JLG INDUSTRIES INC
10-Q, 1998-03-04
CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY & EQUIP
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC  20549
FORM 10-Q



(Mark One)
[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended January 31, 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:  0-8454


JLG INDUSTRIES, INC.
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


PENNSYLVANIA

25-1199382

(State or other jurisdiction 
of incorporation or 
organization)

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





1 JLG Drive, McConnellsburg, 
PA

17233-9533

(Address of principal 
executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(7l7) 485-5161


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


At February 17, 1998, there were 44,049,536 shares of capital stock of the 
Registrant outstanding.



PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

JLG INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                           January 31,     July 31,
                                              1998           1997
(in thousands)                            (Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current Assets
  Cash                                     $ 18,613       $ 25,436  
  Accounts receivable                        80,431         70,164  
  Inventories:
    Finished goods                           33,343         30,441  
    Work in process                           6,944         12,132  
    Raw materials                            12,334         11,154  
                                             52,621         53,727  
  Future income tax benefits                  4,207          4,133  
  Other current assets                        4,131          2,248  
    Total current assets                    160,003        155,708  
Property, Plant and Equipment - net          57,206         56,064  
Equipment Held for Rental - net              21,681         24,951  
Other Assets                                 14,736         12,669  
                                           $253,626       $249,392  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
  Accounts payable                         $ 35,339       $ 43,027  
  Other current liabilities                  25,552         28,043  
    Total current liabilities                60,891         71,070  
Long-Term Debt                                3,574          3,685  
Accrued Contingent Liabilities                7,607          7,646  
Other Liabilities                             5,393          5,046  
Shareholders' Equity
  Capital stock:
    Authorized shares: 100,000 at $.20 par
    Outstanding shares: 44,029;
      fiscal 1997 - 43,726                    8,806          8,745  
  Additional paid-in capital                 14,711         11,391  
  Equity adjustment from translation         (3,177)        (2,180)
  Retained earnings                         155,821        143,989  
    Total shareholders' equity              176,161        161,945  
                                           $253,626       $249,392  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

JLG INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
                                      Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
                                          January 31,          January 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)   1998      1997      1998        1997
Net Sales                            $111,706   $121,246  $207,351    $241,452

Cost of sales                          86,821     90,250   161,298     177,753

Gross Profit                           24,885     30,996    46,053      63,699  

Selling, administrative and
  product development expenses         12,341     13,282    24,475      26,767

Restructuring charges                                        1,689

Income from Operations                 12,544     17,714    19,889      36,932

Other income (deductions):
  Interest expense                        (73)       (52)     (136)        (93)
  Miscellaneous, net                     (886)       159    (1,159)        573

Income before Income Taxes             11,585     17,821    18,594      37,412

Income tax provision                    3,939      6,594     6,322      13,842

Net Income                           $  7,646   $ 11,227  $ 12,272    $ 23,570

Earnings per Share                   $    .17   $    .26  $    .28    $    .54

Earnings per Share --
  Assuming Dilution                  $    .17   $    .25  $    .27    $    .53

Dividends per Share                  $   .005   $   .005  $    .01    $    .01

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

JLG INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Unaudited)
                                                    Six Months Ended
                                                       January 31,
(in thousands)                                      1998        1997
Operations
Net income                                        $12,272      $23,570  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
  provided by (used for) operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                   7,963        4,473  
    Provision for self-insured losses               2,290        1,800  
    Deferred income taxes                             139         (260) 
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities   (21,929)     (40,253)
    Changes in other assets and liabilities          (608)      (2,025)
Cash provided by (used for) operations                127      (12,695) 

Investments 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment         (6,245)      (8,418)
Net sales (additions) to equipment held for rental    290       (4,707)
Cash used for investments                          (5,955)     (13,125)

Financing
Repayment of long-term debt                          (128)        (106)
Payment of dividends                                 (440)        (436) 
Exercise of stock options                             571        1,854  
Cash provided by financing                              3        1,312  

Currency Adjustments 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash flows        (998)        (280) 

Cash
Net decrease in cash                               (6,823)     (24,788) 
Beginning balance                                  25,436       30,438  
Ending balance                                    $18,613      $ 5,650  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

JLG INDUSTRIES, INC. 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 1998
(unaudited)



BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have 
been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for 
interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and 
Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all information 
and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete 
financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments 
(consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair 
presentation have been included.

Interim results for the three and six months ended January 31, 1998 are not 
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year 
as a whole. For further information, refer to consolidated financial statements 
and notes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the 
fiscal year ended July 31, 1997.

INVENTORIES AND COST OF SALES
A precise inventory valuation under the LIFO (last-in, first-out) method can 
only be made at the end of each fiscal year; therefore, interim LIFO inventory 
valuation determinations, including the determination at January 31, 1998, must 
necessarily be based on management's estimate of expected fiscal year-end 
inventory levels and costs.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is a party to personal injury and property damage litigation 
arising out of incidents involving the use of its products.  The Company's 
insurance program for fiscal year 1998 is comprised of a self-insured retention 
of $5 million and catastrophic coverage of $50 million in excess of the 
retention.  The Company contracts with an independent firm to provide claims 
handling and adjustment services.  The Company's estimates with respect to 
claims are based on internal evaluations of the merits of individual claims and 
the reserves assigned by the Company's independent firm. The methods of making 
such estimates and establishing the resulting accrued liability are reviewed 
frequently, and any adjustments resulting therefrom are reflected in current 
earnings. Claims are paid over varying periods, which generally do not exceed 
five years.  Accrued liabilities for future claims are not discounted.

With respect to all product liability claims of which the Company is aware, 
accrued liabilities of $11.2 million and $9.6 million were established at 
January 31, 1998 and July 31, 1997, respectively.  While the Company's ultimate 
liability may exceed or be less than the amounts accrued, the Company believes 
that it is unlikely that it would experience losses that are materially in 
excess of such reserve amounts.  As of January 31, 1998 and July 31, 1997, 
there were no insurance recoverables or offset implications and there were no 
claims by the Company being contested by insurers.

BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 128, 
"Earnings per Share". Statement 128 replaced the calculation of primary and 
fully diluted earnings per share with basic and diluted earnings per share.  
Unlike primary earnings per share, the calculation of basic earnings per share 
excludes any dilutive effects of options, warrants and convertible securities. 
Diluted earnings per share is very similar to the previously reported fully 
diluted earnings per share.  All earnings per share amounts for all periods 
have been presented, and where appropriate, restated to conform to the 
Statement 128 requirements. 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings 
per share:
                              Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended
                                 January 31,            January 31,
                               1998        1997      1998        1997
Net Income                    $7,646     $11,227   $12,272     $23,570  

Denominator for basic 
 earnings per share --
 weighted average shares      44,016      43,584    43,964      43,528  

Effect of dilutive securities 
 -- employee stock options       805         730       797         757  

Denominator for diluted 
 earnings per share --
 weighted average shares
 adjusted for dilutive
 securities                  44,821       44,314    44,761     44,285  

Earnings per share           $  .17      $   .26   $   .28    $   .54  

Earnings per share --
  assuming dilution          $  .17      $   .25   $   .27    $   .53  


MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results for the Second Quarters of Fiscal 1998 and 1997
Sales for the quarter were $111.7 million, $9.5 million or 8% below last 
year's second quarter, primarily due to decreased domestic sales and higher 
discounts resulting from competitive pricing pressures in the marketplace.  In 
terms of dollars, the reduction principally related to lower domestic 
equipment sales.  Sales to customers outside the United States were 34% and 
31% of total sales for the second quarters of 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Sales from new and redesigned products introduced during the past two years
represented 46% of sales for the second quarters of 1998 and 1997.

Gross profit, as a percent of sales, decreased to 22% in the second quarter of 
1998 compared to 26% for the same period of 1997.  The major contributors to 
this decrease were: unfavorable currency effects due to the strength of the 
U.S. dollar; pricing pressure in an increasingly competitive marketplace; 
unfavorable product mix weighted towards smaller, less profitable machines; 
and the effects of fixed costs spread over lower production levels.

Selling, administrative and product development expenses were down $942,000, 
or 7%, representing 11% of sales for both periods. The decrease in dollars is 
primarily the result of cost reduction programs instituted to reduce personnel 
and related costs, advertising expenses and consulting costs. Partially 
offsetting these reductions were: higher product development costs in support 
of new and improved products; increased bad debt expenses and higher selling 
expenses associated with increased international business.

For the quarter, miscellaneous expense was $886,000 compared to last year's 
income of $159,000. The change from last year's comparable quarter was largely 
the result of currency losses of $1.1 million, due to the strength of the U.S. 
dollar in the Company's foreign markets.

The effective tax rate for the quarter was 34%, lower than last year's 37% for 
the comparable period primarily due to tax benefits resulting from 
international sales.

Results for the First Six Months of Fiscal 1998 and 1997
Sales for the six months were $207.4 million, $34.1 million or 14% below last 
year's comparable period.  In terms of dollars, the variations in sales for 
the six months of 1998 compared to 1997 were due generally to the same factors 
discussed in the second quarter comparison.  Sales to customers outside the 
United States were 37% and 30% of total sales for the six months of 1998 and 
1997, respectively.  Sales from new and redesigned products introduced during 
the past two years represented 45% of sales for the first-half of 1998 
compared to 43% for the 1997 six months.

Gross profit, as a percent of sales, decreased to 22% in the first six months 
of 1998 compared to 26% for the same period of 1997.  The decrease was 
due generally to the same factors as discussed in the second quarter 
comparison. 

Selling, administrative and product development expenses were down $2.3 
million or 9% compared to the first six months of fiscal 1997. As a percent of 
sales, selling, administrative and product development expenses were 12% and 
11% for the current period and last year comparable period, respectively.  The 
dollar decrease over the prior year period is due generally to the same factors
discussed in the second quarter comparison. 

The current year period includes $1.7 million in restructuring charges 
principally related to workforce reductions.  

Miscellaneous expense was $1.2 million compared to last year's income of 
$573,000, primarily due to currency losses of $1.7 million resulting from the 
strength of the U.S. dollar in the Company's foreign markets.

The effective tax rate for the quarter was 34% compared to last year's 37% for 
the comparable period, primarily due to tax benefits resulting from 
international sales.

Financial Condition
The Company continues to maintain a strong financial position, funding capital 
projects and working capital needs principally out of operating cash flow and 
cash reserves, while remaining virtually debt-free. Working capital increased 
by $14.5 million at January 31, 1998 compared to July 31, 1997 principally due 
to higher receivable balances associated with extended payment terms dictated 
by competitive pressures in the marketplace.
 
At January 31, 1998, the Company had unused credit lines totaling $30 
million and cash balances of $18.6 million.  The Company considers these 
resources, coupled with cash expected to be generated by operations, 
adequate to meet its anticipated funding needs for the remaining six months 
of fiscal 1998, including $14 million for capital projects and $14 million 
for additions to equipment held for rental.

The Company's exposure to product liability claims is discussed in the note 
entitled Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Condensed 
Consolidated Financial Statements of this report.  Future results of 
operations, financial condition and liquidity may be affected to the extent 
that the Company's ultimate exposure with respect to product liability 
varies from current estimates.

Outlook
This Outlook section and other parts of this Management's Discussion and 
Analysis contain forward-looking information and involve risks and 
uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results.  Certain 
important factors that, in some cases have affected and in the future could 
affect, the Company's results of operations and that could cause such 
future results of operations to differ are described in "Cautionary 
Statements Pursuant to the Securities Litigation Reform Act", which is an 
exhibit to this report. 

Management believes that the Company's performance will continue to improve 
as fiscal 1998 progresses.  Its surveyed customers remain confident that 
calendar 1998 will be another year of continuing economic growth, healthy 
capital spending, ongoing low inflation and stability in interest rates. 
Management believes this portends continuing strength in customer rental 
fleet utilization rates and added business to the Company through expansion 
of those rental fleets.

The Company's orders and backlog continue to trend upward from the levels at 
the end of the first quarter of fiscal 1998 and the second half of the 
fiscal year is normally a stronger buying season for the Company's products. 
The Company recently completed a significant worker recall at its 
McConnellsburg and Bedford facilities to support production increases to 
meet this anticipated stronger second-half demand. 

The Company will begin shipping many new products toward the end of this 
fiscal year and early next year.  In addition to offering the Company's 
customers enhanced performance and value-added features, these machines are 
designed to cost less to produce than the machines they are replacing to 
help address, in part, the highly competitive pricing environment the 
Company is facing in its marketplace.  Management believes this cost 
efficiency will allow the Company to reduce selling prices on select models 
and hold prices on others without an erosion in its profit margin 
percentages.  A new scissor lift line will permit the Company to enter the 
market at a lower price level, thus giving it a two price-point product 
range.  Although at lower prices, this scissor lift line is also expected to 
produce profit margin percentages comparable to the Company's premium line 
of products.

Year 2000 Issue
The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs being written using two 
digits rather than four to define the applicable year.  These programs treat
all years as occurring between 1900 and 1999 and do not self-correct to reflect
the upcoming change in the century.  If not corrected, computer applications
could fail or create erroneous results by or at the Year 2000.

The Company has taken actions to understand the nature and extent of the work 
required to make its systems Year 2000 compliant.  Management believes that 
only minor modifications will be required to its software so that its computer 
systems will function properly with respect to dates in the Year 2000 and 
thereafter. The total cost of the Year 2000 project is not expected to have a 
material effect on the Company's results of operations and is being funded 
through operating cash flows. The Company has determined that it has no 
exposure to contingencies related to the Year 2000 issue for products it has 
sold.

The Company has also initiated formal communications with its significant 
suppliers and large customers to determine the extent to which the Company is 
vulnerable to those third-parties' failures to remediate their own Year 2000 
issues. The Company anticipates completing its Year 2000 project prior to 
December 31, 1998, which is prior to any anticipated impact on its operating 
systems.   

The costs of the Company's efforts and the date on which the Company believes 
it will complete the Year 2000 compliance efforts reflect management's current 
estimates based on available information. Management will continue to monitor 
this issue, particularly the possible impact of third-party Year 2000 
compliance on the Company's operations, and will modify its estimates if 
warranted.

Ernst & Young LLP
Independent Accountants' Review Report

To The Board of Directors
JLG Industries, Inc.
McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of JLG 
Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 31, 1998, and the related 
condensed consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the three-month 
and six-month periods ended January 31, 1998 and 1997.  These financial 
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards established by the 
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  A review of interim 
financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to 
financial data, and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and 
accounting matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted 
in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, which will be 
performed for the full year with the objective of expressing an opinion 
regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not 
express such an opinion.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that 
should be made to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements 
referred to above for them to be in conformity with generally accepted 
accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
standards, the consolidated balance sheet of JLG Industries, Inc. as of July 
31, 1997, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' 
equity and cash flows for the year then ended, not presented herein, and in our 
report dated September 4, 1997, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those 
consolidated financial statements.  In our opinion, the information set forth 
in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of July 31, 1997, 
is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated 
balance sheet from which it has been derived.

/s/Ernst & Young LLP
Baltimore, Maryland 
February 17, 1998


                       PART II OTHER INFORMATION


ITEMS 1 - 5

None/not applicable.

ITEM 6 -- EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)  The following exhibits are included herein:

	15	Letter re:  Unaudited Interim Financial Information

	27	Financial Data Schedule

	99	Cautionary Statements Pursuant to the Securities Litigation 	
		Reform Act

(b)  The Company was not required to file Form 8-K pursuant to 
requirements of such form for any of the three months ended January 31, 
1998.

	SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the 
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the 
undersigned thereunto duly authorized who is also signing in his capacity as 
principal financial officer.


JLG INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Registrant)

/s/ Charles H. Diller, Jr.

Charles H. Diller, Jr.
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT 15



We are aware of the incorporation by reference in the Registration 
Statements on Form S-8, No. 33-60366, No. 33-61333 and No. 33-75746 of JLG 
Industries, Inc. of our report dated February 17, 1998, relating to the 
unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of JLG 
Industries, Inc. which are included in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
January 31, 1998.

Pursuant to Rule 436(c) of the Securities Act of 1933 our report is not a part 
of the registration statement prepared or certified by accountants within the 
meaning of Section 7 or 11 of the Securities Act of 1933.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
February 27, 1998

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>           5
<MULTIPLIER>       1000
       
<S>                           <C>              <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 3-MOS            6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>             JUL-31-1998      JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                  JAN-31-1998      JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                              18613            18613
<SECURITIES>                            0                0
<RECEIVABLES>                       81795            81795
<ALLOWANCES>                         1364             1364
<INVENTORY>                         52621            52621
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                   160003           160003
<PP&E>                              90093            90093
<DEPRECIATION>                      32887            32887
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                     253626           253626
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>               60891            60891
<BONDS>                                 0                0
<COMMON>                             8806             8806
                   0                0
                             0                0
<OTHER-SE>                         167355           167355
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>       253626           253626
<SALES>                            111706           207351
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                   111706           207351
<CGS>                               86821           161298
<TOTAL-COSTS>                        9162           187462
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                      886             1159
<LOSS-PROVISION>                        0                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                     73              136
<INCOME-PRETAX>                     11585            18594
<INCOME-TAX>                         3939             6322
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                  7646            12272
<DISCONTINUED>                          0                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                         0                0
<CHANGES>                               0                0
<NET-INCOME>                         7646            12272
<EPS-PRIMARY>                         .17              .28
<EPS-DILUTED>                         .17              .27
        

</TABLE>


EXHIBIT 99 

Cautionary Statements Pursuant to the Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995


The Company wishes to inform its investors of the following important factors 
that in some cases have affected, and in the future could affect, the 
Company's results of operations and that could cause such future results of 
operations to differ materially from those expressed in any forward looking 
statements made by or on behalf of the Company. Disclosure of these factors is 
intended to permit the Company to take advantage of the "safe harbor" 
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Many of 
these factors have been discussed in prior SEC filings by the Company.  Though 
the Company has attempted to list comprehensively these important cautionary 
factors, the Company wishes to caution investors that other factors may in the 
future prove to be important in affecting the Company's results of operations.

Cyclical Demand -- Demand for new equipment manufactured by the Company tends 
to be cyclical, responding historically to varying levels of construction and 
industrial activity, principally in the United States and, to a lesser extent, 
in other industrialized nations.  Other factors affecting demand include the 
availability and cost of financing for equipment purchases and the market 
availability of used equipment.  Company management regularly monitors these 
and other factors that affect demand for the Company's equipment. However, 
predicting levels of demand beyond a short term is necessarily imprecise and 
demand may at times change dramatically.

Consolidating Customers Base; Rental Companies -- The principal customers for 
the Company's new equipment are independent equipment rental companies that 
rent the Company's products and provide service support to equipment users. In 
recent years, growth in sales to equipment rental companies has outpaced 
growth in direct sales to end-users, resulting in equipment rental companies 
comprising a larger share of total sales.  At the same time, there has been 
substantial consolidation in ownership among rental companies, resulting in a 
more limited number of major customers comprising a substantial portion of 
total sales.  A change in purchasing decisions by any of these major customers 
could materially affect overall demand for the Company's products and the 
Company's financial performance.  More generally, during recessionary 
conditions, demand for equipment by equipment rental companies typically 
declines more sharply than demand for equipment purchased by end-users.

Manufacturing Capacity -- Given the cyclical nature of demand, the Company 
must periodically expand and contract its manufacturing facilities. Capital 
investment to acquire additional manufacturing facilities involves significant 
risks.  Excess manufacturing capacity adversely affects profitability because 
higher fixed costs are spread over a lower sales volume. Insufficient capacity 
adversely affects profitability as long lead-times required to fill customer 
orders may impair the Company's ability to compete for new business and 
subcontracting costs incurred to increase capacity affect profitability.  

Product Liability -- Use of the Company's products involves risks of personal 
injury and property damage and liability exposure for the Company. The Company 
insures against this liability through a combination of a self-insurance 
retention and catastrophic insurance coverage in excess of the retention. The 
Company monitors all incidents of which it becomes aware involving the use of 
its products that result in personal injury or property damage and establishes 
accrued liability reserves on its financial statements based on liability 
estimates with respect to claims arising from such incidents. Future or 
unreported incidents involving personal injury or property damage or 
unanticipated variances between actual liabilities for known incidents and 
Company estimates may adversely affect the Company's financial performance.

Availability of Product Components -- The Company obtains raw materials and 
certain manufactured components from third-party suppliers.  To reduce 
material costs and inventories, the Company relies on supplier partnership 
arrangements with preferred vendors as a sole source for "just-in-time" 
delivery of many raw materials and manufactured components.  Because the 
Company maintains limited raw material inventories, even brief unanticipated 
delays in delivery by suppliers, including due to labor disputes, impaired 
financial condition of suppliers, weather emergencies or other natural 
disasters, may adversely affect the Company's ability to satisfy its customers 
on a timely basis and thereby affect the Company's financial performance.

Foreign Sales; Currency Risks -- A growing component of the Company's business 
has been export sales to Europe, Latin America and Asia.  Maintenance and 
continued growth of this segment of the Company's business may be affected by 
changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies, laws and regulations of the 
United States and other trading nations and by foreign currency exchange rate 
fluctuations and the ability or inability of the Company to hedge against 
exchange rate risks.

Competition; Continued Innovation -- The Company faces substantial competition 
in the market for its products and some of the Company's competitors are, or 
in the future may be, owned by larger enterprises that may have greater 
financial resources and offer wider product lines than the Company. Product 
line expansion by existing competitors and potential entry by new competitors 
also may affect the Company's market position.  Throughout its history, the 
Company has devoted substantial resources to product development and has 
generally succeeded in being a market leader in introducing new high-reach 
products or incorporating new features and functions into existing products. 
The Company also holds certain patents which it believes are valuable. 
Successful product innovation by competitors that reach the market prior to 
comparable innovation by the Company or that are amenable to patent protection 
may adversely affect the Company's financial performance.

Mergers and Acquisitions -- The Company intends to pursue strategic 
acquisitions as a means of increasing sales and earnings and promoting 
shareholder value.  Acquisitions generally may involve a number of risks that 
may affect the Company's financial performance including increased leverage, 
diversion of management resources, possible shareholder dilution, assumption 
of liabilities of acquired businesses and corporate culture conflicts.  In 
addition, specific acquisitions may involve other risks unique to the acquired 
business. Finally there is no assurance that the Company will be able to 
conclude satisfactory agreements to acquire any businesses as a means to 
increase sales and earnings.

Unanticipated Litigation -- The Company occasionally has faced unanticipated 
intellectual property and shareholder litigation which has involved 
significant unbudgeted expenditures.  The costs and other effects of any 
future, unanticipated legal or administrative proceedings may be significant.

Dependence Upon Key Personnel -- The Company believes that it has developed a 
strong management team, which intends to continue the Company's growth and 
profitability.  However, the loss or unavailability of certain key management 
personnel, principally L. David Black, the Company's Chairman of the Board, 
President and Chief Executive Officer, could adversely affect the Company's 
business and prospects.




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