OAKLAND, N.J., May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Media Sciences International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MSII), a leading independent manufacturer of color toner cartridges and solid inks for use in color business printers, today announced its quarterly financial results for the period ended March 31, 2009. The Company will host an investor conference call tomorrow morning at 8:45 a.m. ET to discuss its quarterly results.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020604/NYTU016LOGO)

Financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 include:

    --  Net revenues of $5,184,000, representing a $1,290,000 or 20% decrease
        year-over-year and a $27,000 or 0.5% increase over the prior quarter.

    --  Gross margin at 40.6% of net revenues, versus 47.4% for the same period
        last year.
    --  Net loss of $1,496,000 ($0.13 per share), including special charges,
        versus net loss of $488,000 ($0.04 per share) year-over-year.

-- Positive cash flow generated from operations of $575,000.

The Company's financial results for the quarter include the following non-cash special charges:

    1. Impairment charges totaling $1,121,000 (about $740,000 after tax or about
       $0.06 per share) were recognized related to the Company's decision
       to close its not yet operational manufacturing facility in China.  These
       impairment charges are in addition to the costs the Company incurred
       during the quarter as options for the facility were evaluated.

2. A valuation allowance in the amount of $323,000 (about $0.03 per share) was established for deferred tax assets previously recorded, as it was deemed more likely than not that certain State net operating loss carry forwards and other future deductible temporary differences included in the Company's deferred tax assets will not be realized. This valuation allowance adjustment has no impact on the Company's cash flows or future prospects, nor does it alter the Company's ability to utilize these tax attributes, which is primarily dependent upon future levels of taxable income.

Results for the quarter continue to reflect the broader economic climate and sales activity consistent with an economic recession as well as continued turbulence in the currency markets, in particular continued strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the European currencies in which the Company sells to its European customers.

CEO's Comments

Michael W. Levin, President and CEO of Media Sciences International, Inc., noted the following regarding the quarter, "It appears that the impact of the global recession most significantly impacted Media Sciences during the November through January timeframe. While clearly we are not experiencing the growth we strive to achieve, we are also not seeing a continuation of the step down in revenues we experienced in November."

Levin continued, "Despite the stabilization of revenues, it is incumbent upon us to be fiscally conservative as the economic environment continues to be uncertain. Consequently, we finalized a decision to close our China facility. While disappointing, the closing of China, along with significant other cost reduction and liquidity efforts, markedly decreases our operating expenses and our working capital requirements."

"With these cost reduction efforts behind us, and expansion of our partner network and imminent new product introductions, we are well positioned to return to profitability and revenue growth."

Revenues

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to the same period last year, net revenues decreased by $1,290,000 or 20% from $6,474,000 to $5,184,000. Adjusting for the effect of currencies, the Company's net revenues would have been about $5,534,000 or down about $940,000 or about 15% year over year. On a sequential quarterly basis, the Company realized only a nominal increase in revenues. However, as a result of the Company's European price increase, which became effective January 1, 2009, certain European customers increased their purchases in December to take advantage of lower prices. This put downward pressure on January and February European revenues. Further, in February, U.S. revenues increased from their November through January levels and stabilized. Considering the intra-quarter trends and the impact of the European price increase on buying in December, it appears that the Company's revenues have rebounded from the November levels and stabilized.

Net revenues for the nine months ended March 31, 2009, as compared with the same period last year, decreased by $2,497,000 or 13% from $18,590,000 to $16,093,000. This decline in net revenues was primarily driven by an increased level of customer rebates, the revenue impact resulting from the significant devaluation of the British Pound and the Euro, and a decrease in revenues from the INKlusive program. Also contributing to the decline was the discontinuance of sales directly to end users by the Company's Cadapult subsidiary in the comparative year ago period ended September 30, 2007. Year over year, for the nine months, sales of color toner cartridges decreased by about 5% and solid ink product sales decreased by about 8%.

The Company ended the quarter with an order backlog of $334,000, representing a $10,000 decrease over the prior quarter ended December 31, 2008. Since the Company does not recognize revenues until orders are shipped, revenues associated with these unfilled orders were not recognized in the quarter ended March 31, 2009.

Gross Margin

Consolidated gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the same period last year, decreased by $962,000 or 31% to $2,103,000 from $3,065,000. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company's gross margins declined by about 680 basis points to 40.6% from 47.4% in the comparative year ago period. Consolidated gross profit for the nine months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the same period last year, decreased by $1,739,000 or 20% to $6,874,000 from $8,613,000. For the nine months ended March 31, 2009, the Company's gross margins declined by about 360 basis points to 42.7% from 46.3% in the comparative year ago period.

The decline in gross margins for the quarter was primarily attributed to a year over year increase in the Company's warranty expense related to a limited segment of our products. A latent issue was determined to have been caused by a change in manufacturing processes by one of the Company's vendors. While the issue is now resolved, management expects a higher than normal rate of warranty claims in the near future, and has increased the Company's warranty reserve commensurately. Gross margins were also reduced by greater year-over-year customer rebates, the revenue and margin impact resulting from the significant devaluation of the British Pound and the Euro, and a greater level of customer freight costs borne by the Company. These increases were partially offset by some year-over-year reductions in product costs, particularly inbound freight costs.

Research and Development

Research and development spending for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the same period last year, decreased by $145,000 or 31% to $322,000 from $467,000. For the nine months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to the same period last year, spending decreased by $390,000 or 27% to $1,043,000 from $1,433,000.

The decrease in the Company's research and development costs was the result of cost reduction efforts. Looking forward, management expects the Company's research and development spending to represent a similar to slightly declining proportion of net revenues.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

Selling, general and administrative expense, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the same period last year, decreased by $1,143,000 or 35% to $2,155,000 from $3,298,000. For the nine months ended March 31, 2009, selling, general and administrative expense, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, decreased by $1,435,000 or 16% to $7,432,000 from $8,867,000 for the same period last year.

The decrease in selling, general and administrative expense was primarily driven by lower year over year costs of litigation and the results of the Company's cost reduction efforts partially offset by greater year over year business formation and start-up costs associated with the China manufacturing operations and foreign currency translation losses.

In response to the challenges of the current economic environment, the Company made significant progress in reducing its costs, and working capital requirements. Some of the measures implemented during the quarter are as follows:

    --  Closure of the Company's China facility is expected to help the
        Company realize about $900,000 in additional annual run-rate savings. 
        The Company expects to realize the full financial benefits of these
        savings late in its fiscal fourth quarter ended June 30, 2009.  In
        response to the closing of China, Media Sciences' management team
        is pursuing alternative means of achieving the tactical and strategic
        objectives that initially gave rise to the China initiative.
    --  In January, the Company reduced its personnel by another 7%, in addition
        to the approximate 20% staff reduction implemented in July.  These
        headcount reductions are expected to provide an additional annual
        run-rate improvement in pretax operating results of about $650,000 and
        an improvement in operating cash flows of about $620,000.
    --  A company-wide 10% salary, wage and bonus concession was implemented
        until certain profitability measures are achieved over a contiguous
        six-month period.  This temporary measure was implemented in late
        January 2009 and is expected to generate about $450,000 in annualized
        run-rate savings.
    --  The Company's Directors waived their cash compensation until they
        determine the present economic uncertainties facing the company have
        passed.  This temporary action is expected to generate about $123,000 in
        annualized run-rate savings and benefited the current quarter by about
        $31,000.

-- Inventories were reduced by a further $633,000 for a year-to-date total reduction of $2,653,000, representing a 17% reduction in days in inventory.

Selling, general and administrative expense, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2009 includes about $187,000 and $555,000 of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, respectively. This compares with about $98,000 and $293,000 of stock-based compensation expense in the comparative year ago three and nine months ended March 31, 2008.

Net Loss

For the three and nine months ended March 31, 2009, the Company lost $1,496,000 ($0.13 per share basic and diluted) and $1,535,000 ($0.13 per share basic and diluted). This compares with a net loss of $488,000 ($0.04 per share basic and diluted) and $1,160,000 ($0.10 per share basic and diluted), respectively, generated in the prior year for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008. Excluding the benefit of the non-recurring litigation settlement, the restructuring and impairment charges associated with the closure of the China facility, and the non-cash charge associated with the establishment of a deferred tax valuation allowance, the Company would have generated a net loss for the nine months ended March 31, 2009 of about $1,462,000 on a pro forma basis.

Conference Call Note

Media Sciences International, Inc. will hold a conference call to discuss annual results on Friday, May 15, 2009, at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be webcast live by Thomson/CCBN and may be accessed through Media Sciences' web site at www.mediasciences.com. Investors and other interested parties in the United States may access the teleconference by calling 800.901.5226. International callers may dial 617.786.4513. The passcode for the teleconference is 93468560.

For more information on Media Sciences or its SEC filings, please visit the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.mediasciences.com.

About Media Sciences International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MSII): Media Sciences International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MSII), the leading independent manufacturer of solid ink and color toner cartridges for office color printers, has a strong reputation for being the informed customer's choice. As the premium quality price alternative to the printer manufacturer's brand, Media Sciences' newly manufactured color toner and solid ink products for use in Brother(R), Dell(R), Epson(R), Konica Minolta(R), OKI(R), Ricoh(R), Samsung(R), and Xerox(R) office color printers deliver up to and over 30% in savings when compared to the printer manufacturer's brand. Behind every Media Sciences product is The Science of Color(R)--the company's proprietary process for delivering high quality products at the very best price, including its commitment to exceptional, highly responsive technical support and its longstanding, industry-leading warranty. For more information on the Company, its products, and its programs, visit www.mediasciences.com, E-mail info@mediasciences.com, or call 201.677.9311.

Brand names are used for descriptive purposes only and are the properties of their respective owners.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements about our goals and prospects within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those included in these statements due to a variety of factors, including those factors identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2008, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the time made and we assume no duty to update them, whether as a result of new information, unexpected events, future changes, or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company's financial results are reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Management finds it useful at times to provide adjustments to its GAAP numbers. This news release contains the non-GAAP financial measure of EBITDA, defined as Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization, which are adjusted from results based on GAAP to exclude certain expenses.

These non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as being more important than comparable GAAP measures. They are presented because the Company's management uses this information when evaluating current results of operations and cash flow, and believes that this information provides the users of the financial statements with an additional and useful comparison of the Company's current results of operations and cash flows with past and future periods.

This adjusted financial information should not be construed as an alternative to our reported results determined in accordance with GAAP. Further, our definition of this adjusted financial information may differ from similarly title measures used by other companies.


    Reconciliation of
     Non-GAAP Measures         Three Months Ended          Nine Months Ended
                       3/31/2009  12/31/2008  3/31/2008  3/31/2009  3/31/2008
      Reported income
       (loss) from
       operations     (1,582,997)   (814,174)  (791,084)(1,496,165)(1,963,342)
      Depreciation
       & amortization    242,853     246,203    253,753    713,961    762,028
      EBITDA          (1,340,144)   (567,971)  (537,331)  (782,204)(1,201,314)

    Add-back of
     non-cash expenses:
      Increase
       (decrease) in
       inventory
       reserves          (28,131)     38,371     31,897     39,479     40,378
      Impairment
       charge          1,121,401           -          -  1,121,401          -
      Stock-based
       compensation      217,086     208,005    110,916    580,502    327,613
                       1,310,356     246,376    142,813  1,741,382    367,991

      Cash EBITDA        (29,788)   (321,595)  (394,518)   959,178   (833,323)

    Add-back of
     non-recurring
     items:
      Litigation costs   164,094      79,259    704,916    427,048  1,298,069
      Litigation
       settlement
       recovery                -           -          - (1,500,000)         -
      Foreign currency
       exchange losses
       (gains)            86,452     186,370    (18,959)   373,208    (29,760)
      Business start-up
       costs             247,650     344,000    162,879    890,762    508,779
                         498,196     609,629    848,836    191,018  1,777,088

      Normalized EBITDA  468,408     288,034    454,318  1,150,196    943,765

    Weighted Avg.
     Common Share
     Outstanding      11,723,716  11,721,467 11,687,517 11,720,761 11,578,459
      - Cash EBITDA /
        Share - Basic     ($0.00)     ($0.03)    ($0.03)     $0.08     ($0.07)
      - Normalized
         EBITDA /
         Share - Basic     $0.04       $0.02      $0.04      $0.10      $0.08

    Adjusted Weighted
     Avg. Shares
     Outstanding      11,723,716  11,721,467 11,687,517 11,720,761 11,578,459
      - Cash EBITDA /
        Share - Diluted   ($0.00)     ($0.03)    ($0.03)     $0.08     ($0.07)
      - Normalized
        EBITDA /
        Share - Diluted    $0.04       $0.02      $0.04      $0.10      $0.08


                MEDIA SCIENCES INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                   Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                                       March 31,                March 31,
                                   2009        2008         2009         2008

    NET REVENUES             $5,184,056  $6,473,997  $16,093,166  $18,590,364

    COST OF GOODS SOLD:
        Cost of goods sold,
         excluding depreciation
         and amortization,
         product warranty,
         shipping and freight 2,298,917    2,877,042    7,474,487   8,403,651
        Depreciation and
         amortization           140,331      150,040      397,447     450,340
        Product warranty        497,635      260,754      939,135     672,106
        Shipping and freight    144,652      120,707      408,417     451,414
            Total cost of
             goods sold       3,081,535    3,408,543    9,219,486   9,977,511

    GROSS PROFIT              2,102,521    3,065,454    6,873,680   8,612,853

    OTHER COSTS AND EXPENSES:
        Research and
         development            321,839      467,031    1,043,085   1,433,310
        Selling, general and
         administrative,
         excluding
         depreciation and
         amortization         2,154,973    3,298,070    7,431,654   8,866,892
        Depreciation and
         amortization            87,305       91,437      273,705     275,993
        Impairment charge     1,121,401            -    1,121,401           -
        Litigation settlement         -            -   (1,500,000)          -
            Total other costs
             and expenses     3,685,518    3,856,538    8,369,845  10,576,195

    LOSS FROM OPERATIONS     (1,582,997)    (791,084)  (1,496,165) (1,963,342)

    Interest expense            (72,712)     (50,559)    (201,868)    (66,696)
    Interest income                  70          115        3,037      25,294
    Amortization of debt
     discount on convertible
     debt                       (28,211)           -      (54,422)          -

    LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES (1,683,850)    (841,528)  (1,749,418) (2,004,744)
    Benefit for income taxes    188,102      353,548      214,329     844,447

    NET LOSS                $(1,495,748)   $(487,980) $(1,535,089)$(1,160,297)


    LOSS PER SHARE
        Basic and diluted        $(0.13)      $(0.04)      $(0.13)     $(0.10)


    WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES
     USED TO COMPUTE LOSS
     PER SHARE
        Basic and diluted    11,723,716   11,687,517   11,720,761  11,578,459

The above results of operations and following Balance Sheet and Statement of Cash Flows, as reported under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP), will be presented in the Company's 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. We encourage you to review the accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated statements, found in that filing.


               MEDIA SCIENCES INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                               March 31,
                                                 2009             June 30,
    ASSETS                                   (Unaudited)            2008
    CURRENT ASSETS:
        Cash and cash equivalents              $548,542          $236,571
        Accounts receivable, net              2,902,516         3,082,516
        Inventories                           6,563,238         9,216,439
        Taxes receivable                         72,584            70,282
        Deferred tax assets                     674,189           772,288
        Prepaid expenses and other current
         assets                                 280,264           285,241
            Total Current Assets             11,041,333        13,663,337

    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET               2,182,126         2,472,570

    OTHER ASSETS:
        Goodwill and other intangible assets,
         net                                  3,584,231         3,584,231
        Deferred tax assets                     508,765           260,292
        Other assets                            121,790           124,359
            Total Other Assets                4,214,786         3,968,882

    TOTAL ASSETS                            $17,438,245       $20,104,789

    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    CURRENT LIABILITIES:
        Accounts payable                     $1,319,629        $3,046,563
        Accrued compensation and benefits       528,551           731,744
        Other accrued expenses and current
         liabilities                          1,159,744         1,829,919
        Short-term capital lease obligation     188,820                 -
        Income taxes payable                          -            12,606
        Accrued product warranty costs          316,578           198,666
        Deferred revenue                        306,074           519,139
            Total Current Liabilities         3,819,396         6,338,637

    OTHER LIABILITIES:
        Long-term debt                        2,337,439         2,594,209
        Deferred rent liability                 131,681           166,969
        Convertible debt, net of discount of
         $432,193 in March                      817,807                 -
        Deferred revenue, less current
         portion                                 67,527           148,553
            Total Other Liabilities           3,354,454         2,909,731

    TOTAL LIABILITIES                         7,173,850         9,248,368

    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

    SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
        Series A Convertible Preferred Stock,
         $.001 par value
         Authorized 1,000,000 shares;
         none issued                                  -                 -
        Common Stock, $.001 par value;
         25,000,000 shares authorized;
         issued and outstanding,
         respectively, 12,401,897 and
         11,737,065 shares in March and
         11,794,101 and 11,708,964 shares
         in June                                 11,737            11,709
        Additional paid-in capital           12,806,610        11,798,443
        Accumulated other comprehensive
         income (loss)                          (35,965)           29,167
        Accumulated deficit                  (2,517,987)         (982,898)
            Total Shareholders' Equity       10,264,395        10,856,421

    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
     EQUITY                                 $17,438,245       $20,104,789


               MEDIA SCIENCES INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                    (UNAUDITED)


                                                     Nine Months Ended
                                                          March 31,
                                                   2009              2008
    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
        Net loss                            $(1,535,089)      $(1,160,297)
        Adjustments to reconcile net loss
         to net cash provided by operating
         activities:
             Depreciation and amortization      713,961           762,030
             Stock-based compensation expense   580,502           327,613
             Deferred income taxes             (214,329)         (378,159)
             Impairment charge                1,121,401                 -
             Provision for inventory
              obsolescence                       39,479            40,378
             Provision for product warranties   117,912            26,440
             Provision for (recovery of )
              returns and doubtful accounts       7,655           (31,030)
             Amortization of debt discount
              on convertible debt                54,422                 -
             Changes in operating assets
              and liabilities:
                 Accounts receivable            160,797        (1,345,019)
                 Inventories                  2,618,756        (3,169,823)
                 Income taxes                   (14,908)         (111,144)
                 Prepaid expenses and other
                  current assets                  7,546          (163,359)
                 Accounts payable            (1,725,191)          967,296
                 Accrued compensation and
                  benefits                     (203,327)         (162,170)
                 Other accrued expenses and
                  current liabilities        (1,018,262)        1,017,636
                 Deferred rent liability        (35,288)          (50,372)
                 Deferred revenue              (294,091)         (110,731)
                     Net cash provided (used)
                      by operating activities   381,946        (3,540,711)

    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
        Purchases of property and equipment    (688,085)         (322,227)
                     Net cash used in
                      investing activities     (688,085)         (322,227)

    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
         Bank credit line net proceeds         (256,769)        1,542,369
         Bank term loan repayments                    -          (471,083)
         Bank term loan proceeds                      -         1,500,000
         Capital lease obligation repayments   (339,668)                -
         Proceeds from issuance of
          subordinated convertible debt       1,250,000                 -
         Proceeds from issuance of common stock       -           258,375
                     Net cash provided by
                      financing activities      653,563         2,829,661
        Effect of exchange rate changes on
         cash and cash equivalents              (35,453)           22,481
    NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH             311,971        (1,010,796)

    CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                   236,571         1,808,285

    CASH, END OF PERIOD                        $548,542          $797,489

    SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
        Interest paid                          $177,271           $57,366
        Income taxes paid (refunded)            $14,908         $(364,635)

    SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH
     TRANSACTIONS
        Capital lease additions                $528,488                $-

SOURCE Media Sciences International, Inc.