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 June 26, 1998

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)



4050 Olson Memorial Highway
Golden Valley, Minnesota                                                 (55422)
- ----------------------------------------                              ----------
(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
                                  ------          -----------

         20,039,793 common shares were outstanding as of July 24, 1998.




                              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                          6-8

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis
         of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations                                              9-12

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                  13
Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                     14

SIGNATURES                                                                    15

Eighth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated May 28, 1998
between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association,
formerly First Bank National Association                               Exhibit 4

Stock Repurchase Agreement dated May 18, 1998 between
Graco Inc. and David A. Koch, Paul M. Torgerson and U.S. Bank
Trust National Association SD, as Trustees of the Trust
administered pursuant to Article V of the Last Will and
Testament and Codicil thereto of Clarissa L. Gray.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's
Report on Form 8-K dated June 5, 1998.)                               Exhibit 10

Computation of Net Earnings per Common Share                          Exhibit 11
Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR filing only)                           Exhibit 27



                                       2



                                     PART I

                           GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 1.                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

                                   (Unaudited)

                                            Thirteen Weeks Ended             Twenty-Six Weeks Ended      
                                            --------------------             ----------------------      
                                        June 26, 1998   June 27, 1997    June 26, 1998   June 27, 1997
                                                  (In thousands except per share amounts)

                                                                                       
Net Sales                               $     115,153   $     111,721    $     220,870   $     203,820

   Cost of products sold                       57,066          58,322          110,838         105,888
                                        -------------   -------------    -------------   -------------
 
Gross Profit                                   58,087          53,399          110,032          97,932
 
   Product development                          4,716           4,828            9,498           9,653
   Selling                                     21,550          23,764           44,197          45,397
   General and administrative                  12,254           8,284           22,419          16,839
                                        -------------   -------------    -------------   ------------- 
Operating Profit                               19,567          16,523           33,918          26,043

   Interest expense                               173             240              398             447
   Other (income) expense, net                   (171)            615              108             247
                                        -------------   -------------    -------------   -------------
Earnings Before Income Taxes                   19,565          15,668           33,412          25,349

Income taxes                                    6,800           5,250           11,700           8,750
                                        -------------   -------------    -------------   -------------
Net Earnings                            $      12,765   $      10,418    $      21,712   $      16,599
                                        =============   =============    =============   =============

Basic Net Earnings Per Common Share*    $         .49   $         .41    $         .84   $         .65
                                        =============   =============    =============   ============= 
Diluted Net Earnings Per Common Share*            .48   $         .40    $         .82   $         .64
                                        =============   =============    =============   ============= 
Basic Weighted Average Number
of Common Shares*                              25,817          25,701           25,644          25,680

Diluted Weighted Average Number
of Common Shares*                              26,755          26,208           26,497          26,243

*All 1997 per share data has been restated for the three-for-two stock split paid February 4, 1998.

                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       3
GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) June 26, 1998 December 26, 1997 ------------- ----------------- ASSETS (Unaudited) Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 34,226 $ 13,523 Accounts receivable, less allowances of $5,200 and $4,100 86,499 86,148 Inventories 43,822 43,942 Deferred income taxes 11,322 11,140 Other current assets 1,526 1,539 ------------- ----------------- Total current assets 177,395 156,292 Property, Plant and Equipment: Cost 199,671 196,940 Accumulated depreciation (101,065) (96,760) ------------- ----------------- 98,606 100,180 Other Assets 7,797 8,060 ------------- ----------------- $ 283,798 $ 264,532 ============= ================= LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Notes payable to banks $ 4,472 $ 2,911 Current portion of long-term debt 1,788 1,796 Trade accounts payable 12,731 12,542 Salaries, wages & commissions 12,586 14,903 Accrued insurance liabilities 10,887 10,227 Income taxes payable 6,089 5,546 Other current liabilities 21,526 21,055 ------------- ----------------- Total current liabilities 68,874 68,980 Long-term Debt, less current portion 5,422 6,163 Retirement Benefits and Deferred Compensation 31,301 31,880 Shareholders' Equity: Common stock 25,833 25,553 Additional paid-in capital 29,970 26,085 Retained earnings 121,376 105,030 Other, net 1,022 841 ------------- ----------------- Total shareholders' equity 178,201 157,509 ------------- ----------------- $ 283,798 $ 264,532 ============= ================= See notes to consolidated financial statements. 4 GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) Twenty-Six Weeks ---------------- June 26, 1998 June 27, 1997 ------------- ------------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: (In thousands) Net Earnings $ 21,712 $ 16,599 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 7,864 7,284 Deferred income taxes (436) (1,715) Change in: Accounts receivable (2,063) (8,832) Inventories 45 (3,042) Trade accounts payable 236 950 Retirement benefits and deferred compensation (348) 1,286 Other accrued liabilities (1,816) (7,633) Other 538 (1,055) ------------- ------------- 25,732 3,842 ------------- ------------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Property, plant and equipment additions (6,492) (12,881) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 386 1,555 ------------- ------------- (6,106) (11,326) ------------- ------------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Borrowing on notes payable and lines of credit 5,789 37,420 Payments on notes payable and lines of credit (3,960) (28,805) Payments on long-term debt (722) (714) Common stock issued 4,164 2,850 Retirement of common stock (12) (5,145) Cash dividends paid (5,649) (4,836) ------------- ------------- (390) 770 ------------- ------------- Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 1,467 2,437 ------------- ------------- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 20,703 (4,277) Cash and cash equivalents: Beginning of year 13,523 6,535 ------------- ------------- End of period $ 34,226 $ 2,258 ============= ============= 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 June 26, 1998 and the related statements of earnings for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 1998, and June 27, 1997, and cash flows for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 1998, and June 27, 1997, have been prepared by the Company without being audited. In the opinion of management, these consolidated statements reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries as of June 26, 1998, 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 1997 Form 10-K. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results which will be realized for the full fiscal year. 2. Major components of inventories were as follows (in thousands): June 26, 1998 Dec 26, 1997 ------------- ------------ Finished products and components $ 35,897 $ 38,290 Products and components in various stages of completion 25,527 25,320 Raw materials 18,846 16,715 ------------- ------------ 80,270 80,325 Reduction to LIFO cost (36,448) (36,383) ------------- ------------ $ 43,822 $ 43,942 6 GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued) 3. In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information", which will be effective for the Company at the end of the 1998 fiscal year. SFAS No. 131 redefines how operating segments are determined and requires disclosure of certain financial and descriptive information about a company's operating segments. The Company has not yet determined the nature of its segments, nor has it determined how adoption of SFAS No. 131 will impact its future disclosures. 4. To match North American and European fiscal years, Europe's December 1997 operating results were recorded as an adjustment to equity. Those results included sales of $3,836,000 and net earnings of $300,000. The results of operations for Graco Inc. for the quarter ended June 26, 1998 include Europe's operations for the months of April, May and June. Second quarter 1997 results included the months of March, April and May, 1997. The inclusion of the months of April, May, and June in the operating results for Europe in the second quarter of 1997 would have had an immaterial impact on sales, net earnings, and diluted earnings per share. 5. On July 2, 1998, the Company repurchased 5,800,000 shares of common stock, for $190,887,000, from its largest shareholder, the Trust under the Will of Clarissa L. Gray, pursuant to an agreement executed in May, 1998. The stock repurchase was funded with cash of $32,887,000 and $158,000,000 from the credit facility discussed below. On July 2, 1998 the Company entered into a five-year $190,000,000 reducing revolving credit facility (the Revolver) with a syndicate of ten banks including the lead bank, US Bank National Association. The Company's initial borrowing of $158,000,000 financed a portion of the stock repurchase discussed above. $135,500,000 of the outstanding balance bears interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 0.625%. The remaining $22,500,000 balance bears interest at Prime. The Revolver requires quarterly reductions of the maximum amount of the credit line, and requires the Company to maintain certain financial covenants as to net worth, cash flow leverage and fixed charge coverage. In conjunction with the aforementioned Revolver, the Company entered into a two-year, $75,000,000 interest rate swap agreement on July 2, 1998 with Wachovia Bank, National Association to manage its exposure to interest rate changes. 7 GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued) 5. (cont.) The pro forma net income of the Company, assuming the stock repurchase and related signing of the Revolver had occurred on December 27, 1997, would have been $18.3 million for the six months ended June 26, 1998, including the impact of increased interest expense net of related income taxes. For the six months then ended, the pro forma basic and diluted earnings per share are $.92 and $.88. The pro forma condensed balance sheet of the Company as of June 26, 1998 is shown below. June 26, 1998 June 26, 1998 As Reported Pro Forma ------------- ------------- Cash $ 34,226 $ 1,226 Current Assets 177,395 144,395 Total Assets 283,798 250,798 Current Liabilities 68,874 68,874 Long-term Debt 5,422 163,422 Total Liabilities 105,597 263,597 Shareholders' Equity $ 178,201 $ (12,799) Common Shares Outstanding 25,836 20,036 8 Item 2. GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Results of Operations - --------------------- Net earnings of $12.8 million for the quarter ended June 26, 1998 increased 23 percent over the second quarter of 1997 earnings of $10.4 million. For the six months ended June 26, 1998, net earnings of $21.7 million were 31 percent over 1997 earnings of $16.6 million. The quarterly earnings improvement was driven by higher sales and improved gross margins. The following table sets forth items from the Company's Consolidated Statements of Earnings as percentages of net sales: Second Quarter Six Months (13 weeks) Ended (26 weeks) Ended --------------------- --------------------- June 26 June 27 June 26 June 27 1998 1997 1998 1997 ------- ------- ------- ------- Net Sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% ------- ------- ------- ------- Cost of Products Sold 49.6 52.2 50.2 52.0 Product Development 4.1 4.3 4.3 4.7 Selling 18.7 21.3 20.0 22.3 General and Administrative 10.6 7.4 10.2 8.3 ------- ------- ------- ------- Operating Profit 17.0 14.8 15.4 12.7 ------- ------- ------- ------- Interest Expense (.2) (.2) (.2) (.2) ------- ------- ------- ------- Other Income(Expense), Net .2 (.6) (.1) (.1) ------- ------- ------- ------- Earnings Before Income Taxes 17.0 14.0 15.1 12.4 Income Taxes 5.9 4.7 5.3 4.3 ------- ------- ------- ------- Net Earnings 11.1% 9.3% 9.8% 8.1% ======= ======= ======= ======= Net Sales Net sales in the second quarter of $115.2 million were 3 percent higher than the same period last year. Year-to-date sales of $220.9 million were 8 percent higher than the first six months of 1997. The improved sales level was achieved despite a negative currency impact, which reduced the sales increase by 2 percent for the quarter and 3 percent for the six month period. 9 Industrial/Automotive Equipment Division sales improved 4 percent to $59.3 million for the quarter, driven by increased sales in the Americas and Europe. Sales for the six month period ended June 26, 1998 in Industrial/Automotive of $116.7 million were 9 percent higher than 1997. Second quarter Contractor Equipment Division sales of $44.3 million were 5 percent higher than last year due primarily strong demand in North America and Europe. Year-to-date sales in the Contractor Equipment Division were up 11 percent to $81.6 million. Lubrication Equipment Division quarterly sales decreased 6 percent to $11.6 million. Sales of $22.7 million for the first six months in the Lubrication Equipment Division were down 2 percent over the same period last year. Geographically, sales in the Americas (North, South and Central) increased 7 percent to $81.2 million for the quarter primarily due to strong Contractor and Industrial/Automotive activity. Year-to-date sales in the Americas of $153.1 million are up 11 percent over the same period last year. Sales in Europe for the quarter of $24.4 million were 12 percent higher than last year (including a 4 percent decline due to exchange rates). European sales for the six months ended June 26, 1998 of $47.8 million improved 23 percent from the same period last year (including an 6 percent decline due to exchange rates). The growth in Europe was attributable primarily to strong Industrial/Automotive and Contractor activity. Asia Pacific sales of $9.5 million were 32 percent lower than last year's second quarter (including a 10 percent decline due to exchange rates) due primarily to the instability in the economies of Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Gross Profit Gross profit as a percentage of net sales improved to 50.4 percent in the second quarter, compared to 47.8 percent for the same period last year. Gross profit margin for six months of 49.8 percent increased 1.8 percentage points from the 1997 rate. The increases for the quarter and six months were primarily the result of improvements in manufacturing processes, disciplined purchasing, increased sales volumes, and price increases. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar has reduced gross margins as a greater proportion of the Company's sales than costs are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Operating Expenses Second quarter operating expenses of $38.5 million increased 4 percent from the second quarter of 1997. Operating expenses of $76.1 million for the first six months were 6% above the 1997 level. General and administrative expenses increased $4.0 million for the quarter due primarily to information systems expenses related to the Year 2000 conversion and non-recurring charges for restructuring Graco's operations in Japan. Selling expenses were 9 percent lower than the same quarter last year. Current year headcount reductions have partially contributed to the decreased expenses. Product development costs were relatively flat in comparison to the second quarter of 1997. 10 Other Income (Expense) Other income was $.2 million in the second quarter, compared to $.6 million of expense for the same period last year. The second quarter of 1998 included higher interest income while the second quarter of 1997 included foreign exchange losses. Other expense for the six months ended June 26, 1998 was $.1 million, compared to $.2 million in the same period of 1997. Income Taxes The quarterly and six month effective income tax rates were 34.8 percent and 34.5 percent, respectively compared to 35.0 percent for the six month period last year. Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company generated $25.7 million of cash flow from operating activities in the first six months of 1998, compared to $3.8 million for the same period last year. Significant uses of operating cash flow in 1998 included an increase in accounts receivable balances and a reduction in other accrued liabilities, most significantly advances from customers related to custom system orders which are being replaced by packaged solutions. Available cash and borrowing on lines of credit of $5.8 million were used to fund short-term operating needs, finance capital expenditures of $6.5 million and pay dividends of $5.6 million. The Company had unused lines of credit available at June 26, 1998 totaling $65.7 million. On July 2, 1998 the Company repurchased 5.8 million shares of its stock and entered into $190,000,000 reducing revolving credit facility to fund a portion of the repurchase. See Note 5 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion. The credit facility discussed in Note 5 of the Consolidated Financial Statements and other existing credit facilities and internally-generated funds provide the Company with the financial flexibility to meet liquidity needs. Year 2000 Information System Disclosures The Company is continuing its program, begun in 1996, to ensure that all hardware and software will be year 2000 compliant. A dedicated project team is expected to complete the conversion of core business applications in 1998. Additional teams have initiated year 2000 compliance projects on the Company's network, operating system software, and distributed systems. The Company has incurred costs totaling $2 million during 1998, and estimates a total of an additional $3 to $6 million to be spent in the remainder of 1998 and 1999 to resolve year 2000 issues. These costs are charged to expense as incurred and include software license fees and allocation of internal staff time. Incremental costs associated with year 2000 compliance are not anticipated to result in significant increases in future operating expenses and are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, liquidity and capital resources. Rather, existing resources are being redeployed and other projects are being delayed to accommodate year 2000 related projects. A contingency plan is being developed in 1998 for critical business applications to mitigate potential problems or delays associated with either new system replacements or established vendor delivery dates. Additionally, the Company is working with customers and suppliers to assess the potential impact of their year 2000 compliance issues on Graco. Although all companies have risks associated with the year 2000, management believes that sufficient resources have been allocated and project plans are in place which will result in uninterrupted business activity with no material impact on operations or operating results. 11 Outlook The Company is optimistic about the balance of the year with strong order levels in the Contractor and Industrial/Automotive Equipment Divisions as the third quarter begins. Backlog at June 26, 1998 stands at $25 million, up $4 million since the beginning of the year driven by a strong economy in North America. The Company has undertaken a number of restructuring efforts to improve its effectiveness in the markets it serves, and increase the company's operating margins and net profits. These efforts will continue in 1998. SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY STATEMENT The information in this 10-Q contains "forward-looking statements" about the Company's expectations of the future, which are subject to certain risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expectations. These factors include economic conditions in the United States and other major world economies, currency exchange fluctuations, and additional factors identified in Exhibit 99 to the Company's Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 1997. 12 PART II Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 4, 1998, Dale R. Olseth, Charles M. Osborne, Jerald L. Scott, and William G. VanDyke were elected to the Office of Director with the following votes: FOR WITHHELD ---------- -------- Dale R. Olseth 24,361,361 136,171 Charles M. Osborne 24,365,691 131,841 Jerald L. Scott 24,396,545 100,987 William G. VanDyke 24,392,962 104,571 At the same meeting, the following matter was also voted upon with the votes as indicated: The selection of Deloitte & Touche as independent auditors for the current year was approved and ratified, with the following votes: For Against Abstentions Broker Non-Vote --- ------- ----------- --------------- 24,405,829 28,600 63,104 0 No other matters were voted on at the meeting. 13 PART II (continued) Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K. (a) Exhibits Eighth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated May 28, 1998 between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, formerly First Bank National Association. Exhibit 4 Computation of Net Earnings per Common Share. Exhibit 11 Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR filing only). Exhibit 27 (b) Reports on Form 8-K Stock Repurchase Agreement dated May 18, 1998 between Graco Inc. and David A. Koch, Paul M. Torgerson and U.S. Bank Trust National Association SD, as Trustees of the Trust administered pursuant to Article V of the Last Will and Testament and Codicil thereto of Clarissa L. Gray. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated June 5, 1998.) Exhibit 10 14 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: August 3, 1998 By:/s/George Aristides George Aristides Chief Executive Officer Date: August 3, 1998 By:/s/James A. Graner James A. Graner Vice President & Controller ("duly authorized officer") 15
                      EIGHTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

     THIS EIGHTH AMENDMENT (this  "Amendment")  dated as of May 28, 1998, amends
and modifies  that certain  Credit  Agreement,  dated as of October 1, 1990,  as
amended  pursuant to  Amendments  dated as of June 12, 1992,  December 31, 1992,
November 8, 1993, February 8, 1994, April 10, 1995,  September 27, 1996, and May
27,  1997 (as so  amended,  the  "Credit  Agreement"),  between  GRACO  INC.,  a
Minnesota  corporation  (the  "Company")  and U.S.  BANK  NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION,
formerly  known as First  Bank  National  Association  (the  "Bank").  Terms not
otherwise  expressly  defined  herein  shall have the  meanings set forth in the
Credit Agreement.

     FOR  VALUE  RECEIVED,  the  Company  and the Bank  agree  that  the  Credit
Agreement is amended as follows:

                 ARTICLE I - AMENDMENTS TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT

     1.1 Change of Bank Name. The reference to "First Bank National Association"
is hereby  changed to "U.S.  Bank  National  Association"  at all places that it
appears in the Loan Documents.

     1.2 Defined  Terms.  The  definition of "Maturity  Date" in Section 1.01 is
amended to read as follows:

                         "'Maturity Date': July 2, 1998"

     1.3 Note.  The Loans shall continue to be evidenced by the Note dated April
10, 1995 in the principal amount of $25,000,000.

                   ARTICLE II - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     To induce the Bank to enter into this  Amendment  and to make and  maintain
the Loans under the Credit  Agreement  as amended  hereby,  the  Company  hereby
warrants and  represents  to the Bank that it is duly  authorized to execute and
deliver  this  Amendment,  and to  perform  its  obligations  under  the  Credit
Agreement as amended  hereby,  and that this  Amendment  constitutes  the legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Company,  enforceable in accordance with its
terms.

                        ARTICLE II - CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     This  Amendment  shall become  effective on the date first set forth above,
provided,  however,  that the  effectiveness of this Amendment is subject to the
satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent:

     2.1  Warranties.  Before and after  giving  effect to this  Amendment,  the
representations  and  warranties in Section 6 of the Credit  Agreement  shall be
true and correct as though made on the date hereof,  except for changes that are
permitted by the terms of the Credit Agreement.  The execution by the Company of
this Amendment  shall be deemed a  representation  that the Company has complied
with the foregoing condition.

     2.2 Defaults. Before and after giving effect to this Amendment, no Event of
Default and no Unmatured  Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
under the Credit Agreement. The execution by the Company of this Amendment shall
be deemed a  representation  that the Company has  complied  with the  foregoing
condition.

     2.3   Documents.   The  Company  shall  have   delivered   this   Amendment
appropriately completed and duly executed by Borrower and the Bank.

                              ARTICLE III - GENERAL

     3.1 Expenses.  The Company agrees to reimburse the Bank upon demand for all
reasonable  expenses,  including  reasonable  fees  of  attorneys  (who  may  be
employees  of  the  Bank)  and  legal  expenses  incurred  by  the  Bank  in the
preparation,  negotiation and execution of this Amendment and any other document
required to be furnished  herewith,  and in  enforcing  the  obligations  of the
Company hereunder, and to pay and save the Bank harmless from all liability for,
any taxes which may be payable with respect to the execution or delivery of this
Amendment, which obligations of the Company shall survive any termination of the
Credit Agreement.

     3.2 Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in as many counterparts as
may be deemed  necessary or convenient,  and by the different  parties hereto on
separate  counterparts,  each of  which,  when so  executed,  shall be deemed an
original  but all  such  counterparts  shall  constitute  but  one and the  same
instrument.

     3.3  Severability.  Any provision of this Amendment  which is prohibited or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective
to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability  without  invalidating the
remaining  portions hereof or affecting the validity or  enforceability  of such
provisions in any other jurisdiction.

     3.4 Law.  This  Amendment  shall be a  contract  made under the laws of the
State of Minnesota, which laws shall govern all the rights and duties hereunder.

     3.5  Successors;  Enforceability.  This Amendment shall be binding upon the
Company and the Bank and their  respective  successors  and  assigns,  and shall
inure to the benefit of the Company and the Bank and the  successors and assigns
of the Bank. Except as hereby amended, the Credit Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this  Amendment to be
executed at Minneapolis,  Minnesota by their respective  officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the date first written above.


                                    GRACO INC.


                                    By:/s/Mark W. Sheahan
                                    Title: Treasurer     



                                    U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                    By: /s/Michael S. Harter

                                    Title: Assistant Vice President

                                                                                     EXHIBIT 11

                           GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  COMPUTATION OF NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

                                   (Unaudited)

                                                     Thirteen Weeks Ended           Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
                                                 -----------------------------   -----------------------------  

                                                 June 26, 1998   June 27, 1997   June 26, 1998   June 27, 1997
                                                 -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
                                                            (In thousands except per share amounts)

                                                                                     
Net earnings applicable to common shareholders
   for basic and diluted earnings per share      $      12,765   $      10,418   $      21,712   $      16,599
                                                 -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------


Weighted average shares outstanding for
   basic earnings per share                             25,817          25,701          25,644          25,680

 

Dilutive effect of stock options computed
   using the treasury stock method and the
   average market price                                    937             507             853             563

 
Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted
   earnings per share                                   26,755          26,208          26,497          26,243
 

Basic earnings per share                         $         .49   $         .41   $         .84   $         .65
                                                 -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------

Diluted earnings per share                       $         .48   $         .40   $         .82   $         .64
                                                 -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
 


5 This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries consolidated statements of earnings and consolidated balance sheets for the quarterly period ending June 26, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 0000042888 GRACO INC. 1,000 U.S. DOLLARS 3-MOS DEC-25-1998 MAR-28-1998 JUN-26-1998 1 34,226 0 91,728 5,229 43,822 177,395 199,671 101,065 283,798 68,874 7,210 0 0 25,833 152,368 283,798 115,153 115,153 57,066 57,066 38,522 294 173 19,565 6,800 12,765 0 0 0 12,765 0.49 0.48