EX-99.1 2 v175524_ex99-1.htm Unassociated Document
Kewaunee Scientific Announces
Results for Third Quarter and Quarterly Dividend
 
Exchange:
NASDAQ (KEQU)
Contact:
D. Michael Parker
     
704/871-3290

STATESVILLE, NC, February 25, 2010--Kewaunee Scientific Corporation (NASDAQ: KEQU) today announced results for its third quarter ended January 31, 2010.

Sales for the quarter were $21,814,000, down from sales of $26,023,000 in the same period last year.  Sales were affected by a soft market for small laboratory furniture projects, lower sales to international customers, and unusually bad weather which delayed the start of many construction projects.  The lower sales also reflect the typical slowdown in construction activity during the winter months, which did not occur last year.  Sales from domestic operations during the quarter were $19,081,000, down from sales of $22,498,000 in the same period last year.  Sales from international operations were $2,733,000, down from sales of $3,525,000 in the same period last year.

The order backlog increased to a record $65.5 million at January 31, 2010, up from $60.7 million at January 31, 2009, and $65.2 million at the end of last quarter.

Net earnings for the quarter were $621,000, or $0.24 per diluted share, down from $882,000, or $0.35 per diluted share, in the same period last year. Earnings were unfavorably impacted by lower sales and an after-tax increase in pension expense of $157,000, or $0.06 per diluted share, as compared to the third quarter last year.  The pension expense increase primarily resulted from last year’s decline in the market value of pension investments.
 
“Despite the lower earnings, I am pleased with our progress during the quarter,” said William A. Shumaker, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “The order backlog is strong at $65.5 million, and outstanding quotations are at record levels.  Quotation opportunities in the international marketplace have increased dramatically in recent months.  The international marketplace appears to show signs of recovery from the economic slowdown, and we expect to see improved results from our international operations in the fourth quarter.  Quotation activity also remains strong in the domestic marketplace for larger laboratory projects, although we expect our results in the short-term will continue to be impacted by changes to construction schedules and project delivery dates. All of our markets remain highly-competitive with aggressive pricing; however, we continue to successfully compete and win projects.”



Sales for the nine months ended January 31, 2010 were $75,151,000, down from sales of $79,150,000 in the same period last year. Domestic sales for the nine months ended January 31, 2010 were $67,152,000, down from sales of $67,296,000 in the same period last year.  Sales from international operations were $7,999,000 for the nine months ended January 31, 2010, down from sales of $11,854,000 in the same period last year.

Net earnings for the nine months ended January 31, 2010 were $3,044,000, or $1.18 per diluted share, down from net earnings of $3,327,000, or $1.30 per diluted share, in the same period last year.  Earnings for the nine months were unfavorably impacted by an after-tax increase in pension expense of $470,000, or $0.18 per diluted share, as compared to the same period last year.

The Company's financial condition continues to be strong. Bank borrowings and capital lease obligations decreased to $3,144,000 at January 31, 2010, down from $6,318,000 at January 31, 2009. Cash on hand was $2,443,000, as compared to $3,089,000 at the end of the same period last year. Working capital increased to $21,327,000 at the end of the quarter, up from $17,749,000 at the end of the same period last year.
 
“As I look forward, I am optimistic about Kewaunee's future,” continued Mr. Shumaker.  “Our strategies to expand into new markets, introduce new products, and reduce costs are positioning Kewaunee well for long-term growth and success.  We also continue to expand our manufacturing capabilities, with the recently announced expansion of our Statesville facility following the move into our new, larger Bangalore factory last summer.”
 
In other news, the Company announced today that its Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of ten cents per outstanding share to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 8, 2010, payable on March 22, 2010.

Kewaunee Scientific Corporation is a recognized leader in the design, manufacture, and installation of scientific and technical furniture. The Company's corporate headquarters are located in Statesville, North Carolina. The Company's manufacturing facilities are located in Statesville and Bangalore, India. The Company has subsidiaries in Singapore and Bangalore that serve the Asian and Middle East markets. Kewaunee Scientific's website is located at http://www.kewaunee.com.

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could significantly impact results or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, markets, products, services, and prices.
 

 
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
January 31
   
January 31
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Net sales
  $ 21,814     $ 26,023     $ 75,151     $ 79,150  
Cost of products sold
    17,129       21,089       58,492       62,846  
                                 
Gross profit
    4,685       4,934       16,659       16,304  
                                 
Operating expenses
    3,663       3,440       11,605       10,884  
                                 
Operating earnings
    1,022       1,494       5,054       5,420  
                                 
Other expense
    --       3       --       (36 )
Interest expense
    (35 )     (49 )     (115 )     (231 )
                                 
Earnings before income taxes
    987       1,448       4,939       5,153  
Income tax expense
    333       488       1,673       1,595  
                                 
Net earnings
    654       960       3,266       3,558  
                                 
Less; net earnings attributable to
                               
     the noncontrolling interest
    33       78       222       231  
Net earnings attributable to
                               
     Kewaunee Scientific Corporation
  $ 621     $ 882     $ 3,044     $ 3,327  
                                 
Net earnings per share attributable to
                               
     Kewaunee Scientific Corporation stockholders
                               
           Basic
  $ 0.24     $ 0.35     $ 1.19     $ 1.30  
           Diluted
  $ 0.24     $ 0.35     $ 1.18     $ 1.30  
Weighted average number of common
                               
     shares outstanding (in thousands)
                               
           Basic
    2,569       2,556       2,562       2,554  
           Diluted
    2,581       2,556       2,570       2,563  
 


Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
 
   
January 31
   
April 30
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(unaudited)
       
Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,937     $ 3,559  
Restricted cash
    506       456  
Receivables, less allowances
    23,007       24,526  
Inventories
    7,924       7,839  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    1,585       1,165  
Total current assets
    34,959       37,545  
Net property, plant and equipment
    12,609       11,369  
Other assets
    4,035       3,615  
Total Assets
  $ 51,603     $ 52,529  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Short-term borrowings
  $ 2,909     $ 5,720  
Current obligations under capital leases
    96       220  
Accounts payable
    6,082       8,812  
Other current liabilities
    4,545       3,911  
Total current liabilities
    13,632       18,663  
Other non-current liabilities
    6,672       5,607  
Total liabilities
    20,304       24,270  
Noncontrolling interest
    1,625       1,306  
Kewaunee Scientific Corporation equity
    29,674       26,953  
Total equity
    31,299       28,259  
Total Liabilities and Equity
  $ 51,603     $ 52,529