Graco's Form 8-K, Third Quarter 2008 Earnings

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

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

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  October 22, 2008


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


Minnesota   001-09249   41-0285640

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

(Commission
File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)


88-11th Avenue Northeast
Minneapolis, Minnesota
  55413

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

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



  Not Applicable  
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02.     Results of Operations and Financial Condition

        On October 22, 2008, Graco Inc. issued a press release to report the Company’s results of operations and financial condition for the quarter ended September 26, 2008. A copy of this press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01.     Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c) Exhibits  
 
  99.1 Press Release dated October 22, 2008.

Signature

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



       
    GRACO INC.






Date: October 23, 2008 By: /s/Karen Park Gallivan
     
Karen Park Gallivan
    Its: Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Exhibit 99.1, Earnings Release Dated October 22, 2008

Exhibit 99.1

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

James A. Graner (612) 623-6635

 

GRACO REPORTS THIRD QUARTER SALES AND EARNINGS

 

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (October 22, 2008) - Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) today announced results for the quarter and nine months ended September 26, 2008.

Third Quarter Highlights

 

$ in millions except per share amounts

 

 

 

Thirteen Weeks Ended

 

Thirty-nine Weeks Ended

 

Sep 26,

 

Sep 28,

 

%

 

Sep 26,

 

Sep 28,

 

%

 

2008

 

2007

 

Change

 

2008

 

2007

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

$         207.2

 

$         207.3

 

(0)%

 

$         650.6

 

$         636.1

 

2 %

Net Earnings

32.8

 

39.3

 

(17)%

 

110.8

 

117.2

 

(5)%

Diluted Net Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

per Common Share

$           0.54

 

$           0.60

 

(10)%

 

$           1.81

 

$           1.75

 

3 %

 

 

Growth in Europe and Asia offset decreases in contractor and lubrication sales in the Americas.

 

Industrial segment sales increased in all regions.

 

Continued investment in long-term growth strategies of product and market development.

 

Acquisitions of Airlessco® and LubeSci assets will complement our contractor and industrial lubrication businesses.

“While tough economic conditions persist, we are confident that our strategies and actions are positioning the Company for future profitable growth. Our earnings and cash flow are strong and we continue to aggressively fund growth initiatives for new products and international expansion” said Patrick J. McHale, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Consolidated Results

Sales for the quarter were flat compared to last year and increased 2 percent year-to-date. Translated at consistent exchange rates, sales for both the quarter and year-to-date were down slightly from the comparable periods in 2007. Sales include $9 million from GlasCraft operations from the date of acquisition, including $3.5 million in the third quarter. In the Americas, sales of $113 million for the quarter and $361 million year-to-date were 9 percent and 7 percent lower than last year, respectively. In Europe, sales of $58 million for the quarter and $189 million year-to-date were 9 percent and 18 percent higher than last year, respectively. Translated at consistent exchange rates, sales in Europe increased 2 percent for the quarter and 7 percent for the year-to-date. In the Asia Pacific region, sales of $37 million for the quarter were 23 percent higher than last year and year-to-date sales of $101 million were up 14 percent. Translated at consistent exchange rates, sales in Asia Pacific increased by 22 percent for the quarter and 11 percent for the year-to-date.

Gross profit margin, expressed as a percentage of sales, was 53.2 percent for the quarter, close to last year’s percentage of 53.4 percent. Changes in geographic and product sales mix in Europe affected the margin rate for the quarter. Year-to-date gross profit margin percentage was 53.9 percent, up from 53.1 percent last year. Favorable currency translation rates added 1.1 percentage points to the year-do-date gross profit margin rate. The effects of higher material and other costs on gross margin rate have been offset by the impact of pricing and manufacturing efficiencies.

 


 

Operating expenses are up 11 percent for the quarter and 12 percent for the year-to-date. The effects of currency translation contributed approximately 2 percentage points of the increase for the quarter and 3 percentage points year-to-date. Operating expenses in 2008 include $1.5 million for the quarter from acquired GlasCraft operations and $4 million year-to-date. Continued strategic investments in product and market development also contributed to the increase in operating expenses, including expenses related to the introduction of new product lines in the home center channel, new product development teams and additional sales and marketing personnel in developing countries. Compared to last year, product development expense was up $2.5 million for the quarter and $3.7 million year-to-date.

Year-to-date interest expense is $3.5 million higher than last year due to borrowings used for the purchase and retirement of Company shares and for business acquisitions.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the third quarter was 34 percent, up from 32 percent last year. The lower rate in 2007 resulted from expiring statutes of limitations and a higher than expected benefit upon filing of prior year tax returns. The year-to-date effective tax rate of 33 percent is slightly lower than last year due to completion of the examination of the Company’s income tax returns in the first quarter of 2008.

 

Segment Results

 

Certain measurements of segment operations are summarized below:

 

 

 

Thirteen Weeks

 

Thirty-nine Weeks

 

 

Industrial

 

Contractor

 

Lubrication

 

Industrial

 

Contractor

 

Lubrication

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales (in millions)

$       117.7   

 

$        67.8     

 

$         21.8     

 

$         365.0   

 

$       216.0   

 

$         69.6    

Net sales percentage change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

from last year

9 %

 

(12)%

 

(5)%

 

12 %

 

(10)%

 

2 %

Operating earnings as a

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

percentage of net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   2008

30 %

 

22 %

 

16 %

 

32 %

 

23 %

 

18 %

 

   2007

35 %

 

27 %

 

11 %

 

34 %

 

28 %

 

11 %

 

Strong sales in Asia Pacific (up 27 percent) drove the increase in Industrial segment sales for the quarter. Sales in this segment were 5 percent higher in the Americas and in Europe, although the increase in Europe came from currency translation. Year-to-date sales in this segment are up 18 percent in Europe (approximately 11 percentage points from currency translation), 11 percent in Asia Pacific and 8 percent in the Americas. Most of the sales growth in this segment came from high performance coatings and foam products. Operating earnings in this segment were affected by selling and product development initiatives and costs and expenses resulting from acquisition and integration related activities.

In the Contractor segment, sales growth in Europe lessened the impact of continued softness in both the North American paint store and home center channels. Sales for the quarter in this segment were up 16 percent in Europe (including 6 percentage points from currency translation), flat in Asia Pacific and down 22 percent in the Americas. Year-to-date increases in Europe (18 percent increase, including 11 percentage points from currency translation) and in Asia Pacific (11 percent increase, including 2 percentage points from currency translation) were not enough to offset the 21 percent decrease in the Americas. The decrease in sales without a corresponding decrease in expenses had a large impact on the operating earnings of this segment. Strategic spending in this segment was for developing products for new markets and the launch and production of new paint sprayer units in the home center channel.

In the Lubrication segment, third quarter sales increases in Europe and Asia Pacific were not enough to offset a decrease in the Americas. Year-to-date, the increases in Europe and Asia Pacific offset the decrease in the Americas. Improvement in year-to-date operating profitability is related to the integration and consolidation of Lubrication operations completed in 2007, although segment profitability has also been affected by a sales decline in the higher-margin vehicle services product line.

 


 

Outlook

 

“While economic conditions have made it difficult to see progress in our business, we continue to implement our strategies for growth” said Patrick J. McHale, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The addition of the Airlessco® product line in October complements our contractor business and the LubeSci acquisition in late August expands our presence in the industrial lubrication business. The strength of our Industrial and international business thus far has softened the effect on our financial results. As difficult economic conditions spread to other parts of the world, we will monitor and manage our business accordingly. Our strong financial condition and cash flow enable us to continue making long-term investments in our key growth strategies including new product development, expanding distribution, entering new markets and pursuing strategic acquisitions.”

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

A forward-looking statement is any statement made in this earnings release and other reports that the Company files periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as in press releases, analyst briefings, conference calls and the Company’s Annual Report to shareholders, which reflects the Company’s current thinking on market trends and the Company’s future financial performance at the time they are made. All forecasts and projections are forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements in light of new information or future events.

 

The Company desires to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 by making cautionary statements concerning any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. The Company cannot give any assurance that the results forecasted in any forward-looking statement will actually be achieved. Future results could differ materially from those expressed, due to the impact of changes in various factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to: economic conditions in the United States and other major world economies, currency fluctuations, political instability, changes in laws and regulations, and changes in product demand. Please refer to Item 1A of, and Exhibit 99 to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2007 (and most recent Form 10-Q, if applicable) for a more comprehensive discussion of these and other risk factors. These reports are available on the Company’s website at www.graco.com and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

Conference Call

A conference call and slide preseentation for analysts and institutional investors will be held Thursday, October 23, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss Graco’s third quarter results. Graco management will host the call.

A real-time Webcast of the conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet. Individuals wanting to listen and view slides can access the call at the Company’s website at www.graco.com. Listeners should go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the live conference call to install any necessary audio software.

For those unable to listen to the live event, a replay will be available soon after the conference call at Graco’s website, or by telephone beginning at approximately 2:00 p.m. ET on October 23, 2008, by dialing 800.405.2236, Conference ID # 11120683, if calling within the U.S. or Canada. The dial-in number for international participants is 303.590.3000, with the same Conference ID #. The replay by telephone will be available through October 26, 2008.

 

Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids in both industrial and commercial applications. It designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid materials. A recognized leader in its specialties, Minneapolis-based Graco serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction and maintenance industries. For additional information about Graco Inc., please visit us at www.graco.com.

 


 

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thirteen Weeks Ended

 

Thirty-nine Weeks Ended

 

 

Sep 26,

 

Sep 28,

 

Sep 26,

 

Sep 28,

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

$      207,231 

 

$      207,270 

 

$      650,581 

 

$      636,149 

 

Cost of products sold

97,071 

 

96,624 

 

299,805 

 

298,409 

Gross Profit

110,160 

 

110,646 

 

350,776 

 

337,740 

 

Product development

9,626 

 

7,087 

 

26,605 

 

22,903 

 

Selling, marketing and distribution

32,420 

 

30,382 

 

102,083 

 

91,562 

 

General and administrative

15,585 

 

14,641 

 

50,142 

 

44,938 

Operating Earnings

52,529 

 

58,536 

 

171,946 

 

178,337 

 

Interest expense

1,934 

 

1,034 

 

5,443 

 

1,934 

 

Other expense, net

623 

 

39 

 

606 

 

25 

Earnings Before Income Taxes

49,972 

 

57,463 

 

165,897 

 

176,378 

 

Income taxes

17,200 

 

18,200 

 

55,100 

 

59,200 

Net Earnings

$        32,772 

 

$        39,263 

 

$      110,797 

 

$      117,178 

Net Earnings per Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$            0.55 

 

$             0.61 

 

$             1.83 

 

$             1.78 

 

Diluted

$            0.54 

 

$             0.60 

 

$             1.81 

 

$             1.75 

Weighted Average Number of Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

59,769 

 

64,797 

 

60,521 

 

65,836 

 

Diluted

60,365 

 

65,718 

 

61,168 

 

66,834 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thirteen Weeks Ended

 

Thirty-nine Weeks Ended

 

 

Sep 26,

 

Sep 28,

 

Sep 26,

 

Sep 28,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial

$      117,685 

 

$      107,791 

 

$      365,028 

 

$      327,137 

 

Contractor

67,751 

 

76,649 

 

215,992 

 

240,631 

 

Lubrication

21,795 

 

22,830 

 

69,561 

 

68,381 

 

Consolidated

$      207,231 

 

$      207,270 

 

$      650,581 

 

$      636,149 

Operating Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial

$        35,874 

 

$        37,597 

 

$      117,847 

 

$      111,570 

 

Contractor

15,226 

 

21,016 

 

49,663 

 

66,662 

 

Lubrication

3,409 

 

2,584 

 

12,333 

 

7,844 

 

Unallocated corporate

(1,980)

 

(2,661)

 

(7,897)

 

(7,739)

 

Consolidated

$        52,529 

 

$        58,536 

 

$      171,946 

 

$      178,337 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All figures are subject to audit and adjustment at the end of the fiscal year.

 

 

 

 

 

The Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Management’s Discussion and Analysis are available in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on our website at www.graco.com.

 

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