Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE: B), Bristol, CT, reported sales of $306.1 million for the third quarter, up 2 percent over the same period a year ago. Organic sales decreased 1 percent. Profit fell 20.5 percent to $18.5 million.

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\”During the quarter, we closed on the Synventive deal, the largest acquisition in Barnes Groups history and were pleased with the initial operating performance delivered by this business,\” said Gregory F. Milzcik, president and CEO. …Even with an uncertain near-term economic outlook, our continued investments in growth and our sustained focus on operational efficiencies, lead us to anticipate 2012 to be one of our better earnings years on record.\”

For the first nine months of 2012, Barnes Group sales $902.6 million, up 1.9 percent over the same period a year ago. Profit increased 1.3 percent to $65.5 million.

Barnes Distribution sales of $85.7 million in the third quarter were down 5 percent compared to the third quarter of 2011, a result of softness in North American markets. Operating profit of $6.9 million decreased 11 percent. For the first nine months, sales were down 0.3 percent to $271 million.

Industrial sales of $123.8 million were up 10 percent year over year. The Synventive acquisition provided $15.8 million of sales, while organic sales were relatively flat and unfavorable foreign exchange reduced sales by $4.8 million. Operating profit was $7.4 million, a decrease of $2.9 million from the third quarter of 2011. For the first nine months, sales were up 3.4 percent to $349.4 million.

Aerospace sales of $98.4 million were up slightly from last years third quarter. Operating profit decreased 5 percent to $15.3 million primarily driven by volume mix. For the first nine months, sales were up 2.1 percent to $289.4 million.