Neogen Reports 34% Increase in Net Income, 20% Increase in Revenues

LANSING, Mich., March 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Neogen Corporation
(Nasdaq: NEOG) announced today that its net income for the third quarter of FY
2008, which ended Feb. 29, increased 34% from the previous year's third
quarter. Net income in the quarter rose to $2,658,000, or $0.18 per share,
compared to the prior year's $1,990,000 ($0.14 per share). Year-to-date net
income for the first nine months of Neogen's 2008 fiscal year increased 31% to
$8,923,000 from $6,822,000 in FY 2007, or $0.60 per share in the current year
from the prior year's $0.48.
Third quarter revenues increased 20% to $25,180,000, a record third
quarter for the 25-year-old company, compared to the prior year's $21,054,000.
Year to date, nine-month revenues rose 19% in the current fiscal year to
$75,299,000 from FY 2007's $63,463,000.
The third quarter was the 60th consecutive profitable quarter from
operations for the company, and the 64th quarter of the past 69 quarters to
show increased revenues as compared with the previous year.
"Our solid third quarter results are further evidence of operational
strength throughout Neogen's worldwide operations," said James Herbert,
Neogen's chief executive officer and chairman. "Neogen Europe, our Scottish
subsidiary, continues to drive our exceptional international sales growth with
a number of strong product lines. The excellent quarterly results also reflect
a combination of domestic and international growth in a number of our core
products."
For the quarter, operating income increased 32% to $3,981,000, and for the
first nine months of the company's 2008 fiscal year, Neogen's operating income
improved 29% to $13,326,000. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, operating
income for the quarter improved to 15.8% compared to 14.4% in the prior year.
On a year-to-date basis, operating income has improved to 17.7% in the current
fiscal year compared to 16.2% for the same nine-month period last year.
"With the difficulties that many companies are now facing in these
challenging economic times, our third quarter results indicate that Neogen's
business is somewhat recession resistant," said Lon Bohannon, Neogen's
president and chief operating officer. "Our diversity of products provide
unique solutions for many food and animal safety concerns, and allows us to
overcome many challenges inherent in an economic downturn. Strong sales of
disposable diagnostic test kits for both food and animal safety, along with
sales added by recent acquisitions, led to the exceptional third quarter
performance."
Neogen's Lansing, Mich.-based Food Safety Division and Lexington, Ky.-
based Animal Safety Division both recorded 20% increases in third quarter
revenue compared to the previous fiscal year. The Food Safety Division posted
sales of $13,835,000 in the three-month period, compared to $11,565,000 in FY
2007. Year-to-date, the Food Safety Division's revenues, which are comprised
entirely of organic sales growth, were up 21% to $42,068,000 for FY 2008.
Neogen Europe continued its exceptional growth performance in the quarter,
with an increase of 35% over the prior year's comparable quarter. On a
year-to-date basis, Neogen Europe has recorded a 37% increase in revenues. The
Scottish subsidiary's sales represent a combination of sales of Neogen food
safety products produced in the U.S. for the European market, and diagnostics
manufactured in Scotland for worldwide distribution.
The Food Safety Division's performance in the third quarter was paced by a
45% increase in sales of Acumedia dehydrated culture media to traditional
media customers (e.g., for manufacturing and clinical uses), and a 40%
increase in media sales to the food industry to detect safety and quality
concerns. Neogen's BetaStar(R) dairy antibiotic testing products continued
their growing market penetration, with sales increasing approximately 28% in
the third quarter compared to FY 2007. The third quarter also saw the release
of Neogen's new TetraStar(R), a complementary dairy antibiotic test to detect
residues of tetracyclines, a group of drugs used to treat bovine mastitis.
Sales of Neogen's line of rapid food allergen test kits, launched 10 years
ago, continued its growth, increasing 18% in the third quarter compared to FY
2007's comparable quarter.
Neogen's Animal Safety Division's third quarter revenues were $11,345,000,
a 20% increase from the prior year's $9,489,000. Year-to-date, the division's
revenues increased 16% to $33,231,000. Animal Safety sales growth was paced by
a 39% increase in sales of diagnostics to detect drugs of abuse, primarily in
the horse racing industry and human forensic market. Ongoing improvement of
Neogen's test format for many of its diagnostic kits that makes them easier to
use for a wider variety of sample types, and a large sale of diagnostic
equipment to a Canadian forensics lab, contributed to the significant
quarterly sales growth.
The Animal Safety Division's third quarter also saw a strong 48% increase
in sales of specialty needles and syringes to be used by manufacturers of
veterinary supplements and pharmaceuticals. Led by the efficient integration
of Kane Enterprises' animal health products, sales of Neogen's Animal Safety
OTC products increased 63% on a quarter-over-quarter comparison. Acquired by
Neogen in August 2007, Kane's products include veterinary gloves, bovine
hoofcare, and surgical supplies.
Neogen Corporation develops and markets products dedicated to food and
animal safety. The company's Food Safety Division markets dehydrated culture
media, and diagnostic test kits to detect foodborne bacteria, natural toxins,
genetic modifications, food allergens, drug residues, plant diseases and
sanitation concerns. Neogen's Animal Safety Division markets a complete line
of diagnostics, veterinary instruments, veterinary pharmaceuticals,
nutritional supplements, disinfectants, and rodenticides.
Certain portions of this news release that do not relate to historical
financial information constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-
looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual
future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or
those expected depending on a variety of factors listed in Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in
the Company's most recently filed Form 10-K.

NEOGEN CORPORATION UNAUDITED SUMMARIZED CONSOLIDATED OPERATING DATA
(In thousands, except for per share and percentages)

Quarter ended Feb. 29/28 Nine months ended Feb. 29/28
2008 2007 2008 2007
Revenue
Food Safety $ 13,835 $ 11,565 $ 42,068 $ 34,749
Animal Safety 11,345 9,489 33,231 28,714
Total revenue 25,180 21,054 75,299 63,463
Cost of sales 12,517 10,104 36,168 30,484
Gross margin 12,663 10,950 39,131 32,979
Other expenses
Sales & marketing 4,947 4,612 15,081 13,517
Administrative 2,717 2,378 7,909 6,516
Research &
development 1,018 937 2,815 2,650
Total other expenses 8,682 7,927 25,805 22,683
Operating income 3,981 3,023 13,326 10,296
Other revenue 2 67 472 127
Income before tax 3,983 3,090 13,798 10,423
Income tax 1,325 1,100 4,875 3,601
Net income $ 2,658 $ 1,990 $ 8,923 $ 6,822
Net income per
diluted share (1) $ 0.18 $ 0.14 $ 0.60 $ 0.48
Other information:
Shares to calculate
per share (1) 14,918 14,219 14,792 14,096
Depreciation &
amortization $ 914 $ 488 $ 2,584 $ 2,026
Interest expense 0 4 0 15
Gross margin
(% of sales) 50.3% 52.0% 52.0% 52.0%
Operating income
(% of sales) 15.8% 14.4% 17.7% 16.2%
Revenue increase
vs. FY 2007 19.6% 18.7%
Net income increase
vs. FY 2007 33.6% 30.8%

NEOGEN CORPORATION UNAUDITED SUMMARIZED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA
(In thousands)
Feb. 29 May 31
2008 2007
Assets
Current assets
Cash & investments $ 11,093 $ 13,424
Accounts receivable 18,107 14,914
Inventory 25,765 19,115
Other current assets 3,779 3,645
Total current assets 58,744 51,098
Property & equipment 16,547 16,402
Goodwill & other assets 44,527 37,784
Total assets $ 119,818 $ 105,284
Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities $ 11,387 $ 10,038
Long-term lines of credit - -
Other long-term liabilities 3,034 3,301
Stockholders' equity --
shares outstanding 14,407 in
Feb. & 14,020 in May (1) 105,397 91,945
Total liabilities & stockholders'
equity $ 119,818 $ 105,284

(1) Reflects effect of Sept. 4, 2007, 3-for-2 stock split

SOURCE Neogen Corporation

Richard R. Current, Vice President and CFO of Neogen Corporation,
+1-517-372-9200