued and outstanding		11,299,528			11,299,528
Additional paid-in capital		23,267,024			23,267,024
Retained deficit		(13,724,294	)		(13,638,306	)
Total shareholders’ equity		20,842,258			20,928,246
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	80,051,505		$	82,024,282

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended January 31,
		2012			2011
Revenues:
Printing	$	19,551,343		$	19,558,178
Office products and office furniture		8,190,600			8,339,302
Newspaper		3,859,408			3,944,480
Total revenues		31,601,351			31,841,960
Cost of sales and newspaper operating costs:
Printing		14,363,815			15,120,842
Office products and office furniture		5,742,113			6,099,486
Newspaper cost of sales and operating costs		2,168,033			2,112,027
Total cost of sales and newspaper operating costs		22,273,961			23,332,355
Gross profit		9,327,390			8,509,605
Selling, general and administrative expenses		8,626,552			7,216,662
Restructuring charges		-			220,658
Income from operations		700,838			1,072,285
Other (expenses) income:
Interest expense - related party		(6,139	)		(24,917	)
Interest expense		(860,317	)		(943,905	)
Other		16,271			16,681
		(850,185	)		(952,141	)
(Loss) income  before income taxes		(149,347	)		120,144
Income tax benefit (expense)		63,359			(46,923	)
Net (loss) income	$	(85,988	)	$	73,221
(Loss) income per share
Basic and Diluted	$	(0.01	)	$	0.01
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic and Diluted		11,300,000			9,988,000
Dividends per share	$	-		$	-

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

5

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended January 31,
	2012			2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss)  income	$	(85,988	)	$	73,221
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash provided by  (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		975,871			1,010,330
(Gain) on sale of assets		(1,241	)		(2,459	)
Deferred income taxes		(30,257	)		-
Deferred financing costs		110,005			105,530
Bad debt expense		150,782			21,497
Restructuring charges		-			249,509
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		2,175,259			(51,150)
Inventories		(350,974	)		402,067
Other current assets		(771,038	)		(723,760	)
Accounts payable		611,152			(2,009,202	)
Accrued payroll and commission		(250,055	)		(624,372	)
Deferred revenue		247,469			51,522
Taxes accrued and withheld		199,656			(85,528	)
Income taxes		-			65,905
Accrued expenses		(153,716	)		1,157,743
Other liabilities		(450	)		(450	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		2,826,475			(359,597	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(238,317	)		(150,546	)
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets		18,365			24,326
Change in other assets		1,292			1,291
Net cash used in investing activities		(218,660	)		(124,929	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowing on line of credit		20,000			14,860,000
Payments on line of credit		(20,000	)		(14,160,000	)
Principal payments on long-term debt		(1,424,194	)		(1,404,077	)
Change in negative book cash balances		(1,153,931	)		1,188,603
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(2,578,125	)		484,526
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		29,690			-
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		-			-
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	29,690		$	-

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

6

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

January 31, 2012

1. Basis of Presentation, Business Operations and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The foregoing financial information has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim financial reporting. The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. In the opinion of management, the financial information reflects all adjustments (consisting of items of a normal recurring nature) necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with GAAP. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the year ended October 31, 2011, and related notes thereto contained in Champion Industries, Inc.’s Form 10-K filed January 30, 2012. The accompanying interim financial information is unaudited. The results of operations for the period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The balance sheet information as of October 31, 2011 was derived from our audited financial statements.

Reclassifications and Revisions: Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year financial statement presentation.

2. Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for the period and excludes any dilutive effects of stock options. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for the period plus the shares that would be outstanding assuming the exercise of dilutive stock options. There was no dilutive effect of stock options for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011.

3. Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Revenue Recognition

Accounts Receivable: Accounts receivable are stated at the amount billed to customers. Accounts receivable are ordinarily due 30 days from the invoice date. The Company encounters risks associated with sales and the collection of the associated accounts receivable. As such, the Company records a monthly provision for accounts receivable that are considered to be uncollectible. In order to calculate the appropriate monthly provision, the Company primarily utilizes a historical rate of accounts receivable written off as a percentage of total revenue. This historical rate is applied to the current revenues on a monthly basis. The historical rate is updated periodically based on events that may change the rate such as a significant increase or decrease in collection performance and timing of payments as well as the calculated total exposure in relation to the allowance. Periodically, the Company compares the identified credit risks with the allowance that has been established using historical experience and adjusts the allowance accordingly.

Revenue Recognition: Revenues are recognized when products are shipped or ownership is transferred and when services are rendered to customers. The Company acts as a principal party in sales transactions, assumes title to products and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership including risk of loss for collection, delivery or returns. The Company typically recognizes revenue for the majority of its products upon shipment to the customer and transfer of title. Under agreements with certain customers, custom forms may be stored by the Company for future delivery. In these situations, the Company may receive a logistics and warehouse management fee for the services provided. In these cases, delivery and bill schedules are outlined with the customer and product revenue is recognized when manufacturing is complete and the product is received into the warehouse, title transfers to the customer, the order is invoiced and there is reasonable assurance of collectability. Since the majority of products are customized, product returns are not significant. Therefore, the Company records sales on a gross basis. Advertising revenues are recognized, net of agency commissions, in the period when advertising is printed or placed on websites. Circulation revenues are recognized when purchased newspapers are distributed. Amounts received from customers in advance of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue.

7

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

4. Inventories

Inventories are principally stated at the lower of first-in, first-out cost or market. Manufactured finished goods and work in process inventories include material, direct labor and overhead based on standard costs, which approximate actual costs. The Company utilizes an estimated gross profit method for determining cost of sales in interim periods.

Inventories consisted of the following:

	January 31, 2012		October 31, 2011
Printing and newspaper:
Raw materials	$	2,548,944	$	2,415,701
Work in process		1,335,837		1,252,170
Finished goods		2,753,453		2,975,769
Office products and office furniture		2,610,466		2,254,086
	$	9,248,700	$	8,897,726

5. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

	January 31, 2012		October 31, 2011
Installment notes payable to banks	$	1,013,870	$	1,175,784
Notes payable to related party		2,000,000		-
Term loan facility with a syndicate of banks, collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the Company		34,659,224		37,884,224
Revolving line of credit loan facility with a syndicate of banks, collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the Company		9,725,496		9,725,496
		47,398,590		48,785,504
Less current portion revolving line of credit		9,725,496		9,725,496
Less long-term notes payable to related party		2,000,000		-
Less current portion long-term debt		35,381,463		38,629,011
Long-term debt, net of current portion and revolving line of credit	$	291,631	$	430,997

8

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

The secured and unsecured credit facilities contain restrictive financial covenants requiring the Company to maintain certain financial ratios. The Company was unable to remain in compliance with certain financial covenants arising under the Credit Agreement among the Company, Fifth Third Bank as Lender, Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer and other Lenders dated September 14, 2007, as amended (the "Credit Agreement"). The creditors have not waived the financial covenant requirements. The Company received a notice of default on December 12, 2011, which was reported pursuant to item 2.04 of Form 8-K filed December 15, 2011. This notice of default advised that the Administrative Agent had not waived the event of default and reserves all rights and remedies thereof. These remedies include, under the Credit Agreement, the right to accelerate and declare due and immediately payable the principal and accrued interest on all loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement. The notice of default further stated that any extension of additional credit under the Credit Agreement would be made by the lenders in their sole discretion without any intention to waive any event of default.

On December 28, 2011, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Company, all of its subsidiaries and Marshall T. Reynolds entered into a Limited Forbearance Agreement and Third Amendment to Credit Agreement (the "Limited Forbearance Agreement") which provides, among other things, that during a forbearance period commencing on December 28, 2011, and ending on April 30, 2012 (unless terminated sooner by default of the Company under the Limited Forbearance Agreement or Credit Agreement), the Lenders are willing to temporarily forbear exercising certain rights and remedies available to them, including acceleration of the obligations or enforcement of any of the liens provided for in the Credit Agreement. The Company acknowledged in the Limited Forbearance Agreement that as a result of the existing defaults, the Lenders are entitled to decline to provide further credit to the Company, to terminate their loan commitments, to accelerate the outstanding loans, and to enforce their liens.

The Limited Forbearance Agreement provides that during the forbearance period, so long as the Company meets the conditions of the Limited Forbearance Agreement, it may continue to request credit under the revolving credit line. The Company was in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Limited Forbearance Agreement at January 31, 2012.

The Limited Forbearance Agreement requires the Company to:

(a) engage a chief restructuring advisor to assist in developing a written restructuring plan for the Company's business operations;

(b) submit a restructuring plan to the Administrative Agent by February 15, 2012;

(c) provide any consultant retained by the Administrative Agent with access to the operations, records and employees of the Company;

(d) attain revised minimum EBITDA covenant targets; and

(e) provide additional financial reports to the Administrative Agent.

The Limited Forbearance Agreement provides that the credit commitment under the Credit Agreement is $15,000,000 and provides for a $1,450,000 reserve against the Credit Agreement borrowing base. The Company had borrowed under its $15.0 million line of credit approximately $9.7 million at January 31, 2012, which encompassed working capital requirements, refinancing of existing indebtedness prior to The Herald-Dispatch acquisition and to partially fund the purchase of The Herald-Dispatch. Pursuant to the terms of the Limited Forbearance Agreement, the Company's borrowing base certificate as submitted to the Administrative Agent and adjusted in this filing for such provisions in the Limited Forbearance Agreement reflected minimum excess availability of $4.0 million as of January 31, 2012. The minimum excess availability is subject to a $1,450,000 reserve and may be adjusted by the Administrative Agent.

9

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

The Company had borrowed under its $15.0 million line of credit approximately $9.7 million at January 31, 2012, which encompassed working capital requirements, refinancing of existing indebtedness prior to The Herald-Dispatch acquisition and to partially fund the purchase of The Herald-Dispatch. The $15.0 million line of credit was reduced from $17.0 million, pursuant to the terms of the Limited Forbearance Agreement.

The Limited Forbearance Agreement provides that $2,000,000 of the $2,500,000 cash collateral held by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Contribution Agreement and Cash Collateral Security Agreement dated March 31, 2010, among the Company, Marshall Reynolds and the Administrative Agent (the "Contribution Agreement") shall be applied at the execution of the Limited Forbearance Agreement to the outstanding term loans in inverse order of maturity, which shall satisfy in full (a) any fixed charge violation (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) as of October 31, 2011, and during the forbearance period and (b) any excess cash flow payment due under the Credit Agreement during the forbearance period. If the Company, the Administrative Agent and applicable lenders do not enter into a new agreement or an amendment to the Limited Forbearance Agreement by April 30, 2012, the defaults shall be deemed existing and unsecured and any remaining funds in the cash collateral account shall be immediately available to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Contribution Agreement. The $2,000,000 in cash collateral released to pay down term debt was issued in the form of a subordinated unsecured promissory note in like amount on December 28, 2011.

Upon the expiration of the Limited Forbearance Agreement, a total of $44.4 million of long-term debt and outstanding revolving line of credit borrowings outstanding at January 31, 2012 are subject to accelerated maturity and, as such, the creditors may, at their option, give notice to the Company that amounts owed are immediately due and payable. As a result, the full amount of the related long-term debt has been classified as a current liability in the accompanying Balance Sheet at January 31, 2012, representing $29.8 million of term debt as well as approximately $9.7 million in revolving credit borrowings based on contractual maturities. Regardless of the non-compliance with financial covenants, the Company has made every scheduled payment of principal and interest, including additional payments for excess cash flow recapture payments and extra payments provided for within the Limited Forbearance Agreement and Credit Agreement. The Company is required to maintain a minimum of $750,000 of compensating balances with the Administrative Agent under the terms of its Credit Agreement.

10

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

The Company is required to make certain mandatory payments on its credit facilities related to (1) net proceeds received from a loss subject to applicable thresholds, (2) equity proceeds and (3) effective January 31, 2009, and continuing each year thereafter under the terms of the agreement the Company is required to prepay its credit facilities by 75% of excess cash flow for its most recently completed fiscal year. The excess cash flow for purposes of this calculation is defined as the difference (if any) between (a) EBITDA for such period and (b) federal, state and local income taxes paid in cash during such period plus capital expenditures during such period not financed with indebtedness plus interest expense paid in cash during such period plus the aggregate amount of scheduled payments made by the Company and its Subsidiaries during such period in respect of all principal on all indebtedness (whether at maturity, as a result of mandatory sinking fund redemption, or otherwise), plus restricted payments paid in cash by the Company during such period in compliance with the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Limited Forbearance Agreement, there would be no excess cash flow payment due based on the contractual provisions regarding the application of cash collateral. The Company had no balance due under its prepayment obligation for fiscal 2010 and 2011 that would have been payable January 2011 and 2012 pursuant to the applicable calculations of the applicable credit agreements.

The Company may incur costs in 2012 related to facility consolidations, employee termination costs and other restructuring related activities. These costs may be incurred, in part, as a response to the Company's efforts to overcome the impact of the global economic crisis and may occur pursuant to certain initiatives being reviewed in accordance with the provisions of the Limited Forbearance Agreement. 

The Company’s non-cash activities for the first quarter of 2012 and 2011 included equipment purchases of approximately $37,000 and $136,000, and which were financed by a bank.

6. Commitments and Contingencies

As of January 31, 2012 the Company had contractual obligations in the form of leases and debt as follows:

	Payments Due by Fiscal Year
Contractual Obligations	2012		2013		2014		2015		Residual			Total
Non-cancelable operating leases	$	1,019,462	$	1,167,944	$	489,707	$	51,778	$	-	$	2,728,891
Revolving line of credit		9,725,496		-		-		-		-		9,725,496
Notes payable - related party		-		2,000,000		-		-		-		2,000,000
Term debt		35,381,463		251,616		40,015		-		-		35,673,094
	$	46,126,421	$	3,419,560	$	529,722	$	51,778	$	-	$	50,127,481

11

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

7. Industry Segment Information

The Company operates principally in three industry segments organized on the basis of product lines: the production, printing and sale, principally to commercial customers, of printed materials (including brochures, pamphlets, reports, tags, continuous and other forms), the sale of office products and office furniture including interior design services and publication of The Herald-Dispatch daily newspaper in Huntington, West Virginia, with a total daily and Sunday circulation of approximately 24,000 and 30,000, respectively.

The Company reports segment information in a manner consistent with the way that our management, including our chief operating decision maker, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, assesses performance and makes decisions regarding allocation of resources in accordance with the Segment Disclosures Topic of the ASC.

Our Financial Reporting systems present various data, which is used to operate and measure our operating performance. Our chief operating decision maker utilizes various measures of a segment’s profit or loss including historical internal reporting measures and reporting measures based on product lines with operating income (loss) as the key profitability measure within the segment. Product line reporting is the basis for the organization of our segments and is the most consistent measure used by the chief operating decision maker and conforms with the use of segment operating income or (loss) that is the most consistent with those used in measuring like amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The identifiable assets are reflective of non-GAAP assets reported on the Company's internal balance sheets and are typically adjusted for negative book cash balances, taxes, and other items excluded for segment reporting. The total assets reported on the Company's balance sheet as of January 31, 2012 and 2011 are $80,051,505 and $91,915,439 (restated). The identifiable assets reported above represent $68,223,998 and $79,979,777 at January 31, 2012 and 2011.

The table below presents information about reported segments for the three months ended January 31:

2012 Quarter 1	Printing			Office Products & Furniture			Newspaper		Total
Revenues	$	20,739,384		$	9,791,947		$	3,859,408	$	34,390,739
Elimination of intersegment revenue		(1,188,041	)		(1,601,347	)		-		(2,789,388	)
Consolidated revenues	$	19,551,343		$	8,190,600		$	3,859,408	$	31,601,351
Operating income (loss)		(540,980	)		552,566			689,252		700,838
Depreciation & amortization		655,798			33,851			286,222		975,871
Capital expenditures		244,916			18,048			12,633		275,597
Identifiable assets		36,552,106			6,900,578			24,771,314		68,223,998
Goodwill		2,226,837			1,230,485			9,510,933		12,968,255
2011 Quarter 1	Printing			Office Products and Furniture			Newspaper		Total
Revenues	$	21,082,580		$	9,993,003		$	3,944,480	$	35,020,063
Elimination of intersegment revenue		(1,524,402	)		(1,653,701	)		-		(3,178,103	)
Consolidated revenues	$	19,558,178		$	8,339,302		$	3,944,480	$	31,841,960
Operating income (loss)		(109,653	)		345,729			836,209		1,072,285
Depreciation & amortization		692,329			33,872			284,129		1,010,330
Capital expenditures		252,212			17,557			16,973		286,742
Identifiable assets		37,998,043			6,740,573			35,241,161		79,979,777
Goodwill		2,226,837			1,230,485			11,874,961		15,332,283

12

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

A reconciliation of total segment revenues and of total segment operating income to consolidated (loss) income before income taxes, for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, is as follows:

	Three months ended January 31,
		2012			2011
Revenues:
Total segment revenues	$	34,390,739		$	35,020,063
Elimination of intersegment revenue		(2,789,388	)		(3,178,103	)
Consolidated revenue	$	31,601,351		$	31,841,960
Operating Income:
Total segment operating income	$	700,838		$	1,072,285
Interest expense - related party		(6,139	)		(24,917	)
Interest expense		(860,317	)		(943,905	)
Other income		16,271			16,681
Consolidated (loss) income before income taxes	$	(149,347	)	$	120,144
Identifiable assets:
Total segment identifiable assets	$	68,223,998		$	79,979,777
Assets not allocated to a segment		11,827,507			11,935,662
Total consolidated assets	$	80,051,505		$	91,915,439

8. Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

There is a fair value hierarchy for those instruments measured at fair value that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and our own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels:

           Level 1 - Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

           Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

           Level 3 - Unobservable inputs developed using estimates and assumptions developed by the Company, which reflect those that a

                           market participant would use.

The Company does not believe it is practicable to estimate the fair value of its variable interest-bearing debt and revolving credit facilities related to its primary credit facilities with a syndicate of banks and its subordinated debt to a related party due primarily to the fact that an active market for the Company’s debt does not exist.

The term debt not related to the Credit Agreement had a carrying value of approximately $1.0 million and the Company believes carrying value approximates fair value for this debt based on recent market conditions, collateral support, recent borrowings and other factors.

Cash and cash equivalents consist principally of cash on deposit with banks. All highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. The Company's cash deposits in excess of federally insured amounts are primarily maintained at a large well-known financial institution.

The carrying amounts of the Company's accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued payrolls and commissions, taxes accrued and withheld and accrued expenses approximates fair value due to their short-term nature.

Goodwill and other intangible assets are measured on a non-recurring basis using Level 3 inputs.

13

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

9.  Restructuring of Operations

In fiscal 2010 and 2011, the Company recorded charges related to a restructuring and profitability enhancement plan. This plan was implemented to effectuate certain key initiatives and was an integral component of the Second Amendment and Waiver to the Credit Agreement among the Company, Fifth Third Bank, as Lender, L/C Issuer and Administrative Agent for Lenders and other Lenders dated March 31, 2010 (the "Second Amendment"). These actions were taken to comply with the provisions and targeted covenants of the Second Amendment and to address the impact of the global economic crisis on the Company. The Company may incur additional costs in future periods to address the ongoing and fluid nature of the economic crisis, and may incur costs pursuant to certain initiatives being reviewed in accordance with the provisions of the Limited Forbearance Agreement. The amount of future charges is currently not estimable by the Company.

The following information summarizes the costs incurred with respect to restructuring, integration and asset impairment charges during the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, as well as the cumulative total of such costs representing fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011, there were no costs incurred in the first quarter of 2012, and such costs are included as a component of the printing segment:

		Three Months Ended January 31, 2012		Three Months Ended January 31, 2011		Cumulative Total
Occupancy related costs	$	-	$	123,553	$	1,618,965
Costs incurred to streamline production, personnel and other		-		97,105		564,726
Inventory		-		28,851		200,380
Total	$	-	$	249,509	$	2,384,071

The activity pertaining to the Company’s accruals related to restructuring and other charges since October 31, 2011, including additions and payments made are summarized below:

		Occupancy related costs		Costs incurred to streamline production, personnel and other		Total
Balance at October 31, 2011	$	865,849	$	55,575	$	921,424
2012 expenses		-		-		-
Paid in 2012		( 86,369)		(838)		(87,207)
Balance at January 31, 2012	$	779,480	$	54,737	$	834,217

14

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information derived from the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a percentage of total revenues. 

	Three Months Ended January 31 ($ In thousands)
		2012					2011
Revenues:
Printing	$	19,551		61.9	%	$	19,558		61.4	%
Office products and office furniture		8,191		25.9			8,339		26.2
Newspaper		3,859		12.2			3,945		12.4
Total revenues		31,601		100.0			31,842		100.0
Cost of sales and newspaper operating costs:
Printing		14,364		45.4			15,121		47.5
Office products and office furniture		5,742		18.2			6,099		19.2
Newspaper cost of sales and operating costs		2,167		6.9			2,112		6.6
Total cost of sales and newspaper operating costs		22,273		70.5			23,332		73.3
Gross profit		9,328		29.5			8,510		26.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses		8,627		27.3			7,216		22.6
Restructuring charges		-		0.0			221		0.7
Income from operations		701		2.2			1,073		3.4
Interest expense - related party		(6	)	(0.0	)		(25	)	(0.0	)
Interest expense		(861	)	(2.7	)		(944	)	(3.0	)
Other income		17		0.0			16		0.0
(Loss) income before taxes		(149	)	(0.5	)		120		0.4
Income tax benefit (expense)		63		0.2			(47	)	(0.2	)
Net (loss) income	$	(86	)	(0.3)	%	$	73		0.2	%

15

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition

and Results of Operations (continued)

Three Months Ended January 31, 2012 Compared to Three Months Ended January 31, 2011

Revenues

Total revenues decreased 0.8% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, to $31.6 million from $31.8 million. Printing revenue remained flat with approximately $19.6 million in revenue for the first quarter 2012 and 2011. Office products and office furniture revenue decreased slightly in the first quarter of 2012, from $8.3 million in the first quarter of 2011 to $8.2 million in the first quarter of 2012. The Company recorded newspaper revenues from the Herald-Dispatch of approximately $3.9 million, consisting of advertising revenue of approximately $3.0 million and $0.9 million in circulation revenues for the first quarter of 2012. This compares to newspaper revenues of approximately $3.9 million, consisting of advertising revenue of approximately $3.0 million and $0.9 million in circulation revenues for the first quarter of 2011.

Cost of Sales

Total cost of sales decreased 4.5% in the first quarter of 2012, to $22.3 million from $23.3 million in the first quarter of 2011. Printing cost of sales in the first quarter of 2012 decreased $0.8 million over the prior year and decreased as a percent of printing sales to 73.5% in 2012 from 77.3% in 2011.  The decrease in printing cost of sales as a percentage of printing sales is primarily related to lower material costs as a percent of printing sales. Office products and office furniture cost of sales decreased in 2012 to $5.7 million in the first quarter of 2012, from $6.1 million in the first quarter of 2011, and decreased as a percent of sales to 70.1% in 2012 from 73.1% in 2011. Newspaper cost of sales and operating costs increased to $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2012, from $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2011, and as a percent of newspaper sales were 56.2% for the three months ended January 31, 2012 compared with 53.5% for the three months ended January 31, 2011.

Operating Expenses

In the first quarter of 2012, selling, general and administrative expenses (S,G&A) increased on a gross dollar basis to $8.6 million from $7.2 million in 2011, an increase of $1.4 million. As a percentage of total sales, the expenses increased on a quarter to quarter basis in 2012 to 27.3% from 22.6% in 2011. The increase in S,G&A in total and as a percent of sales was primarily reflective of increased professional fees resulting in part, from provisions related to the Limited Forbearance Agreement and audit related fees. The increase in professional fees approximated $0.5 million. The Company also incurred additional employee related costs as well as an increase in its bad debt expense.

Segment Operating Income (Loss)

The printing segment reported an increase in operating loss from a loss of $(0.1) million in the first quarter of 2011 to a loss of $(0.5) million in the first quarter of 2012. The increase in operating loss was primarily attributable to higher SG&A expenses which were primarily reflective of increased professional fees resulting in part from provisions related to the Limited Forbearance Agreement and audit related fees. The increase in professional fees approximated $0.5 million. The printing segment also experienced higher SG&A costs in several other categories, including various employee related costs and bad debt expense. These increases in expenses were partially offset by improved gross margins due in part to lower material costs as a percent of printing sales.

The office products and office furniture segment reported operating profits of $0.6 million in 2012 compared to $0.3 million in 2011. This represented an increase in profitability of approximately $0.2 million. This increase is primarily the results of improved gross profit percent yielding an overall increase in gross profit dollars. The improved gross profit percent was primarily reflective of improved gross margins for office furniture sales.

The newspaper segment reported a reduction in operating income from $0.8 million, in the first quarter of 2011, to $0.7 million, in the first quarter of 2012. The reduction in operating income was reflective of a decrease in newspaper revenues and higher newspaper cost of sales and operating costs as a percent of newspaper revenues. The increase in costs was primarily due to an increase in material costs.

16

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition

and Results of Operations (continued)

Income from Operations and Other Income and Expenses

Income from operations decreased in the first quarter of 2012 to $0.7 million from $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2011. This decrease is primarily the result of higher SG&A expenses partially offset by improved gross margins and a reduction in restructuring charges. The Company recorded restructuring related charges in 2011 of $250,000, of which $29,000 is reflected as a component of cost of goods sold and $221,000 is reflected as restructuring charges.

Other expenses (net), decreased approximately $0.1 million from 2011 to 2012 primarily due to decreases in interest expense, primarily associated with lower average borrowings.

Income Taxes

The Company’s effective income tax rate was a benefit of 42.4% in the first quarter of 2012 and  an expense of  39.1% for the first quarter of 2011. The effective income tax rate approximates the combined federal and state, net of federal benefit, statutory income tax rate.

Net (Loss) Income

Net income for the first quarter of 2011 was $73,000 compared to a net loss of ($86,000) in the first quarter of 2012. Basic and diluted (loss) income  per share for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 were $(0.01) and $0.01.

Inflation and Economic Conditions

Management believes that the effect of inflation on the Company's operations has not been material and will continue to be immaterial for the foreseeable future. The Company does not have long-term contracts; therefore, to the extent permitted by competition, it has the ability to pass through to its customers most cost increases resulting from inflation, if any. In addition, the Company is not particularly energy dependent; therefore, an increase in energy costs should not have a significant impact on the Company.

Our operating results depend on the relative strength of the economy on both a regional and national basis. Recessionary conditions applicable to the economy as a whole and specifically to our core business segments have had a significant adverse impact on the Company's business. A continuing or a deepening of the recessionary conditions we are experiencing could significantly affect our revenue categories and associated profitability.

Seasonality

Historically, the Company has experienced a greater portion of its profitability in the second and fourth quarters than in the first and third quarters.  The second quarter generally reflects increased orders for printing of corporate annual reports and proxy statements.  A post-Labor Day increase in demand for printing services and office products coincides with the Company’s fourth quarter. The global economic crisis as well as other macro-economic factors and customer demand has impacted this general trend in recent years. The Company is unable to predict if this trend has fundamentally shifted until such time a more stable economic climate is present.

Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations that we expect to continue to be reflected in our operating results in future periods.  On a historical basis, The Herald-Dispatch’s first and third calendar quarters of the year tended to be the weakest because advertising volume is at its lowest levels following the holiday season and a seasonal slowdown in the summer months.  Correspondingly, on a historical basis the fourth calendar quarter followed by the second calendar quarter tended to be the strongest quarters.  The fourth calendar quarter included heavy holiday season advertising.  Other factors that affect our quarterly revenues and operating results may be beyond our control, including changes in the pricing policies of our competitors, the hiring and retention of key personnel, wage and cost pressures, distribution costs, changes in newsprint prices and general economic factors.

17

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition

and Results of Operations (continued)

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operations for the three months ended January 31, 2012, was $2.8 million compared to net cash (used in) operations of ($0.4) million during the same period in 2011. This change in net cash from operations is due primarily to timing changes in assets and liabilities.

Net cash (used in) investing activities for the three months ended January 31, 2012 was ($219,000) compared to ($125,000) during the same period in 2011. The net cash used in investing activities during the first three months of 2012 and 2011 primarily related to the purchase of equipment and vehicles.

Net cash (used in) financing activities for the three months ended January 31, 2012 was ($2.6) million compared to $0.5 million provided by financing activities during the same period in 2011. In 2012, the net cash used in financing activities related to scheduled payments of long term debt and a reduction in negative book cash balances. In 2011, the Company generated additional cash flow from financing activities associated primarily with net borrowings on the line of credit and an increase in negative book cash balances.

Working capital on January 31, 2012 was ($29.0) million and at October 31, 2011 was ($31.5) million. The negative working capital at January 31, 2012 is associated with the classification as a current liability of approximately $29.8 million of term debt which was previously classified as long term as well as approximately $9.7 million in revolving credit borrowings being classified as current based on contractual maturities. The $29.8 million term debt reclassification resulted from the Company's inability to remain in compliance with certain of its financial covenants.

The Company had historically used cash generated from operating activities and debt to finance capital expenditures and the cash portion of the purchase price of acquisitions. Management plans to continue making required investments in equipment. The Company has available a line of credit totaling up to $15.0 million which is subject to borrowing base limitations and reserves which may be initiated by the Administrative Agent for Lenders in its sole discretion and are subject to a minimum excess availability threshold as well as the provisions of the Limited Forbearance Agreement (See Note 5 of the Consolidated Financial Statements). For the foreseeable future, including through Fiscal 2012, the Company's ability to fund operations, meet debt service requirements and make planned capital expenditures is contingent on continued availability of the aforementioned credit facilities and the ability of the Company to complete a restructuring or refinancing of the existing debt. The Company does not currently believe it will generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet both scheduled principal and interest payments and pay off the entire line of credit which matures in September 2012.

The Company has engaged the investment banking group of Raymond James & Associates, Inc. (Raymond James) to assist it with a potential restructuring or refinancing of the existing debt and other potential transaction alternatives. Pursuant to the terms of the Limited Forbearance Agreement, the Company also engaged a Chief Restructuring Advisor to work with the Company, Raymond James, the Administrative Agent and syndicate of banks to address various factors, including the expiration of the Limited Forbearance Agreement on April 30, 2012, the revolving line of credit maturing in September 2012, and the term loan facility, which expires in September 2013. The Company continues to have ongoing dialogue with the Administrative Agent and the syndicate of banks with respect to its credit facilities.  At January 31, 2012, a total of $44.4 million of current and long-term debt and outstanding revolving line of credit borrowings are subject to accelerated maturity and, as such, the creditors may, at their option, give notice to the Company that amounts owed are immediately due and payable.

18 

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition

and Results of Operations (continued)

The Company may incur costs in 2012 related to facility consolidations, employee termination costs and other restructuring related activities. The Company has incurred and expects to incur in the future substantial costs associated with various advisory fees with respect to its various credit facilities. These costs may be incurred, in part, as a response to the Company's efforts to overcome the impact of the global economic crisis, and may occur pursuant to certain initiatives being reviewed in accordance with the provisions of the Limited Forbearance Agreement.

 On December 12, 2011, the Company received a Notice of Default under its Credit Agreement dated September 14, 2007 (“Credit Agreement”) and the Second Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement dated March 31, 2010.

On December 28, 2011, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Company, all of its subsidiaries and Marshall T. Reynolds entered into a Limited Forbearance Agreement and Third Amendment to Credit Agreement (the "Limited Forbearance Agreement") which provides, among other things, that during a forbearance period commencing on December 28, 2011, and ending on April 30, 2012 (unless terminated sooner by default of the Company under the Limited Forbearance Agreement or Credit Agreement), the Lenders are willing to temporarily forbear exercising certain rights and remedies available to them, including acceleration of the obligations or enforcement of any of the liens provided for in the Credit Agreement. The Company acknowledged in the Limited Forbearance Agreement that as a result of the existing defaults, the Lenders are entitled to decline to provide further credit to the Company, to terminate their loan commitments, to accelerate the outstanding loans, and to enforce their liens.

The Limited Forbearance Agreement provides that during the forbearance period, so long as the Company meets the conditions of the Limited Forbearance Agreement, it may continue to request credit under the revolving credit line.

The Limited Forbearance Agreement requires the Company to:

(a) engage a chief restructuring advisor to assist in developing a written restructuring plan for the Company's business operations;

(b) submit a restructuring plan to the Administrative Agent by February 15, 2012;

(c) provide any consultant retained by the Administrative Agent with access to the operations, records and employees of the Company;

(d) attain revised minimum EBITDA covenant targets; and

(e) provide additional financial reports to the Administrative Agent.

The Limited Forbearance Agreement provides that the credit commitment under the Credit Agreement is $15,000,000 and provides for a $1,450,000 reserve against the Credit Agreement borrowing base. The Company had borrowed under its $15.0 million line of credit approximately $9.7 million at January 31, 2012, which encompassed working capital requirements, refinancing of existing indebtedness prior to the Herald-Dispatch acquisition and to partially fund the purchase of the Herald-Dispatch. Pursuant to the terms of the Limited Forbearance Agreement, the Company's borrowing base certificate as submitted to the Administrative Agent reflected minimum excess availability of $4.0 million as of January 31, 2012. The minimum excess availability is subject to a $1,450,000 reserve and may be adjusted by the Administrative Agent.

The Limited Forbearance Agreement provides that $2,000,000 of the $2,500,000 cash collateral held by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Contribution Agreement and Cash Collateral Security Agreement dated March 31, 2010, among the Company, Marshall Reynolds and the Administrative Agent (the "Contribution Agreement") shall be applied at the execution of the Limited Forbearance Agreement to the outstanding term loans in inverse order of maturity, which shall satisfy in full (a) any fixed charge violation (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) as of October 31, 2011, and during the forbearance period and (b) any excess cash flow payment due under the Credit Agreement during the forbearance period. If the Company, the Administrative Agent and applicable lenders do not enter into a new agreement or an amendment to the Limited Forbearance Agreement by April 30, 2012, the defaults shall be deemed existing and unsecured and any remaining funds in the cash collateral account shall be immediately available to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Contribution Agreement. The $2,000,000 in cash collateral released to pay down term debt was issued in the form of a subordinated unsecured promissory note in like amount on December 28, 2011.

19

Champion Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition

and Results of Operations (continued)

Environmental Regulation

The Company is subject to the environmental laws and regulations of the United States, and the states in which it operates, concerning emissions into the air, discharges into the waterways and the generation, handling and disposal of waste materials. The Company’s past expenditures relating to environmental compliance have not had a material effect on the Company. These laws and regulations are constantly evolving, and it is impossible to predict accurately the effect they may have upon the capital expenditures, earnings, and competitive position of the Company in the future. Based upon information currently available, management believes that expenditures relating to environmental compliance will not have a material impact on the financial position of the Company.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this Form 10-Q, including without limitation statements including the word “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “expects” or words of similar import, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements of the Company expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, changes in business strategy or development plans and other factors referenced in this Form 10-Q, including without limitations under the captions “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business.” The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

The Company does not have any significant exposure relating to market risk.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.

(b) Changes in Internal Controls. There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the first three months of fiscal year 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

20

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, our Company is involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. We maintain insurance coverage against certain types of potential claims in an amount which we believe to be adequate, but there is no assurance that such coverage will in fact cover, or be sufficient to cover, all potential claims. Currently, we are not aware of any legal proceedings or claims pending against the Company that our management believes may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There were no material changes in risk factors from disclosures previously reported in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011.

Item 6. Exhibits

a) Exhibits:

(31.1)	Principal Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002 - Marshall T. Reynolds	Exhibit 31.1 Page Exhibit 31.1-p1
(31.2)	Principal Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002 - Todd R. Fry	Exhibit 31.2 Page Exhibit 31.2-p1
(32)	Marshall T. Reynolds and Todd R. Fry Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002	Exhibit 32 Page Exhibit 32-p1

21

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

CHAMPION INDUSTRIES, INC.

Date: March 12, 2012	/s/ Marshall T. Reynolds
	Marshall T. Reynolds
	Chief Executive Officer
Date: March 12, 2012	/s/ Todd R. Fry
	Todd R. Fry
	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

22

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Marshall T. Reynolds, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Champion Industries, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.	The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
	a)	designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)	designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)	evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)	disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.	The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
	a)	all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 12, 2012

/s/ Marshall T. Reynolds

Marshall T. Reynolds

Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Todd R. Fry, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Champion Industries, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)	designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)	evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 12, 2012

/s/ Todd R. Fry

Todd R. Fry

Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

EX-32

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Champion Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending January 31, 2012 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we, Marshall T. Reynolds and Todd R. Fry, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to our knowledge:

·   The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and

·   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

By:/s/Marshall T. Reynolds

Marshall T. Reynolds

Chief Executive Officer

By:/s/ Todd R. Fry

Todd R. Fry

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

A signed copy of this written statement required by section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Date: March 12, 2012

XML

Inventories

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Inventories [Abstract]

Inventories

4. Inventories

Inventories are principally stated at the lower of first-in, first-out cost or market. Manufactured finished goods and work in process inventories include material, direct labor and overhead based on standard costs, which approximate actual costs. The Company utilizes an estimated gross profit method for determining cost of sales in interim periods.

Inventories consisted of the following:

	January 31, 2012		October 31, 2011
Printing and newspaper:
Raw materials	$	2,548,944	$	2,415,701
Work in process		1,335,837		1,252,170
Finished goods		2,753,453		2,975,769
Office products and office furniture		2,610,466		2,254,086
	$	9,248,700	$	8,897,726

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Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Revenue Recognition

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Accounts Receivable Allowance For Doubtful Accounts And Revenue Recognition [Abstract]

Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Revenue Recognition

3. Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Revenue Recognition

Accounts Receivable: Accounts receivable are stated at the amount billed to customers. Accounts receivable are ordinarily due 30 days from the invoice date. The Company encounters risks associated with sales and the collection of the associated accounts receivable. As such, the Company records a monthly provision for accounts receivable that are considered to be uncollectible. In order to calculate the appropriate monthly provision, the Company primarily utilizes a historical rate of accounts receivable written off as a percentage of total revenue. This historical rate is applied to the current revenues on a monthly basis. The historical rate is updated periodically based on events that may change the rate such as a significant increase or decrease in collection performance and timing of payments as well as the calculated total exposure in relation to the allowance. Periodically, the Company compares the identified credit risks with the allowance that has been established using historical experience and adjusts the allowance accordingly.

Revenue Recognition: Revenues are recognized when products are shipped or ownership is transferred and when services are rendered to customers. The Company acts as a principal party in sales transactions, assumes title to products and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership including risk of loss for collection, delivery or returns. The Company typically recognizes revenue for the majority of its products upon shipment to the customer and transfer of title. Under agreements with certain customers, custom forms may be stored by the Company for future delivery. In these situations, the Company may receive a logistics and warehouse management fee for the services provided. In these cases, delivery and bill schedules are outlined with the customer and product revenue is recognized when manufacturing is complete and the product is received into the warehouse, title transfers to the customer, the order is invoiced and there is reasonable assurance of collectability. Since the majority of products are customized, product returns are not significant. Therefore, the Company records sales on a gross basis. Advertising revenues are recognized, net of agency commissions, in the period when advertising is printed or placed on websites. Circulation revenues are recognized when purchased newspapers are distributed. Amounts received from customers in advance of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue.

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash	$ 29,690	$ 0
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,061,000 and $933,000	16,453,551	18,779,592
Inventories	9,248,700	8,897,726
Income tax refund	9,293	9,293
Other current assets	1,343,140	572,102
Deferred income tax assets	864,108	864,108
Total current assets	27,948,482	29,122,821
Property and equipment, at cost:
Land	1,881,839	1,881,839
Buildings and improvements	11,882,347	11,876,675
Machinery and equipment	55,335,758	55,148,156
Furniture and fixtures	4,266,578	4,248,530
Vehicles	3,185,648	3,206,318
Property and equipment gross	76,552,170	76,361,518
Less accumulated depreciation	(57,439,362)	(56,605,876)
Property and equipment net	19,112,808	19,755,642
Goodwill	12,968,255	12,968,255
Deferred financing costs	720,319	830,323
Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization	4,703,487	4,778,052
Trademark and masthead	3,648,972	3,648,972
Deferred tax asset, net of current portion	10,924,416	10,894,159
Other assets	24,766	26,058
Total noncurrent assets	32,990,215	33,145,819
Total assets	80,051,505	82,024,282
Current liabilities:
Notes payable, line of credit	9,725,496	9,725,496
Negative book cash balances	0	1,153,931
Accounts payable	5,942,479	5,331,327
Deferred revenue	985,217	737,748
Accrued payroll and commissions	1,488,527	1,738,582
Taxes accrued and withheld	1,395,555	1,195,899
Accrued expenses	1,995,579	2,149,295
Current portion of long-term debt:
Notes payable	35,381,463	38,629,011
Total current liabilities	56,914,316	60,661,289
Long-term debt, net of current portion:
Notes payable	291,631	430,997
Notes payable - related party	2,000,000	0
Other liabilities	3,300	3,750
Total liabilities	59,209,247	61,096,036
Shareholders equity:
Common stock, $1 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; 11,299,528 shares issued and outstanding	11,299,528	11,299,528
Additional paid-in capital	23,267,024	23,267,024
Retained deficit	(13,724,294)	(13,638,306)
Total shareholders equity	20,842,258	20,928,246
Total liabilities and shareholders equity	$ 80,051,505	$ 82,024,282

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Basis of Presentation, Business Operations and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Basis of Presentation, Business Operations and Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation, Business Operations and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

1. Basis of Presentation, Business Operations and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The foregoing financial information has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim financial reporting. The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. In the opinion of management, the financial information reflects all adjustments (consisting of items of a normal recurring nature) necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with GAAP. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the year ended October 31, 2011, and related notes thereto contained in Champion Industries, Inc.'s Form 10-K filed January 30, 2012. The accompanying interim financial information is unaudited. The results of operations for the period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The balance sheet information as of October 31, 2011 was derived from our audited financial statements.

Reclassifications and Revisions: Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year financial statement presentation.

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Earnings per Share

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Earnings per Share [Abstract]

Earnings per Share

2. Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for the period and excludes any dilutive effects of stock options. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for the period plus the shares that would be outstanding assuming the exercise of dilutive stock options. There was no dilutive effect of stock options for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011.

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, allowance	$ 1,061,000	$ 933,000
Shareholders equity:
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	11,299,528	11,299,528
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	11,299,528	11,299,528

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Document And Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	CHAMPION INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000019149
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Public Float		$ 7,500,965
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	11,299,528
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jan. 31, 2012

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Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Revenues:
Printing	$ 19,551,343	$ 19,558,178
Office products and office furniture	8,190,600	8,339,302
Newspaper	3,859,408	3,944,480
Total revenues	31,601,351	31,841,960
Cost of sales and newspaper operating costs:
Printing	14,363,815	15,120,842
Office products and office furniture	5,742,113	6,099,486
Newspaper cost of sales and operating costs	2,168,033	2,112,027
Total cost of sales and newspaper operating costs	22,273,961	23,332,355
Gross profit	9,327,390	8,509,605
Selling, general and administrative expenses	8,626,552	7,216,662
Restructuring charges	0	220,658
Income from operations	700,838	1,072,285
Other (expenses) income:
Interest expense - related party	(6,139)	(24,917)
Interest expense	(860,317)	(943,905)
Other	16,271	16,681
Total Other income (expense)	(850,185)	(952,141)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(149,347)	120,144
Income tax benefit (expense)	63,359	(46,923)
Net (loss) income	$ (85,988)	$ 73,221
(Loss) income per share
Basic and Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.01
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic and Diluted (in shares)	11,300,000	9,988,000
Dividends per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0

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Industry Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Industry Segment Information [Abstract]

Industry Segment Information

7. Industry Segment Information

The Company operates principally in three industry segments organized on the basis of product lines: the production, printing and sale, principally to commercial customers, of printed materials (including brochures, pamphlets, reports, tags, continuous and other forms), the sale of office products and office furniture including interior design services and publication of The Herald-Dispatch daily newspaper in Huntington, West Virginia, with a total daily and Sunday circulation of approximately 24,000 and 30,000, respectively.

The Company reports segment information in a manner consistent with the way that our management, including our chief operating decision maker, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, assesses performance and makes decisions regarding allocation of resources in accordance with the Segment Disclosures Topic of the ASC.

Our Financial Reporting systems present various data, which is used to operate and measure our operating performance. Our chief operating decision maker utilizes various measures of a segment's profit or loss including historical internal reporting measures and reporting measures based on product lines with operating income (loss) as the key profitability measure within the segment. Product line reporting is the basis for the organization of our segments and is the most consistent measure used by the chief operating decision maker and conforms with the use of segment operating income or (loss) that is the most consistent with those used in measuring like amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The identifiable assets are reflective of non-GAAP assets reported on the Company's internal balance sheets and are typically adjusted for negative book cash balances, taxes, and other items excluded for segment reporting. The total assets reported on the Company's balance sheet as of January 31, 2012 and 2011 are $80,051,505 and $91,915,439 (restated). The identifiable assets reported above represent $68,223,998 and $79,979,777 at January 31, 2012 and 2011.

The table below presents information about reported segments for the three months ended January 31:

2012 Quarter 1	Printing			Office Products & Furniture			Newspaper		Total
Revenues	$	20,739,384		$	9,791,947		$	3,859,408	$	34,390,739
Elimination of intersegment revenue		(1,188,041	)		(1,601,347	)		-		(2,789,388	)
Consolidated revenues	$	19,551,343		$	8,190,600		$	3,859,408	$	31,601,351
Operating income (loss)		(540,980	)		552,566			689,252		700,838
Depreciation & amortization		655,798			33,851			286,222		975,871
Capital expenditures		244,916			18,048			12,633		275,597
Identifiable assets		36,552,106			6,900,578			24,771,314		68,223,998
Goodwill		2,226,837			1,230,485			9,510,933		12,968,255
2011 Quarter1	Printing			Office Products and Furniture			Newspaper		Total
Revenues	$	21,082,580		$	9,993,003		$	3,944,480	$	35,020,063
Elimination of intersegment revenue		(1,524,402	)		(1,653,701	)		-		(3,178,103	)
Consolidated revenues	$	19,558,178		$	8,339,302		$	3,944,480	$	31,841,960
Operating income (loss)		(109,653	)		345,729			836,209		1,072,285
Depreciation & amortization		692,329			33,872			284,129		1,010,330
Capital expenditures		252,212			17,557			16,973		286,742
Identifiable assets		37,998,043			6,740,573			35,241,161		79,979,777
Goodwill		2,226,837			1,230,485			11,874,961		15,332,283

A reconciliation of total segment revenues and of total segment operating income to consolidated (loss) income before income taxes, for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, is as follows:

	Three months ended January 31,
		2012			2011
Revenues:
Total segment revenues	$	34,390,739		$	35,020,063
Elimination of intersegment revenue		(2,789,388	)		(3,178,103	)
Consolidated revenue	$	31,601,351		$	31,841,960
Operating Income:
Total segment operating income	$	700,838		$	1,072,285
Interest expense - related party		(6,139	)		(24,917	)
Interest expense		(860,317	)		(943,905	)
Other income		16,271			16,681
Consolidated (loss) income before income taxes	$	(149,347	)	$	120,144
Identifiable assets:
Total segment identifiable assets	$	68,223,998		$	79,979,777
Assets not allocated to a segment		11,827,507			11,935,662
Total consolidated assets	$	80,051,505		$	91,915,439

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Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

6. Commitments and Contingencies

As of January 31, 2012 the Company had contractual obligations in the form of leases and debt as follows:

	Payments Due by Fiscal Year
Contractual Obligations	2012		2013		2014		2015		Residual			Total
Non-cancelable operating leases	$	1,019,462	$	1,167,944	$	489,707	$	51,778	$	-	$	2,728,891
Revolving line of credit		9,725,496		-		-		-		-		9,725,496
Notes payable - related party		-		2,000,000		-		-		-		2,000,000
Term debt		35,381,463		251,616		40,015		-		-		35,673,094
	$	46,126,421	$	3,419,560	$	529,722	$	51,778	$	-	$	50,127,481

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

8. Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

There is a fair value hierarchy for those instruments measured at fair value that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and our own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels:

           Level 1 - Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

           Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

           Level 3 - Unobservable inputs developed using estimates and assumptions developed by the Company, which reflect those that a

                           market participant would use.

The Company does not believe it is practicable to estimate the fair value of its variable interest-bearing debt and revolving credit facilities related to its primary credit facilities with a syndicate of banks and its subordinated debt to a related party due primarily to the fact that an active market for the Company's debt does not exist.

The term debt not related to the Credit Agreement had a carrying value of approximately $1.0 million and the Company believes carrying value approximates fair value for this debt based on recent market conditions, collateral support, recent borrowings and other factors.

Cash and cash equivalents consist principally of cash on deposit with banks. All highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. The Company's cash deposits in excess of federally insured amounts are primarily maintained at a large well-known financial institution.

The carrying amounts of the Company's accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued payrolls and commissions, taxes accrued and withheld and accrued expenses approximates fair value due to their short-term nature.

Goodwill and other intangible assets are measured on a non-recurring basis using Level 3 inputs.

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Restructuring of Operations

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Restructuring of Operations [Abstract]

Restructuring of Operations

9.  Restructuring of Operations

In fiscal 2010 and 2011, the Company recorded charges related to a restructuring and profitability enhancement plan. This plan was implemented to effectuate certain key initiatives and was an integral component of the Second Amendment and Waiver to the Credit Agreement among the Company, Fifth Third Bank, as Lender, L/C Issuer and Administrative Agent for Lenders and other Lenders dated March 31, 2010 (the "Second Amendment"). These actions were taken to comply with the provisions and targeted covenants of the Second Amendment and to address the impact of the global economic crisis on the Company. The Company may incur additional costs in future periods to address the ongoing and fluid nature of the economic crisis, and may incur costs pursuant to certain initiatives being reviewed in accordance with the provisions of the Limited Forbearance Agreement. The amount of future charges is currently not estimable by the Company.

The following information summarizes the costs incurred with respect to restructuring, integration and asset impairment charges during the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, as well as the cumulative total of such costs representing fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011, there were no costs incurred in the first quarter of 2012, and such costs are included as a component of the printing segment:

		Three Months Ended January 31, 2012		Three Months Ended January 31, 2011		Cumulative Total
Occupancy related costs	$	-	$	123,553	$	1,618,965
Costs incurred to streamline production, personnel and other		-		97,105		564,726
Inventory		-		28,851		200,380
Total	$	-	$	249,509	$	2,384,071

The activity pertaining to the Company's accruals related to restructuring and other charges since October 31, 2011, including additions and payments made are summarized below:

		Occupancy related costs		Costs incurred to streamline production, personnel and other		Total
Balance at October 31, 2011	$	865,849	$	55,575	$	921,424
2012 expenses		-		-		-
Paid in 2012		( 86,369)		(838)		(87,207)
Balance at January 31, 2012	$	779,480	$	54,737	$	834,217

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (85,988)	$ 73,221
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	975,871	1,010,330
(Gain) on sale of assets	(1,241)	(2,459)
Deferred income taxes	(30,257)	0
Deferred financing costs	110,005	105,530
Bad debt expense	150,782	21,497
Restructuring charges	0	249,509
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	2,175,259	(51,150)
Inventories	(350,974)	402,067
Other current assets	(771,038)	(723,760)
Accounts payable	611,152	(2,009,202)
Accrued payroll and commission	(250,055)	(624,372)
Deferred revenue	247,469	51,522
Taxes accrued and withheld	199,656	(85,528)
Income taxes	0	65,905
Accrued expenses	(153,716)	1,157,743
Other liabilities	(450)	(450)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	2,826,475	(359,597)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(238,317)	(150,546)
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	18,365	24,326
Change in other assets	1,292	1,291
Net cash used in investing activities	(218,660)	(124,929)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowing on line of credit	20,000	14,860,000
Payments on line of credit	(20,000)	(14,160,000)
Principal payments on long-term debt	(1,424,194)	(1,404,077)
Change in negative book cash balances	(1,153,931)	1,188,603
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(2,578,125)	484,526
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	29,690	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 29,690	$ 0

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Long-Term Debt

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Long-Term Debt [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

5. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

	January 31, 2012		October 31, 2011
Installment notes payable to banks	$	1,013,870	$	1,175,784
Notes payable to related party		2,000,000		-
Term loan facility with a syndicate of banks, collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the Company		34,659,224		37,884,224
Revolving line of credit loan facility with a syndicate of banks, collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the Company		9,725,496		9,725,496
		47,398,590		48,785,504
Less current portion revolving line of credit		9,725,496		9,725,496
Less long-term notes payable to related party		2,000,000		-
Less current portion long-term debt		35,381,463		38,629,011
Long-term debt, net of current portion and revolving line of credit	$	291,631	$	430,997

The secured and unsecured credit facilities contain restrictive financial covenants requiring the Company to maintain certain financial ratios. The Company was unable to remain in compliance with certain financial covenants arising under the Credit Agreement among the Company, Fifth Third Bank as Lender, Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer and other Lenders dated September 14, 2007, as amended (the "Credit Agreement"). The creditors have not waived the financial covenant requirements. The Company received a notice of default on December 12, 2011, which was reported pursuant to item 2.04 of Form 8-K filed December 15, 2011. This notice of default advised that the Administrative Agent had not waived the event of default and reserves all rights and remedies thereof. These remedies include, under the Credit Agreement, the right to accelerate and declare due and immediately payable the principal and accrued interest on all loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement. The notice of default further stated that any extension of additional credit under the Credit Agreement would be made by the lenders in their sole discretion without any intention to waive any event of default.

On December 28, 2011, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Company, all of its subsidiaries and Marshall T. Reynolds entered into a Limited Forbearance Agreement and Third Amendment to Credit Agreement (the "Limited Forbearance Agreement") which provides, among other things, that during a forbearance period commencing on December 28, 2011, and ending on April 30, 2012 (unless terminated sooner by default of the Company under the Limited Forbearance Agreement or Credit Agreement), the Lenders are willing to temporarily forbear exercising certain rights and remedies available to them, including acceleration of the obligations or enforcement of any of the liens provided for in the Credit Agreement. The Company acknowledged in the Limited Forbearance Agreement that as a result of the existing defaults, the Lenders are entitled to decline to provide further credit to the Company, to terminate their loan commitments, to accelerate the outstanding loans, and to enforce their liens.

The Limited Forbearance Agreement provides that during the forbearance period, so long as the Company meets the conditions of the Limited Forbearance Agreement, it may continue to request credit under the revolving credit line. The Company was in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Limited Forbearance Agreement at January 31, 2012.

The Limited Forbearance Agreement requires the Company to:

(a) engage a chief restructuring advisor to assist in developing a written restructuring plan for the Company's business operations;

(b) submit a restructuring plan to the Administrative Agent by February 15, 2012;

(c) provide any consultant retained by the Administrative Agent with access to the operations, records and employees of the Company;

(d) attain revised minimum EBITDA covenant targets; and

(e) provide additional financial reports to the Administrative Agent.

The Limited Forbearance Agreement provides that the credit commitment under the Credit Agreement is $15,000,000 and provides for a $1,450,000 reserve against the Credit Agreement borrowing base. The Company had borrowed under its $15.0 million line of credit approximately $9.7 million at January 31, 2012, which encompassed working capital requirements, refinancing of existing indebtedness prior to The Herald-Dispatch acquisition and to partially fund the purchase of The Herald-Dispatch. Pursuant to the terms of the Limited Forbearance Agreement, the Company's borrowing base certificate as submitted to the Administrative Agent and adjusted in this filing for such provisions in the Limited Forbearance Agreement reflected minimum excess availability of $4.0 million as of January 31, 2012. The minimum excess availability is subject to a $1,450,000 reserve and may be adjusted by the Administrative Agent.

The Company had borrowed under its $15.0 million line of credit approximately $9.7 million at January 31, 2012, which encompassed working capital requirements, refinancing of existing indebtedness prior to The Herald-Dispatch acquisition and to partially fund the purchase of The Herald-Dispatch. The $15.0 million line of credit was reduced from $17.0 million, pursuant to the terms of the Limited Forbearance Agreement.

The Limited Forbearance Agreement provides that $2,000,000 of the $2,500,000 cash collateral held by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Contribution Agreement and Cash Collateral Security Agreement dated March 31, 2010, among the Company, Marshall Reynolds and the Administrative Agent (the "Contribution Agreement") shall be applied at the execution of the Limited Forbearance Agreement to the outstanding term loans in inverse order of maturity, which shall satisfy in full (a) any fixed charge violation (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) as of October 31, 2011, and during the forbearance period and (b) any excess cash flow payment due under the Credit Agreement during the forbearance period. If the Company, the Administrative Agent and applicable lenders do not enter into a new agreement or an amendment to the Limited Forbearance Agreement by April 30, 2012, the defaults shall be deemed existing and unsecured and any remaining funds in the cash collateral account shall be immediately available to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Contribution Agreement. The $2,000,000 in cash collateral released to pay down term debt was issued in the form of a subordinated unsecured promissory note in like amount on December 28, 2011.

Upon the expiration of the Limited Forbearance Agreement, a total of $44.4 million of long-term debt and outstanding revolving line of credit borrowings outstanding at January 31, 2012 are subject to accelerated maturity and, as such, the creditors may, at their option, give notice to the Company that amounts owed are immediately due and payable. As a result, the full amount of the related long-term debt has been classified as a current liability in the accompanying Balance Sheet at January 31, 2012, representing $29.8 million of term debt as well as approximately $9.7 million in revolving credit borrowings based on contractual maturities. Regardless of the non-compliance with financial covenants, the Company has made every scheduled payment of principal and interest, including additional payments for excess cash flow recapture payments and extra payments provided for within the Limited Forbearance Agreement and Credit Agreement. The Company is required to maintain a minimum of $750,000 of compensating balances with the Administrative Agent under the terms of its Credit Agreement.

The Company is required to make certain mandatory payments on its credit facilities related to (1) net proceeds received from a loss subject to applicable thresholds, (2) equity proceeds and (3) effective January 31, 2009, and continuing each year thereafter under the terms of the agreement the Company is required to prepay its credit facilities by 75% of excess cash flow for its most recently completed fiscal year. The excess cash flow for purposes of this calculation is defined as the difference (if any) between (a) EBITDA for such period and (b) federal, state and local income taxes paid in cash during such period plus capital expenditures during such period not financed with indebtedness plus interest expense paid in cash during such period plus the aggregate amount of scheduled payments made by the Company and its Subsidiaries during such period in respect of all principal on all indebtedness (whether at maturity, as a result of mandatory sinking fund redemption, or otherwise), plus restricted payments paid in cash by the Company during such period in compliance with the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Limited Forbearance Agreement, there would be no excess cash flow payment due based on the contractual provisions regarding the application of cash collateral. The Company had no balance due under its prepayment obligation for fiscal 2010 and 2011 that would have been payable January 2011 and 2012 pursuant to the applicable calculations of the applicable credit agreements.

The Company may incur costs in 2012 related to facility consolidations, employee termination costs and other restructuring related activities. These costs may be incurred, in part, as a response to the Company's efforts to overcome the impact of the global economic crisis and may occur pursuant to certain initiatives being reviewed in accordance with the provisions of the Limited Forbearance Agreement. 

The Company's non-cash activities for the first quarter of 2012 and 2011 included equipment purchases of approximately $37,000 and $136,000, and which were financed by a bank.