MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (NYSE: MSM), Melville, NY, No. 12 on the list of top industrial distributors, reported sales for the fourth quarter ended Aug. 27, 2011, of $533.2 million, an increase of 15.6 percent over the same period a year ago. Profit increased 34.9 percent to $59.5 million.

We Deliver Distribution News to Your Inbox Sign up below to receive MDM Update, your free weekly distribution news update by email.

For the 2011 fiscal year, sales were $2.02 billion, up 19.5 percent over sales in fiscal 2010. Profit increased 45.5 percent to $218.8 million.

\”Our performance reflected the continued strength we are seeing from our core manufacturing customer base despite broader economic uncertainties,\” said Erik Gershwind, president and COO.

Gershwind took on the additional role of president this week, part of the company’s previously announced management succession plan. He will continue to report to CEO David Sandler.