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Ennis, Inc. Reports Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended November 30, 2010

^{Published on 2010-12-20 09:21:07 - Market Wire}
 

MIDLOTHIAN, Texas--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Ennis, Inc. (the aCompany"), (NYSE: EBF), today reported financial results for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2010.

YTD Highlights

• Consolidated revenues for the nine months ended November 30, 2010 were $418.6 million compared to $396.4 million for the same period ended last year, an increase of $22.2 million or 5.6%.
• Consolidated gross profit margins increased 280 basis points (abpsa) over the comparable nine month period last year.
• Diluted earnings per share increased from $0.98 per share for the same period last year to $1.34 for the current period, or an increase of 36.7%.

Financial Overview

For the quarter, consolidated net sales increased by $7.0 million, or 5.5%, from $127.8 million for the quarter ended November 30, 2009 to $134.8 million for the quarter ended November 30, 2010. Print sales for the quarter were $69.5 million, compared to $70.6 million for the same quarter last year, or a decrease of 1.5%. Apparel sales for the quarter were $65.3 million, compared to $57.2 million for the same quarter last year, or an increase of 14.2%. Overall gross profit margins ("margins") increased from 26.8% to 27.1% for the quarters ended November 30, 2009 and November 30, 2010, respectively. Print margins decreased from 28.5% to 27.9%, and Apparel margins increased from 24.8% to 26.3%, for the quarters ended November 30, 2009 and November 30, 2010, respectively. Net earnings increased from $9.2 million, or 7.2% of sales, for the quarter ended November 30, 2009 to $9.6 million, or 7.2% of sales, for the quarter ended November 30, 2010. Diluted EPS increased from $0.36 per share to $0.37 per share for the quarters ended November 30, 2009 and November 30, 2010, respectively.

For the nine month period, net sales increased from $396.4 million for the nine months ended November 30, 2009 to $418.6 million for the nine months ended November 30, 2010, or 5.6%. Print sales for the period were $206.5 million, compared to $216.3 million for the same period last year, or a decrease of 4.5%. Apparel sales for the period were $212.1 million, compared to $180.1 million for the same period last year, or an increase of 17.8%. Print margins increased from 27.9% to 28.8%, while Apparel margins increased from 22.7% to 27.8%, for the nine months ended November 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively. Net earnings increased from $25.4 million, or 6.4% of sales, for the nine months ended November 30, 2009 to $34.8 million, or 8.3% of sales, for the nine months ended November 30, 2010. Diluted earnings increased from $0.98 per share to $1.34 per share for the nine months ended November 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively.

The Company, during the quarter, generated $18.1 million of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) compared to $18.2 million for the comparable quarter last year. For the nine month period ended November 30, 2010, the Company generated $64.1 million of EBITDA during the period, compared to $51.3 million for the comparable period last year.

Keith Walters, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, commented as follows, aWe continue to be pleased with our operational results this year. Operationally, both sectors continue to show strong margins for the quarter. Apparel margins were up 150 bps over the comparable quarter last year and 510 bps for the year. Against stronger comps, our Apparel sector continues to show strong sales growth, with an increase of 14.2% during the quarter. We continue to be concerned with the potential impact of cotton pricing on our operational results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2012. Our ability to manage this potential cost increase will be dependent upon many factors, a number of which are outside our control. Examples are the continued economic recovery of the United States, availability of cotton and the pricing policies of our competitors. The construction of our new apparel manufacturing facility in Agua Prieta, Mexico continues to progress. We were testing processes, calibrating equipment and training employees during the quarter. We continue to anticipate potential cost savings to be realized once this facility reaches its full production capacity. Many challenges remain in the fourth quarter and for fiscal year 2012. We will continue to be vigilant to deliver the planned results.a

About Ennis

Ennis, Inc. ([ www.ennis.com ]) is primarily engaged in the production of and sale of business forms, apparel and other business products. The Company is one of the largest private-label printed business product suppliers in the United States. Headquartered in Midlothian, Texas, the Company has production and distribution facilities strategically located throughout the United States of America, Mexico and Canada, to serve the Companya™s national network of distributors. The Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates in two business segments: the Print Segment ("Print") and Apparel Segment ("Apparel"). The Print Segment is primarily engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling business forms, other printed business products, printed and electronic media, presentation products, flex-o-graphic printing, advertising specialties and Post-it® Notes, internal bank forms, secure and negotiable documents, envelopes and other custom products. The Apparel Segment manufactures T-Shirts and distributes T-Shirts and other active-wear apparel through six distribution centers located throughout North America.

Safe Harbor Under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Certain statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The words aanticipate,a apreliminary,a aexpect,a abelieve,a aintenda and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a asafe harbora for such forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, the Company notes that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to numerous uncertainties, which include, but are not limited to, the Companya™s ability to effectively manage its business functions while growing its business in a rapidly changing environment, the Companya™s ability to adapt and expand its services in such an environment, the variability in the prices of paper and other raw materials. Other important information regarding factors that may affect the Companya™s future performance is included in the public reports that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The inclusion of any statement in this release does not constitute an admission by the Company or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.