10-K

☒ Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

☐ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant's executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-a(b). ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of August 31, 2023 was approximately $536 million. Shares of voting stock held by executive officers, directors and holders of more than 10% of the outstanding voting stock have been excluded from this calculation because such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. Exclusion of such shares should not be construed to indicate that any of such persons possesses the power, direct or indirect, to control the Registrant, or that any such person is controlled by or under common control with the Registrant.

The number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, par value $2.50, outstanding at May 9, 2024 was 25,984,014.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.

All of the statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, other than historical facts, are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the statements made in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” particularly under the caption “Overview.” As a general matter, forward-looking statements are those focused upon anticipated events or trends, expectations, and beliefs relating to matters that are not historical in nature. The words “could,” “should,” “feel,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “preliminary,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “intent,” “plan,” “will,” “foresee,” “project,” “forecast,” or the negative thereof or variations thereon, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for these forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, Ennis, Inc. notes that forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to its operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Ennis, Inc. These known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed in, anticipated by or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These statements reflect the current views and assumptions of management with respect to future events. Ennis, Inc. does not undertake, and hereby disclaims, any duty to update these forward-looking statements, even though its situation and circumstances may change in the future. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. The inclusion of any statement in this report does not constitute an admission by Ennis, Inc. or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.

We believe these forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions. All such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and as a result, actual results could differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied by these statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, including but not limited to the impact of the internet and other electronic media on the demand for forms and printed materials; general economic, business and labor conditions, including the potential adverse effects of potential recessionary concerns, inflationary issues and supply chain disruptions; and the potential impact on our operations; our ability to implement our strategic initiatives and control our operational costs; dependence on a limited number of key suppliers; our ability to recover the rising cost of raw materials and other costs (including energy, freight, labor, and benefit costs) in markets that are highly price competitive and volatile; uninsured losses, including those from natural disasters, catastrophes, pandemics, theft or sabotage; our business operations, our workforce, our supply chain and our customer base; our ability to timely or adequately respond to technological changes in the industry; cybersecurity risks; the impact of foreign competition, tariffs, trade regulations and import restrictions; customer credit risk; competitors’ pricing strategies; a decline in business volume and profitability could result in an impairment in our reported goodwill negatively impacting our operational results; our ability to retain key management personnel; and our ability to identify, manage or integrate acquisitions.

Ennis, Inc. (formerly Ennis Business Forms, Inc.) (collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “Registrant,” “Ennis,” or “we,” “us,” or “our”) was organized under the laws of Texas in 1909. Ennis is primarily a “trade printer” that manufactures a broad range of printed products that are resold throughout the United States through a network of independent distributors This distributor channel encompasses independent print distributors, commercial printers, direct mail, fulfillment companies, payroll and accounts payable software companies, and advertising agencies, among others. We also sell products to many of our competitors to satisfy their customers’ needs.

Our management believes we are the largest provider of business forms, pressure-seal forms, labels, tags, envelopes, and presentation folders to independent distributors in the United States.

We are in the business of manufacturing, designing and selling business forms and other printed business products primarily to distributors located in the United States. We operate 59 manufacturing plants throughout the United States in 20 strategically located states as one reportable segment. Approximately 96% of the business products we manufacture are custom and semi-custom products, constructed in a wide variety of sizes, colors, number of parts and quantities on an individual job basis, depending upon the customers’ specifications.

The products we sell include snap sets, continuous forms, laser cut sheets, tags, labels, envelopes, integrated products, jumbo rolls and pressure sensitive products in short, medium and long runs under the following labels: Ennis®, Royal Business Forms®, Block Graphics®, 360º Custom LabelsSM, ColorWorx®, Enfusion®, Uncompromised Check Solutions®, VersaSeal®, Ad ConceptsSM, FormSource LimitedSM, Star Award Ribbon Company®, Witt Printing®, B&D Litho®, Genforms®, PrintGraphics®, Calibrated Forms®, PrintXcel®, Printegra®, Forms ManufacturersSM, Mutual Graphics®, TRI-C Business FormsSM, Major Business SystemsSM, Independent PrintingSM, Hoosier Data Forms®, Hayes Graphics®, Wright Business GraphicsSM, Wright 360SM, Integrated Print & GraphicsSM, the Flesh CompanySM, Impressions DirectSM, AmeriPrintSM; StylecraftSM, UMC PrintSM; Eagle GraphicsSM and Diamond GraphicsSM. We also sell the Adams McClure® brand (which provides Point of Purchase advertising); the Admore®, Folder Express®, and Independent Folders® brands (which provide presentation folders and document folders); Ennis Tag & LabelSM (which provides custom printed, high performance labels and custom and stock tags); Allen-Bailey Tag & LabelSM, Atlas Tag & Label®, Kay Toledo Tag®, and Special Service Partners® (SSP) (which provides custom and stock tags and labels); Trade Envelopes®, Block Graphics®, Wisco®, and National Imprint Corporation® (which provide custom and imprinted envelopes) and Northstar® and General Financial Supply® (which provide financial and security documents); InfosealSM and PrintXcel® (which provide custom and stock pressure seal documents). School Photo Marketing is a one-stop shop for over 1,400 school portrait photographers and professional photo labs nationwide, providing them with a complete array of products and services that reach over 15 million families and 30,000 schools, primarily in the K-8 market. We sell predominantly through independent distributors, as well as to many of our competitors. Northstar Computer Forms, Inc., one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, also sells direct to a small number of customers, generally large banking organizations (where a distributor is not acceptable or available to the end-user). Adams McClure, LP, a wholly-owned subsidiary, also sells direct to a small number of customers, where sales are generally through advertising agencies.

The printing industry generally sells its products either predominantly to end users, a market dominated by a few large manufacturers, such as R.R. Donnelley and Taylor Corporation, or, like the Company, through a variety of independent distributors and distributor groups. While it is not possible, because of the lack of adequate public statistical information, to determine the Company’s share of the total business products market, management believes the Company is the largest producer of business forms, pressure-seal forms, labels, tags, envelopes, and presentation folders in the United States distributing primarily through independent distributors.

There are a number of competitors that operate in this segment. We believe our strategic locations and buying power permit us to compete on a favorable basis within the distributor market on competitive factors, such as service, quality, and price.

Distribution of business forms and other business products throughout the United States is primarily done through independent distributors, including business forms distributors, resellers, direct mail, commercial printers, software companies, and advertising agencies.

Raw materials principally consist of a wide variety of weights, widths, colors, sizes, and qualities of paper for business products purchased primarily from one major supplier at favorable prices based on the volume of business.

Business products usage in the printing industry is generally not seasonal. General economic conditions and contraction of the traditional business forms industry are the predominant factors in quarterly volume fluctuations.

On October 11, 2023, we acquired the assets and business of Eagle Graphics, Inc. ("Eagle") in Annville, Pennsylvania, and Diamond Graphics, Inc. ("Diamond") in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. In the last full year preceding the acquisition, Eagle and Diamond generated approximately $8.7 million in combined sales. The acquisition of these facilities strengthens our production capabilities to serve our large and growing customer base in the Northeast part of the country.

On June 2, 2023, we acquired the assets and business of UMC Print ("UMC")in Overland Park, Kansas, which reported approximately $16.1 million in 2022. The addition of UMC added new commercial printing capabilities, expanded our distributor customer base and provided our existing distributors with new product offerings to further drive their growth.

On May 23, 2023 we acquired the real estate and operations of Stylecraft Printing Company ("Stylecraft") in Canton, Michigan, which prior to the acquisition generated approximately $7.0 million in sales for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. Stylecraft is a trade only printer since 1967 specializing in business forms, integrated products and commercial printing.

On November 30, 2022, we acquired the School Photo Marketing (“SPM”) assets from SPM Marketing, Inc. in, which had approximately $10 million in sales in the twelve-month period preceding the acquisition. SPM provides printing, yearbook publishing and marketing related services to over 1,400 school and sports photographers servicing schools around the country.

Other than the patent for our VersaSeal® product, we do not have any significant patents, licenses, franchises, or concessions.

We market our products under a number of trademarks and trade names. The protection of our trademarks is important to our business. We believe that our registered and common law trademarks have significant value and these trademarks are important to our ability to create and sustain demand for our products. We have registered trademarks in the United States for Ennis®, EnnisOnlineSM, B&D Litho of AZ®, B&D Litho®, Block Graphics®, Enfusion®, 360º Custom LabelsSM, Admore®, CashManagementSupply.comSM, Securestar®, Northstar®, MICRLink®, MICR ConnectionTM, General Financial Supply®, Calibrated Forms®, PrintXcel®, Printegra®, Trade Envelopes®, Witt Printing®, Genforms®, Royal Business Forms®, Crabar/GBFSM, BF&SSM, Adams McClure®, Advertising ConceptsTM, ColorWorx®, Allen-Bailey Tag & LabelSM, Atlas Tag & Label®, PrintgraphicsSM, Uncompromised Check Solutions®, VersaSeal®, VersaSeal SecureX®, Folder Express®, Wisco®, National Imprint Corporation®, Star Award Ribbon®, Kay Toledo Tag®, Falcon Business FormsSM, Forms ManufacturersSM, Mutual Graphics®, TRI-C Business FormsSM, SSP®, EOSTouchpoint®, Printersmall®, Check Guard®, Envirofolder®, Independent®, Independent Checks®, Independent Folders®, Independent Large Format Solutions®, Wright Business GraphicsSM, Wright 360SM, Integrated Print & GraphicsSM, the Flesh CompanySM, Impressions DirectSM, MegaformSM, Safe®, InfosealSM, StylecraftSM, UMC PrintSM, Eagle GraphicsSM, Diamond GraphicsSM and variations of these brands as well as other trademarks. We have similar trademark registrations internationally for certain trademarks.

No single customer accounts for as much as five percent of our consolidated net sales or accounts receivable.

At February 29, 2024, our backlog of firm orders was approximately $33.7 million, compared to approximately $46.7 million at February 28, 2023.

While we seek new products to sell through our distribution channel, there have been no material amounts spent on research and development in fiscal years 2024, 2023 or 2022.

We are subject to various federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations concerning, among other things, wastewater discharges, air emissions and solid waste disposal. Our manufacturing processes do not emit substantial foreign substances into the environment. We do not believe that our compliance with federal, state, or local statutes or regulations relating to the protection of the environment has any material effect upon capital expenditures, earnings or our competitive position. There can be no assurance, however, that future changes in federal, state, or local regulations, interpretations of existing regulations or the discovery of currently unknown problems or conditions will not require substantial additional expenditures. Similarly, the extent of our liability, if any, for past failures to comply with laws, regulations, and permits applicable to our operations cannot be determined.

Ennis respects the environment and makes all attempts to protect our natural resources. We believe we comply with all laws and regulations regarding the use and preservation of our land, air, and water. This principle has been part of our Code of Conduct since 2005. Our goal of operating in an environmentally responsible manner aligns with our goals of operating a profitable and responsible business. For example, we recycle waste material generated in our printing processes to generate income from selling the scrap material. We recycled 20.9 million pounds of paper and 1.7 million pounds of cardboard and cores in 2024. Additionally, the use of soy based inks allows us to avoid cleaning solutions that may pose environmental hazards. We use environmentally friendly cleaning agents to insure that our waste water is not contaminated and does not require special disposal.

Many of our plants engage with local energy suppliers to ask for recommendations on lowering energy usage. Participation in these energy audits generally results in replacing old lighting with more efficient LED lighting. Additionally, newer digital technology, which we have implemented in several of our locations, relies on less energy than older web-based presses due to shorter runs and ink jet technology.

Another aspect of our business model which reduces carbon emissions is the reduction in transportation costs for our employees, as well as our customers. Approximately 80% of our facilities are located in small towns where the employees are less than 10 miles from the plant, and travel time is minimal. Our geographical dispersion reduces the amount of transportation time and distance associated with delivering our products to our customers. Likewise we use third party transportation and logistical companies to pick up and deliver our products. Partnering with larger shipping organizations that have the scale to be more resourceful and implement more energy efficient delivery methods enables us to ship our products in an efficient and effective manner.

Our primary supplier of paper is vital to our business as they supply raw materials that are minimally altered during the production process. Our primary supplier is SFI, FSC and PEFC certified. The SFI Forest Management Standard covers key values such as protection of biodiversity, species at risk and wildlife habitat; sustainable harvest levels; protection of water quality; and prompt regeneration. FSC certification ensures that products come from responsibly-managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits. PEFC cares for forests globally and locally. They work to protect our forests by promoting sustainable forest management through certification. This means that all can benefit from the many products that forests provide now, while ensuring these forests will be around for generations to come. The Company’s primary paper supplier ensures that all of their supply chain materials are sourced with similar accredited suppliers allowing for more transparency and a more trustworthy supplier commitment to quality, safety and the protection of our natural resources.

Additionally, we use material safety sheets which outline potential hazardous materials so as to minimize the use of more hazardous materials. Given the low and de minimis use of these potentially hazardous materials, our plants generally fit in the lowest category of reporting standards to various state and local environmental agencies. The Company requires facility managers to minimize the use or site storage of any hazardous chemicals. Two thirds of our facilities are categorized as Very Small Quantity Generators and one third are considered Small Quantity Generators under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) hazardous waste regulations. Any hazardous waste generated is stored and properly disposed of in compliance with all EPA regulations and permits.

Two of our largest facilities have solvent recovery systems which allows recovery of press plate washing solutions for re-use. These systems result in a substantial reduction of any hazardous waste. The Company ensures that we are in compliance with applicable state and federal environmental laws on hazardous materials including Proposition 65 in California and federal Conflict Minerals compliance.

Attention to choice of material suppliers, transportation partners, energy usage and avoidance of hazardous wastes that might impact waste water disposal, are part of the business model that improves or avoids damage to the environment we live and work in.

At February 29, 2024, we had 1,941 employees. 156 employees are represented by labor unions under collective bargaining agreements, which are subject to periodic negotiations. We believe we have a good working relationship with all of the unions that represent our employees.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Ennis promotes a cooperative and productive work environment by supporting the cultural and ethnic diversity of its workforce and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants. Pursuant to our Code of Conduct adopted in 2005 and reviewed at least annually, we do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status in any personnel practice, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, and discipline. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and we comply with all employment laws including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Immigration and Nationality Act, and the Immigration Reform and Control Act. We take allegations of harassment and unlawful discrimination seriously and address all such concerns that are raised regarding our Code of Conduct.

Safety and Health: A safe and clean work environment is important to the well-being of all Ennis employees. Ennis complies with applicable safety and health regulations and appropriate practices. Throughout the year facilities are reviewed monthly to determine if the accidents/injuries that occurred could have been avoided. Incidents are reviewed to determine measures that can be taken to prevent reoccurrence of claims at that facility or another facility. A monthly Facility Report is sent to all facilities reminding them about safety issues and certain claims that have occurred in other locations. Annually, facilities are required to submit an audit of compliance

with mandated OSHA safety programs. Facilities that have higher than normal claims are worked with directly or visited by a business director or a representative from our workers’ compensation carrier. Protocols and trainings are in place to protect the health and safety of all our employees. Safety audits are completed throughout the organization. The Company strictly monitors safety issues in all of our facilities, and each facility has someone in charge of review and training of employees on safety issues. Consistent with our culture of promoting workplace safety, our plants take pride in detailing the amount of time since the last safety incident and strive to maintain the lack of an occurrence.

Ennis is dedicated to ensuring that business is conducted ethically. All Ennis management must read, agree with, and sign a Code of Conduct and Ethics policy at least annually.

Each of our locations support local non-profit organizations, educational institutions and youth sport teams based on their local community needs. The majority of our locations are located in suburban or rural communities where the plant is a major employer and supporter of the local economy. Some examples include Midlothian Educational Foundation (Ennis is a founding member), Project Graduation, Toys for Tots, Angel Trees, United Way fundraisers, and youth sport team sponsorships. Additional support includes in-kind donations, volunteer hours and financial support for various local organizations.

Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge under the Investors Relations page on our website, www.ennis.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Information on our website is not included as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this report. Our SEC filings are also available through the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.

You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other information included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, before making an investment in our common stock. The risks described below are not the only ones we face in our business. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition or operating results could be materially harmed. In such an event, our common stock could decline in price and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Our results and financial condition are affected by global and local market conditions, and competitors’ pricing strategies, which can adversely affect our sales, margins, and net income.

Our results of operations can be affected by local, national and worldwide market conditions. The consequences of domestic and international economic uncertainty or instability, volatility in commodity markets, and domestic or international policy uncertainty, all of which we have seen in the past, can all impact economic activity. Unfavorable conditions can depress the demand for our products and thus sales in a given market and may prompt competitor’s pricing strategies that adversely affect our margins or constrain our operating flexibility. Certain macroeconomic events, such as crises in the financial markets, inflation, high interest rates and recessionary concerns, cost and labor pressures, distribution challenges and the availability of paper could have a more wide-ranging and prolonged impact on the general business environment, which could also adversely affect us. Whether we can manage these risks effectively depends on several factors, including (i) our ability to manage movements in commodity prices and the impact of government actions to manage national economic conditions such as consumer spending, inflation rates and unemployment levels, particularly given the past volatility in the global financial markets, (ii) the impact on our margins of labor costs given our labor-intensive business model, the trend toward higher wages in both mature and developing markets and the potential impact of union organizing efforts on day-to-day operations of our manufacturing facilities and (iii) other factors, which may be beyond our control.

Digital technologies will continue to erode the demand for our printed business documents.

The increasing sophistication of software, internet technologies, and digital equipment combined with our customers’ general preference and digital substitutions, as well as governmental influences for paperless business environments will continue to reduce the number of traditional printed documents sold. Moreover, the documents that will continue to coexist with software applications will likely contain less value-added print content.

Many of our custom-printed documents help companies control their internal business processes and facilitate the flow of information. These applications will increasingly be conducted over the internet or through other electronic payment systems. The predominant method of our customers’ communication to their customers is by printed information. As their customers become more accepting of internet communications, our clients may increasingly opt for what is perceived to be a less costly electronic option, which would reduce our revenue. The pace of these trends is difficult to predict. These factors will tend to reduce the industry-wide demand for printed documents and require us to gain market share to maintain or increase our current level of print-based revenue which could place pressure on our operating margins.

In response to the gradual obsolescence of our standardized forms business, we continue to develop our capability to provide custom and full-color products. If new printing capabilities and new product introductions do not continue to offset the obsolescence of our standardized business forms products, and we are unable to increase our market share, our sales and profits will be affected. Decreases in sales of our standardized business forms and products due to obsolescence could also reduce our gross margins or impact the value of our recorded goodwill and intangible assets. This reduction could in turn adversely impact our profits, unless we are able to offset the reduction through the introduction of new high margin products and services or realize cost savings in other areas.

We obtain our raw materials from a limited number of suppliers, and any disruption in our relationships with these suppliers, or any substantial increase in the price of raw materials or material shortages could have a material adverse effect on us.

We currently purchase a large majority of our paper products from one major supplier at favorable costs based on the volume of business, and traditionally we have purchased our paper products from a limited number of suppliers, all of which must meet stringent quality and on-time delivery standards under long-term contracts. Fluctuations in the quality of our paper, unexpected price changes, decline in overall distribution channels or other factors that relate to our suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

Paper is a commodity that is subject to frequent increases or decreases in price, and these fluctuations are sometimes significant. The prices for paper and many of our raw materials have been volatile and may continue to increase due to overall inflationary pressure and global market conditions. We believe there is no effective market of derivative instruments to insulate us against unexpected changes in price of paper in a cost-effective manner, and negotiated purchase contracts provide only limited protection against price increases. Generally, when paper prices increase, we attempt to recover the higher costs by raising the prices of our products to our customers. In the price-competitive marketplaces in which we operate, however, we may not always be able to pass through any or all of the higher costs. As such, any significant increase in the price of paper or shortage in its availability could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Challenging financial market conditions and changes in long-term interest rates could adversely impact the funded status of our pension plan.

We maintain a noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan (the “Pension Plan”) covering approximately 12% of our employees. As of February 29, 2024, the Pension Plan was 100% funded on a projected benefit obligation ("PBO") basis and 107% on an accumulated benefit obligation ("ABO") basis. Included in our financial results are Pension Plan costs that are measured using actuarial valuations. The actuarial assumptions used may differ from actual results. In addition, as our Pension Plan assets are invested in marketable securities, fluctuations in market values can negatively impact our funded status, recorded pension liability, and future required minimum contribution levels. A decline in long-term interest rates puts downward pressure on the discount rate used by plan sponsors to determine their pension liabilities. Each 10 basis point change in the discount rate impacts our computed pension liability by approximately $505,000. Similar to fluctuations in market values, a drop in the discount rate can negatively impact our funded status, recorded pension liability and future contribution levels. Also, continued changes in the mortality assumptions can impact our funded status. Additionally, as we experienced in recent years, the number of participants

taking lump sum distributions at retirement could be sufficiently high as to cause a settlement charge, which would impact current earnings of the Pension Plan.

We may be unable to identify or to complete acquisitions or to successfully integrate the businesses we acquire.

We have evaluated, and may continue to evaluate, potential acquisition transactions. We attempt to address the potential risks inherent in assessing the attractiveness of acquisition candidates, as well as other challenges such as retaining the employees and integrating the operations of the businesses we acquire. Integrating acquired operations involves significant risks and uncertainties, including maintenance of uniform standards, controls, policies and procedures; diversion of management’s attention from normal business operations during the integration process; unplanned expenses associated with integration efforts; and unidentified issues not discovered in due diligence, including legal contingencies. Due to these risks and others, there can be no guarantee that the businesses we acquire will lead to the cost savings or increases in net sales that we expect or desire. Additionally, there can be no assurance that suitable acquisition opportunities will be available in the future, which could harm our strategic business plan as acquisitions are part of our strategy to offset normal print attrition.

Our distributor customers may be acquired by other manufacturers who redirect business within their plants.

Some of our customers are being absorbed by the distribution channels of some of our manufacturing competitors. However, we do not believe this will significantly impact our business model. We have continued to sell to some of these customers even after they were absorbed by our competition because of the breadth of our product line and our geographic diversity.

Our distributors face increased competition from various sources, such as office supply superstores. Increased competition may require us to reduce prices or to offer other incentives in order to enable our distributors to attract new customers and retain existing customers.

Low price, high value office supply chain stores offer standardized business forms, checks and related products. Because of their size, these superstores have the buying power to offer many of these products at competitive prices. These superstores also offer the convenience of “one-stop” shopping for a broad array of office supplies that our distributors do not offer. In addition, superstores have the financial strength to reduce prices or increase promotional discounts to expand market share. This could result in us reducing our prices or offering incentives in order to enable our distributors to attract new customers and retain existing customers, which could reduce our profits.

We could experience labor disputes, labor shortages and increases in cost of labor that could disrupt our business in the future and impact operating results.

As of February 29, 2024, approximately 8% of our employees are represented by labor unions under collective bargaining agreements, which are subject to periodic negotiations. While we believe we have a good working relationship with all of the unions, there can be no assurance that any future labor negotiations will prove successful, which may result in a significant increase in the cost of labor, or may break down and result in the disruption of our business or operations.

Economic factors have contributed to tightening and increased competitiveness in the labor market, increasing labor costs. A prolonged labor shortage could potentially adversely affect our business operations and further increase labor costs.

We face intense competition to gain market share, which may lead some competitors to sell substantial amounts of goods at prices against which we cannot profitably compete.

Our marketing strategy is to differentiate ourselves by providing quality service and quality products to our customers. Even if this strategy is successful, the results may be offset by reductions in demand or price declines due to competitors’ pricing strategies or other micro or macro-economic factors. We face the risk of our competition following a strategy of selling its products at or below cost in order to cover some amount of fixed costs, especially in stressed economic times.

We are subject to extensive and changing federal, state and foreign laws and regulations establishing health and environmental quality standards, concerning, among other things, wastewater discharges, air emissions and solid waste disposal, and may be subject to liability or penalties for violations of those standards. We are also subject to laws and regulations governing remediation of contamination at facilities currently or formerly owned or operated by us or to which we have sent hazardous substances or wastes for treatment, recycling or disposal. We may be subject to future liabilities or obligations as a result of new or more stringent interpretations of existing laws and regulations. In addition, we may have liabilities or obligations in the future if we discover any environmental contamination or liability at any of our facilities, or at facilities we may acquire.

We are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state jurisdictions. Applicable tax rates and the jurisdictions within which we operate can vary and therefore our effective tax rate may be adversely affected by changes in the mix of our earnings by jurisdiction. We may be subject to audits of our income, sales and other transaction taxes by U.S. federal and state authorities. Outcomes from these audits could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Income, sales or other tax laws are dynamic and subject to change as new laws are passed and new interpretations of the law are applied. Most recently, on August 16, 2022, legislation commonly known as the Inflation Reduction Act (the "IRA") was signed into law. Among other things, the IRA includes a 1% excise tax on certain corporate stock repurchases, applicable to repurchases after December 31, 2022, and also a new minimum tax based on book income. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017 resulted in changes in our federal corporate tax rate, our deferred income taxes and limitations on the deductibility of interest expense and executive compensation and the transition of U.S. international taxation from a worldwide tax system to a modified territorial tax system. There may be changes in tax legislation, including a repeal or modification of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, changes in tax rates and tax base such as limiting, phasing-out or eliminating deductions, revising tax law interpretations in jurisdictions, and changes in other tax laws. The U.S. government has proposed changes to increase the tax rates on corporations. All of these factors and uncertainties may adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

We are exposed to the risk of non-payment by our customers on a significant amount of our sales.

Our extension of credit involves considerable judgment and is based on an evaluation of each customer’s financial condition and payment history. We monitor our credit risk exposure by periodically obtaining credit reports and updated financials on our customers. We generally see a heightened amount of bankruptcies by our customers during economic downturns. While we maintain an allowance for credit losses based upon our historical trends and other available information, in times of economic turmoil, there is heightened risk that our historical indicators may prove to be inaccurate. The inability to collect on sales to significant customers or a group of customers could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

We incur transportation expenses to ship our products to our customers. Significant increases in the costs of freight and transportation could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, as there can be no assurance that we could pass on these increased costs to our customers. Government regulations can and have impacted the availability of drivers, which will be a significant challenge to the transportation industry. Costs to employ drivers have increased and transportation shortages have become more prevalent. Additionally, the challenge of employing new drivers for the increasingly larger web-based economy could create shortages in trucks and drivers which could impact our sales.

A natural disaster, catastrophe, pandemic or other unexpected events could adversely affect our operations.

The occurrence of one or more unexpected events, including war, acts of terrorism or violence, civil unrest, epidemics or pandemics, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and other forms of severe weather in the United States could adversely affect our operations and financial performance. Although we maintain third party

insurance against various liability risks and risks of property loss for items we believe are economically reasonable to insure, we could incur uninsured losses and liabilities arising from such events which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We depend on the reliability of our information technology ("IT") and network infrastructure as well as those of third parties. If these systems fail, our operations may be adversely affected.

We depend on IT and data processing systems to operate our business, and a significant malfunction or disruption in the operation of our systems may disrupt our business and adversely affect our ability to operate and compete in the markets we serve. This could take various forms, including through the injection of ransomware on our IT infrastructure rendering it inoperable without the payment of some form of cyber currency. These systems include systems that we own and operate, as well as systems of our vendors or other third parties. Such systems are susceptible to ransomware attacks, malfunctions, interruptions and phishing scams, for example. We also periodically upgrade and install new systems, which if installed or programmed incorrectly, may cause significant disruptions. These disruptions could interrupt our operations and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Increasing global cybersecurity attacks and regulatory focus on privacy and security issues could impact our business, expose us to increased liability, subject us to lawsuits, investigations and other liabilities and restrictions on our operations that could significantly and adversely affect our business.

Along with our own data and information in the normal course of our business, we and our customers and partners collect and retain significant volumes of certain types of data, some of which are subject to specific laws and regulations. Complying with varying jurisdictional requirements is becoming increasingly complex and could increase the costs and difficulty of compliance, and violations of applicable data protection laws. Many of our clients provide us with information they consider confidential or sensitive, and many of our client’s industries have established standards for safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information relating to their businesses and customers. Data stored in our systems or available through web portals is susceptible to cybercrime or intentional disruption, which have increased globally across all industries in terms of sophistication and frequency. Disclosure of data maintained on our network, a security breach of our systems or other similar events may damage our reputation, subject us to regulatory enforcement action, third party litigation and cause significant reputational or financial harm for our clients and partners. Any of these outcomes may adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

As previously disclosed, the Company was targeted with an encryption ransomware attack on November 30, 2022. The attack was discovered while it was in process and immediate action was taken to isolate our network to limit the scope of any damage. The attack resulted in a brief disruption to the operation of our systems as we took our servers offline to eradicate the ransomware and restore our data and applications from secure backups. The Company did not communicate with the ransomware threat actor and never considered paying any ransom demand. Instead, the Company eliminated the ransomware and immediately proceeded to restore its critical files and functions. The Company incurred no material expense in connection with the ransomware attack. Based on the information currently known to date, the incident has not had a significant financial impact and the Company does not believe the incident will have a material impact on its business, results of operations or financial condition. Despite us improving our Information Technology General Controls, we cannot give any assurances that the Company will not become the subject of a future more sophisticated, or more harmful attack.

Increases in the cost of employee benefits could impact our financial results and cash flow.

Our expenses relating to employee health benefits are significant. Unfavorable changes in the cost of such benefits could impact our financial results and cash flow. Healthcare costs have risen significantly in recent years, and recent legislative and private sector initiatives regarding healthcare reform could result in significant changes to the U.S. healthcare system. While the Company has various cost control measures in place and employs an outside oversight review on larger claims, employee health benefits have been and are expected to continue to be a significant cost to us and may increase due to factors outside the Company’s control.

Because of the volatility in the stock market in general, the market price of our Common Stock will also likely be volatile.

The stock markets have historically experienced price and volume fluctuations that at times have been extreme and have affected, and continue to affect, the market prices of equity securities of many companies. These fluctuations have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. Broad market and industry fluctuations, as well as general economic, political, regulatory and market conditions, may negatively impact the market price of our common stock. If the market price of our Class A common stock falls below your investment price, you may lose some or all of your investment. In the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their securities have been subject to securities class action litigation. We may be the target of this type of litigation in the future, which could result in substantial costs and divert our management's attention.

We believe that cybersecurity is important to maintaining the trust of our customers and employees. We have implemented a cybersecurity risk management program that is designed to identify, assess, manage, mitigate, and respond to cybersecurity threats which could adversely affect the confidentiality of our data and the integrity of our business operations and financial systems. Our cybersecurity program is based on best practices and guidelines of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework. We have company-wide policies and procedures in place that further enhance our ability to identify and manage cybersecurity risk.

Annual risk assessments and penetration testing are performed by independent third party consultants. These tests are useful tools for maintaining a robust cybersecurity program to protect our investors, customers, employees, vendors, and intellectual property. The results of these tests are presented annually to the Board of Directors ("Board"), Audit Committee, and senior management for review to ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards.

During the fiscal year ended February 29, 2024, we have not identified any risks from cybersecurity threats that have materially affected our business operations or financial conditions.

Our Board of Directors, Audit Committee and senior management oversee risk management to ensure that the Company's policies and procedures are functioning as intended to protect the Company’s information systems from cybersecurity threats. The Audit Committee performs an annual review and discussion of the Company’s cybersecurity program, which includes planned actions in the event of a threat or recovery situation.

Our IT team is led by the Vice President of Administration and the Director of Information Technology. The latter is responsible for regular assessment and management of cybersecurity risks. The Director of Information Technology has constant access to the Audit Committee to provide regular updates as necessary regarding any new developments.

We view cybersecurity as a shared responsibility of the Audit Committee and the IT team led by the Director of Information Technology, and we incorporate external resources and advisors as needed to conduct evaluations of our security controls through penetration testing, independent audits and consulting on best practices. The results of those tests are presented annually to the Board.

Our corporate headquarters are located in Midlothian, Texas, and we operate manufacturing facilities throughout the United States. See the table below for additional information regarding our locations.

All of our properties are used for the production, warehousing and shipping of business products, including the following: business forms, flexographic printing, and advertising specialties (Wolfe City, Texas); presentation

products (Macomb, Michigan; De Pere, Wisconsin and Columbus, Kansas); printed and electronic promotional media (Columbus, Kansas); envelopes (Portland, Oregon; Columbus, Kansas; Tullahoma, Tennessee and Claysburg, Pennsylvania); financial forms (Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota; Nevada, Iowa and Bridgewater, Virginia); and pressure seal products (Visalia, California; Chino, California; Roanoke, Virginia and Clarksville, Tennessee).

Our plants are operated at production levels required to meet our forecasted customer demands. Production levels fluctuate with market demands and depend upon the product mix at any given point in time. Equipment is added as existing machinery becomes obsolete or not repairable, and as new equipment becomes necessary to meet market demands; however, at any given time, these additions and replacements are not considered to be material additions to property, plant and equipment, although such additions or replacements may increase a plant’s efficiency or capacity.

All of our facilities are believed to be in good condition. We do not anticipate that substantial expansion, refurbishing, or re-equipping of our facilities will be required in the near future.

All of our rented property is held under leases with original terms of one or more years, expiring at various times through November 2028. Generally, we are able to maintain or renew leases as they expire without significant difficulty, but leases in certain markets may be subject to significant rent increases that necessitate consolidating operations to maintain profitability.

From time to time we are involved in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of our business. We do not believe the disposition of any current matter will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In October 2023, Crabar/GBF, Inc., a subsidiary of Ennis, was awarded $5.8 million in actual damages, exemplary damages and attorney’s fees in a case against Wright Printing Company, its owner Mark Wright, and CEO Mardra Sikora. Given the defendants’ pending appeal, we have not yet recognized revenue from the judgment. Nevertheless, the defendants have posted cash bonds that total approximately $5.1 million, which should be recoverable by the Company if defendants’ appeal is unsuccessful.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the trading symbol “EBF”. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices, the common stock trading volume as reported by the NYSE and dividends per share paid by the Company for the periods indicated:

On May 9, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE was $20.71, and there were approximately 622 shareholders of record. Cash dividends may be paid, or repurchases of our common stock may be made, from time to time as our Board deems appropriate, after considering our growth rate, operating results, financial condition, cash requirements, restrictive lending covenants, and such other factors as the Board may deem appropriate.

A dividend of $0.225 per share of our common stock was paid in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. A dividend of $0.25 per share of our common stock was paid in each subsequent quarter of fiscal year 2022 and in each quarter of fiscal years 2023 and 2024.

Dividends are declared at the discretion of the Board and future dividends will depend on our future earnings, cash flow, financial requirements and other factors. The Board does view the dividend as an important aspect of owning Ennis stock and continues to rank it high in priority in allocating the Company's earnings.

Our Board has authorized the repurchase of the Company’s outstanding common stock through a stock repurchase program, which authorized amount is currently up to $60.0 million in the aggregate. Under the repurchase program, purchases may be made from time to time in the open market or through privately-negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions, share price, trading volume and other factors. Repurchases may be commenced or suspended at any time or from time to time without prior notice, provided that any purchases must be made in accordance with

applicable insider trading rules and securities laws and regulations. Since the program’s inception in October 2008, we have repurchased 2,242,461 common shares under the program at an average price of $16.34 per share. During our fiscal year 2024, we repurchased 29,350 shares of common stock at an average price of $19.96 per share. As of February 29, 2024, $23.4 million remained available to repurchase shares of common stock under the program.

The graph below matches Ennis, Inc.'s cumulative 5-Year total shareholder return on common stock with the cumulative total returns of the S&P 500 index and the Russell 2000 index. The graph tracks the performance of a $100 investment in our common stock and in each index (with the reinvestment of all dividends) from 2/28/2019 to 2/29/2024.

The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis provides material historical and prospective disclosures intended to enable investors and other users to assess our financial condition and results of operations. Statements that are not historical are forward-looking and involve risk and uncertainties, including those discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and elsewhere in this Report. You should read this discussion and analysis in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Report. The words “anticipate,” “preliminary,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. We believe these forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions. All such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and as a result, actual results could differ materially from those projected, anticipated, or implied by these statements.

In view of such uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements since such statements may prove to be inaccurate and speak only as of the date when made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis covers the continuing operations of the Company, which are comprised of the production and sale of business forms and other business products. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis includes the following sections:

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Overview – An overall discussion regarding our Company, the business challenges and opportunities we believe are key to our success, and our plans for facing these challenges relating to our continuing operations.

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Critical Accounting Estimates – A discussion of the accounting policies that require our most critical judgments and estimates relating to our continuing operations. This discussion provides insight into the level of subjectivity, quality, and variability involved in these judgments and estimates. This section also provides a summary of recently adopted and recently issued accounting pronouncements that have or may materially affect our business.

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Results of Operations – An analysis of our consolidated results of operations and segment results for the three years presented in our Consolidated Financial Statements. This analysis discusses material trends within our continuing business and provides important information necessary for an understanding of our continuing operating results.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources – An analysis of our cash flows and a discussion of our financial condition and contractual obligations. This section provides information necessary to evaluate our ability to generate cash and to meet existing and known future cash requirements over both the short and long term.

References to 2024, 2023 and 2022 refer to the fiscal years ended February 29, 2024, February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, respectively.

The Company – Our management believes we are the largest provider of business forms, pressure-seal forms, labels, tags, envelopes, and presentation folders to independent distributors in the United States.

Our Business Challenges – Our industry is currently experiencing consolidation of traditional supply channels, product obsolescence, paper supplier capacity adjustments, and increased pricing and potential supply allocations due to demand/supply curve imbalance. Technology advances have made electronic distribution of documents, internet hosting, digital printing and print-on-demand valid, cost-effective alternatives to traditional custom-printed documents and customer communications. Improved equipment has become more accessible to our competitors. We face highly competitive conditions throughout our supply chain in an already over-supplied, price-competitive print industry. In

addition to the risk factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Annual Report, some of the key challenges of our business include the following:

Transformation of our portfolio of products – While traditional business documents are essential in order to conduct business, many are being replaced through the use of cheaper paper grades or imported paper, or devalued with advances in digital technologies, causing steady declines in demand for a portion of our current product line. Transforming our product offerings in order to continue to provide innovative, valuable solutions through lower labor and fixed charges to our customers on a proactive basis will require us to make investments in new and existing technology and to develop key strategic business relationships, such as print-on-demand services and product offerings that assist customers in their transition to digital business environments. In addition, we will continue to look for new market opportunities and niches through acquisitions, such as the addition of our envelope offerings, tag offerings, folder offerings, healthcare wristbands, specialty packaging, direct mail, pressure seal products, secure document solutions, innovative in-mold label offerings and long-run integrated products with high color web printing, which provide us with an opportunity for growth and differentiate us from our competition. The ability to make investments in new and existing technology and/or to acquire new market opportunities through acquisitions is dependent on the Company’s liquidity and operational results.

Production capacity and price competition within our industry – Industry supply of paper products is subject to fluctuation as changing industry conditions influence producers to idle or permanently close individual machines or mills, and or convert them to different product lines, such as packaging to offset a decline in demand. In 2022 there was a build-up of paper mill’s customer inventory, and 2023 data showed an inventory correction in reduced spending. Paper mill shipments were down across the board through the first half of 2023 as buyers worked through elevated inventories of their products. Producers responded to the sluggish demand conditions with heavy downtime rather than permanent closures keeping prices mostly stable. While margins remain under pressure due to the resulting weak volumes, we intend to continue to focus on effectively managing and controlling our product costs through the use of forecasting, production and costing models, as well as working closely with our domestic suppliers to reduce our procurement costs, in order to minimize effects on our operational results. In addition, we will continue to look for ways to reduce and leverage our fixed costs and focus on maintaining our margins.

Continued consolidation of our customers – Our customers are distributors, many of which are consolidating or are being acquired by competitors. We continue to maintain a majority of the business we have had with our customers historically, but it is possible that these consolidations and acquisitions, which we expect to continue in the future, ultimately will impact our margins and sales.

In preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the disclosures and reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis, including those related to allowance for credit losses, inventory valuations, property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, pension plan obligations, accrued liabilities and income taxes. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following accounting policies are the most critical due to their effect on our more significant estimates and judgments used in preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Pension Plan – We maintain the Pension Plan for certain eligible employees. Included in our financial results are Pension Plan costs that are measured using actuarial valuations and require the use of a number of significant assumptions. Changes in these assumptions can result in different expense and liability amounts and future actual pension cost experience and funding requirements may differ materially from current estimates.

As our Pension Plan assets are invested in marketable securities, fluctuations in market values could potentially impact our Pension Plan funding status and associated liability recorded. The expected rate of return on assets was 6.00% and 6.50% at February 29, 2024 and February 28, 2023, respectively.

Similar to fluctuations in market values, a drop in the discount rate could potentially negatively impact our Pension Plan's funded status, recorded pension liability and future contribution levels with the opposite impact occurring for an increase in the discount rate. During fiscal year 2024, the discount rate used to determine the net pension obligations for purposes of our Consolidated Financial Statements increased to 5.15% from 5.00% in fiscal year 2023. The discount rate is reviewed by management annually and is adjusted to reflect movements in the average Mercer and FTSE (formerly Citigroup) pension yield curves for mature pension plans with duration of about 12-15 years. The Company estimated the duration of its pension benefit obligation (PBO) to be approximately 12-15 years. Each 10 basis point change in the discount rate impacts our computed pension liability by about $0.5 million.

Also, continued changes in the mortality assumptions could potentially impact our Pension Plan's funded status. For the February 29, 2024 measurement, no change was made to the mortality assumption. While U.S. mortality has been higher in the last couple of years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other related factors, the mortality assumption is used to estimate the future lifetime of plan participants. Any actual impact on the Pension Plan from the higher than expected mortality has already been recognized in the underlying participant data used to measure the pension liability. The impact on future longevity is still being studied, and there is a general expectation that the current population is a healthier cohort such that mortality rates may return to pre-pandemic levels. This assumption will continue to be monitored.

Impairment Assessments on Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets – Amounts allocated to intangibles and goodwill are determined based on valuation analyses for our acquisitions. Amortizable intangibles are amortized over their expected useful lives. We evaluate these amounts periodically (at least once a year) to determine whether a triggering event has occurred during the year that would indicate potential impairment.

We assess goodwill for impairment annually as of December 1, or more frequently if impairment indicators are present. The Company uses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (likelihood of more than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, including goodwill. Some of the qualitative factors considered in applying this test include consideration of macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors affecting the reporting unit’s business, overall financial performance of the business, and performance of the common share price of the Company. If qualitative factors are not deemed sufficient to conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, then a one-step quantitative approach is applied in making an evaluation. The quantitative evaluation utilizes multiple valuation methodologies, including a market approach (market price multiples of comparable companies) and an income approach (discounted cash flow analysis). The computations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, including, among other things, selection of comparable publicly traded companies, an appropriate discount rate applied to future earnings reflecting a weighted average cost of capital, and earnings growth assumptions. A discounted cash flow analysis requires management to make various assumptions about future sales, operating margins, capital expenditures, working capital and growth rates. If the quantitative evaluation results in the fair value of the reporting unit being lower than the carrying value, an impairment charge is recorded. A goodwill impairment charge was not required for the fiscal years ended February 29, 2024 or February 28, 2023.

Allowance for Credit Losses and Accounts Receivable – Net sales consist of gross sales invoiced to customers, less certain related charges, including discounts, returns and other allowances. Our allowance for credit losses is based on an analysis that estimates the amount of our total customers receivable balance that is not collectible. This analysis includes assessing a default probability to customers’ receivable balances, which is influenced by several factors including (i) current market conditions, (ii) periodic review of customer credit worthiness, and (iii) review of customer receivable aging and payment trends. While we believe we have exercised prudent judgment and applied reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that in the future, changes in economic conditions or other factors would not cause changes in the financial health of our customers. If the financial health of our customers deteriorates, the timing

and level of payments received could be impacted and therefore, could result in a change to our estimated losses. Returns, discounts and other allowances have historically been insignificant.

Allowance for Excess and Obsolete Inventories – With the exception of approximately 7.0% and 6.1% of inventories valued using the lower of last-in, first-out ("LIFO") cost flow assumption for fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively, our inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. We regularly review inventory values on hand, using specific aging categories, and write down inventory deemed obsolete and/or slow-moving based on historical usage and estimated future usage to its estimated net realizable value. As actual future demand or market conditions may vary from those projected by management, adjustments to inventory valuations may be required. The allowance for excess and obsolete inventory at fiscal years ended 2024 and 2023 were $1.3 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

The following discussion provides information which we believe is relevant to understanding our results of operations and financial condition. The discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto. Unless otherwise indicated, this financial overview is for the continuing operations of the Company, which are comprised of the production and sales of business forms and other business products. The operating results of the Company for fiscal year 2024 and the comparative fiscal years 2023 and 2022 are included in the tables below.

Net Sales. Our net sales were $420.1 million for fiscal year 2024, compared to $431.8 million for fiscal year 2023, a decrease of $11.7 million, or 2.7%, primarily due to a $32.9 million decrease in volume demand, partially offset by an approximately $21.2 million increase in revenues generated from our recent acquisitions. The print market overall continues to be fairly soft with competitive pricing as well as some of our print partners have experienced slowness in their sales and reduced their outsourced work to us during the current fiscal year.

Our net sales increased from $400.0 million for fiscal year 2022 to $431.8 million for fiscal year 2023, an increase of 8%. The increase was attributable to $3.3 million in revenues from our 2023 acquisitions of School Photo Marketing as well as price and volume increases that were partially offset by reduced volumes in the fourth quarter.

Cost of Goods Sold. As a result of decreased sales volume, our manufacturing costs decreased $6.0 million, or 2.0% from $300.8 million for fiscal year 2023 to $294.8 million for fiscal year 2024. Our gross profit was $125.3 million or 29.8% of sales for fiscal year 2024, compared to $131.1 million or 30.3% of sales for fiscal year 2023. The print market overall was fairly soft during fiscal year 2024 with competitive pricing from similar situated vendors as us, resulting in downward pressure on operating margin.

Our manufacturing costs increased $15.5 million, or 5.4%, from $285.3 million for fiscal year 2022 to $300.8 million for fiscal year 2023. Our gross profit was $131.1 million or 30.3% of sales for fiscal year 2023, compared to $114.7 million or 28.7% for fiscal year 2022. Improved operational efficiencies and pricing adjustments to cover inflationary costs, primarily of paper, supplies and labor, contributed to improve our gross profit margin as a percentage of sales.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses. For fiscal year 2024, our selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $68.8 million compared to $70.8 million for fiscal year 2023, a decrease of $2.0 million, or 2.8% primarily as a result of reduction in executive incentive compensation expense. As a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses remained flat at 16.4% in fiscal year 2024 and 2023.

Our SG&A expenses decreased approximately 0.9%, from $71.4 million for fiscal year 2022 to $70.8 million for fiscal year 2023. As a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses declined from 17.9% in fiscal year 2022 to 16.4% for fiscal year 2023. Our SG&A expense decreased as a result of operational efficiencies and intangible assets fully amortized in fiscal year 2022 partially offset by increased executive incentive compensation expense.

(Gain) loss from disposal of assets. The $0.1 million loss from disposal of assets for fiscal 2024 is primarily from the sale of unused manufacturing equipment. The $5.9 million gain from disposal of assets for fiscal 2023 is primarily from the sale of an unused manufacturing facility, $5.8 million, and $0.1 million of manufacturing equipment. The $0.3 million gain from disposal of assets for fiscal year 2022 is primarily related to the sale of an unused manufacturing facility and manufacturing equipment.

Income from operations. Primarily due to factors described above, our income from operations for fiscal year 2024 decreased $9.7 million to $56.5 million or 13.4% of net sales from $66.2 million or 15.3% of net sales for fiscal year 2023. Income from operations for fiscal year 2023 increased 51.8% to $66.2 million, or 15.3% of net sales, from $43.6 million, or 10.9% of net sales in 2022.

Other income (expense). Interest income for fiscal year 2024 was $4.0 million compared to $0.8 million in 2023 and $0.1 million in 2022. Our increase in interest income in 2024 was from higher interest rates in 2024 compared to 2023 and higher interest rates compared to 2002.

Other expense for fiscal year 2024 was $1.3 million compared to $2.0 million for fiscal year 2023. Our decrease in expense was from lower non-service cost components of net periodic benefit costs relating to pension expense in fiscal year 2024.

Other expense was $2.0 million for fiscal year 2023 compared to $1.6 million for fiscal year 2022. The increase in expense was primarily from higher non-service cost components of net periodic benefit costs relating to pension expense in fiscal year 2023.

Provision for income taxes. Our effective tax rates for fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022 were 28.0%, 27.2%, and 30.9%, respectively. The higher effective tax rate for fiscal year 2022 was primarily the result of distributions during the year from our deferred compensation plan which was terminated in fiscal year 2021.

Net earnings. Net earnings were $42.6 million, or $1.64 per diluted share for fiscal year 2024 as compared to $47.3 million of $1.82 per diluted share for fiscal year 2023. Net earnings were impacted by decreased revenues in fiscal year 2024. Net earnings in fiscal year 2023 were impacted by a $5.8 million gain from disposal of assets that added $0.17 per share. Net earnings were $47.3 million, or $1.82 per diluted share for fiscal year 2023, as compared to $29.0 million, or $1.11 per diluted share for fiscal year 2022. Net earnings were impacted by increased revenues in fiscal year 2023.

We rely on our cash flows generated from operations to meet cash requirements of our business. The primary cash requirements of our business are payments to vendors in the normal course of business, capital expenditures, compensation and benefits for employees and the payment of dividends to our shareholders. We believe that our current cash balance of $81.6 million at February 29, 2024, short-term investments of $29.3 million and cash flows from operations are expected to be similar to prior years which should be adequate to cover the next twelve months

and beyond of our operating and capital requirements. Our annual capital requirements are expected to be within our historical levels of between $3.0 million and $6.0 million.

Working Capital. Our working capital increased by approximately $12.2 million, or 7.9%, from $155.4 million at February 28, 2023 to $167.6 million at February 29, 2024. Our current ratio, calculated by dividing our current assets by our current liabilities, increased from 4.8 to 1.0 for fiscal year 2023 to 6.0 to 1.0 for fiscal year 2024. Our increase in working capital primarily reflects the increase in cash and short-term investments, $17.0 million, offset by the decrease in accounts receivable, $6.3 million, and inventory, $6.8 million, and the decrease in our accounts payable and accrued expense, $7.0 million. We strategically reduced inventory levels to improve cash flow and the decrease in receivables is primarily a result of accelerating the timing of collections relative to fiscal year end.

Our working capital increased by approximately $27.5 million, or 21.5%, from $127.8 million at February 28, 2022 to $155.4 million at February 2023. Our current ratio, calculated by dividing our current assets by our current liabilities, increased from 4.4 to 1.0 for fiscal year 2022 to 4.8 to 1.0 for fiscal year 2023. Our increase in working capital primarily reflects the increase in cash, $8.4 million, accounts receivable, $14.5 million, and inventory, $8.3 million, offset by the increase in our accounts payable and accrued expense.

Cash flows from operating activities. Cash provided by operating activities was $69.1 million for fiscal year 2024 (an increase of $22.3 million compared to fiscal year 2023), $46.8 million for fiscal year 2023 (a decrease of $3.9 million compared to fiscal year 2022) and $50.7 million for fiscal year 2022.

Our increased operational cash flows in fiscal year 2024 compared to fiscal year 2023 was primarily the result of a $16.9 million decrease from inventories, $18.1 million decrease from our accounts receivable, offset by a $4.7 decrease in earnings, $5.3 million decrease in payables and accrued expenses and a $5.9 million gain from disposal of assets during fiscal year 2023.

Our decreased operational cash flows in fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022 was primarily the result of a $3.4 million decrease from inventories, $8.2 million decrease from our accounts receivable, $5.9 million gain from disposal of assets and a $5.0 million decrease from deferred tax liability offset by $18.3 million in increased earnings.

Cash flows from investing activities. Cash used in investing activities was $55.0 million in fiscal year 2024 compared to $11.5 million in fiscal year 2023, and $10.1 million in fiscal year 2022. The increase in cash used in fiscal year 2024 compared to 2023 was primarily due to net purchase and maturity of short-term investments of $28.9 million and a $10.8 million increase in costs to acquire businesses. During fiscal year 2024, we purchased approximately $31.4 million of U.S. government treasury bills with staggered maturities of between three months and twelve months. The $1.4 million decrease in cash used in fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022 was primarily due to a $2.2 million decrease in capital expenditures and $0.8 million increase in proceeds from disposal of plant and property, offset by a $4.4 million increase in costs to acquire businesses.

Cash flows from financing activities. Cash used in financing activities was $26.4 million in fiscal year 2024 compared to $27.0 million in fiscal year 2023 and $30.2 million used in fiscal year 2022.

The decrease in our cash used in financing activities in fiscal year 2024 was primarily due to a $0.5 million decrease of common stock repurchases. The decrease in our cash used in financing activities in fiscal year 2023 was primarily due to a $3.7 million decrease of common stock repurchases.

Stock Repurchase – The Board has authorized the repurchase of the Company’s outstanding common stock through a stock repurchase program, which authorized amount is currently up to $60.0 million in the aggregate. Under the repurchase program, purchases may be made from time to time in the open market or through privately-negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions, share price, trading volume and other factors. Repurchases may be commenced or suspended at any time or from time to time without prior notice, provided that any purchases must be made in accordance with applicable insider trading rules and securities laws and regulations. Since the program’s inception in October 2008, we have repurchased 2,242,461 common shares under the program at an average price of $16.34 per share. During our fiscal year 2024, we repurchased 29,350 shares of common stock at an average price of $19.96 per share. As of February 29, 2024, $23.4 million remained available to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock under the program. The Company expects to continue to repurchase its shares under the repurchase program during fiscal year 2025 provided that the Board determines such repurchases to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

Credit Facility – As of February 29, 2024, we had $0.3 million outstanding under a standby letter of credit arrangement secured by a cash collateral bank account. It is anticipated that our cash, short-term investments and funds from operating cash flows will be sufficient to fund anticipated future expenditures.

Pension Plan – The funded status of our Pension Plan is dependent on many factors, including returns on invested assets, the level of market interest rates and the level of funding. The assumptions used to calculate the pension funding deficit are different from the assumption used to determine the net pension obligations for purposes of our Consolidated Financial Statements. The funding of our Pension Plan is governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code and is also subject to the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Under these regulations, the liabilities are discounted using 25-year average corporate bond rates within a specified corridor. For the period ended February 29, 2024, the specified corridor around the 25-year average was 5%. We made a contribution of $1.2 million to our Pension Plan in fiscal year 2024, $2.0 million in fiscal year 2023 and $1.0 million in fiscal year 2022. Given our funding status as of February 29, 2024, and absent any significant negative event, we anticipate that our future contributions will be between $1.0 million and $3.0 million per year, depending on our Pension Plan’s funding.

Inventories – We believe our current inventory levels are sufficient to satisfy our customer demands and we anticipate having adequate sources of raw materials to meet future business requirements. We have long-term contracts in effect with paper suppliers that govern prices, but do not require minimum purchase commitments. Certain of our rebate programs do, however, require minimum purchase volumes. Management anticipates meeting the required volumes.

Capital Expenditures – We expect our capital expenditure requirements for fiscal year 2024, exclusive of capital required for possible acquisitions, will be in line with our historical levels of between $3.0 million and $5.0 million. We expect to fund these expenditures through existing cash flows. We expect to generate sufficient cash flows from our operating activities to cover our operating and other normal capital requirements for the foreseeable future.

Contractual Obligations – There have been no significant changes in our contractual obligations since February 29, 2024 that have, or that are reasonably likely to have, a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition. The following table represents our contractual commitments as of February 29, 2024 (in thousands).

From time to time, we are exposed to interest rate risk on short-term and long-term financial instruments carrying variable interest rates. We may from time to time utilize interest rate swaps to manage overall borrowing costs and reduce exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates. We do not use derivative instruments for trading purposes. While we had no outstanding debt at February 29, 2024, we will be exposed to interest rate risk if we borrow under a credit facility in the future.

This market risk discussion contains forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from this discussion based upon general market conditions and changes in domestic and global financial markets.

Our Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data required by this Item 8 are set forth following the signature page of this report and are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

A review and evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of February 29, 2024. Based upon that review and evaluation, we have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of February 29, 2024.

The Consolidated Financial Statements, financial analysis and all other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K were prepared by management, who is responsible for their integrity and objectivity and for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

i. Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of assets of the Company;

ii. Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

iii. Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurances with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal controls may vary over time.

Management assessed the design and effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of February 29, 2024. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework (“2013 COSO framework”). Based on management’s assessment using those criteria, we believe that, as of February 29, 2024, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.

In conducting our evaluation, we excluded the assets and liabilities and results of operations of our acquisitions, Stylecraft, UMC, Eagle and Diamond, during fiscal year ended 2024, in accordance with the SEC staff's interpretive guidance concerning management's reporting on internal controls over financial reporting in connection with acquisitions. The assets and revenues resulting from these acquisitions constituted approximately 3.8% and 5.0%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended February 29, 2024.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Management believes that the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K present fairly in all material respects our consolidated position, results of operations and cash flows for the period presented.

CohnReznick LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2024 and February 28, 2023 and has attested to the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of February 29, 2024. Their report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting is presented on page F-3 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Except as set forth below, the information required by Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, including “Election of Directors”, “Corporate Governance”, “Executive Officers” and “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports.”

The SEC and the NYSE have issued multiple regulations requiring policies and procedures in the corporate governance area. In complying with these regulations, it has been the goal of the Company’s Board and senior leadership to do so in a way which does not inhibit or constrain the Company’s unique culture, and which does not unduly impose a bureaucracy of forms and checklists. Accordingly, formal, written policies and procedures have been adopted in the simplest possible way, consistent with legal requirements, including a Code of Ethics applicable to the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer or controller. The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, its charters for each of its Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees and its Code of Ethics covering all employees are available on the Company’s website, www.ennis.com, and a copy will be mailed upon request to Investor Relations at 2441 Presidential Parkway, Midlothian, TX 76065. If we make any substantive amendments to the Code of Ethics, or grant any waivers to the Code of Ethics for any of our senior officers or directors, we will disclose such amendment or waiver on our website and in a report on Form 8-K.

The information required by Item 11 is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by Item 12, as to certain beneficial owners and management, is hereby incorporated by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by Item 13 is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

The information required by Item 14 is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

An “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” has been filed as a part of this Report beginning on page F-1 hereof.

All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the SEC have been omitted because of the absence of the conditions under which they would be required or because the material information required is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Registrant or the notes thereto.

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ennis, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of February 29, 2024 and February 28, 2023, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended February 29, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of February 29, 2024 and February 28, 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of February 29, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), and our report dated May 10, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion.

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Ennis, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of February 29, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of February 29, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting excluded the internal controls of Stylecraft, Inc. (“Stylecraft”), UMC Print, LLC (“UMC”), and Eagle Graphics, Inc. (“Eagle”) and Diamond Graphics, Inc. (“Diamond”), which are consolidated starting their respective acquisition dates May 23, 2023, June 2, 2023, and October 11, 2023 in the consolidated financial statements of the Company and constituted approximately 3.8% of assets and 5% of net sales as of and for the year then ended February 29, 2024. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Stylecraft, UMC, Eagle or Diamond at February 29, 2024.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheet and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company and our report dated May 10, 2024 expressed and unqualified opinion.

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the entity’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

An entity’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. An entity’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the entity; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the entity are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the entity; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the entity’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Ennis, Inc. (a Texas corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of February 28, 2022 (not presented herein), and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of February 28, 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended February 28, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.


Texas		75-0256410
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
2441 Presidential Pkwy., Midlothian, Texas		76065
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip code)


PART I:
Item 1	Business	4
Item 1A	Risk Factors	8
Item 1B	Unresolved Staff Comments	13
Item 1C	Cybersecurity	13
Item 2	Properties	13
Item 3	Legal Proceedings	16
Item 4	Mine Safety Disclosures	16

PART II:
Item 5	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	16
Item 7	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	19
Item 7A	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	26
Item 8	Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	26
Item 9	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	26
Item 9A	Controls and Procedures	26
Item 9B	Other Information	27
Item 9C	Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdiction that Prevent Inspections	27

PART III:
Item 10	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	28
Item 11	Executive Compensation	28
Item 12	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	28
Item 13	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	28
Item 14	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	28

PART IV:
Item 15	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	29
	Signatures	30


		Approximate Square Footage
Location	General Use	Owned		Leased
Fairhope, Alabama	Manufacturing		65,000		—
Sun City, California	Two Manufacturing Facilities and Warehouse		52,617		1,911
Denver, Colorado	One Manufacturing Facility		60,000		—
Lithia Springs, Georgia	Manufacturing		—		40,050
Harvard, Illinois	Manufacturing and Warehouse		42,000		—
South Elgin, Illinois	Manufacturing		—		70,500
Indianapolis, Indiana	Two Manufacturing Facilities		—		38,000
DeWitt, Iowa	Two Manufacturing Facilities		95,000		—
Nevada, Iowa	Two Manufacturing Facilities		232,000		—
Columbus, Kansas	Two Manufacturing Facilities and Warehouse		174,089		—
Ft. Scott, Kansas	Manufacturing		86,660		—
Girard, Kansas	Manufacturing		69,474		—
Overland Park, Kansas	Two Manufacturing Facilities		—		26,750
Parsons, Kansas	Manufacturing & One Warehouse		122,740		40,000
Canton, Michigan	Two Manufacturing Facilities and Warehouse		32,958		13,490
Macomb, Michigan	Manufacturing		56,350		—
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota	Manufacturing		94,800		—
El Dorado Springs, Missouri	Manufacturing		70,894		—
Fenton, Missouri	Manufacturing		—		26,847
Marlboro, New Jersey	Manufacturing and Warehouse		—		7,450
Caledonia, New York	Manufacturing and one vacant		191,730		—
Fairport, New York	Two Manufacturing Facilities		40,800		—
Coshocton, Ohio	Manufacturing		24,750		—
Toledo, Ohio	Three Manufacturing Facilities		120,947		—
Portland, Oregon	Two Manufacturing Facilities		—		261,765
Annville, Pennsylvania	Manufacturing		37,000		—
Bensalem, Pennsylvania	Manufacturing		—		16,600
Claysburg, Pennsylvania	Manufacturing		—		69,000
Clarksville, Tennessee	Manufacturing		51,900		—
Powell, Tennessee	Manufacturing		43,968		—
Tullahoma, Tennessee	Two Manufacturing Facilities		142,061		—
Arlington, Texas	Two Manufacturing Facilities		69,935		—
Ennis, Texas	Three Manufacturing Facilities *		325,118		—
Houston, Texas	Manufacturing		—		29,668
Wolfe City, Texas	Two Manufacturing Facilities		119,259		—
Bridgewater, Virginia	Manufacturing		—		25,730
Chatham, Virginia	Two Manufacturing Facilities		127,956		—
Roanoke, Virginia	Manufacturing		—		110,000
DePere, Wisconsin	Manufacturing		—		123,187
Mosinee, Wisconsin	Manufacturing		—		5,400
Neenah, Wisconsin	Two Manufacturing Facilities & One Warehouse		72,354		97,161
			2,622,360		1,003,509
Corporate Offices


Ennis, Texas	Administrative Offices		9,300		—
Midlothian, Texas	Executive and Administrative Offices		28,000		—
			37,300		—
	Totals		2,659,660		1,003,509


					Common Stock		Dividends
					Trading Volume		per share of
	Common Stock Price Range				(number of shares		Common
	High		Low		in thousands)		Stock
Fiscal Year Ended February 29, 2024
First Quarter	$	22.19	$	18.94		7,812	$	0.250
Second Quarter		22.46		19.38		5,412	$	0.250
Third Quarter		21.99		20.55		4,317	$	0.250
Fourth Quarter		23.17		19.75		6,288	$	0.250
Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2023
First Quarter	$	19.24	$	16.94		6,424	$	0.250
Second Quarter		22.67		16.55		7,768	$	0.250
Third Quarter		23.44		19.81		6,238	$	0.250
Fourth Quarter		23.48		20.55		6,131	$	0.250


					Total Number
	Total				of Shares		Maximum Amount
	Number		Average		Purchased as		that May Yet Be Used
	of Shares		Price Paid		Part of Publicly		to Purchase Shares
Period	Purchased		per Share		Announced Programs		Under the Program
December 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023		—	$	—		—	$	23,948,822
January 1, 2024 - January 31, 2024		—	$	—		—	$	23,948,822
February 1, 2024 - February 29, 2024		29,350	$	19.96		29,350	$	23,362,850
Total		29,350	$	19.96		29,350	$	23,362,850


Large accelerated Filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☒
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
Emerging growth company.	☐


		2019		2020		2021		2022		2023		2024
Ennis, Inc.	$	100.00	$	99.08	$	102.67	$	102.13	$	124.28	$	121.81
S&P 500		100.00		108.19		142.05		165.33		152.61		199.09
Russell 2000		100.00		95.08		143.56		134.93		126.82		139.56


Consolidated Statements of	Fiscal years ended
Operations - Data (in thousands)	2024				2023					2022
Net sales	$	420,109	100.0	%	$	431,837		100.0	%	$	400,014		100.0	%
Cost of goods sold		294,767	70.2			300,787		69.7			285,291		71.3
Gross profit margin		125,342	29.8			131,050		30.3			114,723		28.7
Selling, general and administrative		68,830	16.4			70,793		16.4			71,410		17.9
Loss (gain) from disposal of assets		53	—			(5,896	)	(1.4	)		(271	)	(0.1	)
Income from operations		56,459	13.4			66,153		15.3			43,584		10.9
Other income (expense)		2,664	0.6			(1,223	)	(0.3	)		(1,640	)	(0.4	)
Earnings before income taxes		59,123	14.1			64,930		15.0			41,944		10.5
Provision for income taxes		16,526	3.9			17,630		4.1			12,962		3.2
Net earnings	$	42,597	10.1	%	$	47,300		11.0	%	$	28,982		7.2	%


	Fiscal Years Ended
(Dollars in thousands)	2024		2023		2022
Working Capital	$	167,581	$	155,379	$	127,839
Cash	$	81,597	$	93,968	$	85,606
Short-term Investments	$	29,325	$	-	$	-


			Due in less		Due in		Due in		Due in more
	Total		than 1 year		1-3 years		4-5 years		than 5 years
Estimated pension benefit payments to Pension Plan participants	$	38,700	$	3,200	$	7,700	$	7,700	$	20,100
Letters of credit		318		318		—		—		—
Operating leases		10,098		4,593		4,842		663		—
Total	$	49,116	$	8,111	$	12,542	$	8,363	$	20,100


Exhibit Number		Description

Exhibit 3.1(a)		Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended through June 23, 1983 with attached amendments dated June 20, 1985, July 31, 1985, June 16, 1988 and November 4, 1998, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1(a) to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed on October 6, 2017 (File No. 001-05807).

Exhibit 3.1(b)		Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated June 17, 2004, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1(b) to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2007 filed on May 9, 2007(File No. 001-05807).

Exhibit 3.2		Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Ennis, Inc., dated July 10, 2017, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 10, 2017 (File No. 001-05807).

Exhibit 4.1		Description of Ennis, Inc. Securities Registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act of 1934.*

Exhibit 10.1		Amended and Restated Chief Executive Officer Employment Agreement between Ennis, Inc. and Keith S. Walters, effective as of December 19, 2008, herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on January 20, 2009 (File No. 001-05807).+

Exhibit 10.2		Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement between Ennis, Inc. and Ronald M. Graham, effective as of May 15, 2019, herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2019 (File No. 001-05807).+

Exhibit 10.3		2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan effective on July 15, 2021, incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A of the Registrant's Form DEF 14A filed on June 3, 2021.

Exhibit 21		Subsidiaries of Registrant*

Exhibit 23.1		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*

Exhibit 23.2		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*

Exhibit 31.1		Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of Chief Executive Officer.*

Exhibit 31.2		Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of Chief Financial Officer.*

Exhibit 32.1		Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.**

Exhibit 32.2		Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.**

Exhibit 97		Compensation Clawback Policy effective as of September 15, 2023.**

Exhibit 101		The following information from Ennis, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 29, 2024, filed on May 10, 2024, formatted as Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and in detail.

Exhibit 104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).


	ENNIS, INC.

Date: May 10, 2024		/s/ KEITH S. WALTERS
		Keith S. Walters, Chairman of the Board,
		Chief Executive Officer and President

Date: May 10, 2024		/s/ VERA BURNETT
		Vera Burnett
		Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer


Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 596)	F-2
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 248)	F-5
Consolidated Balance Sheets — February 29, 2024 and February 28, 2023	F-6
Consolidated Statements of Operations — Fiscal years ended 2024, 2023 and 2022	F-8
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income — Fiscal years ended 2024, 2023 and 2022	F-9
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity — Fiscal years ended 2024, 2023 and 2022	F-10
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Fiscal years ended 2024, 2023 and 2022	F-11
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	F-12


	February 29,		February 28,
	2024		2023
Assets
Current assets
Cash	$	81,597	$	93,968
Short-term investments		29,325		-
Accounts receivable, net		47,209		53,507
Inventories, net		40,037		46,834
Prepaid expenses		2,168		2,317
Prepaid income taxes		1,046		-
Total current assets		201,382		196,626
Property, plant and equipment
Plant, machinery and equipment		160,305		153,074
Land and buildings		67,121		59,163
Computer equipment and software		10,680		18,832
Other		4,124		4,292
Total property, plant and equipment		242,230		235,361
Less accumulated depreciation		187,265		187,572
Property, plant and equipment, net		54,965		47,789
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net		9,827		13,133
Goodwill		94,349		91,819
Intangible assets, net		38,327		44,088
Net pension asset		80		—
Other assets		260		380
Total assets	$	399,190	$	393,835