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                                  UNITED STATES
                       Securities and Exchange Commission
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K


[X] Annual  Report  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange
    Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 29,2000 or

[ ] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
    Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from            to          .
                                                        ----------    ---------

                          Commission File No. 001-9249

                                   Graco Inc.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Minnesota                                                             41-0285640
(State or other jurisdiction                (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 of incorporation or organization)

                           88 - 11th Avenue Northeast
                              Minneapolis, MN 55413
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

                                 (612) 623-6000
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
                     Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
                         Preferred Share Purchase Rights
                Shares registered on the New York Stock Exchange.

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                                      None

As of March 5, 2001, 30,747,876 shares of Common Stock were outstanding.

Indicate  by a 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  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No .

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of Registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K [ ]

The  aggregate  market  value  of  approximately   27,025,728   shares  held  by
non-affiliates  of the  registrant  was  approximately  $727 million on March 5,
2001.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Company's  definitive  Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on May 1, 2001, are  incorporated by reference into Part
III, as specifically set forth in said Part III.
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GRACO INC. INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K ================================================================================ Page Part I Item 1 Business............................................................3 Item 2 Properties..........................................................6 Item 3 Legal Proceedings...................................................7 Item 4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.................7 Executive Officers of the Company...................................7 Part II Item 5 Market for the Company's Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters..................................8 Item 6 Selected Financial Data.............................................9 Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations...................................................10 Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data........................14 Item 9 Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure ........................30 Part III Item 10 Directors and Executive Officers of the Company....................30 Item 11 Executive Compensation.............................................30 Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.....30 Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.....................30 Part IV Item 14 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedule, and Reports on Form 8-K....30 Signatures ...................................................................32 NOTE: Certain exhibits listed in the Index to Exhibits beginning on page 33, and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, have been omitted. Copies of such exhibits may be obtained upon written request directed to: Treasurer Graco Inc. P.O. Box 1441 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440-1441

Part I Item 1. Business General Information Graco Inc. ("Graco" or "the Company") supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids in both industrial and commercial settings. The Company helps customers solve difficult manufacturing problems, increase productivity, improve quality, conserve energy, save expensive material, control environmental emissions and reduce labor costs. Graco is the successor to Gray Company, Inc., which was incorporated in 1926 as a manufacturer of automobile lubrication equipment and became a public company in 1969. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Graco serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, process, construction and maintenance industries. It designs, manufactures and markets systems, products and technology to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluids and viscous materials. Among Graco's strategic objectives is that of being the highest quality, lowest cost, most responsive supplier in the world for its principal products. In working to achieve this goal, Graco has organized its manufacturing operations around product- focused factories which contain product-based cells. Other strategic objectives include generating 30 percent of each year's sales from products introduced in the last three years, generating at least 5 percent of each year's sales from sales in markets entered in the last three years, expanding its distribution network outside North America and active pursuit of focused acquisitions. Operating Segment Information Graco's businesses are classified by management into three operating segments: (1) Industrial/Automotive Equipment, (2) Contractor Equipment, and (3) Lubrication Equipment. Financial information concerning these operating segments is set forth in Part II, Item 7, at page 10, and in Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Industrial/Automotive Equipment Graco's Industrial/Automotive Equipment segment designs and markets fluid application products, primarily for paints, coatings, sealants and adhesives. The markets served include automotive assembly and components plants, wood products, rail, marine, aerospace, farm and construction equipment, truck, bus and recreational vehicles, and approximately thirty other industries. Worldwide, the equipment designed and manufactured by this segment is sold through general and specialized distributors and integrators as well as directly to automotive assembly plants. Distributors promote and sell the equipment, provide product application expertise, and offer integration capabilities, on-site service and technical support. Products marketed by the Industrial/Automotive Equipment segment are manufactured in Minneapolis and Rogers, Minnesota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Bielefeld, Germany. Assembly of certain products for the European market is performed in Maasmechelen, Belgium. Recent Developments. Graco is focusing its product design and marketing efforts on four key areas of application: sealants and adhesives, process, finishing and protective coatings. A major driver of product development in the Industrial/Automotive segment is the need to reduce the emission of volatile organic compounds ("VOCs") from coatings during the application process in order to meet environmental regulations. In addition, Graco is developing new products for the global marketplace and expanding its specialized distribution throughout the world in order to achieve maximum coverage. Graco serves the automotive market by selling pre-engineered packages, modules and equipment primarily through independent distributors, integrators, and robot manufacturers and directly to automotive assembly plants. An experienced specialized sales force meets the unique needs of these customers as well as those of original equipment manufacturers and material suppliers. In 2000, Graco introduced ValueMix(TM), the first electronic entry-level plural component sprayer. Environmental regulations have driven small and medium-sized industrial users of paint to more environmentally friendly methods of application. The ValueMix technology offers these companies an easy-to-use, cost effective alternative to manual or mechanical premixing of plural component materials. The Therm-O-Flow Plus(TM), a high performance pump for the high volume dispensing of heated adhesives and sealants, was introduced in a multi-voltage configuration which allows its use throughout the world. The uniquely designed platen on this unit transfers heat to the material more quickly than competitive designs. The PrecisionMix II 3K entered the market in 2000. This high-end three component proportioner automatically integrates the catalyst, resin and solvent from the supply pumps and delivers the mixture to the spray gun, thus permitting the elimination of solvent premixing and reducing the cost of labor and material. Graco continued to expand its offering of electronic monitoring devices, to assist customers in meeting their environmental responsibilities and business needs. The PrecisionView(TM)AMR, an easy-to-use software package, allows customers to automatically track and report their material usage, emissions and on-line processes. It can be used with the PrecisionMix II and II 3K and the Informer(TM). In December 2000, Graco received TE 9000 certification. Automotive manufacturers established the TE 9000 supplement to ISO 9000 in the mid-1990's, to ensure that the machine tools they buy will perform as required. In order to obtain TE 9000 certification, suppliers must demonstrate that they are pursuing a plan that will meet customer requirements for product quality, reliability, maintainability and durability. Certification will allow Graco to maintain its preferred business association with these customers. Products. Products offered by the Industrial/Automotive segment include air, electric and hydraulically powered pumps that pressurize and transfer paints, stains, chemicals, sealants, adhesives, food, and other viscous materials through various application devices, including air, airless, air-airless, electrostatic, and high-volume-low-pressure ("HVLP") spray guns. Fluid pressures ranging from 20 to more than 6,000 pounds per square inch and flow rates from under 1 gallon to 275 gallons per minute are available. Sealant and adhesive, paint circulating and plural component packages and modules and a complete line of parts and accessories are also offered. Contractor Equipment Graco's Contractor Equipment segment designs and markets sprayers for the application of paint and other architectural coatings, and for the high-pressure cleaning of equipment and structures. The segment offers its equipment to distributors selling to contractors in the painting, roofing, texture, corrosion control and line striping markets. The segment offers equipment which gives contractors the opportunity to produce a higher quality finish at higher production rates with sprayers that are durable and easy to use. The equipment is sold primarily through retail stores which sell paint and other coatings, and secondarily through general equipment distributors. In 2000, Graco began marketing a limited line of sprayers through the home center channel. Manufacturers' representatives are used to sell the Company's equipment to the rental market. Products for the contractor equipment markets are manufactured in Rogers, Minnesota, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Assembly of certain products for the European market is performed in Maasmechelen, Belgium. Recent Developments. In 2000, the Magnum(TM) sprayers, a new line of airless sprayers and accessories for the entry-level painting contractor and remodeler, were introduced into the home center market, a new channel for Graco. The Pro ST(TM) family of electronic airless sprayers with the SmartControl(TM) microprocessor, Endurance E(TM) pump and a helical drive was introduced in 2000. The SmartControl microprocessor automatically adjusts to the size of the spray tip, offers spray pressure consistency and a higher atomizing pressure over competitive designs. The Endurance E pump allows the pump to be repacked in one-half the time of other models. The 190 ES(TM) electric airless sprayer introduced in 2000 represents a new price point for an entry level professional sprayer. Graco added to its broad line of spray guns a new extended reach pole gun with the revolutionary CleanShot(TM) shut-off valve, which allows material flow to be shut off at the spray tip and eliminates spitting. Products. The segment's primary product lines are airless paint sprayers and associated accessories such as spray guns, filters, valves and tips. Also offered are pressure washers and specialized spraying equipment for the application of roofing materials, texture coatings and traffic paint. Fluid pressures ranging from 5 to more than 4,000 pounds per square inch and flow rates up to 4 gallons per minute are available. Pumps are electric, hydraulic and air-powered models in addition to gasoline-powered models, increasing the flexibility of contractors in areas where electricity is not readily available. High-volume-low-pressure ("HVLP") equipment has become increasingly popular as regulation of volatile emissions has increased. Replacement and maintenance parts, such as packings, seals and hoses, which must be replaced periodically in order to maintain efficiency and prevent loss of material, are also offered for sale. Lubrication Equipment The Lubrication Equipment segment designs and markets products for the lubrication and maintenance of vehicles and other equipment. The markets for the segment's products include fast oil change facilities, service garages, fleet service centers, automobile dealerships, the mining industry, and industrial lubrication. The purchase of vehicle lubrication equipment is often funded by major oil companies for their customers as a marketing tool. Products are distributed primarily through independent distributors worldwide, which are serviced by direct sales personnel and a network of independent sales representatives. Products for the Lubrication Equipment markets are manufactured in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Recent Developments. A family of electronic metering devices designed to meter and dispense bulk fluids in the servicing of vehicles and equipment was brought to market in 2000. The EM6(TM) leads the competition in gallons per minute flow and higher fluid pressures. All valves in the family handle multiple fluids. In 2000, the Pro-Shot(TM) Grease Dispense Valve was introduced. This robust heavy-duty valve has a ball check mechanism with four times longer life, a pressure assist trigger pull to reduce operator fatigue and a trigger lock to prevent accidental triggering. The 350 and 500 Series Hose Reels, two new lines of heavy-duty hose reels designed for use with air and water, were launched during the year. Intended to broaden Graco's reel offerings to bus and truck fleets, manufacturing plants and lubrication trucks, the 500 Series allows 15 different mounting positions. The Dyna-Star (R) Hydraulic Pump Module provides a hydraulically-powered pump as an alternative to air-powered equipment for the lubrication of mobile mining equipment. A Visual Level Indicator with a magnetic proximity switch to sense high and low fluid levels is offered as an option. Products. The Lubrication Equipment segment offers a full line of lubrication pumps (air and hydraulic-powered), meters, fluid and air pressure gauges, fluid management systems, hose reels and dispense valves. The segment sells a fluid management system for the vehicle services market, which tracks and records inventories of lubricants and the quantities dispensed. It continues to develop its capability to service the mining industry with automatic lubrication systems. A complete line of parts and accessories is also offered. Marketing and Distribution Graco sells its full line of products in each of the following major geographic markets: the Americas (North, Central and South America), Europe (including the Middle East and Africa), and Asia Pacific. The Industrial/Automotive Equipment segment, Contractor Equipment segment, and the Lubrication Equipment segment provide worldwide marketing, product design and application assistance to each of these geographic markets. Graco sells its equipment worldwide principally through independent distributors. In Japan, Korea, and Europe, Graco equipment is sold to distributors through sales subsidiaries. Manufacturers' representatives are used in the Lubrication Equipment and the Contractor Equipment segments. It is the Company's goal to generate at least 5 percent of each year's revenues from sales in markets entered in the last three years. The home center channel into which the Contractor Equipment Division introduced the Magnum line of airless sprayers in 2000 is an example of the Company's efforts to reach this goal. In 2000, Graco's net sales in the Americas were $359,881,000 or approximately 73 percent of the Company's consolidated net sales; in Europe net sales were $84,733,000 or approximately 17 percent; and in the Asia Pacific Region, net sales were $49,759,000 or approximately 10 percent. Research, Product Development and Technical Services Graco's research, development and engineering activities are organized by operating segment. The engineering group in each segment focuses on new product design, product improvements, applied engineering and strategic technologies for its specific customer base. It is one of Graco's goals to generate 30 percent of each year's sales from products introduced in the prior three years. All major research and development activities are conducted in facilities located in Minneapolis, and Rogers, Minnesota. Total research and development expenditures were $19,998,000, $19,688,000 and $18,213,000 for 2000, 1999 and 1998. Intellectual Property Graco owns a number of patents and has patent applications pending both in the United States and in foreign countries, licenses its patents to others, and is licensed under patents owned by others. In the opinion of the Company, its business is not materially dependent upon any one or more of these patents or licenses. The Company also owns a number of trademarks in the United States and foreign countries, including the registered trademarks for "GRACO," several forms of a capital "G" and various product trademarks which are material to the business of the Company inasmuch as they identify Graco and its products to its customers. Competition Graco faces substantial competition in all of its markets. The nature and extent of this competition varies in different markets due to the depth and breadth of the Company's product lines. Product quality, reliability, design, customer support and service, specialized engineering and pricing are the major competitive factors. Although no competitor duplicates all of Graco's products, some competitors are larger than the Company, both in terms of sales of directly competing products and in terms of total sales and financial resources. The Company faces competitors with different cost structures and expectations of profitability. Graco believes it is one of the world's leading producers of high-quality specialized fluid management equipment. It is impossible, because of the absence of reliable industry-wide third-party data, to determine its relative market position. Environmental Protection The Company's compliance with Federal, State and local environmental laws and regulations did not have a material effect upon the capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of the Company during the fiscal year ending December 29, 2000. Employees As of December 29, 2000, the Company employed approximately 1920 persons on a full-time basis. Of this total, approximately 300 were employees based outside the United States, and 821 were hourly factory workers in the United States. None of the Company's U.S. employees is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Various national industry-wide labor agreements apply to certain employees in Europe. Compliance with such agreements has no material effect on the Company or its operations. Item 2. Properties As of December 29, 2000, the Company's principal operations that occupy more than 10,000 square feet were conducted in the following facilities: Gross Type of Facility Location Square Footage ---------------- -------- -------------- Owned ----- Distribution/Manufacturing/Office Rogers, Minnesota 333,000 Manufacturing/Office Minneapolis, Minnesota 242,300 Manufacturing/Office Minneapolis, Minnesota 202,300 Research & Development/Corporate Headquarters Minneapolis, Minnesota 138,700 Assembly/European Headquarters/Warehouse Maasmechelen, Belgium 75,200 Manufacturing/Office Sioux Falls, South Dakota 55,100 Leased ------ Manufacturing/Office Bielefeld, Germany 69,400 Office/Warehouse Yokohama, Japan (2 facilities) 32,800 Office/Warehouse Gwangju-Gun, Korea 10,500 Office Plymouth, Michigan 21,000 A 163,000 square foot addition to one of its buildings in Minneapolis is expected to be completed during 2001. This addition will permit the Company to provide space in its Rogers, Minnesota facility for the expansion of its Contractor Equipment manufacturing capability and create a separate warehouse in Minneapolis for Industrial/Automotive and Lubrication Equipment products closer to their respective manufacturing facilities. The Company leases space for liaison offices in China. A 73,800 square foot office building in Golden Valley, Minnesota was sold in December 2000. With the expansion of one of its buildings in Minneapolis, Graco's facilities are in satisfactory condition, suitable for their respective uses and are sufficient and adequate to meet current needs. Manufacturing capacity met business demand in 2000. Production requirements in the immediate future are expected to be met through existing production capabilities, expanded production facilities currently under construction, efficiency and productivity improvements, and the use of available subcontract services. Item 3. Legal Proceedings The Company is engaged in routine litigation incident to its business, which management believes will not have a material adverse effect upon its operations or consolidated financial position. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders No issues were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2000. Executive Officers of the Company The following are all the executive officers of the Company as of March 5, 2001. George Aristides, 65, was elected Chief Executive Officer effective January 3, 2000. From March 1, 1999 to December 29, 1999, he was Vice Chairman. From January 1, 1996 to February 28, 1999 he was Chief Executive Officer. From 1993 to 1997 he was President. From 1993 to 1996 he was President and Chief Operating Officer. He joined the Company in 1973 as Corporate Controller and became Vice President and Controller in 1980. He has served as a director of the Company since 1993. Stephen L. Bauman, 48, was elected Vice President, Human Resources, effective October 25, 2000. Prior to joining Graco, he held various positions with Alliant Techsystems, Inc. most recently as Vice President of Human Resources, Alliant Integrated Defense Company, a subsidiary. James A. Graner, 56, was elected Vice President and Controller in February 1994. He became Treasurer in May 1993. Prior to becoming Assistant Treasurer in 1988, he held various managerial positions in the treasury, accounting and information systems departments. He joined Graco in 1974. Dale D. Johnson, 46, was elected President and Chief Operating Officer effective January 14, 2000. From December 1996 to January 2000 he was Vice President, Contractor Equipment Division. Prior to becoming the Director of Marketing, Contractor Equipment Division in June 1996, he held various marketing and sales positions in the Contractor Equipment Division and the Industrial Equipment Division. He joined the Company in 1976. D. Christian Koch, 36, was appointed Vice President, Lubrication Equipment Division effective February 15, 2000. From August 1999 to February 2000, he was the Director, Industrial Global Sales and Marketing. From December 1998 to August 1999 he was Director, Lubrication Marketing. Prior to joining the Company in December 1998, he was employed by H.B. Fuller Company, where he held various positions, including President and Division Manager of TEC Incorporated and Vice President and Business Unit Manager of Foster Products Corporation. (Mr. Koch is not related to David A. Koch, Chairman of the Board.) David M. Lowe, 45, became Vice President and General Manager, European Operations effective September 1, 1999. Mr. Lowe was Vice President, Lubrication Equipment Division from December 1996 to September 1999. From February 1995 to December 1996 he was Treasurer. Prior to joining the Company in 1995, he was employed by Ecolab Inc., where he held various positions in the Treasury Department, including Manager, Corporate Finance; Director, Corporate Finance; and Director, Corporate Development. Robert M. Mattison, 53, was first elected Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, in January 1992, a position which he holds today. Patrick J. McHale, 39, was appointed Vice President, Contractor Equipment Division effective February 15, 2000. Mr. McHale was Vice President, Lubrication Equipment Division from September 1999 to February 2000. He was Contractor Equipment Manufacturing - Distribution Operations Manager from February 1998 to September 1999. From March 1997 to February 1998 he was Director of Michigan Operations. From February 1996 to March 1997 he was Contractor Equipment Manufacturing Operations Manager and from January 1994 to February 1996 he was the Sioux Falls Plant Manager. Mr. McHale joined the Company in December 1989. Charles L. Rescorla, 49, is Vice President, Manufacturing and Distribution Operations, a position to which he was first elected on May 5, 1998. Mr. Rescorla was previously appointed to that position on January 1, 1995. Prior to becoming the Director of Manufacturing in March 1994, he was the Director of Engineering, Industrial/Automotive Division, a position which he assumed in 1988 when he joined the Company. Mark W. Sheahan, 36, was elected Vice President and Treasurer on December 11, 1998. Effective December 17, 1996, he was elected Treasurer. Prior to joining the Company as Treasury Operations Manager in 1995, he was a Senior Manager with KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. Fred A. Sutter, 40, was appointed Vice President, Asia Pacific and Latin America effective March 1, 1999. From March 1995 to February 28, 1999 he was Director of Industrial Marketing. Prior to joining the Company in 1995, he held various positions with Fisher-Rosemount, most recently as Director of Marketing. The Board of Directors elected Messrs. Aristides, Johnson, Graner, Lowe, Mattison, Rescorla and Sheahan on May 2, 2000, all to hold office until the next annual meeting of directors or until their successors are elected and qualify. PART II Item 5. Market for the Company's Common Stock and Related Shareholder Matters Graco Common Stock. Graco common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "GGG." As of March 5, 2001, the share price was $26.90 and there were 30,747,876 shares outstanding and 2,500 common shareholders of record, which includes nominees or broker dealers holding stock on behalf of an estimated 4,600 beneficial owners. Quarterly Financial Information (In thousands, except per share amounts) First Second Third Fourth 2000 Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter - ------------------------ -------- -------- -------- -------- Net sales $122,227 $132,768 $123,100 $116,278 Gross profit 62,129 66,102 62,949 59,672 Net earnings 14,975 18,331 18,073 18,729 Per common share: Basic net earnings 0.49 0.60 0.60 0.62 Diluted net earnings 0.48 0.59 0.59 0.61 Dividends declared 0.09 0.09 0.09 0.10 -------- -------- -------- -------- Stock price (per share) High $ 22.75 $ 23.33 $ 23.92 $ 27.67 Low 19.33 20.00 20.42 20.13 Close 19.33 21.67 21.67 27.59 -------- -------- -------- -------- Volume (# of shares) 4,532 4,880 2,223 2,904 -------- -------- -------- -------- 1999 - ------------------------ Net sales $105,141 $116,803 $112,076 $116,454 Gross profit 52,857 59,619 57,510 61,149 Net earnings 11,201 17,961 15,043 15,136 Per common share: Basic net earnings 0.37 0.59 0.49 0.49 Diluted net earnings 0.36 0.57 0.48 0.48 Dividends declared 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.09 -------- -------- -------- -------- Stock price (per share) High $ 20.17 $ 21.75 $ 23.25 $ 23.92 Low 13.33 14.33 19.00 21.29 Close 14.29 19.54 22.04 23.92 -------- -------- -------- -------- Volume (# of shares) 4,289 4,496 3,503 3,792 -------- -------- -------- -------- [FN] 1 Pursuant to EITF 00-10, freight expense for products shipped to customers, previously netted against sales, has been reclassified to cost of products sold. 2 All share and per share data has been restated for the three-for-two stock split declared on December 8, 2000 and distributed February 6, 2001. 3 As of the last trading day of the calendar quarter. Item 6. Selected Financial Data Graco Inc. & Subsidiaries (In thousands, except per share amounts) 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 - ---------------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net sales $494,373 $450,474 $440,585 $423,897 $399,356 Net earnings 70,108 59,341 47,263 44,716 36,169 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Per common share: Basic net earnings $ 2.31 $ 1.95 $ 1.37 $ 1.17 $ 0.93 Diluted net earnings 2.27 1.90 1.34 1.14 0.92 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total assets $237,976 $236,033 $233,702 $264,532 $247,814 Long-term debt (including current portion) 19,360 66,910 115,739 7,959 9,920 Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.38 $ 0.31 $ 0.29 $ 0.25 $ 0.22 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== 1 Pursuant to EITF 00-10, freight expense for products shipped to customers, previously netted against sales, has been reclassified to cost of products sold. 2 All share and per share data has been restated for the three-for-two stock split declared on December 8, 2000 and distributed February 6, 2001. Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations MANAGEMENT'S REVIEW AND DISCUSSION Graco's net earnings of $70.1 million in 2000 are 18 percent higher than the $59.3 million earned in 1999 and are 48 percent higher than the $47.3 million recorded in 1998. The increase in 2000 was a result of higher sales, improved manufacturing efficiencies (largely due to increased volume), improved business processes and price increases. The increase in 1999 is primarily due to enhanced profit margins resulting from many factors, including improved business processes, exiting the custom systems business, closing facilities, improved manufacturing efficiencies and price increases. The table below reflects the percentage relationship between income and expense items included in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three fiscal years and the percentage changes in those items for such years. Revenue & Expense Item Revenue & Expense Item As a Percentage of Net Sales % Increase (Decrease) 2000 1999 1998 00/99 99/98 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Net Sales 100.0 100.0 100.0 10 2 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Cost of products sold 49.3 48.7 50.2 11 (1) Product development 4.0 4.4 4.1 2 8 Selling, marketing and distribution 17.5 17.7 18.9 8 (4) General and administrative 6.7 8.5 9.4 (14) (7) ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Operating profit 22.5 20.7 17.4 19 21 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Interest expense 0.8 1.6 1.2 (41) 32 Other expense (income), net 0.3 (0.6) -- * * ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Earnings before income taxes 21.4 19.7 16.2 19 24 Income taxes 7.2 6.5 5.5 21 22 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Net Earnings 14.2 13.2 10.7 18 26 ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== * Not a meaningful figure. NET SALES Worldwide net sales in 2000 reached a record $494.4 million, a 10 percent increase over 1999 net sales of $450.5 million. Foreign currency translations had a negative impact on reported sales in 2000 when compared to 1999, reducing sales by 2 percent. By segment, 2000 net sales versus 1999 increased in the Contractor Equipment and Lubrication Equipment by 24 percent and 2 percent, respectively. Sales in the Industrial/Automotive segment were flat. The large increase in Contractor Equipment sales in 2000 was due primarily to the introduction of a new line of sprayers for entry into the home center channel. After growing in the first half of 2000, Industrial/Automotive equipment sales declined in the second half of 2000 due primarily to a slowing North American economy. Lubrication Equipment sales in 2000 were flat in a market that is mature and well served. Geographically, sales outside of the Americas represented 27 percent of total sales in 2000, compared to 30 percent in 1999. Net sales gains in Asia Pacific were offset by lower sales in Europe. In the Americas, 2000 sales increased 15 percent for the year, primarily due to strong sales in the Company's Contractor Equipment business segment. In Europe, sales measured in local currencies increased 6 percent but reported net sales were 6 percent lower than 1999 after unfavorable currency translations. In the Asia Pacific Region, sales measured in local currencies increased 3 percent but reported net sales were 7 percent higher than 1999 after favorable currency translations. Worldwide net sales in 1999 were $450.5 million, a 2 percent increase over 1998. Foreign currency translations had no net impact on reported sales in 1999 when compared to 1998. The 1999 increase was due to higher sales in all regions except Europe. Net sales in the Americas, which accounted for 70 percent of net sales, advanced 3 percent, primarily due to strong sales in the Contractor Equipment segment. Lower sales in Europe offset net sales gains in the Asia Pacific Region. Consolidated backlog on December 29, 2000 was $12 million, which the Company expects to fill within the current fiscal year. Backlog was $21 million at the end of 1999 and $13 million at the end of 1998. The decrease in 2000 backlog reflected a return to normal levels from the large backlog that resulted from orders in late 1999 for the home center channel products that were shipped in the first quarter of 2000. % Increase (Decrease) (In thousands) 2000 1999 1998 00/99 99/98 - --------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- ----- ----- Segment Sales: Industrial/Automotive Equipment $227,963 $227,772 $235,328 -- (3) Contractor Equipment 221,538 178,616 160,718 24 11 Lubrication Equipment 44,872 44,086 44,539 2 (1) -------- -------- -------- ----- ----- Consolidated $494,373 $450,474 $440,585 10 2 ======== ======== ======== ===== ===== Geographic Sales: Americas $359,881 $313,915 $305,860 15 3 Europe 84,733 90,112 95,938 (6) (6) Asia Pacific 49,759 46,447 38,787 7 20 -------- -------- -------- ----- ----- Consolidated $494,373 $450,474 $440,585 10 2 ======== ======== ======== ===== ===== GROSS MARGINS Gross margins, expressed as a percentage of sales, were 50.7 percent in 2000, compared with 51.3 percent in 1999. The effects of higher production levels, enhanced pricing, and improved manufacturing efficiencies were offset by the mix of products sold and the negative foreign exchange rate impact. 1999 gross margins of 51.3 percent were up from 1998 gross margins of 49.8 percent. The mix of products sold, pricing, improved manufacturing efficiencies, exiting the custom-engineered systems business, and slightly higher sales all contributed to the enhanced gross margin. OPERATING EXPENSES Overall, operating expenses, expressed as a percentage of net sales, decreased 2.4 percentage points in 2000 versus 1999. Product development expenses were $20.0 million in 2000, $19.7 million in 1999 and $18.2 million in 1998. Graco continues to make significant investments in product development to grow its sales revenue. Selling, marketing, distribution and general and administrative expenses were higher in 2000 due to higher sales, but decreased as a percentage of sales to 24.2 percent in 2000 from 26.2 percent in 1999. In 2000, selling, marketing, and distribution expenses were higher than in 1999 due to higher sales and expenses related to the launch of home center products. General and administrative expenses were lower than 1999 due to corporate expense reduction initiatives and lower information systems expenditures. In 1999, selling, marketing, distribution and administrative expenses, expressed as a percentage of sales, decreased to 26.2 percent from 28.2 percent in 1998. In 1999, overall selling, marketing, distribution and administrative expenses were lower than in 1998 due to the benefits of prior year corporate expense reduction initiatives, lower information systems expenditures, and reduced non-recurring charges. The Company recorded pension income of $3.8 million in 2000, $2.1 million in 1999 and $2.1 million in 1998, which resulted from recognition of investment gains attributable to pension plan assets. Pension expense/income is included in cost of products sold and operating expenses based on salaries and wages. SEGMENT OPERATING PROFITS Increases in 2000 operating profits are the result of several factors, including higher sales, expense reduction initiatives and improved manufacturing efficiencies. Operating profits for Industrial/Automotive Equipment increased by 20.1 percent versus 1999 and by 4.3 percentage points as a percentage of net sales primarily as a result of improved gross margin rates along with lower product development, marketing and sales-related expenses. Contractor Equipment operating profits increased by 14.9 percent versus 1999 but decreased 1.8 percentage points as a percentage of net sales due to the mixture of products sold. Lubrication Equipment operating profits increased by 2.8 percent versus 1999 and increased by .2 percentage points as a percentage of net sales. FOREIGN CURRENCY EFFECTS Approximately 27 percent of the Company's sales in 2000 and 5 percent of its product costs are in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The strong U.S. dollar, versus European currencies, decreased the Company's profits. In 2000, the adverse impact of the strengthening dollar in Europe was partially offset by the dollar weakening against the Japanese yen and Korean won. The Company estimates that fluctuations in exchange rates adversely impacted operating earnings by $5 million in 2000 and had no significant impact in 1999. OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME) In 2000, interest expense, net of interest income, decreased to $4.1 million due to the significant reduction in borrowings. In 1999, interest expense of $7.0 million was higher than the $5.3 million of interest expense in 1998 due to the full year impact of borrowings for the July 2, 1998 stock repurchase of 5.8 million shares. Other expense, net of other income, was $1.2 million in 2000 compared to other income in 1999 of $2.6 million and other expense in 1998 of $0.2 million. Other expense (income) includes, among other things, foreign currency translation losses of $1.6 million in 2000. The Company sold its Golden Valley headquarters building in 2000 and facilities in Los Angeles and Plymouth, Michigan in 1999 with gains of $2.2 million and $3.2 million respectively. INCOME TAXES The Company's net effective tax rate of 34 percent in 2000 is one percentage point lower than the 2000 U.S. federal tax rate of 35 percent. The increase from the 33 percent effective rate in 1999 is due primarily to earnings from sales outside of the U.S. being taxed at higher effective rates. The 1999 effective tax rate of 33 percent was lower than the 1998 effective tax rate of 34 percent principally due to earnings from sales outside the U.S. being taxed at lower effective rates. Reconciliations of the U.S. federal tax rate to the effective rates for 2000, 1999 and 1998 are included in Note E to the Consolidated Financial Statements. ACCOUNTING CHANGES To conform with the requirements of the Emerging Issues Task Force Issue Number 00-10, "Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs," the Company reclassified freight expenses for products shipped to customers into cost of products sold. Such expenses were formerly classified as a reduction of net sales. This change has no impact on previously reported gross profit amounts or net earnings. On December 30, 2000, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," as amended by SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities." Based on current practice, the Company expects that adoption will have no effect on consolidated results of operations or financial position. The Company has reviewed its revenue recognition policy and practice and has determined that they meet the requirements of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK As discussed under Foreign Currency Effects, Graco sells and purchases products and services in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Consequently, the Company is subject to profitability risk arising from exchange rate movements. Graco uses foreign exchange contracts to reduce risks associated with foreign currency net monetary asset and liability positions. These contracts typically have maturities of 90 days or less, and gains or losses from changes in market value of these contracts offset foreign exchange gains and losses on the underlying balance sheet items. At December 29, 2000, the foreign currencies to which the Company had the most significant balance sheet exchange rate exposure were the European euro, Canadian dollar, Japanese yen, British pound, and Korean won. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. To evaluate its currency exchange rate risks on its foreign exchange contracts, the Company uses sensitivity analysis, which measures the impact on earnings of hypothetical changes in the value of foreign currencies to which it has exposure. At December 29, 2000, due to the short-term nature of the Company's hedging instruments, reasonably likely fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates in the near term would not materially affect Graco's consolidated operating results, financial position or cash flows. When appropriate, the Company utilizes interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to fluctuations in earnings due to changes in interest rates on its variable rate debt. At December 29, 2000, a 50 basis point increase or decrease in market interest rates, principally LIBOR, would not materially increase or decrease interest expense or cash flows. For further discussion of the Company's foreign currency and interest rate hedging strategy and position, see Note A to the Consolidated Financial Statements. OUTLOOK Management's view of 2001 is that while pursuing the Company's growth strategies of developing new products, expanding distribution, entering new markets, and strategic acquisitions, it believes that 2001 will be a difficult economic environment for Graco and its industry. In the current environment, where sales growth will be a challenge, Graco is committed to improved profitability. Graco's strong and capable distribution channel, productive manufacturing operation, commitment to developing new products, and global marketing capabilities position it well to take advantage of a global economic recovery. SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY STATEMENT The information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2000. SHAREHOLDER ACTIONS Periodically, the Company initiates measures aimed at enhancing shareholder value, broadening common stock ownership, improving the liquidity of its common shares and effectively managing its cash balances. A summary of recent actions follows: o a seven percent increase in the regular dividend in 2001; o three-for-two stock splits in 2001, 1998 and 1996; o a 27 percent increase in the regular dividend paid in 2000; o repurchase of 5.8 million shares in 1998 from Graco's largest shareholder, the Trust under the Will of Clarissa L. Gray; and o an 18 percent increase in the regular dividend in 1997 LIQUIDITY AND SOURCES OF CAPITAL The following table highlights several key measures of asset performance. (In thousands) 2000 1999 - ------------------------------------ ------ ----- Cash and cash equivalents $11,071 $6,588 Working capital $61,901 $59,726 Current ratio 1.8 1.8 Average days receivables outstanding 63 65 Inventory turnover 7.4 5.6 In 2000, working capital increased $2.2 million to $61.9 million. As a result of strong cash flow from operations, the Company reduced its total debt by $46.5 million in 2000. Total debt at the end of 2000 was $35.1 million as compared to $81.6 million at the end of 1999. Receivables increased $6.1 million in 2000 compared with year-end 1999 due to higher sales volume. Inventories decreased $4.6 million in 2000, compared to year-end 1999, primarily as a result of a build-up in inventory in late 1999 in conjunction with the launch of the home center products. Cash provided by operations was $79.6 million in 2000, versus $75.8 million in 1999 and $77.1 million in 1998. Significant uses of cash in 2000 included retirement of debt, capital expenditures, dividends and share repurchases. Significant uses of cash in 1999 included the retirement of debt, the acquisition of certain assets of Bollhoff Verfahrenstechnik, capital expenditures, dividends and share repurchases. In 1998, additional cash needs were funded by bank borrowings and significant uses of cash included the purchase of 5.8 million shares of Graco Inc. common stock for $191 million, capital expenditures and dividends. At December 29, 2000, Graco had various lines of credit totaling $95.3 million, of which $66.0 million was unused. The Company believes that the combination of present capital resources, internally generated funds and unused financing sources are more than adequate to meet cash requirements for 2001. In 2001, the Company is building a new factory and distribution center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The incremental capital required for this project is estimated to be approximately $15 million. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Page o Selected Quarterly Financial Data (See Part II, Item 5, Market for the Company's Common Stock and Related Shareholder Matters) 9 o Responsibility for Financial Reporting 14 o Independent Auditors' Report 15 o Consolidated Statements of Earnings for fiscal years 2000, 1999 and 1998 16 o Consolidated Balance Sheets for fiscal years 2000 and 1999 17 o Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for fiscal years 2000, 1999 and 1998 18 o Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for fiscal years 2000, 1999 and 1998 19 o Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for fiscal years 2000, 1999 and 1998 19 o Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 20 RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING Management is responsible for the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of the information presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and, where necessary, include estimates based upon management's informed judgment. In meeting this responsibility, management believes that its comprehensive systems of internal control provide reasonable assurance that the Company's assets are safeguarded and transactions are executed and recorded by qualified personnel in accordance with approved procedures. Internal auditors periodically review these accounting and control systems. Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent certified public accountants, are retained to audit the consolidated financial statements, and express an opinion thereon. Their opinion is included below. The Board of Directors pursues its oversight role through its Audit Committee. The Audit Committee, composed of directors who are not employees, meets twice a year with management, internal auditors, and Deloitte & Touche LLP to review the systems of internal control, accounting practices, financial reporting and the results of auditing activities.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT Shareholders and Board of Directors Graco Inc. Minneapolis, Minnesota We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 29, 2000 and December 31, 1999 and the related statements of earnings, shareholders' equity, comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 29, 2000. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 14. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 29, 2000 and December 31, 1999 and the results of their operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 29, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. /s/Deloitte & Touche LLP Deloitte & Touche LLP Minneapolis, Minnesota January 22, 2001

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries Years Ended ------------------------------------------------------------- (In thousands, except per share amounts) December 29, 2000 December 31, 1999 December 25, 1998 - ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Net Sales $494,373 $450,474 $440,585 Cost of products sold 243,521 219,339 221,184 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Gross Profit 250,852 231,135 219,401 Product development 19,998 19,688 18,213 Selling, marketing and distribution 86,598 79,922 83,169 General and administrative 33,014 38,334 41,146 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Operating Earnings 111,242 93,191 76,873 Interest expense 4,127 7,016 5,319 Other expense (income), net 1,207 (2,666) 191 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Earnings before Income Taxes 105,908 88,841 71,363 Income taxes 35,800 29,500 24,100 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Net Earnings $ 70,108 $ 59,341 $ 47,263 ================= ================= ================= Basic Net Earnings per Common Share $ 2.31 $ 1.95 $ 1.37 ================= ================= ================= Diluted Net Earnings per Common Share $ 2.27 $ 1.90 $ 1.34 ================= ================= ================= All per share data has been restated for the three-for-two stock split declared on December 8, 2000, to be distributed February 6, 2001. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries (In thousands, except per share amounts) December 29, 2000 December 31, 1999 - ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- Assets Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,071 $ 6,588 Accounts receivable, less allowances of $4,700 and $4,500 85,836 79,696 Inventories 33,079 37,702 Deferred income taxes 11,574 12,357 Other current assets 2,182 1,646 ----------------- ----------------- Total current assets 143,742 137,989 Property, Plant and Equipment, net 83,989 86,493 Other Assets 10,245 11,551 ----------------- ----------------- Total Assets $237,976 $236,033 ================= ================= Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current Liabilities: Notes payable to banks $ 15,713 $ 14,640 Current portion of long-term debt 1,310 1,215 Trade accounts payable 12,899 13,500 Salaries, wages and commissions 14,532 12,832 Accrued insurance liabilities 10,622 10,332 Income taxes payable 4,642 2,323 Other current liabilities 22,123 23,421 ----------------- ----------------- Total current liabilities 81,841 78,263 Long-Term Debt, less current portion 18,050 65,695 Retirement Benefits and Deferred Compensation 27,230 29,135 Commitments and Contingencies (Note K) Shareholders' Equity Common stock, $1 par value; 45,000,000 shares authorized; shares outstanding, 20,273,561 and 20,415,827 in 2000 and 1999 20,274 20,416 Additional paid-in capital 39,954 31,755 Retained earnings 50,233 9,279 Accumulated comprehensive income 394 1,490 ----------------- ----------------- Total shareholders' equity 110,855 62,940 ----------------- ----------------- Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $237,976 $236,033 ================= ================= See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries Years Ended --------------------------------------------------------- (In thousands) December 29, 2000 December 31, 1999 December 25, 1998 - ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Cash Flows from Operating Activities Net earnings $ 70,108 $ 59,341 $ 47,263 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 15,452 14,701 13,736 Deferred income taxes 1,644 1,152 (593) (Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets (1,561) (2,936) (139) Change in: Accounts receivable (8,287) 2,097 6,293 Inventories 4,161 3,309 10,547 Trade accounts payable (516) 1,551 (761) Salaries, wages and commissions 1,921 (946) (934) Retirement benefits and deferred compensation (3,999) (2,112) (3,255) Other accrued liabilities 1,416 (1,257) 2,695 Other (730) 921 2,257 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 79,609 75,821 77,109 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Cash Flows from Investing Activities Property, plant and equipment additions (14,523) (9,140) (11,962) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 4,845 9,695 2,201 Acquisition of business -- (18,388) -- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Net cash used in investing activities (9,678) (17,833) (9,761) ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Cash Flows from (for) Financing Activities Borrowing on notes payable and lines of credit 188,552 118,900 65,869 Payments on notes payable and lines of credit (187,144) (119,201) (54,376) Borrowings on long-term debt 43,665 25,001 180,985 Payments on long-term debt (91,215) (73,711) (73,273) Common stock issued 9,630 6,760 4,876 Retirement of common stock (19,182) (5,077) (190,899) Cash dividends paid (11,361) (8,927) (10,701) ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Net cash used in financing activities (67,055) (56,255) (77,519) ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 1,607 1,300 203 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 4,483 3,033 (9,968) Cash and cash equivalents Beginning of year 6,588 3,555 13,523 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- End of year $ 11,071 $ 6,588 $ 3,555 ================= ================= ================= See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries (In thousands) December 29, 2000 December 31, 1999 December 25, 1998 - ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Common Stock, $1 par value Balance, beginning of year $ 20,416 $ 20,097 $ 25,553 Shares issued 475 466 344 Shares repurchased (617) (147) (5,800) ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Balance, end of year 20,274 20,416 20,097 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Additional Paid-In Capital Balance, beginning of year 31,755 23,892 26,085 Shares issued 9,155 8,184 4,535 Shares repurchased (956) (321) (6,728) ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Balance, end of year 39,954 31,755 23,892 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Retained Earnings (deficit) Balance, beginning of year 9,279 (35,878) 105,030 Net income 70,108 59,341 47,263 Dividends declared (11,545) (9,575) (10,102) Change in accounting period -- -- 300 Shares repurchased (17,609) (4,609) (178,369) ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Balance, end of year 50,233 9,279 (35,878) ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Balance, beginning of year 1,490 1,817 1,817 Current period change (1,096) (327) -- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Balance, end of year 394 1,490 1,817 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Unearned Compensation Balance, beginning of year -- (615) (976) Current period change -- 615 361 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Balance, end of year -- -- (615) ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Total Shareholders' Equity $110,855 $ 62,940 $ 9,313 ================= ================= ================= See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries Years Ended ----------------------------------------------------------- (In thousands) December 29, 2000 December 31, 1999 December 25, 1998 - --------------------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Net Earnings $ 70,108 $ 59,341 $ 47,263 Other comprehensive income, net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments (1,096) (327) -- Additional minimum pension liability adjustment 16 (90) -- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Comprehensive Income $69,028 $58,924 $47,263 ================= ================= ================= See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS GRACO Inc. & Subsidiaries Years Ended December 29, 2000, December 31, 1999 and December 25, 1998 A. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Fiscal Year. The Company's fiscal year is 52 or 53 weeks, ending on the last Friday in December. The year ended December 31, 1999 was a 53-week year. Years ended December 29, 2000 and December 25, 1998 were 52-week years. Basis of Statement Presentation. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the parent company and its subsidiaries after elimination of all significant intercompany balances and transactions. As of December 29, 2000, all subsidiaries are 100 percent owned. Subsidiaries in Japan and Korea have been included on the basis of fiscal years ended November 30 to effect more timely consolidated financial reporting. Foreign Currency Translation. The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for all foreign subsidiaries except Graco Verfahrenstechnik (GV) in Germany, whose functional currency is the Euro. Accordingly, adjustments resulting from the translation of GV's financial statements into U.S. dollars are charged or credited to a separate component of shareholders' equity. Gains and losses from the translation of foreign currency balances and transactions of other foreign subsidiaries are included in other expense (income). Accounting Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash Equivalents. All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents. Inventory Valuation. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost method is used for valuing all U.S. inventories. Inventories of foreign subsidiaries are valued using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost method. Property, Plant and Equipment. For financial reporting purposes, plant and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, primarily by using the straight-line method as follows: Buildings and improvements 10 to 30 years Leasehold improvements 5 to 10 years Manufacturing equipment and tooling 5 to 10 years Office, warehouse and automotive equipment 3 to 10 years Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. There have been no write downs of any long-lived assets in the periods presented. Self-Insurance. The Company is self-insured for certain losses relating to product liability, workers' compensation and employee medical benefits claims. The Company has purchased stop-loss coverage in order to limit its exposure to significant claims. Accrued insurance liabilities are based on claims filed and estimates of claims incurred but not reported. Revenue Recognition. The Company recognizes revenue when title passes, which is usually upon shipment. The Company records provisions for anticipated returns and warranty claims at the time revenue is recognized. Provisions for sales returns are recorded as a reduction of net sales, and provisions for warranty claims are recorded in selling, marketing and distribution expenses. Freight Expense. Freight expenses for products shipped to customers are included in cost of products sold, in accordance with EITF No. 00-10, "Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs." Such expenses were formerly reported as a reduction of net sales. Freight-out expenses for 1999 and 1998 have been reclassified to cost of products sold, which had no effect on previously reported gross profit amounts or net earnings. Earnings Per Common Share. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share is computed after giving effect to the exercise of all dilutive outstanding option grants. Comprehensive Earnings. Comprehensive earnings is a measure of all changes in shareholders' equity except those resulting from investments by and distributions to owners, and includes such items as net earnings, certain foreign currency translation items, minimum pension liability adjustments and changes in the value of available-for-sale securities. Stock-Based Compensation. As allowed under SFAS No. 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," the Company has elected to apply Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its stock option and purchase plans and adopt the "disclosure only" provisions of SFAS No. 123. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. As part of its risk management program, the Company uses currency hedges and interest rate swaps to hedge known market exposures. Terms of derivative instruments are structured to match the terms of the risk being hedged and are generally held to maturity. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company periodically evaluates its monetary asset and liability positions denominated in foreign currencies. The Company enters into forward contracts, borrowings in various currencies or options, in order to hedge its net monetary positions. These hedges and net monetary positions are recorded at current market values and the gains and losses are included in other expense (income). 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 notional amounts (which may not be indicative of credit or market risk) of such contracts were $12 million and $23 million at December 29, 2000 and December 31, 1999. The Company utilizes interest rate swaps to convert a portion of its underlying debt from a variable rate to a fixed rate. Gains and losses on these agreements are included in interest expense under the settlement method of accounting. The notional amounts of such contracts were $1.5 million and $52 million at December 29, 2000 and December 31, 1999. On December 30, 2000, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," as amended by SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and for hedging activities. It requires that all derivatives, including those embedded in other contracts, be recognized as either assets or liabilities and that those financial instruments be measured at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on their intended use and designation. The Company has reviewed the requirements of SFAS No. 133 and has determined that the forward currency contracts and the interest rate swap discussed above are freestanding derivatives. The forward currency contracts are used to hedge the net monetary position of subsidiaries whose translation adjustments are recorded in earnings and therefore no designated hedging strategy is required to achieve the Company's economic strategy. The fair value of the interest rate swap is insignificant. All 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. The adoption of SFAS No. 133 on December 30, 2000, resulted in no transition adjustment. B. Segment Information The Company has three reportable segments: Industrial/Automotive, Contractor and Lubrication. The Industrial/Automotive segment markets equipment and pre-engineered packages for moving and applying paints, coatings, sealants, adhesives and other fluids. Markets served include automotive and truck assembly and components plants, wood products, rail, marine, aerospace, farm, construction, bus, recreational vehicles, and various other industries. The Contractor segment markets sprayers for architectural coatings for painting, roofing, texture, corrosion control and line striping and also high-pressure washers. The Lubrication segment markets products to move and dispense lubricants for fast oil change facilities, service garages, fleet service centers, automobile dealerships, the mining industry and industrial lubrication. All segments market parts and accessories for their products. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The cost of manufacturing for each segment is based on product cost, and expenses are based on actual costs incurred along with cost allocations of shared and centralized functions. Certain products are sold across segments, in which case the segment marketing the product is credited with the sale. Assets of the Company are not tracked along reportable segment lines. Reportable segments are defined by product and type of customer. Segments are responsible for the sales, marketing and development of their products and market channel. This allows for focused marketing and efficient product development. The segments share common purchasing, manufacturing, distribution and administration functions. Unallocated (In thousands) Industrial/ Corporate Reportable Segments Automotive Contractor Lubrication Expenses Total - ----------------------------------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -------- 2000 Net sales to unaffiliated customers $227,963 $221,538 $44,872 $494,373 Segment operating earnings 57,798 47,935 10,600 (5,091) 111,242 1999 Net sales to unaffiliated customers 227,772 178,616 44,086 450,474 Segment operating earnings 48,143 41,736 10,307 (6,995) 93,191 1998 Net sales to unaffiliated customers 235,328 160,718 44,539 440,585 Segment operating earnings 42,973 35,836 8,829 (10,765) 76,873 ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -------- Geographic Information 2000 1999 1998 - ------------------------ -------- -------- -------- Sales United States $329,068 $286,483 $270,337 Other countries 165,305 163,991 170,248 -------- -------- -------- Total $494,373 $450,474 $440,585 -------- -------- -------- Long-lived assets United States $80,811 $80,259 $91,068 Belgium 10,437 11,298 5,554 Other countries 3,555 5,972 4,569 -------- -------- -------- Total $94,803 $97,529 $101,191 ======== ======== ======== Sales to Major Customers No customer represented 10 percent or more of consolidated sales in 2000 or 1998. In 1999, sales to a paint manufacturer and retailer in the Contractor segment totaled 11 percent of consolidated sales. C. Inventories Major components of inventories were as follows: (In thousands) 2000 1999 ------------------------------------------------------- ------- ------- Finished products and components $26,812 $25,748 Products and components in various stages of completion 20,153 23,560 Raw materials and purchased components 19,259 21,961 ------- ------- 66,224 71,269 Reduction to LIFO cost (33,145) (33,567) ------- ------- Total $33,079 $37,702 ======= ======= Inventories valued under the LIFO method were $20,585,000 and $22,990,000 for 2000 and 1999. All other inventory was valued on the FIFO method. In 2000 and 1999, certain inventory quantities were reduced, resulting in liquidation of LIFO inventory quantities carried at lower costs from prior years. The effect on net earnings was not significant.

D. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment were as follows: (In thousands) 2000 1999 - ------------------------------------------ --------- -------- Land $ 4,062 $ 3,923 Buildings and improvements 50,512 54,607 Manufacturing equipment 105,509 101,044 Office, warehouse and automotive equipment 22,652 22,196 Construction in progress 4,137 386 --------- -------- Total property, plant and equipment 186,872 182,156 Accumulated depreciation (102,883) (95,663) --------- -------- Net property, plant and equipment $ 83,989 $ 86,493 ========= ======== E. Income Taxes Earnings before income tax expense consist of: (In thousands) 2000 1999 1998 - -------------- -------- ------- ------- Domestic $ 95,440 $87,292 $61,709 Foreign 10,468 1,549 9,654 -------- ------- ------- Total $105,908 $88,841 $71,363 ======== ======= ======= Income tax expense consists of: (In thousands) 2000 1999 1998 - ------------------ ------- ------- ------- Current: Domestic: Federal $28,532 $23,081 $17,374 State and local 2,164 2,323 1,600 Foreign 3,018 2,867 5,628 ------- ------- ------- $33,714 $28,271 $24,602 ------- ------- ------- Deferred: Domestic 2,414 1,778 (423) Foreign (328) (549) (79) ------- ------- ------- 2,086 1,229 (502) ------- ------- ------- Total $35,800 $29,500 $24,100 ======= ======= ======= Income taxes paid were $30,919,000, $31,272,000 and $22,922,000 in 2000, 1999 and 1998. A reconciliation between the U.S. federal statutory tax rate and the effective tax rate is as follows: 2000 1999 1998 - ------------------------------------- ---- ---- ---- Statutory tax rate 35% 35% 35% Earnings from non-U.S. sales at lower (1) (2) (1) tax rates State taxes, net of federal effect 1 2 2 U.S. general business tax credits (1) (2) (1) Other -- -- (1) ---- ---- ---- Effective tax rate 34% 33% 34% ==== ==== ==== Deferred income taxes are provided for all temporary differences between the financial reporting and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. The deferred tax assets (liabilities) resulting from these differences are as follows: (In thousands) 2000 1999 - -------------------------------------------------------- ------- ------- Inventory valuations $ 2,847 $ 3,365 Insurance accruals 3,247 3,202 Vacation accruals 1,435 1,207 Bad debt reserves 1,321 1,247 Net operating loss carryforward 334 653 Other 2,390 2,683 ------- ------- Current 11,574 12,357 ------- ------- Unremitted earnings of consolidated foreign subsidiaries (1,950) (2,544) Excess of tax over book depreciation (7,494) (6,597) Postretirement benefits 5,721 5,363 Pension and deferred compensation 1,880 3,239 Other 1,275 1,054 ------- ------- Non-current (568) 515 ------- ------- Net deferred tax assets $11,006 $12,872 ======= ======= Total deferred tax assets were $20,923,000 and $22,319,000 and total deferred tax liabilities were $9,917,000 and $9,447,000 on December 29, 2000 and December 31, 1999. F. Debt (In thousands) 2000 1999 - -------------------------------------------------------------- ------- ------- Reducing revolving credit facility, 7.14% at December 29, 2000 $17,500 $63,834 Other 1,860 3,076 ------- ------- Total long-term debt 19,360 66,910 Less current portion 1,310 1,215 ------- ------- Long-term portion $18,050 $65,695 ======= ======= Aggregate annual scheduled maturities of long-term debt for the next five years are as follows: 2001-$1,310,000; 2002-$550,000; 2003-$17,500,000; zero in 2004 and 2005. Interest paid on debt during 2000, 1999 and 1998 amounted to $4,171,000, $6,843,000 and $4,742,000. The fair value of the Company's long-term debt at December 29, 2000 and December 31, 1999 is not materially different than its recorded value. In July 1998, the Company entered into a five-year $190 million reducing revolving credit facility (the "Revolver") with a syndicate of ten banks including the lead bank, U.S. Bank National Association. The Revolver was subsequently reduced to $132 million by December 31, 1999 and was further reduced to $72 million by December 29, 2000. The $17,500,000 outstanding balance bears interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a spread of 0.45 percent. This spread changes as the ratio of total debt to earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization declines. The Revolver specifies quarterly reductions of the maximum amount of the credit line, and requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios as to net worth, cash flow leverage and fixed charge coverage. The Revolver effectively restricts dividend payments that would cause a violation of the tangible net worth ratio covenant. The amount of the restriction on future dividend payments was $51 million at December 29, 2000. The Company had an interest rate swap agreement in place whereby it fixed the underlying interest rate on $50 million of the Revolver at 5.76 percent. This contract matured on July 3, 2000. The cash flows related to the swap agreement were recorded as an adjustment to interest expense. On December 29, 2000, the Company had lines of credit with U.S. and foreign banks of $95 million, including the $72 million Revolver. The unused portion of these credit lines was $66 million at December 29, 2000. Borrowing rates under these credit lines vary with the prime rate, rates on domestic certificates of deposit and the London interbank market. The weighted short-term borrowing rates were 6.2 percent, 5.4 percent and 6.3 percent for the years ended December 29, 2000, December 31, 1999, and December 25, 1998. The Company pays commitment fees of up to 0.175 percent per annum on the daily average unused amounts on certain of these lines. No compensating balances are required. The Company is in compliance with the financial covenants of its debt agreements. G. Shareholders' Equity In July 1998 the Company repurchased 5.8 million shares of common stock for $190,887,000 from its largest shareholder, the Trust under the Will of Clarissa L. Gray. The stock repurchase was funded with cash of $32,887,000 and $158,000,000 from the Revolver. The Board of Directors declared a three-for-two stock split on December 8, 2000, to be distributed February 6, 2001, for shares outstanding on January 15, 2001. All stock option, share and per share data has been restated to reflect the split. At December 29, 2000, the Company had 22,549 authorized, but not issued, cumulative preferred shares. The Company also has authorized, but not issued, a separate class of 3 million shares of preferred stock, $1 par value. The Company maintains a plan in which one preferred share purchase right ("Right") exists for each common share of the Company. Each Right will entitle its holder to purchase one four-hundredth of a share of a new series of junior participating preferred stock at an exercise price of $180, subject to adjustment. The Rights are exercisable only if a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 15 percent or more of the Company's outstanding common stock. The Rights expire in March 2010 and may be redeemed earlier by the Board of Directors for $.001 per Right. H. Stock Option and Purchase Plans Stock Option Plans. In 1999, the Board of Directors approved an Employee Stock Incentive Plan, under which the Company grants stock options to employees who are not officers of the Company. The option price is the market price on the date the grant is approved and the options vest three years from the date of the grant and expire after ten years. 1,500,000 shares have been reserved for issuance under the Plan, with 1,497,600 remaining reserved at December 29, 2000. The Company has a Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, under which a total of 7,818,750 common shares have been reserved for issuance, with 3,547,620 shares remaining reserved at December 29, 2000. Grants under this Plan are in the form of restricted share awards and stock options. The option price is the market price on the date the grant is approved. Options become exercisable at such time and in such installments as set by the Company, and expire ten years from the date of grant. Restricted share awards of 963,914 common shares have been made to certain key employees under the Plan. No restricted share awards are outstanding at December 29, 2000 and there is no related compensation cost in 2000. Compensation cost charged to operations for the restricted share awards was $615,000 and $361,000 in 1999 and 1998. The Company has a Non-employee Director Stock Option Plan, under which the Company makes initial and annual grants to the non-employee directors of the Company. Non-employee directors receive an initial option grant of 3,000 shares upon first appointment or election and an annual option grant of 2,500 shares. There are 450,000 common shares authorized for issuance under the Plan; 444,936 remained reserved at the end of 2000. The exercise price of each option is the fair market value at the date of grant. The options have a ten-year duration and may be exercised in equal installments over four years, beginning one year from the date of grant. Options on common shares granted and outstanding, as well as the weighted average exercise price, are shown below: Weighted Weighted Average Average Exercise Options Exercise Options Price Exercisable Price - ------------------------------ --------- -------- ----------- -------- Outstanding, December 26, 1997 1,655,577 $ 7.77 690,219 $ 5.82 Granted 479,625 19.86 Exercised (213,083) 5.73 Canceled (149,437) 11.89 --------- -------- ----------- -------- Outstanding, December 25, 1998 1,772,682 $10.86 766,329 $ 6.59 Granted 706,748 14.57 Exercised (424,580) 4.82 Canceled (55,705) 15.69 --------- -------- ----------- -------- Outstanding, December 31, 1999 1,999,145 $12.69 1,117,539 $10.00 Granted 438,000 20.59 Exercised (387,597) 10.69 Canceled (87,258) 15.39 --------- -------- ----------- -------- Outstanding, December 29, 2000 1,962,290 $14.74 943,151 $11.46 ========= ======== =========== ======== The following table summarizes information for options outstanding and exercisable at December 29, 2000: Options Options Exercisable Options Outstanding Weighted Outstanding Weighted Avg. Avg. Range of Options Weighted Avg. Exercise Options Exercise Prices Outstanding Remaining Life Price Exercisable Price - ---------- ----------- -------------- ------------- ----------- ----------- $ 4-10 515,519 2 $ 6.74 512,091 $ 6.72 11-18 626,699 4 13.99 195,921 13.38 19-24 820,072 5 20.34 235,139 20.17 ----------- -------------- ------------- ----------- ----------- $ 4-24 1,962,290 4 $14.74 943,151 $11.46 Stock Purchase Plans. Under the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 8,775,000 common shares have been reserved for sale to employees, 1,169,840 of which remained unissued at the end of 2000. The purchase price of the shares under the Plan is the lesser of 85 percent of the fair market value on the first day or the last day of the Plan year. Non-employee Director Stock Plan. The Plan enables individual non-employee directors of the Company to elect to receive or defer all or part of a director's annual retainer, and/or payment for attendance at Board or Committee meetings, in the form of shares of the Company's common stock instead of cash. The Company issued 6,927, 6,161 and 5,035 shares under this Plan during 2000, 1999 and 1998. The expense related to this Plan is not significant. Stock-Based Compensation. No compensation cost has been recognized for the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and stock options granted under the Employee Stock Incentive Plan, the Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan and the Non-employee Director Stock Option Plan. Had compensation cost for the stock option plans been determined based upon fair value at the grant date for awards under these plans, the Company's net earnings and earnings per share would have been reduced as follows: 2000 1999 1998 - ------------------------------ ------- ------- ------- Net earnings As reported $70,108 $59,341 $47,263 Pro forma 65,506 55,998 45,144 Net earnings per common share Basic as reported $ 2.31 $ 1.95 $ 1.37 Diluted as reported 2.27 1.90 1.34 Pro forma basic 2.16 1.84 1.31 Pro forma diluted 2.09 1.79 1.28 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: 2000 1999 1998 - ---------------------- ---- ---- ---- Expected life in years 6.1 5.3 8.0 Interest rate 6.4% 5.1% 5.5% Volatility 44.5% 43.5% 40.2% Dividend yield 1.8% 1.9% 1.5% Based upon these assumptions, the weighted average fair value at grant date of options granted in 2000, 1999 and 1998 was $8.16, $5.19 and $8.25. The fair value of the employees' purchase rights under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions: 2000 1999 1998 - ---------------------- ---- ---- ---- Expected life in years 1.0 1.0 1.0 Interest rate 6.4% 5.2% 5.5% Volatility 45.2% 43.8% 40.2% Dividend yield 1.9% 2.0% 1.5% 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 Black-Scholes. The weighted average fair value per common share was $5.95, $4.08 and $5.23 in 2000, 1999 and 1998. I. Earnings per Share Earnings per share for all years presented has been calculated to reflect the three-for-two stock split to be distributed February 6, 2001. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share: (In thousands, except per share amounts) 2000 1999 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- ------- ------- Numerator: Net earnings available to common shareholders $70,108 $59,341 $47,263 ------- ------- ------- Denominators: Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares 30,407 30,372 34,412 Dilutive effect of stock options computed based on the treasury stock method using the average market price 498 927 909 ------- ------- ------- Denominator for diluted earnings per share 30,905 31,299 35,321 ======= ======= ======= Basic earnings per share $ 2.31 $ 1.95 $ 1.37 ======= ======= ======= Diluted earnings per share $ 2.27 $ 1.90 $ 1.34 ======= ======= ======= J. Retirement Benefits The Company has a defined contribution plan, under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, which provides additional retirement benefits to all U.S. employees who elect to participate. The Company matches employee contributions at a 100 percent rate, up to 3 percent of the employee's compensation. Employer contributions were $2,162,000, $2,008,000 and $1,989,000 in 2000, 1999 and 1998. The Company's postretirement medical plan provides certain medical benefits for retired employees. U.S. employees are eligible for these benefits upon retirement and fulfillment of other eligibility requirements as specified by the Plan. The Company has non-contributory defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all U.S. employees and directors and some of the employees of the Company's non-U.S. subsidiaries. For the U.S. plans, the benefits are based on years of service and the highest five consecutive years' earnings in the ten years preceding retirement. The Company funds these plans annually in amounts consistent with minimum funding requirements and maximum tax deduction limits and invests primarily in common stocks and bonds, including the Company's common stock. The market value of the Plans' investment in the common stock of the Company was $16,090,000 and $19,472,000 at December 29, 2000 and December 31, 1999. The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the Plans' benefit obligations and fair value of assets over the periods ending December 29, 2000 and December 31, 1999, and a statement of the funded status as of the same dates.

Pension Benefits Other Benefits ------------------- ------------------- (In thousands) 2000 1999 2000 1999 - ------------------------------------ -------- -------- -------- -------- Reconciliation of benefit obligation Obligation, beginning of year $102,040 $ 95,141 $ 15,430 $ 15,623 Service cost 3,733 3,517 459 482 Interest cost 6,961 6,267 1,063 995 Acquisition -- 2,671 -- -- Curtailment -- (541) -- -- Actuarial (gain) loss 211 (2,162) 537 (573) Benefit payments (3,363) (2,853) (1,191) (1,097) -------- -------- -------- -------- Obligation, end of year $109,582 $102,040 $ 16,298 $ 15,430 -------- -------- -------- -------- Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets Fair value, beginning of year $135,997 $103,106 $ -- $ -- Actual return on assets 3,770 35,454 -- -- Employer contribution 412 264 1,191 1,097 Benefit payments (3,363) (2,827) (1,191) (1,097) -------- -------- -------- -------- Fair value, end of year $136,816 $135,997 $ -- $ -- -------- -------- -------- -------- Funded status Funded status over (under), end of year $ 27,234 $ 33,957 $(16,298) $(15,430) Unrecognized transition (asset) obligation (64) (68) -- -- Unrecognized prior service cost 1,734 1,954 -- -- Unrecognized (gain) loss (35,946) (46,058) 645 107 -------- -------- -------- -------- Net $ (7,042) $(10,215) $(15,653) $(15,323) ======== ======== ======== ======== The following table provides the amounts included in the Statement of Financial Position as of December 29, 2000 and December 31, 1999. Pension Benefits Other Benefits -------------------- ------------------- (In thousands) 2000 1999 2000 1999 - ------------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Accrued benefit liability $(10,018) $(10,659) $(15,653) $(15,323) Other assets 2,976 427 -- -- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net $ (7,042) $(10,232) $(15,653) $(15,323) ======== ======== ======== ======== The components of net periodic benefit cost for the plans for 2000, 1999 and 1998 were as follows: Pension Benefits Other Benefits ------------------------------ -------------------------- (In thousands) 2000 1999 1998 2000 1999 1998 - ------------------------------------------------ -------- -------- -------- ------ ------ ------ Service cost - benefits earned during the period $ 3,733 $ 3,517 $ 2,959 $ 459 $ 482 $ 442 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 6,961 6,267 5,595 1,063 995 954 Expected return on assets (12,086) (11,189) (9,711) -- -- -- Amortization of transition (asset) obligation (3) (4) (3) -- -- -- Amortization of prior service cost 220 231 230 -- -- -- Amortization of net (gain) loss (2,707) (629) (1,067) -- -- -- Cost of pension plans which are not significant and have not adopted SFAS No. 87 130 266 371 N/A N/A N/A -------- -------- -------- ------ ------ ------ Net periodic benefit (credit) cost (3,752) (1,541) (1,626) 1,522 1,477 1,396 -------- -------- -------- ------ ------ ------ Curtailment gain -- (541) (239) -- -- -- Settlement gain -- -- (271) -- -- -- -------- -------- -------- ------ ------ ------ Net periodic benefit (credit) cost after curtailments and settlements $ (3,752) $ (2,082) $ (2,136) $1,522 $1,477 $1,396 ======== ======== ======== ====== ====== ====== The Company's retirement medical plan limits the annual cost increase that will be paid by the Company. In measuring the Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation (APBO), a 6 percent maximum annual trend rate for healthcare costs was assumed for the year ending December 29, 2000. This rate is assumed to remain constant through the year 2001, decline to 5.5 percent in 2002 and 4.5 percent in 2003, and remain at that level thereafter. The other assumptions used in the measurement of the Company's benefit obligation are shown below: Pension Benefits Other Benefits -------------------- -------------------- Weighted average assumptions 2000 1999 1998 2000 1999 1998 - ---------------------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Discount rate 7.0% 6.5% 6.5% 7.0% 6.5% 7.0% Expected return on assets 9.0% 11.0% 11.0% N/A N/A N/A Rate of compensation increase 3.6% 3.6% 3.3% N/A N/A N/A ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== At December 29, 2000, a 1 percent change in assumed healthcare cost trend rates would have the following effects: (In thousands) 1% Increase 1% Decrease - ---------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- Effect on total of service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement healthcare benefit cost $ 247 $ (200) Effect on the healthcare component of the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation $2,276 $(1,882) ----------- ----------- K. Commitments and Contingencies Lease Commitments. Aggregate annual rental commitments at December 29, 2000, under operating leases with non-cancelable terms of more than one year, were $6,230,000, payable as follows: Vehicles & (In thousands) Buildings Equipment Total - -------------- --------- --------- ------ 2001 $1,533 $1,128 $2,661 2002 969 692 1,661 2003 930 454 1,384 2004 280 183 463 2005 46 15 61 Thereafter -- -- -- --------- --------- ------ Total $3,758 $2,472 $6,230 ========= ========= ====== Total rental expense was $2,499,000 for 2000, $3,492,000 for 1999 and $3,307,000 for 1998. Contingencies. The Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business activities, none of which, in management's opinion, is expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations or its financial position. L. Acquisition In 1999, the Company formed Graco Verfahrenstechnik which on June 1, 1999 purchased certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Bollhoff Verfahrenstechnik (BV), located in Bielefeld, Germany. BV designed, manufactured and sold fluid application equipment for industrial and automotive markets, primarily in Germany, and had 1998 sales of approximately $20 million. Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure None. PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant The information under the heading "Executive Officers of the Company" in Part I of this 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the information under the headings "Election of Directors, Nominees and Other Directors" on pages 2 through 4 and under the heading "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" on page 15, of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be held on May 1, 2001 (the "Proxy Statement"), is incorporated herein by reference. Item 11. Executive Compensation The information contained under the heading "Executive Compensation" on pages 6 through 13 of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference, other than the subsection thereunder entitled "Report of the Management Organization and Compensation Committee" and "Comparative Stock Performance Graph." Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management The information contained under the heading "Beneficial Ownership of Shares" on pages 14 through 15 of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions The information under the heading "Certain Business Relationships" on page 14 of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be held on May 1, 2001 (the "Proxy Statement"), is incorporated herein by reference. PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedule, and Reports on Form 8-K (a) The following documents are filed as part of this report: (1) Financial Statements See Part II (2) Financial Statement Schedule Page ---- o Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts..............31 All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, or not required, or because the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto. (3) Management Contract, Compensatory Plan or Arrangement. (See Exhibit Index).............................................33 Those entries marked by an asterisk are Management Contracts, Compensatory Plans or Arrangements. (b) Reports on Form 8-K There were no reports on Form 8-K for the thirteen weeks ended December 29, 2000. (c) Exhibit Index ....................................................33

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries Additions Balance at charged to Deductions Change Balance beginning costs and From Add at end of Description of year expenses Reserves (Deduct) end of year - ----------------------------------- ----------- ---------- ---------- -------- ----------- Year ended December 29, 2000: Allowance for doubtful accounts $2,500 $ 100 $ 300 $2,300 Allowance for returns and credits 2,000 7,300 6,900 2,400 ----------- ---------- ---------- -------- ----------- $4,500 $7,400 $7,200 $4,700 ----------- ---------- ---------- -------- ----------- Year ended December 31, 1999: Allowance for doubtful accounts $2,600 $ 300 $ 600 $200 $2,500 Allowance for returns and credits 1,800 6,000 5,800 2,000 ----------- ---------- ---------- -------- ----------- $4,400 $6,300 $6,400 $200 $4,500 =========== ========== ========== ======== =========== Year ended December 25, 1998: Allowance for doubtful accounts $2,200 $ 900 $ 500 $2,600 Allowance for returns and credits 1,900 3,400 3,500 1,800 ----------- ---------- ---------- -------- ----------- $4,100 $4,300 $4,000 $4,400 =========== ========== ========== ======== =========== 1 Accounts determined to be uncollectible and charged against reserve, net of collections on accounts previously charged against reserves. 2 Credits issued and returns processed. 3 Assumed or established in connection with acquisition.

Signatures Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. /s/GEORGE ARISTIDES March 16, 2001 ------------------- -------------- George Aristides Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. /s/GEORGE ARISTIDES March 16, 2001 ------------------- -------------- George Aristides Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) /s/MARK W. SHEAHAN March 16, 2001 ------------------ -------------- Mark W. Sheahan Vice President and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) /s/JAMES A. GRANER March 16, 2001 ------------------ -------------- James A. Graner Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) D. A. Koch Director, Chairman of the Board G. Aristides Director R. O. Baukol Director R. G. Bohn Director W. J. Carroll Director D. D. Johnson Director L. R. Mitau Director M. A.M. Morfitt Director M. H. Rauenhorst Director J. L. Scott Director W. G. Van Dyke Director George Aristides, by signing his name hereto, does hereby sign this document on behalf of himself and each of the above named directors of the Registrant pursuant to powers of attorney duly executed by such persons. /s/GEORGE ARISTIDES March 16, 2001 ------------------- -------------- George Aristides (For himself and as attorney-in-fact)

Exhibit Index Exhibit Number Description ------- ----------- 3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation as amended December 8, 2000. 3.2 Restated Bylaws as amended September 29, 2000. 4.1 Rights Agreement dated as of February 25, 2000, between the Company and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Rights Agent, including as Exhibit A the form of the Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Shares. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated February 25, 2000.) 4.2 Credit Agreement dated July 2, 1998, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent for a combination of banks. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 25, 1998.) 4.3 Amendment dated August 31, 1999 to Credit Agreement dated June 26, 1998 between the Company and Wachovia Bank, N.A. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 1999.) *10.1 2000 Corporate and Business Unit Annual Bonus Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2000.) *10.2 Deferred Compensation Plan Restated, effective December 1, 1992. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated March 11, 1993.) Amendment 1 dated September 1, 1996. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the twenty-six weeks ended June 27, 1997.) *10.3 Executive Deferred Compensation Agreement. Form of supplementary agreement entered into by the Company which provides a retirement benefit to selected executive officers, as amended by Amendment 1, effective September 1, 1990. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated March 11, 1993.) *10.4 Chairman's Award Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated March 7, 1988.) *10.5 Long Term Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated December 10, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K.) *10.6 Retirement Plan for Non-Employee Directors. (Incorporated by reference to Attachment C to Item 5 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 1991.) *10.7 Restoration Plan 1998 Restatement. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's 1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K.) *10.8 Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for award of non-incentive stock options to executive officers, dated May 2, 1994. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 1994.) *10.9 Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for award of non-incentive stock options to selected officers, dated December 15, 1994, December 27, 1994 and February 23, 1995. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K.) *10.10 Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for award of non-incentive stock option to one executive officer, dated December 15, 1995. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K.) *10.11 Form of salary protection arrangement between the Company and executive officers. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K.) *10.12 Non-employee Director Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated November 6, 1997. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company's 1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K.) *10.13 Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for award of nonstatutory stock options to non-employee directors, dated May 7, 1996. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 1996.) *10.14 Stock Option Agreement Amendment. Form of amendment, dated March 8, 1997, used to remove alternative stock appreciation right from incentive stock option agreement dated February 25, 1993, for selected officers. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K.) *10.15 Stock Option Agreement Amendment. Form of amendment, dated March 8, 1997, used to remove alternative stock appreciation right from non-incentive stock option agreement dated May 4, 1993, for selected officers. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Company's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K.) *10.16 Key Employee Agreement. Form of agreement with officers and other key employees relating to change of control, dated April 2, 1997. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the twenty-six weeks ended June 27, 1997.) *10.17 Stock Option Agreement Amendment. Form of amendment, dated April 14, 1997, used to add change of control provision to non-incentive stock options to executive officer dated May 2, 1994, March 1, 1995 and March 1, 1996. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the twenty-six weeks ended June 27, 1997.) *10.18 Stock Option Agreement Amendment. Form of amendment, dated April 14, 1997, used to add change of control provision to non-incentive stock options to selected officers dated December 15, 1994. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the twenty-six weeks ended June 27, 1997.) *10.19 Stock Option Agreement Amendment. Form of amendment, dated April 14, 1997, used to add change of control provision to non-incentive stock options to one executive officer dated December 15, 1995. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the twenty-six weeks ended June 27, 1997.) *10.20 Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for award of non-incentive stock option to one executive officer, dated April 23, 1997. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the twenty-six weeks ended June 27, 1997.) *10.21 Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for award of nonstatutory stock options to non-employee directors, dated May 6, 1997. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the twenty-six weeks ended June 27, 1997.) *10.22 Executive Long Term Incentive Agreement. Form of restricted stock award agreement used for award to one executive officer, dated May 6, 1997. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the twenty-six weeks ended June 27, 1997.) *10.23 Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for award of non-incentive stock option to two executive officers, dated May 6, 1997. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the twenty-six weeks ended June 27, 1997.) *10.24 Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for award of nonstatutory stock options to non-employee director, dated September 5, 1997. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 1997.) *10.25 Trust Agreement dated September 30, 1997, between the Company and Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 1997.) *10.26 Key Employee Agreement Amendment. Form of amendment dated January 9, 1998, revising payment reduction provisions. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company's 1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K.) *10.27 Non-employee Director Stock Plan, as amended and restated June 18, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the twenty-six weeks ended June 25, 1999.) *10.28 Retirement and Release Agreement between Clayton R. Carter and the Company dated June 26, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 1999.) *10.29 Separation and Release Agreement between Roger L. King and the Company dated August 10, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 1999.) *10.30 Separation and Release Agreement between James A. Earnshaw and the Company dated December 31, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K.) *10.31 Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement under the Long Term Stock Incentive Plan dated December 12, 1997. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 1999.) *10.32 Executive Long Term Incentive Agreement between the Company and one executive officer dated February 22, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 1999.) *10.33 Key Employee Agreement between the Company and one executive officer dated March 1, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 1999.) *10.34 Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for award of non-incentive stock options to one executive officer, dated March 1, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 1999.) *10.35 Executive Officer Annual Incentive Bonus Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Company's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K.) *10.36 Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement under the Long Term Stock Incentive Plan dated December 12, 1997. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2000.) *10.37 Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for award of non-incentive stock options to one executive officer dated February 9, 2000. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2000.) *10.38 Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for award of non-incentive stock options to one executive officer dated February 24, 2000. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2000.) *10.39 Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for award of non-incentive stock options to one executive officer dated February 23, 2001. *10.40 Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for award of non-incentive stock options to one executive officer dated February 23, 2001. *10.41 Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for award of non-incentive stock options to selected officers, dated February 23, 2001. 11 Statement of Computation of Earnings per share included in Note I on page 27. 21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant included herein on page 37. 23 Independent Auditors' Consent included herein on page 37. 24 Power of Attorney included herein on page 38. 99 Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements. *Management Contracts, Compensatory Plans or Arrangements. Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K, copies of certain instruments defining the rights of holders of certain long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries are not filed as exhibits because the amount of debt authorized under any such instrument does not exceed 10 percent of the total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company agrees to furnish copies thereof to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

Exhibit 21 Subsidiaries of Graco Inc. The following are subsidiaries of the Company: Jurisdiction Percentage of Voting of Securities Owned by Subsidiary Organization the Company ---------------------------- ------------ -------------------- Equipos Graco Argentina S.A. Argentina 100%* Graco Barbados FSC Limited Barbados 100% Graco Canada Inc. Canada 100% Graco do Brasil Limitada Brazil 100%* Graco Europe N.V. Belgium 100%* Graco GmbH Germany 100% Graco Hong Kong Limited Hong Kong 100%* Graco K.K. Japan 100% Graco Korea Inc. Korea 100% Graco Limited England 100%* Graco Minnesota Inc. United States 100% Graco N.V. Belgium 100%* Graco S.A.S. France 100% Graco South Dakota Inc. United States 100%*** Graco S.r.l. Italy 100%* Graco Verfahrenstechnik GmbH Germany 100%** ---------------------------- ------------ -------------------- * Includes shares held by selected directors and/or executive officers of the Company or the relevant subsidiary to satisfy the requirements of local law. ** Shares 100% held by Graco N.V. ***Shares 100% held by Graco Minnesota Inc. Exhibit 23 Independent Auditors' Consent We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements No. 333-17691, No. 333-17787, No. 33-54205, No. 333-03459, and No. 333-7530 on Form S-8 of our report dated January 22, 2001, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Graco Inc. for the year ended December 29, 2000. /s/Deloitte & Touche LLP Deloitte & Touche LLP Minneapolis, Minnesota March 16, 2001

Exhibit 24 Power of Attorney Know all by these presents, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints George Aristides or Mark W. Sheahan, that person's true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for that person and in that person's name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2000, of Graco Inc. (and any and all amendments thereto) and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as that person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. In witness whereof, this Power of Attorney has been signed by the following persons on the date indicated. Date ------------------ /s/G. Aristides February 23, 2001 - --------------------------------- ------------------ G. Aristides /s/R. O. Baukol February 23, 2001 - --------------------------------- ------------------ R. O. Baukol /s/R. G. Bohn February 23, 2001 - --------------------------------- ------------------ R. G. Bohn /s/W. J. Carroll February 23, 2001 - --------------------------------- ------------------ W. J. Carroll /s/J. K. Gilligan February 23, 2001 - --------------------------------- ------------------ J. K. Gilligan /s/D. D. Johnson February 23, 2001 - --------------------------------- ------------------ D. D. Johnson /s/D. A. Koch February 23, 2001 - --------------------------------- ------------------ D. A. Koch /s/L. R. Mitau February 23, 2001 - --------------------------------- ------------------ L. R. Mitau /s/M. A.M. Morfitt February 23, 2001 - --------------------------------- ------------------ M. A.M. Morfitt /s/M. H. Rauenhorst February 23, 2001 - --------------------------------- ------------------ M. H. Rauenhorst /s/J. L. Scott February 23, 2001 - --------------------------------- ------------------ J. L. Scott /s/W. G. Van Dyke February 23, 2001 - --------------------------------- ------------------ W. G. Van Dyke


                              ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
                                    RESTATING
                           ARTICLE OF INCORPORATION OF
                                   GRACO INC.

                          INCIDENT TO A STOCK SPLIT BY
                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS


      The undersigned, Robert M. Mattison, Secretary of Graco Inc., a Minnesota
corporation, (the "Company"), hereby certifies:

      (i)   that Article 4.1(a) of the Company's  Articles of Incorporation  has
            been amended to read in its entirety as follows:

            "4.1(a) The total number of shares which this  corporation  shall be
            authorized to issue is Forty-eight  Million Twenty-two Thousand Five
            Hundred Forty-nine  (48,022,549)  shares of which Forty-five Million
            (45,000,000)  shares of the par  value of $1.00  per share  shall be
            Common Shares,  Three Million (3,000,000) shares of the par value of
            $1.00 per share shall be Preferred  Shares and  Twenty-two  Thousand
            Five Hundred Forty-nine  (22,249) shares of the par value of $100.00
            per share shall be Cumulative Preferred Shares."

      (ii)  That  such  amendment  has  been  adopted  in  accordance  with  the
            requirements  of, and  pursuant to,  Chapter  302A of the  Minnesota
            Statutes;

      (iii) That such amendment was adopted  pursuant to Section 302A.402 of the
            Minnesota  Statutes in  connection  with a division of the Company's
            Common Stock; and

      (iv)  That  such  amendment  will  not  adversely  affect  the  rights  or
            preferences of the holders of the outstanding shares of any class or
            series  of the  Company  and will not  result in the  percentage  of
            authorized shares of any class or series that remains unissued after
            such division  exceeding the percentage of authorized  shares of the
            same class or series remaining unissued before the division.

      The division giving rise to the amendment set forth above concerns a three
for two  split  of the  Common  Stock of the  Company.  Such  division  is being
effected as follows:

      (i)   on February  6, 2001,  (the  "Effective  Date") each share of Common
            Stock  outstanding  on January 15, 2001 (the "Record  Date") will be
            split and converted  into one and one-half  (1-1/2) shares of Common
            Stock of the Company; and

      (ii)  on or before the Effective  Date,  the Company's  transfer agent and
            registrar  will sign and  register  a  certificate  or  certificates
            representing  one share of the authorized but unissued  Common Stock
            of the Company  for every two shares of Common  Stock held of record
            by each common  shareholder  of record on the Record Date,  and will
            deliver or mail such certificates to each holder; and

      (iii) in settlement of fractional interests which may arise as a result of
            common  shareholders  of record on the Record Date  holding a number
            shares not divisible by two, such common shareholders of record will
            be  entitled  to cash in an amount  equal to the  product of (a) the
            fraction  one-half  (1/2)  multiplied  by (b) 66-2/3% of the closing
            sale price of the Company's Common Stock as reported by the New York
            Stock Exchange on the Effective Date.


      The document entitled  "Restated  Articles of Incorporation of Graco Inc."
marked as Exhibit A and attached  hereto  contains the full text of the Articles
of Incorporation  of Graco Inc.,  incorporating in its entirety the amendment of
Article 4.1(a) adopted by the Board of Directors on December 8, 2000.

      The document entitled  "Restated Articles of Incorporation of Graco Inc.",
attached  hereto as  Exhibit  A,  correctly  sets  forth,  without  change,  the
corresponding  provisions  of the existing  articles as  previously  amended and
merely  restates the existing  articles,  plus the instant  amendment to Article
4.1(a), in their entirety.

      The "Restated Articles of Incorporation of Graco Inc.", attached hereto as
Exhibit  A,  supersede  the prior  restated  Articles of Incorporation  and  all
amendments thereto.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  undersigned,  the Secretary of Graco Inc., being
duly  authorized  on behalf of Graco Inc.,  has executed this document this 15th
day of December, 2000.



                                          /s/Robert M. Mattison
                                          -----------------------------
                                          Robert M. Mattison
                                          Secretary



STATE OF MINNESOTA
                        SS
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN

The foregoing  instrument  was  acknowledged  before me on December 15, 2000, by
Robert M. Mattison, as Secretary of Graco Inc., on behalf of such corporation.



                                /s/Brenda L. Colsch
                                -------------------------------------
                                Brenda L. Colsch
                                Notary Public



Exhibit A RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF GRACO INC. (Approved by the Board of Directors on December 8, 2000) ARTICLE I 1. The name of this corporation shall be Graco Inc. ARTICLE 2 2. Corporation Service Company, is this corporation's registered agent in the State of Minnesota, and Multifoods Tower, 33 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, the business office address of Corporation Service Company, is the registered office of this corporation. ARTICL6E 3 3. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors of this corporation not needing approval by the shareholders under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 302A, may be taken by written action signed by the number of directors that would be required to take such action at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which all directors are present. ARTICLE 4 4.1 (a) The total number of shares which this corporation shall be authorized to issue is Forty-eight Million Twenty-two Thousand Five Hundred Forty-nine (48,022,549) shares of which Forty-five Million (45,000,000) shares of the par value of $1.00 per share shall be Common Shares, Three Million (3,000,000) shares of the par value of $1.00 per share shall be Preferred Shares and Twenty-two Thousand Five Hundred Forty-nine (22,249) shares of the par value of $100.00 per share shall be Cumulative Preferred Shares. (b) Preferred Shares may be issued from time to time in one or more series as the Board of Directors may determine, as hereinafter provided. The Board of Directors is hereby authorized by resolution or resolutions, to provide from time to time for series of Preferred Shares out of the unissued Preferred Shares not then allocated to any series of Preferred Shares. Before any shares of any such series are issued, the Board of Directors shall fix and determine, and is hereby expressly empowered to fix and determine, by resolution or resolutions, the designations and the relative rights and preferences thereof, of the shares of such series. Preferred Shares will be senior to the Cumulative Preferred Shares in terms of dividend and liquidation rights unless the Board of Directors specifically provides otherwise in the resolution or resolutions establishing a series of Preferred Shares. The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to vary the provisions relating to the foregoing matters among the various series of Preferred Shares. Preferred Shares of any series that shall be issued and thereafter acquired by the corporation through purchase, redemption (whether through the operation of a sinking fund or otherwise), conversion, exchange or otherwise, shall, upon appropriate filing and recording to the extent required by law, have the status of authorized and unissued Preferred Shares and may be reissued as part of such series or as part of any other series of Preferred Shares. Unless otherwise provided in the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issue thereof, the number of authorized shares of any series of Preferred Shares may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors and appropriate filing and recording to the extent required by law. In case the number of shares of any such series of Preferred Shares shall be decreased, the shares representing such decrease shall, unless otherwise provided in the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issuance thereof, resume the status of authorized but unissued Preferred Shares, undesignated as to series. 4.2 The designations, relative rights, voting powers, preferences and restrictions granted to or imposed upon the Common Shares and Cumulative Preferred Shares, which shall be subject to the rights granted to any series of Preferred Shares in the resolutions authorizing the series, are as follows: (a) Voting. Except as expressly set forth in sub-division (f) below and except as otherwise provided in the resolutions authorizing any series of Preferred Shares or by law, the holders of Common Shares shall have the sole voting rights of shareholders of the corporation and shall be entitled to one vote for each share held. The shareholders of the corporation shall have no right to cumulate votes for the election of directors. (b) No Pre-emptive Rights. Except as provided in the resolutions authorizing any series of Preferred Shares, no holders of any share of stock of any class of this corporation shall have any pre-emptive right to subscribe to any issue of shares of any class of this corporation now or hereafter authorized or any security hereafter issued by this corporation convertible into shares of this corporation. (c) Dividends. The holders of Cumulative Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive out of any assets legally available therefor, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, fixed cumulative dividends at the rate of five percent (5%) per annum upon the par value thereof, and no more, payable semiannually on January 1 and July 1 of each year. Such dividends shall be cumulative from January 1, 1969. In no event shall any dividend be paid or declared (other than dividends payable in Common Shares of any class), nor shall any distribution be made on the Common Shares of any class of the corporation, nor shall any Common Shares of any class be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired by the corporation for value unless all dividends on the Cumulative Preferred Shares for all past semiannual dividend periods and for the then current semiannual dividend period shall have been paid, or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment. Subject to the provisions of this Article 5 and not otherwise, dividends may be declared by the Board of Directors and paid from time to time, out of any funds legally available therefor, upon the Common Shares, and the holders of Cumulative Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to participate in any such dividends. (d) Redemption. The Cumulative Preferred Shares of the corporation may be redeemed as a whole at any time or in part from time to time at the option of the corporation by resolution of the Board of Directors at the redemption price of $105 per share together with an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid cumulative dividends thereon from the date on which dividends thereon became cumulative to the redemption date. If less than all of the outstanding Cumulative Preferred Shares are to be redeemed, the shares to be redeemed shall be selected by the Board of Directors or by a person appointed for such purpose by the Board of Directors. Notice of every redemption of Cumulative Preferred Shares shall be mailed addressed to the holders of record of the shares to be redeemed at their respective addresses as they appear on the stock books of the corporation not less than thirty (30) and not more than sixty (60) days prior to the date fixed for redemption. If notice of redemption shall have been duly given as aforesaid and if on or before the redemption date specified in the notice, all funds necessary for the redemption shall have been deposited in trust with a bank or trust company in good standing and doing business at any place within the United States, and designated in the notice of redemption, for the pro rata benefit of the shares so called for redemption, so as to be and continue to be available therefor, then, from and after the date of such deposit, notwithstanding that any certificate for Cumulative Preferred Shares so called for redemption shall not have been surrendered for cancellation, the shares represented thereby shall no longer be deemed outstanding, and the dividends thereon shall cease to accumulate from and after the date fixed for redemption, and all rights with respect to the Cumulative Preferred Shares so called for redemption shall forthwith, on the date of such deposit, cease and terminate except only the right of the holders thereof to receive the redemption price of the shares so redeemed, including accrued cumulative dividends to the redemption date, but without interest. Any funds deposited by the corporation pursuant to this paragraph and unclaimed at the end of six (6) years after the date fixed for redemption shall be repaid to the corporation upon its request expressed in a resolution of its Board of Directors, after which repayment the holders of the shares so called for redemption shall look only to the corporation for the payment thereof. (e) Dissolution, Liquidation, etc. In the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the corporation, before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of Common Shares, the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Shares shall be entitled to be paid in full the par value thereof if such liquidation, dissolution or winding up shall be involuntary, and the sum of $105 per share if such liquidation, dissolution or winding up shall be voluntary, together, in either event, with a sum, in the case of each share, equal to the cumulative accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for such distribution or payment. If such distribution or payment shall have been made to the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Shares or moneys made available for such payment in full, the remaining assets and funds of the corporation shall be distributed ratably to the holders of the Common Shares. If there shall be insufficient assets to make full payment to the holders of Cumulative Preferred Shares as above provided, the assets of the corporation shall be distributed among the holders of Cumulative Preferred Shares ratably. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, the Cumulative Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to participate in any of the profits, surplus or assets of the corporation. The consolidation or merger of the corporation into or with any other corporation or corporations pursuant to the statutes of the State of Minnesota shall not be deemed a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the corporation within the meaning of any of the provisions of this paragraph. (f) Special Voting Rights. The holders of Cumulative Preferred Shares shall not be entitled as such to vote at any meeting of the shareholders of the corporation except as required by law or as hereinafter otherwise provided. (i) If an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the corporation would adversely affect the rights of the holders of Cumulative Preferred Shares, then in addition to the vote thereon by the holders of the Common Shares, the holders of Cumulative Preferred Shares shall be entitled to vote separately as a class thereon, and such amendment shall be adopted only if it receives the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Cumulative Preferred Shares. (ii) After an amount equivalent to three (3) full semi-annual dividend installments of the Cumulative Preferred Shares shall be in default, the holders of Cumulative Preferred Shares at the time outstanding, voting separately as a class shall, at any annual meeting of the shareholders or any special meeting of the shareholders called as herein provided occurring during such period, elect two (2) members of the Board of Directors, and the holders of the Common Shares, voting separately as a class, shall elect the remaining directors of the corporation. (iii) After an amount equivalent to six (6) full semi-annual dividend installments of the Cumulative Preferred Shares shall be in default, the holders of Cumulative Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class, shall, at any annual meeting of the shareholders or any special meeting of the shareholders called as herein provided occurring during such period, elect the smallest number of directors necessary to constitute a majority of the full Board of Directors, and the holders of the Common Shares, voting separately as a class, shall elect the remaining directors of the corporation. At any annual meeting or special meeting of shareholders for the election of directors occurring after all cumulative dividends then in default on the Cumulative Preferred Shares then outstanding, including the dividend for the then current semi-annual period, shall have been paid, or declared and set apart for payment, the Cumulative Preferred Shares shall thereupon be divested of any rights with respect to the election of directors as above provided, but always subject to the same provisions for the revesting of such voting power in the Cumulative Preferred Shares in the case of a future like default or defaults in dividends on Preferred Shares. Voting power for the election of directors vested in the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Shares as above provided may be exercised at any annual meeting of shareholders or at a special meeting of shareholders held for such purpose, which special meeting of shareholders shall be called by the proper officers of the corporation at any time when such voting power shall be vested within twenty (20) days after written request therefor signed by the holder or holders of not less than ten percent (10%) of the Cumulative Preferred Shares then outstanding, the date of such special meeting to be not more than twenty (20) days from the date of giving notice thereof, and such notice shall be given to all holders of Cumulative Preferred Shares and Common Shares not less than ten (10) days prior to said meeting. In each such case such notice shall direct attention to the voting rights of the holders of Cumulative Preferred Shares. At any such meeting the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the Cumulative Preferred Shares outstanding shall be required to constitute a quorum for the election of directors whom the holders of Cumulative Preferred Shares are entitled to elect and, likewise, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the Common Shares outstanding shall be required to constitute a quorum for the election of directors whom the holder of Common Shares are entitled to elect; provided that either the Cumulative Preferred shareholders or the Common shareholders who are present in person or by proxy at such a meeting shall have power to adjourn such meeting for the election of directors to be elected by them from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting and, provided further, that the adjournment of the meeting for lack of a quorum of the Common shareholders shall not prevent the election at that meeting of the directors whom the Cumulative Preferred shareholders are entitled to elect if there is a quorum of the Cumulative preferred shareholders. If at any time the holders of Cumulative Preferred Shares shall become entitled to elect two (2) directors or a majority of the Board of Directors as aforesaid, the terms of all incumbent directors shall expire whenever such two (2) directors or such majority have been duly elected and qualified. Whenever the Cumulative Preferred Shares shall be divested of voting power with respect to the election of directors the terms of all then incumbent directors shall expire upon the election of a new board by the holders of Common Shares at the next annual or special meeting for the election of directors. If a vacancy or vacancies in the Board of Directors shall exist with respect to a director or directors elected by the Cumulative Preferred shareholders, the remaining director or directors elected by the Cumulative Preferred shareholders may, by the vote of such remaining director if there be but one, or by the vote of a majority of such remaining directors if there be more than one, elect a successor or successors to hold office for the unexpired term. Likewise, a vacancy or vacancies existing with respect to directors elected by the Common shareholders may be filled by the remaining director or directors elected by the Common shareholders. ARTICLE 5 5.1 Whether or not a vote of shareholders is otherwise required, the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of "Voting Stock" (as hereafter defined) of the corporation shall be required for the approval or authorization of any "Business Combination" (as hereafter defined) with any Related Person (as hereafter defined) involving the corporation or the approval or authorization by the corporation in its capacity as a shareholder of any Business Combination involving a "Subsidiary" (as hereafter defined) which requires the approval or authorization of the shareholders of the Subsidiary; provided, however, that the two-thirds voting requirement shall not be applicable if: (a) The "Continuing Directors" (as hereafter defined) by a majority vote have expressly approved the Business Combination; or (b) The Business Combination is a merger, consolidation, exchange of shares or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation and the cash or fair market value (determined as of the effective date of such Business Combination or, in the case of a sale of assets as of the date of the distribution of the proceeds of the sale to the shareholders of the corporation) of the property, securities or other consideration to be received per share by holders of common stock of the corporation other than the Related Person is not less than the highest per share price (with appropriate adjustments for recapitalizations, stock splits, stock dividends and like distributions), paid by the Related Person in acquiring any of its holdings of the corporation's common stock during the two-year period prior to the effective date of the Business Combination or the distribution of the proceeds of a sale of assets. 5.2 For the purposes of this Article 6: (a) The term "Business Combination" shall mean (i) any merger or consolidation of the corporation or a Subsidiary with or into a Related Person, (ii) any exchange of shares of the corporation or a Subsidiary for shares of a Related Person which, in the absence of this Article, would have required the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote or the affirmative vote of the corporation, in its capacity as a shareholder of the Subsidiary, (iii) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), including, without limitation, a mortgage or any other security device, of all or any "Substantial Part" (as hereinafter defined) of the assets either of the corporation (including, without limitation, any voting securities of a Subsidiary) or of a Subsidiary, to or with a Related Person, (iv) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or any Substantial Part of the assets of a Related Person to or with the corporation or a Subsidiary, (v) the issuance of any securities to a Related Person (except pursuant to stock dividends, stock splits or similar transactions which would not have the effect of increasing the proportionate voting power of a Related Person) of the corporation, or of a Subsidiary (except pursuant to a pro rata distribution to all holders of common stock of the corporation), (vi) any recapitalization or reclassification that would have the effect of increasing the voting power of a Related Person, and (vii) any agreement, contract or other arrangement providing for any of the transactions described in this definition of Business Combination. (b) The term "Related Person" shall mean and include any individual, corporation, partnership or other person or entity which, together with its "Affiliates" and "Associates" (as defined on February 24, 1984 by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), "Beneficially Owns" (as defined on February 24, 1984 by Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) in the aggregate 15 percent or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of the corporation, and any Affiliate or Associate (other than the corporation or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the corporation) of any such individual, corporation, partnership or other person or entity. (c) The term "Substantial Part" shall mean more than 30 percent of the fair market value of the total assets of the corporation in question, as of the end of its most recent fiscal year ending prior to the time the determination is being made. (d) Without limitation, any shares of common stock of the corporation that any Related Person has the right to acquire pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, shall be deemed beneficially owned by the Related Person. (e) The term "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation, a majority of the equity securities of any class of which are owned by the corporation, by another Subsidiary, or in the aggregate by the corporation and one or more of its Subsidiaries. (f) The term "Voting Stock" shall mean all outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and each reference to a proportion of shares of Voting Stock shall refer to such proportion of the votes entitled to be cast by such shares. (g) The term "Continuing Director" shall mean (i) a director who was a member of the Board of Directors of the corporation either on February 24, 1984 or immediately prior to the time that any Related Person involved in the Business Combination in question became a Related Person and (ii) any person becoming a director whose election, or nomination for election by the corporation's shareholders, was approved by a vote of a majority of the Continuing Directors; provided, however, that in no event shall a Related Person involved in the Business Combination in question be deemed to be a Continuing Director. 5.3 For the purposes of this Article 6 the Continuing Directors by a majority vote shall have the power to make a good faith determination, on the basis of information known to them, of: (i) the number of shares of Voting Stock of the corporation that any person or entity Beneficially Owns, (ii) whether a person or entity is an Affiliate or Associate of another, (iii) whether the assets subject to any Business Combination constitute a Substantial Part, (iv) whether any business transaction is one in which a Related Person has an interest, (v) whether the cash or fair market value of the property, securities or other consideration to be received per share by holders of capital stock of the corporation other than the Related Person in a Business Combination is an amount at least equal to the highest per share price paid by the Related Person and (vi) such other matters with respect to which a determination is required under this Article 6. 5.4 The provisions set forth in this Article 6 may not be repealed or amended in any respect, unless such action is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Voting Stock of the corporation. ARTICLE 6 6.1 The number of directors shall initially be ten and, thereafter, shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the corporation, voting together as a single class. The directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as reasonably possible, with the term of office of the first class to expire at the 1988 annual meeting of shareholders, the term of office of the second class to expire at the 1989 annual meeting of shareholders and the term of office of the third class to expire at the 1990 annual meeting of shareholders. At each annual meeting of shareholders following such initial classification and election, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of shareholders after their election. 6.2 Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause may be filled by a majority vote of the directors then in office though less than a quorum, and directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of shareholders. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. 6.3 Any directors, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of the proportion or number of the voting power of the shares of the classes or series the director represents sufficient to elect them. 6.4 The provisions of this Article 7 may not be repealed or amended in any respect, unless such action is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. ARTICLE 7 7. No director of the corporation shall be personally liable to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty by such director as a director; provided, however, that this Article 8 shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 302A.559 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act or Section 80A.23 of the Minnesota Securities Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No amendment to or repeal of this Article 8 shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal. ARTICLE 8 8. The Board of Directors of the corporation (the "Board"), when evaluating any offer of another party, (a) to make a tender or exchange offer for any Voting Stock (as defined in Article 6) of the corporation or (b) to effect a Business Combination (as defined in Article 6), shall, in connection with the exercise of its judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the corporation as a whole, be authorized to give due consideration to such factors as the Board determines to be relevant, including, without limitation: (i) the interests of the corporation's shareholders; (ii) the social, legal and economic effects upon employees, suppliers, customers and others having similar relationships with the corporation, and the communities in which the corporation conducts its business; (iii) whether the proposed transaction might violate federal or state laws; and (iv) not only the consideration being offered in the proposed transaction, in relation to the then current market price for the outstanding capital stock of the corporation, but also the market price for the capital stock of the corporation over a period of years, the estimated price that might be achieved in a negotiated sale of the corporation as a whole or in part of through orderly liquidation, the premiums over market price for the securities of other corporations in similar transactions, current political, economic or other factors bearing on securities prices and the corporation's financial condition and future prospects. In connection with any such evaluation, the Board is authorized to conduct such investigations and to engage in such legal proceedings as the Board may determine.



                                 RESTATED BYLAWS

                                   GRACO INC.
                          (Adopted September 29, 2000)




                                   ARTICLE I.
                             OFFICES, CORPORATE SEAL

      Section 1.01.  Offices.  The principal executive office of the corporation
shall be at 88 - 11th Avenue NE,  Minneapolis,  Minnesota 55413. The corporation
may have such other  offices,  within or without the State of Minnesota,  as the
directors shall, from time to time, determine.

      Section 1.02.  Corporate  Seal.  The corporate seal shall be circular in
form and shall have  inscribed  thereon  the name of the  corporation  and the
word "Minnesota" and the words "Corporate Seal".

                                   ARTICLE II.
                            MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

      Section 2.01.  Place of Meetings.  Meetings of the  shareholders  shall be
held at the principal executive office of the corporation or at such other place
as may be designated by the  directors,  except that any meeting called by or at
the demand of a  shareholder  shall be held in the county in which the principal
executive office of the corporation is located.

      Section 2.02.  Regular  Meetings.  A regular  meeting of the  shareholders
shall be held on an  annual  basis on such date and at such time as the Board of
Directors shall by resolution  establish.  At a regular meeting the shareholders
shall elect  qualified  successors for directors whose terms have expired or are
due to expire within six months after the date of the meeting and shall transact
such other business as may properly come before them.

      Section 2.03.  Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the shareholders may
be held at any time and for any purpose and may be called by the chief executive
officer,  the chief financial officer, two or more directors or a shareholder or
shareholders  holding 10% or more of the voting power of all shares  entitled to
vote,  except that a special meeting called by a shareholder or shareholders for
the purpose of  considering  any action to directly or indirectly  facilitate or
effect a  business  combination,  including  any  action to change or  otherwise
affect the  composition  of the Board of  Directors  for that  purpose,  must be
called by a shareholder or shareholders  holding 25% or more of the voting power
of all shares  entitled  to vote.  A  shareholder  or  shareholders  holding the
requisite  percentage  of the voting  power may demand a special  meeting of the
shareholders  by written  notice given to the chief  executive  officer or chief
financial officer of the corporation stating the purposes of the meeting. Within
30 days after  receipt of such a demand by one of those  officers,  the Board of
Directors shall cause a special meeting of shareholders to be called and held on
notice not later than 90 days after receipt of the demand, at the expense of the
corporation.  Special  meetings  shall  be held on the  date and at the time and
place fixed by the chief executive  officer,  the chief financial officer or the
Board of Directors,  except that a special  meeting  called by or at demand of a
shareholder  or  shareholders  shall be held in the county  where the  principal
executive office is located.  The business transacted at a special meeting shall
be limited to the purposes stated in the notice of the meeting.

      Section 2.04. Quorum, Action by Shareholders. The holders of a majority of
the shares  entitled to vote shall  constitute a quorum for the  transaction  of
business at any regular or special meeting.  All questions shall be decided by a
majority vote of the number of shares  entitled to vote and  represented  at the
meeting  at the time of the vote  unless  otherwise  required  by  statute,  the
Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws.

      Section 2.05. Adjourned Meetings. In case a quorum shall not be present at
a meeting,  those present may adjourn the meeting to such day as they shall,  by
majority  vote,  agree upon, and a notice of such  adjournment  and the date and
time at  which  such  meeting  shall  be  reconvened  shall  be  mailed  to each
shareholder entitled to vote at least 5 days before such adjourned meeting. If a
quorum is present,  a meeting may be adjourned  from time to time without notice
other than announcement at the meeting.  At adjourned meetings at which a quorum
is present,  any business may be transacted  which might have been transacted at
the meeting as originally noticed. If a quorum is present,  the shareholders may
continue to transact business until adjournment  notwithstanding  the withdrawal
of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum.

      Section  2.06.   Voting.  At  each  meeting  of  the  shareholders   every
shareholder  having the right to vote shall be entitled to vote either in person
or by proxy.  Each shareholder  shall have one vote for each share having voting
power  registered in such  shareholder's  name on the books of the  corporation.
Jointly  owned  shares may be voted by any joint  owner  unless the  corporation
receives  written  notice  from any one of them  denying the  authority  of that
person to vote the shares. Upon the demand of any shareholder, the vote upon any
question before the meeting shall be by ballot.

      Section 2.07.  Closing of Books. The Board of Directors may fix a date not
more than 60 days preceding the date of any meeting of shareholders, as the date
(the "record date") for the determination of the shareholders entitled to notice
of,  and to  vote  at,  such  meeting.  When a  record  date is so  fixed,  only
shareholders  as of that date are entitled to notice of and permitted to vote at
that meeting of shareholders.

      Section 2.08. Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise specified in Section
2.05 or required by law,  written  notice of each  meeting of the  shareholders,
stating  the date,  time and place and,  in the case of a special  meeting,  the
purpose  or  purposes,  shall be given at least ten days and not more than sixty
days prior to the  meeting to every  holder of shares  entitled  to vote at such
meeting. The business transacted at a special meeting of shareholders is limited
to the purposes stated in the notice of the meeting.

      Section 2.09.  Waiver of Notice.  Notice of any regular or special meeting
may be waived by any shareholder  either before, at or after such meeting orally
or in a writing signed by such shareholder or a representative  entitled to vote
the shares of such shareholder.  Attendance by a shareholder,  at any meeting of
shareholders,  is  a  waiver  of  notice  of  such  meeting,  except  where  the
shareholder  objects  at the  beginning  of the  meeting to the  transaction  of
business  because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened or the item may
not  lawfully  be  considered  at that  meeting  and the  shareholder  does  not
participate in the consideration of the item at that meeting.

      Section 2.10.  Advance  Notice of  Shareholder  Proposals.  As provided in
Section 2.03, the business  conducted at any special  meeting of shareholders of
the  corporation  shall be limited to the  purposes  stated in the notice of the
special meeting pursuant to Section 2.08. At any regular meeting of shareholders
of the  corporation,  only such business (other than the nomination and election
of directors,  which shall be subject to Section 3.15) may be conducted as shall
be appropriate for  consideration  at the meeting of shareholders and shall have
been  brought  before the  meeting  (i) by or at the  direction  of the Board of
Directors, or (ii) by any shareholder of the corporation entitled to vote at the
meeting who complies with the notice  procedures  hereinafter  set forth in this
section.

          (a)  Timing of Notice. For such business to be properly brought before
               any regular meeting by a shareholder,  the shareholder  must have
               given timely  notice  thereof in writing to the  secretary of the
               corporation.  To be timely,  a  shareholder's  notice of any such
               business to be conducted at an annual  shareholders  meeting must
               be delivered to the secretary of the  corporation,  or mailed and
               received at the principal  executive  office of the  corporation,
               not less than 90 days before the first anniversary of the date of
               the preceding year's annual shareholders meeting of shareholders.
               If,  however,  the date of the  annual  shareholders  meeting  of
               shareholders   is  more  than  30  days   before  or  after  such
               anniversary date, notice by a shareholder shall be timely only if
               so  delivered  or so mailed  and  received  not less than 90 days
               before such annual  shareholders  meeting or, if later, within 10
               days  after the  first  public  announcement  of the date of such
               annual shareholders meeting. To be timely, a shareholder's notice
               of any such  business to be conducted at a regular  meeting other
               than an annual  shareholders  meeting  must be  delivered  to the
               secretary  of the  corporation,  or mailed  and  received  at the
               principal  executive office of the corporation,  not less than 90
               days before  such  regular  meeting or, if later,  within 10 days
               after the first public  announcement  of the date of such regular
               meeting.  Except to the extent  otherwise  required  by law,  the
               adjournment  of a  regular  meeting  of  shareholders  shall  not
               commence  a new time  period  for the  giving of a  shareholder's
               notice as required above.

          (b)  Content  of Notice.  A  shareholder's  notice to the  corporation
               shall set forth as to each  matter the  shareholder  proposes  to
               bring before the regular  meeting (i) a brief  description of the
               business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons
               for  conducting  such business at the meeting,  (ii) the name and
               address,  as  they  appear  on the  corporation's  books,  of the
               shareholder  proposing such  business,  (iii) the class of series
               (if  any)  and  number  of  shares  of the  corporation  that are
               beneficially owned by the shareholder, (iv) any material interest
               of the  shareholder  in such business,  and (v) a  representation
               that the  shareholder is a holder of record of shares entitled to
               vote at the  meeting  and intends to appear in person or by proxy
               at the meeting to make the proposal.

          (c)  Consequences  of Failure to Give Timely  Notice.  Notwithstanding
               anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business (other than
               the nomination  and election of directors)  shall be conducted at
               any regular  meeting except in accordance with the procedures set
               forth in this Section.  The officer of the  corporation  chairing
               the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to
               the meeting that  business was not  properly  brought  before the
               meeting  in  accordance  with the  procedures  described  in this
               Section and, if such officer  should so  determine,  such officer
               shall  so  declare  to the  meeting,  and any such  business  not
               properly  brought  before the  meeting  shall not be  transacted.
               Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to preclude discussion by
               any  shareholder  of any  business  properly  brought  before the
               meeting in accordance with these Bylaws.

          (d)  Public  Announcement.  For  purposes of this  Section and Section
               3.15, "public  announcement"  means disclosure (i) when made in a
               press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service,  Associated
               Press, or comparable national news service,  (ii) when filed in a
               document  publicly filed by the  corporation  with the Securities
               and Exchange  Commission  pursuant to Section 13, 14, or 15(d) of
               the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  or (iii) when
               mailed as the notice of the meeting pursuant to Section 2.08.

          (e)  Compliance with Law.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of
               this Section, a shareholder shall also comply with all applicable
               requirements of Minnesota law and the Securities  Exchange Act of
               1934, as amended,  and the rules and regulations  thereunder with
               respect to the matters set forth in this Section.


                                  ARTICLE III.
                                    DIRECTORS

      Section  3.01.   General  Powers.   The  business  and  affairs  of  the
corporation  shall  be  managed  by or under  the  direction  of the  Board of
Directors.

      Section  3.02.  Number,  Qualification  and Term of Office.  The number of
directors  shall initially be ten and,  thereafter,  shall be fixed from time to
time by the Board of  Directors  or by the  affirmative  vote of the  holders of
two-thirds  of  the  voting  power  of  the  outstanding  capital  stock  of the
corporation,  voting together as a single class.  The directors shall be divided
into three classes, as nearly equal in number as reasonably  possible,  with the
term of office  of the first  class to  expire  at the 1988  annual  meeting  of
shareholders,  the term of  office  of the  second  class to  expire at the 1989
annual  meeting  of  shareholders  and the term of office of the third  class to
expire at the 1990 annual  meeting of  shareholders.  At each annual  meeting of
shareholders  following  such initial  classification  and  election,  directors
elected to succeed  those  directors  whose terms  expire shall be elected for a
term of office to expire at the third succeeding  annual meeting of shareholders
after their election.

      Section  3.03.  Board  Meetings.  Meetings of the Board of Directors may
be held from time to time at such time and place as may be  designated  in the
notice of such meeting.

      Section 3.04. Calling Meetings; Notice. Meetings of the Board of Directors
may be called  by the chief  executive  officer  by giving at least  twenty-four
hours' notice, or by any other director by giving at least five day's notice, of
the date, time and place thereof to each director by mail,  telephone,  telegram
or in person.  If the day or date,  time and place of a Board  meeting have been
announced at a previous  meeting of the Board, no notice is required.  Notice of
an adjourned meeting need not be given other than by announcement at the meeting
at which  adjournment is taken of the date,  time and place at which the meeting
will be reconvened.

      Section  3.05.  Waiver of  Notice.  Notice of any  meeting of the Board of
Directors may be waived by any director either before, at, or after such meeting
orally or in a writing signed by such director. A director, by his attendance at
any meeting of the Board of Directors,  shall be deemed to have waived notice of
such meeting,  except where the director objects at the beginning of the meeting
to the  transaction  of business  because the meeting is not lawfully  called or
convened and does not participate thereafter in the meeting.

      Section  3.06.  Quorum.  A  majority  of the  directors  holding  office
immediately  prior to a meeting of the Board of Directors  shall  constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting.

      Section  3.07.  Absent  Directors.  A director  may give  advance  written
consent or  opposition to a proposal to be acted on at a meeting of the Board of
Directors. If such director is not present at the meeting, consent or opposition
to a proposal  does not  constitute  presence  for purposes of  determining  the
existence of a quorum,  but consent or opposition  shall be counted as a vote in
favor of or against  the  proposal  and shall be entered in the minutes or other
record of action at the  meeting,  if the  proposal  acted on at the  meeting is
substantially  the same or has  substantially the same effect as the proposal to
which the director has consented or objected.

      Section  3.08.  Conference  Communications.   Any  or  all  directors  may
participate  in any meeting or conference  of the Board of Directors,  or of any
duly constituted  committee thereof, by any means of communication through which
the directors may  simultaneously  hear each other during such meeting.  For the
purposes  of  establishing  a quorum  and  taking  any  action,  such  directors
participating pursuant to this Section 3.08 shall be deemed present in person at
the meeting.

      Section  3.09.  Vacancies.  Subject  to the  rights of the  holders of any
series  of  Preferred  Stock  then  outstanding,   newly  created  directorships
resulting  from any  increase  in the  authorized  number  of  directors  or any
vacancies  in  the  Board  of  Directors  resulting  from  death,   resignation,
retirement,  disqualification,  removal from office or other cause may be filled
by a majority  vote of the  directors  then in office though less than a quorum,
and directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the next annual
meeting of shareholders. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the
Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

      Section 3.10.  Removal.  Any directors,  or the entire Board of Directors,
may be  removed  from  office  at any  time,  but only for cause and only by the
affirmative  vote of the holders of the proportion or number of the voting power
of the shares of the classes or series the  director  represents  sufficient  to
elect them.

      Section 3.11. Committees. A resolution approved by the affirmative vote of
a  majority  of the Board of  Directors  may  establish  committees  having  the
authority of the Board in the  management of the business of the  corporation to
the extent provided in the resolution.  A committee shall consist of one or more
persons, who need not be directors,  appointed by affirmative vote of a majority
of the directors  present.  Committees  are subject to the direction and control
of, and  vacancies in the  membership  thereof  shall be filled by, the Board of
Directors,  except as provided by Section 3.12 and by Minnesota Statutes Section
302A.243.  A majority of the members of the committee holding office immediately
prior  to a  meeting  of  the  committee  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the
transaction  of  business,  unless a larger or smaller  proportion  or number is
provided in the resolution establishing the committee.

      Section  3.12.  Committee  of  Disinterested  Persons.   Pursuant  to  the
procedure  set  forth in  Section  3.11,  the Board may  establish  a  committee
composed of two or more disinterested  directors or other disinterested  persons
to determine  whether it is in the best interests of the corporation to pursue a
particular  legal  right or remedy of the  corporation  and whether to cause the
dismissal or  discontinuance  of a particular  proceeding that seeks to assert a
right or remedy on behalf of the corporation.  The committee,  once established,
is not subject to the direction or control of, or  termination  by, the Board. A
vacancy on the committee may be filled by a majority of the remaining  committee
members.  The good faith  determinations  of the  committee are binding upon the
corporation  and  its  directors,  officers  and  shareholders.   The  committee
terminates when it issues a written report of its determination to the Board.

      Section 3.13. Written Action. Any action which might be taken at a meeting
of the Board of Directors,  or any duly constituted  committee  thereof,  may be
taken without a meeting if done in writing and signed by all of the directors or
committee members, unless the Articles provide otherwise and the action need not
be approved by the shareholders.

     Section 3.14. Compensation.  The Board may fix the compensation, if any, of
directors.

      Section  3.15.  Nomination  of Director  Candidates.  Only persons who are
nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.15 shall
be eligible for election as  directors.  Nominations  of persons for election to
the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  corporation  may be  made  at a  meeting  of
shareholders  (i) by or at the direction of the Board of  Directors,  or (ii) by
any  shareholder  of the  corporation  entitled  to  vote  for the  election  of
directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures hereinafter set
forth in this Section.

          (a)  Timing  of  Notice.  Nominations  by  shareholders  shall be made
               pursuant  to timely  notice in  writing to the  secretary  of the
               corporation.  To be timely, a shareholder's notice of nominations
               to be made at an annual shareholders meeting of shareholders must
               be delivered to the secretary of the  corporation,  or mailed and
               received at the principal  executive  office of the  corporation,
               not less than 90 days  before the first  anniversary  date of the
               preceding year's annual shareholders meeting of shareholders. If,
               however,   the  date  of  the  annual  shareholders   meeting  of
               shareholders   is  more  than  30  days   before  or  after  such
               anniversary date, notice by a shareholder shall be timely only if
               so  delivered  or so mailed  and  received  not less than 90 days
               before such annual  shareholders  meeting or, if later, within 10
               days  after the  first  public  announcement  of the date of such
               annual shareholders meeting. If a special meeting of shareholders
               of the  corporation is called in accordance with Section 2.03 for
               the purpose of  electing  one or more  directors  to the Board of
               Directors  or  if  a  regular   meeting   other  than  an  annual
               shareholders  meeting  is held,  for a  shareholder's  notice  of
               nominations to be timely it must be delivered to the secretary of
               the  corporation,   or  mailed  and  received  at  the  principal
               executive office of the corporation, not less than 90 days before
               such special meeting or such regular meeting or, if later, within
               10 days after the first public  announcement  of the date of such
               special  meeting or such  regular  meeting.  Except to the extent
               otherwise  required  by law,  the  adjournment  of a  regular  or
               special  meeting of  shareholders  shall not  commence a new time
               period  for the  giving of a  shareholder's  notice as  described
               above.

          (b)  Content of Notice.  A shareholder's  notice to the corporation of
               nominations  for a regular  or special  meeting  of  shareholders
               shall  set  forth  (x) as to each  person  whom  the  shareholder
               proposes to nominate for election or  re-election  as a director:
               (i) such  person's  name,  age,  business  address and  residence
               address and principal  occupation or  employment,  (ii) all other
               information  relating  to  such  person  that is  required  to be
               disclosed in  solicitations of proxies for election of directors,
               or that is otherwise  required,  pursuant to Regulation 14A under
               the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  and (iii) such
               person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement as
               a nominee and to serving as a director if elected;  and (y) as to
               the shareholder giving the notice:  (i) the name and address,  as
               they appear on the corporation's books, or such shareholder, (ii)
               the  class or  series  (if  any)  and  number  of  shares  of the
               corporation that are beneficially owned by such shareholder,  and
               (iii) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record
               of shares of the corporation entitled to vote for the election of
               directors  and  intends  to  appear  in person or by proxy at the
               meeting  to  nominate  the  person or  persons  specified  in the
               notice.  At the  request  of the Board of  Directors,  any person
               nominated  by the Board of  Directors  for election as a director
               shall furnish to the secretary of the corporation the information
               required to be set forth in a shareholder's  notice of nomination
               that pertains to a nominee.

          (c)  Consequences  of Failure to Give Timely  Notice.  Notwithstanding
               anything  in these  Bylaws to the  contrary,  no person  shall be
               eligible  for  election as a director of the  corporation  unless
               nominated in  accordance  with the  procedures  set forth in this
               Section.  The  officer of the  corporation  chairing  the meeting
               shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting
               that a nomination was not made in accordance  with the procedures
               prescribed  in this  Section  and,  if  such  officer  should  so
               determine,  such officer shall so declare to the meeting, and the
               defective nomination shall be disregarded.

                                   ARTICLE IV.
                                    OFFICERS

      Section 4.01.  Number and Designation.  The corporation  shall have one or
more natural persons  exercising the functions of the offices of chief executive
officer and chief financial officer. The Board of Directors may elect or appoint
such  other  officers  or agents as it deems  necessary  for the  operation  and
management  of  the   corporation,   with  such  powers,   rights,   duties  and
responsibilities  as  may  be  determined  by  the  Board,  including,   without
limitation, a Chairman of the Board, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a
Secretary,  A Treasurer,  and such  assistant  officers or other officers as may
from time to time, be elected or appointed by the Board. Each such officer shall
have the powers,  rights,  duties and responsibilities set forth in these Bylaws
unless  otherwise  determined by the Board. Any number of offices may be held by
the same person.

      Section 4.02. Chief Executive  Officer.  Either the Chairman of the Board,
the President or another  officer of the corporation may be designated from time
to time by the  Board to be the  chief  executive  officer  of the  corporation.
Unless provided otherwise by a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the
chief executive officer (a) shall have general active management of the business
of the  corporation;  (b), shall,  when present,  preside at all meetings of the
shareholders;  (c) shall see that all  orders and  resolutions  of the Board are
carried into effect;  (d) shall sign and deliver in the name of the  corporation
any deeds,  mortgages,  bonds,  contracts or other instruments pertaining to the
business of the corporation,  except in cases in which the authority to sign and
deliver is required by law to be  exercised  by another  person or is  expressly
delegated  by these  Bylaws or the Board to some  other  officer or agent of the
corporation;  (e) may maintain  records of and certify  proceedings of the Board
and  shareholders;  and (f) shall  perform such other duties as may from time to
time be assigned to him by the Board.

      Section 4.03. Chief Operating Officer. The chief operating officer (if one
is elected by the Board) shall be either the President or a Vice  President.  He
shall  be  responsible  for  the  management  of all of  the  operations  of the
corporation's  business  and shall have such other  authority  and duties as the
Board  of  Directors  or the  chief  executive  officer  from  time to time  may
prescribe.  He shall report to the chief executive officer and be responsible to
him.  He may  also  execute  and  deliver  in the  name of the  corporation  any
instruments  or documents  pertaining to the business of the  corporation  which
could be executed by the chief executive officer.

      Section 4.04.  Chief Financial  Officer.  Unless  provided  otherwise by a
resolution  adopted by the Board of Directors,  the chief financial  officer (a)
shall keep accurate financial records for the corporation; (b) shall deposit all
monies, drafts and checks in the name of and to the credit of the corporation in
such banks and  depositories as the Board of Directors shall designate from time
to time; (c) shall endorse for deposit all notes,  checks and drafts received by
the corporation as ordered by the Board,  making proper vouchers  therefor;  (d)
shall  disburse  corporate  funds and issue checks and drafts in the name of the
corporation,  as ordered by the Board;  (e) shall render to the chief  executive
officer and the Board of Directors, whenever requested, an account of all of his
transactions  as chief financial  officer and of the financial  condition of the
corporation; and (f) shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the
Board of Directors or the chief executive officer from time to time.

      Section 4.05.  Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if one is
elected,  shall  preside at all  meetings of the  directors  and shall have such
other duties as may be prescribed, from time to time, by the Board of Directors.

      Section 4.06.  President.  Unless  otherwise  determined by the Board, the
President  shall be the chief  executive  officer of the  corporation  and shall
supervise  and control the business  affairs of the  corporation.  If an officer
other than the President is designated  chief executive  officer,  the President
shall  perform  such  duties as may from time to time be  assigned to him by the
Board.

      Section 4.07. Vice President.  The Board of Directors may designate one or
more Vice  Presidents,  who shall  have such  designations  and powers and shall
perform such duties as prescribed by the Board of Directors or by the President.
In the event of the absence or  disability  of the  President,  Vice  Presidents
shall  succeed to his power and duties in the order  designated  by the Board of
Directors.

      Section 4.08.  Secretary.  The  Secretary  shall be secretary of and shall
attend all meetings of the  shareholders and Board of Directors and shall record
all proceedings of such meetings in the minute book of the  corporation.  Except
as otherwise  required or permitted by statute or by these Bylaws, the Secretary
shall give notice of meetings of shareholders and directors. The Secretary shall
perform such other duties as may,  from time to time, be prescribed by the Board
of Directors or by the chief executive officer.

      Section 4.09.  Treasurer.  Unless  otherwise  determined by the Board, the
Treasurer shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation. If an officer
other than the Treasurer is designated  Chief Financial  Officer,  the Treasurer
shall  perform  such  duties as may from time to time be  assigned to him by the
Board.

      Section 4.10. Authority and Duties. In addition to the foregoing authority
and  duties,  all  officers  of the  corporation  shall  respectively  have such
authority  and perform  such  duties in the  management  of the  business of the
corporation  as may be  determined  from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Unless prohibited by a resolution of the Board of Directors,  an officer elected
or appointed by the Board may, without specific approval of the Board,  delegate
some or all of the duties and powers of an office to other persons.

      Section 4.11.  Removal and Vacancies.  Any officer may be removed from his
office by the  Board of  Directors  at any time,  with or  without  cause.  Such
removal,  however,  shall be without  prejudice  to the  contract  rights of the
person so removed.  If there be a vacancy among the officers of the  corporation
by reason of death,  resignation or otherwise,  such vacancy shall be filled for
the unexpired term by the Board of Directors.

     Section 4.12. Compensation.  The officers of this corporation shall receive
such  compensation  for their  services as may be determined by or in accordance
with resolutions of the Board of Directors.


                                   ARTICLE V.
                            SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER

      Section 5.01. Certificates for Shares. All shares of the corporation shall
be  certificated  shares.  Every  owner of  shares of the  corporation  shall be
entitled  to a  certificate,  to be in such form as shall be  prescribed  by the
Board of Directors,  certifying the number of shares of the corporation owned by
such  shareholder.  The  certificates  for such shares  shall be numbered in the
order in which  they  shall be issued  and shall be  signed,  in the name of the
corporation,  by the President or any Vice  President and by the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary or by such officers as the Board of Directors may designate.
If the  certificate is signed by a transfer agent or registrar,  such signatures
of the  corporate  officers  may  be  facsimiles,  engraved  or  printed.  Every
certificate  surrendered  to the  corporation  for exchange or transfer shall be
canceled, and no new certificate or certificates shall be issued in exchange for
any existing  certificate  until such  existing  certificate  shall have been so
canceled, except in cases provided for in Section 5.03.

      Section 5.02.  Transfer of Shares.  Transfer of shares on the books of the
corporation may be authorized only by the shareholder  named in the certificate,
or the shareholder's legal representative,  or the shareholder's duly authorized
attorney-in-fact,  and upon surrender of the certificate or the certificates for
such shares.  The  corporation  may treat as the absolute owner of shares of the
corporation,  the person or persons in whose name shares are  registered  on the
books  of the  corporation.  The  Board of  Directors  may  appoint  one or more
transfer  agents and registrars to maintain the share records of the corporation
and to effect share transfers on its behalf.

      Section 5.03. Loss of Certificates. Any shareholder claiming a certificate
for shares to be lost,  stolen or destroyed shall make an affidavit of that fact
in such form as the Board of Directors  shall require and shall, if the Board of
Directors so requires,  give the  corporation a bond of indemnity in form, in an
amount, and with one or more sureties satisfactory to the Board of Directors, to
indemnify  the  corporation  against any claim  which may be made  against it on
account of the reissue of such  certificate,  whereupon a new certificate may be
issued in the same tenor and for the same number of shares as the one alleged to
have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

                                   ARTICLE VI.
                             DIVIDENDS, RECORD DATE

     Section 6.01. Dividends. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to
declare dividends and other distributions upon shares to the extent permitted by
law.

      Section  6.02.  Record  Date.  The Board of  Directors  may fix a date not
exceeding  60 days  preceding  the date fixed for the payment of any dividend as
the record date for the  determination of the  shareholders  entitled to receive
payment of the dividend and, in such case,  only  shareholders  of record on the
date so fixed shall be entitled to receive payment of such dividend.

                                  ARTICLE VII.
                        SECURITIES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS.

      Section  7.01.  Voting  Securities  Held  by the  Corporation.  The  chief
executive  officer  shall  have  full  power  and  authority  on  behalf  of the
corporation (a) to attend any meeting of security holders of other  corporations
in which the  corporation  may hold  securities  and to vote such  securities on
behalf of this corporation;  (b) to execute any proxy for such meeting on behalf
of the  corporation;  or (c) to execute a written action in lieu of a meeting of
such other corporation on behalf of this corporation. At such meeting, the chief
executive  officer  shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers
incident to the ownership of such securities that the corporation possesses. The
Board of Directors or the chief executive officer may, from time to time, confer
or delegate such powers to one or more other persons.

      Section 7.02. Purchase and Sale of Securities. The chief executive officer
shall have full power and  authority on behalf of the  corporation  to purchase,
sell, transfer or encumber any and all securities of any other corporation owned
by the  corporation,  and may  execute  and  deliver  such  documents  as may be
necessary to effectuate such purchase, sale, transfer or encumbrance.  The Board
of Directors or the chief  executive  officer may, from time to time,  confer or
delegate such powers to one or more other persons.


                                  ARTICLE VIII.
                       INDEMNIFICATION OF CERTAIN PERSONS

      Section 8.01. The corporation shall indemnify officers and directors,  for
such expenses and liabilities, in such manner, under such circumstances,  and to
such extent as permitted by Minnesota Statutes Section 302A.521,  as now enacted
or hereafter amended.

                                   ARTICLE IX.
                                   AMENDMENTS

      Section  9.01.  These  Bylaws  may be  amended  or altered by the Board of
Directors at any meeting if notice of such  proposed  amendment  shall have been
given in the notice of such meeting. Such authority in the Board of Directors is
subject to (a) the limitations  imposed by Minnesota  Statutes Section 302A.181,
as now enacted or hereafter  amended,  or other applicable law and (b) the power
of the  shareholders  to change or repeal such Bylaws by a majority  vote of the
shareholders  present or represented at any meeting of  shareholders  called for
such purpose.



                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                                    (NON-ISO)


      THIS AGREEMENT, made this 23nd day of February, 2001, by and between Graco
Inc.,  a  Minnesota  corporation  (the  "Company")  and  George  Aristides  (the
"Employee").

      WITNESSETH THAT:

      WHEREAS, the Company pursuant to its Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan wishes
to grant this stock option to Employee;

      NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and  of  the  mutual
covenants herein contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

      1.  Grant of Option
          ---------------

          The  Company   hereby   grants  to  Employee   the  right  and  option
          (hereinafter  called the  "option")  to purchase all or any part of an
          aggregate of 40,000  shares of Common Stock of the Company,  par value
          $1.00 per  share,  at the  price of $26.35  per share on the terms and
          conditions set forth herein.

      2.  Duration and Exercisability
          ---------------------------

          A.   This option may not be exercised by Employee until the expiration
               of one (1) year from the date of grant  (except  as  provided  in
               Section  2B(ii) below).  On the first  anniversary of the date of
               grant,  25% of the option shall become  exercisable.  This option
               shall in all events  terminate  ten (10) years  after the date of
               grant.

          B.   If (i) on May 6,  2002,  Employee  is a  member  of the  Board of
               Directors,  (ii)  Employee  resigns  from the Board of  Directors
               prior to May 6,  2002,  pursuant  to a  request  of the  Board of
               Directors by resolution  that the Employee  resign from the Board
               of Directors,  or (iii) Employee dies while a member of the Board
               of Directors, the option shall become fully exercisable if it has
               not already become fully exercisable under Section 3C hereof, and
               shall  remain  exercisable  for a period equal to the duration of
               the   option   (i.e.,   10  years   from   the  date  of   grant)
               notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary  in  Section 3B or 3C
               hereof.

          C.   In the event that  Employee does not purchase in any one year the
               full number of shares of Common  Stock of the Company to which he
               is entitled under this option,  he may,  subject to the terms and
               conditions  of Section 3 hereof,  purchase  such shares of Common
               Stock in any  subsequent  year  during  the term of this  option.
               During  the  lifetime  of  the  Employee,  the  option  shall  be
               exercisable   only  by  him  and  shall  not  be   assignable  or
               transferable by him otherwise than by will or the laws of descent
               and distribution.

      3.  Effect of Termination of Employment or Board Membership
          --------------------------------------------------------

          A.   In the event that  Employee  shall  cease to be  employed  by the
               Company  or its  subsidiaries,  or  ceases  to be a member of the
               Board  of   Directors,   by  reason  of  his  gross  and  willful
               misconduct,  including but not limited to wrongful  appropriation
               of Company funds or the commission of a felony,  the option shall
               be terminated as of the date of the misconduct.

          B.   If the Employee  shall die while in the employ of the Company and
               shall not have fully exercised the option,  all remaining  shares
               shall  become  immediately  exercisable  and such  option  may be
               exercised at any time within twelve months after his death by the
               executors or  administrators  of the Employee or by any person or
               persons  to  whom  the  option  is  transferred  by  will  or the
               applicable laws of descent and  distribution,  and subject to the
               condition  that  no  option  shall  be   exercisable   after  the
               expiration of the term of the option.

          C.   If the Employee's  termination of employment is due to retirement
               or due to disability  within the meaning of the provisions of the
               Graco Long-Term Disability Plan, subject to the condition that no
               option shall be exercisable  after the expiration of the terms of
               the  option,   all  remaining  shares  shall  become  immediately
               exercisable  and the option may be  exercised  by the Employee at
               any time within three years of the Employee's retirement, subject
               to the condition  that no option shall be  exercisable  after the
               expiration  of the term of the option.  In the event of the death
               of the Employee  within the three-year  period after  retirement,
               the option may be  exercised  at any time  within  twelve  months
               after  his  death  by  the  executors  or  administrators  of the
               Employee  or by any  person  or  persons  to whom the  option  is
               transferred  by  will  or the  applicable  laws  of  descent  and
               distribution,  to the extent of the full  number of shares he was
               entitled to purchase  under the option on the date of death,  and
               subject  to the  condition  that no option  shall be  exercisable
               after the expiration of the term of the option.

          D.   In the event of the  death of the  Employee  prior to the  option
               becoming fully  exercisable  pursuant to Section 2B above, if the
               Employee  at the time of his  death is a member  of the  Board of
               Directors,  the periods for  exercisability  of the option in the
               event  of death  in  Sections  3B and 3C shall be the term of the
               option - i.e., 10 years from the date of grant.


      4.  Manner of Exercise
          ------------------

          A.  The option  can be  exercised  only by  Employee  or other  proper
              party within  the option period  delivering  written notice to the
              Company  at  its  principal   office  in  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,
              stating  the  number of  shares  as to  which the  option is being
              exercised and,  except as  provided in Section 4. C.,  accompanied
              by  payment-in-full of the  option price for all shares designated
              in the notice.

          B.  The Employee  may, at  Employee's  election,  pay the option price
              either by check (bank check,  certified  check, or personal check)
              or by delivering to the Company for cancellation  shares of Common
              Stock of the Company  which have been held by the Employee for not
              less than six (6) months  with a fair  market  value  equal to the
              option  price.  For these  purposes,  the fair market value of the
              Company's  Common  Stock shall be the closing  price of the Common
              Stock on the date of exercise on the New York Stock  Exchange (the
              "NYSE") or on the principal national  securities exchange on which
              such  shares are  traded if the shares are not then  traded on the
              NYSE. If there is not a quotation available for such day, then the
              closing price on the next preceding day for which such a quotation
              exists shall be  determinative of fair market value. If the shares
              are not then traded on an exchange, the fair market value shall be
              the  average  of the  closing  bid and asked  prices of the Common
              Stock  as  reported  by the  National  Association  of  Securities
              Dealers  Automated  Quotation  System.  If the Common Stock is not
              then  traded  on NASDAQ or on an  exchange,  then the fair  market
              value shall be determined in such manner as the Company shall deem
              reasonable.

          C.  The Employee may, with the consent of the Company,  pay the option
              price by arranging  for the  immediate  sale of some or all of the
              shares issued upon  exercise of the option by a securities  dealer
              and the  payment to the  Company by the  securities  dealer of the
              option exercise price.

      5.  Payment of Withholding Taxes
          ----------------------------

          Upon exercise of any portion of this option, Employee shall pay to the
          Company an amount  sufficient to satisfy any federal,  state, or local
          withholding tax  requirements  which arise as a result of the exercise
          of the option or provide the Company with satisfactory indemnification
          for such payment.  If the Committee,  as defined in the Company's Long
          Term Stock Incentive  Plan, has in its discretion  determined that the
          Employee  may do so,  such  amount  may be  paid  by the  Employee  by
          delivering to the Company for  cancellation  shares of Common Stock of
          the Company  with a fair market  value equal to the minimum  amount of
          such  withholding  tax requirement by (i) electing to have the Company
          withhold  common shares  otherwise to be delivered  with a fair market
          value equal to the amount of such tax obligation,  or (ii) electing to
          surrender to the Company  previously  owned common  shares with a fair
          market value equal to the amount of such minimum tax obligation.

      6.  Change of Control
          -----------------

          A.  Notwithstanding  Section 2 hereof,  the entire option shall become
              immediately  and fully  exercisable on the day following a "Change
              of  Control"  and shall  remain  fully  exercisable  until  either
              exercised or expiring by its terms. A "Change of Control" means:

              (1)  acquisition by any individual,  entity,  or group (within the
                   meaning of Section  13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the  Exchange Act
                   of 1934), (a "Person"),  of beneficial  ownership (within the
                   meaning  of Rule 13d-3  under the 1934 Act) which  results in
                   the  beneficial  ownership  by such  Person of 25% or more of
                   either

                   (a)  the  then  outstanding  shares  of  Common  Stock of the
                        Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or

                   (b)  the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
                        securities of the Company  entitled to vote generally in
                        the  election of  directors  (the  "Outstanding  Company
                        Voting Securities");

                   provided, however, that the following acquisitions will
                   not result in a Change of Control:

                        (i)   an acquisition directly from the Company,
                        (ii)  an acquisition by the Company,
                        (iii) an  acquisition by  an employee  benefit plan  (or
                              related  trust) sponsored  or  maintained  by  the
                              Company  or  any  corporation  controlled  by  the
                              Company,
                        (iv)  an acquisition by any Person who is deemed to have
                              beneficial ownership  of the Company common  stock
                              or other  Company voting  securities  owned by the
                              Trust  Under the  Will of Clarissa L. Gray ("Trust
                              Person"), provided that such acquisition  does not
                              result in the beneficial ownership  by such Person
                              of 32% or more  of either the Outstanding  Company
                              Common  Stock  or the  Outstanding  Company Voting
                              Securities, and provided further that for purposes
                              of this Section 6, a  Trust  Person  shall  not be
                              deemed to have beneficial ownership of the Company
                              common  stock or  other Company voting  securities
                              owned by  The  Graco  Foundation or  any  employee
                              benefit  plan of  the Company, including,  without
                              limitations,  the Graco Employee  Retirement  Plan
                              and the Graco Employee Stock Ownership Plan,
                        (v)   an  acquisition by the Employee  or any group that
                              includes the Employee, or
                        (vi)  an acquisition  by any  corporation pursuant  to a
                              transaction  that complies with  clauses (a), (b),
                              and (c) of subsection (4) below; and

                   provided,  further, that if any Person's beneficial ownership
                   of  the  Outstanding  Company  Common  Stock  or  Outstanding
                   Company  Voting  Securities  is 25% or more as a result  of a
                   transaction  described in clause (i) or (ii) above,  and such
                   Person   subsequently   acquires   beneficial   ownership  of
                   additional  Outstanding  Company  Common Stock or Outstanding
                   Company Voting  Securities as a result of a transaction other
                   than  that  described  in  clause  (i) or  (ii)  above,  such
                   subsequent acquisition will be treated as an acquisition that
                   causes  such  Person  to own 25% or  more of the  Outstanding
                   Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities
                   and be deemed a Change of Control; and provided further, that
                   in the  event any  acquisition  or other  transaction  occurs
                   which results in the  beneficial  ownership of 32% or more of
                   either  the   Outstanding   Company   Common   Stock  or  the
                   Outstanding  Company  Voting  Securities by any Trust Person,
                   the  Incumbent  Board  may  by  majority  vote  increase  the
                   threshold  beneficial  ownership  percentage  to a percentage
                   above 32% for any Trust Person; or

              (2)  Individuals who, as of the date hereof,  constitute the Board
                   of Directors of the Company (the "Incumbent Board") cease for
                   any reason to  constitute  at least a majority of said Board;
                   provided,  however,  that any individual  becoming a director
                   subsequent to the date hereof whose  election,  or nomination
                   for election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by a
                   vote of at least a majority of the directors then  comprising
                   the  Incumbent  Board  will  be  considered  as  though  such
                   individual  were  a  member  of  the  Incumbent   Board,  but
                   excluding,  for  this  purpose,  any  such  individual  whose
                   initial  membership  on the  Board  occurs  as a result of an
                   actual or  threatened  election  contest  with respect to the
                   election  or  removal  of   directors   or  other  actual  or
                   threatened  solicitation  of  proxies  or  consents  by or on
                   behalf of a Person other than the Board; or

              (3)  The  commencement  or  announcement of an intention to make a
                   tender offer or exchange  offer,  the  consummation  of which
                   would result in the  beneficial  ownership by a Person of 25%
                   or  more  of  the   Outstanding   Company   Common  Stock  or
                   Outstanding Company Voting Securities; or

              (4)  The  approval  by  the  shareholders  of  the  Company  of  a
                   reorganization,  merger, consolidation, or statutory exchange
                   of Outstanding  Company  Common Stock or Outstanding  Company
                   Voting  Securities  or sale or  other  disposition  of all or
                   substantially  all of the  assets of the  Company  ("Business
                   Combination")   or,   if   consummation   of  such   Business
                   Combination  is  subject,  at the  time of such  approval  by
                   stockholders,   to  the   consent   of  any   government   or
                   governmental  agency,  the obtaining of such consent  (either
                   explicitly or implicitly by consummation) excluding, however,
                   such a Business combination pursuant to which

                   (a)  all or substantially all of the individuals and entities
                        who  were  the  beneficial  owners  of  the  Outstanding
                        Company  Common  Stock  or  Outstanding  Company  Voting
                        Securities    immediately   prior   to   such   Business
                        Combination  beneficially  own,  directly or indirectly,
                        more  than 80% of,  respectively,  the then  outstanding
                        shares of common stock and the combined  voting power of
                        the then outstanding voting securities  entitled to vote
                        generally in the election of directors,  as the case may
                        be, of the  corporation  resulting  from  such  Business
                        Combination    (including,    without   limitation,    a
                        corporation  that as a result of such  transaction  owns
                        the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's
                        assets   either   directly   or  through   one  or  more
                        subsidiaries) in  substantially  the same proportions as
                        their  ownership,  immediately  prior  to such  Business
                        Combination of the  Outstanding  Company Common Stock or
                        Outstanding Company Voting Securities,

                   (b)  no  Person  [excluding  any  employee  benefit  plan (or
                        related  trust)  of  the  Company  or  such  corporation
                        resulting from such Business  Combination]  beneficially
                        owns,  directly or  indirectly,  25% or more of the then
                        outstanding  shares of common  stock of the  corporation
                        resulting from such Business Combination or the combined
                        voting power of the then outstanding  voting  securities
                        of such  corporation  except  to the  extent  that  such
                        ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and

                   (c)  at  least a  majority  of the  members  of the  board of
                        directors  of  the   corporation   resulting  from  such
                        Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board
                        at the time of the  execution of the initial  Agreement,
                        or of  the  action  of the  Board,  providing  for  such
                        Business Combination; or

              (5)  approval  by  the  stockholders of the  Company of a complete
                   liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

          B.  A  Change of Control  shall not be  deemed to have  occurred  with
              respect to an Employee if:

              (1)  the acquisition of the 25% or greater interest referred to in
                   subparagraph A.(1) of this Section 6 is by a group, acting in
                   concert, that includes the Employee or

              (2)  if at  least  25% of the  then  outstanding  common  stock or
                   combined voting power of the then outstanding  Company voting
                   securities  (or voting  equity  interests)  of the  surviving
                   corporation or of any corporation (or other entity) acquiring
                   all or  substantially  all of the assets of the Company shall
                   be beneficially  owned,  directly or indirectly,  immediately
                   after  a  reorganization,  merger,  consolidation,  statutory
                   share  exchange,   disposition  of  assets,   liquidation  or
                   dissolution  referred  to in  subsections  (4) or (5) of this
                   section by a group,  acting in concert,  that  includes  that
                   Employee.

      7.  Adjustments

          If there shall be any change in the number or  character of the Common
          Stock of the Company  through merger,  consolidation,  reorganization,
          recapitalization,  dividend in the form of stock (of whatever amount),
          stock split or other change in the corporate structure of the Company,
          and all or any portion of the option shall then be unexercised and not
          yet expired,  appropriate  adjustments in the outstanding option shall
          be made by the Company, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of
          option rights.  Such  adjustments  shall include,  where  appropriate,
          changes  in the  number of  shares  of Common  Stock and the price per
          share subject to the outstanding option.

      8.  Miscellaneous

          A.  This  option  is  issued  pursuant  to  the  Company's   Long-Term
              Stock Incentive Plan and is  subject to its terms.   A copy of the
              Plan has been  given to the  Employee.  The  terms of the Plan are
              also  available  for  inspection  during  business  hours  at  the
              principal offices of the Company.

          B.  This Agreement shall not confer on Employee any right with respect
              to  continuance  of  employment  by  the  Company  or  any  of its
              subsidiaries,  nor will it  interfere in any way with the right of
              the Company to terminate  such  employment  at any time.  Employee
              shall have none of the  rights of a  shareholder  with  respect to
              shares  subject to this option  until such shares  shall have been
              issued to him/her upon exercise of this option.

          C.  The  Company  shall at all  times  during  the term of the  option
              reserve  and keep  available  such  number  of  shares  as will be
              sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Agreement.


      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed on the day and year first above written.


                                        GRACO INC.

                                        By:


                                        ------------------------------



                                        /S/GEORGE ARISTIDES
                                        ------------------------------
                                        Employee

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                                    (NON-ISO)


     THIS AGREEMENT,  made this 23nd day of February, 2001, by and between Graco
Inc.,  a  Minnesota  corporation  (the  "Company")  and George  Aristides  ("Mr.
Aristides").

     WITNESSETH THAT:

     WHEREAS,  the Company pursuant to its Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan wishes
to grant this stock option to Mr. Aristides;

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants
herein contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

     1.   Grant of Option
          ---------------

          The  Company  hereby  grants to Mr.  Aristides  the  right and  option
          (hereinafter  called the  "option")  to purchase all or any part of an
          aggregate of 60,000  shares of Common Stock of the Company,  par value
          $1.00 per  share,  at the  price of $26.35  per share on the terms and
          conditions set forth herein.

      2.  Duration and Exercisability
          ---------------------------

          A.   This option shall become  exercisable in full (i) on May 6, 2002,
               if Mr. Aristides remains a member of the Board of Directors until
               that  date,  or (ii)  upon  the  date of the  resignation  of Mr.
               Aristides  from the Board of Directors  prior to May 6, 2002, but
               only if the Board of Directors has  requested by resolution  that
               Mr. Aristides  resign from the Board of Directors.  If the option
               becomes fully  exercisable  pursuant to this Section 2A, it shall
               remain  exercisable  for a period  equal to the  duration  of the
               option (i.e., 10 years from the date of grant).


          B.   In the event that Mr. Aristides does not purchase in any one year
               the full number of shares of Common Stock of the Company to which
               he is entitled  under this option,  he may,  subject to the terms
               and  conditions  of  Section 3 hereof,  purchase  such  shares of
               Common  Stock  in any  subsequent  year  during  the term of this
               option. During the lifetime of Mr. Aristides, the option shall be
               exercisable   only  by  him  and  shall  not  be   assignable  or
               transferable by him otherwise than by will or the laws of descent
               and distribution.

      3.  Effect of Termination of Board Membership
          -----------------------------------------

          A.   In the event that Mr. Aristides shall cease to be a member of the
               Board  of   Directors,   by  reason  of  his  gross  and  willful
               misconduct,  including but not limited to wrongful  appropriation
               of Company funds or the commission of a felony,  the option shall
               be terminated as of the date of the misconduct.

          B.   If Mr.  Aristides  shall  die  while a  member  of the  Board  of
               Directors of the Company and the option granted  hereunder  shall
               not have become fully exercisable, such option shall become fully
               exercisable  and may be  exercised at any time within the term of
               this option by the executors or  administrators  of Mr. Aristides
               or by any person or persons to whom the option is  transferred by
               will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

      4.  Manner of Exercise
          ------------------

          A.   The option can be exercised only by Mr. Aristides or other proper
               party within the option period  delivering  written notice to the
               Company  at  its  principal  office  in  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,
               stating  the  number of  shares  as to which the  option is being
               exercised and,  except as provided in Section 4. C.,  accompanied
               by  payment-in-full of the option price for all shares designated
               in the notice.

          B.   Mr.  Aristides may, at Mr.  Aristides'  election,  pay the option
               price either by check (bank check,  certified  check, or personal
               check) or by delivering to the Company for cancellation shares of
               Common Stock of the Company which have been held by Mr. Aristides
               for not less than six (6) months with a fair  market  value equal
               to the option price. For these purposes, the fair market value of
               the  Company's  Common  Stock shall be the  closing  price of the
               Common  Stock  on the  date of  exercise  on the New  York  Stock
               Exchange  (the "NYSE") or on the  principal  national  securities
               exchange  on which  such  shares are traded if the shares are not
               then traded on the NYSE.  If there is not a  quotation  available
               for such day,  then the closing  price on the next  preceding day
               for which such a quotation  exists shall be determinative of fair
               market  value.  If the shares are not then traded on an exchange,
               the fair market value shall be the average of the closing bid and
               asked  prices of the Common  Stock as  reported  by the  National
               Association of Securities Dealers Automated  Quotation System. If
               the Common  Stock is not then traded on NASDAQ or on an exchange,
               then the fair market value shall be  determined in such manner as
               the Company shall deem reasonable.

          C.   Mr.  Aristides  may,  with the  consent of the  Company,  pay the
               option price by arranging for the  immediate  sale of some or all
               of the shares  issued upon exercise of the option by a securities
               dealer and the payment to the Company by the securities dealer of
               the option exercise price.

      5.  Payment of Withholding Taxes
          ----------------------------

          Upon exercise of any portion of this option,  Mr.  Aristides shall pay
          to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal,  state, or
          local  withholding  tax  requirements  which  arise as a result of the
          exercise  of the  option or  provide  the  Company  with  satisfactory
          indemnification for such payment. If the Committee,  as defined in the
          Company's  Long  Term  Stock  Incentive  Plan,  has in its  discretion
          determined  that Mr.  Aristides  may do so, such amount may be paid by
          Mr. Aristides by delivering to the Company for cancellation  shares of
          Common  Stock of the  Company  with a fair  market  value equal to the
          minimum amount of such  withholding tax requirement by (i) electing to
          have the Company withhold common shares otherwise to be delivered with
          a fair  market  value equal to the amount of such tax  obligation,  or
          (ii)  electing to  surrender  to the Company  previously  owned common
          shares  with a fair market  value equal to the amount of such  minimum
          tax obligation.

      6.  Change of Control
          -----------------

          A.  Notwithstanding  Section 2 hereof,  the entire option shall become
              immediately  and fully  exercisable on the day following a "Change
              of  Control"  and shall  remain  fully  exercisable  until  either
              exercised or expiring by its terms. A "Change of Control" means:

              (1)  acquisition by any individual,  entity,  or group (within the
                   meaning of Section  13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the  Exchange Act
                   of 1934), (a "Person"),  of beneficial  ownership (within the
                   meaning  of Rule 13d-3  under the 1934 Act) which  results in
                   the  beneficial  ownership  by such  Person of 25% or more of
                   either

                    (a)  the then  outstanding  shares  of  Common  Stock of the
                         Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or

                    (b)  the  combined  voting  power  of the  then  outstanding
                         voting  securities  of the  Company  entitled  to  vote
                         generally   in   the   election   of   directors   (the
                         "Outstanding Company Voting Securities");

                   provided, however, that the following acquisitions will
                   not result in a Change of Control:

                        (i)   an acquisition directly from the Company,
                        (ii)  an acquisition by the Company,
                        (iii) an  acquisition by  an employee  benefit plan  (or
                              related  trust)  sponsored  or  maintained by  the
                              Company  or  any  corporation  controlled  by  the
                              Company,
                        (iv)  an acquisition by any Person who is deemed to have
                              beneficial  ownership of the  Company common stock
                              or other Company  voting  securities  owned by the
                              Trust Under  the Will of  Clarissa L. Gray ("Trust
                              Person"), provided   that  such  acquisition  does
                              not result  in the  beneficial  ownership  by such
                              Person of  32% or more of  either the  Outstanding
                              Company  Common  Stock or the Outstanding  Company
                              Voting Securities, and provided  further  that for
                              purposes of this  Section 6,  a Trust Person shall
                              not be deemed to have beneficial  ownership of the
                              Company  common  stock  or  other  Company  voting
                              securities  owned by  The Graco Foundation  or any
                              employee benefit  plan of the Company,  including,
                              without limitations, the Graco Employee Retirement
                              Plan and the Graco Employee Stock Ownership Plan,
                        (v)   an acquisition by Mr. Aristides or  any group that
                              includes Mr. Aristides, or
                        (vi)  an acquisition  by any corporation  pursuant  to a
                              transaction  that complies  with clauses (a), (b),
                              and (c) of subsection (4) below; and

                   provided,  further, that if any Person's beneficial ownership
                   of  the  Outstanding  Company  Common  Stock  or  Outstanding
                   Company  Voting  Securities  is 25% or more as a result  of a
                   transaction  described in clause (i) or (ii) above,  and such
                   Person   subsequently   acquires   beneficial   ownership  of
                   additional  Outstanding  Company  Common Stock or Outstanding
                   Company Voting  Securities as a result of a transaction other
                   than  that  described  in  clause  (i) or  (ii)  above,  such
                   subsequent acquisition will be treated as an acquisition that
                   causes  such  Person  to own 25% or  more of the  Outstanding
                   Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities
                   and be deemed a Change of Control; and provided further, that
                   in the  event any  acquisition  or other  transaction  occurs
                   which results in the  beneficial  ownership of 32% or more of
                   either  the   Outstanding   Company   Common   Stock  or  the
                   Outstanding  Company  Voting  Securities by any Trust Person,
                   the  Incumbent  Board  may  by  majority  vote  increase  the
                   threshold  beneficial  ownership  percentage  to a percentage
                   above 32% for any Trust Person; or

              (2)  Individuals who, as of the date hereof,  constitute the Board
                   of Directors of the Company (the "Incumbent Board") cease for
                   any reason to  constitute  at least a majority of said Board;
                   provided,  however,  that any individual  becoming a director
                   subsequent to the date hereof whose  election,  or nomination
                   for election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by a
                   vote of at least a majority of the directors then  comprising
                   the  Incumbent  Board  will  be  considered  as  though  such
                   individual  were  a  member  of  the  Incumbent   Board,  but
                   excluding,  for  this  purpose,  any  such  individual  whose
                   initial  membership  on the  Board  occurs  as a result of an
                   actual or  threatened  election  contest  with respect to the
                   election  or  removal  of   directors   or  other  actual  or
                   threatened  solicitation  of  proxies  or  consents  by or on
                   behalf of a Person other than the Board; or

              (3)  The  commencement  or  announcement of an intention to make a
                   tender offer or exchange  offer,  the  consummation  of which
                   would result in the  beneficial  ownership by a Person of 25%
                   or  more  of  the   Outstanding   Company   Common  Stock  or
                   Outstanding Company Voting Securities; or

              (4)  The  approval  by  the  shareholders  of  the  Company  of  a
                   reorganization,  merger, consolidation, or statutory exchange
                   of Outstanding  Company  Common Stock or Outstanding  Company
                   Voting  Securities  or sale or  other  disposition  of all or
                   substantially  all of the  assets of the  Company  ("Business
                   Combination")   or,   if   consummation   of  such   Business
                   Combination  is  subject,  at the  time of such  approval  by
                   stockholders,   to  the   consent   of  any   government   or
                   governmental  agency,  the obtaining of such consent  (either
                   explicitly or implicitly by consummation) excluding, however,
                   such a Business combination pursuant to which

                   (a)  all or substantially all of the individuals and entities
                        who  were  the  beneficial  owners  of  the  Outstanding
                        Company  Common  Stock  or  Outstanding  Company  Voting
                        Securities    immediately   prior   to   such   Business
                        Combination  beneficially  own,  directly or indirectly,
                        more  than 80% of,  respectively,  the then  outstanding
                        shares of common stock and the combined  voting power of
                        the then outstanding voting securities  entitled to vote
                        generally in the election of directors,  as the case may
                        be, of the  corporation  resulting  from  such  Business
                        Combination    (including,    without   limitation,    a
                        corporation  that as a result of such  transaction  owns
                        the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's
                        assets   either   directly   or  through   one  or  more
                        subsidiaries) in  substantially  the same proportions as
                        their  ownership,  immediately  prior  to such  Business
                        Combination of the  Outstanding  Company Common Stock or
                        Outstanding Company Voting Securities,

                   (b)  no  Person  [excluding  any  employee  benefit plan  (or
                        related  trust)  of  the  Company  or  such  corporation
                        resulting from such Business  Combination]  beneficially
                        owns,  directly or  indirectly,  25% or more of the then
                        outstanding  shares of common  stock of the  corporation
                        resulting from such Business Combination or the combined
                        voting power of the then outstanding  voting  securities
                        of such  corporation  except  to the  extent  that  such
                        ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and

                   (c)  at  least a  majority  of the  members  of the  board of
                        directors  of  the   corporation   resulting  from  such
                        Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board
                        at the time of the  execution of the initial  Agreement,
                        or of  the  action  of the  Board,  providing  for  such
                        Business Combination; or

              (5)  approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete
                   liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

          B.  A Change of Control shall not be deemed to have occurred with
              respect to Mr. Aristides if:

              (1)  the acquisition of the 25% or greater interest referred to in
                   subparagraph A.(1) of this Section 6 is by a group, acting in
                   concert, that includes Mr. Aristides or

              (2)  if at  least  25% of the  then  outstanding  common  stock or
                   combined voting  power of the then outstanding Company voting
                   securities  (or voting  equity  interests)  of  the surviving
                   corporation  or  of   any   corporation   (or  other  entity)
                   acquiring  all  or  substantially  all of the  assets  of the
                   Company shall  be beneficially owned, directly or indirectly,
                   immediately after a  reorganization,  merger,  consolidation,
                   statutory  share exchange, disposition of assets, liquidation
                   or dissolution referred to  in subsections (4) or (5) of this
                   section by a group,  acting in  concert,  that  includes  Mr.
                   Aristides.


      7.  Adjustments
          -----------

          If there shall be any change in the number or  character of the Common
          Stock of the Company  through merger,  consolidation,  reorganization,
          recapitalization,  dividend in the form of stock (of whatever amount),
          stock split or other change in the corporate structure of the Company,
          and all or any portion of the option shall then be unexercised and not
          yet expired,  appropriate  adjustments in the outstanding option shall
          be made by the Company, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of
          option rights.  Such  adjustments  shall include,  where  appropriate,
          changes  in the  number of  shares  of Common  Stock and the price per
          share subject to the outstanding option.

      8.  Miscellaneous
          -------------

          A.   This option is issued  pursuant to the Company's  Long-Term Stock
               Incentive  Plan and is subject  to its terms.  A copy of the Plan
               has been given to Mr.  Aristides.  The terms of the Plan are also
               available for inspection  during  business hours at the principal
               offices of the Company.

          B.  This  Agreement  shall not confer on Mr.  Aristides any right with
              respect to  continuance of employment by the Company or any of its
              subsidiaries,  nor will it  interfere in any way with the right of
              the  Company  to  terminate  such  employment  at  any  time.  Mr.
              Aristides  shall  have none of the  rights of a  shareholder  with
              respect to shares  subject to this option  until such shares shall
              have been issued to him/her upon exercise of this option.

          C.  The  Company  shall at all  times  during  the term of the  option
              reserve  and keep  available  such  number  of  shares  as will be
              sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Agreement.


      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed on the day and year first above written.

                                          GRACO INC.
                                          By:

                                          ------------------------------------



                                          /s/GEORGE ARISTIDES
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          George Aristides




                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                                    (NON-ISO)


      THIS  AGREEMENT,  made this 23rd day of  February,  2001,  by and  between
Graco Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the "Company") and
                                                        ------------------------
(the "Employee").

      WITNESSETH THAT:

      WHEREAS, the Company pursuant to its Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan wishes
to grant this stock option to Employee;

      NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and  of  the  mutual
covenants herein contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

      1.  Grant of Option
          ---------------

          The  Company   hereby  grants  to  Employee,   the  right  and  option
          (hereinafter  called the  "option")  to purchase all or any part of an
          aggregate of                  shares of Common  Stock of the  Company,
                      ------------------
          par value $1.00 per share, at the price of $          per share on the
                                                      ----------
          terms and conditions set forth herein.

      2.  Duration and Exercisability
          ---------------------------

          A.  This option may not be exercised by Employee  until the expiration
              of one (1) year from the date of grant,  and this option  shall in
              all  events  terminate  ten (10)  years  after  the date of grant.
              During  the first year from the date of grant of this  option,  no
              portion of this option may be  exercised.  Thereafter  this option
              shall become exercisable in four cumulative installments of 25% as
              follows:
                                                   Total Portion of Option
                              Date                  Which is Exercisable
                              ----                  --------------------
                 One Year after Date of Grant                25%
                 Two Years after Date of Grant               50%
                 Three Years after Date of Grant             75%
                 Four Years after Date of Grant             100%


              In the event that  Employee  does not purchase in any one year the
              full  number of shares of  Common  Stock of the  Company  to which
              he/she is entitled under this option,  he/she may,  subject to the
              terms and conditions of Section 3 hereof,  purchase such shares of
              Common  Stock  in any  subsequent  year  during  the  term of this
              option.

          B.  During  the  lifetime  of  the  Employee,   the  option  shall  be
              exercisable  only  by  him/her  and  shall  not be  assignable  or
              transferable  by  him/her  otherwise  than by will or the  laws of
              descent and distribution.

      3.  Effect of Termination of Employment
          -----------------------------------

          A.   In the event that  Employee  shall  cease to be  employed  by the
               Company or its  subsidiaries  for any reason  other than  his/her
               gross and willful  misconduct,  death,  retirement (as defined in
               Section 3. D. below),  or disability (as defined in Section 3. D.
               below),  Employee  shall have the right to exercise the option at
               any time within one month after such termination of employment to
               the extent of the full  number of shares  he/she was  entitled to
               purchase under the option on the date of termination,  subject to
               the  condition  that no  option  shall be  exercisable  after the
               expiration of the term of the option.

          B.   In the event that  Employee  shall  cease to be  employed  by the
               Company  or its  subsidiaries  by  reason  of  his/her  gross and
               willful  misconduct  during  the  course of  his/her  employment,
               including  but not limited to wrongful  appropriation  of Company
               funds  or  the  commission  of a  felony,  the  option  shall  be
               terminated as of the date of the misconduct.

          C.   If the Employee shall die while in the employ of the Company or a
               subsidiary  or within one month after  termination  of employment
               for any reason other than gross and willful  misconduct and shall
               not have fully exercised the option,  all remaining  shares shall
               become  immediately  exercisable and such option may be exercised
               at any time  within  twelve  months  after  his/her  death by the
               executors or  administrators  of the Employee or by any person or
               persons  to  whom  the  option  is  transferred  by  will  or the
               applicable laws of descent and  distribution,  and subject to the
               condition  that  no  option  shall  be   exercisable   after  the
               expiration of the term of the option.

          D.   If the Employee's  termination of employment is due to retirement
               (either  after  attaining  age 55 with 10  years of  service,  or
               attaining age 65), or due to disability within the meaning of the
               provisions of the Graco Long-Term  Disability Plan subject to the
               conditions  that  no  option  shall  be  exercisable   after  the
               expiration of the terms of the option, all remaining shares shall
               become immediately exercisable and the option may be exercised by
               the  Employee  at any time within  three years of the  Employee's
               retirement,  subject  to the  condition  that no option  shall be
               exercisable  after the  expiration of the term of the option.  In
               the  event of the death of the  Employee  within  the  three-year
               period after retirement,  the option may be exercised at any time
               within  twelve  months after  his/her  death by the  executors or
               administrators  of the  Employee  or by any  person or persons to
               whom the option is transferred by will or the applicable  laws of
               descent  and  distribution,  to the extent of the full  number of
               shares  he/she was  entitled to purchase  under the option on the
               date of death,  and subject to the condition that no option shall
               be exercisable after the expiration of the term of the option.

          E.   Notwithstanding  anything  to  the  contrary  contained  in  this
               Section  3,  if  the  Employee   chooses  to  terminate   his/her
               employment by retirement  (as defined in Section 3. D. above) and
               has not given the Company written notice,  by  correspondence  to
               his/her immediate  supervisor and the Chief Executive Officer, of
               said  intention  to retire not less than six (6) months  prior to
               the date of his/her  retirement,  then in such event for purposes
               of this Agreement said  termination of employment shall be deemed
               to  be  not  a  retirement  but  a  termination  subject  to  the
               provisions of Section 3. A. above, provided, however, that in the
               event  that  the  Chief  Executive   Officer,   in  his/her  sole
               discretion  and  judgement,   determines   that   termination  of
               employment by  retirement of the Employee  without six (6) months
               prior  written  notice is in the best  interests  of the Company,
               then such retirement shall be subject to Section 3. D. above.

      4.  Manner of Exercise
          ------------------

          A.   The option can be  exercised  only by  Employee  or other  proper
               party within the option period  delivering  written notice to the
               Company  at  its  principal  office  in  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,
               stating  the  number of  shares  as to which the  option is being
               exercised and,  except as provided in Section 4. C.,  accompanied
               by  payment-in-full of the option price for all shares designated
               in the notice.

          B.   The Employee  may, at Employee's  election,  pay the option price
               either by check (bank check,  certified check, or personal check)
               or by delivering to the Company for cancellation shares of Common
               Stock of the Company which have been held by the Employee for not
               less than six (6) months  with a fair  market  value equal to the
               option price.  For these  purposes,  the fair market value of the
               Company's  Common Stock shall be the closing  price of the Common
               Stock on the date of exercise on the New York Stock Exchange (the
               "NYSE") or on the principal national securities exchange on which
               such  shares are traded if the shares are not then  traded on the
               NYSE.  If there is not a quotation  available  for such day, then
               the  closing  price on the next  preceding  day for which  such a
               quotation  exists shall be determinative of fair market value. If
               the shares are not then  traded on an  exchange,  the fair market
               value shall be the average of the closing bid and asked prices of
               the Common  Stock as  reported  by the  National  Association  of
               Securities  Dealers  Automated  Quotation  System.  If the Common
               Stock is not then  traded on NASDAQ or on an  exchange,  then the
               fair  market  value  shall be  determined  in such  manner as the
               Company shall deem reasonable.

          C.   The Employee may, with the consent of the Company, pay the option
               price by arranging for the  immediate  sale of some or all of the
               shares issued upon exercise of the option by a securities  dealer
               and the  payment to the Company by the  securities  dealer of the
               option exercise price.

      5.  Payment of Withholding Taxes
          ----------------------------

          Upon exercise of any portion of this option, Employee shall pay to the
          Company an amount  sufficient to satisfy any federal,  state, or local
          withholding tax  requirements  which arise as a result of the exercise
          of the option or provide the Company with satisfactory indemnification
          for such payment.  If the Committee,  as defined in the Company's Long
          Term Stock Incentive  Plan, has in its discretion  determined that the
          Employee  may do so,  such  amount  may be  paid  by the  Employee  by
          delivering to the Company for  cancellation  shares of Common Stock of
          the Company  with a fair market  value equal to the minimum  amount of
          such  withholding  tax requirement by (i) electing to have the Company
          withhold  common shares  otherwise to be delivered  with a fair market
          value equal to the amount of such tax obligation,  or (ii) electing to
          surrender to the Company  previously  owned common  shares with a fair
          market value equal to the amount of such minimum tax obligation.

      6.  Change of Control
          -----------------

          A.  Notwithstanding  Section  2(a)  hereof,  the entire  option  shall
              become  immediately  and fully  exercisable on the day following a
              "Change of  Control"  and shall  remain  fully  exercisable  until
              either  exercised or expiring by its terms.  A "Change of Control"
              means:

              (1)  acquisition by any individual,  entity,  or group (within the
                   meaning of Section  13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the  Exchange Act
                   of 1934), (a "Person"),  of beneficial  ownership (within the
                   meaning  of Rule 13d-3  under the 1934 Act) which  results in
                   the  beneficial  ownership  by such  Person of 25% or more of
                   either

                   (a)  the then outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
                        Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or

                   (b)  the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
                        securities of the Company  entitled to vote generally in
                        the  election of  directors  (the  "Outstanding  Company
                        Voting Securities");

                    provided,  however, that the following acquisitions will not
                    result in a Change of Control:

                        (i)   an acquisition directly from the Company,
                        (ii)  an acquisition by the Company,
                        (iii) an acquisition  by an  employee benefit  plan  (or
                              related  trust)  sponsored  or  maintained  by the
                              Company  or  any  corporation  controlled  by  the
                              Company,
                        (iv)  an acquisition by any Person who is deemed to have
                              beneficial ownership  of the  Company common stock
                              or other  Company voting  securities  owned by the
                              Trust Under  the  Will of Clarissa L. Gray ("Trust
                              Person"), provided  that such acquisition does not
                              result in the beneficial ownership  by such Person
                              of 32% or more  of either the Outstanding  Company
                              Common  Stock or  the Outstanding  Company  Voting
                              Securities, and provided further that for purposes
                              of this  Section 6, a  Trust Person  shall  not be
                              deemed to have beneficial ownership of the Company
                              common stock or  other  Company voting  securities
                              owned  by  The Graco Foundation  or  any  employee
                              benefit  plan of  the Company, including,  without
                              limitations, the  Graco Employee  Retirement  Plan
                              and the Graco Employee Stock Ownership Plan,
                        (v)   an acquisition by  the Employee or  any group that
                              includes the Employee, or
                        (vi)  an acquisition  by any  corporation  pursuant to a
                              transaction  that complies  with clauses (a), (b),
                              and (c) of subsection (4) below; and

                   provided,  further, that if any Person's beneficial ownership
                   of  the  Outstanding  Company  Common  Stock  or  Outstanding
                   Company  Voting  Securities  is 25% or more as a result  of a
                   transaction  described in clause (i) or (ii) above,  and such
                   Person   subsequently   acquires   beneficial   ownership  of
                   additional  Outstanding  Company  Common Stock or Outstanding
                   Company Voting  Securities as a result of a transaction other
                   than  that  described  in  clause  (i) or  (ii)  above,  such
                   subsequent acquisition will be treated as an acquisition that
                   causes  such  Person  to own 25% or  more of the  Outstanding
                   Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities
                   and be deemed a Change of Control; and provided further, that
                   in the  event any  acquisition  or other  transaction  occurs
                   which results in the  beneficial  ownership of 32% or more of
                   either  the   Outstanding   Company   Common   Stock  or  the
                   Outstanding  Company  Voting  Securities by any Trust Person,
                   the  Incumbent  Board  may  by  majority  vote  increase  the
                   threshold  beneficial  ownership  percentage  to a percentage
                   above 32% for any Trust Person; or

              (2)  Individuals who, as of the date hereof,  constitute the Board
                   of Directors of the Company (the "Incumbent Board") cease for
                   any reason to  constitute  at least a majority of said Board;
                   provided,  however,  that any individual  becoming a director
                   subsequent to the date hereof whose  election,  or nomination
                   for election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by a
                   vote of at least a majority of the directors then  comprising
                   the  Incumbent  Board  will  be  considered  as  though  such
                   individual  were  a  member  of  the  Incumbent   Board,  but
                   excluding,  for  this  purpose,  any  such  individual  whose
                   initial  membership  on the  Board  occurs  as a result of an
                   actual or  threatened  election  contest  with respect to the
                   election  or  removal  of   directors   or  other  actual  or
                   threatened  solicitation  of  proxies  or  consents  by or on
                   behalf of a Person other than the Board; or

              (3)  The  commencement  or  announcement of an intention to make a
                   tender offer or exchange  offer,  the  consummation  of which
                   would result in the  beneficial  ownership by a Person of 25%
                   or  more  of  the   Outstanding   Company   Common  Stock  or
                   Outstanding Company Voting Securities; or

              (4)  The  approval  by  the  shareholders  of  the  Company  of  a
                   reorganization,  merger, consolidation, or statutory exchange
                   of Outstanding  Company  Common Stock or Outstanding  Company
                   Voting  Securities  or sale or  other  disposition  of all or
                   substantially  all of the  assets of the  Company  ("Business
                   Combination")   or,   if   consummation   of  such   Business
                   Combination  is  subject,  at the  time of such  approval  by
                   stockholders,   to  the   consent   of  any   government   or
                   governmental  agency,  the obtaining of such consent  (either
                   explicitly or implicitly by consummation) excluding, however,
                   such a Business combination pursuant to which

                   (a)  all or substantially all of the individuals and entities
                        who  were  the  beneficial  owners  of  the  Outstanding
                        Company  Common  Stock  or  Outstanding  Company  Voting
                        Securities    immediately   prior   to   such   Business
                        Combination  beneficially  own,  directly or indirectly,
                        more  than 80% of,  respectively,  the then  outstanding
                        shares of common stock and the combined  voting power of
                        the then outstanding voting securities  entitled to vote
                        generally in the election of directors,  as the case may
                        be, of the  corporation  resulting  from  such  Business
                        Combination    (including,    without   limitation,    a
                        corporation  that as a result of such  transaction  owns
                        the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's
                        assets   either   directly   or  through   one  or  more
                        subsidiaries) in  substantially  the same proportions as
                        their  ownership,  immediately  prior  to such  Business
                        Combination of the  Outstanding  Company Common Stock or
                        Outstanding Company Voting Securities,

                   (b)  no  Person  [excluding  any  employee  benefit  plan (or
                        related  trust)  of  the  Company  or  such  corporation
                        resulting from such Business  Combination]  beneficially
                        owns,  directly or  indirectly,  25% or more of the then
                        outstanding  shares of common  stock of the  corporation
                        resulting from such Business Combination or the combined
                        voting power of the then outstanding  voting  securities
                        of such  corporation  except  to the  extent  that  such
                        ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and

                   (c)  at  least a  majority  of the  members  of the  board of
                        directors  of  the   corporation   resulting  from  such
                        Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board
                        at the time of the  execution of the initial  Agreement,
                        or of  the  action  of the  Board,  providing  for  such
                        Business Combination; or

              (5)  approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete
                   liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

          B.  A Change of Control shall not be deemed to have occurred with
              respect to an Employee if:

              (1)  the acquisition of the 25% or greater interest referred to in
                   subparagraph A.(1) of this Section 6 is by a group, acting in
                   concert, that includes the Employee or

              (2)  if at  least  25% of the  then  outstanding  common  stock or
                   combined voting power of the then outstanding  Company voting
                   securities  (or voting  equity  interests)  of the  surviving
                   corporation or of any corporation (or other entity) acquiring
                   all or  substantially  all of the assets of the Company shall
                   be beneficially  owned,  directly or indirectly,  immediately
                   after  a  reorganization,  merger,  consolidation,  statutory
                   share  exchange,   disposition  of  assets,   liquidation  or
                   dissolution  referred  to in  subsections  (4) or (5) of this
                   section by a group,  acting in concert,  that  includes  that
                   Employee.

      7.  Adjustments
          -----------

          If there shall be any change in the number or  character of the Common
          Stock of the Company  through merger,  consolidation,  reorganization,
          recapitalization,  dividend in the form of stock (of whatever amount),
          stock split or other change in the corporate structure of the Company,
          and all or any portion of the option shall then be unexercised and not
          yet expired,  appropriate  adjustments in the outstanding option shall
          be made by the Company, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of
          option rights.  Such  adjustments  shall include,  where  appropriate,
          changes  in the  number of  shares  of Common  Stock and the price per
          share subject to the outstanding option.

      8.  Miscellaneous
          -------------

          A.  This  option  is  issued  pursuant  to  the  Company's   Long-Term
              Stock Incentive  Plan and is  subject to its terms.  A copy of the
              Plan has been  given to the  Employee.  The  terms of the Plan are
              also  available  for  inspection  during  business  hours  at  the
              principal offices of the Company.

          B.  This Agreement shall not confer on Employee any right with respect
              to  continuance  of  employment  by  the  Company  or  any  of its
              subsidiaries,  nor will it  interfere in any way with the right of
              the Company to terminate  such  employment  at any time.  Employee
              shall have none of the  rights of a  shareholder  with  respect to
              shares  subject to this option  until such shares  shall have been
              issued to him/her upon exercise of this option.

          C.  The  Company  shall at all  times  during  the term of the  option
              reserve  and keep  available  such  number  of  shares  as will be
              sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Agreement.


      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed on the day and year first above written.

                                         GRACO INC.

                                         By Its Chief Executive Officer

                                         ---------------------------------------




                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Employee

Exhibit 99

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

      Graco Inc. (the  "Company")  wishes to take advantage of the "safe harbor"
provisions  regarding  forward-looking  statements  of  the  Private  Securities
Litigation  Reform Act of 1995 and is filing this Cautionary  Statement in order
to do so.

      From time to time various  forms filed by the Company with the  Securities
and Exchange  Commission,  including the Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form
8-K, its Annual  Report to  Shareholders,  and other  written  documents or oral
statements  released by the  Company,  may contain  forward-looking  statements.
Forward-looking  statements  generally  use words such as  "expect,"  "foresee,"
"anticipate,"  "believe,"  "project," "should,"  "estimate," "will", and similar
expressions,  and reflect the Company's expectations concerning the future. Such
statements are based upon currently available information, but various risks and
uncertainties  may cause the Company's actual results to differ  materially from
those expressed in these statements. Among the factors which management believes
could affect the Company's operating results are the following:

     o    With  respect to the  Company's  business  as a whole,  the  Company's
          prospects and operating results may be affected by:

          -    changing economic conditions in the United States and other major
               world  economies,  including  economic  downturns or  recessions,
               capital goods  investment  activity,  interest  rates and foreign
               currency exchange rate fluctuations;

          -    international  trade factors,  including changes in international
               trade policy, such as export controls, trade sanctions, increased
               tariff barriers and other restrictions;  weaker protection of the
               Company's  proprietary  technology in certain foreign  countries,
               the burden of  complying  with foreign  laws and  standards;  and
               potentially burdensome taxes;

          -    the  ability  of  the  Company  to  develop  new   products   and
               technologies;  maintain and enhance its market position  relative
               to  its  competitors;   maintain  and  enhance  its  distribution
               channels;  identify  and  enter  into new  markets;  successfully
               conclude and integrate  acquisitions;  realize  productivity  and
               product quality improvements; and continue to control expenses.

          -    disruption in operations, transportation,  communication, sources
               of supply, customer operations or payment, caused by political or
               economic instability,  acts of God, labor disputes, war, embargo,
               fire or other cause beyond its reasonable control.

          -    changes  in  the  markets  in  which  the  Company  participates,
               including  consolidation of competitors and major customers,  and
               price competition

     o    The  prospects  and  operating  results  of the  Company's  Contractor
          Equipment  Division  may be affected  by:  variations  in the level of
          residential,  commercial  and  institutional  building and  remodeling
          activity;  the  availability  and cost of  financing;  changes  in the
          environmental  regulation  of  coatings;  consolidation  in the  paint
          equipment  manufacturing  industry;  changes in the business practices
          (including   inventory   management)  of  the  major  distributors  of
          contractor   equipment;   changes  in   construction   materials   and
          techniques;  the cost of labor in foreign markets; the regional market
          strength of certain  competitors;  the level of government spending on
          infrastructure  development  and road  construction,  maintenance  and
          repair; and the nature and extent of highway safety regulation.

     o    The    prospects    and    operating    results   of   the   Company's
          Industrial/Automotive  Equipment  Division  may be  affected  by:  the
          capital  equipment  spending  levels  of  industrial  customers;   the
          availability   and  cost  of  customer   financing;   changes  in  the
          environmental  regulation  of  coatings;   changes  in  the  technical
          characteristics of materials;  changes in application technology;  the
          ability  of  the  Company  to  meet  changing  customer  requirements;
          consolidation in the fluid handling equipment  manufacturing industry;
          the  equipment  purchase  plans  of  major  automobile   manufacturers
          worldwide (which are in turn impacted by the level of automotive sales
          worldwide); changes in automotive manufacturing processes; the pricing
          strategies   of   competitors;   consolidation   in   the   automobile
          manufacturing  industry  worldwide;  and the success of the Company in
          moving its automotive  customers from  custom-designed  systems to the
          purchase of the Company's package modules sold through integrators and
          distributors.

     o    The  prospects  and  operating  results of the  Company's  Lubrication
          Equipment  Division  may be  affected  by  consolidation  in  the  oil
          industry;  the  development of extended life  lubricants for vehicles;
          the reduction in the need for changing  vehicle  lubricants;  consumer
          trends   in   "do-it-yourself"   vs.   "do-it-for-me"   oil   changes;
          consolidation of automotive  dealerships;  trends in spending by state
          and local governments, and variations in the equipment spending levels
          of the major oil companies.