UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

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



For the quarterly period ended September 29, 2000

Commission File Number:  001-9249
                         --------


                                   GRACO INC.
                ------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)



      Minnesota                                         41-0285640
- ------------------------                 ---------------------------------------
(State of incorporation)                 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


       88 - 11th Avenue N.E.
      Minneapolis, Minnesota                                             55413
- ----------------------------------------                              ----------
(Address of principal executive offices)                              (Zip Code)


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


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


                                    Yes     X         No
                                         ------           -------

        20,215,088 common shares were outstanding as of October 27, 2000.





                           GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                      INDEX

                                                                     Page Number

PART I   FINANCIAL INFORMATION


         Item 1.  Financial Statements

                     Consolidated Statements of Earnings                       3
                     Consolidated Balance Sheets                               4
                     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                     5
                     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements              6-7


         Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis
                     of Financial Condition and
                     Results of Operations                                  8-10

PART II  OTHER INFORMATION

         Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                            11

         SIGNATURES                                                           12


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






                                     PART I

                           GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item I.                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

                                   (Unaudited)



                                                 Thirteen Weeks Ended         Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
                                                 --------------------         -----------------------
                                          Sep 29, 2000   Sep 24, 1999      Sep 29, 2000   Sep 24,1999
                                          ------------   ------------      ------------   -----------
                                                   (In thousands except per share amounts)

                                                                                 
Net Sales                                     $120,800       $110,076          $371,195      $328,020

      Cost of products sold                     57,851         52,566           180,015       158,034
                                          ------------   ------------      ------------   -----------

Gross Profit                                    62,949         57,510           191,180       169,986

      Product development                        5,324          4,845            15,244        14,370
      Selling, marketing and distribution       20,569         19,049            66,743        57,289
      General and administrative                 8,531          9,599            25,985        28,729
                                          ------------   ------------      ------------   -----------

Operating Profit                                28,525         24,017            83,208        69,598

      Interest expense                             985          1,661             3,522         5,472
      Other (income) expense, net                  267           (187)            1,507        (2,579)
                                          ------------   ------------      ------------   -----------

Earnings Before Income Taxes                    27,273         22,543            78,179        66,705

      Income taxes                               9,200          7,500            26,800        22,500
                                          ------------   ------------      ------------   -----------

Net Earnings                                  $ 18,073       $ 15,043          $ 51,379      $ 44,205
                                          ============   ============      ============   ===========

Basic Net Earnings
    Per Common Share                          $    .89       $    .74          $   2.53      $   2.19
                                          ============   ============      ============   ===========

Diluted Net Earnings
    Per Common Share                          $    .88       $    .72          $   2.49      $   2.12
                                          ============   ============      ============   ===========




                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.
GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) (Unaudited) Sep 29, 2000 Dec 31, 1999 ------------ ------------ ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,163 $ 6,588 Accounts receivable, less allowances of $4,600 and $4,400 82,909 79,696 Inventories 33,838 37,702 Deferred income taxes 11,705 12,357 Other current assets 1,540 1,646 ------------ ------------ Total current assets 132,155 137,989 Property, Plant and Equipment: Cost 190,770 182,156 Accumulated depreciation (105,823) (95,663) ------------ ------------ 84,947 86,493 Other Assets 11,051 11,551 ------------ ------------ $228,153 $236,033 ============ ============ LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Notes payable to banks $ 12,034 $ 14,640 Current portion of long-term debt 810 1,215 Trade accounts payable 12,447 13,500 Salaries, wages and commissions 13,381 12,832 Accrued insurance liabilities 11,501 10,332 Income taxes payable 7,541 2,323 Other current liabilities 22,183 23,421 ------------ ------------ Total current liabilities 79,897 78,263 Long-term Debt, Less Current Portion 29,519 65,695 Retirement Benefits and Deferred Compensation 26,672 29,135 Shareholders' Equity: Common stock 20,212 20,416 Additional paid-in capital 37,427 31,755 Retained earnings 34,746 9,279 Other, net (320) 1,490 ------------ ------------ Total shareholders' equity 92,065 62,940 ------------ ------------ $228,153 $236,033 ============ ============ See notes to consolidated financial statements. GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) Thirty-nine Weeks Ended Sep 29, 2000 Sep 24, 1999 ------------ ------------ Cash Flows From Operating Activities: (In thousands) Net Earnings $51,379 $44,205 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 11,927 11,451 Deferred income taxes 200 (88) (Gain) loss on sale of property, plant 131 (3,147) and equipment Change in: Accounts receivable (5,903) 2,534 Inventories 3,220 4,910 Trade accounts payable (957) (1,554) Salaries, wages and commissions 862 (656) Retirement benefits and deferred compensation (3,240) (715) Other accrued liabilities 5,446 689 Other (1,047) 300 ------------ ------------ 62,018 57,929 ------------ ------------ Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Property, plant and equipment additions (9,391) (5,947) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 162 9,523 Acquisition of business - (18,389) ------------ ------------ (9,229) (14,813) ------------ ------------ Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Borrowings on notes payable and lines of credit 149,264 90,243 Payments on notes payable and lines of credit (151,644) (100,585) Borrowings on long-term debt 36,135 25,001 Payments on long-term debt (72,715) (56,821) Common stock issued 7,028 6,125 Retirement of common stock (18,966) (3,468) Cash dividends paid (8,532) (6,682) ------------ ------------ (59,430) (46,187) ------------ ------------ Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 2,216 1,598 ------------ ------------ Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (4,425) (1,473) Cash and cash equivalents: Beginning of year 6,588 3,555 ------------ ------------ End of period $ 2,163 $ 2,082 ============ ============ See notes to consolidated financial statements. GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) 1. The consolidated balance sheet of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 29, 2000, and the related statements of earnings for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2000 and September 24, 1999, and cash flows for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2000 and September 24, 1999 have been prepared by the Company without being audited. In the opinion of management, these consolidated statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries as of September 29, 2000, and the results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. Therefore, these statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's 1999 Form 10-K. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that will be realized for the full fiscal year. 2. Major components of inventories were as follows (in thousands): Sep 29, 2000 Dec 31, 1999 ------------ ------------ Finished products and components $28,714 $25,748 Products and components in various stages of completion 19,677 23,560 Raw materials and purchased components 19,719 21,961 ------------ ------------ 68,110 71,269 Reduction to LIFO cost (34,272) (33,567) ------------ ------------ $33,838 $37,702 ============ ============ GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) 3. The Company has three reportable segments; Industrial/Automotive, Contractor and Lubrication. Assets of the Company are not tracked along reportable segment lines. Sales and operating profit by segment for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2000 and September 24, 1999 were as follows (in thousands): Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended --------------------------- --------------------------- Sep 29, 2000 Sep 24, 1999 Sep 29, 2000 Sep 24, 1999 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Net Sales Industrial/Automotive $ 56,059 $ 56,982 $166,740 $161,677 Contractor 54,346 42,988 172,700 134,402 Lubrication 10,395 10,106 31,755 31,941 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Total $120,800 $110,076 $371,195 $328,020 ============ ============ ============ ============ Operating Profit Industrial/Automotive $ 14,484 $ 11,846 $ 40,751 $ 34,533 Contractor 12,857 11,038 38,309 33,081 Lubrication 2,437 2,326 7,162 7,291 Unallocated corporate expenses (1,253) (1,193) (3,014) (5,307) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Consolidated Operating Profit $ 28,525 $ 24,017 $ 83,208 $ 69,598 ============ ============ ============ ============
4. There have been no changes to the components of comprehensive income from those noted on the 1999 Form 10K. Total comprehensive income in 2000 was $16.9 million in the third quarter and $49.6 million year-to-date. In 1999, comprehensive income was $15.2 million for the third quarter and $44.4 million for the nine-month period. 5. In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", which will be effective for the Company in fiscal year 2001. The statement, as amended by SFAS No. 138 issued June 2000, requires that all derivatives be recognized in the financial statements as either assets or liabilities measured at fair value, and also specifies new methods of accounting for hedging transactions. The Company has not yet determined the impact of SFAS 133 and 138, if any. Item 2. GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Results of Operations - --------------------- Strong sales, steady gross profit margin rates and reduced expenses (as percentage of sales) continued to drive improvements in quarterly and year-to-date net earnings. Sales of new products accounted for most of the sales increase. For the quarter, sales increased 10 percent over the prior year while gross profit margin rates remained steady and operating expenses increased 3 percent. Year-to-date, sales were up 13 percent, gross profit margin rate was slightly lower and operating expenses increased 8 percent. Earnings in the year-to-date period of 1999 included non-recurring after-tax gains of $2.1 million ($.10 per diluted share) from the sale of the Company's Plymouth, Michigan and Los Angeles facilities. The following table sets forth items from the Company's Consolidated Statements of Earnings as percentages of net sales: Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended --------------------------- ------------------------- Sep 29, 2000 Sep 24, 1999 Sep 29, 2000 Sep 24,1999 ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- Net Sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Cost of products sold 47.9 47.8 48.5 48.2 Product development 4.4 4.4 4.1 4.4 Selling, marketing and distribution 17.0 17.3 18.0 17.5 General and administrative 7.1 8.7 7.0 8.7 ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- Operating Profit 23.6 21.8 22.4 21.2 ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- Interest expense 0.8 1.5 1.0 1.7 ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- Other (income) expense, net 0.2 (0.2) 0.4 (0.8) ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- Earnings Before Income Taxes 22.6 20.5 21.0 20.3 Income taxes 7.6 6.8 7.2 6.9 ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- Net Earnings 15.0% 13.7% 13.8% 13.4% ============ ============ ============ ===========
Net Sales Net sales of $120.8 million were 10 percent higher than third quarter 1999 sales. Year-to-date sales of $371.2 million increased 13 percent over the prior year. Most of the increase came from the Contractor Equipment segment, which increased 26 percent over third quarter last year and 28 percent year-to-date due to new product releases and an additional sales channel in North America. The Company introduced its new Magnum sprayers in the first quarter of 2000. These units are being sold primarily in the recently established home center sales channel within the Contractor Equipment segment, but are available to customers in other channels. Industrial/Automotive segment sales decreased 2 percent from third quarter 1999 and increased 3 percent over 1999 year-to-date. Lubrication Equipment segment sales were relatively level between quarters and year-to-date. Sales in all segments were adversely affected by the strengthening dollar in Europe. Sales of $20.9 million for the quarter in Europe were down 13 percent compared to last year but would have been level if translated at consistent exchange rates. Compared to prior year-to-date, European sales decreased 1 percent, but would have increased 10 percent if translated at consistent exchange rates. The effects of exchange rates were favorable in Asia Pacific, but not enough to offset the adverse impact in Europe. Asia Pacific quarterly sales of $12.0 million were 7 percent higher compared to last year and would have increased 3 percent if translated at consistent exchange rates. For the nine-month period, Asia Pacific sales increased by 5 percent but would have been level if translated at consistent exchange rates. Gross Profit Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was relatively steady for both the quarter and the nine-month periods. Decreases in gross profit margin rate due to product mix and the negative impact of changes in exchange rates were offset by the effects of manufacturing efficiencies resulting from higher production to meet increased sales demand. Operating Expenses Selling, marketing and distribution expenses were up 8 percent in the quarter and 17 percent year-to-date, and include increased spending related to the introduction of new products in the home center channel. General and administrative expenses were down 11 percent for the quarter and 10 percent for the nine-month period primarily due to reduced information system spending. Product development expense increased 10 percent between quarters and 6 percent year-to-date, and remained steady as a percentage of sales. The Company continues to make substantial investments in product development to drive future revenue growth. Interest Expense and Other Income (Expense) Interest expense continues to decrease due to reduced debt levels. Other expense for the nine-month period was $1.5 million compared to $2.6 million of income in the same period of 1999. Other income in 1999 included $3.2 million of gains on sales of real estate. Liquidity and Capital Resources - ------------------------------- The Company generated $62 million of cash flow from operating activities in the first nine months of 2000, and generated $58 million for the same period last year. In 2000, the Company utilized cash flow to repurchase common shares for $19 million and made net payments of $39 million on short and long-term borrowings. The Company is constructing expanded manufacturing and office facilities in Minneapolis. Also, the Company's former corporate headquarters building in Golden Valley, Minnesota is for sale, as personnel have moved into other Company-owned office space in Minneapolis and Rogers, Minnesota. The Company had unused lines of credit available at September 29, 2000 totaling $82 million. The available credit facilities and internally generated funds provide the Company with financial flexibility to meet liquidity needs. Outlook While the Company's business was strong in the first three quarters of 2000, management remains cautious about the direction of global economies, and believes it prudent to plan for a slowing in North America. Notwithstanding this cautious outlook, management is optimistic about completing 2000 with continued improved sales and earnings performance versus last year. SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY STATEMENT The information in this 10-Q contains "forward-looking statements" about the Company's expectations of the future, which are subject to certain risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expectations. These factors include economic conditions in the United States and other major world economies, currency exchange fluctuations and additional factors identified in Exhibit 99 to the Company's Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 1999. PART II Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (a) Exhibits Computation of Net Earnings per Common Share Exhibit 11 Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR filing only) Exhibit 27 (b) No reports on Form 8-K have been filed during the quarter for which this report is filed. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. GRACO INC. Date: October 30, 2000 By: /s/George Aristides ---------------------------------- George Aristides Chief Executive Officer Date: October 30, 2000 By: /s/James A. Graner ---------------------------------- James A. Graner Vice President & Controller ("duly authorized officer")


                                                                               EXHIBIT 11

                           GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   COMPUTATION OF NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

                                   (Unaudited)


                                           Thirteen Weeks Ended         Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
                                        ---------------------------    --------------------------
                                        Sep 29, 2000   Sep 24, 1999    Sep 29, 2000  Sep 24, 1999
                                        ------------   ------------    ------------  ------------
                                                   (in thousands except per share amounts)

                                                                              
Net earnings applicable to common
    shareholders for basic and
    diluted earnings per share               $18,073        $15,043         $51,379       $44,205
                                        ------------   ------------    ------------  ------------

Weighted average shares outstanding
    for basic earnings per share              20,212         20,338          20,284        20,194

Dilutive effect of stock options computed
    using the treasury stock method
    and the average market price                 339            678             327           629

Weighted average shares outstanding
    for diluted earnings per share            20,551         21,016          20,611        20,823

Basic earnings per share                     $  0.89        $  0.74         $  2.53       $  2.19
                                        ------------   ------------    ------------  ------------
Diluted earnings per share                   $  0.88        $  0.72         $  2.49       $  2.12
                                        ------------   ------------    ------------  ------------

 


5 This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Graco Inc. and subsidiaries consolidated balance sheets for the quarterly period ending September 29, 2000 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such statements. 0000042888 Graco Inc 1 U.S. DOLLARS 3-MOS DEC-29-2000 JUL-01-2000 SEP-29-2000 1 2,163 0 87,509 4,600 33,838 132,155 190,770 105,823 228,153 78,897 30,329 0 0 20,212 71,853 228,153 120,800 120,800 57,851 57,851 35,676 126 985 27,273 9,200 18,073 0 0 0 18,073 0.89 0.88