ST. LOUIS – Contract electronics manufacturer LaBarge Inc. reported fourth quarter net sales rose 18% to $64.9 million year-over-year.

Net earnings were $2.9 million, up 7% from the same period last year, the company said.

For the year, net sales were $235.2 million, up 24% over 2006, and net earnings were $11.3 million, up 17% from last year, LaBarge reported.

Bookings of new business were strong during the year, said the company, with the largest contributions coming from defense, commercial aerospace and natural resources market sectors. Despite record sales, the strong bookings replenished backlog to a new high of $206.2 million, up 12% year-over-year.

Shipments on a variety of defense programs comprised the largest portion of revenues, accounting for 37% of net sales for the year, compared with 40% the previous year, said LaBarge. Shipments to natural resources customers represented 24% of net sales, versus 21% last year, and shipments to industrial customers were 16%, compared with 18% in 2006.