NBSC New Brunswick Scient (MM)

EDISON, N.J., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- New Brunswick Scientific Co., Inc. (NBS) (NASDAQ:NBSC), today announced financial results for the 2007 first quarter ended March 31, 2007. The company reported first-quarter 2007 net sales of $15.0 million versus last year's first-quarter net sales of $17.0 million. U.S. export and sales from NBS' international subsidiaries decreased 4% and domestic sales decreased 24% during the period. The lower net sales during the quarter were anticipated, reflecting fewer shipments of products manufactured in the U.S. due to the implementation of the company's Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system during the period. Foreign currency translation had a favorable effect on sales during the 2007 quarter of $741,000. Strong order intake during the quarter--up 31% compared with the prior-year period--combined with the ERP-related shipping curtailment, resulted in the order backlog increasing 53% at March 31, 2007 from the level at the end of last year's first quarter. Net income for the quarter was $92,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, versus $583,000, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the comparable year-ago period. Income from operations declined to $86,000 from $995,000 a year ago. Gross margin during the three-months was 40.3% compared with first-quarter 2006 gross margin of 40.7%. The decline was due primarily to lower absorption of overhead as a result of the effect of the company's ERP implementation. First-quarter 2007 selling, general and administrative expenses increased 6% to $4.9 million from $4.6 million during the 2006 quarter, primarily attributable to an unfavorable currency translation effect of $179,000 due to the weaker U.S. Dollar versus European currencies. The 17% year-over-year reduction in research, development and engineering expenses, $1.1 million versus $1.3 million, was attributable to reduced prototypes and certifications compared with the 2006 first quarter. NBS President and Chief Executive Officer James Orcutt stated: "As we mentioned in our fourth-quarter earnings report, the ERP implementation at our main Edison facility--the most complex and arduous phase of this multi-year process--caused a slowdown in our U.S.-based manufacturing processes, resulting in a temporary reduction in shipments and net sales during the year's opening three months. While a negative impact was realized in this year's first-quarter results, the new ERP system is designed to provide significant and sustainable efficiency improvements well into the future. "Order bookings remained strong during the period--up nearly a third from last year's first quarter. Routine shipments resumed to normal levels by quarter-end. Our past-due backlog is currently decreasing and includes a large, but manageable, component of orders scheduled for the year's second half. We are encouraged by the persistent momentum in order rates and look forward to reporting our progress as the year unfolds," Orcutt concluded. To be added to New Brunswick Scientific's e-mail distribution list, please click on the link below: http://www.clearperspectivegroup.com/clearsite/nbsc/emailoptin.html About New Brunswick Scientific New Brunswick Scientific Co., Inc., is a leading global innovator providing a comprehensive line of equipment and instrumentation for the life science industry. The Company's products are used in the creation, maintenance and control of physical and biochemical environments required for the growth, detection and storage of microorganisms for medical, biological and chemical applications, environmental research and commercial products. Established in 1946, the Company is headquartered in Edison, New Jersey, with sales and distribution facilities located in the United States, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit: http://www.nbsc.com/ This document contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "will" or words of similar meaning and include, but are not limited to, statements about the expected future business and financial performance of the Company. The forward-looking statements include a number of risks and uncertainties, which are detailed in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, and other risk factors identified herein or from time to time in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions, which are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from these expectations and assumptions due to changes in global political, economic, business, competitive, market, regulatory, and other, factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. NEW BRUNSWICK SCIENTIFIC CO., INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per-share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, April 1, 2007 2006 Net sales $ 14,992 $ 16,967 Operating costs and expenses: Cost of sales 8,943 10,060 Selling, general and administrative expenses 4,897 4,626 Research, development and engineering expenses 1,066 1,286 Total operating costs and expenses 14,906 15,972 Income from operations 86 995 Other income (expense): Interest income 85 88 Interest expense (18) (90) Other, net (7) (30) 60 (32) Income before income tax expense 146 963 Income tax expense 54 380 Net income $ 92 $ 583 Basic income per share $ 0.01 $ 0.06 Diluted income per share $ 0.01 $ 0.06 Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding 9,219 9,050 Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding 9,297 9,117 SELECTED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET ITEMS (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) March 31, 2007 December 31, 2006 Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,996 $ 8,082 Accounts receivable, net 11,579 15,520 Inventories 15,879 13,483 Property, plant and equipment, net 8,831 8,921 Total assets 58,701 59,117 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 10,745 11,366 Long-term debt, net of current installments 762 874 Shareholders' equity 45,419 45,146 Working capital 27,595 27,333 Current ratio 3.4 to 1 3.3 to 1 DATASOURCE: New Brunswick Scientific Co., Inc. CONTACT: Investor Contacts: Thomas Bocchino, Vice President, Finance and Treasurer of New Brunswick Scientific Co., Inc., +1-732-650-2500, ; or Matthew J. Dennis, CFA, NBS Investor Relations, of Clear Perspective Group, LLC, +1-732-226-3030, Web site: http://www.nbsc.com/

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