<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AND STATEMENTS OF INCOME FILED AS PART OF THE QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM
10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH QUARTERLY REPORT ON
FORM 10-Q
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-2000             JUL-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1999             AUG-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-2000             JAN-31-2000
<CASH>                                             734                     734
<SECURITIES>                                       812                     812
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,758                  13,758
<ALLOWANCES>                                       245                     245
<INVENTORY>                                     22,649                  22,649
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                40,809                  40,809
<PP&E>                                         111,328                 111,328
<DEPRECIATION>                                (24,162)                (24,162)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 132,872                 132,872
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,096                  17,096
<BONDS>                                         53,023                  53,023
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               80                      80
<PREFERRED>                                        555                     555
<COMMON>                                        28,030                  28,030
<OTHER-SE>                                      29,259                  29,259
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   132,872                 132,872
<SALES>                                         33,969                  69,664
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                33,969                  69,664
<CGS>                                           29,458                  58,231
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   31,541                  63,185
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,253                   2,385
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,341                   4,385
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (500)                   (500)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,841                   4,885
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,841                   4,885
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.17                    0.44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0


</TABLE>