Feb. 12--Saying that productivity efforts helped it break even despite declining sales, Tufco Technologies Inc. (TFCO) reported a 70% decline in fiscal first quarter earnings.

The Green Bay manufacturer of consumer wipes said net income fell to $12,000, or break even per share, $40,000, or 1 cent, the year before. Sales for the three months ended Dec. 31 fell 6.6% to $23.2 million from $24.8 million.

Louis LeCalsey, Tufco's president and chief executive, said in a statement that continued economic downturn should result in further sales declines in the second quarter. "However, with new converting lines starting up in late spring and early summer, we expect to see a sales volume increase in the fourth quarter as we start up new projects for both new and existing customers that should offset economy-driven declines."

Before the announcement, Tufco's share price fell 51 cents to $3.54.

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