MELVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 5, 2012 /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 2012 first quarter ended November 26, 2011.

For the fiscal 2012 first quarter, net sales rose 15.4% to $545.7 million, compared with $472.8 million in the prior year period.  Operating income in the fiscal 2012 first quarter increased 25.5% to $96.8 million, or 17.7% of net sales, compared with $77.2 million, or 16.3% of net sales, in the prior year period. For the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company reported net income of $59.8 million, an increase of 25.8% over net income of $47.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2011.  Diluted earnings per share in the fiscal 2012 first quarter were $0.95 (based on 62.6 million diluted shares outstanding), compared to $0.75 (based on 62.8 million diluted shares outstanding) in the same period a year ago, an increase of 26.7%. 

David Sandler, Chief Executive Officer said, "We are pleased with our solid first quarter performance. Our results reflect strong growth rates with excellent incremental and operating margins.  Our investment programs continue to deliver to our expectations as we remain focused in those areas that we believe will maximize our potential for future growth."

Erik Gershwind, President and Chief Operating Officer, stated, "I'm gratified that the execution of our model continues at historic highs fueling our strong results.  Market conditions reflect a moderate growth environment as customers are generally more optimistic as activity levels remain solid.  They remain focused on productivity and cost reduction which bodes well for MSC."

"As previously planned, we successfully integrated our ATS acquisition during the quarter.  While ATS will dilute our margin percentages in the near term, it is on pace to contribute 2-3 cents to EPS for the balance of the year.  As we realize the expected synergies we anticipate that accretion will grow over time." 

Mr. Sandler concluded, "In summary, as customers demand increasingly more value from their distributors, our results reflect the advantages that the MSC model delivers to the marketplace.  We continue to execute upon our longer term strategy and expect to capitalize on the incredible land grab opportunity that we continue to see before us."

Based on current market conditions, for the fiscal 2012 second quarter the Company expects net sales to be between $548 million and $560 million, and expects diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 to be between $0.92 and $0.96.  This guidance primarily reflects continued growth in the Company's core business somewhat offset by continued softness in the Government sector, expected cyclical increases in product costs and higher operating expenses as a result of normal seasonal factors and planned increases in investment spending.

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 2012 first 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 through February 5, 2012.

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 322,000 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, 1,056 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, including statements about the expected benefits of the acquisition 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, problems with successfully integrating acquired operations, current economic, political and social conditions, changing customer and product mixes, financial restrictions on outstanding borrowings, industry consolidation, competition, general economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates, volatility in commodity and energy prices, 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, the risk of war, terrorism and similar hostilities, dependence on the Company's information systems and on key personnel, and the outcome of potential government or regulatory proceedings or future litigation relating to pending or future claims, inquiries or audits.  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.

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SOURCE MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.