ST. LOUIS – LaBarge today reported fiscal 2008 fourth-quarter net sales of $77.8 million, up 20% year-over-year.
 
Fourth-quarter net earnings at the EMS firm rose 58% to $4.58 million, compared to the same quarter last year.
  
For the quarter, gross margins improved 150 basis points year-over-year and 20 basis points for the fiscal year.
 
Net sales for the year ended June 29 were $279.5 million, up 19% compared to 2007. Net earnings for the year were $14.83 million, up 31%.
 
“Robust order flow, improving operating efficiencies and broad-based strength in the markets we serve contributed to an outstanding 2008 fiscal year for LaBarge,” said CEO and president Craig LaBarge. “Looking forward, we anticipate fiscal 2009 first-quarter sales and earnings will be up from the comparable period a year earlier.”