The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Measurement Specialties Announces First Quarter Results

HAMPTON, Va., Aug. 9, 2005 -- Measurement Specialties, Inc. (AMEX:MSS) , a designer and manufacturer of sensors and sensor-based consumer products, announced results for the three months ended June 30, 2005 (first fiscal quarter 2006).

The Company reported income from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2005 of $2.9 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, as compared to $3.3 million, or $0.23 per diluted share for the same period last year. Sales increased 44.6% over the same period last year, from $28.0 million to $40.5 million, as a result of the FY05 acquisitions and continued organic growth.

Frank Guidone, Company CEO commented, "Sensor sales were slightly below our previous guidance of $26 million, due to some new program delays. However, higher than expected sensor gross margin offset the sales shortfall. Consumer sales were slightly above our previous guidance, while mix and continued pricing pressure led to weaker than expected gross margin. On a consolidated basis, gross margin was 39.7%, consistent with our guidance of 39%-40%. Bottom line, results for the quarter were generally in line with our expectations. Looking forward to the second quarter, continued program delays in the sensor division, a decline in the automotive forecast and stronger dollar to euro exchange rate will push sales to the low end -- or slightly below -- our previous guidance to $29-$30 million. In consumer, we anticipate slightly stronger sales in the quarter than previously discussed, to $13-$14 million."

For the three months ended June 30, 2005, net sales increased 44.6% to $40.5 million, as compared to $28.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004. For the three months ended June 30, 2005, net sales in the Sensor division increased 47.5% to $25.3 million, as compared to $17.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004, and net sales in the Consumer Products division increased 40.0% to $15.2 million for the current fiscal quarter, as compared to $10.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004.

Gross margin for the three months ended June 30, 2005 declined to 39.7%, as compared to 44.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2004. Gross margin in the Sensor division declined to 49.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2005, as compared to 56.9% for the same period last year, largely due to automotive price concessions and sales mix shifting to lower margin products in automotive and disposable medical markets. Gross margin in the Consumer Products division declined to 23.2% for current fiscal quarter, as compared to 24.3% for the same period last year.

Excluding amortization of intangible assets, total operating expense for the three months ended June 30, 2005 increased to $11.2 million, as compared to $8 million for the same period last year. Excluding expenses associated with the acquisitions completed in FY05, total operating expense increased to $8.5 million. Included in operating expense for the three months ended June 30, 2005 is $0.4 million in severance and move expenses associated with the acquisition integration and consolidation efforts.

The Company filed its Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2005 on Tuesday, August 9th. 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 Wednesday, August 10th at 11 a.m. EDT to answer questions regarding the quarterly results reported in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2005. US dialers: (800) 288-8967; International dialers: (612) 234-9960. Interested parties may also listen via the Internet at: http://www.vcall.com/. The call will be available for replay for 30 days through AT&T by dialing 800 475-6701 (US dialers), and entering access code 792256, and on Vcall.

About MSI. Measurement Specialties, Inc. designs and manufactures sensors and sensor-based consumer products. The Sensor division, also known as MSI Sensors, produces a wide variety of sensors and transducers to measure precise ranges of physical characteristics such as pressure, force, vibration, position, humidity and photo optics. MSI Sensors uses multiple advanced technologies -- including piezoresistive, electro-optic, electro-magnetic, capacitive, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), piezoelectric polymers and strain gauges -- to engineer sensors that operate precisely and cost effectively. The Consumer division produces OEM bathroom scales, Accutire(R) brand tire pressure gauges and other products.

   Company Contact:  Frank Guidone, CEO, (757) 766-4400
   Investor Contact: Aimee Boutcher or Daniel Boutcher, (973) 239-2878

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 "should", "intends," "is subject to," "expects," "will," "continue," "anticipate," "estimated," "projected," "may," "we believe," "future prospects," or similar expressions. The forward-looking statements above involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that might cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, success of any reorganization; ability to raise additional funds; conditions in the general economy and in the markets served by the Company; competitive factors, such as price pressures and the potential emergence of rival technologies; interruptions of suppliers' operations affecting availability of component materials at reasonable prices; timely development and market acceptance, and warranty performance of new products; success in integrating prior acquisitions; changes in product mix, costs and yields, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; uncertainties related to doing business in Hong Kong and China; and the risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports. 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 issue.

                      MEASUREMENT SPECIALTIES, INC.
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                               (UNAUDITED)

                                                    For the three months
  ($ in thousands, except share and                     ended June 30,
    per share amounts)                                2005          2004

  Net sales                                         $40,507        $28,020
  Cost of goods sold                                 24,416         15,443
    Gross profit                                     16,091         12,577
  Operating expenses (income):
   Selling, general and administrative               10,292          7,266
   Research and development                             939            809
   Customer funded development                          (56)           (95)
   Amortization of acquired intangibles                 428              8
    Total operating expenses                         11,603          7,988
     Operating income                                 4,488          4,589
   Interest expense (income), net                       472           (11)
    Other expense (income)                               43            (9)
  Income before income taxes                          3,973          4,609
    Income taxes                                      1,037          1,314
  Net income                                         $2,936         $3,295

  Net income per common share - Basic                 $0.22          $0.25

  Net Income per common share - Diluted               $0.21          $0.23

  Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic    13,582,488     13,267,552
  Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted  14,302,108     14,195,676

                      MEASUREMENT SPECIALTIES, INC.
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                               (UNAUDITED)

                                                   June 30,       March 31,
  ($ IN THOUSANDS)                                   2005           2005

  ASSETS

  Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                        $5,853         $4,402
   Accounts receivable, trade, net of allowance
    for doubtful accounts of $452 and $390,
    respectively                                    17,034         20,369
   Inventories                                      23,180         20,282
   Deferred income taxes                             4,252          4,284
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets         3,100          3,029
     Total current assets                           53,419         52,366

  Property and equipment, net                       15,039         14,924

  Other assets:
   Goodwill                                         40,853         40,010
   Acquired intangible assets, net                   9,873         10,583
   Deferred income taxes                             7,145          7,190
   Other assets                                      1,448            931
    Total other assets                              59,319         58,714
   Total Assets                                   $127,777       $126,004

                      MEASUREMENT SPECIALTIES, INC.
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                               (UNAUDITED)

                                                       June 30,    March 31,
  ($ IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)                 2005        2005

  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

  Current liabilities:
   Current portion of promissory notes payable          $1,000      $1,200
   Current portion of deferred acquisition payments      1,720       1,720
   Short-term debt                                         674       2,085
   Current portion of long-term debt                     2,247       2,310
   Accounts payable                                     15,635      13,394
   Accrued expenses and other current liabilities        4,454       4,525
   Accrued compensation                                  1,786       2,231
   Income taxes payable                                  2,363       1,165
   Deferred gain on sale of assets, current              2,664       2,925
   Total current liabilities                            32,543      31,555

  Other liabilities:
   Deferred gain on sale of assets, net current portion      -         839
   Promissory notes payable, net current portion           850       1,100
   Long-term debt, net of current portion               18,291      18,928
   Deferred acquisition payments, net current portion    3,950       4,069
   Other liabilities                                     2,500       1,497
    Total liabilities                                   58,134      57,988

  Commitments and contingencies

  Shareholders' equity:
  Serial preferred stock; 221,756 shares authorized;
   none outstanding                                          -           -
  Common stock, no par; 20,000,000 shares authorized;
   13,617,944 and 13,257,084 shares issued and
   outstanding, respectively                             5,502       5,502
  Additional paid-in capital                            56,520      56,285
  Accumulated earnings                                   9,665       6,729
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss                  (2,044)       (500)
  Total shareholders' equity                            69,643      68,016
                                                      $127,777    $126,004