JASPER, IN -- Kimball International said net income at its electronics manufacturing services segment rose 127% to $7.5 million for the period ended Sept. 30. Net sales were up 7% during the quarter to $175.6 million.

Operating income was up 99% to $10 million. The EMS firm saw double-digit increases in automotive and industrial sales for the period.

The company, which also makes furniture, reported overall net sales of $317.4 million and net income of $9.2 million. That's up 10% and 85%, respectively, over a yaar ago.

President and chief executive James C. Thyen said, "The automotive end-market is benefiting from relative strength in the US market and improvement in the Chinese market which contributed to a double-digit increase in our first quarter sales to the automotive market compared to last year. Industrial market demand is also improving. While first quarter sales increased over the prior year first quarter in this segment, sales were down compared to the third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2013 when we surpassed our 4% operating goal. The lower absorption of our fixed costs as a result of the lower revenue was the primary driver for missing our 4% operating income goal in the first quarter."