10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

ý QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended  March 27, 2004

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 number  0-7597

COURIER CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Massachusetts

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

04-2502514

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

15 Wellman Avenue, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts	01863
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)
(978) 251-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
NO CHANGE
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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  ý  No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

Yes  ý  No  o

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 May 7, 2004
Common Stock, $1 par value	7,958,190 shares

COURIER CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

	QUARTER ENDED					SIX MONTHS ENDED
	March 27, 2004			March 29, 2003		March 27, 2004			March 29, 2003
Net sales	$	49,663		$	48,605	$	96,482		$	97,387
Cost of sales	34,136			33,019		65,326			66,413
Gross profit	15,527			15,586		31,156			30,974
Selling and administrative expenses	9,636			9,788		19,274			19,486
Interest (income) expense	(27		)	26		(54		)	68
Income before taxes	5,918			5,772		11,936			11,420
Provision for income taxes (Note C)	2,067			1,984		4,173			3,883
Income from continuing operations	$	3,851		$	3,788	$	7,763		$	7,537
Discontinued operation (Note F):
Loss from operation, net of tax	—			—		—			(65		)
Gain on disposal, net of tax	—			33		—			861
Net income	$	3,851		$	3,821	$	7,763		$	8,333
Income per basic share (Note D):
Continuing operations	$	0.48		$	0.48	$	0.98		$	0.96
Discontinued operation (Note F):
Loss from operation	—			—		—			(0.01		)
Gain on disposal	—			0.01		—			0.11
Net income per basic share	$	0.48		$	0.49	$	0.98		$	1.06
Income per diluted share (Note D):
Continuing operations	$	0.47		$	0.47	$	0.95		$	0.93
Discontinued operation (Note F):
Loss from operation	—			—		—			(0.01		)
Gain on disposal	—			—		—			0.11
Net income per diluted share	$	0.47		$	0.47	$	0.95		$	1.03
Cash dividends declared per share	$	0.0875		$	0.075	$	0.175		$	0.15

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

2

COURIER CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)

	March 27, 2004		September 27, 2003
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	8,164	$	23,824
Accounts receivable, less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $1,866 at March 27, 2004 and $1,741 at September 27, 2003	30,306		29,174
Inventories (Note B)	24,935		20,681
Deferred income taxes	3,202		3,164
Other current assets	371		830
Total current assets	66,978		77,673
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation: $105,639 at March 27, 2004 and $101,356 at September 27, 2003	46,739		43,342
Goodwill (Note A)	33,541		24,847
Prepublication costs (Note A)	4,928		3,810
Other assets	1,453		1,429
Total assets	$	153,639	$	151,101

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

3

COURIER CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)

	March 27, 2004			September 27, 2003
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	81		$	81
Accounts payable	6,411			6,494
Accrued payroll	5,794			8,031
Accrued taxes	3,871			6,521
Other current liabilities	4,886			5,686
Total current liabilities	21,043			26,813
Long-term debt	553			593
Deferred income taxes	6,706			5,597
Other liabilities	2,630			2,678
Total liabilities	30,932			35,681
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value - authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued
Common stock, $1 par value - authorized 18,000,000 shares; issued 8,088,000 shares	8,088			8,088
Additional paid-in capital	1,262			650
Retained earnings	115,191			108,827
Unearned compensation	(270		)	(350		)
Treasury stock, at cost: 133,000 shares at March 27, 2004 and 157,000 shares at September 27, 2003	(1,564		)	(1,795		)
Total stockholders’ equity	122,707			115,420
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	153,639		$	151,101

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

4

COURIER CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)

	SIX MONTHS ENDED
	March 27, 2004			March 29, 2003
Operating Activities:
Net income	$	7,763		$	8,333
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	5,329			5,057
Deferred income taxes	1,071			526
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(61		)	2,030
Inventory	(2,325		)	(313		)
Accounts payable	(869		)	466
Accrued taxes	(2,650		)	(2,581		)
Other elements of working capital	(2,645		)	(2,183		)
Gain on sale of discontinued operation (Note F)	—			(861		)
Other, net	385			(350		)
Cash provided from operating activities	5,998			10,124
Investment Activities:
Capital expenditures	(7,580		)	(2,373		)
Prepublication costs	(1,249		)	(1,107		)
Business acquisition (Note E)	(11,850		)	—
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operation (Note F)	—			1,500
Cash used for investment activities	(20,679		)	(1,980		)
Financing Activities:
Long-term debt repayments	(40		)	(39		)
Cash dividends	(1,399		)	(1,174		)
Proceeds from stock plans	460			373
Cash used for financing activities	(979		)	(840		)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(15,660		)	7,304
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	23,824			5,630
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$	8,164		$	12,934

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

5

COURIER CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

A.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Unaudited Financial Statements

The balance sheet as of March 27, 2004, the statements of income for the three-month and six-month periods ended March 27, 2004 and March 29, 2003, and the statements of cash flows for the six-month periods ended March 27, 2004 and March 29, 2003 are unaudited.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements have been recorded.  Such adjustments consisted only of normal recurring items. Certain amounts for fiscal 2003 have been reclassified in the accompanying financial statements in order to be consistent with the current year’s classification.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“generally accepted accounting principles”) have been condensed or omitted.  The balance sheet data as of September 27, 2003 was derived from audited year-end financial statements, but does not include disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.  It is suggested that these interim financial statements be read in conjunction with the Company’s most recent Form 10-K and Annual Report for the year ended September 27, 2003.

Prepublication Costs

Prepublication costs, associated with the specialty publishing segment, are amortized using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of three years for recently acquired Research and Education Association (see Note E) and four years for Dover Publications.  Effective with the second quarter of fiscal 2003, amortization expense of prepublication costs was reclassified to cost of sales from selling and administrative expense.  Prior periods presented in the accompanying financial statements have been reclassified in order to be consistent with the current classification.

Goodwill

The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”  Accordingly, the Company evaluates possible impairment annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable.

Stock Split

On November 6, 2003, the Company announced a three-for-two stock split effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend, except for treasury shares, which was distributed on December 5, 2003.  Previously authorized but unissued shares were used to effect the dividend.  Weighted average shares outstanding and per share amounts presented in the accompanying financial statements for periods prior to the stock split have been restated to give effect to the stock split.

Stock-Based Compensation

Pursuant to SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended by SFAS No. 148, the Company applies the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and related interpretations.  Accordingly, because the number of shares is fixed and the exercise price of the stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense has been recognized.

6

Had compensation cost for stock options, and grants under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, been determined under the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income would have been as follows:

	(000’s Omitted)
	Quarter Ended						Six Months Ended
	March 27, 2004			March 29, 2003			March 27, 2004			March 29, 2003
Net income as reported	$	3,851		$	3,821		$	7,763		$	8,333
Deduct:Stock-based compensation expense determined under SFAS No. 123, net of related tax effects	(349		)	(237		)	(698		)	(475		)
Pro forma net income	$	3,502		$	3,584		$	7,065		$	7,858
Net income per share as reported:
Basic	$	0.48		$	0.49		$	0.98		$	1.06
Diluted	0.47			0.47			0.95			1.03
Pro forma net income per share:
Basic	$	0.44		$	0.46		$	0.89		$	1.00
Diluted	0.43			0.44			0.86			0.97

B.INVENTORIES

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for approximately 37% and 44% of the Company’s inventories at March 27, 2004 and September 27, 2003, respectively.  Other inventories, primarily in the specialty publishing segment, are determined on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis.  REA’s inventory of $1.7 million at March 27, 2004 is included in finished goods.  Inventories consisted of the following:

	(000’s Omitted)
	March 27, 2004		September 27, 2003
Raw materials	$	2,712	$	1,704
Work in process	5,911		3,833
Finished goods	16,312		15,144
Total	$	24,935	$	20,681

C.INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes from continuing operations differs from that computed using the statutory federal income tax rates for the following reasons:

	(000’s Omitted)
	Quarter Ended						Six Months Ended
	March 27, 2004			March 29, 2003			March 27, 2004			March 29, 2003
Federal taxes at statutory rates	$	2,071		$	1,999		$	4,178		$	3,966
State taxes, net of federal benefit	176			137			329			254
Foreign sales corporation (FSC) export related income	(181		)	(184		)	(343		)	(358		)
Other	1			32			9			21
Total	$	2,067		$	1,984		$	4,173		$	3,883

7

D.NET INCOME PER SHARE

Following is a reconciliation of the shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted income per share.  Potentially dilutive shares, calculated using the treasury stock method, consist of shares issued under the Company’s stock option plans.  These shares have been adjusted to reflect the three-for-two stock split effected in the form of a dividend distributed on December 5, 2003 (see Note A).

	(000’s Omitted)
	Quarter Ended		Six Months Ended
	March 27, 2004	March 29, 2003	March 27, 2004	March 29, 2003
Average shares outstanding for basic	7,944	7,834	7,938	7,828
Effect of potentially dilutive shares	285	272	272	262
Average shares outstanding for diluted	8,229	8,106	8,210	8,090

E.BUSINESS ACQUISITION

On January 6, 2004, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of Research & Education Association (REA), a publisher of test preparation and study guide books and software for high school, college, graduate students, and professionals, with total annual sales of approximately $6 million.  The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase, and accordingly, REA’s financial results were included in the specialty publishing segment in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.  The purchase price was approximately $12 million, with an initial allocation of approximately $9 million to goodwill in the accompanying financial statements.  This allocation will be finalized later this year.  The Company expects REA to be neutral to fiscal 2004 earnings and to contribute positively in 2005 and beyond.

F.DISCONTINUED OPERATION

On December 17, 2002, the Company sold the assets of its wholly owned subsidiary, Courier Custom Publishing, Inc., which comprised all of the activities of the customized education segment.  The customized education segment provided customized coursepacks and textbooks. Fiscal 2003 financial results of this discontinued operation through the date of disposal were a loss, net of tax, of $65,000 or $.01 per diluted share.  Proceeds from the sale were $1.5 million resulting in an after-tax gain of approximately $0.9 million, or $.11 per diluted share, in fiscal 2003.

8

G.BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company has two business segments: full-service book manufacturing and specialty publishing. The book manufacturing segment offers a full range of services from production through storage and distribution for religious, educational and specialty trade book publishers. The specialty publishing segment consists of Dover Publications, Inc. and, beginning with the second quarter, REA (see Note E).

In evaluating segment performance, management primarily focuses on income or loss before taxes and other income.  The elimination of intersegment sales and related profit represents sales from the book manufacturing segment to the specialty publishing segment.  Corporate expenses that are allocated to the segments include various support functions such as information technology services, finance, human resources and engineering, and include depreciation and amortization expense related to corporate assets.

The following table provides segment information for the three-month and six-month periods ended March 27, 2004 and March 29, 2003. Information relating to the discontinued customized education segment is not included (see Note F).

	(000’s) Omitted)
	Quarter Ended						Six Months Ended
	March 27, 2004			March 29, 2003			March 27, 2004			March 29, 2003
Net sales:
Book manufacturing	$	40,988		$	41,127		$	80,645		$	82,967
Specialty publishing	10,124			9,077			19,191			17,442
Elimination of intersegment sales	(1,449		)	(1,599		)	(3,354		)	(3,022		)
Total for continuing operations	$	49,663		$	48,605		$	96,482		$	97,387
Income before taxes:
Book manufacturing	$	4,907		$	4,714		$	9,730		$	9,428
Specialty publishing	1,067			1,188			2,380			2,249
Elimination of intersegment profit	(56		)	(130		)	(174		)	(257		)
Total for continuing operations	$	5,918		$	5,772		$	11,936		$	11,420

9

Item 2.                                                                    COURIER CORPORATION

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates:

The Company’s consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements and accompanying notes.   On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to collectibility of accounts receivable, recovery of inventories, impairment of goodwill, prepublication costs and income taxes.  Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and various other factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented.  Actual results may differ from these estimates.  The significant accounting policies which management believes are most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating the Company’s reported financial results include the following:

Accounts Receivable   Management performs ongoing credit evaluations of the Company’s customers and adjusts credit limits based upon payment history and the customer’s current creditworthiness.  Collections and payments from customers are continuously monitored.  A provision for estimated credit losses is determined based upon historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that have been identified.  If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

Inventories   Management records reductions in the cost basis of inventory for excess and obsolete inventory based primarily upon historical and forecasted product demand.  If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory charges may be required.

Goodwill  The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”.  Accordingly, the Company evaluates possible impairment annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable.  The Company completed the annual impairment test required by SFAS No. 142 at September 27, 2003 resulting in no change to the nature or carrying amounts of its intangible assets.  Changes in market conditions or poor operating results could result in a decline in value thereby potentially requiring an impairment charge in the future.

Prepublication Costs   The Company capitalizes prepublication costs, which include the costs of acquiring rights to publish a work and costs associated with bringing a manuscript to publication such as artwork and editorial efforts. Prepublication costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from three to four years.  Management regularly evaluates the sales and profitability of the products based upon historical and forecasted demand.  Based upon this evaluation, adjustments may be required to amortization expense.

Income Taxes   The income tax provision and related accrued taxes are based on amounts reported on the Company’s tax returns and changes in deferred taxes.  Deferred income tax liabilities and assets are determined based upon the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities.  Changes in the recoverability of the Company’s deferred tax assets or audits by tax authorities could result in future charges or credits to income tax expense, and related accrued and deferred taxes.

10

Results of Operations:

For the second quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company’s income from continuing operations was $3.9 million, or $.47 per diluted share, compared to last year’s second quarter results of $3.8 million, or $.47 per diluted share.  Sales from continuing operations in the second quarter were $49.7 million, up 2% from $48.6 million in the same period last year.  Gross profit decreased slightly to $15.5 million in the second quarter compared to $15.6 million in the same period last year, and, as a percentage of sales, was 31.3% compared to 32.1% in the prior year.

For the first six months of fiscal 2004, income from continuing operations was $7.8 million, or $.95 per diluted share, up 3% from $7.5 million, or $.93 per diluted share, for the first half of fiscal 2003.  Sales of $96.5 million for the first six months were 1% below sales for the first half of last year.  Gross profit for the first six months of fiscal 2004 of $31.2 million was comparable to the same period last year.  As a percentage of sales, gross profit improved slightly for the first half of the fiscal year to 32.3% from 31.8% in fiscal 2003.

Both the second-quarter and six-month results include the results of Research & Education Association, Inc. (REA). On January 6, 2004, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of REA, a publisher of test preparation and study guide books and software for high school, college, graduate students, and professionals, with total annual sales of approximately $6 million.  The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase, and accordingly, REA’s financial results were included in the specialty publishing segment in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.  The purchase price was approximately $12 million, with an initial allocation of approximately $9 million to goodwill in the accompanying financial statements.  This allocation will be finalized later this year.  The Company expects REA to be neutral to fiscal 2004 earnings and to contribute positively in 2005 and beyond.  The second-quarter and six-month results do not include the results of a discontinued operation (see section below on Discontinued Operation).

Continuing Operations

Book Manufacturing Segment

Sales from the Company’s book manufacturing segment were $41.0 million in the second quarter, a decrease of less than 1% from the same period last year.  For the first six months of fiscal 2004, book manufacturing sales were down 3% from fiscal 2003.  Within this segment, the Company focuses on three key markets: religious, education, and specialty trade.  Sales in the religious market were up 2% both in the second quarter and first six months compared to the prior year, reflecting stronger religious trade sales in keeping with longer-term market trends.   Sales to the education market were up 14% for the second quarter and 6% for the first half of the fiscal year compared to last year.  Sales to the elementary/high school market were particularly strong in the quarter, primarily as a result of gains in market share with key customers.  Sales to the specialty trade market were down by 20% in the quarter compared to a strong second quarter last year, and down 14% for the first six months compared to the same period last year.  Publishers remained cautious about inventory levels in an uncertain economy and orders for reprints were down, particularly at the beginning of the second quarter.  In addition, sales of computer game books were below last year as a result of the maturing of current game platforms and the absence of new “blockbuster” games.  During the second quarter, the Company expanded its four-color capabilities with the installation of a major new four-color press at its Kendallville, Indiana facility.  This press became operational in April 2004.

Gross profit as a percentage of sales in the book manufacturing segment decreased by 140 basis points to 26.8% in the second quarter from 28.2% in the same quarter last year, despite continued improvements in productivity.  The decline was due to a combination of pricing pressures and product mix, as well as start-up costs of approximately $150,000 related to the new four-color press.  For the first six months of fiscal 2004, gross profit in this segment was 27.7% compared to 28.0% in the first half of last year.

Selling and administrative expenses decreased by 11% in the second quarter to $6.2 million compared to the same period in the prior year.  For the first six months, selling and administrative expenses of $12.8 million were down by 8% compared to the first half of fiscal 2003.  As a percentage of sales, selling and administrative expenses were 15% and 16% of sales in the second quarter and the first six months, respectively, compared to 17% for the corresponding periods of fiscal 2003.  The reductions were due, in part, to lower bad debt expense as well as reductions in incentive compensation.

11

Interest income allocated to the book manufacturing segment increased to $112,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2004 resulting in interest income of $186,000 for the first six months of this year, compared to $60,000 and $137,000 for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2003, respectively.  Fiscal 2004 interest income includes capitalized interest related to the new four-color press, which amounted to $38,000 for the second quarter and $61,000 for the first six months of the year.

Second quarter pretax income in this segment was $4.9 million, or $.39 per diluted share, up 4% from the corresponding quarter last year.  For the first half of the year, pretax income was up 3% over last year to $9.7 million, or $.78 per diluted share.  As a percentage of sales, pretax income increased to approximately 12% from 11% last year for both the quarter and the first six months of the year.

Specialty Publishing Segment

The Company’s specialty publishing segment is comprised of Dover Publications, Inc. (“Dover”), as well as REA since its acquisition on January 6, 2004.  Second quarter sales in this segment were $10.1 million, up 12% from $9.1 million in last year’s second quarter, with the increase attributable to REA.  For the first six months, sales increased 10% over the same period last year to $19.2 million.  Dover’s sales for the first half of the year were up 4% to $18.1 million, although sales were down 1% in the second quarter compared to the same period last year.  Sales to U.S. retailers, which account for approximately 70% of all Dover sales, decreased 4% in the quarter.  Sales to major booksellers decreased 11% in the second quarter, but increased 5% for the first six months compared to last year.  In addition, last year’s second quarter included a large order of a custom product for a specialty retailer that accounted for 3% of Dover’s sales in the quarter and which did not recur this year.  Dover’s sales to crafts stores, gift shops and other non-bookstore outlets continued to grow strongly in the second quarter.  International sales increased by 13% in the second quarter and 21% in the first half compared to the corresponding periods last year.  Direct-to-consumer sales also continued to grow in the quarter, up 8% over an exceptionally strong second quarter last year when direct-to-consumer sales increased by more than 30%.  Web-based marketing activities were up significantly over the prior year.  In addition, Dover’s consumer catalog mailing schedule was modified during the second quarter with approximately 20% fewer catalogs distributed, which will be mailed in the third quarter this year. The segment’s new business, REA, contributed sales of $1.1 million to the second quarter and was neutral to income.

Gross profit as a percent of sales in the specialty publishing segment was 45.5%, the same as last year’s second quarter. Dover’s gross profit as a percentage of sales continued to improve in the second quarter with an increase of 180 basis points to 47.3% of sales.  REA’s gross profit percentage was 31.2%, which included $215,000 of expense related to a required write up of inventory to fair market value when REA was acquired.  The total inventory write up was approximately $1 million, which will be expensed as the acquired inventory is sold.  Excluding this expense, REA’s gross profit percentage in the second quarter would have been 50%.

Selling and administrative expenses in this segment were $3.4 million in the second quarter, an increase of 21% over the corresponding prior year period.  Dover accounted for approximately half of the increase, due to a step up in sales and marketing initiatives.  The addition of REA accounted for the remainder of the increase.  For the first six months of fiscal 2004, selling and administrative expenses of $6.5 million were 17% higher than the corresponding period last year as a result of Dover’s increased sales and marketing initiatives and the acquisition of REA.

Interest expense is allocated to the specialty publishing segment based on the acquisition cost of Dover and REA, reduced by cash generated by each business since acquisition.  Such interest expense in the second quarter was $85,000, comparable to the same period last year, and split evenly between Dover and REA.  Interest expense for the first six months was $132,000 compared to $205,000 for the first half of the prior year with the decrease primarily attributable to cash generated by Dover.

Pretax income in the specialty publishing segment was $1.1 million, or $.08 per diluted share, a 10% decrease from last year’s second quarter.  REA’s results for the quarter were at breakeven, as expected, reflecting post acquisition costs, such as the expense related to the write up of inventory to fair market value, and allocated interest expense.  For the first six months, pretax income in this segment increased 6% to  $2.4 million, or $.18 per diluted share, from $2.2 million, or $.17 per diluted share, for the same period last year.

12

Total Consolidated Company

Interest income, net of interest expense, was $27,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to interest expense of $26,000 in the same period of fiscal 2003.  There were no borrowings under the Company’s $60 million revolving credit facility in the first half of either year, however, interest expense includes commitment fees and other costs associated with maintaining this credit facility.  Cash investments in the second quarter of fiscal 2004 averaged approximately $13.1 million invested at an average annual interest rate of 1.4% generating interest income of approximately $46,000.  For the same period last year, the Company’s average cash investments were $15.0 million invested at an average annual interest rate of 1.2%, generating approximately $46,000 of interest income.  For the first six months of fiscal 2004, interest income, net of interest expense, was $54,000 compared to net interest expense of $68,000 in the first half of fiscal 2003.  Capitalized interest was $38,000 in the second quarter and $61,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2004.  No interest was capitalized in the corresponding prior year periods.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2004 was 35% compared to 34% for the corresponding periods last year, primarily due to a higher effective state tax rate in fiscal 2004.

For purposes of computing net income per diluted share, weighted average shares outstanding increased by approximately 123,000 shares and 120,000 shares over last year’s second quarter and first six months, respectively.  The increase in both periods was largely due to options exercised. On December 5, 2003, a three-for-two stock split was effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend, except for treasury shares.  Weighted average shares outstanding and per share amounts presented in the accompanying financial statements for periods prior to the stock split have been restated to give effect to the stock split.

Discontinued Operation

On December 17, 2002, the Company sold the assets of its wholly owned subsidiary, Courier Custom Publishing, Inc., which comprised all of the activities of the Customized Education segment. The Customized Education segment provided customized coursepacks and textbooks.  Results for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 for this discontinued operation were a loss, net of tax, of $65,000, or $.01 per diluted share.  Proceeds from the sale of Courier Custom Publishing were $1.5 million, resulting in an after-tax gain of approximately $0.9 million, or $.11 per diluted share recorded in last year’s first quarter.

Liquidity and Capital Resources:

During the first six months of fiscal 2004, operations provided approximately $6 million of cash.  Income from continuing operations was $7.8 million and depreciation and amortization were $5.3 million.  Working capital used approximately $8.6 million of cash, due in part to an increase in inventories and payment of accrued taxes and annual profit sharing contributions.

Investment activities in the first half of fiscal 2004 used $20.7 million of cash, including approximately $12 million for the acquisition of REA. Capital expenditures were approximately $7.6 million, primarily for the new four-color press installed during the second quarter in the Kendallville, Indiana facility.  For the entire fiscal year, capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $14 to $16 million, including approximately $10 million for the new press project. Prepublication costs were $1.2 million and are projected to be approximately $3 million for the full fiscal year.

13

In March 2003, the Company announced an agreement to sell approximately 200,000 square feet of unoccupied and underutilized portions of its multi-building manufacturing complex in Westford, Massachusetts for $1.7 million.  The Company will continue its current levels of book manufacturing at the site.  The agreement contains a number of significant contingencies, many of which have been resolved. Assuming the remaining contingencies can be resolved, the sale is anticipated to close in fiscal 2004.  Although the carrying value of the property is nominal, the agreement requires that the Company incur certain costs to complete the transaction, such as the separation of all utilities within the complex.  Although these costs could be significant, if the transaction is completed, the Company anticipates realizing a small gain on the sale.

Financing activities for the first six months of fiscal 2004 used approximately $1.0 million of cash.  Dividend payments were $1.4 million while proceeds from stock plans were $460,000.  At March 27, 2004, the Company had $8.2 million in cash and no borrowings under its $60 million long-term revolving credit facility, which bears interest at a floating rate.  The revolving credit facility is used by the Company for both its long-term and short-term financing needs. On March 31, 2004, the Company extended the maturity date of this facility to March 2007.   The Company believes that its cash from operations and available credit facilities will be sufficient to meet its cash requirements through fiscal 2004.

The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments at September 27, 2003 to make future payments as well as its existing commercial commitments.

			(000’s omitted)
			Payments due by period
	Total		Less than 1 Year		1 to 3 Years		4 to 5 Years		After 5 Years
Contractual Payments:
Long-Term Debt	$	674	$	81	$	168	$	179	$	246
Operating Leases	$	9,654	$	3,679	$	4,033	$	1,942	$	—
Purchase Obligations (1)	$	2,254	$	2,254	$	—	$	—	$	—
Other Long-Term Liabilities	$	2,678	$	—	$	1,294	$	360	$	1,024

(1)Represent amounts at March 27, 2004 primarily for capital commitments for the new four-color press.

Forward-Looking Information:

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended September 27, 2003 on Form 10-K include forward-looking statements.  Statements that describe future expectations, plans or strategies are considered “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and releases issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate” and other expressions which are predictions of or indicate future events and trends and which do not relate to historical matters identify forward-looking statements.  Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated.  Factors that could affect actual results include, among others, changes in customers’ demand for the Company’s products, including seasonal changes in customers’ orders, changes in raw material availability or costs, pricing actions by competitors, consolidation among customers and competitors, success in the integration of acquired businesses, unanticipated changes in operating expenses, costs related to starting up new printing presses, changes in technology, changes in copyright laws, changes in tax policy including export credits, and general changes in economic conditions.  Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate.  The forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

14

COURIER CORPORATION

Item 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes from the information concerning the Company’s “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” as previously reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 27, 2003.

Item 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, the Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

(b)Changes in internal controls over financial reporting

There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this quarterly report that has materially affected, or that is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

15

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 2.Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the registrant was held on January 15, 2004.  Following are the matters voted on at the meeting.

Election of Directors:  All nominees of the Board of Directors of the registrant were elected for a three-year term.  Votes were cast as follows:  Arnold S. Lerner – 5,044,695 votes for and 40,343 votes withheld; George Q. Nichols – 5,069,296 votes for and 15,742 votes withheld; Ronald L. Skates – 5,056,260 votes for and 28,778 votes withheld.

Ratification/Approval of Accountants:   Stockholders voted to ratify and approve the selection by the Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors, of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent public accountants for the Corporation for the fiscal year ending September 25, 2004.  Votes were cast as follows:  5,036,344 votes for, 34,614 votes against and 14,080 abstained.

Item 5.Other Information

None.

Item 6.Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)  Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
10.	Amendment, dated March 31, 2004, to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2003, between Courier Corporation, Fleet National Bank, KeyBank National Association, Citizens Bank of Massachusetts and Sovereign Bank, providing for a $60 million revolving credit facility.
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K

Filed January 7, 2004, reporting under Item 5 a press release dated January 6, 2004 announcing the acquisition of Research & Education Association.

Filed January 15, 2004, reporting under Item 12 a press release dated January 15, 2004 reporting financial results for the quarter ended December 27, 2003.

16

SIGNATURES

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

	COURIER CORPORATION
	(Registrant)
May 7, 2004		By:	s/James F. Conway III
Date				James F. Conway III
				Chairman, President and
				Chief Executive Officer
May 7, 2004		By:	s/Robert P. Story, Jr.
Date			Robert P. Story, Jr.
			Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
May 7, 2004		By:	s/Peter M. Folger
Date			Peter M. Folger
			Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

17

EX-10

Exhibit 10

COURIER CORPORATION

COURIER COMPANIES, INC.

COURIER FOREIGN SALES CORPORATION LIMITED

COURIER KENDALLVILLE, INC.

COURIER PROPERTIES, INC.

NATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY

COURIER NEW MEDIA, INC.

BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.

MASSACHUSETTS NATIONAL PUBLISHING BUSINESS TRUST

DOVER PUBLICATIONS, INC.

RESEARCH & EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

Dated as of: March 31, 2004

Citizens Bank of Massachusetts (successor

to State Street Bank and Trust Company),

Individually and as Agent

28 State Street

Boston, Massachusetts  02109

Fleet National Bank (f/k/a BankBoston, N.A.)

100 Federal Street

Boston, Massachusetts  02110

KeyBank National Association

286 Water Street

Augusta, Maine 04332

Sovereign Bank (a federal savings bank)

75 State Street

Boston, Massachusetts  02109

Re:          Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We refer to the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2003 (as amended, the “Agreement”), among COURIER CORPORATION, COURIER COMPANIES, INC., COURIER FOREIGN SALES CORPORATION LIMITED, COURIER KENDALLVILLE, INC., COURIER PROPERTIES, INC., NATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, COURIER NEW MEDIA, INC., BOOK-MART PRESS, INC., MASSACHUSETTS NATIONAL PUBLISHING BUSINESS

TRUST and DOVER PUBLICATIONS, INC. (each a “Borrower” and collectively the “Borrowers”), CITIZENS BANK OF MASSACHUSETTS (successor to State Street Bank and Trust Company), in its capacity as a Bank (“Citizens”), FLEET NATIONAL BANK (f/k/a BankBoston, N.A.), in its capacity as a Bank (“Fleet”), SOVEREIGN BANK, in its capacity as a Bank (“Sovereign”), KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, in its capacity as a Bank (“Key”; and together with Citizens, Fleet and Sovereign, the “Banks”), and CITIZENS BANK OF MASSACHUSETTS, in its capacity as agent for the Banks (the “Agent”).

Terms used in this letter of agreement (this “Amendment”) which are not defined herein, but which are defined in the Agreement, shall have the same respective meanings herein as therein.

We have requested you to make certain amendments to the Agreement.  You have advised us that you are prepared and would be pleased to make the amendments so requested by us on the condition that we join with you in this Amendment.

Accordingly, in consideration of these premises, the promises, mutual covenants and agreements contained in this Amendment, and fully intending to be legally bound by this Amendment, we hereby agree with you as follows:

ARTICLE I

AMENDMENTS TO AGREEMENT

Effective as of March 31, 2004, the Agreement is amended as follows:

(a)           The term “Loan Documents” shall, wherever used in the Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, be deemed to also mean and include Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, the Fleet Allonge, the Citizens Allonge, the Key Allonge, the Sovereign Allonge and the Citizens SL Allonge.

(b)           The Borrowers having informed the Agent and the Banks that Research & Education Association, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (“REA”) is a Subsidiary, the term “Borrower” or “Borrowers” shall, wherever used in any of the Loan Documents, be deemed to also mean and include REA.  It is the express understanding and intention of the parties hereto that REA shall hereafter be entitled to make borrowings in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement, and shall hereafter be bound, on a joint and several basis, by all of the terms and conditions of the Agreement, and all of the Obligations of the Borrowers under (and as defined in) the Agreement, as if it was an original signatory thereto, including, without limitation, the representations, warranties and covenants contained therein and the obligation to repay all amounts owing under the Agreement and the Notes in accordance with the respective terms thereof.

(c)           Section 1.1.63 of the Agreement is amended to read in its entirety as follows:

“1.1.63    “Revolving Loan Maturity Date” means March 31, 2007.”

(d)           Exhibits A-1 and A-2 to the Agreement are each amended: (i) by adding REA as a new signatory and Borrower thereunder for all purposes thereof, and (ii) by deleting the reference to “March 31, 2006” and inserting in place thereof the following:  “March 31, 2007.”

(e)           Exhibit F to the Agreement is amended by inserting the following with respect to REA:

“Name	Place of Incorporation	Address	Jurisdictions
Research & Education Association, Inc.	Delaware	61 Ethel Road West, Piscataway, NJ 08854	DEL.; NJ

ARTICLE II

AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT NOTES

Effective as of March 31, 2004, the Revolving Credit Notes to Fleet, Citizens, Key and Sovereign are each amended as set forth in the Allonges respectively attached hereto as Annex 1, Annex 2, Annex 3 and Annex 4.  In addition, the Swing Line Note to Citizens is amended as set forth in the Allonge attached hereto as Annex 5.

ARTICLE III

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO AMENDMENT NO. 1

This Amendment shall become and be effective as of the date hereof, but only if:

(a)           The Borrowers shall have executed and delivered to Fleet an Allonge to the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note issued in favor of Fleet in the form of Annex 1 (the “Fleet Allonge”);

(b)           The Borrowers shall have executed and delivered to Citizens an Allonge to the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note issued in favor of Citizens in the form of Annex 2 (the “Citizens Allonge”);

(c)           The Borrowers shall have executed and delivered to Key an Allonge to the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note issued in favor of Key in the form of Annex 3 (the “Key Allonge”);

(d)           The Borrowers shall have executed and delivered to Sovereign an Allonge to the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note issued in favor of Sovereign in the form of Annex 4 (the “Sovereign Allonge”);

(e)           The Borrowers shall have executed and delivered to Citizens an Allonge to the Swing Line Note issued in favor of Citizens in the form of Annex 5 (the “Citizens SL Allonge”); and

(f)            This Amendment shall have been signed by the Borrowers, the Agent and the Banks.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrowers jointly and severally represent and warrant to you as follows:

(a)           Representations in Agreement.  Each of the representations and warranties made by the Borrowers in the Agreement was true, correct and complete when made and is true, correct and complete on and as of the date hereof with the same full force and effect as if each of such representations and warranties had been made by the Borrowers on the date hereof and in this Amendment (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate expressly to an earlier date).

(b)           No defaults or Events of Default.  No Event of Default, or any event which, with the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default, exists on the date of this Amendment (after giving effect to all of the arrangements and transactions contemplated by this Amendment).

(c)           Binding Effect of Documents.  This Amendment has been duly authorized, executed and delivered to you by the Borrowers and is in full force and effect as of the date hereof, and the agreements and obligations of the Borrowers contained herein constitute the joint and several, and legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrowers enforceable against the Borrowers in accordance with their respective terms.

(d)           Solvency.  Both before and after giving effect to all indebtedness incurred by the Borrowers on the date of this Amendment, the Borrowers taken as a whole (i) are not Insolvent (as hereinafter defined), and will not be rendered Insolvent by the indebtedness incurred in connection therewith, (ii) will not be left with unreasonably small capital with which to engage in their businesses, even allowing for a reasonable margin of error in the projections of the future performance of the Borrowers, (iii) will not have incurred

indebtedness beyond their ability to pay such indebtedness as it matures, and (iv) will not fail to have assets (both tangible and intangible) having a present fair salable value in excess of the amount required to pay the probable liability on their then existing debts (whether matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, absolute fixed or contingent).

As used herein, the term “Insolvent” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to a Borrower:  dissolution; termination of existence; insolvency within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or other applicable statutes; such Borrower’s inability to pay its debts as they come due; appointment of a receiver of any part of the property of, execution of a trust mortgage or an assignment for the benefit of creditors by, or the entry of an order for relief or the filing of a petition in bankruptcy or the commencement of any proceedings under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or any laws relating to the relief of debtors, readjustment of indebtedness or reorganization of debtors, or the offering of a plan to creditors for composition or extension, except for an involuntary proceeding commenced against such Borrower which is dismissed within 60 days after the commencement thereof without the entry or an order for relief or the appointment of a trustee.

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument.  In making proof of this Amendment, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one counterpart thereof signed by each of the parties hereto.  Except to the extent specifically amended and supplemented hereby, all of the terms, conditions and the provisions of the Agreement and each of the Loan Documents shall remain unmodified, and the Agreement and each of the Loan Documents, as amended and supplemented by this Amendment, are confirmed as being in full force and effect.

If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of acceptance on the enclosed counterpart of this Amendment and return such counterpart to the undersigned, together with the signed documents referred to in Article III, whereupon this Amendment, as so accepted by you, shall become a binding agreement among you and the undersigned.

Very truly yours,

The Borrowers:

COURIER CORPORATION
By:	s/ Lee Cochrane
	Title:  V.P & Treasurer
COURIER COMPANIES, INC.
By:	s/ Lee Cochrane
	Title:  V.P & Treasurer
COURIER FOREIGN SALES CORPORATION LIMITED
By:	s/ Lee Cochrane
	Title:  Treasurer
COURIER KENDALLVILLE, INC.
By:	s/ Lee Cochrane
	Title:  V.P & Treasurer
COURIER PROPERTIES, INC.
By:	s/ Lee Cochrane
	Title:  V.P & Treasurer
NATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
By:	s/ Lee Cochrane
	Title:  V.P & Treasurer
COURIER NEW MEDIA, INC.
By:	s/ Lee Cochrane
	Title:  V.P & Treasurer
BOOK-MART PRESS, INC.
By:	s/ Lee Cochrane
	Title:  V.P & Treasurer

MASSACHUSETTS NATIONAL PUBLISHING BUSINESS TRUST
By:	s/ Lee Cochrane
	Title:  V.P & Treasurer
DOVER PUBLICATIONS, INC.
By:	s/ Lee Cochrane
	Title:  V.P & Treasurer
RESEARCH & EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, INC.
By:	s/ Lee Cochrane
	Title:  V.P & Treasurer

[Bank and Agent signatures on following page]

The foregoing Amendment is hereby accepted by the undersigned as of March 31, 2004.

The Banks:
CITIZENS BANK OF MASSACHUSETTS (successor to State Street Bank and Trust Company)
By:	s/ Joanne P. O’Keeffe
	Title: Vice President
FLEET NATIONAL BANK (f/k/a BankBoston, N.A.)
By:	s/ Elise M. Russo
	Title:  Sr. Vice President
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:	s/ Paul G. Black, Jr.
	Title:  SVP
SOVEREIGN BANK (a federal savings bank)
By:	s/ Michael S. Tager  SVP
	Title:  Sr. Vice President
The Agent:
CITIZENS BANK OF MASSACHUSETTS (successor to State Street Bank and Trust Company)
By:	s/ Joanne P. O’Keeffe
	Title:  Vice President

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, James F. Conway III, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Courier Corporation;

2.Based on my knowledge, this quarterly 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 officer 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)) 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)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

c)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 officer 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 data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; 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.

May 7, 2004	By:	s/James F. Conway III
Date	James F. Conway III
	Chairman, President and
	Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Robert P. Story, Jr., certify that:

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Courier Corporation;

2.Based on my knowledge, this quarterly 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 officer 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)) 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)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

c)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 officer 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 data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; 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.

May 7, 2004	By:	s/Robert P. Story, Jr.
Date	Robert P. Story, Jr.
	Senior Vice President and
	Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned officer of Courier Corporation (the “Company”) hereby certifies that the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 27, 2004 to which this certification is attached (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

May 7, 2004	By:	s/James F. Conway III
Date	James F. Conway III
	Chairman, President and
	Chief Executive Officer

This certification shall not be deemed “filed” for any purpose, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing, under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned officer of Courier Corporation (the “Company”) hereby certifies that the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 27, 2004 to which this certification is attached (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

May 7, 2004	By:	s/Robert P. Story, Jr.
Date	Robert P. Story, Jr.
	Senior Vice President and
	Chief Financial Officer

This certification shall not be deemed “filed” for any purpose, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing, under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.