North American Galvanizing & Coatings, Inc. reported net earnings of $97,000 on sales of $9,280,000 for the first quarter ended March 31, 2005.

The $97,000 net earnings ($.01 per share fully diluted) compares to net earnings of $210,000 ($.03 per share fully diluted) for the first quarter of 2004. Sales of $9,280,000 represent an 8.4% increase over sales of $8,558,000 for the first quarter a year ago.

Commenting on the results for the first quarter, Ronald J. Evans, President and CEO, said, "Higher sales for this first quarter reflect a one-month contribution from the Canton, Ohio, galvanizing facility that was purchased February 28, 2005. Additionally, in March we began to experience the anticipated increase in business projected by our customers, resulting in a 5.2% same-plant volume improvement over the same month a year ago. Earnings for the first quarter of 2005 were lower than the same period a year ago, reflecting sharply lower volume in January and February, higher raw material and energy costs, and increased interest expense associated with the Canton facility purchase."

North American Galvanizing is a leading provider of hot-dip galvanizing and coatings for corrosion protection of fabricated steel products. The company conducts its galvanizing and coating business through a network of plants located in Canton, Ohio; Denver, Hurst (Dallas/Forth Worth), Houston, Kansas City, Louisville, Nashville, St. Louis, and the Tulsa area.