GRACO INC
10-K, 1997-03-20
PUMPS & PUMPING EQUIPMENT
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K


[X]  Annual Report  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange
     Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 27, 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 No. 1-9249

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

Minnesota                                                             41-0285640
(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

                           4050 Olson Memorial Highway
                       Golden Valley, Minnesota 55422-5332
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

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

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
                     Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
                         Preferred Share Purchase Rights
                Shares registered on the New York Stock Exchange.

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                                      None

As of March 7, 1997, 17,217,589 shares of Common Stock were outstanding.

Indicate  by a 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 .

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of Registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K [ ]

The  aggregate  market  value  of  approximately   11,059,977   shares  held  by
non-affiliates  of the  registrant  was  approximately  $344 million on March 7,
1997.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Company's  definitive  Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on May 6, 1997, are  incorporated by reference into Part
III, as specifically set forth in said Part III.

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                                       1
<PAGE>


                                   GRACO INC.

                             INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT

                                  ON FORM 10-K


================================================================================

================================================================================
                                                                           Page
Part I
  Item 1   Business...........................................................3
  Item 2   Properties.........................................................5
  Item 3   Legal Proceedings..................................................6
  Item 4   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders................6
           Executive Officers of the Company..................................6


Part II
  Item 5   Market for the Company's Common Stock and
               Related Stockholder Matters....................................8
  Item 6   Selected Financial Data............................................8
  Item 7   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
               and Results of Operations......................................9
  Item 8   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.......................13
  Item 9   Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants
               on Accounting and Financial Disclosure .......................26


Part III
 Item 10   Directors and Executive Officers of the Company...................27
 Item 11   Executive Compensation............................................27
 Item 12   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management....27
 Item 13   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions....................27


Part IV
 Item 14   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedule, and Reports on Form 8-K...27

Signatures ..................................................................29






================================================================================
      NOTE:  Certain  exhibits  listed in the  Index to  Exhibits  beginning  on
      page 27, and filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  have
      been  omitted.  Copies  of such  exhibits  may be  obtained  upon  written
      request directed to:

                                   Treasurer
                                   Graco Inc.
                                 P.O. Box 1441
                             Minneapolis, Minnesota
                                   55440-1441

================================================================================

                                       2
<PAGE>



PART I


Item 1. Business

General  Information.  Graco Inc. ("Graco" or "the Company") supplies technology
and expertise for the  management of fluids in both  industrial  and  commercial
settings.  Based in Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  Graco serves  customers around the
world in the manufacturing, processing, construction and maintenance industries.
It designs,  manufactures and markets systems,  products and technology to move,
measure,  control,  dispense  and apply a wide  variety  of fluids  and  viscous
materials.  The Company helps customers solve difficult  manufacturing problems,
increase  productivity,   improve  quality,   conserve  energy,  save  expensive
material,  control environmental  emissions and reduce labor costs. Primary uses
of the Company's  equipment  include the application of coatings and finishes to
various industrial and commercial products; the mixing, metering, dispensing and
application of adhesive, sealant and chemical bonding materials; the application
of paint and other materials to  architectural  structures;  the lubrication and
maintenance  of vehicles and  industrial  machinery;  and the  transferring  and
dispensing of various  fluids.  Graco is the  successor to Gray  Company,  Inc.,
which was incorporated in 1926 as a manufacturer of auto lubrication  equipment,
and became a public company in 1969.

It is Graco's goal to become the highest  quality,  lowest cost, most responsive
supplier in the world for its  principal  products.  In working to achieve these
goals to become a world class  manufacturer,  Graco  continues  to organize  its
manufacturing  operations around focused  factories which contain  product-based
cells.  Substantial  investments in new  manufacturing  technology  have reduced
cycle time and improved quality.

The Company operates in one industry  segment,  namely the design,  manufacture,
marketing,  sale and  installation  of systems and equipment for the handling of
fluids.  Financial information concerning geographic operations and export sales
for the last three  fiscal years is set forth in Note B  Consolidated  Financial
Statements.

Recent Developments.  The David A. Koch Center, a world-class  manufacturing and
global distribution facility, was opened in November 1996 in Rogers,  Minnesota.
The  Koch  Center   provides   additional   production   capacity  and  enhanced
build-to-order  capability for projected  growth.  All  distribution  operations
conducted  by the  Company  at  its  distribution  center  in  Brooklyn  Center,
Minnesota were  transferred to the new facility,  together with the  engineering
and manufacturing groups for the Contractor Equipment Division ("CED") and final
assembly  operations for Industrial  pumps.  During 1996, the Company's  product
development  efforts  resulted  in the  introduction  of  approximately  130 new
products and packages.  To enhance  product  development  efficiencies,  the CED
Advanced  Product  Development  Group  headquartered  in Denver,  Colorado,  was
consolidated  with the CED Engineering  Group in Minneapolis,  Minnesota and the
Denver  facility was closed.  The  application  engineering,  manufacturing  and
customer service functions  formerly  performed in Franklin Park,  Illinois were
moved to Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  in order to realize  process  improvements in
manufacturing  and distribution and to take advantage of the enhanced  technical
capabilities available at the recently expanded Russell J. Gray Technical Center
and the Franklin Park  facility has closed.  Graco is currently  constructing  a
laboratory in its  Riverside  facility to support the  consolidation  of product
development activities in Minneapolis and to provide world-class  demonstration,
training,  test and  display  capabilities.  This  laboratory  is expected to be
completed during the second quarter of 1997.

Products.  Graco  manufactures a wide array of specialized  pumps,  applicators,
regulators,   valves,   meters,   atomizing  devices,   replacement  parts,  and
accessories,  which are used in industrial  and commercial  applications  in the
movement,  measurement,  control,  dispensing and application of many fluids and
semi-solids, including paints, adhesives, sealants, and lubricants. In addition,
it offers an extensive line of portable  equipment which is used in construction
and  maintenance  businesses for the  application of paint and other  materials.
Graco  fluid  systems  incorporate  sophisticated  paint  circulating  and fluid
application technology.

Commercial and industrial equipment offered by Graco includes specialized pumps,
air and airless  spray units,  manual  finishing  equipment  and fluid  handling
systems. A variety of pumps provide fluid pressures ranging from 20 to more than
6,000  pounds per square  inch and flow rates from under 1 gallon to 140 gallons
per minute.  In 1995, Graco introduced a new generation of pumps,  which produce
higher pressures,  have improved corrosion  resistance and are easier to service
than existing products.

The Company  sells  accessories  for use with its  equipment,  including  hoses,
couplings,  regulators, valves, filters, reels, meters, and gauges, as well as a
complete line of spray guns, tips and applicators.  These  accessories  increase
the flexibility,  efficiency and  effectiveness  of Graco  equipment.  Packings,
seals,  hoses and other parts,  which must be replaced  periodically in order to
maintain efficiency and prevent loss of material, are also sold by the Company.

                                       3
<PAGE>

Sales of  replacement  parts and  accessories  have averaged 45.6 percent of the
Company's consolidated net sales and approximately 51.3 percent of gross profits
during the last three years. The following table summarizes the consolidated net
sales and gross profits (net sales less cost of products  sold) by the Company's
principal product groups for that same period.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Product Group Sales and Gross Profit
(In thousands)                                    1996                      1995                      1994
                                          -------------------       -------------------       -------------------
                                              $           %             $           %             $           % 
                                          --------      -----       --------      -----       --------      ----- 
<S>                                       <C>            <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>            <C>  
NET SALES
  Commercial and industrial equipment     $207,327       52.9%      $206,558       53.5%      $204,584       56.8%
  Accessories and replacement parts        184,429       47.1        179,756       46.5        155,429       43.2
                                          --------      -----       --------      -----       --------      ----- 
                                          $391,756      100.0%      $386,314      100.0%      $360,013      100.0%
                                          ========      =====       ========      =====       ========      ===== 

GROSS PROFIT
  Commercial and industrial equipment     $ 92,480       47.2%      $ 90,526       47.7%      $ 89,262       51.3%
  Accessories and replacement parts        103,501       52.8         99,101       52.3         84,749       48.7
                                          --------      -----       --------      -----       --------      ----- 
                                          $195,981      100.0%      $189,627      100.0%      $174,011      100.0%
                                          ========      =====       ========      =====       ========      ===== 
</TABLE>

Marketing and Distribution.  Graco's  operations are organized to allow its full
line of  products  and  systems to be  offered  in each of its major  geographic
markets:  the  Americas,  Europe  and Asia  Pacific.  The  Industrial  Equipment
Division,  the Automotive Equipment Division, the Contractor Equipment Division,
and the Lubrication Equipment Division provide worldwide marketing direction and
product design and application assistance to each of these geographic markets.

Graco   sells  its   equipment   worldwide   principally   through   independent
distributors.  In Canada,  Japan, Korea, and Europe,  Graco equipment is sold to
distribution through sales subsidiaries. In the Americas and Europe, the Company
maintains a specialized direct sales force, which handles sales of large systems
and sales to certain corporate accounts. Manufacturers' representatives are used
with some product lines.

In 1996, Graco's net sales in the Americas were $252,615,000 or approximately 65
percent of the Company's consolidated net sales; in Europe (including the Middle
East and Africa) net sales were $78,666,000 or approximately 20 percent;  and in
the Asia Pacific region, net sales were $60,475,000 or approximately 15 percent.

Consolidated  backlog at December  27,  1996,  was $19  million  compared to $20
million at the end of 1995.

Research,   Product  Development  and  Technical  Services.   Graco's  research,
development and  engineering  activities  focus on new product  design,  product
improvements,  applied  engineering  and  strategic  technologies.  A  dedicated
support group of application engineers and technicians also provides specialized
technical assistance to customers in the design and evaluation of fluid transfer
and  application  systems.  It is one of Graco's  financial goals to generate 30
percent of each year's sales from products  introduced in the prior three years.
To achieve this goal,  Graco  increased its new product  design and  application
engineering  staff,  and more  than  doubled  the size of the  Russell  J.  Gray
Technical  Center  in  1995  to  provide  space  for  engineering,  testing  and
laboratory activities.  During 1996, the CED Advanced Product Development Group,
formerly located in Denver,  Colorado, was merged with the CED Engineering Group
in  Minneapolis,  and the Engineered  Application  Solutions Group from Franklin
Park,  Illinois was  consolidated  with the Industrial  Application  Engineering
Group in  Minneapolis to realize  efficiencies  in the product  development  and
application engineering processes.  Total research and development  expenditures
were $17,909,000, $15,715,000 and $14,591,000 for the 1996, 1995 and 1994 fiscal
years, respectively.

Intellectual   Property.   Graco  owns  a  number  of  patents  and  has  patent
applications  pending  both  in the  United  States  and in  foreign  countries,
licenses its patents to others,  and is licensed  under patents owned by others.
In the opinion of the Company, its business is not materially dependent upon any
one or more of these  patents or  licenses.  The  Company  also owns a number of
trademarks in the United States and foreign countries,  including the registered
trademarks  for  "GRACO,"  several  forms of a capital "G" and  various  product
trademarks  which are material to the  business of the Company  inasmuch as they
identify Graco and its products to its customers.

                                       4

<PAGE>

Competition.  Graco faces  substantial  competition  in all of its markets.  The
nature and extent of this  competition  varies in  different  markets due to the
diversity of the  Company's  products.  Product  quality,  reliability,  design,
customer support and service,  specialized engineering and pricing are the major
competitive factors.  Although no competitor duplicates all of Graco's products,
some competitors are larger than the Company, both in terms of sales of directly
competing  products and in terms of total sales and financial  resources.  Graco
believes it is one of the world's leading producers of high-quality  specialized
fluid management equipment and systems. It is impossible, because of the absence
of reliable  industry-wide  figures,  to  determine  its exact  relative  market
position.

Environmental  Protection.  During the fiscal year ending December 27, 1996, the
amounts incurred to comply with federal,  state and local legislation pertaining
to  environmental  standards  did not have a material  effect  upon the  capital
expenditures or earnings of the Company.

Employees.  As of December 27, 1996, the Company  employed  approximately  1,997
persons on a full-time  basis. Of this total,  approximately  332 were employees
based  outside the United  States,  and 800 were hourly  factory  workers in the
United States.

Item 2. Properties

As of December 31, 1996,  the Company's  principal  operations  that occupy more
than 10,000 square feet were conducted in the following facilities:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  
     Type of Facility                                                  Location                         Square Footage
     ----------------                                                  --------                         --------------

     Owned
     -----

     <S>                                                               <C>                                  <C>    
     Distribution/Manufacturing/Office                                 Rogers, Minnesota                    324,000
     Manufacturing/Office                                              Minneapolis, Minnesota               237,600
     Manufacturing/Office                                              Minneapolis, Minnesota               207,000
     Engineering/Research & Development                                Minneapolis, Minnesota               138,200
     Engineering/Manufacturing/Office                                  Plymouth, Michigan                   106,000
     Engineering/Manufacturing/Office                                  Franklin Park, Illinois               82,000
     Assembly/European Headquarters/Warehouse                          Maasmechelen, Belgium                 75,800
     Corporate Headquarters                                            Golden Valley, Minnesota              68,000
     Manufacturing/Office                                              Sioux Falls, South Dakota             55,000
     Sales Office/Warehouse                                            Los Angeles, California               21,000
     Office/Warehouse                                                  Mississauga, Ontario, Canada          20,000

     Leased
     ------

     Engineering/Office/Warehouse                                      Yokohama, Japan (3 facilities)        48,724
     Sales Office                                                      Rungis, France                        46,600
     Assembly/Engineering/Office/Warehouse                             Neuss, Germany                        41,765
     Technical Publications                                            Minneapolis, Minnesota                18,200
     Sales Office                                                      West Midlands, United Kingdom         16,320
     Warehouse                                                         Gwangju-Gun, Korea                    10,549
</TABLE>

The David A. Koch Center, a new  manufacturing  and global  distribution  center
located in Rogers, Minnesota, was completed and occupied during the last quarter
of 1996.  The  facility has 324,000  square feet of space and  includes  office,
engineering,  research  and  development,  manufacturing,  customer  service and
distribution functions.  Functions formerly performed in the Distribution Center
(123,800  square feet) in Brooklyn  Center,  Minnesota,  and the  Communications
Center (18,200 square feet) in Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  were transferred to the
Koch Center,  and the leases of these facilities were terminated on December 31,
1996 and February 28, 1997, respectively.

A 21,700  square  foot  building  in  Atlanta,  Georgia was sold during the last
quarter of 1996.  The sale of the 82,000 square foot building in Franklin  Park,
Illinois was  completed  February 18, 1997.  The lease on the Colorado  facility
(11,600 square feet)  terminated on November 30, 1996,  and the operations  were
transferred to Minneapolis,  Minnesota.  The sales office in Rungis, France will
be moved to a smaller facility during the first quarter of 1997.

                                       5

<PAGE>

The Company  leases space for  subsidiary  sales or liaison  offices  around the
world, some of which have demonstration areas and/or warehouse space.

Graco's facilities are in satisfactory condition,  suitable for their respective
uses and are sufficient and adequate to meet current needs,  with the recent and
planned expansions.  Manufacturing  capacity met business demand in 1996. Future
production  requirements  are  expected  to be met through  existing  production
capabilities,  efficiency and productivity  improvement and the use of available
subcontract services.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The Company is engaged in routine  litigation  incident to its  business,  which
management  believes will not have a material adverse effect upon its operations
or consolidated financial position.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No issues were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter
of 1996.

Executive Officers of the Company

The following are all the executive officers of the Company as of March 7, 1997.
There are no family relationships between any of the officers named.

David A. Koch,  66, is Chairman of the Board, a position he has held since 1985.
Prior to  January  1,  1996,  he was also the  Chief  Executive  Officer  of the
Company,  a position he had held since  1962.  He joined the Company in 1956 and
held various  sales and marketing  positions  with the Company prior to assuming
the office of  President  in 1962.  He has served as a director  of the  Company
since 1962.

George  Aristides,  61,  was  elected  President  and  Chief  Executive  Officer
effective  January 1, 1996. He became  President and Chief Operating  Officer in
June  1993.  From  March 1993 to June 1993,  he was  Executive  Vice  President,
Industrial/Automotive  Equipment  Division,   Manufacturing,   Distribution  and
Eurafrican   Operations.   From  1985  until  1993,   he  was  Vice   President,
Manufacturing  Operations  and  Controller.  He joined  the  Company  in 1973 as
Corporate  Controller  and became Vice  President and Controller in 1980. He has
served as a director of the Company since 1993.

Clayton  R.  Carter,  58,  was  elected  Vice  President,  Worldwide  Industrial
Equipment  Division,  effective  December 17, 1996. From January 1, 1995, he was
Vice President,  Worldwide  Lubrication  Equipment Division. He became Director,
Vehicle Services  Division,  in February 1994. He joined the Company in 1962 and
has held various sales management positions.

James A. Graner, 52, was elected Vice President and Controller in February 1994.
He became Treasurer in May 1993. Prior to becoming Assistant  Treasurer in 1988,
he held various managerial positions in the treasury, accounting and information
systems departments. He joined Graco in 1974.

Clyde W. Hansen,  64, was elected Vice  President,  Human  Resources and Quality
Management  Systems, in December 1993. He joined the Company in 1984 as Employee
Relations Director, a position he held until his election.

John L.  Heller,  60, was elected  Vice  President,  Latin  America & Developing
Markets,  effective  January 4, 1996.  From July 1993 to December  1995,  he was
Senior Vice President and General Manager - Contractor  Equipment  Division.  He
became Vice President,  Far East Operations and Latin America, in 1992. Prior to
becoming Vice President, Far East Operations in 1984, he held various management
and staff positions in sales and human resources. He joined the Company in 1972.

Roger L.  King,  51,  was  named  Vice  President  & General  Manager,  European
Operations,  effective  January 4, 1996. From July 1993 to December 1995, he was
Senior Vice President and General Manager - International  Operations. He became
Senior  Vice  President  and Chief  Financial  Officer in March  1993,  and Vice
President and Treasurer in 1987. Prior to becoming Vice President, Treasurer and
Secretary in 1980,  he held the position of Treasurer  and Secretary and various
treasury management positions with Graco. He joined the Company in 1970.

                                       6

<PAGE>

David M. Lowe,  41, was  elected to the  position of Vice  President,  Worldwide
Lubrication Equipment Division, in December 1996. From February 1995 to December
1996, he was Treasurer.  Prior to joining the Company, he was employed by Ecolab
Inc.,  where he held various  positions in the  Treasury  Department,  including
Manager-Corporate  Finance;  Director,   Corporate  Finance  and  most  recently
Director, Corporate Development.

Robert M.  Mattison,  49,  was  elected  Vice  President,  General  Counsel  and
Secretary,  in January 1992, a position  which he holds today.  Prior to joining
the Company,  he held various legal positions with Honeywell Inc., most recently
as Associate General Counsel.

Mark W.  Sheahan,  32, was elected  Treasurer,  effective  December 17, 1996. He
joined the Company as Treasury  Operations  Manager in September 1995.  Prior to
joining the Company,  he held various  positions in public  accounting with KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP and Coopers & Lybrand.

Robert A. Wagner,  46, was elected Vice President,  Asia Pacific,  of Graco Inc.
and President,  Graco K.K.  effective January 1995. He became Vice President and
Treasurer, Graco Inc., in February 1994. He joined the Company in December 1991,
as Vice  President,  Corporate  Development  and Planning.  Prior to joining the
Company,  he was employed by Texas  Instruments for nearly five years,  where he
held various managerial positions,  most recently as Vice President and Manager,
Corporate Development.

Thomas J. Fay, 46, was  appointed to the position of Vice  President,  Worldwide
Automotive  Equipment  Division,  effective January 4, 1996. During 1995, he was
Vice  President,  European  Operations.  Prior to  becoming  General  Manager of
European  Operations  in March 1994,  he held the  position of General  Manager,
Region III, in Europe. Mr. Fay joined the Company in 1984 and held various sales
management positions before moving to Europe in 1990.

Dale  D.  Johnson,  42,  was  appointed  Vice  President,  Worldwide  Contractor
Equipment  Division,  on December  17,  1996.  Prior to becoming the Director of
Marketing in June 1996, he held various marketing and sales positions in CED. He
joined the Company in 1976.

Charles  L.  Rescorla,  45,  is Vice  President,  Manufacturing  &  Distribution
Operations,  a position to which he was  appointed on January 1, 1995.  Prior to
becoming the  Director of  Manufacturing  in March 1994,  he was the Director of
Engineering,  Industrial  Division,  a position which he assumed in 1988 when he
joined the Company.

The Board of Directors elected Messrs. Koch, Aristides,  Graner, Hansen, Heller,
King,  Mattison and Wagner on May 7, 1996, and Messrs.  Carter, Lowe and Sheahan
on  December  17,  1996,  all to hold office  until the next  annual  meeting of
directors  or until  their  successors  are elected and  qualify.  Messrs.  Fay,
Johnson and Rescorla were appointed to their  positions by management  effective
January 4, 1996, December 17, 1996 and January 1, 1995, respectively.

                                       7

<PAGE>

PART II

Item 5. Market for the Company's Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters

Graco Common Stock.  Graco common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange
under the ticker symbol "GGG." As of March 7, 1997, there were 17,217,589 shares
outstanding  and 1,984 common  shareholders  of record,  with another  estimated
3,100 shareholders whose stock is held by nominees or broker dealers.

Quarterly Financial Information.
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

                           First           Second          Third         Fourth
1996                       Quarter        Quarter        Quarter        Quarter
- ----                      --------       --------       --------       --------
Net Sales                 $ 90,153       $ 97,099       $ 97,680       $106,824
Gross Profit                44,837         49,422         49,976         51,746
Net Earnings                 5,585         10,032         10,157         10,395
Per Common Share:
   Net Earnings               0.32           0.57           0.58           0.60
   Dividends Declared         0.12           0.12           0.12           0.14
                          --------       --------       --------       --------
Stock Price (per share)
   High                   $  20.75       $  21.63       $  20.38       $  26.00
   Low                       17.75          17.88          18.25          18.50
Volume (# of shares)       1,795.1        1,888.2        1,513.1        1,512.8
                          --------       --------       --------       --------

1995
- ----

Net Sales                 $ 95,527       $103,402       $ 94,797       $ 92,588
Gross Profit                46,527         51,415         46,287         45,398
Net Earnings                 5,436          8,532          6,569          7,169
Per Common Share:
   Net Earnings               0.31           0.49           0.37           0.41
   Dividends Declared         0.11           0.11           0.11           0.12
                          --------       --------       --------       --------
Stock Price (per share)
   High                   $  16.17       $  19.50       $  23.17       $  25.50
   Low                       13.17          16.00          17.42          20.00
Volume (# of shares)         686.9          854.1        1,530.6        1,395.0
                          --------       --------       --------       --------


Item 6. Selected Financial Data

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Graco Inc. & Subsidiaries
(In thousands, except per share amounts)                   1996           1995           1994           1993           1992<F2>
                                                       --------       --------       --------       --------       --------
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>     
Net Sales                                              $391,756       $386,314       $360,013       $322,602       $320,334
Earnings Before Change in Accounting Principles          36,169         27,706         15,326          9,493         11,145
Net Earnings                                             36,169         27,706         15,326          9,493          5,301
                                                       --------       --------       --------       --------       --------
Per Common Share:
 Earnings Before Change in Accounting Principles       $   2.07       $   1.59       $    .88       $    .55       $    .65
 Net Earnings                                              2.07           1.59            .88            .55            .31
                                                       --------       --------       --------       --------       --------
Total Assets                                           $247,814       $217,833       $228,385       $216,365       $220,418
Long-term Debt (including current portion)                9,920         12,009         32,483         19,480         22,762
Redeemable Preferred Stock                                   --             --          1,474          1,485          1,487
                                                       --------       --------       --------       --------       --------
Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share               $   0.50       $   0.45       $   0.39       $   2.15<F1>   $   0.33
                                                       ========       ========       ========       ========       ========
<FN>
<F1>
1  Includes the special one-time dividend of $1.80 per post-split share declared
   December 17, 1993. 
<F2>
2  Includes Lockwood Technical,  Inc. (LTI), a former  wholly-owned  subsidiary,
   sold in 1992.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                       8

<PAGE>

Item 7. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations

MANAGEMENT'S REVIEW AND DISCUSSION

The following is  Management's  Review and  Discussion and is not covered by the
Independent Auditors' Report.

Graco's  net  earnings of $36.2  million in 1996 are 31 percent  higher than the
$27.7 million earned in 1995 and are significantly higher than the $15.3 million
recorded  in 1994.  The large  increases  in 1996 and 1995  primarily  reflect a
reduced effective tax rate, enhanced profit margins, and higher sales. Operating
costs include increased product development expenditures.

The table below indicates the percentage relationship between income and expense
items  included in the  Consolidated  Statements  of Earnings for the three most
recent fiscal years and the percentage changes in those items for such years.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    
                                     Revenue & Expense Item                  Revenue & Expense Item
                                  As a Percentage of Net Sales           Percentage Increase (Decrease)
                                  ----------------------------           ------------------------------
                                      1996    1995    1994                     1996/95     1995/94
                                     -----   -----   -----                     -------     -------

<S>                                  <C>     <C>     <C>                        <C>          <C>
Net Sales                            100.0   100.0   100.0                        1           7
                                     -----   -----   -----                     -------     -------
Cost of Products Sold                 50.0    50.9    51.7                       --           6
Product Development                    4.6     4.1     4.0                       14           8
Selling                               21.8    22.4    25.8                       (2)         (7)
General & Administrative              10.1    10.9    11.2                       (5)          4
                                     -----   -----   -----                     -------     -------
Operating Profit                      13.5    11.7     7.3                       17          71
                                     -----   -----   -----                     -------     -------
Interest Expense                      (0.2)   (0.6)   (0.5)                     (64)         21
Other Income (Expense), Net            0.1     0.2    (0.3)                       *           *
                                     -----   -----   -----                     -------     -------
Earnings Before Income Taxes          13.4    11.3     6.5                       21          86
Income Taxes                           4.2     4.1     2.2                        5          96
                                     -----   -----   -----                     -------     -------
Net Earnings                           9.2     7.2     4.3                       31          81
                                     =====   =====   =====                     =======     =======

* Not a Meaningful Figure

</TABLE>

NET SALES

In 1996, Graco recorded its fourth consecutive year of record net sales, posting
a 1  percent  increase  over  1995  to  $392  million.  The  1996  increase  was
principally  due to an increase in North  American  sales.  Geographically,  net
sales in the  Americas  of $253  million  in 1996  increased  by 6 percent  when
compared to 1995.  With slow  economies and weak  currencies  during most of the
year,  European  sales  declined 5 percent  in 1996 to $79  million (a 3 percent
volume  decrease and a 2 percent decline due to exchange  rates).  Sales in Asia
Pacific  declined 7 percent  in 1996 to $60  million.  (Volume  was flat and the
decline was due to exchange rates.)

In 1995,  sales increased 7 percent over 1994, due primarily to higher worldwide
sales in all divisions except Contractor Equipment.

Periodic  price  increases  have  contributed  to net sales.  The Company's most
recent U.S.  price  increase was  effective in January 1996 and  represented  an
average 2.5 percent increase from its January 1995 price lists. The January 1995
price change was an average 2 percent increase from April 1994 prices.

Consolidated  backlog at  December  27,  1996 was $19  million  compared  to $20
million at the end of 1995, and $25 million at the end of 1994.

                                       9

<PAGE>

                                                           % Increase (Decrease)
                                                           ---------------------
(In thousands)                 1996      1995      1994     1996/95     1995/94
- ------------------------   --------  --------  --------     -------     -------
Division Sales:
   Industrial Equipment    $154,866  $151,016  $136,995          3          10
   Automotive Equipment      69,910    75,637    67,457         (8)         12
   Contractor Equipment     124,392   118,818   121,478          5          (2)
   Lubrication Equipment     42,588    40,843    34,083          4          20
                           --------  --------  --------     -------     -------
Consolidated               $391,756  $386,314  $360,013          1           7
                           ========  ========  ========     =======     =======

Geographic Sales:
    Americas               $252,615  $238,874  $241,169          6          (1)
    Europe                   78,666    82,552    65,888         (5)         25
    Asia Pacific             60,475    64,888    52,956         (7)         23
                           --------  --------  --------     -------     -------
Consolidated               $391,756  $386,314  $360,013          1           7
                           ========  ========  ========     =======     =======

COST OF PRODUCTS SOLD

The cost of products  sold,  as a percentage  of net sales,  declined in 1996 to
50.0  percent  from 50.9  percent  in 1995.  This  decrease  was the result of a
combination  of  factors,   including   modest  price   increases  and  improved
manufacturing efficiencies,  partially offset by material and manufacturing cost
increases.  In 1995,  cost of products  sold as a percent of net sales  declined
from 51.7 percent in 1994,  due to a  combination  of factors  including  modest
price increases.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Operating  expenses in 1996 declined 1.0 percent from 1995, due to the impact of
lower selling and general and administrative  expenses.  The lower expense level
is also the result of lower non-recurring charges in 1996 when compared to 1995.
Operating  expenses in 1995 declined 2.2 percent from 1994, due primarily to the
impact  of  Graco's  worldwide  cost  restructuring  initiatives,   and  reduced
restructuring charges.

Product  development  expenses in 1996 increased 14.0 percent over 1995 to $17.9
million.  In 1995,  product  development costs were 7.7 percent higher than 1994
expenditures.  These  increases  reflect  Graco's  commitment to expanding sales
through the development of new products.

FOREIGN CURRENCY EFFECTS

The costs of the Company's  products are generally  denominated in U.S. dollars,
with  approximately  11  percent  sourced  in  non-U.S.  currencies.  A  greater
proportion of its sales, approximately 35 percent, are denominated in currencies
other than the U.S.  dollar.  As a result,  a  strengthening  of the U.S. dollar
decreases  sales more than costs and expenses,  reducing the Company's gross and
operating  profits. A weakening of the U.S. dollar has the reverse impact on the
Company's  gross  and  operating  profits.  During  1996,  the U.S.  dollar  was
generally  stronger  against other major  currencies,  and during 1995, the U.S.
dollar was generally  weaker  against other major  currencies.  Gains and losses
attributable   to  translating   the  financial   statements  for  all  non-U.S.
subsidiaries,  and the gains and losses on the forward and option contracts used
to hedge these exposures, are included in Other income (expense).

The total effect of exchange rate changes on operating  profits plus translation
gains and losses included in Other income  (expense)  decreased  earnings before
income  taxes by $2.7  million  in 1996  when  compared  to 1995  and  increased
earnings before income taxes by $3.5 million in 1995 when compared to 1994.

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

The Company's interest expense fell in 1996,  primarily  reflecting a decline in
the average levels of debt during the year.  This decrease in debt levels is due
to the reduction in short-term  debt as operating  cash flows  exceeded  working
capital and capital investment requirements.

                                       10

<PAGE>

Other  income  of $0.5  million  in 1996 and $0.7  million  in 1995,  and  other
expenses of $1.0 million for 1994,  respectively,  include,  among other things,
the  foreign  currency  translation  gains and losses  discussed  above,  a $1.5
million  favorable  settlement of an escrow  dispute in 1996, and a $0.9 million
gain from the sale of unutilized real estate in 1995.

INCOME TAXES

The Company's  net  effective tax rate of 31 percent in 1996 is four  percentage
points  lower than the 1996 U.S.  federal tax rate of 35 percent.  The  decrease
from the 36 percent  rate in 1995 is due  primarily  to foreign  earnings  being
taxed at effective  rates lower than the U.S. rate from the utilization of prior
net  operating  losses.  The effective tax rate of 36 percent in 1995 was higher
than the 1994 rate of 35 percent  principally due to the reduced relative effect
of U.S. business tax credits.  Detailed  reconciliations of the U.S. federal tax
rate to the effective rates for 1996,  1995, and 1994 are discussed in Note D to
the Consolidated Financial Statements.

EARNINGS

In 1996,  earnings increased by 31 percent to $36.2 million,  or $2.07 per share
as compared to 1995,  when earnings  increased by 81 percent to $27.7 million or
$1.59 per share as compared to 1994.

ACCOUNTING CHANGES

The Company adopted  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards  ("SFAS") No.
123,  "Accounting for Stock Based  Compensation" in 1996. Refer to Notes A and H
to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more detailed information.

OUTLOOK

Graco  anticipates  higher sales in 1997,  driven  primarily  by  continued  new
product introductions,  an improved worldwide distribution network, satisfactory
economic  conditions in North America and Europe,  and robust growth in the Asia
Pacific region other than Japan, which remains stagnant.

Graco has undertaken a number of restructuring efforts in recent years that have
improved  operating margins and net profit. It is anticipated that these efforts
will  continue  to have a favorable  impact on margins and profits in 1997.  The
Company is looking for additional opportunities to improve operating efficiency.

Currency  fluctuations,  especially the strength of the U.S.  dollar relative to
other major currencies,  may have an impact on operating margins. In 1997, Graco
anticipates a higher effective tax rate.







SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

This annual report on Form 10-K contains "forward-looking  statements" about the
Company's  expectations of the future, which are subject to certain risk factors
that could cause actual results to differ  materially  from those  expectations.
These factors include  economic  conditions in the United States and other major
world  economies,   currency  exchange  fluctuations,   and  additional  factors
identified  in Exhibit 99 to the  Company's  Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year
1996.






                                       11

<PAGE>

SHAREHOLDER ACTIONS

Periodically,  the Company  initiates  measures  aimed at enhancing  shareholder
value, broadening common stock ownership,  improving the liquidity of its common
shares, and effectively  managing its cash balances. A summary of recent actions
follows:
- -  a three-for-two stock split paid in 1996;
- -  repurchase of 406,000 shares in 1996;
- -  a 17 percent increase in the regular dividend in 1996;
- -  a 13 percent increase in the regular dividend in 1995;
- -  a 14 percent increase in the regular dividend in 1994.

ASSETS

The following table highlights several key measures of asset performance.

(in thousands)                                         1996               1995
- ------------------------------------                -------            -------
Cash and Cash Equivalents                           $ 6,535            $ 1,643
Working Capital                                     $63,884            $56,899
Current Ratio                                           1.8                1.8
Average Days Receivables Outstanding                     75                 73
Inventory Turnover                                      4.7                4.3

Average inventory balances decreased during 1996 when compared to 1995; however,
year-end inventory was flat at $41.5 million. Accounts receivable increased 14.0
percent to $83.5  million.  The increase is primarily  due to a  combination  of
factors, including higher fourth quarter consolidated sales.

LIABILITIES

At the end of 1996, the Company's  long-term debt (including the current portion
thereof) was 7.3 percent of total  capital  (long-term  debt plus  shareholders'
equity)  compared  to 10.4  percent in 1995.  The  Company's  total debt  (notes
payable to banks plus long-term debt including the current portion thereof) as a
percentage  of capital  fell to 9.8  percent at the end of 1996,  down from 14.1
percent in 1995. The Company had $66.7 million in unused credit lines  available
at December 27, 1996. The Company  believes that available  lines plus operating
cash flows are adequate to fund its short and long-term initiatives.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Shareholders'  equity totaled $126.1 million on December 27, 1996, $22.5 million
higher than 1995.

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

During 1996,  the  Company's  operating  cash flow of $48.6 million was slightly
lower than 1995 due to changes in working capital  requirements.  Cash flow from
operating  activities in 1995 was $51.7  million,  $43.1 million higher than the
$8.6 million recorded in 1994.

Cash flows from  operating  activities  have been,  and are  expected to be, the
principal source of funds required for future additions to property,  plant, and
equipment, and working capital, as well as for other corporate purposes.

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Capital  expenditures  were $30.0 million in 1996,  $19.8  million in 1995,  and
$23.1  million  in  1994.  These   expenditures   have  enhanced  the  Company's
engineering and manufacturing capabilities,  improved product quality, increased
capacity,  and lowered  costs.  Substantial  expenditures  in 1996  included the
construction of the David A. Koch Center located in Rogers,  Minnesota,  and the
addition of manufacturing equipment.

                                       12

<PAGE>

The Company expects to spend in excess of $20 million on capital improvements in
1997. Capital  expenditures in 1997 will include  manufacturing  equipment,  and
cellular manufacturing and information systems initiatives.

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

The amount of common stock issued  represents the funds received for shares sold
through the Company's  Dividend  Reinvestment  Plan, its Employee Stock Purchase
Plan, and the  distribution  of shares pursuant to its Long Term Stock Incentive
Plan, more fully described in Note H to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Graco offers an Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan, which gives shareholders a
simple and  convenient  way to reinvest  quarterly  cash dividends in additional
shares of Graco  common  stock.  Brokerage  and service  charges are paid by the
Company.

All  Graco  employees  in the  U.S.  participate  in the  Graco  Employee  Stock
Ownership  Plan (ESOP).  The final  distribution  of common shares from the ESOP
will be made to eligible  U.S.  employees in 1997.  Eligible  employees may also
purchase Graco common stock through the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

From time to time,  the  Company may make open  market  purchases  of its common
shares.  On February  23, 1996,  the  Company's  Board of  Directors  authorized
management to  repurchase  up to 800,000  shares for a period ending on February
28,  1998.  In 1996,  under this  repurchase  program,  the Company  repurchased
406,000 shares at an average price per share of $19.99.

Graco is currently paying 14 cents per share as its regular quarterly  dividend.
Annual cash dividends  paid on the Company's  common and preferred  stock,  were
$8.3 million in 1996, $7.5 million in 1995, and $37.7 million in 1994 (including
a special  one-time  dividend  of $31.2  million  paid on March 21,  1994).  The
Company  expects to continue  paying regular  quarterly  dividends to its common
shareholders at amounts which will be adjusted  periodically to reflect earnings
performance and management expectations.

During 1996, debt was reduced by $2.4 million. Debt was reduced by $27.1 million
in 1995, reflecting strong cash flows from operations attributable to higher net
income and lower working capital requirements.

In 1995, the Company  redeemed all of its 5 percent  cumulative  preferred stock
for approximately $1.5 million.

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
                                                                            Page
    o  Responsibility for Financial Reporting                                 14
    o  Independent Auditors' Report                                           14
    o  Consolidated Statements of Earnings for fiscal years 1996, 1995,
       and 1994                                                               15
    o  Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity Accounts
       (See Footnote F, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements)           22
    o  Consolidated Balance Sheets for fiscal years 1996 and 1995             16
    o  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for fiscal years 1996, 1995,
       and 1994                                                               17
    o  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                             18
    o  Selected Quarterly Financial Data (See Part II, Item 5, Market
       for the Company's Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters)         8

                                       13

<PAGE>

RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management is responsible  for the accuracy,  consistency,  and integrity of the
information  presented  in this  annual  report on Form 10-K.  The  consolidated
financial  statements  and  financial  statement  schedule have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles and, where necessary,
include estimates based upon management's informed judgment.

In meeting  this  responsibility,  management  believes  that its  comprehensive
systems of internal  controls  provide  reasonable  assurance that the Company's
assets are safeguarded and  transactions  are executed and recorded by qualified
personnel in accordance with approved procedures. Internal auditors periodically
review these accounting and control systems.  Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
certified public accountants,  are retained to audit the consolidated  financial
statements, and express an opinion thereon. Their opinion is included below.

The Board of Directors  pursues its oversight role through its Audit  Committee.
The Audit Committee,  composed of directors who are not employees, meets twice a
year with management, internal auditors, and Deloitte & Touche LLP to review the
systems of internal control, accounting practices,  financial reporting, and the
results of auditing activities.


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

Shareholders and Board of Directors
Graco Inc.
Minneapolis, Minnesota

We have audited the accompanying  consolidated  balance sheets of Graco Inc. and
Subsidiaries  (the "Company") as of December 27, 1996 and December 29, 1995, and
the related statements of earnings and cash flows for each of the three years in
the period  ended  December  27, 1996.  Our audit also  included  the  financial
statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 14. These consolidated  financial
statements  and  financial  statement  schedule  are the  responsibility  of the
Company's  management.  Our  responsibility  is to  express  an  opinion  on the
consolidated  financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our
audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable  assurance about whether the  consolidated  financial  statements are
free of material  misstatement.  An audit includes  examining,  on a test basis,
evidence  supporting the amounts and disclosures in the  consolidated  financial
statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant  estimates  made by  management,  as well as evaluating  the overall
financial  statement  presentation.   We  believe  that  our  audits  provide  a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  such consolidated  financial  statements present fairly, in all
material  respects,  the financial position of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries as of
December 27, 1996 and December 29, 1995, and the results of their operations and
their cash flows for each of the three years in the period  ended  December  27,
1996 in conformity with generally accepted accounting  principles.  Also, in our
opinion,  such financial statement schedule,  when considered in relation to the
basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all
material respects the information set forth therein.




Deloitte & Touche LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
January 20, 1997

                                       14
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS                                                                        GRACO INC. & Subsidiaries

                                                                                                Years Ended
                                                                                                -----------

                                                                       December 27,            December 29,            December 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)                                       1996                    1995                    1994
- ----------------------------------------                               ------------            ------------            ------------
<S>                                                                       <C>                     <C>                     <C>      
Net Sales ..................................................              $ 391,756               $ 386,314               $ 360,013

  Cost of products sold ....................................                195,775                 196,687                 186,002
                                                                       ------------            ------------            ------------

Gross Profit ...............................................                195,981                 189,627                 174,011


  Product development ......................................                 17,909                  15,715                  14,591

  Selling ..................................................                 85,281                  86,634                  92,752

  General and administrative ...............................                 39,734                  42,044                  40,279
                                                                       ------------            ------------            ------------


Operating Profit ...........................................                 53,057                  45,234                  26,389

  Interest expense .........................................                   (831)                 (2,335)                 (1,923)

  Other income (expense), net ..............................                    543                     657                  (1,040)
                                                                       ------------            ------------            ------------


Earnings before Income Taxes ...............................                 52,769                  43,556                  23,426

  Income taxes .............................................                 16,600                  15,850                   8,100
                                                                       ------------            ------------            ------------


Net Earnings ...............................................              $  36,169               $  27,706               $  15,326
                                                                       ============            ============            ============


Net Earnings Per Common Share ..............................              $    2.07               $    1.59               $     .88
                                                                       ============            ============            ============
                                                                                                                              
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
</TABLE>
                                       15

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS                                                                               GRACO INC. & Subsidiaries

                                                                                                December 27,           December 29,
(In thousands, except share amounts)                                                                    1996                   1995
- ------------------------------------                                                            ------------           ------------
<S>                                                                                                 <C>                    <C>     
Assets
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents ..........................................................              $  6,535               $  1,643
  Accounts receivable, less allowances of $4,700 in 1996 and $4,800 in 1995...........                83,474                 73,205
  Inventories ........................................................................                41,531                 41,693
  Deferred income taxes, net .........................................................                11,633                 10,608
  Other current assets ...............................................................                 1,321                  1,333
                                                                                                ------------           ------------
   Total current assets ..............................................................               144,494                128,482
Property, Plant and Equipment, at Cost:
  Land ...............................................................................                 5,227                  3,502
  Buildings and improvements .........................................................                63,213                 50,534
  Manufacturing equipment ............................................................                82,544                 71,437
  Office, warehouse and automotive equipment .........................................                31,049                 28,578
  Construction in progress ...........................................................                 1,052                  2,117
                                                                                                ------------           ------------
   Total property, plant and equipment, at cost ......................................               183,085                156,168
  Accumulated depreciation ...........................................................               (88,913)               (79,310)
                                                                                                ------------           ------------
   Net property, plant and equipment .................................................                94,172                 76,858
Other Assets .........................................................................                 9,148                 12,493

                                                                                                    $247,814               $217,833
                                                                                                ============           ============


Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
  Notes payable to banks .............................................................              $  3,813               $  5,051
  Current portion of long-term debt ..................................................                 1,845                  1,935
  Trade accounts payable .............................................................                13,854                 13,849
  Salaries, wages and commissions ....................................................                14,808                 14,260
  Accrued insurance liabilities ......................................................                10,925                 10,792
  Income taxes payable ...............................................................                 4,647                  4,229
  Other current liabilities ..........................................................                30,718                 21,467
                                                                                                ------------           ------------
   Total current liabilities .........................................................                80,610                 71,583
Long-term Debt, less current portion .................................................                 8,075                 10,074
Retirement Benefits and Deferred Compensation ........................................                33,079                 32,605
Commitments and Contingencies (Note J)
Shareholders' Equity
  Common stock, $1 par value; 22,500,000 shares authorized;
   shares outstanding, 17,047,166 and 17,264,509, in 1996
   and 1995, respectively ............................................................                17,047                 17,265
  Additional paid-in capital .........................................................                22,254                 20,397
  Retained earnings ..................................................................                85,232                 64,949
  Other, net .........................................................................                 1,517                    960
                                                                                                ------------           ------------
   Total shareholders' equity ........................................................               126,050                103,571
                                                                                                ------------           ------------
                                                                                                    $247,814               $217,833
                                                                                                ============           ============

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
                                       16

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                                                                     GRACO INC. & Subsidiaries

                                                                                                    Years Ended
                                                                                 --------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 December 27,       December 29,       December 30,
(In thousands)                                                                           1996               1995               1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------      ------------       ------------       ------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>                <C>                <C>     
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
  Net earnings ............................................................          $ 36,169           $ 27,706           $ 15,326
     Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
     net cash provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization .......................................            12,658             11,082             10,447
      Deferred income taxes ...............................................               781              1,938             (4,042)
      Change in:
        Accounts receivable ...............................................           (10,192)             4,499            (10,806)
        Inventories .......................................................              (394)             9,693            (13,967)
        Trade accounts payable ............................................               459             (6,193)             2,358
        Salaries, wages and commissions ...................................             1,081                999              1,439
        Retirement benefits and deferred compensation .....................               928              2,448
                                                                                                                              1,670
        Other accrued liabilities .........................................             6,963             (3,417)             6,858
        Other .............................................................               148              2,955               (696)
                                                                                 ------------       ------------       ------------
                                                                                       48,601             51,710              8,587
                                                                                 ------------       ------------       ------------
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
  Property, plant and equipment additions .................................           (30,038)           (19,848)           (23,100)
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment .....................             1,058              3,036                693
  Purchases of marketable securities ......................................                --                 --             (5,464)
  Proceeds from sales of marketable securities ............................                --                 --             31,809
                                                                                 ------------       ------------       ------------
                                                                                      (28,980)           (16,812)             3,938
                                                                                 ------------       ------------       ------------
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
  Borrowing on notes payable and lines of credit...........................            15,890             44,248             10,411
  Payments on notes payable and lines of credit............................           (16,657)           (50,927)            (2,395)
  Proceeds from long-term debt ............................................                --                 --             16,632
  Payments on long-term debt ..............................................            (1,652)           (20,333)            (5,380)
  Common stock issued .....................................................             2,525              2,485              3,102
  Retirement of common and preferred stock ................................            (8,115)            (1,547)            (4,564)
  Cash dividends paid .....................................................            (8,344)            (7,490)           (37,732)
                                                                                 ------------       ------------       ------------
                                                                                      (16,353)           (33,564)           (19,926)
                                                                                 ------------       ------------       ------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash ...................................             1,624             (2,135)            (1,250)
                                                                                 ------------       ------------       ------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ......................             4,892               (801)            (8,651)
Cash and cash equivalents
  Beginning of year .......................................................             1,643              2,444             11,095
                                                                                 ------------       ------------       ------------
  End of year .............................................................          $  6,535           $  1,643           $  2,444
                                                                                 ============       ============       ============

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

</TABLE>
                                       17

<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
GRACO INC. & Subsidiaries
Years Ended December 27, 1996, December 29, 1995, and December 30, 1994

A. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Fiscal Year.  The  Company's  fiscal year is 52 or 53 weeks,  ending on the last
Friday in December.

Basis of Statement  Presentation.  The Consolidated Financial Statements include
the accounts of the parent company and its subsidiaries after elimination of all
significant intercompany balances and transactions. As of December 27, 1996, all
subsidiaries are 100 percent owned. Subsidiaries outside North America have been
included  principally  on the basis of fiscal years ended  November 30 to effect
more timely consolidated financial reporting.  The U.S. dollar is the functional
currency for all foreign subsidiaries.

Accounting Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted  accounting  principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions  that affect the reported  amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of  contingent  assets and  liabilities  at the date of the financial
statements  and the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during  the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash  Equivalents.  All highly  liquid  investments  with a maturity of
three  months  or  less  at the  date  of  purchase  are  considered  to be cash
equivalents.

Inventory Valuation.  Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The
last-in,  first-out (LIFO) cost method is used for valuing all U.S. inventories.
Inventories  of foreign  subsidiaries  are valued using the first-in,  first-out
(FIFO) cost method.

Currenty  Hedges.  The Company  periodically  evaluates  its monetary  asset and
liability positions  denominated in foreign currencies.  The Company enters into
forward  contracts,  borrowings in various  currencies  or options,  in order to
hedge  its  net  monetary   positions.   Consistent  with  financial   reporting
requirements,  these hedges and net monetary  positions  are recorded at current
market  values and the gains and losses are included in Other income  (expense).
The Company believes it uses strong financial counterparts in these transactions
and that the  resulting  credit  risk  under  these  hedging  strategies  is not
significant.  The notional  amounts  (which may not be  indictative of credit or
market risk) of such contracts were (in U.S. dollars) $9,322,000 and $10,226,000
at December 27, 1996 and December 29, 1995, respectively.

Property,  Plant and  Equipment.  For financial  reporting  purposes,  plant and
equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives,  primarily by using
the straight-line  method as follows:  Buildings and improvements 10 to 30 years
Leasehold improvements 3 to 10 years Manufacturing equipment and tooling 3 to 10
years Office, warehouse and automotive equipment4 to 10 years

Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized on large contracted systems using the
percentage-of-completion method of accounting. The Company recognizes revenue on
other products when title passes, which is usually upon shipment.

Earnings  Per Common  Share.  Earnings per common share are computed on earnings
reduced by dividend  requirements on preferred stock and based upon the weighted
average number of common shares and common equivalent shares,  consisting of the
dilutive  effect of stock  options  outstanding  during each year.  Earnings per
common share assuming full dilution are substantially the same.

Stock Based Compensation.  Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards ("SFAS")
No. 123,  "Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation," was issued in October 1995
and requires companies to measure employee stock compensation plans based on the
fair value method of accounting.  However,  the statement allows the alternative
of  continued  use  of  Accounting   Principles  Board  Opinion  (APB)  No.  25,
"Accounting  for Stock Issued to  Employees,"  with pro forma  disclosure of net
income and  earnings per share  determined  as if the fair value method had been
applied in measuring compensation cost. The Company adopted SFAS No. 123 in 1996
and elected the continued use of APB No. 25.

                                       18

<PAGE>

B.  Industry Segment and Foreign Operations

The Company operates in one industry segment,  namely, the design,  manufacture,
marketing,  sale and installation of systems and equipment for the management of
fluids.

The Company's operations by geographical area for the last three years are shown
below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(In thousands)                                                                        1996             1995             1994
- -----------------------------------------------------                            ---------        ---------        ---------
<S>                                                                              <C>              <C>              <C>      
Sales to unaffiliated customers:<F1>
     Americas                                                                    $ 252,615        $ 238,874        $ 241,169
     Europe                                                                         78,666           82,552           65,888
     Asia Pacific                                                                   60,475           64,888           52,956
                                                                                 ---------        ---------        ---------
                                                                                   391,756          386,314          360,013
Intercompany sales between geographic areas:<F2>
     Americas                                                                       54,615           56,703           51,939
     Europe                                                                             57               32               14
     Asia Pacific                                                                      433            1,398              450
     Eliminations                                                                  (55,105)         (58,133)         (52,403)
                                                                                 ---------        ---------        ---------
Total sales                                                                      $ 391,756        $ 386,314        $ 360,013
                                                                                 =========        =========        =========
Operating profit:
     Americas                                                                    $  71,909        $  70,037        $  62,650
     Europe                                                                          9,153            1,916           (5,463)
     Asia Pacific                                                                    6,312            4,384            1,639
     Eliminations                                                                    1,203            1,139           (2,205)
                                                                                 ---------        ---------        ---------
                                                                                    88,577           77,476           56,621
General corporate expenses and corporate initiatives                               (34,977)         (31,585)         (31,272)
Interest expense                                                                      (831)          (2,335)          (1,923)
                                                                                 ---------        ---------        ---------
Earnings before income taxes                                                     $  52,769        $  43,556        $  23,426
                                                                                 =========        =========        =========
Assets:
     Americas                                                                    $ 180,467        $ 152,831        $ 163,201
     Europe                                                                         40,938           46,618           50,503
     Asia Pacific                                                                   26,492           26,985           26,605
     Corporate                                                                       6,536            1,643            2,444
     Eliminations                                                                   (6,619)         (10,244)         (14,368)
                                                                                 ---------        ---------        ---------
Total assets                                                                     $ 247,814        $ 217,833        $ 228,385
                                                                                 =========        =========        =========

<FN>
<F1>
1  Included are U.S. export sales to unaffiliated customers of $27,989, $29,549,
   and $23,408,  in 1996,  1995,  and 1994,  respectively.  
<F2>
2  Transfers between entities are made at prices which allow appropriate markups
   to the manufacturing and selling unit.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Net  earnings  (loss)  for   subsidiaries   operating   outside  the  U.S.  were
$10,468,000,   $12,506,000,   and   ($5,624,000)   for  1996,  1995,  and  1994,
respectively.

Retained  earnings for subsidiaries  operating  outside the U.S. were $8,872,000
and $4,373,000 for 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Net  transaction  and  translation  gains or losses,  included  in Other  income
(expense),  were  ($617,000),  $528,000,  and $366,000 for 1996, 1995, and 1994,
respectively.

                                       19

<PAGE>

C.  Inventories

Major components of inventories for the last two years were as follows:

(In thousands)                                                 1996       1995
- -------------------------------------------------------    --------    --------
Finished products and components                           $ 38,707    $ 40,335
Products and components in various stages of completion      24,691      22,597
Raw materials                                                15,192      13,152
                                                           --------    --------
                                                             78,590      76,084
Reduction to LIFO cost                                      (37,059)    (34,391)
                                                          $  41,531    $ 41,693
                                                           --------    --------

Inventories  valued under the LIFO method were  $26,303,000  and $23,783,000 for
1996 and 1995, respectively. All other inventory was valued on the FIFO method.

In 1995, certain inventory quantities were reduced,  resulting in liquidation of
LIFO inventory  quantities  carried at lower costs from prior years.  The effect
was to decrease net earnings in 1995 by approximately $100,000.

D.  Income Taxes

Earnings before income tax expense consist of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands)                                                             1996               1995               1994
- --------------                                                         --------           --------           --------
<S>                                                                    <C>                <C>                <C>     
Domestic                                                               $ 33,844           $ 27,247           $ 28,168
Foreign                                                                  18,925             16,309             (4,742)
                                                                       --------           --------           --------
Total                                                                  $ 52,769           $ 43,556           $ 23,426
                                                                       ========           ========           ========
</TABLE>

Income tax expense consists of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands)                                                             1996               1995               1994
- ---------------------                                                  --------           --------           --------
<S>                                                                    <C>                <C>                <C>     
Current:
   Domestic:
      Federal                                                          $ 10,518           $  9,629           $  9,383
      State and local                                                     1,201              1,591              1,030
   Foreign                                                                4,638              3,479              2,596
                                                                       --------           --------           --------
                                                                         16,357             14,699             13,009
                                                                       --------           --------           --------
Deferred:               
   Domestic                                                                (227)               227             (3,617)
   Foreign                                                                  470                924             (1,292)
                                                                       --------           --------           --------
                                                                            243              1,151             (4,909)
                                                                       --------           --------           --------
Total                                                                  $ 16,600           $ 15,850           $  8,100
                                                                       ========           ========           ========
</TABLE>

Income taxes paid were $14,967,000,  $16,019,000, and $12,136,000 in 1996, 1995,
and 1994, respectively.

A reconciliation  between the U.S. federal  statutory tax rate and the effective
tax rate is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         1996              1995              1994
                                                                         ----              ----              ----
<S>                                                                       <C>               <C>               <C>
Statutory tax rate                                                        35%               35%               35%
   Foreign earnings with (lower) higher tax rates                         (4)               (1)                2
   State taxes, net of federal effect                                      2                 2                 3
   U.S. general business tax credits                                      (1)               (1)               (3)
   Other                                                                  (1)                1                (2)
                                                                         ----              ----              ----
Effective tax rate                                                        31%               36%               35%
                                                                         ====              ====              ====
</TABLE>

                                       20

<PAGE>

Deferred  income taxes are provided for all  temporary  differences  between the
financial  reporting and the tax basis of assets and  liabilities.  The deferred
tax assets (liabilities) resulting from these differences are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(In thousands)                                                                           1996                   1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------                          --------               --------
<S>                                                                                  <C>                    <C>     
Inventory valuations                                                                 $  3,307               $  3,726
Cost reductions and severance accruals                                                    922                  1,115
Insurance accruals                                                                      3,669                  3,505
Vacation accruals                                                                       1,417                  1,378
Bad debt reserves                                                                       1,281                    961
Other                                                                                   1,037                    (77)
                                                                                     --------               --------
   Current                                                                             11,633                 10,608
                                                                                     --------               --------
Unremitted earnings of consolidated foreign subsidiaries<F1>                           (3,800)                (3,529)
Excess of tax over book depreciation                                                   (4,906)                (3,896)
Postretirement benefits                                                                 4,891                  4,653
Pension and deferred compensation                                                       5,352                  5,666
Net operating loss carryforward                                                         1,272                  4,404
Other                                                                                     594                  1,207
Valuation allowance                                                                    (1,995)                (5,015)
                                                                                     --------               --------
   Non-current                                                                          1,408                  3,490
                                                                                     --------               --------
Net deferred tax assets                                                              $ 13,041               $ 14,098
                                                                                     ========               ========
<FN>
<F1>
1  Payable at the time these earnings are distributed to the parent.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Net  non-current  deferred tax assets above are included in Other Assets.  Total
deferred tax assets were  $22,247,000  and  $23,040,000,  and total deferred tax
liabilities were $9,206,000 and $8,942,000 on December 27, 1996 and December 29,
1995, respectively. A valuation allowance of $1,995,000 and $5,015,000, has been
recorded as of December 27, 1996 and December 29, 1995, respectively,  primarily
related to the  uncertainty of obtaining tax benefits for  subsidiary  operating
losses.  The effect of these allowances has been considered in "Foreign earnings
with (lower) higher tax rates" in the Company's tax rate reconciliation.


E.  Debt
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(In thousands)                                                                                           1996           1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------              -------        -------
<S>                                                                                                   <C>            <C>    
Term debt, 5.05% at December 27, 1996, payable in equal annual installments through 1997              $   300        $   600
Industrial development refunding revenue bonds, 4.65% at December 27, 1996,
   payable through 2002 (property carried at $3,056 pledged as collateral)                              4,000          4,500
Obligations related to low-income housing investments                                                   3,205          4,063
Other                                                                                                   2,415          2,846
                                                                                                      -------        -------
Total long-term debt                                                                                    9,920         12,009
   Less current portion                                                                                 1,845          1,935
                                                                                                      -------        -------
Long-term portion                                                                                     $ 8,075        $10,074
                                                                                                      =======        =======

</TABLE>

Aggregate annual scheduled  maturities of long-term debt for the next five years
are   as    follows:    1997-$1,845,000;    1998-$1,796,000;    1999-$3,295,000;
2000-$1,123,000;  2001-$1,310,000.  Interest paid on debt during 1996, 1995, and
1994 amounted to $841,000,  $2,179,000, and $1,923,000,  respectively.  The fair
value of the  Company's  long-term  debt at December  27, 1996 and  December 29,
1995, is not materially different than its recorded value.

The Company has an interest  rate swap  agreement in place  whereby it fixed the
interest rate of the  remaining  principal  amounts of the Company's  previously
variable  interest rate revenue bond debt at 4.65 percent through 1997, at which
time the debt will  revert  back to a  variable  interest  rate.  The cash flows
related to the swap  agreement  are recorded as income when received and expense
when paid. Market and credit risk are not significant.

                                       21

<PAGE>

On December  27,  1996,  the  Company had lines of credit with U.S.  and foreign
banks of $70,379,000,  including a $25,000,000  revolving credit agreement.  The
unused  portion of these  credit  lines was  $66,666,000  at December  27, 1996.
Borrowing  rates  under  these  facilities  vary with the prime  rate,  rates on
domestic  certificates of deposit, and the London interbank market. The weighted
short-term  borrowing  rates were 3.6 percent and 2.2  percent,  at December 27,
1996 and December 29, 1995, respectively. The Company pays commitment fees of up
to 3/16  percent  per annum on the daily  average  unused  amounts on certain of
these lines. No compensating balances are required.

The Company is in compliance  with the covenants of its debt  agreements.  Under
the most  restrictive  terms of the  agreements,  approximately  $19,710,000  of
retained  earnings were  available for payment of cash dividends at December 27,
1996.

F.  Shareholders' Equity

Changes in shareholders' equity accounts are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(In thousands)                                                               1996                     1995                     1994
- --------------------------                                              ---------                ---------                ---------
<S>                                                                     <C>                      <C>                      <C>      
Preferred Stock
Balance, beginning of year                                              $      --                $   1,474                $   1,485
Shares repurchased                                                             --                   (1,474)                     (11)
                                                                        ---------                ---------                ---------
Balance, end of year                                                           --                       --                    1,474
                                                                        ---------                ---------                ---------
Common Stock
Balance, beginning of year                                                 17,265                   11,377                   11,449
Stock split                                                                    --                    5,754                       --
Shares issued                                                                 188                      143                      188
Shares repurchased                                                           (406)                      (9)                    (260)
                                                                        ---------                ---------                ---------
Balance, end of year                                                       17,047                   17,265                   11,377
                                                                        ---------                ---------                ---------
Additional Paid-In Capital
Balance, beginning of year                                                 20,397                   18,289                   19,813
Shares issued                                                               2,337                    2,342                    2,914
Shares repurchased                                                           (480)                    (234)                  (4,438)
                                                                        ---------                ---------                ---------
Balance, end of year                                                       22,254                   20,397                   18,289
                                                                        ---------                ---------                ---------
Retained Earnings
Balance, beginning of year                                                 64,949                   50,702                   42,430
Net income                                                                 36,169                   27,706                   15,326
Cash dividends declared                                                    (8,657)                  (7,705)                  (7,054)
Stock split                                                                    --                   (5,754)                      --
Shares repurchased                                                         (7,229)                      --                       --
                                                                        ---------                ---------                ---------
Balance, end of year                                                       85,232                   64,949                   50,702
                                                                        ---------                ---------                ---------
Other, Net
Balance, end of year                                                        1,517                      960                        9
                                                                        ---------                ---------                ---------
Total Shareholders' Equity                                              $ 126,050                $ 103,571                $  81,851
                                                                        =========                =========                =========
</TABLE>


At  December  27,  1996,  the  Company  had 22,549  authorized,  but not issued,
cumulative preferred shares. The Company also has authorized,  but not issued, a
separate class of 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $1 par value.

During 1995, the Company  redeemed all 14,740  outstanding  shares of cumulative
preferred  stock at the call  price of $105 per share  plus  accrued  and unpaid
dividends.  Prior to the  redemption,  the holders of the  cumulative  preferred
stock were entitled to fixed cumulative  dividends of 5 percent per annum on the
par value before cash dividends were paid or declared on common stock.

                                       22

<PAGE>

The Board of  Directors  approved a  three-for-two  stock split on December  15,
1995,  effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend  payable  February 7,
1996, to  shareholders of record on January 3, 1996.  Accordingly,  December 29,
1995  balances  reflect the split with an increase in common stock and reduction
in retained earnings of $5,754,000.  All stock option, share, and per share data
has been restated to reflect the split.

The Company maintains a Plan in which one preferred share purchase right (Right)
exists for each common share of the Company.  Each Right will entitle its holder
to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of a new series of junior participating
preferred stock at an exercise price of $80,  subject to adjustment.  The Rights
are exercisable  only if a person or group acquires  beneficial  ownership of 20
percent or more of the Company's  outstanding common stock. The Rights expire in
March 2000 and may be redeemed  earlier by the Board of  Directors  for $.01 per
Right.

G.  Employee Stock Ownership Plan

The Company has a leveraged  Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan (ESOP) under which
outstanding  debt was $300,000 and  $600,000,  at December 27, 1996 and December
29, 1995, respectively.  This is also the remaining balance of a concurrent loan
to the ESOP Trust from the  Company on the same  terms.  The  Company's  loan is
included in long-term  debt with the  receivable  from the ESOP in a like amount
recorded as a reduction of  shareholders'  equity  reflected  in the Other,  net
category.  The Company is  obligated  to make annual  contributions  to the ESOP
Trust through 1997 sufficient to repay the loan and interest thereon.

H.  Stock Option and Purchase Plans

Stock Option  Plans.  The Company has a Long Term Stock  Incentive  Plan,  under
which a total of 3,475,000  common shares have been reserved for issuance,  with
2,129,047 shares remaining reserved at December 27, 1996. Grants under this Plan
are in the form of restrictive share awards and stock options. Restrictive share
awards of 597,609  common shares have been made to certain key  employees  under
the Plan,  such  restrictions  lapsing  in 1997.  Compensation  cost  charged to
operations for the restricted share awards was $256,000,  $319,000, and $361,000
in 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. Stock options for 1,419,603 common shares
have also been granted  under the Plan.  The option price is the market price at
the  date  of  grant.  Options  become  exercisable  at  such  time  and in such
installments as set by the Company, and expire ten years from the date of grant.

In 1996,  the  shareholders  approved a Nonemployee  Director Stock Option Plan,
under  which the Company  makes  initial  and annual  grants to the  nonemployee
directors  of the  Company.  There are  200,000  common  shares  authorized  for
issuance under the Plan,  182,000 of which remained reserved at the end of 1996.
Nonemployee directors receive an initial option grant of 2,000 shares upon first
appointment or election and an annual option grant of 1,500 shares. The exercise
price of each option is the fair market value at the date of grant.  The options
have a ten-year  duration and may be exercised in equal  installments  over four
years, beginning one year from the date of grant.

Options  on common  shares  granted  and  outstanding,  as well as the  weighted
average exercise price, are shown below:

                                                               Weighted Average
                                                  Shares         Exercise Price
                                                 -------                 ------
Outstanding, December 31, 1993                   399,209                 $10.43
   Granted                                       387,555                  13.06
   Exercised                                     (78,315)                  9.37
   Canceled                                      (23,906)                 10.17
                                                 -------                 ------
Outstanding, December 30, 1994                   684,543                  12.00
   Granted                                       147,144                  18.90
   Exercised                                     (38,985)                  8.94
   Canceled                                      (88,839)                 11.49
                                                 -------                 ------
Outstanding, December 29, 1995                   703,863                  13.70
   Granted                                        70,026                  19.65
   Exercised                                     (29,120)                 12.03
   Canceled                                      (36,241)                 12.14
                                                 -------                 ------
Outstanding, December 27, 1996                   708,528                 $14.34
                                                 =======                 ======

                                       23
<PAGE>

The number of stock options  exercisable  was 232,729,  139,242,  and 110,774 at
December 27, 1996, December 29, 1995, and December 30, 1994, respectively. These
stock options had a weighted average exercise price per share of $11.96, $11.43,
and $10.24 at December  27,  1996,  December  29,  1995,  and December 30, 1994,
respectively.

Stock  Purchase  Plans.  Under  the  Company's  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan,
3,900,000 common shares have been authorized for sale to employees, 1,064,568 of
which  remained  unissued at the end of 1996.  The purchase  price of the shares
under the Plan is the lesser of 85 percent of the fair market value on the first
day or the last day of the Plan year.

In 1994,  the  shareholders  approved a  Nonemployee  Director  Stock Plan which
enables individual  nonemployee directors of the Company to elect to receive all
or part of a director's  annual  retainer in the form of shares of the Company's
common stock instead of cash. The company issued 1,521 and 485 shares under this
plan during 1996 and 1995, respectively.  No shares were issued during 1994. The
expense related to this plan is not significant.

The  Company  applies  Accounting  Principles  Board  Opinion No. 25 and related
interpretations   in  accounting  for  its  stock  option  and  purchase  plans.
Accordingly,  no  compensation  cost has been  recognized for the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan and stock options  granted under the Long Term  Incentive Plan and
the Nonemployee  Director Stock Option Plan.  Compensation  cost for these plans
determined  on  the  basis  of  fair  value  pursuant  to  SFAS  No.  123 is not
significant.

I.  Retirement Benefits

The  Company  has a  defined  contribution  plan,  under  Section  401(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code, which provides additional retirement benefits to all U.S.
employees who elect to  participate.  Currently,  the Company  matches  employee
contributions  at a  50  percent  rate,  up  to  3  percent  of  the  employee's
compensation.  Employer  contributions  were $841,000,  $852,000 and $850,000 in
1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively.

The  Company  has   noncontributory   defined  benefit  pension  plans  covering
substantially all U.S.  employees and directors and most of the employees of the
Company's non-U.S. subsidiairies.  For the U.S. plans, the benefits are based on
years of service and the highest  five  consecutive  years'  earnings in the ten
years  preceding  retirement.  The Company funds these plans annually in amounts
consistent with minimum funding  requirements  and maximum tax deduction  limits
and invests primarily in common stocks and bonds, including the Company's common
stock.  The market  value of the plans'  investment  in the common  stock of the
Company was  $11,070,000  and  $9,188,000  at December 27, 1996 and December 29,
1995,  respectively.  The  expenses  for these  plans  consist of the  following
components:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(In thousands)                                                       1996              1995              1994
- -----------------------------------------------------            --------          --------          --------
<S>                                                              <C>               <C>               <C>     
Service cost - benefits earned during the period                 $  2,366          $  2,385          $  2,499
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation                       4,699             4,561             4,301
Actual return on assets                                           (12,228)          (12,774)              579
Net amortization and deferral                                       6,254             7,879            (5,583)
Cost of pension plans which are not significant
  and have not adopted SFAS No. 87                                    171                65               312
                                                                 --------          --------          --------
Net periodic pension cost                                        $  1,262          $  2,116          $  2,108
                                                                 ========          ========          ========

</TABLE>

                                       24

<PAGE>

The plans' funded status and the amounts  recognized in the Company's  financial
statements are summarized below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1996                                 1995
                                                             --------------------------------      --------------------------------
                                                               Plans Whose        Plans Whose        Plans Whose        Plans Whose
                                                             Assets Exceed        Accumulated      Assets Exceed        Accumulated
                                                               Accumulated           Benefits        Accumulated           Benefits
(In thousands)                                                    Benefits      Exceed Assets           Benefits      Exceed Assets
- -----------------------------------                          -------------      -------------      -------------      -------------

<S>                                                              <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>     
Actuarial present value:
   Vested benefit obligation                                      $ 55,688           $  4,340           $ 51,266           $  5,444
   Accumulated benefit obligation                                 $ 60,609           $  4,772           $ 56,461           $  5,947
                                                             =============      =============      =============      =============
   Projected benefit obligation                                   $ 67,921           $  6,258           $ 64,240           $  7,437
Plan assets at fair value                                           76,797                 --             66,182                 --
                                                             -------------      -------------      -------------      -------------

Projected benefit obligation (in
   excess of) less than plan assets                                  8,876             (6,258)             1,942             (7,437)
Unrecognized net (gain) loss                                       (18,553)                43            (11,263)               656
Unrecognized net (asset) liability
    being amortized                                                   (128)               144               (142)               255
Adjustment required to recognize
    minimum liability                                                   --               (327)                --               (473)
                                                             -------------      -------------      -------------      -------------
Accrued pension cost                                             ($  9,805)         ($  6,398)         ($  9,463)         ($  6,999)
                                                             =============      =============      =============      =============

</TABLE>

Major assumptions at year-end:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     1996                 1995                  1994
                                                                                ----------           ----------           ----------
<S>                                                                             <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Discount rate                                                                       4 - 7%               4 - 7%           4 - 7 1/2%
Rate of increase in future compensation levels                                  2 1/2 - 7%           2 1/2 - 7%               3 - 7%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets                                        9%                   9%                   9%
                                                                                ----------           ----------           ----------
</TABLE>

In addition to providing pension  benefits,  the Company pays part of the health
insurance costs for its retired U.S. employees and their dependents.

The Company's  retiree  health benefit  expense for 1996,  1995, and 1994 was as
follows:

(In thousands)                                 1996          1995          1994
- -------------------                         -------       -------       -------


Service cost                                $   457      $    496      $    503
Interest cost                                   924           890           947
                                            -------       -------       -------
Net benefit expense                         $ 1,381       $ 1,386       $ 1,450
                                            =======       =======       =======

The Company's  policy is to fund these benefits on a  pay-as-you-go  basis.  The
actuarial  present  value of these  health  benefit  obligations  and the amount
recognized in the consolidated balance sheets were as follows:

(In thousands)                                               1996         1995
- ----------------------------------------------          ----------   ----------
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
   Retirees and beneficiaries                           ($  6,000)   ($  4,684)
   Fully eligible active plan participants                 (2,531)      (2,657)
   Other active plan participants                          (5,738)      (6,067)
                                                        ----------   ----------
Accumulated benefit obligations                           (14,269)     (13,408)
   Unrecognized net loss                                      415          114
                                                        ----------   ----------
Accrued postretirement benefit cost                     ($ 13,854)   ($ 13,294)
                                                        ==========   ==========

The Company's  retirement  medical  benefit plan limits the annual cost increase
that will be paid by the Company.  In measuring the  Accumulated  Postretirement
Benefit  Obligation (APBO), a 6 percent maximum annual trend rate for healthcare
costs was assumed for the year ending December 27, 1996. This rate is assumed to
remain  constant  through the year 2001,  decline by 1/2 percent for each of the
following  three years to 4.5 percent and remain at that level  thereafter.  The
discount rate  assumption at year-end for 1996,  1995, and 1994 was 7.0 percent,
7.0 percent, and 7.5 percent, respectively. If 

                                       25

<PAGE>

the  assumed  healthcare  cost trend rate  changed by 1 percent,  the APBO as of
December 27, 1996 would change by 14.4 percent. The effect of a 1 percent change
in the cost trend rate on the service and interest  cost  components  of the net
periodic postretirement benefits expense would be a change of 16.5 percent.

J.  Commitments and Contingencies

Lease  Commitments.  Aggregate  annual rental  commitments at December 27, 1996,
under  operating  leases with  noncancelable  terms of more than one year,  were
$7,031,000, payable as follows:

                                                   Vehicles &
(In thousands)                     Buildings        Equipment           Total
- --------------                     ---------       ----------         -------
 1997                                $ 1,993         $    751         $ 2,744
 1998                                  1,630              434           2,064
 1999                                    844              187           1,031
 2000                                    492               66             558
 2001                                    182               15             197
 Thereafter                              437               --             437
                                   ---------       ----------         -------
                                     $ 5,578          $ 1,453         $ 7,031
                                   =========       ==========         =======

Total  rental  expense  was  $3,815,000  for  1996,  $4,722,000  for  1995,  and
$4,103,000 for 1994.

Contingencies.  The Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the
normal course of business activities, none of which, in management's opinion, is
expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company's consolidated results
of operations or its financial position.

Item  9.  Changes  in and  Disagreements  With  Accountants  on  Accounting  and
Financial Disclosure

None.

                                       26

<PAGE>

PART III

Part III,  Items 10, 11, 12 and 13, except for certain  information  relating to
Executive Officers included in Part I, is omitted as the Company intends to file
with the Securities and Exchange  Commission within 120 days of the close of the
fiscal year ended  December 27, 1996, a definitive  proxy  statement  containing
such  information  pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities  Exchange Act of
1934 and such information shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference
from the date of filing such document.

The Company  knows of no  contractual  arrangements  which may, at a  subsequent
date, result in a change in control of the Company.


PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedule, and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)  The following documents are filed as part of this report:

     (1)  Financial Statements See Part II

     (2)  Financial  Statement  Schedule                                    Page
          -  Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts..................28

          All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable,
          or not required, or because the required information is included
          in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.

(3)  Management Contract, Compensatory Plan or Arrangement. 
     (See Exhibit Index.).....................................................30
     Those entries marked by an asterisk are Management Contracts,
     Compensatory Plans or Arrangements

(b)  Reports  on Form 8-K
     There  were no  reports  on Form 8-K for the  thirteen
     weeks ended December 27, 1996.

(c)  Exhibit Index............................................................30

                                       27

<PAGE>

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
GRACO INC. & Subsidiaries

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(In thousands)
                                                                                Additions
                                                               Balance at      charged to     Deductions
                                                                beginning       costs and           from       Balance at
Description                                                       of year        expenses       reserves      end of year          
                                                               ----------      ----------     ----------      -----------
<S>                                                               <C>             <C>           <C>               <C>    
Year ended December 27, 1996:
   Allowance for doubtful accounts                                $ 2,800         $   900       $  1,300 <F1>     $ 2,400
   Allowance for obsolete and overstock inventory                   5,900           2,500          3,300 <F2>       5,100
   Allowance for returns and credits                                2,000           4,100          3,800 <F3>       2,300
   Valuation allowance for tax benefits                             5,020              --          3,025            1,995
                                                                  -------         -------       --------          -------
                                                                  $15,720         $ 7,500       $ 11,425          $11,795
                                                                  =======         =======       ========          =======
Year ended December 29, 1995:
   Allowance for doubtful accounts                                $ 2,700         $   700         $  600 <F1>     $ 2,800
   Allowance for obsolete and overstock inventory                   6,400           1,400          1,900 <F2>       5,900
   Allowance for returns and credits                                2,000           3,400          3,400 <F3>       2,000
   Valuation allowance for tax benefits                             6,900              --          1,880            5,020
                                                                  -------         -------       --------          -------
                                                                  $18,000         $ 5,500       $  7,780          $15,720
                                                                  =======         =======       ========          =======
Year ended December 30, 1994:
   Allowance for doubtful accounts                                $ 2,200         $ 1,200        $   700 <F1>     $ 2,700
   Allowance for obsolete and overstock inventory                   5,500           3,100          2,200 <F2>       6,400
   Allowance for returns and credits                                1,900           2,000          1,900 <F3>       2,000
   Valuation allowance for tax benefits                             2,740           4,160             --            6,900
                                                                  -------         -------       --------          -------
                                                                  $12,340         $10,460       $  4,800          $18,000
                                                                  =======         =======       ========          =======

<FN>
<F1>
1  Accounts  determined to be uncollectible and charged against reserve,  net of
   collections on accounts previously charged against reserves.
<F2>
2  Items scrapped or otherwise disposed of during the year.
<F3>
3  Credits issued and returns processed, related to prior years.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                       28

<PAGE>

Signatures

Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Graco Inc.


  /s/GEORGE ARISTIDES                                 March 19, 1997
  -------------------------------------               --------------
  George Aristides
  President and Chief Executive Officer




Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed by the following  persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.


  /s/GEORGE ARISTIDES                                 March 19, 1997
  -------------------------------------               --------------
  George Aristides
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  (Principal Executive Officer)


  /s/MARK W. SHEAHAN                                  March 19, 1997
  -------------------------------------               --------------
  Mark W. Sheahan
  Treasurer
  (Principal Financial Officer)


  /s/JAMES A. GRANER                                  March 19, 1997
  -------------------------------------               --------------
  James A. Graner
  Vice President and Controller
  (Principal Accounting Officer)




D. A. Koch             Director, Chairman of the Board
G. Aristides           Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
R. O. Baukol           Director
R. D. McFarland        Director
L. R. Mitau            Director
M. A.M. Morfitt        Director
D. R. Olseth           Director
C. M. Osborne          Director
W. G. Van Dyke         Director

George Aristides,  by signing his name hereto, does hereby sign this document on
behalf  of  himself  and each of the above  named  directors  of the  Registrant
pursuant to powers of attorney duly executed by such persons.


  /s/GEORGE ARISTIDES                                 March 19, 1997
  -------------------------------------               --------------
  George Aristides
  (For himself and as attorney-in-fact)

                                       29

<PAGE>

Exhibit Index

       Exhibit
        Number      Description
       -------      ------------------------------------------------------------
          3.1       Restated Articles of Incorporation. See also Exhibit 4.3.

          3.2       Restated Bylaws.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to
                    the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated January 12, 1988.)

          3.3       Bylaws Amendment. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to
                    the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated March 1, 1990.)

          4.1       Credit Agreement dated October 1, 1990,  between the Company
                    and  First  Bank  National  Association.   (Incorporated  by
                    reference to Exhibit 5 to the Company's  Report on Form 10-Q
                    for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 1990.)

          4.2       Amendment 1 dated June 12, 1992, to Credit  Agreement  dated
                    October 1, 1990, between the Company and First Bank National
                    Association; and Amendment 2 dated December 31, 1992, to the
                    same Agreement.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 1 to
                    the  Company's  Report  on Form 8-K dated  March 11,  1993.)
                    Amendment 3 dated  November 8, 1993,  and Amendment 4, dated
                    February 8, 1994.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2
                    to the Company's 1993 Annual Report on Form 10-K.) Amendment
                    5, dated  April 10,  1995.  (Incorporated  by  reference  to
                    Exhibit  4.2 to the  Company's  1995  Annual  Report on Form
                    10-K.) Amendment 6, dated September 27, 1996.  (Incorporated
                    by  reference to Exhibit 4 to the  Company's  Report on Form
                    10-Q for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 1996.)

                    Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K, copies of
                    certain  instruments  defining  the  rights  of  holders  of
                    certain  long-term debt of the Company and its  subsidiaries
                    are  not  filed  as  exhibits  because  the  amount  of debt
                    authorized  under  any such  instrument  does not  exceed 10
                    percent  of  the  total   assets  of  the  Company  and  its
                    subsidiaries.  The Company  agrees to furnish copies thereof
                    to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

          4.3       Rights  Agreement  dated as of March 9,  1990,  between  the
                    Company and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as
                    Rights  Agent,  including  as  Exhibit  A the  form  of  the
                    Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series
                    A Junior  Participating  Preferred Shares.  (Incorporated by
                    reference to Exhibit 1 to the  Company's  Report on Form 8-K
                    dated March 19, 1990.)

          *10.1     1996   Corporate   and  Business  Unit  Annual  Bonus  Plan.
                    (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's
                    Report on Form 10-Q for the twenty-six  weeks ended June 28,
                    1996.)

          *10.2     Deferred  Compensation Plan Restated,  effective December 1,
                    1992.  (Incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  2  to  the
                    Company's Report on Form 8-K dated March 11, 1993.)

          *10.3     Executive   Deferred   Compensation   Agreement.   Form   of
                    supplementary  agreement  entered into by the Company  which
                    provides a  retirement  benefit to  executive  officers,  as
                    amended  by  Amendment  1,  effective   September  1,  1990.
                    (Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 3 to the  Company's
                    Report on Form 8-K dated March 11, 1993.)

          *10.4     Chairman's Award Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                    3 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated March 7, 1988.)

                                       30

<PAGE>

          *10.5     Executive Long Term Incentive Agreements. Form of restricted
                    stock award agreement used for awards to executive officers.
                    (Incorporated  by reference to Attachment B to Item 5 to the
                    Company's  Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen  weeks ended
                    March 29,  1991.) Form of restricted  stock award  agreement
                    used for awards to Chairman.  (Incorporated  by reference to
                    Attachment A to Item 5 to the Company's  Report on Form 10-Q
                    for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 1991.)

          *10.6     Executive Long Term Incentive  Agreement.  Form of agreement
                    used  for  restricted  stock  awards  to two  new  officers.
                    (Incorporated  by  reference  to  Attachment  B to Company's
                    Report on Form 10-Q for the  thirteen  weeks ended March 27,
                    1992.)

          *10.7     Executive Long Term Incentive  Agreement.  Form of agreement
                    used for one year  restricted  stock  award to one  officer.
                    (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 2 to Company's Report
                    on Form 10-Q for the twenty-six weeks ended June 25, 1993.)

          *10.8     Long Term Stock Incentive Plan as amended.  (Incorporated by
                    reference  to Exhibit 10.2 to the  Company's  Report on Form
                    10-Q for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 1996.)

          *10.9     Retirement Plan for Non-Employee Directors. (Incorporated by
                    reference to Attachment C to Item 5 to the Company's  Report
                    on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 1991.)

          *10.10    Deferred  Compensation  Plan  for  Non-Employee   Directors.
                    (Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 2 to the  Company's
                    Report on Form 8-K dated March 7, 1988.)

          *10.11    Restoration Plan,  restating Excess Benefit Plan,  effective
                    as of July 1, 1988.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1
                    to the Company's  Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks
                    ended March 26, 1993.)

          *10.12    Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for incentive
                    stock  option/alternative  stock appreciation right award to
                    selected officers, dated February 25, 1993. (Incorporated by
                    reference  to Exhibit  10.14 to the  Company's  1993  Annual
                    Report on Form 10-K.)

          *10.13    Stock  Option   Agreement.   Form  of  agreement   used  for
                    non-incentive  stock  option/alternative  stock appreciation
                    right  award  to  selected  officers,  dated  May  4,  1993.
                    (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company's
                    1993 Annual Report on Form 10-K.)

          *10.14    Nonemployee  Director Stock Plan  (Incorporated by reference
                    to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the
                    twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 1994.)

          *10.15    Stock Option Agreement.  Form of agreement used for award of
                    non-incentive stock options to executive officers, dated May
                    2, 1994.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the
                    Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the twenty-six weeks ended
                    July 1, 1994.)

          *10.16    Stock Option Agreement.  Form of agreement used for award of
                    non-incentive  stock  options to  selected  officers,  dated
                    December 15, 1994,  December 27, 1994 and February 23, 1995.
                    (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's
                    1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K.)

          *10.17    Stock Option Agreement.  Form of agreement used for award of
                    non-incentive  stock  options to executive  officers,  dated
                    March 1, 1995.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10 to
                    the  Company's  Report on Form 10-Q for the  thirteen  weeks
                    ended March 31, 1995.)

          *10.18    Stock Option Agreement.  Form of agreement used for award of
                    non-incentive  stock option to one executive officer,  dated
                    December  15,  1995.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
                    10.18 to the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K.)

                                       31

<PAGE>

          *10.19    Stock Option Agreement.  Form of agreement used for award of
                    non-incentive  stock  options to executive  officers,  dated
                    March 1, 1996.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.19
                    to the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K.)

          *10.20    Salary  protection  arrangement with one executive  officer.
                    (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company's
                    1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K.)

          *10.21    Form of salary  protection  arrangement  between the Company
                    and  executive  officers.   (Incorporated  by  reference  to
                    Exhibit  10.21  the  Company's  1995  Annual  Report on form
                    10-K.)

          *10.22    Nonemployee  Director  Stock Option Plan.  (Incorporated  by
                    reference  to Exhibit 10.3 to the  Company's  Report on Form
                    10-Q for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 1996.)

          *10.23    Stock Option Agreement.  Form of agreement used for award of
                    nonstatutory stock options to nonemployee  directors,  dated
                    May 7, 1996.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to
                    the Company's  Report on Form 10-Q for the twenty-six  weeks
                    ended June 28, 1996.)

          *10.24    Stock Option Agreement.  Form of agreement used for award of
                    non-incentive  stock  options to executive  officers,  dated
                    February 28, 1997.

          *10.25    Stock Option Agreement Amendment.  Form of amendment,  dated
                    March 8, 1997, used to remove alternative stock appreciation
                    right from incentive  stock option  agreement dated February
                    25, 1993, for selected officers.

          *10.26    Stock Option Agreement Amendment.  Form of amendment,  dated
                    March 8, 1997, used to remove alternative stock appreciation
                    right from non-incentive stock option agreement dated May 4,
                    1993, for selected officers.

          11        Statement  of  Computation  of Earnings  per share  included
                    herein on page 33.

          21        Subsidiaries of the Registrant included herein on page 34.

          23        Independent Auditor's Consent included herein on page 34.

          24        Power of Attorney included herein on page 35.

          27        Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR filing only).

          99        Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.

   *Management Contracts, Compensatory Plans or Arrangements.

                                       32


Exhibit Number 11
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Graco Inc. & Subsidiaries

Computation of Per Share Earnings
                                                                                                      Years Ended
                                                                                       ------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share amounts)                                               December 27,   December 29,   December 30,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------               1996           1995           1994
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>            <C>            <C>    
PRIMARY
Net earnings applicable to common stock:
   Net earnings                                                                             $36,169        $27,706        $15,326
   Less dividends on preferred stock                                                             --             61             74
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                            $36,169        $27,645        $15,252
                                                                                       ============   ============   ============ 
Average number of common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding:
   Average number of common shares outstanding                                               17,229         17,214         17,309
   Dilutive effect of stock options computed based on
     the treasury stock method using average market price                                       255            206             63
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                             17,484         17,420         17,372
Net earnings per common share and common equivalent share                                   $  2.07        $  1.59        $   .88
                                                                                       ============   ============   ============ 
FULLY DILUTED
Net earnings applicable to common stock:
   Net earnings                                                                             $36,169        $27,706        $15,326
   Less dividends on preferred stock                                                             --             61             74
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                            $36,169        $27,645        $15,252
                                                                                       ============   ============   ============ 
Average number of common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding:
   Average number of common shares outstanding                                               17,229         17,214         17,309
   Dilutive effect of stock options computed based on the treasury stock
     method using the year end market price, if higher than average market price                277            227             73
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                             17,506         17,441         17,382
Net earnings per common share and common equivalent share                                   $  2.07        $  1.59        $   .88
                                                                                       ============   ============   ============ 

</TABLE>
                                       33


Exhibit 21

Subsidiaries of Graco Inc.

The following are subsidiaries of the Company:

                                       Jurisdiction        Percentage of Voting
                                       of                  Securities Owned by
   Subsidiary                          Organization        the Company
   ----------                          ------------        --------------------

   Graco A.S.                          Norway                   100%
   Graco Barbados FSC Limited          Barbados                 100%
   Graco Canada Incorporated           Canada                   100%
   Graco Chile Limitada                Chile                    100%*
   Graco do Brasil Limitada            Brazil                   100%*
   Graco Europe N.V.                   Belgium                  100%*
   Graco GmbH                          Germany                  100%
   Graco Hong Kong Limited             Hong Kong                100%*
   Graco K.K.                          Japan                    100%
   Graco Korea Inc.                    Korea                    100%
   Graco Limited                       England                  100%*
   Graco N.V.                          Belgium                  100%*
   Graco S.A.                          France                   100%*
   Graco S.r.l.                        Italy                    100%*

* Includes shares held by selected  directors and/or  executive  officers of the
  Company or the relevant subsidiary to satisfy the requirements of local law.

The Registrant has additional subsidiaries, which considered in the aggregate as
a single subsidiary, do not constitute a significant subsidiary.


Exhibit 23

Independent Auditors' Consent

We consent to the  incorporation  by reference  in  Registration  Statement  No.
333-17691  on Form S-8 (the  Company's  Long  Term  Stock  Incentive  Plan),  in
Registration  Statement No. 333-17787 on Form S-8 (the Company's  Employee Stock
Purchase  Plan),  in  Registration  Statement  No.  33-54205  on Form  S-8  (the
Company's  Nonemployee  Director Stock Plan) and in  Registration  Statement No.
333-03459 on Form S-8 (the Company's  Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan) of
our report dated January 20, 1997,  appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
of Graco Inc. for the year ended December 27, 1996.




Deloitte & Touche LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 17, 1997

                                       34


Exhibit 24

Power of Attorney

Know all by these  presents,  that each person  whose  signature  appears  below
hereby  constitutes  and  appoints  George  Aristides or Mark W.  Sheahan,  that
person's  true  and  lawful  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  with  full  power of
substitution and resubstitution for that person and in that person's name, place
and stead,  in any and all  capacities,  to sign the Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 27, 1996, of Graco Inc. (and any and all amendments thereto)
and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  granting unto
said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each
and every  act and  thing  requisite  or  necessary  to be done in and about the
premises,  as fully to all intents and purposes as that person might or could do
in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all that said  attorney-in-fact  and
agent, or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

In witness  whereof,  this Power of Attorney  has been  signed by the  following
persons on the date indicated.

                                                  Date
                                                  -----------------


         /s/G. ARISTIDES                          February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         G. Aristides


         /s/R. O. BAUKOL                          February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         R. O. Baukol


         /s/D. A. KOCH                            February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         D. A. Koch


         /s/R. D. MCFARLAND                       February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         R. D. McFarland


         /s/L. R. MITAU                           February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         L. R. Mitau


         /s/M. A.M. MORFITT                       February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         M. A.M. Morfitt


         /s/D. R. OLSETH                          February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         D. R. Olseth


         /s/C. M. OSBORNE                         February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         C. M. Osborne


         /s/W. G. VAN DYKE                        February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         W. G. Van Dyke
                                       35


Exhibit 10.24

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                                    (NON-ISO)


     THIS  AGREEMENT,  made this  _____  day of  ______________,  199__,  by and
between  Graco  Inc.,  a  Minnesota   corporation   (the   "Company")  and  (the
"Employee").

     WITNESSETH THAT:

     WHEREAS, the Company pursuant to it's Long-Term Incentive Stock Plan wishes
to grant this stock option to Employee;

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants
herein contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:


     1.   Grant of Option

          The  Company   hereby  grants  to  Employee,   the  right  and  option
          (hereinafter  called the  "option")  to purchase all or any part of an
          aggregate of Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share, at the price of
          $ per share on the terms and conditions set forth herein.


     2.   Duration and Exercisability

          A.   This option may not be exercised by Employee until the expiration
               of two (2) years from the date of grant, and this option shall in
               all  events  terminate  ten (10)  years  after the date of grant.
               During the first two years from the date of grant of this option,
               no  portion  of this  option may be  exercised.  Thereafter  this
               option shall become  exercisable in four cumulative  installments
               of 25% as follows:

                                                     Total Portion of Option
                          Date                        Which is Exercisable
                  Two Years after Date of Grant               25%
                  Three Years after Date of Grant             50%
                  Four Years after Date of Grant              75%
                  Five Years after Date of Grant             100%

               In the event that  Employee does not purchase in any one year the
               full  number of shares of Common  Stock of the  Company  to which
               he/she is entitled under this option,  he/she may, subject to the
               terms and conditions of Section 3 hereof, purchase such shares of
               Common  Stock  in any  subsequent  year  during  the term of this
               option.

          B.   During  the  lifetime  of  the  Employee,  the  option  shall  be
               exercisable  only by  him/her  and  shall  not be  assignable  or
               transferable  by  him/her  otherwise  than by will or the laws of
               descent and distribution.


     3.   Effect of Termination of Employment

          A.   In the event that  Employee  shall  cease to be  employed  by the
               Company or its  subsidiaries  for any reason  other than  his/her
               gross and willful  misconduct,  death,  retirement (as defined in
               Section 3(d) below),  or  disability  (as defined in Section 3(d)
               below),  Employee  shall have the right to exercise the option at
               any time within one month after such termination of employment to
               the extent of the full  number of shares  he/she was  entitled to
               purchase under the option on the date of termination,  subject to
               the  condition  that no  option  shall be  exercisable  after the
               expiration of the term of the option.

          B.   In the event that  Employee  shall  cease to be  employed  by the
               Company  or its  subsidiaries  by  reason  of  his/her  gross and
               willful  misconduct  during  the  course of  his/her  employment,
               including  but not limited to wrongful  appropriation  of Company
               funds  or  the  commission  of a  felony,  the  option  shall  be
               terminated as of the date of the misconduct.

          C.   If the Employee shall die while in the employ of the Company or a
               subsidiary  or within one month after  termination  of employment
               for any reason other than gross and willful  misconduct and shall
               not have fully exercised the option,  all remaining  shares shall
               become  immediately  exercisable and such option may be exercised
               at any time  within  twelve  months  after  his/her  death by the
               executors or  administrators  of the Employee or by any person or
               persons  to  whom  the  option  is  transferred  by  will  or the
               applicable laws of descent and  distribution,  and subject to the
               condition  that  no  option  shall  be   exercisable   after  the
               expiration of the term of the option.

          D.   If the Employee's  termination of employment is due to retirement
               (either  after  attaining  age 55 with 10  years of  service,  or
               attaining age 65, or due to disability  within the meaning of the
               provisions of the Graco Long-Term Disability Plan), all remaining
               shares shall become immediately exercisable and the option may be
               exercised  by the  Employee at any time within three years of the
               employee's  retirement,  or in  the  event  of the  death  of the
               Employee  within the  three-year  period  after  retirement,  the
               option may be  exercised at any time within  twelve  months after
               his/her death by the executors or  administrators of the Employee
               or by any person or persons to whom the option is  transferred by
               will or the applicable laws of descent and  distribution,  to the
               extent of the full  number  of  shares  he/she  was  entitled  to
               purchase  under the option on the date of death,  and  subject to
               the  condition  that no  option  shall be  exercisable  after the
               expiration of the term of the option.


     4.   Manner of Exercise

          A.   The option can be  exercised  only by  Employee  or other  proper
               party within the option period  delivering  written notice to the
               Company  at  its  principal  office  in  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,
               stating  the  number of  shares  as to which the  option is being
               exercised and, except as provided in Section 4(c), accompanied by
               payment-in-full  of the option price for all shares designated in
               the notice.

          B.   The Employee  may, at Employee's  election,  pay the option price
               either by check (bank check,  certified check, or personal check)
               or by delivering to the Company for cancellation Common Shares of
               the Company with a fair market  value equal to the option  price.
               For these purposes, the fair market value of the Company's Common
               Shares  shall be the  closing  price of the Common  Shares on the
               date of exercise on the New York Stock  Exchange  (the "NYSE") or
               on the principal national securities exchange on which the shares
               are  traded if the  shares  are not then  traded on the NYSE.  If
               there is not a quotation available for such day, then the closing
               price on the next preceding day for which such a quotation exists
               shall be  determinative  of fair market value.  If the shares are
               not then traded on an  exchange,  the fair market  value shall be
               the  average of the  closing  bid and asked  prices of the Common
               Shares as  reported by the  National  Association  of  Securities
               Dealers Automated  Quotation System. If the Common Shares are not
               then  traded on NASDAQ or on an  exchange,  then the fair  market
               value shall be  determined  in such  manner as the Company  shall
               deem reasonable.

          C.   The Employee may, with the consent of the Company, pay the option
               price by arranging for the  immediate  sale of some or all of the
               shares issued upon exercise of the option by a securities  dealer
               and the  payment to the Company by the  securities  dealer of the
               option exercise price.


     5.   Payment of Withholding Taxes

          Upon exercise of any portion of this option, Employee shall pay to the
          Company an amount  sufficient to satisfy any federal,  state, or local
          withholding tax  requirements  which arise as a result of the exercise
          of the option or provide the Company with satisfactory indemnification
          for such payment.


     6.   Change of Control

          A.   Notwithstanding  Section  2(a)  hereof,  the entire  option shall
               become  immediately and fully  exercisable on the day following a
               "Change of Control"  and shall  remain  fully  exercisable  until
               either  exercised or expiring by its terms. A "Change of Control"
               means:

               (1)  acquisition by any individual,  entity, or group (within the
                    meaning of Section  13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act
                    of 1934), (a "Person"),  of beneficial ownership (within the
                    meaning of Rule 13d-3  under the 1934 Act) which  results in
                    the  beneficial  ownership  by such Person of 25% or more of
                    either

                    (a)  the then  outstanding  shares  of  Common  Stock of the
                         Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or

                    (b)  the  combined  voting  power  of the  then  outstanding
                         voting  securities  of the  Company  entitled  to  vote
                         generally   in   the   election   of   directors   (the
                         "Outstanding  Company  Voting  Securities");

                    provided,  however, that the following acquisitions will not
                    result in a Change of Control:

                        (i) an acquisition directly from the Company,
                                   
                        (ii) an acquisition by the Company,

                        (iii) an  acquisition  by an employee  benefit  plan (or
                        related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or
                        any corporation controlled by the Company,
                                   
                        (iv) an  acquisition by any Person who is deemed to have
                        beneficial  ownership  of the  Company  common  stock or
                        other Company voting securities owned by the Trust Under
                        the Will of Clarissa L. Gray ("Trust Person"),  provided
                        that such  acquisition does not result in the beneficial
                        ownership  by such  Person of 32% or more of either  the
                        Outstanding  Company  Common  Stock  or the  Outstanding
                        Company Voting Securities, and provided further that for
                        purposes of this  Section 6, a Trust Person shall not be
                        deemed  to  have  beneficial  ownership  of the  Company
                        common stock or other Company voting securities owned by
                        The Graco Foundation or any employee benefit plan of the
                        Company,  including,   without  limitations,  the  Graco
                        Employee  Retirement  Plan and the Graco  Employee Stock
                        Ownership Plan,
                                 
                        (v) an  acquisition  by the  Employee  or any group that
                        includes the Employee, or

                        (vi) an  acquisition  by any  corporation  pursuant to a
                        transaction that complies with clauses (a), (b), and (c)
                        of subsection (4) below; and

                    provided, further, that if any Person's beneficial ownership
                    of the  Outstanding  Company  Common  Stock  or  Outstanding
                    Company  Voting  Securities  is 25% or more as a result of a
                    transaction  described in clause (i) or (ii) above, and such
                    Person  subsequently   acquires   beneficial   ownership  of
                    additional  Outstanding  Company Common Stock or Outstanding
                    Company Voting Securities as a result of a transaction other
                    than  that  described  in  clause  (i) or (ii)  above,  such
                    subsequent  acquisition  will be treated  as an  acquisition
                    that   causes  such  Person  to  own  25%  or  more  of  the
                    Outstanding  Company  Common  Stock or  Outstanding  Company
                    Voting  Securities  and be deemed a Change of  Control;  and
                    provided further, that in the event any acquisition or other
                    transaction occurs which results in the beneficial ownership
                    of 32% or more of  either  the  Outstanding  Company  Common
                    Stock or the  Outstanding  Company Voting  Securities by any
                    Trust  Person,  the  Incumbent  Board may by  majority  vote
                    increase the threshold  beneficial ownership percentage to a
                    percentage above 32% for any Trust Person; or

               (2)  Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board
                    of Directors of the Company (the  "Incumbent  Board")  cease
                    for any reason to  constitute  at least a  majority  of said
                    Board;  provided,  however,  that any individual  becoming a
                    director  subsequent to the date hereof whose  election,  or
                    nomination for election by the Company's  shareholders,  was
                    approved by a vote of at least a majority  of the  directors
                    then  comprising  the Incumbent  Board will be considered as
                    though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board,
                    but excluding,  for this purpose,  any such individual whose
                    initial  membership  on the  Board  occurs as a result of an
                    actual or  threatened  election  contest with respect to the
                    election  or  removal  of   directors  or  other  actual  or
                    threatened  solicitation  of  proxies or  consents  by or on
                    behalf of a Person other than the Board; or

               (3)  The  commencement  or announcement of an intention to make a
                    tender offer or exchange  offer,  the  consummation of which
                    would result in the beneficial  ownership by a Person of 25%
                    or  more  of  the   Outstanding   Company  Common  Stock  or
                    Outstanding Company Voting Securities; or

               (4)  The  approval  by  the  shareholders  of  the  Company  of a
                    reorganization, merger, consolidation, or statutory exchange
                    of Outstanding  Company Common Stock or Outstanding  Company
                    Voting  Securities  or sale or other  disposition  of all or
                    substantially  all of the assets of the  Company  ("Business
                    Combination")   or,  if   consummation   of  such   Business
                    Combination  is  subject,  at the time of such  approval  by
                    stockholders,   to  the   consent  of  any   government   or
                    governmental  agency,  the obtaining of such consent (either
                    explicitly  or  implicitly   by   consummation)   excluding,
                    however, such a Business combination pursuant to which

                    (a)  all  or  substantially   all  of  the  individuals  and
                         entities  who  were  the   beneficial   owners  of  the
                         Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company
                         Voting  Securities  immediately  prior to such Business
                         Combination  beneficially  own, directly or indirectly,
                         more than 80% of,  respectively,  the then  outstanding
                         shares of common stock and the combined voting power of
                         the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
                         generally in the election of directors, as the case may
                         be, of the  corporation  resulting  from such  Business
                         Combination   (including,    without   limitation,    a
                         corporation  that as a result of such  transaction owns
                         the  Company  or  all  or  substantially   all  of  the
                         Company's assets either directly or through one or more
                         subsidiaries) in substantially  the same proportions as
                         their  ownership,  immediately  prior to such  Business
                         Combination of the Outstanding  Company Common Stock or
                         Outstanding Company Voting Securities,

                    (b)  no Person  [excluding  any  employee  benefit  plan (or
                         related  trust)  of the  Company  or  such  corporation
                         resulting from such Business Combination]  beneficially
                         owns,  directly or indirectly,  25% or more of the then
                         outstanding  shares of common stock of the  corporation
                         resulting   from  such  Business   Combination  or  the
                         combined  voting power of the then  outstanding  voting
                         securities  of such  corporation  except to the  extent
                         that  such  ownership  existed  prior  to the  Business
                         Combination, and

                    (c)  at least a  majority  of the  members  of the  board of
                         directors  of  the  corporation   resulting  from  such
                         Business  Combination  were  members  of the  Incumbent
                         Board  at the  time  of the  execution  of the  initial
                         agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for
                         such Business Combination; or

               (5)  approval  by the  stockholders  of the Company of a complete
                    liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

          B.   A Change of  Control  shall not be deemed to have  occurred  with
               respect to an Employee if:

               (1)  the acquisition of the 25% or greater  interest  referred to
                    in  subparagraph  A.(1)  of this  Section  6 is by a  group,
                    acting in concert, that includes the Employee or

               (2)  if at least  25% of the  then  outstanding  common  stock or
                    combined voting power of the then outstanding company voting
                    securities  (or voting  equity  interests)  of the surviving
                    corporation  or  of  any   corporation   (or  other  entity)
                    acquiring  all or  substantially  all of the  assets  of the
                    Company shall be beneficially owned, directly or indirectly,
                    immediately after a reorganization,  merger,  consolidation,
                    statutory share exchange, disposition of assets, liquidation
                    or  dissolution  referred to in  subparagraph  (c) or (d) of
                    this definition by a group, acting in concert, that includes
                    that Employee.


     7.   Adjustments

               If Employee exercises all or any portion of the option subsequent
               to any change in the number or character of the Common  Shares of
               the  Company  (through  merger,  consolidation,   reorganization,
               recapitalization,  stock dividend, or otherwise),  Employee shall
               then  receive  for the  aggregate  price  paid by him/her on such
               exercise  of the  option,  the number and type of  securities  or
               other  consideration  which  he/she  would have  received if such
               option had been exercised  prior to the event changing the number
               or character of outstanding shares.


     8.   Miscellaneous

          A.   This  option  is  issued  pursuant  to  the  Company's  Long-Term
               Incentive  Stock Plan and is subject to its terms.  A copy of the
               Plan has been  given to the  Employee.  The terms of the Plan are
               also  available  for  inspection  during  business  hours  at the
               principal offices of the company.

          B.   This  Agreement  shall not  confer  on  Employee  any right  with
               respect to continuance of employment by the Company or any of its
               subsidiaries,  nor will it interfere in any way with the right of
               the Company to terminate  such  employment at any time.  Employee
               shall have none of the rights of a  shareholder  with  respect to
               shares  subject to this option  until such shares shall have been
               issued to him upon exercise of this option.

          C.   The  Company  shall at all times  during  the term of the  option
               reserve  and keep  available  such  number  of  shares as will be
               sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Agreement.


     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this  Agreement to be
executed on the day and year first above written.


                                   GRACO INC.

                           
                                   __________________________________
                                   By  
                                   Its: 


                                   __________________________________
                                   Employee



Exhibit 10.25


                                  AMENDMENT TO
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                              (ISO/ALTERNATIVE SAR)



     This  Agreement  made this ______ day of March,  1997, by and between Graco
Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the "Company") and _________________________ (the
"Employee").

     WHEREAS, the Employee and the Company entered into a Stock Option Agreement
(ISO/Alternative  SAR),  on  the  25th  day  of  February,  1993,  (the  "Option
Agreement")which  contains provisions  permitting the Employee to exercise stock
appreciation rights as an alternative to the stock options granted by the Option
Agreement to the Employee under the Graco Inc. Long Term Stock Incentive Plan;

     WHEREAS,  the parties to the Option Agreement wish to remove the provisions
relating to alternative stock appreciation rights from the Option Agreement;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  the parties hereby mutually agree,  for good and valuable
consideration,  which is hereby  acknowledged,  to amend the Option Agreement by
deleting the words enclosed in quotation marks and the identified  sections from
both agreements as follows:

     1.   "/Alternative SAR" from the title;

     2.   "and an alternative SAR" from the first WHEREAS clause;

     3.   Section 1(c) in its entirety; and

     4.   Section 4 in its entirety.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have caused this Amendment Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.

 
                                   GRACO INC.

                         
                                   __________________________________
                                   By  
                                   Its: 


                                   __________________________________
                                   Employee




Exhibit 10.26


                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                            (NON-ISO/ALTERNATIVE SAR)


     This  Agreement  made this _____ day of March,  1997,  by and between Graco
Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the "Company") and (the "Employee").

     WHEREAS, the Employee and the Company entered into a Stock Option Agreement
(NON-ISO/Alternative  SAR) on the 4th day of May, 1993, (the "Option Agreement")
which contains provisions permitting the Employee to exercise stock appreciation
rights as an alternative to the stock options granted by the Option Agreement to
the Employee under the Graco Inc. Long Term Stock Incentive Plan;

     WHEREAS,  the parties to the Option Agreement wish to remove the provisions
relating to alternative stock appreciation rights from the Option Agreement;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  the parties hereby mutually agree,  for good and valuable
consideration,  which is hereby  acknowledged,  to amend the Option Agreement by
deleting the words enclosed in quotation marks and the identified  sections from
the Option Agreement as follows:

     1.   "/Alternative SAR" from the title;

     2.   "and an alternative SAR" from the first WHEREAS clause;

     3.   Section 1(c) in its entirety; and

     4.   Section 4 in its entirety.


     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have caused this Amended  Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.


                                   GRACO INC.

              
                                   __________________________________
                                   By 
                                   Its: 


                                   __________________________________
                                   Employee



Exhibit 99

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     Graco Inc. (the  "Company")  wishes to take  advantage of the "safe harbor"
provisions  regarding  forward-looking  statements  of  the  Private  Securities
Litigation  Reform Act of 1995 and is filing this Cautionary  Statement in order
to do so.

     From time to time various  forms filed by the Company  with the  Securities
and Exchange  Commission,  including the Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form
8-K, its Annual  Report to  Shareholders,  and other  written  documents or oral
statements  released by the  Company,  may contain  forward-looking  statements.
Forward-looking  statements generally use words such as "expect,"  "anticipate,"
"believe," "project," "should," "estimate," and similar expressions, and reflect
the Company's expectations concerning the future. Such statements are based upon
currently available  information,  but various risks and uncertainties may cause
the Company's actual results to differ  materially from those expressed in these
statements.  Among the  factors  which  management  believes  could  affect  the
Company's operating results are the following:

  o  With respect to the Company's business as a whole, the Company's  prospects
     and operating results may be affected by:

     -    changing  economic  conditions  in the United  States and other  major
          world  economies,  including  economic  downturns  or  recessions  and
          foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;

     -    international trade factors,  including changes in international trade
          policy,  such as trade sanctions,  increased tariff barriers and other
          restrictions,   weaker   protection  of  the   Company's   proprietary
          technology in certain foreign countries,  the burden of complying with
          foreign laws and standards, and potentially adverse taxes;

     -    the ability of the Company to develop new products  and  technologies,
          maintain and enhance its market position  relative to its competitors,
          maintain and enhance its distribution  channels,  realize productivity
          and product quality improvements, and continue to control expenses.

  o  The prospects and operating results of the Company's  Contractor  Equipment
     Division may be affected by: variations in the level of housing starts; the
     level of repairs,  remodeling and additions to existing homes; the level of
     commercial  and  institutional   building  and  remodeling  activity;   the
     availability and cost of financing; changes in the environmental regulation
     of coatings; the consolidation in the paint manufacturing industry; changes
     in  construction  materials  and  techniques;  the cost of labor in foreign
     markets; the regional market strength of certain competitors; and the level
     of government spending on road construction and infrastructure development.

  o  The prospects and operating results of the Company's  Industrial  Equipment
     Division  may be  affected  by the  capital  equipment  spending  levels of
     industrial  customers,  the availability and cost of financing,  changes in
     the environmental regulation of coatings, and the ability of the Company to
     meet changing customer requirements.

  o  The prospects and operating results of the Company's  Lubrication Equipment
     Division may be affected by variations in the equipment  spending levels of
     the major oil  companies,  and the  relative  market  strength  and pricing
     strategies of competitors, especially in major foreign markets.

  o  The prospects and operating results of the Company's  Automotive  Equipment
     Division  may  be  affected  by  the  equipment  purchase  plans  of  major
     automobile manufacturers worldwide (which are in turn impacted by the level
     of  automotive  sales  worldwide),   changes  in  automotive  manufacturing
     processes, and the pricing strategies of competitors.



<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM GRACO INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES  CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND CONSOLIDATED  BALANCE
SHEETS FOR THE 52 WEEKS ENDED DECEMBER 27, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                        0000042888
<NAME>                                       GRACO INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                      1,000
<CURRENCY>                                 U.S. Dollars
        
<S>                                         <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           DEC-27-1996
<PERIOD-START>                              DEC-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                DEC-27-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                       1
<CASH>                                            6,535
<SECURITIES>                                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    83,474
<ALLOWANCES>                                      4,700
<INVENTORY>                                      41,531
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                144,494
<PP&E>                                          183,085
<DEPRECIATION>                                   88,913
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  247,814
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            80,610
<BONDS>                                           9,920
                                 0
                                           0
<COMMON>                                         17,047
<OTHER-SE>                                      109,003
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    247,814
<SALES>                                         391,756
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                391,756
<CGS>                                           195,775
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   195,775
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                143,212
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    154
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  831
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  52,769
<INCOME-TAX>                                     16,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              36,169
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                     36,169
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      2.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      2.07
        



</TABLE>


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