Measurement Specialties Announces Record Results for Quarter Ended June 30, 2010

HAMPTON, Va., Aug. 4, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Measurement Specialties, Inc. (Nasdaq:MEAS), a global designer and manufacturer of sensors and sensor-based systems, announces results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011.

The Company reported an increase in consolidated net sales of $17.4 million or 40% to $61.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, as compared to the corresponding period last year. The overall increase in sales is largely attributable to improvements in overall global economic conditions, as well as sales from broader product adoptions and new programs. For the quarter ended June 30, 2010, the Company reported net income of $5.6 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, as compared to net loss of $1.5 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the same period last year. The increase in net income primarily reflects improved gross margins due to higher volumes of production and sales and the resulting improvements in leverage and overhead absorption. The financial performance during the quarter was adversely impacted by a non-cash, discrete tax adjustment of $0.3 million associated with an IRS audit and settlement, as well as the write-off of deferred financing costs of $0.6 million attributable to the Company's prior credit facility, which was replaced in June 2010. Together, the two items accounted for approximately $0.06 per diluted share. 

In accordance with new accounting standards for consolidation of variable interest entities ("VIE"), the Company no longer consolidates the financial results of Nikkiso-THERM ("NT"), a joint venture in Japan and the Company's one VIE.  Rather, profits associated with the Company's 50% ownership interest in NT are reflected in Equity income in unconsolidated joint venture. Accordingly, financial statements and related information for prior periods have been adjusted to conform with current year presentation, resulting in a decrease in the Company's previously reported net sales for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 of $1 million.

Frank Guidone, Company CEO, commented, "We believe this quarter represents an important milestone for the Company. Sales exceeded the pre-recession baseline of $60 million, resulting in strong growth over last year, as well as last quarter, despite headwind from a weaker euro. As a result of improved leverage of fixed overhead, gross margin also improved to pre-recession levels. While we posted record earnings in terms of EPS and Adjusted EBITDA of $0.37 and $12.1 million, respectively, we are particularly encouraged about the improvement in Adjusted EBITDA margin. At 19.8%, we have clearly demonstrated that the earnings model is capable of operating at 20% margin, supporting our FY13 goal of $60 million Adjusted EBITDA on sales of $300 million. 

Guidone continued, "Our book to bill was 1.06 for the quarter, a little below the prior 3 quarters, supporting the general belief that economic growth is slowing as global supply chains stabilize inventory levels. Based on bookings, we expect Q2 will be comparable to Q1, with the potential for modest contraction in the second half of the fiscal year. While we remain cautious about our second half given the general mood and instability in our end markets, we have 4 quarters with book to bill well above 1, which signals growth. We therefore continue to monitor the incoming booking activity closely."

Bookings are orders the Company has accepted from customers and are supported by purchase orders. Billings are orders the Company has invoiced to the customer for which sales revenue is recognized. The book to bill ratio is the ratio of bookings to billings. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please refer to the notes and reconciliation regarding Non-GAAP financial measures contained in this release.

On August 4, 2010, the Company filed its Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2010.  Please refer to the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the Company's Form 10-Q filed for a more complete discussion of sales, margin and expenses.

The Company will host an investor conference call on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 11:00 AM Eastern to answer questions regarding the fiscal year results reported in our Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 2010.  US dialers: (877) 407-8035; International dialers (201) 689-8035. Interested parties may also listen via the Internet at: www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ctr%3Fd=197059%26l=2%26a=www.investorcalendar.com%26u=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.investorcalendar.com" target="_top" rel="nofollow">www.investorcalendar.com. The call will be available for replay for 30 days by dialing (877) 660-6853 (US dialers); (201) 612-7415 (International dialers), and entering the replay pass code #286 and conference ID# 354213, and on Investorcalendar.com.

About Measurement Specialties: Measurement Specialties, Inc. (MEAS) designs and manufactures sensors and sensor-based systems to measure precise ranges of physical characteristics such as pressure, temperature, position, force, vibration, humidity and photo optics. MEAS uses multiple advanced technologies – piezo-resistive silicon sensors, application-specific integrated circuits, micro-electromechanical systems ("MEMS"), piezoelectric polymers, foil strain gauges, force balance systems, fluid capacitive devices, linear and rotational variable differential transformers, electromagnetic displacement sensors, hygroscopic capacitive sensors, ultrasonic sensors, optical sensors, negative thermal coefficient ("NTC") ceramic sensors and mechanical resonators – to engineer sensors that operate precisely and cost effectively. 

This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Forward-looking statements may be identified by such words or phrases  as "should," "intends," " is subject to," "expects," "will," "continue," "anticipate," "estimated," "projected," "may," " believe," "future prospects," or similar expressions.  Factors that might cause actual results to differ materially from the expected results described in or underlying our forward-looking statements include: Conditions in the general economy, including risks associated with the current financial crisis and worldwide economic conditions and reduced demand for products that incorporate our products; Competitive factors, such as price pressures and the potential emergence of rival technologies; Compliance with export control laws and regulations; Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates; Interruptions of suppliers' operations or the refusal of our suppliers to provide us with component materials, particularly in light of the current economic conditions and potential for suppliers to fail; Timely development, market acceptance and warranty performance of new products; Changes in product mix, costs and yields; Uncertainties related to doing business in Europe and China; Legislative initiatives, including tax legislation and other changes in the Company's tax position; Legal proceedings; Compliance with debt covenants, including events beyond our control; Conditions in the credit markets, including our ability to raise additional funds or refinance our existing credit facility; Adverse developments in the automotive industry and other markets served by us; and risk factors listed from time to time in the reports we file with the SEC.  The Company from time-to-time considers acquiring or disposing of business or product lines. Forward-looking statements do not include the impact of acquisitions or dispositions of assets, which could affect results in the near term.  Actual results may differ materially.  The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this release.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited):

Regulation G, "Conditions for Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures," promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, defines and prescribes the conditions for use of certain non-GAAP financial information. We believe that certain of our financial measures which meet the definition of non-GAAP financial measures provide important supplemental information to investors.

The financial information accompanying this press release includes the Company's earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, foreign currency transaction gains/losses, non-cash equity based compensation and certain legal expenses, or "Adjusted EBITDA" and "Free Cash Flow." Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow are non-GAAP measures that are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and may be different from Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow measures used by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is derived by adding interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, foreign currency transaction gains/losses, non-cash equity based compensation and certain legal expenses to the Company's net income from continuing operations. Free Cash Flow is derived by taking net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations and subtracting capital expenditures (purchases of property and equipment). The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is important to investors because it provides a financial measure that is more representative of the Company's cash flow (prior to taking into account the effects of changes in working capital and purchases of property and equipment), excluding non-cash expenses and items such as foreign currency transaction gains/losses, income taxes, interest and certain legal expenses, which vary greatly period to period. Legal expenses relate to the Company's previously announced investigation into certain export compliance issues. The Company believes that this measure is important to investors because it more accurately represents the leverage effect of fixed expenses. The Company believes Free Cash Flow is also important to investors as it provides useful information about the amount of cash generated by the business after the purchase of property, buildings and equipment, which can then be used to, among other things, invest in the Company's business, make strategic acquisitions and strengthen the balance sheet, and because it is a significant measure used in determining the enterprise value of the Company. A limitation on the use of Free Cash Flow as a measure of financial performance is that it does not represent the total increase or decrease in the Company's cash balance for the period or the residual cash flows available for discretionary expenditures due to the fact that the measure does not deduct the payments required for debt service and other obligations or payments made for business acquisitions.

These non-GAAP financial measures are used by management in addition to and in conjunction with the results presented in accordance with GAAP.   These non-GAAP financial measures should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP financial measures provide an additional way of viewing aspects of our operation that, when viewed with our GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliations to the corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide an understanding of certain factors and trends relating to our business.   The Company strongly encourages investors to review our financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and to not rely on any single financial measure.