BLOUNT INC
10-Q, 1996-11-08
CUTLERY, HANDTOOLS & GENERAL HARDWARE
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                                    FORM 10-Q
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

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

           {X}    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                   OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1996

                                      OR

           { }    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                   OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

           For the transition period from __________ to __________

                          Commission file number 1-7002

                                  BLOUNT, INC.

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

The registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and
(b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form with the reduced disclosure
format.

                   Delaware                                 63-0593908
        (State or other jurisdiction of                  (I.R.S. Employer
        incorporation or organization)                  Identification No.)
          4520 Executive Park Drive                         36116-1602
             Montgomery, Alabama                            (Zip Code)
   (Address of principal executive offices)

                                 (334) 244-4000
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

      (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since
                                  last report)

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

                 Yes  X                                  No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

                                                           Outstanding at
      Class of Common Stock                              September 30, 1996
      ---------------------                              ------------------
   Common Stock $.01 Par Value                              1,000 shares
                                   Page 1
<PAGE>
BLOUNT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

                                                         Page No.
                                                       ------------

Part I.  Financial Information

     Consolidated Balance Sheets -
        September 30, 1996 and February 29, 1996             3

     Consolidated Statements of Income -
        three months and nine months ended
        September 30, 1996 and 1995                          4

     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
        nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995        5

     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements              6

     Management's Discussion and Analysis                   10

                                   Page 2
<PAGE>
BLOUNT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
                                                    September 30,  February 29,
                                                         1996          1996
                                                    -------------  ------------
                                                             (Unaudited)
                      ASSETS
                      ------
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents, including short-term
      investments of $40,780 and $11,386                 $ 43,174      $ 14,590
   Accounts receivable, net of allowances for
      doubtful accounts of $3,896 and $3,853              128,501       147,206
   Inventories                                             83,487        94,113
   Deferred income taxes                                   23,427        23,491
   Other current assets                                     4,694         3,502
                                                         --------      --------
                    Total current assets                  283,283       282,902
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated
   depreciation of $167,973 and $160,026                  128,702       135,522
Cost in excess of net assets of acquired
   businesses, net                                         86,161        88,111
Other assets                                               34,948        37,354
                                                         --------      --------
Total Assets                                             $533,094      $543,889
                                                         ========      ========

   LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
   ------------------------------------
Current liabilities:
   Notes payable and current maturities of
      long-term debt                                     $  1,527      $ 11,692
   Accounts payable                                        35,061        51,454
   Accrued expenses                                        81,863        84,229
   Other current liabilities                                1,700         1,963
                                                         --------      --------
                    Total current liabilities             120,151       149,338
Long-term debt, exclusive of current maturities            84,828        95,920
Deferred income taxes, exclusive of current portion        20,597        20,533
Other liabilities                                          27,033        25,697
                                                         --------      --------
                    Total liabilities                     252,609       291,488
                                                         --------      --------
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
Shareholder's equity:
   Common Stock, par value $.01 per share,
      1,000 shares issued                                      --            --
   Capital in excess of par value of stock                 25,922        25,922
   Retained earnings                                      246,560       218,300
   Accumulated translation adjustment                       8,003         8,179
                                                         --------      --------
                    Total shareholder's equity            280,485       252,401
                                                         --------      --------
Total Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity               $533,094      $543,889
                                                         ========      ========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
                                   Page 3
<PAGE>
BLOUNT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except share data)


                                  Three months                Nine months
                               ended September 30,        ended September 30,
                             -----------------------    -----------------------
                                1996         1995          1996         1995
                             ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------
                                   (Unaudited)                (Unaudited)
Sales                        $  159,957   $  153,054    $  475,256   $  462,703
Cost of sales                   104,038      100,343       311,984      307,943
                             ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------
Gross profit                     55,919       52,711       163,272      154,760
Selling, general and
   administrative expenses       31,380       28,970        95,493       89,101
                             ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------
Income from operations           24,539       23,741        67,779       65,659
Interest expense                 (2,256)      (2,649)       (7,673)      (7,955)
Interest income                     652          918         1,198        2,229
Other income (expense), net        (339)         808           300         (461)
                             ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------
Income before income taxes       22,596       22,818        61,604       59,472
Provision for income taxes        8,587        8,751        22,495       23,334
                             ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------
Net income                   $   14,009   $   14,067    $   39,109   $   36,138
                             ==========   ==========    ==========   ==========


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
                                   Page 4
<PAGE>
BLOUNT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)

                                                 Nine months ended September 30,
                                                 ------------------------------
                                                           1996        1995
                                                         --------    --------
                                                             (Unaudited)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
   Net Income                                            $ 39,109    $ 36,138
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
      provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation, amortization and other
         noncash charges                                   17,818      16,985
      Deferred income taxes                                 4,393        (934)
      Loss on disposals of property, plant
         and equipment                                         37         165
      Changes in assets and liabilities, net of
         effects of businesses acquired and sold:
            (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable    (11,836)      7,932
            (Increase) decrease in inventories             11,738      (1,616)
            Decrease in other assets                        2,202       4,859
            Decrease in accounts payable                   (7,522)    (12,799)
            Decrease in accrued expenses                   (2,262)    (18,899)
            Increase (decrease) in other liabilities        4,143      (3,120)
                                                         --------    --------
      Net cash provided by operating activities            57,820      28,711
                                                         --------    --------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
   Proceeds from sales of businesses and property,
      plant and equipment                                   1,617       4,785
   Purchases of property, plant and equipment             (13,290)     (8,076)
                                                         --------    --------
      Net cash used in investing activities               (11,673)     (3,291)
                                                         --------    --------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
   Net increase (reduction) in short-term borrowings       (2,283)        169
   Issuance of long-term debt                                           2,300
   Reduction of long-term debt                            (13,805)     (5,371)
   (Increase) decrease in restricted funds                  3,078        (447)
   Dividends paid                                          (2,500)     (5,233)
   Other                                                                2,259
                                                         --------    --------
      Net cash used in financing activities               (15,510)     (6,323)
                                                         --------    --------

   Net increase in cash and cash equivalents               30,637      19,097
   Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period        12,537      49,355
                                                         --------    --------
   Cash and cash equivalents at end of period            $ 43,174    $ 68,452
                                                         ========    ========


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
                                   Page 5
<PAGE>
BLOUNT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


NOTE 1  Effective April 15, 1996, the Board of Directors of Blount, Inc. ("BI")
approved the change of BI's fiscal year from a year ending on the last day of
February, which was the fiscal year end used in its most recent report on Form
10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, to the new fiscal year
end of December 31.  The report on Form 10-K for the ten-month period ending
December 31, 1996, will be the form on which the report covering the transition
period will be filed by BI.  During the transition period, BI is filing
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q on the basis of the quarter-ends of the newly
adopted fiscal year, March 31, June 30 and September 30.

Blount, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blount International, Inc.  In the
opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial
statements of Blount, Inc. and Subsidiaries ("the Company") contain all
adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present
fairly the financial position at September 30, 1996 and the results of
operations and cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1995.
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the
financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended February 29, 1996.  The results of operations for the
periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 are not necessarily indicative of the
results to be expected for the twelve months ended December 31, 1996, due to the
seasonal nature of certain of the Company's operations.


NOTE 2  Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

                                             September 30,    February 29,
                                                  1996            1996
                                             -------------    ------------
         Finished goods                         $ 46,411        $ 50,752
         Work in process                          14,500          14,879
         Raw materials and supplies               22,576          28,482
                                                --------        --------
                                                $ 83,487        $ 94,113
                                                ========        ========


NOTE 3  In July 1996, the Company purchased and retired approximately $10.6
million of its 9% subordinated notes.  There was no material gain or loss on the
transaction.


                                   Page 6
<PAGE>
NOTE 4  Segment information is as follows (in thousands):

                                        Three Months            Nine Months
                                     Ended September 30,    Ended September 30,
                                     -------------------    -------------------
                                       1996       1995        1996       1995
                                     --------   --------    --------   --------
Sales:
   Outdoor Products                  $ 74,398   $ 71,335    $220,532   $212,637
   Industrial and Power Equipment      49,349     56,500     149,031    167,603
   Sporting Equipment                  36,210     25,219     105,693     82,463
                                     --------   --------    --------   --------
                                     $159,957   $153,054    $475,256   $462,703
                                     ========   ========    ========   ========
Operating income:
   Outdoor Products                  $ 15,642   $ 14,723    $ 45,657   $ 40,598
   Industrial and Power Equipment       6,744     10,139      22,915     28,044
   Sporting Equipment                   6,633      3,028      13,899      9,579
                                     --------   --------    --------   --------
Operating income from segments         29,019     27,890      82,471     78,221
Corporate office expenses              (4,480)    (4,149)    (14,692)   (12,562)
                                     --------   --------    --------   --------
   Income from operations              24,539     23,741      67,779     65,659
Interest expense                       (2,256)    (2,649)     (7,673)    (7,955)
Interest income                           652        918       1,198      2,229
Other income (expense), net              (339)       808         300       (461)
                                     --------   --------    --------   --------
Income before income taxes           $ 22,596   $ 22,818    $ 61,604   $ 59,472
                                     ========   ========    ========   ========


NOTE 5  In 1989, the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA")
designated a predecessor of the Company as one of four potentially responsible
parties ("PRPs") with respect to the Onalaska Municipal Landfill in Onalaska,
Wisconsin ("the Site").  The waste complained of was placed in the landfill
prior to 1981 by a corporation, some assets of which were later purchased by a
predecessor of the Company.  It is the view of management that because the
Company's predecessor corporation purchased assets rather than stock, the
Company is not liable and is not properly a PRP.  Although management believes
EPA is wrong on the successor liability issue, with other PRPs, the Company made
a good faith offer to the EPA to pay a portion of Site clean-up costs.  The
offer was rejected and the EPA proceeded with clean-up at a cost of
approximately $12 million.  One PRP, the Town of Onalaska ("the Town") and the
EPA and State of Wisconsin ("the State") negotiated a consent decree in 1984
under which the Town would have been released from future liability.  The United
States District Court for the District of Wisconsin found, on December 21, 1994,
that the settlement was not fair, reasonable or in the public interest, and
declined to approve or enter it as the order of the Court.  The EPA and State
have negotiated a new consent with the Town, which was lodged with the Court on
August 26, 1996, in a new action brought against a second PRP, Metallics, Inc.,
and the Town.  The Company continues to maintain that it is not a liable party.
The EPA has not taken action against the Company, nor has the EPA accepted the
Company's position.  The Company does not know the financial status of the other
named and unnamed PRPs who may have liability with respect to the Site.
Management does not expect the situation to have a material adverse effect on
consolidated financial condition or operating results.
                                   Page 7
<PAGE>
The Company has closed its Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA") Part
B Storage Permit at its Sporting Equipment Division's CCI operations facility in
Lewiston, Idaho.  As part of the closure process, the Company was required by
the State of Idaho Division of Environmental Quality ("IDEQ") to undertake RCRA
corrective action at the facility.  This required the Company to investigate all
areas at the facility where solid waste and hazardous wastes had historically
been managed.  The facility has operated since the 1950s.  In March 1994, the
Company and the IDEQ entered into an Administrative Consent Order which governed
the investigation and the completion of the corrective action activities.  The
RCRA Facility Investigation is complete, as are the RCRA corrective measures for
the contaminated soil areas identified during the investigation.  RCRA Closure
Certification Reports for each of the solid waste management units and areas of
concern have been submitted to and, in the third quarter of 1996, approved by
the IDEQ.  However, trichloroethylene ("TCE") and perchloroethylene ("PCE")
contamination of the uppermost groundwater was detected beneath the facility.
This groundwater is not a drinking water supply source and does not appear to be
connected to the deeper drinking water supply source.  The groundwater
investigation established that the contamination was not from an active
manufacturing area but rather the result of incidental historical releases.  The
IDEQ has accepted the Company's Corrective Measures Report which requires
ongoing groundwater monitoring.  It is expected that the TCE and PCE
concentrations will decrease over time and that the ongoing monitoring costs
will not be material.

Under the provisions of Washington State environmental laws, the Washington
State Department of Ecology ("WDOE") has notified the Company that it is one of
many companies named as a Potentially Liable Party ("PLP"), for the Pasco
Sanitary Landfill site, Pasco, Washington ("the Site").  Although the clean-up
costs are believed to be substantial, accurate estimates will not be available
until the environmental studies have been completed at the Site.  However, based
upon the total documented volume of waste sent to the Site, the Company's waste
volume compared to that total waste volume should cause the Company to be
classified as a "de minimis" PLP.  In July 1992, the Company and thirty-eight
other PLPs entered into an Administrative Agreed Order with WDOE to perform a
Phase I Remedial Investigation at the Site.  In October 1994, WDOE issued an
administrative Unilateral Enforcement Order to all PLPs to complete a Phase II
Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study ("RI/FS") under the Scope of Work
established by WDOE.  The results of the RI/FS investigation are not expected
until after the first quarter of 1997.  The Company is unable to determine, at
this time, the level of clean-up demands that may be ultimately placed on it.
Management believes that, given the number of PLPs named with respect to the
Site and their financial condition, the Company's potential response costs
associated with the Site will not have a material adverse effect on consolidated
financial condition or operating results.

The Company is a defendant in a number of product liability lawsuits, some of
which seek significant or unspecified damages, involving serious personal
injuries for which there are large retentions or deductible amounts under the
Company's insurance policies.  In addition, the Company is a party to a number
of other suits arising out of the conduct of its business.  While there can be
no assurance as to their ultimate outcome, management does not believe these
lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on consolidated financial condition
or operating results.

At September 30, 1996, the Company had outstanding bank letters of credit in the
approximate amount of $6.7 million issued principally in connection with various
foreign construction contracts of the discontinued construction segment for
which there is contingent liability  to the issuing banks in the event payment
is demanded by the holder.
                                   Page 8
<PAGE>
See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 1996 for other
commitments and contingencies of the Company which have not changed
significantly since year-end.


NOTE 6  Income taxes paid during the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and
1995 were $10.0 million and $34.0 million.  Interest paid during the nine months
ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 was $6.2 million and $5.8 million.



                                   Page 9
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Operating Results

Sales for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 1996, were $160.0
million and $475.3 million compared to $153.1 million and $462.7 million for the
comparable periods of the prior year.  Net income for the third quarter and
first nine months of calendar 1996 was $14.0 million and $39.1 million compared
to net income of $14.1 million and $36.1 million for the comparable periods of
the prior year.  These operating results reflect improved operating income from
the Outdoor Products and the Sporting Equipment segments, and lower income from
the Industrial and Power Equipment segment.  Corporate expenses (included in
selling, general and administrative expenses) were higher for the nine months
ended September 30, 1996, reflecting increased accruals for employee incentive
plans during the first quarter of calendar 1996.  In addition, total selling,
general and administrative expenses were higher during the third quarter and
first nine months of the current year due to the inclusion of Simmons Outdoor
Corporation ("Simmons"), acquired in December 1995, in the consolidated
financial statements for the current year.  Lower interest income during the
three months and nine months ended September 30, 1996, reflects lower average
cash balances available for investment during the current year, primarily due to
the acquisition of Simmons.  Other income (expense), net, for the prior year's
third quarter includes income recognized for the disposition of certain small
operations.  The principal reasons for these results and the status of the
Company's financial condition are set forth below and should be read in
conjunction with the Company's fiscal 1996 Form 10-K.  During April 1996, the
Company changed its fiscal year from a twelve-month period ended the last day of
February to a calendar year.  See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.

Sales for the Outdoor Products segment for the third quarter and first nine
months of calendar 1996 were $74.4 million and $220.5 million compared to $71.3
million and $212.6 million during the third quarter and first nine months of the
prior year.  Operating income was $15.6 million and $45.7 million during the
third quarter and first nine months of calendar 1996 compared to $14.7 million
and $40.6 million in the prior year.  Sales for the Company's Oregon Cutting
Systems Division ("Oregon") were up by 3.8% and 5.5% for the three months and
nine months ended September 30, 1996, reflecting a higher volume of saw chain
and saw bar sales, partially offset by lower average selling prices.  Oregon's
higher sales resulted in improved operating income for the total segment.  Sales
by the Company's riding lawn mower business ("Dixon") returned to more normal
seasonal levels during the current year's third quarter after a late spring
outdoor care season due to unfavorable weather conditions.  As a result of this
improvement, Dixon's year-to-date sales and operating income are only slightly
below last year's levels.

Sales for the Industrial and Power Equipment segment were $49.3 million and
$149.0 million during the third quarter and first nine months of calendar 1996
compared to $56.5 million and $167.6 million during the same periods last year.
The sales reduction resulted principally from lower sales of forestry harvesting
equipment as a result of the adverse effect of depressed pulp prices and high
mill inventories at the pulp users.  The Company has recently seen some
improvement in order intake for forestry equipment in conjunction with reduced
mill inventories and firming pulp prices and expects a gradual return to
normalcy.  Order backlog at September 30, 1996, was 9% higher than backlog at
June 30, 1996.  Operating income was $6.7 million and $22.9 million for the
third quarter and first nine months of calendar 1996 compared to $10.1 million
and $28.0 million for comparable periods of the prior year.  The reduction in
operating income reflects primarily the effect of the sales decline, partially
offset by improved income from the Company's Gear Products, Inc. subsidiary
                                   Page 10
<PAGE>
resulting primarily from a higher sales volume of rotation bearings.

Sales for the Sporting Equipment segment increased to $36.2 million and $105.7
million in the third quarter and first nine months of calendar 1996 from $25.2
million and $82.5 million in the comparable periods of the prior year.
Operating income was up to $6.6 million and $13.9 million during the third
quarter and first nine months of the current year from $3.0 million and $9.6
million during the comparable periods of the prior year. Simmons added sales of
$10.0 million and $30.3 million and operating income of $1.1 million and $2.6
million for the third quarter and first nine months of calendar 1996,
respectively.  Sales by remaining Sporting Equipment operations were
approximately 3.9% higher during the current year's third quarter while year-to-
date sales were lower due to reduced demand following a slowdown during the
second half of 1995.  Operating income was positively affected by reduced
environmental cost estimates resulting from the resolution of an environmental
matter during the third quarter of the current year at the Company's Lewiston,
Idaho facility.  See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company's total backlog at September 30, 1996 was $95.5 million compared to
$89.4 million at June 30, 1996 and $112.8 million at February 29, 1996.


                                   Page 11
<PAGE>
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.



           BLOUNT, INC.
- ----------------------------------
            Registrant





Date:  November 8, 1996                        /s/ Harold E. Layman
                                          ---------------------------------
                                                   Harold E. Layman
                                               Senior Vice President &
                                               Chief Financial Officer
                                   Page 12
<PAGE>


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BLOUNT, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          43,174
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  132,397
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,896
<INVENTORY>                                     83,487
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               283,283
<PP&E>                                         296,675
<DEPRECIATION>                                 167,973
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 533,094
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          120,151
<BONDS>                                         84,828
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     280,485
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   533,094
<SALES>                                        475,256
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               475,256
<CGS>                                          311,984
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  311,984
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,673
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 61,604
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,495
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             39,109
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,109
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>


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