Gross margin improved to 29.8% from 25.8% in the year-ago quarter.

National Technical Systems said net income rose to $3.5 million from $540,000 in the same quarter in the previous year. However, the company said it received $1.8 million (net of taxes) from the sale of land. Excluding that, it would have reported net income of $1.7 million.

The Calabasas CA-based company provides product testing and engineering services as well as staffing.

National Technical Systems Inc. (NASD: NTSC)
For the fiscal first quarter ended April 30, 2010, compared with the same period in the previous fiscal year.
Revenue: $36.1 million, +25.9%
Net income: $3.5 million vs. net income of $540,000