HUNTINGTON, W.Va., Aug. 19 -- Champion Industries, Inc. today announced net income of $381,000 or $0.04 per share for the three months ended July 31, 2005. This represents a marked improvement from the same period in 2004, when the figure was $77,000 or $0.01 per share. Net income for the nine months ended July 31, 2005 was $547,000 or $0.06 per share compared to $252,000 or $0.03 per share for the same period in 2004. The Company's balance sheet reflected working capital of $25.5 million, book value per share of $4.17 and total shareholders equity of $40.6 million at July 31, 2005. The Board of Directors announced the declaration of the Company's quarterly dividend of five cents per share. The cash dividend will be paid on September 21, 2005, to shareholders of record on September 2, 2005. Marshall T. Reynolds, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Champion, said, "Our profitability increased significantly when compared to 2004 for both the quarter and year to date. This improvement has occurred even though the Company incurred approximately $777,000 pretax or $0.05 net income per share in charges related to various legal related issues and settlements in the second quarter of 2005. Our sales growth for the third quarter of 2005 represented top line increases of approximately 10%, primarily as a result of the Syscan acquisition. The third quarter of 2005 reflected improvement in several key indicators, specifically gross margins improved on a consolidated basis from 27.7% to 28.3% in both the printing and office products and office furniture business segments. In addition, our SG&A as a percent of sales improved in the third quarter from 27.4 % to 25.8%. This reflects our operational improvement initiatives over the last several quarters, specifically our 2004 consolidation efforts which have contributed to an improved operating environment. As we enter the fourth quarter of 2005, we have continued to attack the cost side of the business and our operating methodology with the closure of our Champion Jackson facility in Jackson, Mississippi. The closure of this operation was effective August 12, 2005. We will, however, continue to serve our customers via local direct sales representation and administrative support from our Consolidated Graphics Baton Rouge location. Our management team is focused and cognizant of our goals and objectives leading into the fourth quarter of 2005 and fiscal 2006. We are enthusiastic about the many opportunities we are pursuing and look forward to the challenges ahead." Revenues for the three months ended July 31, 2005 were $33.2 million compared to $30.1 million in the same period in 2004. This change represented an increase in revenues of $3.1 million or 10.2%. Revenues for the nine months ended July 31, 2005 increased to $101.1 million from $89.9 million in 2004. This change represented an increase in revenues of $11.2 million or 12.5%. The printing segment experienced a sales increase of $3.3 million, or 4.8%, while the office products and office furniture segment experienced an increase of $7.9 million, or 39.9%. Toney K. Adkins, President and Chief Operating Officer, noted, "The costs associated with revenue growth are categorized in the SG&A line item on our income statement. These costs increased approximately $320,000 for the quarter and $2.2 million year to date. However, it is important to note that for the third quarter of 2005 compared to 2004 and on a year to date basis we have reduced the SG&A costs as a percent of sales. This improvement is even more pronounced for the year to date analysis based on the large legal related costs incurred in the second quarter of 2005." Mr. Reynolds concluded, "During the third quarter of 2005 we continued the integration of Syscan and achieved another critical hurdle point via the consolidation of the Charleston operations of Syscan into the Chapman Printing Charleston division. This phase should result in enhanced personnel utilization and lower facility costs, as a result of the termination (without penalty) of Syscan's lease of its former administrative facility. I am also encouraged by our strong cash flow parameters for the nine months ended July 31, 2005 with cash generated from operating activities of over $6.0 million and an overall increase in cash, while reducing debt by approximately $1.7 million and investing over $2.3 million in property and equipment."