One of Torrance’s longstanding manufacturers is navigating a slower school-furniture market while remaining profitable.

Virco Manufacturing reported $118.2 million in revenue for the first six months of its fiscal year, down 6.1% from $125.8 million during the same period last year. Even with the sales decline, second-quarter operating income reached $10.5 million, which the company said remained above its long-term average.

Virco also reported shipments plus backlog of $162.5 million, down only 2.1% year over year, while its year-to-date gross margin stood at 40.4%. The board declared another quarterly dividend of 2.5 cents per share.

Virco may not attract the same headlines as Torrance’s aerospace and high-tech startups, but it represents another side of the city’s industrial base. The company manufactures furniture and equipment for schools and other public environments and maintains operations in Torrance as well as Arkansas.

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