Courier Reports Sales Increase, Return to Profitability

The book manufacturing segment focuses on three markets: education, religion, and specialty trade. Sales to the education market were $27.1 million in the fourth quarter, up 4 percent from a year earlier. For the year, education sales were $92.4 million, up 6 percent from fiscal 2009, led by sales of college textbooks. Sales to the religious market were up 11 percent to $17.3 million in the quarter, and up 6 percent to $63.4 million for the full year, reflecting gains at Courier's largest religious customer. Sales to the specialty trade market were down 2 percent to $14.9 million in the quarter, but up 6 percent to $59.5 million for the full year, helped by increased demand for four-color books.