MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., Melville, NY, a distributor of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations supplies to industrial customers throughout the U.S., reported sales of $350.5 million for the third quarter ended May 30, 2009, a decrease of 23.3% from the prior year. Profit declined 45.9% to $27.8 million.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2009, sales were $1.135 billion, down 14.7% from the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Profit fell 32% to $99.1 million.

"While our performance in the fiscal third quarter was better than anticipated, visibility remains limited as we continue to operate in one of the most severe economic downturns our industry has ever experienced. Feedback from our customers indicates that market conditions have remained weak without any …