STATESVILLE, N.C., March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kewaunee Scientific Corporation (Nasdaq: KEQU) today announced results for its third quarter ended January 31, 2011.

Sales for the quarter were $22,568,000, up 3.5% from sales of $21,814,000 in the same period last year. Net earnings were $86,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, down from $621,000, or $0.24 per diluted share, in the same period last year.

Sales for the quarter were unfavorably affected when customers made changes to product designs and delivery dates for several significant orders, including one large international order, that delayed the start of manufacturing and shipments until late in the quarter and into the fourth quarter. Sales also reflect a continuing softness in the domestic marketplace for small and mid-sized laboratory projects.

The customer changes in product requirements and delivery dates had a two-fold impact on earnings for the quarter, as delays in shipments reduced sales revenue, and changes in factory production schedules increased manufacturing costs. Earnings were also impacted by continued aggressive pricing in all of the Company's markets, an unfavorable product mix, and higher prices paid for epoxy resin raw materials, which are petroleum-based products.

Sales from domestic operations were $19,108,000, relatively flat from sales of $19,081,000 in the same period last year.  Sales from international operations increased to $3,460,000, from sales of $2,733,000 in the same period last year. The order backlog increased to $68.2 million at January 31, 2011, up from $66.0 million at October 31, 2010 and $65.5 million at January 31, 2010.  

"The third quarter was more difficult than expected," said William A. Shumaker, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "The manufacturing and shipment delays resulting from customer changes and the unfavorable product mix brought unexpected operational challenges. We have adjusted our manufacturing schedules, and the orders that were delayed are now being manufactured and are scheduled for shipment in the fourth quarter.

"In the domestic marketplace, larger laboratory furniture projects have continued to hold up relatively well during the economic slowdown, and bidding activity for these projects continues to remain at a high level. On the other hand, a sustained improvement in the number of smaller laboratory projects has not materialized. Opportunities in the international marketplace have continued to improve for some time now, and the Company is very active in quoting these projects.

"We have begun to see benefits from our recently expanded epoxy resin facility in Statesville, as production of these products increased significantly during the quarter. Other initiatives continued to make good progress, as we successfully closed several orders in the quarter for our new product lines of biological safety cabinets, casework and millwork for the healthcare industry, and specialty safety cabinets.

"Regarding the fourth quarter, with the delayed orders now shipping and the product mix improved, we expect sales and earnings will be much improved over the third quarter and more in line with the first two quarters of the current fiscal year."

Sales for the nine months ended January 31, 2011 were $73,051,000, down 2.8% from sales of $75,151,000 in the same period last year. Domestic sales for the nine months were $62,324,000, down from sales of $67,152,000 in the same period last year.  Sales from international operations were $10,727,000 for the nine months, up from sales of $7,999,000 in the same period last year. Net earnings for the nine months ended January 31, 2011 were $1,598,000, or $0.62 per diluted share, down from net earnings of $3,044,000, or $1.18 per diluted share, in the same period last year.

The Company's financial condition continues to be strong. Cash on hand was $2,704,000 at January 31, 2011, as compared to $2,443,000 at January 31, 2010. Working capital was $21,341,000, up slightly from $21,327,000 at January 31, 2010. Short term borrowings under the bank line of credit were $696,000, down from $2,909,000 at January 31, 2010. Total bank borrowings and capital lease obligations were $4,752,000, up from $3,144,000 at January 31, 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.

CONTACT: D. Michael Parker, +1-704-871-3290