MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. Reports Results for its Fiscal 2011 Fourth Quarter and Full Year
- Net Sales Rise 15.6% to $533.2 Million in Fiscal 2011 Fourth Quarter -
- Diluted Earnings per Share Increase 32.9% to $0.93 in Fiscal 2011 Fourth Quarter -
- Net Sales Rise 19.5% to $2.02 Billion in Fiscal Year 2011 -
- Diluted Earnings per Share Increase 44.7% to $3.43 in Fiscal Year 2011 -
- Share Repurchase Program Authorization Increased to 5 Million Shares -

MELVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. (NYSE: MSM), "MSC" or the "Company," one of the largest direct marketers and premier distributors of Metalworking and Maintenance, Repair and Operations ("MRO") supplies to industrial customers throughout the United States, today reported financial results for its fiscal 2011 year and fourth quarter ended August 27, 2011.

Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 were $533.2 million, an increase of 15.6% over net sales of $461.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010. Operating income for the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter rose 33.2% to $93.9 million from $70.5 million in the same quarter a year ago.  As a percentage of net sales, operating margin increased to 17.6% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 from 15.3% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.  Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 rose 34.9% to $59.5 million from $44.1 million a year ago.  Diluted earnings per share in the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter increased 32.9% to $0.93 (based on 63.5 million diluted shares outstanding), compared to $0.70 (based on 62.6 million diluted shares outstanding) in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.

As previously announced, the Company acquired American Tool Supply, Inc. and its affiliate, American Specialty Grinding Co., Inc. (together, "ATS"), during the quarter.  The integration of ATS is proceeding well, and ATS contributed $5.5 million in sales and breakeven operating performance during the quarter, ahead of prior expectations.  The Company expects ATS to remain breakeven in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 and to become accretive during the second quarter of fiscal 2012. The Company continues to expect the acquisition to be approximately $0.02 to $0.03 accretive to earnings in fiscal 2012 and more accretive in succeeding years.

For the 2011 fiscal year, net sales increased 19.5% to $2.02 billion from $1.69 billion in fiscal year 2010.  Operating income for fiscal 2011 was $349.8 million, or 17.3% of net sales, compared to $241.8 million, or 14.3% of net sales, in fiscal 2010.  For fiscal 2011 the Company reported net income of $218.8 million, an increase of 45.5% over net income of $150.4 million a year ago.  Diluted earnings per share for the fiscal 2011 full-year period were $3.43 (based on 63.3 million diluted shares outstanding), compared to $2.37 (based on 62.9 million diluted shares outstanding) last year, an increase of 44.7%.

David Sandler, Chief Executive Officer, said, "The results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2011 were excellent, highlighting our market leadership and ability to capitalize on the current environment. We achieved many important milestones including record levels of revenue and profitability.  We further enhanced our metalworking value proposition and leveraged our consistently strong cash flow to invest for the future."

Erik Gershwind, President and Chief Operating Officer, stated, "Our performance reflected the continued strength we are seeing from our core manufacturing customer base despite broader economic uncertainties. Sales growth of 15.6% in the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter resulted from our market share gains and the success of our growth initiatives. Gross margins were as expected when factoring out the temporary dilution from the ATS acquisition.  Operating margins were strong, as we benefited from reduced discretionary spending, some of which was deferred to the next fiscal quarter."

Mr. Sandler concluded, "MSC is well positioned as we head into fiscal 2012. Business conditions throughout the bulk of our manufacturing segment generally remain solid. Customers broadly reiterate their focus on doing more with less, which bodes well for the MSC model and our future growth prospects. While customers express some caution about future business conditions as a result of the current economic uncertainty, we are confident in our plan to take disproportionate market share in any environment. Against this backdrop, MSC will continue to focus on executing on our strategic investment plan to further build out our capabilities and extend our market presence. We will do so while maintaining flexibility to adjust investment levels as market conditions warrant."

Based on current market conditions, the Company expects net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 to be between $538 million and $550 million and diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 to be between $0.91 and $0.95. This guidance primarily reflects continued growth in the Company's core business and the realization of pricing increases in its product line, somewhat offset by continued softness in the government sector, higher costs related to increased commodity prices and increases in investment spending.  

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company repurchased approximately 1.2 million shares of its Class A common stock.  The Company also announced that its Board of Directors has increased the number of shares authorized for future repurchase under its stock repurchase plan to 5 million shares.  Share repurchases, if any, will be made in the open market at such times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate.  The Company intends to effect any share purchases in compliance with SEC rule 10b-18.  The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, market conditions and applicable legal requirements.  The share repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice.

The management of MSC will host a conference call today, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, to review the Company's results for the fiscal 2011 year and fourth quarter, and to comment on current operations.  The call may be accessed via the Internet on the home page of MSC's website located at: www.mscdirect.com.  A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company's website for four weeks.

About MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. is one of the largest direct marketers and premier distributors of Metalworking and Maintenance, Repair and Operations ("MRO") supplies to industrial customers throughout the United States. MSC employs one of the industry's largest sales forces and distributes approximately 600,000 industrial products from approximately 3,000 suppliers to approximately 320,000 customers.  In-stock availability is approximately 99%, with next day standard delivery to the contiguous United States on qualifying orders up until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.  MSC reaches its customers through a combination of approximately 19 million direct-mail catalogs, 105 branch sales offices, 1,051 sales people, the Internet and associations with some of the world's most prominent B2B eCommerce portals. For more information, visit the Company's website at http://www.mscdirect.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995. Statements in this Press Release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any statements contained herein which are not statements of historical facts and that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future shall be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy and some of which might not even be anticipated. Future events, actual results and performance, financial and otherwise, could differ materially from those set forth in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements herein. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The inclusion of any statement in this release does not constitute an admission by MSC or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, without limitation, current economic, political and social conditions, general economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates, changing customer and product mixes,  risks associated with acquisitions, including difficulties with integrating acquired businesses, competition, industry consolidation and other changes in the industrial distribution sector, volatility in commodity and energy prices, the outcome of potential government or regulatory proceedings or future litigation, credit risk of our customers, risk of cancellation or rescheduling of orders, work stoppages or other business interruptions (including those due to extreme weather conditions) at transportation centers or shipping ports, risk of loss of key suppliers, key brands or supply chain disruptions, dependence on the Company's information systems,  and retention of key personnel.  Additional information concerning these and other risks is described under "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K that the Company files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on current expectations and the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)



August 27,
2011


August 28,
2010

ASSETS




Current Assets:




Cash and cash equivalents

$        95,959


$        121,191

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

266,545


221,013

      Inventories

344,854


285,985

      Prepaid expenses and other current assets

22,545


20,498

      Deferred income taxes

28,531


27,849

Total current assets

758,434


676,536





Property, plant and equipment, net

148,813


143,609

Goodwill

277,431


271,765

Identifiable intangibles, net

48,308


48,751

Other assets

11,437


12,662

Total assets

$     1,244,423


$     1,153,323





LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY




Current Liabilities:




Current maturities of long-term notes payable

$                 ---


$           39,361

Accounts payable

95,538


81,220

Accrued liabilities

76,664


69,704

Total current liabilities

172,202


190,285

Deferred income taxes and tax uncertainties

79,109


63,158

Total liabilities

251,311


253,443

Commitments and Contingencies




Shareholders' Equity:




Preferred Stock

--


--

Class A common stock

51


48

Class B common stock

16


18

Additional paid-in capital

439,035


378,315

Retained earnings

775,149


675,968

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(2,085)


(2,660)

Class A treasury stock, at cost

(219,054)


(151,809)

Total shareholders' equity

993,112


899,880

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$     1,244,423


$      1,153,323




MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share data)



(Unaudited)




Quarters Ended


Fiscal Years Ended


August 27,
2011

(13 weeks)

August 28,
2010

(13 weeks)


August 27,
2011

(52 weeks)

August 28,
2010

(52 weeks)

Net sales

$     533,237

$     461,361


$    2,021,792

$      1,692,041

Cost of goods sold

287,866

254,038


1,080,867

925,102

Gross profit

245,371

207,323


940,925

766,939

Operating expenses

151,488

136,817


591,160

525,120

Income from operations

93,883

70,506


349,765

241,819

Other (Expense) Income:






Interest expense

(47)

(147)


(258)

(1,140)

Interest income

16

28


58

165

Other expense

(112)

(47)


(235)

(16)

Total other expense

(143)

(166)


(435)

(991)

         Income before provision for income taxes

93,740

70,340


349,330

240,828

Provision for income taxes

34,289

26,283


130,544

90,455

Net income

$          59,451

$          44,057


$        218,786

$          150,373

Per Share Information:






Net income per common share:






Basic

$               0.93

$               0.70


$               3.45

$               2.39

Diluted

$               0.93

$               0.70


$               3.43

$               2.37

Weighted average shares used in computing net income per common share:






Basic

63,181

62,225


62,902

62,438

Diluted

63,546

62,643


63,324

62,930

Cash dividend declared per common share

$               0.22

$               0.22


$               1.88

$              0.82




MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)



For the Fiscal Years Ended


August 27,
2011

(52 weeks)


August 28,
2010

(52 weeks)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:




Net income

$          218,786


$          150,373

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

   provided by operating activities:








Depreciation and amortization

29,159


26,049

Stock-based compensation

14,768


13,525

Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment

116


18

Provision for doubtful accounts

2,733


1,892

Deferred income taxes and tax uncertainties

15,270


6,456

       Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

(7,356)


(4,774)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of amounts associated with business acquired:




Accounts receivable

(38,304)


(57,884)

Inventories

(46,895)


(39,748)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

(1,782)


(3,359)

Other assets

2,019


2,126

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

21,448


55,183





Total adjustments

(8,824)


(516)





                      Net cash provided by operating activities

209,962


149,857





Cash Flows from Investing Activities:




   Expenditures for property, plant and equipment

(25,479)


(30,304)

   Cash used in business acquisition, net of cash received

(28,948)


--





Net cash used in investing activities

(54,427)


(30,304)





Cash Flows from Financing Activities:




Purchases of treasury stock

(69,279)


(48,244)

Payment of cash dividends

(119,257)


(51,726)

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

7,356


4,774

Proceeds from sale of Class A common stock in connection with associate stock purchase plan

2,983


2,598

Proceeds from exercise of Class A common stock options

37,683


22,803

Paydown of the revolving credit line commitment from credit facility

--


(95,000)

Credit facility financing costs

(938)


--

Repayments of notes payable under the credit facility and other notes

(39,361)


(59,109)

Net cash used in financing activities

(180,813)


(223,904)





Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

46


(30)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(25,232)


(104,381)

Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period

121,191


225,572

Cash and cash equivalents – end of period

$         95,959


$        121,191

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:




Cash paid for income taxes

$       109,001


$          77,682

Cash paid for interest

$                93


$            1,030




SOURCE MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.

For further information: Shelley Boxer, V.P. Finance, MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., +1-516-812-1216; or Investors/Media: Eric Boyriven, or Rachel Rosenblatt, FTI Consulting - Strategic Communications, +1-212-850-5600
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