e10vq
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 March 26, 2010
Commission File Number: 001-09249
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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
             
Yes
      No    
 
           
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
             
Large Accelerated Filer
  X   Accelerated Filer    
 
           
Non-accelerated Filer
      Smaller reporting company    
 
           
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
             
Yes
      No   X
 
           
60,604,000 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $1.00 par value, were outstanding as of April 15, 2010.

 


 

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  
 
       
Item 2.       Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
    13  
 
       
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 6.       Exhibits
    20  
 
       
SIGNATURES
       
 
       
EXHIBITS
       

2


 

PART I
Item 1.
GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts)
                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended
    March 26,   March 27,
    2010   2009
 
               
Net Sales
  $ 164,721     $ 137,880  
 
               
Cost of products sold
    75,426       73,552  
 
       
 
               
Gross Profit
    89,295       64,328  
 
               
Product development
    9,474       10,051  
Selling, marketing and distribution
    29,160       31,933  
General and administrative
    17,955       16,215  
 
       
 
               
Operating Earnings
    32,706       6,129  
 
               
Interest expense
    1,080       1,366  
Other expense, net
    161       595  
 
       
 
               
Earnings Before Income Taxes
    31,465       4,168  
 
               
Income taxes
    10,900       1,400  
 
       
 
               
Net Earnings
  $ 20,565     $ 2,768  
 
       
 
               
Basic Net Earnings
per Common Share
  $ 0.34     $ 0.05  
 
               
Diluted Net Earnings
per Common Share
  $ 0.34     $ 0.05  
 
               
Cash Dividends Declared
per Common Share
  $ 0.20     $ 0.19  
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

3


 

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
                 
    March 26,   December 25,
    2010   2009
ASSETS
               
Current Assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 11,633     $ 5,412  
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $7,200 and $6,500
    119,109       100,824  
Inventories
    66,410       58,658  
Deferred income taxes
    21,123       20,380  
Other current assets
    3,874       3,719  
 
       
Total current assets
    222,149       188,993  
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
               
Cost
    335,820       334,440  
Accumulated depreciation
    (199,670 )     (195,387 )
 
       
Property, plant and equipment, net
    136,150       139,053  
 
Goodwill
    91,740       91,740  
Other Intangible Assets, net
    37,183       40,170  
Deferred Income Taxes
    10,014       8,372  
Other Assets
    8,047       8,106  
 
       
Total Assets
  $ 505,283     $ 476,434  
 
       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities
               
Notes payable to banks
  $ 14,051     $ 12,028  
Trade accounts payable
    24,021       17,983  
Salaries and incentives
    15,594       14,428  
Dividends payable
    12,025       12,003  
Other current liabilities
    51,697       47,373  
 
       
Total current liabilities
    117,388       103,815  
 
Long-term debt
    80,000       86,260  
Retirement Benefits and Deferred Compensation
    74,391       73,705  
Uncertain Tax Positions
    3,000       3,000  
 
Shareholders’ Equity
               
Common stock
    60,592       59,999  
Additional paid-in-capital
    200,653       190,261  
Retained earnings
    19,618       11,121  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (50,359 )     (51,727 )
 
       
Total shareholders’ equity
    230,504       209,654  
 
       
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 505,283     $ 476,434  
 
       
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

4


 

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited) (In thousands)
                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended
    March 26,   March 27,
    2010   2009
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
               
Net Earnings
  $ 20,565     $ 2,768  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    8,578       8,475  
Deferred income taxes
    (3,254 )     (52 )
Share-based compensation
    2,108       2,417  
Excess tax benefit related to share-based
payment arrangements
    (700 )     (200 )
Change in
               
Accounts receivable
    (19,601 )     18,588  
Inventories
    (7,849 )     5,525  
Trade accounts payable
    6,088       (4,044 )
Salaries and incentives
    1,333       (4,444 )
Retirement benefits and deferred compensation
    2,714       3,602  
Other accrued liabilities
    6,153       (5,692 )
Other
    (94 )     758  
 
       
Net cash provided by operating activities
    16,041       27,701  
 
       
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
               
Property, plant and equipment additions
    (2,847 )     (5,732 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
    57       567  
Capitalized software and other intangible asset additions
    (125 )     (46 )
 
       
Net cash used in investing activities
    (2,915 )     (5,211 )
 
       
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
               
Net borrowings (payments) on short-term lines of credit
    2,891       (995 )
Borrowings on long-term line of credit
          34,211  
Payments on long-term line of credit
    (6,260 )     (47,401 )
Excess tax benefit related to share-based
payment arrangements
    700       200  
Common stock issued
    7,984       4,949  
Common stock retired
    (52 )      
Cash dividends paid
    (12,002 )     (11,308 )
 
       
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (6,739 )     (20,344 )
 
       
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (166 )     534  
 
       
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    6,221       2,680  
Cash and cash equivalents:
               
Beginning of year
    5,412       12,119  
 
       
End of period
  $ 11,633     $ 14,799  
 
       
See notes to consolidated financial statements

5


 

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1.   The consolidated balance sheet of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of March 26, 2010 and the related statements of earnings for the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 2010 and March 27, 2009, and cash flows for the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 2010 and March 27, 2009 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 March 26, 2010, 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 financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2009 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
    March 26,   March 27,
    2010   2009
 
               
Net earnings available to
common shareholders
  $ 20,565     $ 2,768  
 
               
Weighted average shares
outstanding for basic
earnings per share
    60,206       59,638  
 
               
Dilutive effect of stock
options computed using the
treasury stock method and
the average market price
    507       265  
 
               
Weighted average shares
outstanding for diluted
earnings per share
    60,713       59,903  
 
               
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.34     $ 0.05  
 
               
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.34     $ 0.05  

6


 

    Stock options to purchase 3,103,000 and 4,034,000 shares were not included in the 2010 and 2009 computations of diluted earnings per share, respectively, because they would have been anti-dilutive.
3.   Information on option shares outstanding and option activity for the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 2010 is shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
                                 
            Weighted           Weighted
            Average           Average
    Option   Exercise   Options   Exercise
    Shares   Price   Exercisable   Price
 
                               
Outstanding, December 25, 2009
    4,813     $ 28.98       2,445     $ 28.38  
Granted
    733       26.97                  
Exercised
    (156 )     10.41                  
Canceled
    (13 )     34.94                  
 
                           
Outstanding, March 26, 2010
    5,377     $ 29.23       2,889     $ 29.85  
 
                           
    The Company recognized year-to-date share-based compensation of $2.1 million in 2010 and $2.4 million in 2009. As of March 26, 2010, there was $10.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options, expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.4 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:
                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended
    March 26,   March 27,
    2010   2009
Expected life in years
    6.0       6.0  
Interest rate
    2.7 %     2.1 %
Volatility
    33.8 %     29.9 %
Dividend yield
    3.0 %     3.7 %
Weighted average fair value per share
  $       7.16     $       4.25  
    Under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Company issued 436,000 shares in 2010 and 312,000 shares in 2009. 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:

7


 

                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended
    March 26,   March 27,
    2010   2009
Expected life in years
    1.0       1.0  
Interest rate
    0.3 %     0.7 %
Volatility
    47.8 %     51.5 %
Dividend yield
    2.9 %     4.5 %
Weighted average fair value per share
  $ 9.01     $ 5.60  
4.   The components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) for retirement benefit plans were as follows (in thousands):
                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended
    March 26,   March 27,
    2010   2009
Pension Benefits
               
Service cost
  $ 1,241     $ 1,279  
Interest cost
    3,277       3,220  
Expected return on assets
    (3,475 )     (2,700 )
Amortization and other
    1,504       2,414  
 
       
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)
  $ 2,547     $ 4,213  
 
       
 
               
Postretirement Medical
               
Service cost
  $ 125     $ 150  
Interest cost
    325       350  
 
       
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)
  $ 450     $ 500  
 
       
5.   Total comprehensive income was as follows (in thousands):
                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended
    March 26,   March 27,
    2010   2009
 
               
Net earnings
  $ 20,565     $ 2,768  
Cumulative translation
adjustment
          234  
Pension and postretirement
medical liability adjustment
    1,468       2,329  
Gain (loss) on interest
rate hedge contracts
    705       (73 )
 
               
Income taxes
    (805 )     (836 )
 
               
 
       
Comprehensive income
  $ 21,933     $ 4,422  
 
       

8


 

    Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were (in thousands):
                 
    March 26,   December 25,
    2010   2009
 
               
Pension and postretirement medical liability adjustment
  $ (47,634 )   $ (48,560 )
Gain (loss) on interest rate hedge contracts
    (1,902 )     (2,344 )
Cumulative translation adjustment
    (823 )     (823 )
 
       
Total
  $ (50,359 )   $ (51,727 )
 
       
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 weeks ended March 26, 2010 and March 27, 2009 were as follows (in thousands):
                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended
    March 26,   March 27,
    2010   2009
Net Sales
               
Industrial
  $ 96,792     $ 75,232  
Contractor
    50,797       47,448  
Lubrication
    17,132       15,200  
 
       
Total
  $ 164,721     $ 137,880  
 
       
Operating Earnings
               
Industrial
  $ 30,474     $ 11,495  
Contractor
    4,883       1,239  
Lubrication
    1,707       (1,436 )
Unallocated corporate (expense)
    (4,358 )     (5,169 )
 
       
Total
  $ 32,706     $ 6,129  
 
       
7.   Major components of inventories were as follows (in thousands):
                 
    March 26,     December 25,  
    2010     2009  
 
               
Finished products and components
  $ 40,353     $ 36,665  
Products and components in various
stages of completion
    24,087       22,646  
Raw materials and purchased components
    34,773       31,826  
 
       
 
    99,213       91,137  
Reduction to LIFO cost
    (32,803 )     (32,479 )
 
       
Total
  $ 66,410     $ 58,658  
 
       

9


 

8.   Information related to other intangible assets follows (dollars in thousands):
                                       
    Estimated                   Foreign    
    Life   Original   Accumulated   Currency   Book
    (years)   Cost   Amortization   Translation   Value
March 26, 2010
                                   
                             
Customer relationships
  3 - 8   $ 41,075     $ (20,201 )   $ (181 )   $ 20,693  
Patents, proprietary technology and product documentation
  3 - 10     21,072       (12,751 )     (85 )     8,236  
Trademarks, trade names
and other
  3 - 10     8,154       (3,080 )           5,074  
 
                   
 
                                   
 
        70,301       (36,032 )     (266 )     34,003  
Not Subject to Amortization:
                                   
Brand names
        3,180                   3,180  
 
                   
 
                                   
Total
      $ 73,481     $ (36,032 )   $ (266 )   $ 37,183  
 
                   
 
                                   
December 25, 2009
                                   
                             
Customer relationships
  3 - 8   $ 41,075     $ (18,655 )   $ (181 )   $ 22,239  
Patents, proprietary technology and product documentation
  3 - 10     22,862       (13,708 )     (87 )     9,067  
Trademarks, trade names
and other
  3 - 10     8,154       (2,470 )           5,684  
 
                   
 
                                   
 
        72,091       (34,833 )     (268 )     36,990  
Not Subject to Amortization:
                                   
Brand names
        3,180                   3,180  
 
                   
 
                                   
Total
      $ 75,271     $ (34,833 )   $ (268 )   $ 40,170  
 
                   
    Amortization of intangibles was $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2010. Estimated annual amortization expense is as follows: $10.9 million in 2010, $10.7 million in 2011, $9.5 million in 2012, $4.3 million in 2013, $0.9 million in 2014 and $0.7 million thereafter.

10


 

9.   Components of other current liabilities were (in thousands):
                 
    March 26,     December 25,  
    2010     2009  
 
               
Accrued self-insurance retentions
   $ 7,793      $ 7,785   
Accrued warranty and service liabilities
    7,325        7,437   
Accrued trade promotions
    2,745        2,953   
Payable for employee stock purchases
    718        5,115   
Income taxes payable
    11,228        1,550   
Other
    21,888        22,533   
 
           
Total other current liabilities
   $ 51,697       $ 47,373   
 
           
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):
                 
    Thirteen    
    Weeks Ended   Year Ended
    March 26,   December 25,
    2010   2009
 
               
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 7,437     $ 8,033  
Charged to expense
    880       4,548  
Margin on parts sales reversed
    746       2,876  
Reductions for claims settled
    (1,738 )     (8,020 )
 
       
Balance, end of period
  $ 7,325     $ 7,437  
 
       
10.   The Company accounts for all derivatives, including those embedded in other contracts, as either assets or liabilities and measures those financial instruments at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on their intended use and designation.
 
    As part of its risk management program, the Company may periodically use forward exchange contracts and interest rate swaps to manage known market exposures. Terms of derivative instruments are structured to match the terms of the risk being managed and are generally held to maturity. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. All other contracts that contain provisions meeting the definition of a derivative also meet the requirements of, and have been designated as, normal purchases or sales. The Company’s policy is to not enter into contracts with terms that cannot be designated as normal purchases or sales.
 
    In 2007, the Company entered into interest rate swap contracts that effectively fix the rates paid on a total of $80 million of variable rate borrowings. One contract fixed the rate on $40 million of borrowings at 4.7 percent plus the applicable spread (depending on cash flow leverage ratio) until December 2010. The second contract fixed an

11


 

additional $40 million of borrowings at 4.6 percent plus the applicable spread until January 2011. Both contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges against interest rate volatility. Consequently, changes in the fair market value are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI). Amounts included in AOCI will be reclassified to earnings as interest rates increase and as the swap contracts approach their expiration dates. Net amounts paid or payable under terms of the contracts were charged to interest expense and totaled $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2010.
The Company periodically evaluates its monetary asset and liability positions denominated in foreign currencies. The Company enters into forward contracts or options, or borrows in various currencies, in order to hedge its net monetary positions. These instruments are recorded at current market values and the gains and losses are included in other expense (income), net. There were seven contracts outstanding as of March 26, 2010, with notional amounts totaling $16 million. The Company believes it uses strong financial counterparts in these transactions and that the resulting credit risk under these hedging strategies is not significant.
The Company uses significant other observable inputs to value the derivative instruments used to hedge interest rate volatility and net monetary positions. The fair market value and balance sheet classification of such instruments follows (in thousands):
                     
    Balance Sheet   March 26,     December 25,  
    Classification   2010     2009  
Gain (loss) on interest
rate hedge contracts
  Other current liabilities   $ (3,017)   $ (3,722)
 
               
 
                   
Gain (loss) on foreign
currency forward contracts
                   
Gains
      $ 130      $ 207   
Losses
        (188)     (249)
 
               
Net
  Other current liabilities   $ (58)   $ (42)  
 
               

12


 

         
Item 2.   GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES    
         
    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF    
    FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS    
Overview
 
The Company designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid materials. Management classifies the Company’s business into three reportable segments: Industrial, Contractor and Lubrication. Key strategies include developing and marketing new products, expanding distribution globally, opening new markets with technology and channel expansion and completing strategic acquisitions.
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis reviews significant factors affecting the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements.
Results of Operations
 
Net sales, net earnings and earnings per share were as follows (in millions except per share amounts and percentages):
                         
    Thirteen Weeks Ended  
    March 26,     March 27,     %  
    2010     2009     Change  
 
                       
Net Sales
  $ 164.7      $ 137.9        19%
Net Earnings
  $ 20.6      $ 2.8        640%
Diluted Net Earnings
per Common Share
  $ 0.34      $ 0.05        580%
Sales, gross profit margins and net earnings improved significantly compared to last year. Sales increased in all segments and geographic regions. Currency translation had a favorable effect on sales ($5 million) and net earnings ($2 million). Costs of $4 million related to a workforce reduction were included in last year’s results.

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Consolidated Results
Sales by geographic area were as follows (in millions):
                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended  
    March 26,     March 27,  
    2010     2009  
 
               
Americas1
  $ 86.7      $ 80.2   
Europe2
    41.8        35.8   
Asia Pacific
    36.2        21.9   
 
           
Consolidated
  $ 164.7      $ 137.9   
 
           
1 North and South America, including the U.S.
2 Europe, Africa and Middle East
Sales in Asia Pacific increased 65 percent (55 percent at consistent translation rates), accounting for more than half of the increase in sales. In Europe, sales increased 17 percent (11 percent at consistent translation rates). Sales in the Americas increased 8 percent.
Gross profit margin, expressed as a percentage of sales, was 54 percent, up from 47 percent for the first quarter last year. The increase included approximately 11/2 percentage points from the favorable effects of currency translation. Costs related to workforce reductions lowered the 2009 first quarter gross margin rate approximately 2 percentage points. Higher production volume in 2010 contributed approximately 11/2 percentage points to the increase in gross margin rate. Lower material and pension costs and price increases also contributed to the increase in 2010 margin rate.
Total operating expenses were down 3 percent. The effect of cost reduction actions in 2008 and 2009 and lower pension expense were partially offset by the effects of currency translation and increases in bad debt expense and incentives.
The effective income tax rate of 341/2 percent was 1 percentage point higher in 2010 compared to 2009. The federal R&D credit has not been renewed for 2010, so no credit was included in the 2010 rate.

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Segment Results
Certain measurements of segment operations compared to last year are summarized below:
Industrial
 
                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended  
    March 26,     March 27,  
    2010     2009  
 
Net sales (in millions)
               
Americas
  $ 41.9      $ 35.8   
Europe
    27.9        23.8   
Asia Pacific
    27.0        15.6   
 
           
Total
  $ 96.8      $ 75.2   
 
           
 
               
Operating earnings as a
percentage of net sales
    31 %     15 %
 
           
Industrial segment sales increased 17 percent in the Americas, 17 percent in Europe (11 percent at consistent translation rates) and 74 percent in Asia Pacific (65 percent at consistent translation rates.)
Higher volume and lower costs and expenses (from actions taken in 2009 and 2008), along with currency translation and price increases, contributed to the improvement in operating earnings as a percentage of sales.
Contractor
 
                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended  
    March 26,     March 27,  
    2010     2009  
 
Net sales (in millions)
               
Americas
  $ 31.9      $ 31.7   
Europe
    12.6        10.9   
Asia Pacific
    6.3        4.8   
 
           
Total
  $ 50.8      $ 47.4   
 
           
 
               
Operating earnings as a
percentage of net sales
    10 %     3 %
 
           
Contractor segment sales were flat in the Americas, increased 16 percent in Europe (10 percent at consistent translation rates) and increased 30 percent in Asia Pacific (20 percent at consistent translation rates).
The increase in sales volume along with improved gross margin rate drove the increase in operating earnings. Overall, segment expenses were flat compared to last year, although product development spending increased as work neared completion on a new product release.

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Lubrication
 
                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended  
    March 26,     March 27,  
    2010     2009  
Net sales (in millions)
               
Americas
  $ 12.8      $ 12.6   
Europe
    1.4        1.1   
Asia Pacific
    2.9        1.5   
 
           
Total
  $ 17.1      $ 15.2   
 
           
 
               
Operating earnings as a
percentage of net sales
    10 %     (9)%
 
           
Lubrication segment sales were flat in the Americas. From small bases, sales increased 33 percent in Europe (27 percent at consistent translation rates) and 95 percent in Asia Pacific (73 percent at consistent translation rates).
Higher volume and lower costs and expenses (from actions taken in 2009 and 2008), along with currency translation, contributed to the improvement in operating earnings as a percentage of sales.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
In the first quarter of 2010, the Company used cash to reduce borrowings under its long-term line of credit by $6 million and paid dividends of $12 million. Significant uses of cash and borrowings in the first quarter of 2009 included $13 million for reduction of borrowings under the long-term line of credit and $11 million for payment of dividends.
Since the end of 2009, inventories increased by $8 million to meet higher demand. Accounts receivable increased by $18 million due to higher sales levels.
At March 26, 2010, the Company had various lines of credit totaling $270 million, of which $178 million was unused. Internally generated funds and unused financing sources are expected to provide the Company with the flexibility to meet its liquidity needs in 2010.

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Outlook
Management remains cautious about the short-term base business prospects of the Contractor segment in North America and Western Europe, as the residential construction recovery is still weak and commercial construction markets remain depressed. New product introductions in Contractor may provide some upside to the difficult end-market conditions as the year progresses.
While the improvement in the Lubrication segment is encouraging, a return to historical operating margins will require significant additional volume as the segment continues to invest in growth initiatives.
During the recession, management remained committed to making significant organic growth investments in new product development, international sales people and global distribution channel. While these investments weigh on short-term profitability, especially in the face of significant revenue declines, we are confident that this approach has positioned the Company well to deliver solid long-term shareholder returns.
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 2009 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.

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Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There have been no material changes related to market risk from the disclosures made in the Company’s 2009 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.

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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 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
On September 18, 2009, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to purchase up to 6,000,000 shares of its outstanding common stock, primarily through open-market transactions. The authorization expires on September 30, 2012.
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:
                                 
                            Maximum  
                    Total     Number of  
                    Number     Shares that  
                    of Shares     May Yet Be  
                    Purchased     Purchased  
                    as Part of     Under the  
    Total     Average     Publicly     Plans or  
    Number     Price     Announced     Programs  
    of Shares     Paid per     Plans or     (at end of  
Period   Purchased     Share     Programs     period)  
 
                               
Dec 26, 2009 – Jan 22, 2010
        $             6,000,000   
 
                               
Jan 23, 2010 – Feb 19, 2010
    1,868      $ 27.58              6,000,000   
 
                               
Feb 20, 2010 – Mar 26, 2010
        $             6,000,000   

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Item 6.   Exhibits
    4.1   Rights Agreement, dated as of February 12, 2010, between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on February 16, 2010).
 
  10.1   Executive Officer Compensation Recoupment Policy adopted by the Management Organization and Compensation Committee of the Graco Inc. Board of Directors on February 12, 2010.
 
  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 President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer, and Vice President and Controller pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18, U.S.C.
 
  99.1   Press Release, Reporting First Quarter Earnings, dated April 21, 2010.
 
  100   XBRL-Related Documents.

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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:
     April 21, 2010   By:       /s/ Patrick J. McHale
 
           
 
              Patrick J. McHale
 
              President and Chief Executive Officer
 
              (Principal Executive Officer)
 
           
Date:
     April 21, 2010   By:       /s/ James A. Graner
 
           
 
              James A. Graner
 
              Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
              (Principal Financial Officer)
 
           
Date:
     April 21, 2010   By:       /s/ Caroline M. Chambers
 
           
 
              Caroline M. Chambers
 
              Vice President and Controller
 
              (Principal Accounting Officer)