MOCON, Inc. (NASDAQ: MOCO) today reported sales of $12.3 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012, an increase of 30 percent compared to $9.5 million in the same quarter in 2011. This increase was due primarily to the addition of $4.2 million in sales from PBI-Dansensor A/S, which was acquired on April 2, 2012.

The net income for the current quarter was $493,000, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1.5 million or $0.27 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2011. After giving effect to certain pro forma adjustments related to the acquisition of Dansensor and non-cash stock option expenses, the company’s earnings totaled $760,000, or $0.13 per diluted share, versus $0.28 per diluted share in the comparable period of 2011. A full reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures reflecting the impact of certain discrete items relating to the Dansensor acquisition and non-cash stock option expense is included with the company’s financial tables.

Gross margin of 55 percent in the quarter was lower than the company’s historical levels. This was primarily due to the lower sales of permeation products which historically carries the highest margin, as well as the recognition of costs relating to the amortization of intangible assets arising out of the Dansensor acquisition. Selling, general and administrative expenses in the third quarter 2012 included costs incurred in connection with the closing of Dansensor’s New Jersey office as well as higher salaries and professional fees compared to the prior year.

“We are pleased to report that sales in our Industrial Analyzer and Package Testing segments showed nice increases in the current quarter compared to the prior year which more than offset a decline in our Permeation segment,” said Robert L. Demorest, MOCON President and CEO. “The oil and gas exploration and environmental monitoring markets were strong contributors to the growth in the Industrial Analyzer segment in the current quarter, and our customers in the Package Testing segment are now benefitting from a broader product selection in the MAP (modified atmosphere packaging) area as we continue to integrate Dansensor’s products with our existing instruments.”

Nine-month sales totaled $34.7 million, an increase of 26 percent compared to $27.6 million during the first nine months of 2011. Net income and diluted earnings per share were $1.2 million and $0.21, respectively, for the first nine months of 2012, compared to $4.1 million and $0.73 for the same period in 2011. After giving effect to certain pro forma adjustments related to the acquisition of Dansensor and non-cash stock option expenses, the company’s earnings totaled $2.8 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, versus $4.3 million, or $0.77 per diluted share in the comparable period of 2011.

About MOCON

MOCON is a leading provider of detectors, instruments, systems and consulting services to research laboratories, production facilities, and quality control and safety departments in the medical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, packaging, environmental, oil and gas and other industries worldwide. See www.mocon.com for more information.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements that can be identified by words such as “will,” “may,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” or other similar expressions. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. MOCON undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In addition to the risks and uncertainties of ordinary business operations and conditions in the general economy and the markets in which the company competes, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. These factors include, but are not limited to, the integration and performance of Dansensor, competition and technological change, worldwide economic and political stability, setbacks in product development programs, order cancellations, dependence on certain key industries, and other factors set forth in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and other documents MOCON files with or furnishes to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

MOCON's shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Market System under the symbol MOCO.

MOCON is a registered trademark of MOCON, Inc.; other trademarks are those of their respective holders.

Non-GAAP Discussion

The information discussed within this release includes financial results that are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). In addition, certain non-GAAP financial measures have been provided that exclude certain charges and expenses. The non-GAAP measures should be read in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures and should be considered in addition to, and not as an alternative or substitute for, the measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures are provided in an effort to provide information that investors may deem relevant to evaluate results from the company’s core business operations and to compare the company’s performance with prior periods. The non-GAAP financial measures identify and exclude the following discrete items: Dansensor transaction-related expenses, amortization expenses and expenses associated with stock-based compensation required under ASC 718.