MSC Industrial Direct Inc., Melville, NY, distributor of MRO supplies to industrial customers, reported sales of $402 million for the first quarter 2007, an increase of 35.9% from the same period in fiscal 2006. Profit increased 26.2% to $40.3 million from the year-ago period.
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J & L Industrial Supply, purchased from Kennametal last year, accounted for two-thirds of the growth. CEO David Sandler said the integration of J & L is going as planned, and that MSC should be able to generate the forecasted $20 million in margin improvements and cost savings that was originally anticipated.
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A conference call regarding the first quarter results and current operations is available at  ;
