UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(X) QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended April 1, 2006

OR

(_) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ___________to___________

Commission File Number 1-14637

BANTA CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Wisconsin 39-0148550 
(State or other jurisdiction (IRS Employer 
of incorporation or organization) I.D. Number) 


225 Main Street, Menasha, Wisconsin
54952 
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (920) 751-7777

        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 /X/ No / /

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

Large accelerated filer /X/ Accelerated filer / / Non-accelerated filer / /

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

        Common stock outstanding as of April 21, 2005 – 24,005,684 shares.

1


BANTA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended April 1, 2006

INDEX

Page Number
   

PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:  

 
Item 1 - Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
   April 1, 2006 and December 31, 2005

 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
   for the Three Months ended April 1, 2006
   and April 2, 2005

 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
   for the three Months Ended April 1, 2006
   and April 2, 2005

 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements -
   April 1, 2006 6-12 

 
Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
   and Results of Operations 13-19 

 
Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 19 

 
Item 4 - Controls and Procedures 19 

PART II
OTHER INFORMATION

 
Item 1A - Risk Factors 20 

 
Item 2 - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 20 

 
Item 5 - Other Information 20 

 
Item 6 - Exhibits 20 

SIGNATURES
21 

EXHIBIT INDEX
22 


2


Part 1 Item 1. Financial Statements

BANTA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS April 1, 2006
December 31, 2005
(unaudited)
Current Assets            
     Cash and cash equivalents   $ 145,752   $ 148,895  
     Receivables    266,074    295,993  
     Inventories    79,921    80,756  
     Other current assets    18,742    20,696  


          Total Current Assets    510,489    546,340  


Plant and equipment    993,570    977,760  
Less accumulated depreciation    727,540    713,911  


Plant and equipment, net    266,030    263,849  
Other assets    50,616    40,644  
Goodwill    43,662    43,518  


          Total Assets   $ 870,797   $ 894,351  


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT  

Current Liabilities
  
     Accounts payable   $ 107,780   $ 107,943  
     Accrued salaries and wages    27,052    44,223  
     Other accrued liabilities    39,963    41,393  
     Current maturities of long-term debt    11,464    11,460  


          Total Current Liabilities    186,259    205,019  


Long-term debt    65,683    75,046  
Deferred income taxes    14,728    15,250  
Other non-current liabilities    58,737    56,447  


          Total Liabilities    325,407    351,762  


Shareholders' Investment  
     Preferred stock-$10 par value;  
       authorized 300,000 shares; none issued    --    --  
     Common stock-$.10 par value, authorized 75,000,000 shares;  
       29,889,048 and 29,787,969 shares issued, respectively    2,989    2,979  
     Amount in excess of par value of stock    61,926    58,621  
     Retained earnings    665,661    656,298  
     Unearned compensation    --    (1,140 )
     Treasury stock, at cost - 5,895,035 and 5,670,118 shares, respectively    (191,501 )  (179,270 )
     Accumulated other comprehensive income    6,315    5,101  


          Total Shareholders' Investment    545,390    542,589  


    $ 870,797   $ 894,351  



See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

3


BANTA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended
April 1, 2006
April 2, 2005
Continuing operations:            
Revenue from printing and supply-chain services   $ 383,610   $ 386,277  
Cost of printing and supply-chain services    302,077    302,358  


     Gross earnings    81,533    83,919  
Selling and administrative expenses    61,900    63,297  


     Operating earnings from continuing operations    19,633    20,622  

Interest expense
    (1,313 )  (1,556 )
Interest income    1,421    737  
Other income (expense), net    (199 )  414  


     Earnings from continuing operations  
        before income taxes    19,542    20,217  
Provision for income taxes    5,860    6,470  


     Earnings from continuing operations    13,682    13,747  

Discontinued operations:
  
     Earnings from operations of discontinued  
        Healthcare segment, net of income taxes    --    960  
     Gain from sale of Healthcare segment,  
        net of income taxes    --    1,300  


Net earnings   $ 13,682   $ 16,007  


Basic earnings per share of common stock:  
     Earnings from continuing operations   $ 0.57   $ 0.55  
     Earnings from discontinued operations    --    0.04  
     Earnings from gain on sale of Healthcare segment    --    0.05  


        Total   $ 0.57   $ 0.64  


Diluted earnings per share of common stock:  
     Earnings from continuing operations   $ 0.56   $ 0.54  
     Earnings from discontinued operations    --    0.04  
     Earnings from gain on sale of Healthcare segment    --    0.05  


        Total   $ 0.56   $ 0.63  


Cash dividends per share of common stock   $ 0.18   $ 0.17  


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

4


BANTA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended
April 1, 2006
April 2, 2005
Cash Flows from Operating Activities            
     Net earnings   $ 13,682   $ 16,007  
     Depreciation    13,516    14,460  
     Deferred income taxes    (848 )  14  
     Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options    --    967  
     Excess tax benefits from equity compensation    (460 )  --  
     Non-cash equity compensation    1,702    154  
     Gain on sale of plant and equipment    (33 )  (219 )
     Gain on sale of warehouse related to Healthcare segment    --    (1,300 )
     Change in assets and liabilities  
          Decrease in receivables    29,919    937  
          Decrease in inventories    835    3,984  
          Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities    (17,903 )  (14,890 )
          Net change in other current assets and liabilities    2,258    3,421  
          Net change in other non-current assets and liabilities    (7,682 )  913  


Cash provided from operating activities    34,986    24,448  


Cash Flows From Investing Activities  
     Capital expenditures    (15,506 )  (9,980 )
     Proceeds from the sale of plant and equipment    86    199  
     Proceeds from the sale of warehouse related to Healthcare segment    --    6,753  


Cash used for investing activities    (15,420 )  (3,028 )


Cash Flows From Financing Activities  
     Repayments of long-term debt    (9,359 )  (1,256 )
     Short-term borrowings, net of repayments    --    10,000  
     Dividends paid    (4,342 )  (4,257 )
     Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net    2,917    2,771  
     Repurchase of common stock    (13,147 )  (15,664 )
     Excess tax benefits from equity compensation    460    --  
     Other    (64 )  --  


Cash used for financing activities    (23,535 )  (8,406 )


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents    826    (5,706 )


Net (decrease) increase in cash    (3,143 )  7,308  
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period    148,895    133,093  


Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period   $ 145,752   $ 140,401  


Cash payments for:  
     Interest, net of capitalized interest   $ 900   $ 1,069  
     Income taxes    392    487  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

5


BANTA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL 1, 2006
(UNAUDITED)

1) Basis of Presentation

  The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Banta Corporation (the “Corporation”) included herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Corporation believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Corporation’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.

  In the opinion of management, the aforementioned financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. Results for the three months ended April 1, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the year ending December 30, 2006. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2006 presentation.

2) Divestiture

  The Corporation completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of its single-use healthcare products subsidiary, Banta Healthcare Group, Ltd. (“Healthcare”), to an affiliate of Fidelity Capital Investors, Inc. on April 12, 2005. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the results of operations of Healthcare for the first quarter of 2005, which previously comprised the entire healthcare segment, and the gain on the sale of a warehouse in Rialto, CA, related to Healthcare, have been reflected in discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings. The sale of the warehouse resulted in net proceeds of $6.8 million and a gain of $2.1 million ($1.3 million net of related taxes). The gain on the sale of the remaining assets of Healthcare was recorded in the Corporation’s second quarter of 2005.

3) Inventories

  Inventories consist of the following (dollars in thousands):

April 1, 2006
December 31, 2005
Raw materials     $43,357   $44,541  
Work-in-process and finished goods     36,564     36,215  


    $79,921   $80,756  



4) Earnings Per Share of Common Stock

  Basic earnings per share of common stock is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share of common stock is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. The common equivalent shares relate to the assumed exercise of stock options and the assumed vesting of non-vested stock.

6


  The weighted average shares used in the computation of earnings per share consist of the following (in millions of shares):

Three Months Ended
April 1, 2006
April 2, 2005
Basic 24.1 25.0
Diluted 24.5 25.4

5) Comprehensive Earnings

  Comprehensive earnings consist of the following (dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended
April 1, 2006
April 2, 2005
Net earnings     $13,682   $16,007  
Foreign currency translation  
  adjustments        1,214        (6,465)


Comprehensive earnings   $14,896   $  9,542  



6) Goodwill

  Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the quarter ended April 1, 2006 consist of the following (dollars in thousands):

Printing
services

Supply-chain
management
services

Total
Balance at December 31, 2005     $37,552   $5,966   $43,518  

Translation adjustments for goodwill
  
  denominated in foreign currencies              --        144          144  



Balance at April 1, 2006   $37,552   $6,110   $43,662  




7) Stock-Based Compensation

  At April 1, 2006, the Corporation had shares outstanding or available for grant under three stock-based compensation plans – the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (“2005 Plan”), the Equity Incentive Plan (“1995 Plan”) and the 1991 Stock Option Plan (“1991 Plan”). The 2005 and 1995 Plans provide for the issuance of non-qualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, and non-vested stock to officers and key employees. The exercise prices for options or stock appreciation rights under such plans may not be less than the fair value of the common stock on the date of the grant. Options granted under the 1991 Plan (which provides for only the grant of stock options) may be exercised up to five years after the date of grant. Options granted under the 2005 and 1995 Plans may be exercised up to 10 years from the date of grant. The 2005 Plan includes automatic grants of stock options to non-employee Directors on an annual basis. The Corporation has historically issued new common stock in order to satisfy stock option exercises and intends to do so to satisfy future awards. Non-vested stock awards have been issued from previously acquired treasury shares and the Corporation intends to continue this practice. At April 1, 2006, 3,067,259 shares of the Corporation’s common stock were reserved for future equity incentive awards.

7


  The following table summarizes stock option activity under the equity incentive plans:

Options
Price Range
Weighted
Average Price

Outstanding at January 3, 2004      2,736,647    $18 - $38   $31  

Granted
    553,254    $38 - $46   $40  
Exercised    (360,832 )  $18 - $38   $26  
Canceled or expired    (71,831 )  $28 - $38   $35  

Outstanding at January 1, 2005    2,857,238    $18 - $46   $34  

Granted
    507,413    $40 - $50   $46  
Exercised    (686,671 )  $18 - $46   $29  
Canceled or expired    (142,410 )  $23 - $47   $39  

Outstanding at December 31, 2005    2,535,570    $18 - $50   $37  

Granted
    328,052    $49 - $51   $51  
Exercised    (120,522 )  $18 - $38   $32  
Canceled or expired    (11,233 )  $38 - $47   $43  

Outstanding at April 1, 2006    2,731,867    $18 - $51   $39  


  The following table summarizes weighted average information by range of exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable at April 1, 2006:

Options Outstanding
Options Exercisable
Range of
Exercise
Price

Number
Outstanding at
April 1, 2006

Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Number
Exercisable at
April 1, 2006

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$18-$27 221,200  4.0 years $ 24 221,200  $ 24
$28-$34 305,147  5.8 years $ 29 294,480  $ 29
$35-$38 1,235,313     7.0 years $ 37 864,705  $ 37
$39-$51 970,207  9.1 years $ 47 146,068  $ 43



$18-$51 2,731,867     7.4 years $ 39 1,526,453     $ 34




  The options outstanding but not exercisable at April 1, 2006, become exercisable at various times through 2009 in accordance with the vesting schedules of the plans. The intrinsic value (defined as the difference between the market price of the underlying common stock and the grant price) of options outstanding at April 1, 2006, was $36,197,000, and the intrinsic value of options exercisable at April 1, 2006, was $27,430,000. During the first quarter of 2006, the intrinsic value of options exercised was $2,106,000.

8


  The following table summarizes non-vested stock activity under the equity incentive plans:


Shares


Price Range

Weighted
Average Fair
Value

Outstanding at January 3, 2004 --  $ -- $ --

Granted
23,988  $38 - $46 $ 45
Outstanding at January 1, 2005 23,988  $38 - $46 $ 45

Granted
25,537  $ 43 $ 43
Vested (8,000) $38 - $46 $ 45
Forfeited (3,378) $ 46 $ 46

Outstanding at December 31, 2005 38,147  $38 - $46 $ 43

Granted
44,981  $ 51 $ 51
Vested (7,566) $ 43 $ 43

Outstanding at April 1, 2006 75,562  $38 - $51 $ 48


  The intrinsic value of non-vested shares at April 1, 2006, was $3,928,000. The intrinsic value of non-vested shares that vested during the quarter ended April 1, 2006, was $377,000.

  Effective January 1, 2006, the Corporation adopted SFAS No. 123 (R), “Share-Based Payment.” SFAS No. 123 (R) requires measurement of the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award at the grant date and recognition of the compensation expense over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award (generally the vesting period). The Corporation had previously accounted for its stock-based compensation plans under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. Because the number of stock options granted was fixed and the exercise price equaled the market price of the Corporation’s underlying common stock on the date of grant, no compensation cost was previously recognized under APB No. 25 in the statements of earnings for stock options granted prior to January 1, 2006. The Corporation adopted SFAS No. 123 (R) using the modified prospective method, under which compensation expense related to stock options that were not vested as of January 1, 2006 and future grants of stock will be recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings. Prior period compensation expense related to stock options is presented on a pro-forma basis. The Corporation’s stock option and non-vested stock awards primarily vest ratably over a 3-year period from the date of grant (subject to acceleration in certain cases). The Corporation has elected to recognize compensation expense using the straight-line method over the vesting period of the award.

  The Corporation previously had and will continue to expense awards of non-vested stock based on the fair value of the Corporation’s common stock at the date of grant. As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123 (R), unearned compensation previously recorded in equity was closed to the amount in excess of par value of stock on January 1, 2006. All stock-based compensation expense not recognized at January 1, 2006 and compensation expense related to future grants of stock options will be recorded directly to the amount in excess of par value of stock.

  The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants in the first quarter of 2006, and the full fiscal years of 2005 and 2004, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 4.4%, 3.9% and 3.6%; expected dividend yields of 1.4%, 1.6% and 1.7%; expected option lives of 5.0, 5.0 and 5.3 years; and expected volatility of 20%, 22% and 26%. Based on these assumptions, the weighted average fair value of the options granted at the date of grant in the first quarter of 2006 and the full fiscal years of 2005 and 2004, was $11.43, $10.17 and $9.40, respectively.

9


  Total stock-based compensation expense recognized in the accompanying statements of earnings for the three months ended April 1, 2006 and April 2, 2005, was $1,702,000 ($1,021,000 net of related taxes) and $154,000 ($92,000 net of related taxes), respectively. Stock options and non-vested stock accounted for $1,420,000 ($852,000 net of related taxes) and $282,000 ($169,000 net of related taxes), respectively, of the expense recognized for the three months ended April 1, 2006. The expense recognized for the three months ended April 2, 2005 of $154,000 ($92,000 net of related taxes) was entirely related to non-vested stock.

  Had all stock-based compensation expense been recognized in the quarter ended April 2, 2005 based under the fair-value-method at the grant date for awards under the plans, the Corporation’s pro forma net earnings and earnings per share would have been as follows (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

Three Months Ended
April 2, 2005

Net earnings, as reported:     $  16,007  

Add:
  
  Stock based employee compensation expense included in  
  net earnings, net of related taxes    92  
Deduct:  
  Stock based employee compensation expense determined  
  under fair-value-based method, net of related taxes    (979 )

Pro forma net earnings   $  15,120  


Earnings per share
  

As reported:
  
  Basic   $      0.64  
  Diluted   $      0.63  

Pro forma:
  
  Basic   $      0.60  
  Diluted   $      0.60  

  As of April 1, 2006, the Corporation had unrecognized stock-based compensation expense for stock-based awards granted prior to April 1, 2006, of $12.4 million, net of estimated forfeitures. This expense is expected to be recognized as follows (dollars in thousands):


Remainder of 2006     $ 5,164  

2007    4,652  

2008    2,483  

2009    143  

  Total   $ 12,442  


8) Employee Benefit Plans

  The Corporation and certain of its unions have two pension plans covering substantially all employees. The plans are non-contributory and benefits are based on an employee’s years of service and earnings. The Corporation also maintains a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan, which is not funded. The disclosures for this plan for all periods presented are combined with the pension plans. The Corporation makes contributions to the qualified plans each year in an amount that is at least equal to the minimum required contributions as defined by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

10


  The Corporation and its subsidiaries also provide non-contractual limited healthcare benefits for certain retired employees. The program provides for defined initial contributions by the Corporation toward the cost of postretirement healthcare coverage. The balance of the cost is borne by the retirees. The program provides that increases in the Corporation’s contribution toward coverage will not exceed 4% per year. Due to the terms of the Corporation’s postretirement healthcare program, assumed healthcare cost rate trends do not materially affect the Corporation’s costs.

  Net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs for the Corporation-sponsored plans were as follows (dollars in thousands):


Pension Benefits Other Benefits

Three months ended Three months ended

April 1, 2006 April 2, 2005 April 1, 2006 April 2, 2005

Service cost-benefits earned     $ 2,796   $ 2,564   $ 117   $ 111  
during the year  

Interest cost on projected  
benefit obligation    2,921    2,674    112    111  

Expected return on plan
assets
    (3,950 )  (3,391 )  --    --  

Amortization of prior service
cost
    2    2    --    --  

Amortization of transition
obligation
    --    --    52    52  

Amortization of net loss (gain)    601    352    (106 )  (107 )

Net pension and
postretirement benefits
  
expense   $ 2,370   $ 2,201   $ 175   $ 167  


  The Corporation made a contribution of $10 million to the qualified pension plan during the first quarter of 2006, and currently expects to make no further contributions to its qualified pension plans during the remainder of 2006. A contribution of $775,000 is expected to be made as benefit payments to retired participants under the Corporation’s supplemental retirement plan. A contribution of $254,000 is expected to be made as benefits paid to retirees under the postretirement healthcare plan.

9) Repurchase of Common Stock

  In February 2005, the Board of Directors approved a $150 million share repurchase program, which replaced the Corporation’s previous program. As of December 31, 2005, the Corporation had purchased 1,458,500 shares of its common stock under this authority at an aggregate cost of $65,571,000.

  During the quarter ended April 1, 2006, the Corporation purchased an additional 268,600 shares of outstanding common stock under this authority at an aggregate cost of $13,147,000.

  The shares of common stock held in treasury may be reissued pursuant to the Corporation’s equity incentive plans, or for other purposes. As of April 1, 2006, the Corporation had authority to repurchase up to an additional $71,282,000 in common stock under the current share repurchase program.

11


10) Segment Information

  The Corporation operates in two business segments, printing services and supply-chain management services. Summarized segment data for the three months ended April 1, 2006 and April 2, 2005 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended
April 1, 2006
April 2, 2005
Revenue            
  Printing services   $ 280,183   $ 274,937  
  Supply-chain management  
       services  
     103,427    111,340  


  Total   $ 383,610   $ 386,277  


Earnings from Operations  
  Printing services   $ 16,141   $ 16,477  
  Supply-chain management  
       services    11,446    12,407  


  Total   $27,587   $28,884  



  The following table presents a reconciliation of segment earnings from operations to the totals contained in the consolidated condensed financial statements for the three months ended April 1, 2006 and April 2, 2005 (dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended
April 1, 2006
April 2, 2005
Reportable segment earnings from operations     $ 27,587   $ 28,884  
Corporate expenses (not allocated to segments)    (7,954 )  (8,262 )
Interest expense    (1,313 )  (1,556 )
Interest income    1,421    737  
Other income (expense), net    (199 )  414  


  Earnings from continuing operations before  
        income taxes   $19,542   $20,217  



12


Item 2.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FIRST QUARTER 2006 COMPARED TO FIRST QUARTER 2005

Introduction

Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) is intended to help the reader understand the results of operations and financial condition of the Corporation. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Corporation’s financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements. MD&A is organized in the following sections:

Overview
Results of Operations and Related Information
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Critical Accounting Policies
Forward Looking Statements

Overview

The Corporation operates in two business segments, printing services and supply-chain management services. The Corporation’s printing services segment provides a comprehensive combination of printing, binding and digital imaging solutions to leading publishers and direct marketers. Services in this segment include printing and value-added services related to books, catalogs, publications, direct marketing materials and educational materials. This segment also provides literature management services and e-business services. The Corporation’s global supply-chain management services segment provides a wide range of outsourcing capabilities, primarily to many of the world’s largest technology companies. Services in this segment range from materials sourcing, product configuration and customized kitting, to order fulfillment and global distribution.

As discussed in the Corporation’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Corporation completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of its single-use healthcare products subsidiary, Banta Healthcare Group, Ltd. (“Healthcare”), to an affiliate of Fidelity Capital Investors, Inc. on April 12, 2005. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the results of operations of Healthcare for the first quarter of 2005, which previously comprised the entire healthcare segment, and the gain on the sale of a warehouse in Rialto, CA, related to Healthcare, have been reflected in discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings. The gain on the sale of the remaining assets of Healthcare was recorded in the Corporation’s second quarter of 2005. The following discussion and analysis relating to results of operations is based on a comparison of the Corporation’s results of operations from continuing operations.

Results of Continuing Operations and Related Information

Summary

The Corporation’s revenue for the first quarter of 2006 decreased 0.7% to $383.6 from $386.3 million in the first quarter of the prior year. Revenue for the first quarter of 2006 increased in the printing services segment while the supply-chain management services segment experienced a decrease in revenue when compared with the prior year’s first quarter. First quarter earnings from continuing operations for 2006 of $13.7 million were comparable to earnings from continuing operations in the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the first quarter were 56 cents compared with 54 cents in the first quarter of 2005. Diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2006 were positively impacted by higher interest income, a lower tax rate and fewer average shares outstanding. The Corporation had 870,000 fewer average diluted shares outstanding in the first quarter of 2006 compared with the prior year first quarter, the result of share repurchases in 2005 and the first quarter of 2006. Net earnings from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2006 included $1,420,000 of expense ($852,000 net of related taxes) related to the initial recognition of equity-based incentive compensation expense under SFAS No. 123 (R), “Shared-Based Payment” (see Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

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Revenue from continuing operations

Revenue from continuing operations for the quarter by segment is shown below (dollars in thousands):


Three Months Ended

Segment April 1, 2006 April 2, 2005 Change %

Printing services     $ 280,183   $ 274,937    1.9 %

Supply-chain management services    103,427    111,340    -7.1 %

Total   $ 383,610   $ 386,277    -0.7 %

Printing services revenue for the first quarter of 2006 was 1.9% higher than the comparable quarter in the prior year. Key issues related to revenue for the first quarter of 2006 in this segment were:

Rising paper prices increased revenue approximately $6.6 million in the first quarter of 2006 compared to the prior year period. Paper prices were approximately 6% higher than the prior year, and these increases are generally passed on to the customer.
Revenue in the Book operating unit was down 5% compared with the first quarter in 2005. This reduction was primarily the result of the absence of one large non-recurring project that was produced in the first quarter of 2005. Volume was also negatively impacted by lower sales to customers in the educational printing market, from both a decline in adoption of educational materials by states and the migration of the printing and assembly of some educational materials to China. This decrease was partially offset by higher paper prices, which increased revenue approximately 2 percentage points.
Revenue for the Literature Management operating unit increased 59% compared with the prior year first quarter. The strong revenue growth was the result of continued print and packaging services to assist a major healthcare insurer with Medicare Part D prescription drug marketing efforts and increased promotional activity from several other key customers.
Revenue in the Catalog operating unit decreased by 3% compared with the prior year first quarter. This reduction was primarily the result of reduced print volumes from several key customers, which decreased revenue approximately 6 percentage points from the first quarter of 2005. This decrease was partially offset by higher paper prices, which contributed 3 percentage points to revenue over the prior year period.
The Publications operating unit revenue decreased 5% compared with the first quarter in 2005 due to reduced magazine and commercial print volumes resulting, in part, from competitor pricing. This decrease was partially offset by paper price increases, which contributed 3 percentage points to revenue over the prior year period.
The Direct Marketing operating unit increased revenue by 3% for the first quarter of 2006 compared with the prior year period. Higher volumes increased revenue by 13% over the prior year period with higher paper prices contributing another 2% compared to the first quarter of 2005. Offsetting these increases were reduced pricing as the result of pricing pressure from customers and slower growth in complex, in-line personalized direct mail products than in the first quarter of 2005.

Revenue for the supply-chain management services segment declined 7% in the first quarter of 2006 compared with the first quarter of 2005. Approximately one-half of the decrease ($3.8 million) resulted from unfavorable changes in foreign currency, with the remainder of the decrease primarily the result of annual negotiated price reductions to several major customers.

The Corporation has a contract with Hewlett-Packard Company in the supply-chain management services segment that runs through 2006, subject to one-year extensions pursuant to an evergreen provision. Pursuant to this evergreen clause, the contract was most recently extended through 2006. Revenue from Hewlett-Packard Company under this agreement totaled approximately $135 million in 2005 and comparable revenue is expected under this contract in 2006. The loss or the modification of this contract could have a material adverse impact on the Corporation’s financial results.

Operating earnings from continuing operations (operating earnings)

Operating earnings from continuing operations (operating earnings) of $19.6 million in the first quarter of 2006 decreased 4.8% from $20.6 million in the prior year first quarter. Operating earnings as a percentage of revenue were 5.1% for the first quarter of 2006, down from 5.3% in the prior year period. Changes in operating earnings as a percentage of revenue are discussed below by segment.

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Segment operating margins were as follows for the first quarter:

Segment
April 1,
2006

April 2,
2005

Printing Services  5.8%  6.0%
Supply-Chain Management Services 11.1% 11.1%

Operating margins for the printing services segment in the first quarter of 2006 decreased to 5.8% from 6.0% in the first quarter of 2005. Overall operating margins in the segment were lower than the prior year primarily due to the recognition of equity-based incentive compensation expense, which totaled $850,000 ($510,000 net of related taxes), and reduced pricing as the result of pricing pressure from customers in several operating units.

The principal raw material used by the Corporation in the printing services segment is paper. Paper prices in the first quarter of 2006 were approximately 6% higher than prices in the first quarter of 2005. The cost of paper is generally passed on to customers and has no significant impact on operating earnings.

Operating margins for the supply-chain management services segment of 11.1% in the first quarter of 2006 were comparable to the prior year first quarter margins. Increased margin from a higher proportion of value-added content and operations improvement initiatives were offset by annual negotiated price reductions to several major customers and the recognition of equity-based incentive compensation expense. Operating margins in this segment continue to be at a level which may be higher than can be sustained long-term, and may decrease in the future based on the expectation of a lesser proportion of value-added content in the product mix and anticipated continued pricing pressure from existing and new customers.

Geographic analysis of revenue and earnings from operations

Revenue and earnings from continuing operations (excluding unallocated corporate expenses) by geographic area for the three months ended April 1, 2006 and April 2, 2005 are presented below (dollars in thousands). Virtually all revenue for the printing services segment was from customers in the United States. Revenue in the supply-chain management services segment was from customers in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Three Months Ended
April 1, 2006
April 2, 2005
Revenue            
  United States   $ 312,635   $ 303,101  
  Non-United States    70,975    83,176  


  Total   $ 383,610   $ 386,277  


Earnings from operations  
  United States   $ 18,924   $ 20,110  
  Non-United States    8,663    8,774  


  Total   $ 27,587   $ 28,884  


Revenue in the United States increased by 3% in the first quarter of 2006 compared with the same period in 2005. This increase was primarily the result of the revenue growth in the printing services segment as described above. In addition, higher volumes in the supply-chain management services segment in the United States contributed to the increased revenue in the United States. Revenue in the United States in the supply-chain management services segment increased 15% for the first quarter of 2006 and was primarily due to increased demand from the segment’s technology customers. Non-United States revenue decreased 15% in the first quarter from the comparable period in the prior year. Increased unit volumes outside the United States were reduced by price reductions and a shift to lower value-added content in some foreign locations.

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Operating earnings in the United States decreased by 6% in the first quarter compared with the respective prior year period. The decrease was primarily the result of the recognition of equity-based incentive compensation expense and pricing factors described above for the printing services segment. Non-United States operating earnings decreased by approximately 1% in the first quarter of 2006 when compared to the equivalent prior year period. The decrease in the first quarter was primarily the result of pricing reductions outside the United States.

Interest Expense, Interest Income and Other Income (Expense) from Continuing Operations

Interest expense for the first quarter of 2006 was $1.3 million, 16% lower than interest expense of $1.6 million in the comparable period in the prior year. The reduction in interest expense was the result of scheduled repayments of long-term debt. Total long-term debt at April 1, 2006 of $77.1 million was 11% less than the $86.5 million of total long-term debt outstanding at the end of the first quarter of 2005. Essentially all of the Corporation’s long-term debt is at fixed interest rates. As a result, changes in market interest rates have not significantly impacted the Corporation’s interest expense.

Interest income increased $0.7 million to $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2006 from $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2005. The increase in interest income was the result of the Corporation’s movement of some of its cash reserves to higher-yield investments as well as to rising short-term interest rates.

Other expense of $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2006 was a $0.6 million change from the $0.4 million of other income during the comparable period in the prior year. Other expense for 2006 was due primarily to losses on foreign currency transactions. Other income in the prior year period resulted from gains on foreign currency transactions and the sale of fixed assets.

Provision for Income Taxes

The Corporation’s effective tax rate of 30.0% for the first quarter of 2006 was lower than the 32.0% effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2005. The reduction in the effective tax rate resulted from an increase in the expected proportion of foreign earnings generated by the supply-chain management services segment, which has extensive operations in countries whose tax rates are more favorable than the rates in the United States.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

On April 1, 2006, the Corporation had cash and cash equivalents of $146 million. The change in cash and cash equivalents for the periods ended April 1, 2006 and April 2, 2005 was as follows:

Dollars in thousands
April 1, 2006
April 2, 2005
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     $ 148,895   $ 133,093  
Cash provided by operating activities    34,986    24,448  
Cash used for investing activities    (15,420 )  (3,028 )
Cash used for financing activities    (23,535 )  (8,406 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents    826    (5,706 )


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents    (3,143 )  7,308  


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 145,752   $ 140,401  


Operating Activities

Cash generated from operating activities for the three months ended April 1, 2006 was $35.0 million compared to $24.4 million in the prior year period, an increase of 43%. The increase in cash from operating activities was driven by the collection of accounts receivable from the end of 2005, partially offset by the payment of incentive compensation accruals from the fourth quarter of 2005 and a $10 million contribution to the qualified pension plan made in the first quarter of 2006. Included in the cash flows from operating activities in 2005 were the cash flows from the discontinued Healthcare segment. Cash flows from operating activities related to the discontinued Healthcare segment in the first quarter of 2005 were approximately $3.9 million. The Corporation anticipates that the absence of these cash flows from the discontinued Healthcare segment will not have a materially adverse impact on future liquidity and capital resources.

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Investing Activities

Investing activities in the current period used $15.0 million compared with $3.0 million in the comparable period in the prior year. Capital expenditures of $15.5 million were $5.5 million greater than the $10.0 million in the first quarter of 2005. The Corporation is committed to maintaining modern, safe and efficient plants and to providing customers with enhanced supply-chain management services as well as new printing and digital imaging technologies. Proceeds from the sale of a warehouse related to the Healthcare segment in the first quarter of 2005 were $6.8 million. The proceeds from the sale of the remaining assets of the Healthcare business were received when the sale was completed in the second quarter of 2005.

Financing Activities

Cash used for financing activities in the first quarter of 2006 reflected share repurchases, payment of dividends to shareholders and repayments of long-term debt; partially offset by proceeds from stock option exercises.

The Corporation has in effect a stock repurchase program pursuant to which it may repurchase shares of its common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time. During the first quarter of 2006, the Corporation purchased 268,600 shares of common stock under the repurchase program at an aggregate cost of $13.1 million. The 2006 share repurchases were principally financed by cash provided by operating activities. As of April 1, 2006, the Corporation had authority to repurchase up to an additional $71.3 million in common stock under the current share repurchase program. The Corporation may continue its repurchase of shares in the future pursuant to this authorization if market conditions warrant. Any future stock repurchases are expected to be funded by a combination of existing cash, cash provided from operations and short-term borrowings.

Management believes the Corporation’s financial condition is strong and that its ability to generate cash from operations and its ability to issue short-term and long-term debt are adequate to fund working capital, capital spending, payment of dividends, repurchases of common stock and other investments for the foreseeable future.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Corporation’s accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and footnotes. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results inevitably will differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements.

The most significant accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements include estimates as to the recovery of receivables and the realization of inventories, plant and equipment, and goodwill. Significant assumptions are also used in the determination of liabilities related to pension and postretirement benefits, obligations for lease terminations, income taxes and environmental matters. The process of determining significant estimates is fact specific and takes into account factors such as historical experience, current and expected economic conditions, product mix and, in some cases, actuarial assumptions. The Corporation re-evaluates these significant factors as facts and circumstances dictate. Historically, actual results have not differed significantly from those determined using the estimates described above.

The Corporation believes the following critical accounting policies affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements:

Revenue recognition. Revenue is recognized, net of estimated discounts, allowances and returns, when title and risk of loss transfers to the customer and the earnings process is complete. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition,” provides guidance on the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States to selected revenue recognition issues. In addition, revenue in the supply-chain management services segment is recognized in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent.” Each major contract is evaluated based on various criteria, with management judgment required to assess the importance of each criterion in reaching the final decision. In general, revenue is recognized on a gross basis if the Corporation has the risks and rewards of ownership, latitude in establishing component vendors and pricing, and bears all credit risk. Revenue from contracts that do not meet these criteria are recognized on a net basis, recording only the portion that is related to services or products provided directly by the Corporation.

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  The Corporation records shipping and handling fees billed to customers as revenue, and records the related costs as cost of printing and supply-chain services, when incurred.

Goodwill. In accordance with SFAS No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” goodwill is no longer amortized, but is reviewed for impairment on an annual basis. The Corporation completed the annual impairment tests in the fourth quarter of 2005, 2004 and 2003. This analysis was based on the comparison of the fair value of its reporting units to the carrying value of the net assets of the respective reporting units. The Corporation concluded that no impairment of goodwill existed at the time of the annual impairment tests in 2005, 2004 and 2003.

Stock-based compensation. Effective January 1, 2006, the Corporation adopted SFAS No. 123 (R), “Share-Based Payment.” SFAS No. 123 (R) requires measurement of the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award at the grant date and recognition of the compensation expense over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award (generally the vesting period). The Corporation had previously accounted for its stock-based compensation plans under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. Because the number of stock options granted was fixed and the exercise price equaled the market price of the Corporation’s underlying common stock on the date of grant, no compensation cost was previously recognized under APB No. 25 in the statements of earnings for stock options granted prior to January 1, 2006. The Corporation adopted SFAS No. 123 (R) using the modified prospective method, under which compensation expense related to stock options that were not vested as of January 1, 2006 and future grants of stock will be recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings. The Corporation’s stock option and non-vested stock awards primarily vest ratably over a 3-year period from the date of grant (subject to acceleration in certain cases). The Corporation has elected to recognize compensation expense using the straight-line method over the vesting period of the award. The Corporation continues to use the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model to determine the fair value of stock options at the date of grant.

Retirement benefits. The Corporation has significant pension and postretirement benefit costs that are developed from actuarial valuations. The valuations reflect key assumptions regarding, among other things, discount rates, expected return on plan assets, retirement ages and years of service. The discount rate is based upon the 10-year Moody’s Aa bond rate at the end of each year. Consideration is given to current market conditions, including changes in interest rates and investment returns, in making these assumptions. Changes in these assumptions will affect the amount of pension and postretirement expense recognized in future periods.

Asset impairments. Impairments of long-lived assets are accounted for under SFAS No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”Long-lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable.

Income taxes. The Corporation’s annual tax rate is determined based on income, statutory tax rates and the tax impacts of items treated differently for tax purposes than for financial reporting purposes. Tax law requires some items to be included in the tax return at different times than the items reflected in the financial statements. As a result, the annual tax rate in the financial statements is different than the rate reported on the Corporation’s tax return. Some of these differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not deductible in the tax return and some differences are temporary, reversing over time, such as depreciation expense. These temporary differences create deferred tax assets and liabilities.

  Inherent in determining the annual tax rate are judgments regarding business plans, planning opportunities and expectations about future outcomes. Significant management judgments are required for the following items:

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  Management reviews the Corporation’s deferred tax assets for realizability. Valuation allowances are established when management believes that it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances from period to period are included in the tax provision.
The Corporation establishes accruals for certain tax contingencies when, despite the belief that the Corporation’s tax return positions are fully supported, the Corporation believes that certain positions may be challenged. The tax contingency accruals are adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law and emerging legislation.
The Corporation has not provided for possible U.S. taxes or foreign withholding taxes on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are considered to be reinvested indefinitely.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document includes forward-looking statements. Statements that describe future expectations, including revenue and earnings projections, plans, results or strategies, are considered forward-looking. The statements that are not purely historical should be considered forward-looking statements. Often they can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “potential,” “plan,” “forecasts,” and the like. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. Factors that could affect actual results include, among others, changes in customers’ order patterns or demand for the Corporation’s services, pricing pressures imposed by competitive factors and the Corporation’s customers, changes in raw material and energy costs and availability, unanticipated changes in sourcing of raw materials (including paper) by customers, unanticipated changes in operating expenses, unanticipated production difficulties, unanticipated issues associated with the Corporation’s non-U.S. operations, changes in the pattern of outsourcing supply-chain management services by customers, unanticipated costs or delays associated with ongoing productivity-enhancing projects, unanticipated acquisition or loss of significant customer contracts or relationships, unanticipated issues associated with the strategic objective of growing the supply-chain management business, unanticipated difficulties and costs associated with the design and implementation of new administrative systems, the impact of any acquisition or divestiture effected by the Corporation, unanticipated changes in the Corporation’s effective income tax rate, unanticipated swings in foreign currency exchange rates, any unanticipated weakening of the economy, unanticipated changes in the pattern of sourcing printed material in low cost countries by customers and other risks described under the Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. These factors should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date hereof, and the Corporation undertakes no obligation to update publicly such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes in the Corporation’s exposure to market risk since December 31, 2005. See Item 7A in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Corporation’s management, with the participation of the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.

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Changes in Internal Controls. There were no changes in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal period to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the Corporation’s risk factors from those disclosed in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table provides information about repurchases of common stock effected by the Corporation during the quarter ended April 1, 2006:


Period Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
Average
Price
Paid per
Share
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Program
Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares that May
Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Program

January 1, 2006 - February 4, 2006      --   $ --    --   $ 84,429,000  

February 5, 2006 - March 4, 2006    136,600    49.08    136,600   $ 77,725,000  

March 5, 2006 - April 1, 2006    132,000    48.81    132,000   $ 71,282,000  

Total    268,600   $ 48.95    268,600  

During the quarter ended April 1, 2006, the Corporation purchased 268,600 shares of outstanding common stock under its repurchase program at an aggregate cost of $13,147,000. The share repurchase program was approved in February 2005 and authorizes the repurchase of shares with an aggregate value of up to $150 million. The share repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

In addition, during the fiscal month of January 2006, 1,298 shares at a cost of $64,744 were tendered by and reacquired from current employees to satisfy tax-withholding requirements in connection with the vesting of non-vested stock.

Item 5. Other Information

As part of it’s annual compensation review and based on certain criteria, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Banta Corporation approved a discretionary bonus to Ms. Stephanie A. Streeter, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2006 in the amount of $280,000. This amount was recognized in 2005 and included in the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Item 6. Exhibits

  (a)   Exhibits –

  3.1 By-laws of Banta Corporation, as amended through March 22, 2006.
  10.1 Agreement with David F. Engelkemeyer.
  10.2 Termination and Non-Competition Agreement with Edward P. Allen.
  10.3 Form of Agreement with David F. Engelkemeyer and Edward P. Allen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10(e) to Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2000 [Commission File No. 001-14637]).
  31.1 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
  31.2 Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
  32 Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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SIGNATURES

  Pursuant to the requirements 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.

  BANTA CORPORATION

/s/ Geoffrey J. Hibner
Geoffrey J. Hibner
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
Date: May 4, 2006



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BANTA CORPORATION
EXHIBIT INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
For The Quarter Ended April 1, 2006

Exhibit Number

3.1 By-laws of Banta Corporation, as amended through March 22, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Banta Corporation’s Form 8-K dated March 22, 2006 (File No. 1-14637)).

10.1 Agreement with David F. Engelkemeyer.

10.2 Termination and Non-Competition Agreement with Edward P. Allen

10.3 Form of Agreement with David F. Engelkemeyer and Edward P. Allen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10(e) to Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2000 [Commission File No. 001-14637]).

31.1 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).

31.2 Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).

32 Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


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