Cantel Medical Reports EPS of $0.35 vs. $0.23 for First Quarter Ended October 31, 2012

LITTLE FALLS, N.J., Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CANTEL MEDICAL CORP. (NYSE:CMN) reported a 54% increase in net income to $9,576,000, or $0.35 per diluted share, on a 7% increase in sales to a record $99,681,000 for the first quarter ended October 31, 2012. This compares with net income of $6,220,000, or $0.23 per diluted share, on sales of $93,262,000 for the first quarter ended October 31, 2011.

Andrew Krakauer, Cantel's President and CEO stated, "We are pleased to have delivered another strong financial performance this quarter. All three major business segments contributed to the favorable results. As in the past four quarters, much of our success resulted from the continued expansion of our gross margins, which improved to 43.9%. This was three percentage points better than in the same quarter last year and was mostly driven by greater shipments of higher margin products."

Krakauer added, "Our Water Purification and Filtration segment had an especially strong performance this quarter with organic sales growth of 16%. Operating profits in the segment grew by 46% due to greater sales of advanced technology higher margin products and improved operating efficiencies driven by higher production volumes. We also saw substantial operating leverage in our Healthcare Disposables and Endoscopy businesses, primarily driven by the sales of higher margin products. Operating profit in these two segments grew by 37% and 33%, respectively.  Additionally, we also had some benefit from opportunistic sales in our Therapeutic Filtration business and stringent expense control across all units."

In November, we announced two important events which will greatly benefit Cantel in the future. First was the acquisition of SPS Medical Supply Corp., which now brings Cantel's sales in the growing sterilization assurance market to over $30 million. It also significantly expanded the presence of our Crosstex business into the hospital and alternative care markets. Second, we announced the appointment of Jorgen B. Hansen as Cantel's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Jorgen brings a wealth of senior executive management experience in the medical device and healthcare industry to Cantel. He also has great knowledge of international markets. 

The Company also reported that its balance sheet at October 31, 2012 included current assets of $133,211,000, including cash of $27,866,000, a current ratio of 2.44:1, gross debt of $80,000,000 and stockholders' equity of $284,597,000. Krakauer stated, "We continue to maintain a strong balance sheet and generate substantial cash flow and EBITDAS. When compared with the same quarter last year, our EBITDAS grew by 34% to $20,998,000. We were able to reduce our net debt position by approximately $7.7 million to $52,134,000, during the quarter."

Cantel Medical Corp. (NYSE:CMN) is a leading provider of infection prevention and control products in the healthcare market. Our products include water purification equipment, sterilants, disinfectants and cleaners, specialized medical device reprocessing systems for endoscopy and renal dialysis, disposable infection control products primarily for dental and GI endoscopy markets, dialysate concentrates and other dialysis supplies, hollow fiber membrane filtration and separation products for medical and non-medical applications, and specialty packaging for the transport and temperature regulation of infectious and biological specimens.

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss the results for the first quarter ended October 31, 2012 on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 11:00 AM Eastern time. To participate in the conference call, dial (877) 407-8033 approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the beginning of the call. If you are unable to participate, a digital replay of the call will be available from Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 2:00 PM through midnight on February 6, 2013 by dialing (877) 660-6853 and using conference ID # 404890.

The call will be simultaneously broadcast live over the Internet on vcall.com at http://www.investorcalendar.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=170281.  A replay of the webcast will be available on Vcall for 90 days.

For further information, visit the Cantel website at www.cantelmedical.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the risks detailed in Cantel's filings and reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward-looking statements are only predictions, and actual events or results may differ materially from those projected or anticipated.

SOURCE Cantel Medical Corp.