BLOUNT INC
10-Q, 1998-10-29
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, 1998

                                       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)

                   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)


                                 Not Applicable
              (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, 1998
      ---------------------                              ------------------
   Common Stock $.01 Par Value                              1,000 shares
                                   Page 1
<PAGE>
BLOUNT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

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

Part I.  Financial Information

     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets -
        September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997                     3

     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income -
        three months and nine months ended
        September 30, 1998 and 1997                                  4

     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
        nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997                5

     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes
        in Stockholder's Equity - three months and
        nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997                6

     Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements            7

     Management's Analysis of Results of Operations                 10
                                   Page 2
<PAGE>
BLOUNT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
                                                    September 30,  December 31,
                                                         1998          1997
                                                    -------------  ------------
                                                             (Unaudited)
                      ASSETS
                      ------
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents, including short-term
      investments of $6,944 and $2,965                   $  9,574      $  4,848
   Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
      doubtful accounts of $4,991 and $3,652              182,999       135,641
   Inventories                                            127,923       132,852
   Deferred income taxes                                   21,917        21,988
   Other current assets                                     7,014         5,859
                                                         --------      --------
                    Total current assets                  349,427       301,188
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated
   depreciation of $204,240 and $188,274                  184,368       188,506
Cost in excess of net assets of acquired businesses, net  115,687       116,371
Other assets                                               37,691        31,719
                                                         --------      --------
Total Assets                                             $687,173      $637,784
                                                         ========      ========

   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
   ------------------------------------
Current liabilities:
   Notes payable and current maturities of
      long-term debt                                     $    785      $  1,464
   Accounts payable                                        36,310        57,392
   Accrued expenses                                        72,543        69,432
                                                         --------      --------
                    Total current liabilities             109,638       128,288
Long-term debt, exclusive of current maturities           161,689       138,837
Deferred income taxes, exclusive of current portion        15,199        15,177
Other liabilities                                          36,500        37,575
                                                         --------      --------
                    Total liabilities                     323,026       319,877
                                                         --------      --------
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
Stockholder's equity:
   Common Stock: par value $.01 per share,
      1,000 shares issued and outstanding                       -             -
   Capital in excess of par value of stock                 27,365        27,365
   Retained earnings                                      328,967       283,492
   Accumulated other comprehensive income                   7,815         7,050
                                                         --------      --------
                    Total stockholder's equity            364,147       317,907
                                                         --------      --------
Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity               $687,173      $637,784
                                                         ========      ========

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


                                        Three Months            Nine Months
                                     Ended September 30,    Ended September 30,
                                     -------------------    -------------------
                                       1998       1997        1998       1997
                                     --------   --------    --------   --------
                                         (Unaudited)            (Unaudited)
Sales                                $226,617   $182,106    $631,471   $512,696
Cost of sales                         155,875    123,176     437,151    345,732
                                     --------   --------    --------   --------
Gross profit                           70,742     58,930     194,320    166,964
Selling, general and
  administrative expenses              36,969     32,196     109,063     96,884
                                     --------   --------    --------   --------
Income from operations                 33,773     26,734      85,257     70,080
Interest expense                       (4,035)    (2,203)    (10,759)    (6,663)
Interest income                           893        746       1,729      1,845
Other income, net                          71        103         273        358
                                     --------   --------    --------   --------
Income before income taxes             30,702     25,380      76,500     65,620
Provision for income taxes             11,409      9,390      29,041     24,159
                                     --------   --------    --------   --------
Income before extraordinary loss       19,293     15,990      47,459     41,461
Extraordinary loss on repurchase
  of debt, net                         (1,984)                (1,984)
                                     --------   --------    --------   --------
Net income                           $ 17,309   $ 15,990    $ 45,475   $ 41,461
                                     ========   ========    ========   ========

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

                                                              Nine Months
                                                          Ended September 30,
                                                        -----------------------
                                                           1998         1997
                                                        ----------   ----------
                                                              (Unaudited)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
   Net Income                                           $   45,475   $   41,461
   Extraordinary loss                                        1,984
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
      provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation, amortization and other
         noncash charges                                    23,014       17,894
      Deferred income taxes                                   (182)          20
      Loss (gain) on disposals of property, plant
         and equipment                                          18         (656)
      Changes in assets and liabilities, net of
         effects of businesses acquired and sold:
            Increase in accounts receivable                (27,492)     (11,329)
            (Increase) decrease in inventories               6,353       (6,964)
            (Increase) decrease in other assets               (329)       1,799
            Increase (decrease) in accounts payable         (7,428)       7,358
            Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses          3,966       (8,434)
            Increase (decrease) in other liabilities          (790)       2,019
                                                        ----------   ----------
      Net cash provided by operating activities             44,589       43,168
                                                        ----------   ----------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
   Proceeds from sales of property, plant
      and equipment                                            155          906
   Purchases of property, plant and equipment              (14,912)     (10,906)
   Acquisitions of businesses                              (16,643)     (19,227)
                                                        ----------   ----------
      Net cash used in investing activities                (31,400)     (29,227)
                                                        ----------   ----------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
   Net reduction in short-term borrowings                     (372)        (389)
   Issuance of long-term debt                              149,391
   Reduction of long-term debt                            (137,275)      (6,416)
   Decrease in restricted funds                                402          716
   Dividends paid                                                       (41,000)
   Advances from (to) parent - net                         (20,609)       9,296
                                                        ----------   ----------
      Net cash used in financing activities                 (8,463)     (37,793)
                                                        ----------   ----------

   Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents      4,726      (23,852)
   Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period          4,848       58,708
                                                        ----------   ----------
   Cash and cash equivalents at end of period           $    9,574   $   34,856
                                                        ==========   ==========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
                                   Page 5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
BLOUNT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES
IN STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
<CAPTION>
                                                  Capital             Accumulated Other
                                         Common  in Excess  Retained    Comprehensive
                                         Stock    of Par    Earnings       Income          Total
                                         ------  ---------  --------  -----------------   --------
<S>                                      <C>      <C>       <C>            <C>            <C>
THREE MONTHS AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998:
Balance, June 30, 1998                   $   -    $27,365   $311,658       $ 7,402        $346,425
Net income                                                    17,309                        17,309
Other comprehensive income (loss), net                                         413             413
                                                                                          --------
     Comprehensive income                                                                   17,722
                                         -----    -------   --------       -------        --------
Balance, September 30, 1998              $   -    $27,365   $328,967       $ 7,815        $364,147
                                         =====    =======   ========       =======        ========

Balance, December 31, 1997               $   -    $27,365   $283,492       $ 7,050        $317,907
Net income                                                    45,475                        45,475
Other comprehensive income (loss), net                                         765             765
                                                                                          --------
     Comprehensive income                                                                   46,240
                                         -----    -------   --------       -------        --------
Balance September 30, 1998               $   -    $27,365   $328,967       $ 7,815        $364,147
                                         =====    =======   ========       =======        ========

THREE MONTHS AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997:
Balance, June 30, 1997                   $   -    $26,843   $268,013       $ 7,403        $302,259
Net income                                                    15,990                        15,990
Other comprehensive income (loss), net                                        (191)           (191)
                                                                                          --------
     Comprehensive income                                                                   15,799
Dividends                                                    (19,000)                      (19,000)
                                         -----    -------   --------       -------        --------
Balance, September 30, 1997              $   -    $26,843   $265,003       $ 7,212        $299,058
                                         =====    =======   ========       =======        ========

Balance, December 31, 1996               $   -    $26,843   $264,542       $ 7,878        $299,263
Net income                                                    41,461                        41,461
Other comprehensive income (loss), net                                       (666)            (666)
                                                                                          --------
     Comprehensive income                                                                   40,795
Dividends                                                    (41,000)                      (41,000)
                                         -----    -------   -------        -------        --------
Balance September 30, 1997               $   -    $26,843   $265,003       $ 7,212        $299,058
                                         =====    =======   ========       =======        ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
                                   Page 6
<PAGE>
BLOUNT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


NOTE 1  Blount, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blount International, Inc.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed 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, 1998 and the results of
operations and cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1997.
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 year ended December 31, 1997.  The results of operations for the periods
ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results
to be expected for the twelve months ended December 31, 1998, due to the
seasonal nature of certain of the Company's operations.

Certain amounts in the prior year's financial statements and notes to
consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the
current year's presentation.


NOTE 2  Effective January 1, 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income."  SFAS
No. 130 establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive
income and its components in the financial statements.  Prior periods have been
reclassified to reflect the adoption of this standard.  The adoption of SFAS No.
130 has no material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations,
financial position or cash flows.  Comprehensive income equals net income plus
other comprehensive income.  Other comprehensive income refers to revenue,
expenses, gains and losses which are reflected in stockholders' equity but
excluded from net income.  For the Company, the components of other
comprehensive income are principally foreign currency translation adjustments
and unrealized gains or losses on investments.

NOTE 3  Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

                                              September 30,   December 31,
                                                  1998            1997
                                              -------------   ------------
         Finished goods                         $ 76,507        $ 78,984
         Work in process                          20,743          20,837
         Raw materials and supplies               30,673          33,031
                                                --------        --------
                                                $127,923        $132,852
                                                ========        ========

NOTE 4  In June 1998, the Company issued senior notes ("the senior notes") with
a stated interest rate of 7% in the principal amount of $150 million maturing on
June 15, 2005.  The senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by
Blount International, Inc.  Approximately $8.3 million, reflecting the price
discount and the cost to extinguish an interest rate contract accounted for as a
hedge of future interest on the debt, will be amortized to expense over the life
of the senior notes.  The senior notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at
the option of the Company at any time.  The debt indenture contains restrictions
on secured debt, sale and lease-back transactions, and the consolidation, merger
and sale of assets.
                                   Page 7
<PAGE>
In July 1998, the Company redeemed all its $68.8 million outstanding 9%
subordinated notes.  The extraordinary loss, net of income taxes of $1.2
million, on redemption was approximately $2.0 million.

NOTE 5  Segment information is as follows (in thousands):

                                        Three Months            Nine Months
                                     Ended September 30,    Ended September 30,
                                     -------------------    -------------------
                                       1998       1997        1998       1997
                                     --------   --------    --------   --------
Sales:
   Outdoor Products                  $ 77,881   $ 81,291    $236,267   $240,403
   Industrial and Power Equipment      54,644     61,462     177,916    167,986
   Outdoor Sports                      94,092     39,353     217,288    104,307
                                     --------   --------    --------   --------
                                     $226,617   $182,106    $631,471   $512,696
                                     ========   ========    ========   ========
Operating income:
   Outdoor Products                  $ 17,431   $ 17,518    $ 50,595   $ 50,275
   Industrial and Power Equipment       5,570      8,842      24,070     21,579
   Outdoor Sports                      14,978      5,060      24,335     11,489
                                     --------   --------    --------   --------
Operating income from segments         37,979     31,420      99,000     83,343
Corporate office expenses              (4,206)    (4,686)    (13,743)   (13,263)
                                     --------   --------    --------   --------
   Income from operations              33,773     26,734      85,257     70,080
Interest expense                       (4,035)    (2,203)    (10,759)    (6,663)
Interest income                           893        746       1,729      1,845
Other income, net                          71        103         273        358
                                     --------   --------    --------   --------
Income before income taxes           $ 30,702   $ 25,380    $ 76,500   $ 65,620
                                     ========   ========    ========   ========

NOTE 6  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 of whose assets 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
the 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 the Site clean-up costs.
The offer was rejected and the EPA and State of Wisconsin ("the State")
proceeded with the clean-up at a cost of approximately $12 million.  The EPA and
the State brought suit in 1996 against the Town of Onalaska ("the Town") and a
second PRP, Metallics, Inc., to recover response costs.  On December 18, 1996,
the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin approved
and entered Consent Decrees pursuant to which the Town and Metallics, Inc.
settled the suit and will pay a total of $1.8 million to the EPA and the State.
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.

Under the provisions of Washington State environmental laws, the Washington
State Department of Ecology ("WDOE") has notified the Company that it is one of
                                   Page 8
<PAGE>
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 expected in the
near future.  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 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.

See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 for other
commitments and contingencies of the Company which have not changed
significantly since that date.

NOTE 7  Income taxes paid during the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and
1997 were $31.7 million and $30.8 million.  Interest paid during the nine months
ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 was $15.5 million and $6.0 million.

                                   Page 9
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Operating Results

Sales for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 1998, were $226.6
million and $631.5 million compared to $182.1 million and $512.7 million for the
comparable periods of the prior year.  Income before extraordinary loss for the
third quarter and first nine months of 1998 was $19.3 million and $47.5 million
compared to $16.0 million and $41.5 million for the same periods last year.  Net
income of $17.3 million and $45.5 million for the third quarter and first nine
months of 1998 reflects a net extraordinary loss of $2.0 million on the
redemption of long-term debt.  The higher sales and improved operating results
during the third quarter and first nine months of 1998 primarily reflect the
contribution by Federal Cartridge Company ("Federal") which was acquired during
the fourth quarter of 1997.  Selling, general and administrative expenses were
higher during the current year principally due to the addition of Federal.
Higher interest expense during the three months and nine months ended September
30, 1998, reflects higher debt levels during the current year, principally due
to the Federal acquisition.  The Company anticipates that the remainder of 1998
will be challenging, particularly for its Industrial and Power Equipment
segment.  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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997.

Sales for the Outdoor Products segment for the third quarter and first nine
months of 1998 were down to $77.9 million and $236.3 million from $81.3 million
and $240.4 million during the comparable periods of 1997.  Operating income was
essentially flat at $17.4 million and $50.6 million during the third quarter and
first nine months of 1998 compared to $17.5 million and $50.3 million in the
same periods of the prior year.  These results reflect lower sales and operating
income from the Oregon Cutting Systems Division ("Oregon") partially offset by
higher sales and operating income at Dixon Industries, Inc. ("Dixon").  Oregon's
sales reflect a lower volume of saw chain sales and lower sales in Southeast
Asia and the Far East due to poor economic conditions in those areas.  Dixon's
sales increase reflects higher volume and more favorable weather conditions
during the current year.

Sales and operating income for the Industrial and Power Equipment segment
declined during the third quarter of 1998 but were higher for the nine-month
period ended September 30,1998.  Sales were $54.6 million and $177.9 million
during the current year's third quarter and first nine months compared to $61.5
million and $168.0 million for the prior year.  Operating income was $5.6
million and $24.1 million for the three months and nine months ended September
30, 1998 as compared to $8.8 million and $21.6 million during the prior year.
The results for the third quarter of 1998 reflect reduced demand for the
Company's timber harvesting equipment resulting from sharply lower pulp prices
since mid-year and higher mill inventories.

Sales for the Outdoor Sports segment were $94.1 million and $217.3 million in
the third quarter and first nine months of 1998 compared to $39.4 million and
$104.3 million in the comparable periods of 1997.  Operating income was $15.0
million and $24.3 million during the third quarter and first nine months of the
current year compared to $5.1 million and $11.5 million during the same periods
of last year.  The significant improvements in sales and operating income over
the prior year reflect the sales and income added by Federal which was acquired
during the fourth quarter of the prior year.  Total sales and operating income
at other Outdoor Sports operations were slightly higher than the prior year.
                                   Page 10
<PAGE>
The Company's total backlog at September 30, 1998 was $73.8 million compared to
$117.9 million at December 31, 1997, principally reflecting the reduced demand
for timber harvesting and industrial equipment.

In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information."  SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for the
way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments
in annual and interim financial statements.  It also establishes standards for
related disclosures about products and services and geographic areas.  SFAS No.
131 is required to be applied beginning with the Company's 1998 annual financial
statements.  Financial statement disclosures for prior periods are required to
be restated.  The Company expects that the adoption of SFAS No. 131 will have no
material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial
position or cash flows.

In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities."  SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivative financial instruments and for hedging
activities.  This statement is required for all fiscal quarters of fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 1999, and is not to be applied retroactively to
financial statements of prior periods.  The Company has historically entered
into futures contracts, interest rate contracts and foreign exchange contracts
which are addressed by SFAS No. 133.  The impact of adoption on the Company's
consolidated operating results and financial position has not been determined.


Impact of Year 2000 Issue

The Company has been evaluating and assessing all its internal date-sensitive
systems and equipment for Year 2000 compliance.  The assessment phase of the
Year 2000 project is substantially complete and included both information
technology equipment and non-information technology equipment.  Based on its
assessment, the Company determined that it was necessary to modify or replace a
portion of its information systems.  For its major information technology
systems, as of September 30, 1998, the Company is approximately 70% complete in
the modification or replacement of its critical software and hardware and
expects all such modifications and replacements to be completed by January 1999.
After completion of this phase, the Company plans to test and implement its
information technology systems.  As of September 30, 1998, the Company has
completed testing approximately 40% of its remediated systems.  Completion of
the testing and implementation of all remediated systems is expected by April
1999.

The Company believes that the above modifications and replacements should
mitigate the effect of the Year 2000 issue.  However, if such modifications and
replacements are not made, or fail to correct date-sensitive problems, the Year
2000 issue could have a material impact on the Company's operations by
disrupting its ability to manufacture and ship products, process financial
transactions or engage in similar normal business activities.  The Company does
not believe that the effect of the Year 2000 issue on non-information technology
systems is likely to have a material adverse impact.  Finally, the Company has
reviewed its own products and believes that it has no significant Year 2000
issues for those products.

The total estimated cost of the Year 2000 project, including system upgrades, is
$5.3 million and is being funded by operating cash flows.  As of September 30,
1998, costs of $2.9 million had been incurred.  Of the total cost of the
project, approximately $2.9 million is attributable to new software and
equipment, which will be capitalized.  The remaining costs will be expensed as
incurred.
                                   Page 11
<PAGE>
The Company has also communicated with key suppliers and customers to determine
their Year 2000 compliance and the extent to which the Company is vulnerable to
any third-party Year 2000 issues.  This program will be ongoing and the
Company's efforts with respect to specific problems identified will depend on
its assessment of the risk.  Most key suppliers and customers who have replied
to our inquiries indicated that they expect to be Year 2000 compliant on a
timely basis.  There can be no assurance that there will not be an adverse
effect on the Company if third parties do not make the necessary modifications
to their systems in a timely manner.  However, management believes that ongoing
communication with and assessment of these third parties will minimize these
risks.

Where needed, the Company will establish contingency plans based on actual
testing results and assessment of outside risks.

The costs of the Year 2000 issue and completion dates are based on management's
best estimates, which were derived utilizing numerous assumptions of future
events including the continued availability of certain resources, third-party
modification plans and other factors.  However, there can be no guarantee that
these estimates will be achieved and actual results could differ materially from
those plans.
                                   Page 12
<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:  October 29, 1998                          /s/ Harold E. Layman
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                     Harold E. Layman
                                          Executive Vice President - Finance
                                          Operations and Chief Financial Officer
                                   Page 13
<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, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           9,574
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  187,990
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,991
<INVENTORY>                                    127,923
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               349,427
<PP&E>                                         388,608
<DEPRECIATION>                                 204,240
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 687,173
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          109,638
<BONDS>                                        161,689
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     364,147
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   687,173
<SALES>                                        631,471
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               631,471
<CGS>                                          437,151
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  437,151
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,759
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 76,500
<INCOME-TAX>                                    29,041
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             47,459
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (1,984)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    45,475
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00
        


</TABLE>


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