Graco's Form 10-Q, Third Quarter 2007

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 28, 2007

Commission File Number: 001-9249

  GRACO INC.  
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Minnesota   41-0285640


(State of incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

88 - 11th Avenue N.E.    
Minneapolis, Minnesota   55413


(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(612) 623-6000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

  Yes        X          No                 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Large Accelerated Filer       X       Accelerated Filer               Non-accelerated Filer             

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

  Yes                  No        X         

62,893,000 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $1.00 par value were outstanding as of October 18, 2007.

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

      Page Number
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
         
  Item 1. Financial Statements  
         
          Consolidated Statements of Earnings 3
          Consolidated Balance Sheets 4
          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 5
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6-13
         
         
  Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis  
        of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 14-17
         
  Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 18
         
  Item 4. Controls and Procedures 18
         
         
PART II OTHER INFORMATION  
         
  Item 1A. Risk Factors 19
         
  Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 19
         
  Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 20
         
  Item 6. Exhibits 20
         
         
         
SIGNATURES    
         
         
EXHIBITS    
  PART I  
Item 1.    
  GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS  
  (Unaudited)  
  (In thousands, except per share amounts)  


                     Thirteen Weeks Ended                    Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
Sep 28,
2007  
  Sep 29,
2006  
    Sep 28,
2007  
  Sep 29,
2006  
 
     
 

 
 
 

 
   
 

 
 
 

 
 
Net Sales     $ 207,270   $ 202,199     $ 636,149   $ 613,047  
                               
     Cost of products sold       96,624     95,588       298,409     286,263  
     
 

 
 
 

 
   
 

 
 
 

 
 
Gross Profit       110,646     106,611       337,740     326,784  
                               
     Product development       7,087     7,487       22,903     22,237  
     Selling, marketing and distribution       30,382     29,081       91,562     87,547  
     General and administrative       14,641     15,039       44,938     43,516  
     
 

 
 
 

 
   
 

 
 
 

 
 
Operating Earnings       58,536     55,004       178,337     173,484  
                               
     Interest expense       1,034     342       1,934     656  
     Other expense, net       39     170       25     179  
     
 

 
 
 

 
   
 

 
 
 

 
 
Earnings Before Income Taxes       57,463     54,492     176,378     172,649  
                               
     Income Taxes       18,200     17,100       59,200     58,500  
     
 

 
 
 

 
   
 

 
 
 

 
 
                               
Net Earnings     $ 39,263   $ 37,392     $ 117,178   $ 114,149  
     
 

 
 
 

 
   
 

 
 
 

 
 
Basic Net Earnings                            
     per Common Share     $ 0.61   $ 0.55     $ 1.78   $ 1.68  
                               
Diluted Net Earnings                              
   per Common Share     $ 0.60   $ 0.54     $ 1.75   $ 1.65  
                               
Cash Dividends Declared                              
   per Common Share     $ 0.17   $ 0.15     $ 0.50   $ 0.44  



See notes to consolidated financial statements.

  GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
  CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  
  (Unaudited)  
  (In thousands)  

  Sep 28, 2007 Dec. 29, 2006
ASSETS                
Current Assets    
       Cash and cash equivalents   $ 9,771   $ 5,871  
       Accounts receivable, less allowances of  
                $6,800 and $5,800    145,021    134,105  
       Inventories    77,592    76,311  
       Deferred income taxes    20,708    20,682  
       Other current assets    3,267    2,014  
            Total current assets    
 

256,359
 
 

238,983
 
                 
Property, Plant and Equipment  
       Cost    300,362    278,318  
       Accumulated depreciation    (162,937 )  (153,794 )
            Total property, plant and equipment, net    
 

137,425
 
 

124,524
 
                 
Prepaid Pension    29,261    26,903  
Goodwill    67,230    67,174  
Other Intangible Assets, net    44,103    50,325  
Other Assets       6,382     3,694  
            Total Assets  
$

540,760
 
$

511,603
 
     
 

 
 
 

 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   
Current Liabilities  
       Notes payable to banks   $ 17,324   $ 18,363  
       Trade accounts payable    31,706    27,442  
       Salaries, wages and commissions    19,071    26,303  
       Dividends payable    10,503    11,055  
       Other current liabilities    41,794    45,766  
            Total current liabilities    
 

120,398
 
 

128,929
 
                 
Long-term Debt    85,680      
Retirement Benefits and Deferred Compensation    38,009    36,946  
Uncertain Tax Positions    5,200      
Deferred Income Taxes    11,626    14,724  
                 
Shareholders' Equity  
       Common stock    63,485    66,805  
       Additional paid-in-capital    155,406    130,621  
       Retained earnings    65,813    138,702  
       Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)    (4,857 )  (5,124 )
            Total shareholders' equity    
 

279,847
 
 

331,004
 
            Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity  
$

540,760
 
$

511,603
 
     
 

 
 
 

 
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  
  (Unaudited) (In thousands)  
       Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
  Sep 28, 2007   Sep 29, 2006  
Cash Flows from Operating Activities            
   Net Earnings    $ 117,178   $ 114,149  
     Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to  
      net cash provided by operating activities:  
        Depreciation and amortization    20,770    19,031  
        Deferred income taxes    (3,059 )  (5,975 )
        Share-based compensation    6,297    6,508  
        Excess tax benefit related to share-based  
         payment arrangements    (4,154 )  (2,500 )
        Change in:  
          Accounts receivable    (7,383 )  (3,965 )
          Inventories    (907 )  (14,487 )
          Trade accounts payable    (1,477 )  2,383  
          Salaries, wages and commissions    (7,697 )  (1,484 )
          Retirement benefits and deferred compensation    (1,848 )  299  
          Other accrued liabilities    6,150    2,328  
          Other    (1,589 )  702  
Net cash provided by operating activities    
 

122,281
 
 

116,989
 
     
 

 
 
 

 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities   
   Property, plant and equipment additions    (28,207 )  (22,117 )
   Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment    207    101  
   Investment in life insurance    (1,499 )    
   Capitalized software and other intangible asset additions    (43 )  (200 )
   Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired        (31,067 )
Net cash used in investing activities    
 

(29,542
)
 

(53,283
)
     
 

 
 
 

 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities   
   Borrowings on notes payable and lines of credit    100,210    42,834  
   Payments on notes payable and lines of credit    (101,914 )  (29,320 )
   Borrowings on long-term line of credit    85,680      
   Excess tax benefit related to share-based  
    payment arrangements    4,154    2,500  
   Common stock issued    22,545    11,540  
   Common stock retired    (164,910 )  (69,754 )
   Cash dividends paid    (32,800 )  (29,679 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities    
 

(87,035
)
 

(71,879
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash    
 

(1,804
)
 

(1,299
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents    
 

3,900
 
 

(9,472
)
Cash and cash equivalents  
   Beginning of year    5,871    18,664  
   End of period    
$

9,771
 
$

9,192
 
     
 

 
 
 

 
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. The consolidated balance sheet of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 28, 2007 and the related statements of earnings for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2007 and September 29, 2006, and cash flows for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2007 and September 29, 2006 have been prepared by the Company and have not been audited.

  In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries as of September 28, 2007, and the results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented.

  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. Therefore, these statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

  The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that will be realized for the full fiscal year.

2. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

  Thirteen Weeks Ended     Thirty-nine Weeks Ended    
  Sep 28,  
    2007    
  Sep 29,  
    2006    
  Sep 28,  
    2007    
  Sep 29,  
    2006    
 
                             
Net earnings available to
   common shareholders
    $ 39,263   $ 37,392   $ 117,178   $ 114,149  
         
Weighted average shares
   outstanding for basic
   
   earnings per share       64,797     67,576     65,836     68,042  
         
Dilutive effect of stock
   options computed using the
  
   treasury stock method and  
   the average market price    921    1,135    998    1,151  
     
Weighted average shares
   outstanding for diluted
  
   earnings per share       65,718     68,711     66,834     69,193  
           
Basic earnings per share   $0.61   $0.55   $1.78   $1.68  
           
Diluted earnings per share    $0.60   $0.54   $ 1.75   $ 1.65  

  Stock options to purchase 1,043,000 and 1,030,000 shares were outstanding as of September 28, 2007 and September 29, 2006, respectively, but were not included in the computations of diluted earnings per share because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.

3. Information on option shares outstanding and option activity for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2007 is shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts):

  Option 
Shares 
Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
Price 
Options
Exercisable
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
                 
Outstanding, December 29, 2006       3,956   $ 24.79     2,272   $ 16.94  
     Granted       648     41.23  
     Exercised       (779 )   19.63  
     Canceled       (371 )   39.01  
Outstanding, September 28, 2007      
3,454
  $ 27.51     2,278   $ 21.44  
       
 
       

  The aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable option shares was $40.5 million as of September 28, 2007, with a weighted average contractual term of 4.8 years. There were approximately 3.4 million vested share options and share options expected to vest as of September 28, 2007, with an aggregate intrinsic value of $42.1 million, a weighted average exercise price of $27.23 and a weighted average contractual term of 6.0 years.

  Information related to options exercised in the first nine months of 2007 and 2006 follows (in thousands):

         Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
  Sep 28, 2007 Sep 29, 2006
Cash received $15,290 $4,516
Aggregate intrinsic value 16,625 8,204
Tax benefit realized 6,200 3,000

  The Company recognized year-to-date share-based compensation of $6.3 million in 2007 and $6.5 million in 2006. As of September 28, 2007, there was $10.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options, expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.

  The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions and results:

Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
  Sep 28, 2007    Sep 29, 2006   
Expected life in years 6.0    6.3   
Interest rate 4.7% 4.6%
Volatility 26.1% 27.8%
Dividend yield 1.6% 1.4%
Weighted average fair value per share $12.01    $12.97   

  Under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Company issued 202,000 shares in 2007 and 204,000 shares in 2006. The fair value of the employees’ purchase rights under this Plan was estimated on the date of grant. The benefit of the 15 percent discount from the lesser of the fair market value per common share on the first day and the last day of the plan year was added to the fair value of the employees’ purchase rights determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions and results:

  Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
  Sep 28, 2007    Sep 29, 2006   
Expected life in years 1.0    1.0   
Interest rate 4.9% 4.6%
Volatility 24.4% 24.0%
Dividend yield 1.6% 1.4%
Weighted average fair value per share $9.79    $10.18   

4. The components of net periodic benefit cost for retirement benefit plans were as follows (in thousands):

             Thirteen Weeks Ended        Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
Sep 28,  
2007    
Sep 29,  
2006    
Sep 28,  
2007    
Sep 29,  
2006    
Pension Benefits    
Service cost     $ 1,231   $ 998   $ 4,211   $ 4,072  
Interest cost   2,855     2,597     8,622     7,815  
Expected return on assets       (4,496 )   (3,923 )   (14,096 )   (12,273 )
Amortization and other       204     524     749     815  
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)  
$

(206
)
$

196
 
$

(514
)
$

429
 
     

 

 

 

 
Postretirement Medical   
Service cost   $ 75   $ 195   $ 375   $ 695  
Interest cost    360    351    975    1,191  
Amortization    (518 )  151    55    416  
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)    
$

(83
)
$

697
 
$

1,405
 
$

2,302
 
     

 

 

 

 

  In June 2007, the Company paid $1.5 million for contracts insuring the lives of certain employees who are eligible to participate in certain non-qualified pension and deferred compensation plans. These insurance contracts will be used to fund the non-qualified pension and deferred compensation arrangements. The insurance contracts are held in a trust and are available to general creditors in the event of the Company’s insolvency. Cash surrender value of $1.4 million is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 28, 2007.

5. Total comprehensive income was as follows (in thousands):

             Thirteen Weeks Ended        Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
Sep 28,  
2007    
Sep 29,  
2006    
Sep 28,  
2007    
Sep 29,  
2006    
 
Net income     $ 39,263   $ 37,392   $ 117,178   $ 114,149  
Foreign currency translation
   adjustments
  88     30     202     1,770  
Pension liability adjustment,
   net of tax
      40     3     121     (53 )
Hedge gain (loss), net of tax       (56 )       (56 )    
Comprehensive income  
$

39,335
 
$

37,425
 
$

117,445

$

115,866
 
     

 

 

 

 

  Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were (in thousands):

   Sep 28, 2007     Dec 29, 2006 
       
Cumulative translation adjustment $        142    $        (60)
Pension liability adjustment (4,943)   (5,064)
Hedge gain (loss) (56)   –  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
$    (4,857)
 
$    (5,124)
 
 

6. The Company has three reportable segments: Industrial, Contractor and Lubrication. The Company does not track assets by segment. Sales and operating earnings by segment for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2007 and September 29, 2006 were as follows (in thousands):

           Thirteen Weeks Ended        Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
Sep 28,  
2007    
Sep 29,  
2006    
Sep 28,  
2007    
Sep 29,  
2006    
Net Sales    
Industrial     $ 107,791   $ 101,149   $ 327,137   $ 305,864  
Contractor   76,649     78,659     240,631     249,518  
Lubrication       22,830     22,391     68,381     57,665  
Consolidated  
$

207,270
 
$

202,199
 
$

636,149
 
$

613,047
 
     

 

 

 

 
Operating Earnings   
Industrial   $ 37,597   $ 31,233   $111,570   $ 95,795  
Contractor    21,016    21,199    66,662    71,762  
Lubrication    2,584    4,747    7,844    13,968  
Unallocated corporate    (2,661 )  (2,175 )  (7,739 )  (8,041 )
Consolidated    
$

58,536
 
$

55,004
 
$

178,337
 
$

173,484
 
     

 

 

 

 

7. Major components of inventories were as follows (in thousands):

  Sep 28, 2007   Dec 29, 2006  
                 
Finished products and components   $ 53,075   $ 44,969  
Products and components in various  
     stages of completion    25,361    26,841  
Raw materials and purchased components    30,036    35,258  
   
 

108,472
 
 

107,068
 
Reduction to LIFO cost    (30,880 )  (30,757 )
Total  
$

77,592
 
$

76,311
 





8. Information related to other intangible assets follows (dollars in thousands):

  Estimated
Life
(Years)
Original
Cost
Accumulated
Amortization
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Book
Value
September 28, 2007                          
Customer relationships and     
    distribution network   4 - 8      $ 26,102   $ (10,156 ) $ 50   $ 15,996  
Patents, proprietary technology  
  and product documentation   5 - 15    22,243    (6,902 )  25    15,366  
Trademarks, trade names                          
   and other   3 - 10    4,684    (2,233 )  30    2,481  
           
 

53,029
 
 

(19,291
)
 

105
 
 

33,843
 
Not Subject to Amortization:  
   Brand names             10,260             10,260  
Total          
$

63,289
 
$

(19,291
)
$

105
 
$

44,103
 








December 29, 2006    
Customer relationships and    
  distribution network     4 - 8      $ 26,102   $ (7,335 ) $ 6   $ 18,773  
Patents, proprietary technology    
  and product documentation     5 - 15       22,243     (4,443 )   5     17,805  
Trademarks, trade names and    
  other     3 - 10       5,114     (1,641 )   14     3,487  
           
 

53,459
 
 

(13,419
)
 

25
 
 

40,065
 
Not Subject to Amortization:  
   Brand names        10,260            10,260  
Total          
$

63,719
 
$

(13,419
)
$

25
 
$

50,325
 









  Amortization of intangibles was $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2007 and $6.3 million year-to-date. Estimated annual amortization expense is as follows: $8.2 million in 2007, $7.8 million in 2008, $6.9 million in 2009, $5.8 million in 2010, $4.9 million in 2011 and $6.4 million thereafter.

9. Components of other current liabilities were (in thousands):

  Sep 28, 2007 Dec. 29, 2006
     
Accrued insurance liabilities $  8,048 $  7,833
Accrued warranty and service liabilities 6,666 6,675
Accrued trade promotions 5,071 7,265
Payable for employee stock purchases 4,364 5,846
Income taxes payable 474 3,920
Other 17,171 14,227
  Total
$41,794

$45,766
   
 

 

  A liability is established for estimated future warranty and service claims that relate to current and prior period sales. The Company estimates warranty costs based on historical claim experience and other factors including evaluating specific product warranty issues. Following is a summary of activity in accrued warranty and service liabilities (in thousands):

  Thirty-nine  
Weeks Ended
Sep 28, 2007
  Year Ended  
Dec. 29, 2006
 
                 
Balance, beginning of year     $ 6,675   $ 7,649  
Charged to expense    4,072    4,442  
Margin on parts sales reversed    2,300    1,944  
Reductions for claims settled    (6,381 )  (7,360 )
Balance, end of period  
$

6,666
 
$

6,675
 





10. Effective at the beginning of 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” The adoption of FIN 48 resulted in no adjustment to beginning retained earnings.

  At the beginning of 2007, the Company’s liability for uncertain tax positions was $5.5 million. Unrecognized tax benefits of $4.9 million would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. The Company records penalties and accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. At the beginning of 2007, approximately $0.6 million was included in the liability for uncertain tax positions for the possible payment of interest and penalties. There were no significant changes in components of the liability in the first nine months of 2007.

  With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or foreign income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2001. The Company’s U.S. income tax returns for 2004 and 2005 are currently under examination by the IRS. An estimate of the range of possible changes that may result from the examination cannot be made at this time.

  Approximately $1 million of unrecognized tax benefits relate to items that are affected by expiring statutes of limitations within the next 12 months.

11. In July 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with a syndicate of lenders providing an unsecured credit facility for 5 years. The new credit facility provides $250 million of unsecured committed credit with an option for an additional $150 million. The facility is available for general corporate purposes, working capital needs, share repurchases and acquisitions. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at either the bank’s prime rate, the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5 percent or the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a spread of between 0.23 percent and 0.57 percent, depending on the Company’s cash flow leverage ratio (debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.) The Company is also required to pay a facility fee on the full amount of the loan commitment at an annual rate ranging from 0.07 percent to 0.15 percent, depending on the Company’s cash flow leverage ratio. The agreement requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios as to cash flow leverage and interest coverage. The Company is in compliance with the covenants of the agreement.

  Upon securing the new facility, certain committed lines of credit totaling $50 million were terminated. Additional uncommitted lines totaling $55 million expired at the end of July 2007. At September 28, 2007, the Company's various lines of credit, including the new facility, totaled $295 million, of which $193 million was unused.

  In September 2007, the company entered into a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap contract that effectively fixes the rate paid on $40 million of variable rate borrowings at 4.73 percent plus the applicable spread (depending on cash flow leverage ratio) for a period of three years. The fair market value of the swap contract is included in other current liabilities. The contract has been designated as a hedge against interest rate volatility. Consequently, changes in the fair market value are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Item 2. GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
     
  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 

Results of Operations

Net earnings of $39 million for the quarter were 5 percent higher than net earnings in the third quarter last year. Sales of $207 million were 3 percent higher than the same period last year. Year-to-date net earnings of $117 million were 3 percent higher than last year and sales of $636 million were up 4 percent. Higher sales in Europe and Asia were offset to a great extent by lower sales in the Americas.

Foreign currency translation rates had a favorable impact on sales and net earnings. Translated at consistent exchange rates, net earnings and sales for the quarter were each up 1 percent. Year-to-date net earnings were down 1 percent and sales increased 2 percent.

Results include the operations of Lubriquip, which was acquired in July 2006. Sales of Lubriquip products contributed approximately 2 percentage points of year-to-date sales growth. Year-to-date costs and expenses related to moving and consolidation activities (including the consolidation of Gusmer operations completed in the first quarter) totaled approximately $2 million.

Net Sales

Sales by reportable segment and geographic area were as follows (in thousands):

Thirteen Weeks Ended      Thirty-nine Weeks Ended   
  Sep 28,
2007   
Sep 29,
2006   
Sep 28,
2007   
Sep 29,
2006   
Net Sales    
Industrial $107,791 $101,149 $327,137 $305,864
Contractor 76,649 78,659 240,631 249,518
Lubrication 22,830 22,391 68,381 57,665
Consolidated
$207,270

$202,199

$636,149

$613,047




By Geographic Area
Americas1 $124,373 $133,339 $386,400 $409,923
Europe2 53,109 43,334 161,154 128,234
Asia Pacific 29,788 25,526 88,595 74,890
Consolidated
$207,270

$202,199

$636,149

$613,047




1

North and South America, including the U.S.

2

Europe, Africa and Middle East


Industrial segment sales increased 7 percent for both the quarter and year-to-date. Double-digit percentage growth in Europe and Asia more than offset the 5 percent decrease in the Americas for both the quarter and year-to-date.

Contractor segment sales decreased 3 percent for the quarter and 4 percent year-to-date. Strong increases in Europe and Asia were not enough to offset the decrease in the Americas, where sales were down in both the home center and the professional paint store channels.

Lubrication segment sales increased 2 percent for the quarter and 19 percent year-to-date. The year-to-date increase is due to sales of Lubriquip products, acquired in mid-2006. Year-to-date sales in this segment increased in all geographic areas.

Gross Profit

Gross profit as a percentage of sales was 53.4 percent for the quarter compared to 52.7 percent for the third quarter last year. Translated at consistent exchange rates, gross profit percentage for the quarter is virtually the same as last year.

Year-to-date gross profit percentage was 53.1 percent in 2007 compared to 53.3 percent in 2006. The decrease was due mainly to lower margin rates on Lubriquip products, consolidation costs and higher material costs, offset somewhat by the favorable impacts of currency translation and pricing.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses for the quarter increased 1 percent. Product development and general and administrative expenses were down slightly while higher selling, marketing and distribution spending was in line with the sales increase.

Year-to-date operating expenses increased 4 percent, mostly due to expenses related to Lubriquip. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales are about the same as last year.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate of 32 percent for the quarter was 2 percentage points lower than the year-to-date rate. The lower rate in the quarter resulted from expiring statutes of limitations and a higher than expected benefit upon filing of prior year tax returns.

Effective tax rates were about the same as last year for both the quarter and year-to-date.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

In the first nine months of 2007, the Company used cash from operations and borrowings to purchase and retire $165 million of Company common stock. Other significant uses of cash in the first nine months of 2007 included $33 million for payment of dividends and $28 million for capital additions.

In the first nine months of 2006, the Company used primarily cash from operations to purchase and retire $70 million of Company common stock. Other significant uses of cash in the first nine months of 2006 included $31 million for the acquisition of Lubriquip, $30 million for payment of dividends and $22 million for capital additions.

In July 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with a syndicate of lenders providing $250 million of unsecured committed credit with an option for an additional $150 million. The new credit facility will be used for general corporate purposes including acquisitions and share repurchases. Upon securing the new facility, certain committed lines of credit totaling $50 million were terminated. Additional uncommitted lines totaling $55 million expired at the end of July 2007.

At September 28, 2007, the Company’s various lines of credit, including the new facility, totaled $295 million, of which $193 million was unused. Internally generated funds and unused financing sources provide the Company with the financial flexibility to meet liquidity needs.

Outlook

Management is optimistic about continued strength in the Company’s international businesses and remains cautious in its outlook for the Americas. Portions of the Company’s business that have ties to the housing sector in the Americas are expected to be soft until market conditions improve.

In September 2007, the Company announced the launch of new paint sprayers in the home center channel. The new sprayers are expected to generate higher per-store net sales; however sales to home centers in 2008 are estimated to be approximately $7 to $8 million lower than 2007 due to a reduction in the number of stores carrying the sprayers. Incremental expenses totaling approximately $5 million related to the launch and production of new units will be incurred over the next 15 months, including $0.5 million in 2007.

The integration of Lubriquip is on track for completion by the end of the year and the consolidation of Gusmer operations was completed in the first quarter. These integration activities will improve the contribution of the acquired products.

Management believes it can continue to guide the business to higher sales and earnings by making long-term investments in key growth strategies including new product development, expanding distribution, entering new markets and pursuing strategic acquisitions.

SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

A forward-looking statement is any statement made in this report and other reports that the Company files periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or in press or earnings releases, analyst briefings and conference calls, which reflects the Company’s current thinking on market trends and the Company’s future financial performance at the time they are made. All forecasts and projections are forward-looking statements.

The Company desires to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 by making cautionary statements concerning any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. The Company cannot give any assurance that the results forecasted in any forward-looking statement will actually be achieved. Future results could differ materially from those expressed, due to the impact of changes in various factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to: economic conditions in the United States and other major world economies, currency fluctuations, political instability, changes in laws and regulations, and changes in product demand. Please refer to Item 1A of, and Exhibit 99 to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2006 for a more comprehensive discussion of these and other risk factors.

Investors should realize that factors other than those identified above and in Item 1A and Exhibit 99 might prove important to the Company’s future results. It is not possible for management to identify each and every factor that may have an impact on the Company’s operations in the future as new factors can develop from time to time.

Item 3.       Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There are no material changes related to market risk from the disclosures made in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 4.       Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

As of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures. This evaluation was done under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, the Vice President and Controller, and the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Based upon that evaluation, they concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in gathering, analyzing and disclosing information needed to satisfy the Company’s disclosure obligations under the Exchange Act.

Changes in internal controls

During the quarter, there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A.      Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the Company’s risk factors from those disclosed in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.



Item 2.      Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

On February 17, 2006, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to purchase up to a total of 7,000,000 shares of its outstanding common stock, primarily through open-market transactions. This authorization expires on February 29, 2008. On September 28, 2007, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to purchase up to a total of an additional 7,000,000 shares. This authorization expires on September 30, 2009.

In addition to shares purchased under the Board authorizations, the Company purchases shares of common stock held by employees who wish to tender owned shares to satisfy the exercise price or tax withholding on option exercises.

Information on issuer purchases of equity securities follows:

Period                                                                                                   Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
Average
Price
Paid per
   Share   
Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans or
  Programs  
Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plans or
Programs
(at end of
    period)    
                    
Jun 30, 2007 – Jul 27, 2007    570,300 $39.45    570,300 2,464,500
                    
Jul 28, 2007 – Aug 24, 2007    467,300 $40.36    467,300 1,997,200
                    
Aug 25, 2007 – Sep 28, 2007 1,239,580 $38.98 1,239,580 7,757,620


Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
  None


Item 6. Exhibits
  4.1 Credit Agreement dated July 12, 2007, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and Bank of America, N.A. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated July 18, 2007.)

  10.1 Restoration Plan (2005 Statement). Second Amendment adopted August 15, 2007

  31.1 Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)

  31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)

  32 Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer, and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18, U.S.C.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

GRACO INC.      
 
 
Date:  October 24, 2007 By: /s/Patrick J. McHale
 
 
Patrick J. McHale
    President and Chief Executive Officer
      (Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
Date:  October 24, 2007 By: /s/James A. Graner
 
 
James A. Graner
    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
      (Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
Date:  October 24, 2007 By: /s/Caroline M. Chambers
 
 
Caroline M. Chambers
    Vice President and Controller
      (Principal Accounting Officer)