MIDLOTHIAN, Texas--Ennis, Inc., today reported financial results for the three and six months ended August 31, 2009.

Highlights
    * Consolidated revenues for the quarter ended August 31, 2009 were $137.8 million compared to $130.8 million for the quarter ended May 31, 2009, an increase of $7.0 million or 5.4%, representing the second consecutive linked quarter increase.

    * Consolidated gross profit margins increased 230 basis points, or 9.7%, from 23.7% for the quarter ended May 31, 2009 to 26.0% for the quarter ended August 31, 2009.
    * Diluted earnings per share increased 42.3%, from $.26 for the quarter ended May 31, 2009 to $.37 for the quarter ended August 31, 2009.
    * The Company generated $50.0 million in cash from operations during the six month period ended August 31, 2009, an increase of $19.0 million, or 61.2%, over the comparable period last year.

Financial Overview
For the quarter, consolidated net sales decreased by $23.3 million, or 14.5%, from $161.1 million for the quarter ended August 31, 2008 to $137.8 million for the quarter ended August 31, 2009. Print sales for the quarter were $73.9 million, compared to $85.4 million for the same quarter last year, or a decrease of 13.5%. Apparel sales for the quarter were $63.9 million, compared to $75.7 million for the same quarter last year, or a decrease of 15.6%. Overall gross profit margins ("margins") increased from 24.4% to 26.0% for the quarters ended August 31, 2008 and August 31, 2009, respectively. Print margins increased from 26.1% to 28.7%, and Apparel margins increased from 22.4% to 22.9%, for the quarters ended August 31, 2008 and August 31, 2009, respectively. Earnings for the quarter increased from $9.3 million for the quarter ended August 31, 2008 to $9.5 million for the quarter ended August 31, 2009. Diluted EPS increased from $.36 per share to $.37 per share for the quarters ended August 31, 2008 and August 31, 2009, respectively.

For the six month period, net sales decreased from $324.3 million for the six months ended August 31, 2008 to $268.6 million for the six months ended August 31, 2009, or 17.2%. Print sales for the period were $145.6 million, compared to $170.7 million for the same period last year. Apparel sales for the period were $123.0 million, compared to $153.6 million for the same period last year. Print margins increased from 27.0% to 27.5%, while Apparel margins were 21.9% and 21.7%, for the six months ended August 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Net earnings for the period decreased from $20.3 million for the six months ended August 31, 2008 to $16.2 million for the six months ended August 31, 2009. Diluted earnings decreased from $0.78 per share to $0.63 per share for the six months ended August 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively.

The Company, during the quarter, generated $18.8 million in EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) consistent with the comparable quarter last year. For the six month period ended August 31, 2009, the Company generated $33.1 million in EBITDA, compared to $40.5 million for the comparable period last year. Operational cash flows increased from $31.0 million for the six months ended August 31, 2008 to $50.0 million for the six months ended August 31, 2009.

Keith Walters, Chairman, President & CEO, commented by saying, “We are proud to have maintained our earnings level this quarter, as compared to the same quarter last year, given the 14.5% decline in our sales during the quarter which continues to be impacted by the negative economic environment. Although the economic environment continues to be difficult, we do feel encouraged by the fact that our sales have increased, on a linked basis, for two consecutive quarters and we were able to successfully improve our margins, during the quarter, at both our Print and Apparel Segments, due to the cost reduction initiatives implemented. We continue to maintain a strong balance sheet, with excellent liquidity and leverage ratios. During the six month period, we were able to generate $50.0 million in cash from operations, which we have used to fund our capital expenditures, increase our cash position and pay-down our outstanding debt, reducing our long-term debt-to-equity ratio to less than .17-to-1.0. I am extremely proud of the fact that we have been able to generate more than enough cash, during this period, to pay for our new manufacturing facility. Speaking of which, the construction of this new facility in Agua Prieta, Mexico, is progressing as scheduled. Once completed (expected during second quarter of fiscal 2011) the new facility should significantly reduce our apparel manufacturing and distribution costs. While these economic times continue to be challenging, we feel confident in our ability to navigate these challenging times as evidenced by our current performance.”