Art’s Way Manufacturing released its second quarter earnings on July 15, citing overall sales of $5.7 million, a 26.4% drop from the 2015 totals. 

Sales:  Our consolidated corporate sales for the three and six-month period ended May 31, 2016 were $5,741,000 and$12,133,000 compared to $7,804,000 and $15,093,000 during the same respective periods in 2015, a $2,063,000 or 26.4% decrease for the second fiscal quarter, and a $2,960,000 or 19.6% decrease year-to-date. The decreases in revenue are primarily due to the decreased demand for our agricultural products that we have been experiencing for the last year, but is somewhat offset by increases in revenues in our modular buildings segment. Consolidated gross margin for the three and six-month periods ended May 31, 2016 was 26.1% and 26.4% compared to 28.3% and 28.2% for the same respective period in fiscal 2015.  Our efforts to decrease fixed costs and more closely match our expense load with our current demand have helped to minimize the negative pressures on our gross margins with the decreased revenue levels in 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015.

Income:  Consolidated net income (loss) was $(57,000) for the three-month period ended May 31, 2016, compared to $232,000for the same period in 2015.  Consolidated net income for the six-month period ended May 31, 2016 was $24,000 compared to$400,000 for the same period in 2015.  The decreases are primarily due to the decreases in revenue described above.

Earnings per Share: Loss per basic and diluted share for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 was ($0.01), compared to earnings per share of $0.06 for the same period in fiscal 2015.  Earnings per basic and diluted share for the first six-months of fiscal 2016 were $0.01 compared to $0.10 for the same period in fiscal 2015.

Chairman of the Art's Way Board of Directors, Marc H. McConnell reports, "The continued weakness in the agricultural economy has resulted in decreased demand for products manufactured by us and our peers over the last several quarters.  While we have made very significant adjustments to our cost structure and business overall this year, generating adequate revenue to produce profitability has proven to be quite difficult.  We have, however, continued to improve our balance sheet, reduce borrowings, and ultimately further prepare our business for both a longer period of weakness in the agricultural sector and to better position us for opportunity we see ahead of us thereafter.  We continue to focus every day on the initiatives that will improve both our company and its enduring profitability going forward."