HACH CO
10-Q, 1998-12-11
LABORATORY ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS
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                                    FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549



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

For the quarterly period ended October 31, 1998

                                       OR

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


Commission file number: 0-3947


                                  Hach Company
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware                                                     42-0704420
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)


                 5600 Lindbergh Drive, Loveland, Colorado 80538
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


                                 (970) 669-3050
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Registrant's telephone number including area code)


                                 Not applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Former name, former address, and former fiscal year,
                         if changed since last report)


     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (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  the  number of  shares  outstanding  of each of the  registrant's
classes of common stock, as of December 10, 1998.


Title                                                        Outstanding

Common Stock                                                 8,994,369
Class A Common Stock                                         8,574,056



<PAGE>


Part I.  Financial Information

Item 1.  Financial Statements

         
Summarized Financial Statements

     The accompanying  Consolidated Balance Sheet as of October 31, 1998 and the
Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings for the quarters and the
six months  ended  October  31, 1998 and  November 1, 1997 and the  Consolidated
Statements  of Cash Flows for the six months ended October 31, 1998 and November
1, 1997 are unaudited;  however,  in the opinion of management  all  adjustments
(consisting only of normal  recurring  adjustments)  considered  necessary for a
fair  presentation of the results of such periods have been made. The results of
operations  for the quarters and six months ended  October 31, 1998 and November
1, 1997 are not  necessarily  indicative  of the  results  of  operations  to be
expected for the full year.

     The financial data included herein pursuant to Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X
has been subjected to a review by  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP, the Registrant's
independent accountants.

<PAGE>


                          HACH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
                    (Thousands of Dollars Except Share Data)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                       QUARTER ENDED                       SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                 10/31/98           11/1/97           10/31/98           11/1/97
                                                ---------         ---------           --------         ---------
<S>                                              <C>               <C>                <C>               <C>    
Net sales                                        $ 33,414          $ 31,542           $ 70,190          $ 63,956
Cost of sales                                      16,794            16,010             34,874            32,561
                                                ---------         ---------          ---------         ---------
  Gross profit                                     16,620            15,532             35,316            31,395
Selling, general and administrative expense         9,752             8,782             20,158            17,668
Research and development expense                    2,506             2,070              5,008             4,237
                                                ---------         ---------          ---------         ---------
  Income from operations                            4,362             4,680             10,150             9,490
Interest income                                        96               119                260               599
Interest expense                                     (540)             (516)            (1,046)             (656)
                                                ---------         ---------          ---------         ---------
  Income before income taxes                        3,918             4,283              9,364             9,433
Income tax expense                                  1,368             1,528              3,364             3,358
                                                ---------         ---------          ---------         ---------

  Net income                                        2,550             2,755              6,000             6,075

Retained earnings, beginning of period           $ 75,478          $ 68,648           $ 72,628          $ 65,823
Cash dividends                                       (599)             (493)            (1,199)             (988)
                                                ---------         ---------          ---------         ---------
Retained earnings, end of period                 $ 77,429          $ 70,910           $ 77,429          $ 70,910
                                                =========         =========          =========         =========

Net income per common share:                        
          Basic                                    $ 0.15            $ 0.16             $ 0.35            $ 0.32
          Diluted                                  $ 0.15            $ 0.16             $ 0.35            $ 0.32
                                                =========         =========          =========         =========

Dividends per common share                         
          Common stock                             $ 0.03            $ 0.03             $ 0.06            $ 0.06
          Class A common stock                     $ 0.04            $ 0.03             $ 0.08            $ 0.06
                                                =========         =========          =========         =========

Weighted average shares outstanding            
          Basic                                17,118,745        16,455,936         17,091,293        18,764,029
          Diluted                              17,213,147        16,567,632         17,192,748        18,836,617 
                                               ==========        ==========         ==========        ==========

</TABLE>


The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  consolidated  financial
statements.

<PAGE>


                              HACH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                              CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (Thousands of Dollars)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             
                                                OCTOBER 31, 1998          April 30, 1998 
                                                ----------------          --------------
                                                   (Unaudited)

ASSETS

  Current assets:
<S>                                                      <C>                    <C>    
    Cash and cash equivalents                            $ 5,987                $  4,358
    Marketable securities, available for sale                490                     680
    Accounts receivable, less reserves
      of $351 and $305, respectively                      17,783                  20,937
    Inventories                                           14,589                  15,360
    Deferred taxes and other current assets                5,789                   5,282
                                                       ---------               ---------

      Total current assets                                44,638                  46,617

  Property, plant and equipment at cost:
    Buildings and improvements                            32,755                  30,615
    Machinery and equipment                               55,880                  52,412
                                                       ---------               ---------
                                                          88,635                  83,027
    Less allowance for depreciation
      and amortization                                    50,634                  47,211
                                                       ---------               ---------
                                                          38,001                  35,816
    Land                                                   1,091                   1,083
                                                       ---------               ---------
      Net property, plant and equipment                   39,092                  36,899

    Marketable securities, available for sale                420                   1,018
    Acquired product technology                           11,894                  12,199
    Goodwill                                               3,276                   3,204  
    Other assets                                           2,323                   2,413
                                                       ---------               ---------

Total Assets                                           $ 101,643               $ 102,350
                                                       =========               =========
</TABLE>


The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  consolidated  financial
statements.

<PAGE>


                              HACH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                              CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (Thousands of Dollars)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 OCTOBER 31, 1998         April 30, 1998
                                                 ----------------         --------------
                                                     (Unaudited)

LIABILITIES

  Current liabilities:
<S>                                                      <C>                     <C>    
      Current portion of long term debt                  $   230                 $ 1,069
      Accounts payable                                     3,055                   4,591
      Accrued liabilities:
        Compensation                                       1,352                   1,407
        Compensated absences                               4,260                   3,933
        Profit sharing                                     1,750                   3,483
        Income taxes payable                                   -                     720
        Other                                              2,284                   1,974
                                                       ---------               ---------
          Total current liabilities                       12,931                  17,177

  Long term debt                                          33,300                  35,994
  Other long term liabilities                              2,783                   2,771
  Deferred income taxes                                    6,360                   6,589
                                                       ---------               ---------
        Total liabilities                                 55,374                  62,531

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

  Common stock, $1 par value; (authorized
    25,000,000 shares; issued 11,622,953 shares           11,623                  11,623
  Class A Common stock, $1 par value; (authorized
    20,000,000 shares; issued 11,622,953 shares           11,623                  11,623
  Capital contributed in excess of par value                   6                       -
  Retained earnings                                       77,429                  72,714
  Unearned ESOP shares                                    (2,470)                 (2,629)
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)              503                    (437)
                                                       ---------               ---------
                                                          98,714                  92,894
  Less: Shares held in treasury at cost:
        (2,644,533 Common, 3,065,011 Class A at
         October 31, 1998 and 2,667,001 Common, 
         3,123,074 Class A at April 30, 1998)            (52,445)                (53,075)
                                                       ---------               ---------
Total Stockholders' Equity                                46,269                  39,819
                                                       ---------               ---------

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity             $ 101,643               $ 102,350
                                                       =========               =========
</TABLE>


The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  consolidated  financial
statements.

<PAGE>


                                    HACH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                       (Thousands of Dollars)
                                             (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              SIX MONTHS ENDED       SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                              October 31, 1998       November 1, 1997
                                                              ----------------       ----------------
<S>                                                                    <C>                    <C>    
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                                             $ 6,000                $ 6,075
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
  net cash provided by operating activities:
     Depreciation & amortization                                         3,523                  3,104
     Benefit for deferred income taxes                                    (434)                  (250)
     Decrease in accounts receivable                                     3,154                    428
    (Increase) decrease in inventories                                     771                 (1,101)
    (Increase) in prepaid expenses & other assets                         (302)                   (21)
     Decrease in accounts payable                                       (1,536)                  (529)
     Decrease in accrued liabilities                                    (1,701)                  (755)
                                                                       -------                -------

Net cash provided by operating activities                                9,475                  6,951

Cash flows from investing activities:
     Capital expenditures                                               (5,306)                (4,511)
     Purchases of investments                                                -                 (2,213)
     Proceeds from the maturity or sale of short-term investments          788                 26,234
    (Increase) decrease in long-term assets                                 67                   (280)
                                                                       -------                -------

Net cash (used) provided by investing activities                        (4,451)                19,230

Cash flows from financing activities:
     Dividends paid                                                     (1,199)                  (988)
     Proceeds from borrowings                                                -                 30,000
     Payments on long-term borrowings                                   (3,532)                     -
     Purchases of treasury stock                                             -                (60,279)
     Exercise of stock options                                             551                    391
                                                                       -------                -------

Net cash used by financing activities                                   (4,180)               (30,876)

Effects of exchange rate changes                                           785                   (395)
                                                                       -------                -------

Net increase (decrease) in cash & cash equivalents                       1,629                 (5,090)

Cash & cash equivalents at the beginning of the period                   4,358                 14,575
                                                                       -------                -------

Cash & cash equivalents at the end of the period                       $ 5,987                $ 9,485
                                                                       =======                =======
</TABLE>


The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  consolidated  financial
statements.

<PAGE>

                          HACH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)

1.        Financial Statements

     The  consolidated  balance  sheet at October 31, 1998 and the  consolidated
statements  of income  and  retained  earnings  and cash  flows for the  interim
periods ended  October 31, 1998 and November 1, 1997,  have been prepared by the
Company,  without  audit.  The April 30, 1998  balance  sheet was  derived  from
audited  financial  statements  and  as  presented  does  not  include  all  the
disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. In the opinion
of management,  all adjustments,  consisting only of normal recurring  accruals,
necessary to present  fairly the  consolidated  financial  position,  results of
operations and cash flows have been made.  These  financial  statements  include
forward  looking  information  as defined by the Private  Securities  Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 and therefore  results of operations for the interim  periods
are not  necessarily  indicative  of the  operating  results  for a full year of
future operations.

     Certain  amounts in the financial  statements  for April 30, 1998 have been
reclassified to conform with the current periods presentation.

2.       Inventories

         The components of inventories are:          (Thousands of Dollars)
                                               October 31, 1998   April 30, 1998
                                               ----------------   --------------

         Raw materials and purchased parts        $   4,181         $   4,545
         Work-in-progress                             1,526             1,555
         Finished goods                               8,325             8,882
         Resale                                         557               378
                                                  ---------         ---------
                                                   $ 14,589          $ 15,360
                                                  =========         =========

3.       Investments

     During the first quarter of fiscal year 1999 the Company sold approximately
$770,000 of investments previously classified as held-to-maturity. Proceeds from
the sale of these  investments  were used for the  acquisition of  Environmental
Test Systems,  Inc. (ETS). Upon the sale of the investments the Company realized
a gain of $1,000. In addition,  all remaining investments  previously classified
as held-to-maturity have been reclassified as available-for-sale. At the time of
the  reclassification  of these  investments  had a carrying  value of $930,000,
which  approximated the fair value.  These  investments  have been  reclassified
because of the liquidity  needs brought about by the acquisition of ETS on April
30, 1998.


4.       Property, Plant and Equipment

     The Company  capitalizes  interest  costs on certain  assets that require a
period of time to prepare them for their  intended  use.  Total  interest  costs
incurred during the six month period ended October 31, 1998 and November 1, 1997
respectively,  were $1,175,000 and $695,000 respectively,  of which $129,000 and
$39,000 were capitalized to fixed assets, respectively.


5.       Income Taxes

     For all periods presented,  the provision for income taxes is based upon an
expected  annual  effective  income tax rate. The rates utilized for the quarter
ended October 31, 1998 and November 1, 1997 were 35.0% and 35.7% respectively.


6.       Earnings Per Share

     The Company  adopted the  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No.
128,  "Earnings  Per  Share"  in the  quarter  ended  January  31,  1998 and all
historical  net income per share data  presented has been restated to conform to
the provisions of this statement. The standard established a different method of
computing  net  income  per share  than was  required  under the  provisions  of
Accounting  Principles  Board Opinion No. 15. The following table reconciles the
basic  and  diluted  earnings  per  share  (EPS)  computations  as  shown on the
Consolidated  Statements of Income and Retained Earnings included in this report
on Form 10-Q.
<PAGE>

                               EARNINGS PER SHARE
                    (Thousands of Dollars Except Share Data)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>


                                                                               Quarter Ended
                                                                               -------------
                                                            October 31, 1998                      November 1, 1997   
                                                            ----------------                      ----------------               
<S>                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                                             Per                                  Per        
                                                                             Share                                Share      
                                                       Income     Shares     Amount       Income      Shares      Amount    

Basic earnings per share
  Income available to common stockholders              $2,550     17,119     $ 0.15       $2,755      16,456      $ 0.16 

Effect of dilutive securities
  Stock options                                            -          94        -             -          112          -    
                                                       ------     ------     ------       ------      ------      ------
Diluted earnings per share
  Income available to common stockholders              $2,550     17,213     $ 0.15       $2,755      16,568      $ 0.16
                                                       ======     ======     ======       ======      ======      ====== 



                                                                              Six Months Ended
                                                                              ----------------
                                                            October 31, 1998                      November 1, 1997   
                                                            ----------------                      ----------------               
<S>                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                                             Per                                  Per        
                                                                             Share                                Share      
                                                       Income     Shares     Amount       Income      Shares      Amount    

Basic earnings per share
  Income available to common stockholders              $6,000     17,091     $ 0.35       $6,075      18,764      $ 0.32 

Effect of dilutive securities
  Stock options                                            -         102        -             -           73          -    
                                                       ------     ------     ------       ------      ------      ------
Diluted earnings per share
  Income available to common stockholders              $6,000     17,193     $ 0.35       $6,075      18,837      $ 0.32
                                                       ======     ======     ======       ======      ======      ====== 
</TABLE>
 
     Options to purchase shares of the Company's  common stock of 11,708 for the
quarter  ended  October 31, 1998 were  outstanding  but were not included in the
computation  of diluted EPS because the price of the  options,  which range from
$8.0625 to $10.375 per share for the quarter ended October 31, 1998, was greater
than the average market price of the common stock for the period  reported.  The
outstanding  options not  included  in the  calculation  for the  quarter  ended
October 31, 1998 will expire between February 1998 and February 2006.

<PAGE>
7.       Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards

     The Company has adopted Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards (SFAS)
No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," which requires that all components of
comprehensive income and total comprehensive income be reported and that changes
be shown in a financial  statement  displayed with the same  prominence as other
financial  statements.  The Company has decided it will present this information
in its statement of stockholders' equity in its annual financial statements. The
total  comprehensive  income for the quarters  and six months ended  October 31,
1998 and November 1, 1997, was comprised of the following:


                                                       Quarter Ended
                                                       -------------
                                           October 31, 1998     November 1, 1997
                                           ----------------     ----------------

Net income                                          $ 2,550             $ 2,755
Foreign currency translation adjustment                (990)                702
                                           ----------------     ----------------
Comprehensive income                                $ 1,560             $ 3,457
                                           ================     ================


                                                     Six Months Ended
                                                     ----------------
                                           October 31, 1998     November 1, 1997
                                           ----------------     ----------------

Net income                                          $ 6,000             $ 6,075
Foreign currency translation adjustment                (940)                462
                                           ----------------     ----------------
Comprehensive income                                $ 5,060             $ 6,537
                                           ================     ================
<PAGE>
     In July 1997, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS
No. 131,  "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,"
which is  effective  for fiscal years  beginning  after  December 15, 1997.  The
interim  reporting  disclosures  are not required in the first year of adoption.
SFAS No. 131 specifies revised  guidelines for determining an entity's operating
segments and the type and level of financial  information to be disclosed.  SFAS
No. 131 changes  current  practice under SFAS No. 14,  "Financial  Reporting for
Segments of a Business  Enterprise," by establishing a new framework on which to
base  segment  reporting.   The  "management"   approach  expands  the  required
disclosures for each segment.  The Company will adopt SFAS No. 131 in its annual
financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  April  30,  1999  and  has not yet
determined the impact of such adoption.


Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
         Results of Operation

Analysis of Financial Condition:

     Cash and short-term  investments  increased $1,439,000 during the six month
period to $6,477,000. Prior to the purchase of Environmental Test Systems (ETS),
approximately   $770,000  of  investments  used  in  the  transaction  had  been
classified as held-to-maturity.  Upon the sale of these investments, the Company
realized a gain of $1,000.  All remaining  securities  previously  classified as
held-to-maturity  have been  reclassified as  available-for-sale.  Additionally,
long-term  debt  decreased   during  the  six  month  period  by  $2,694,000  to
$33,300,000.

     The Company monitors cash flow and capital  expenditures in great detail as
part of its total  budgeting  process.  During  fiscal  year 1999,  the  Company
completed  the  construction  of a 66,000  square foot building at the Loveland,
Colorado site. Capital needs in the near future will be for production equipment
as well as computer hardware and software to support distribution,  research and
development and administration.

     The Company intends to finance its capital  projects and dividend  payments
through existing cash and cash equivalents,  short-term  investments,  projected
cash flow from operations and bank borrowings.


Year 2000 Computer Systems Compliance

     The Year 2000 issue is a result of computer  programs  being  written using
two digits rather than four to define the applicable  year. Any of the Company's
computer programs that have  date-sensitive  software may recognize a date using
"00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000.  This could  result in a system
or job failure or miscalculations causing disruptions of operations,  including,
among other things, a temporary inability to process transactions, send invoices
or engage in similar business activities.

     The  Company  utilizes  many  different  systems and  software  programs to
process and  summarize  business  transactions.  The Company is  continuing  the
evaluation  of its various  operating  systems and  determining  the  additional
remediation  efforts  required to ensure that its computer systems will properly
utilize dates beyond December 31, 1999.  Preliminary  results of this assessment
have revealed that remediation efforts required will vary from system to system.
For example, it appears some systems will not require any additional programming
efforts, while others may require significant programming changes.

     The Company has initiated formal communications with all of its significant
suppliers  and large  customers to determine  the extent to which the Company is
vulnerable  to those third  parties'  failure to  remediate  their own Year 2000
issue. However, there can be no guarantee that the systems of other companies on
which the Company's systems rely will be timely converted,  or that a failure to
convert  by  another  company,  or  conversion  that is  incompatible  with  the
Company's systems, would not have a material effect on the Company.

     The Company has also  conducted  extensive work regarding the status of its
currently  available and installed base of products.  The Company  believes that
its current products are largely Year 2000 compliant.  Further information about
the Company's products is available on its Internet Website.

     For those systems  identified as non-compliant,  the Company has begun and,
in certain cases,  completed  remediation efforts. The Company will utilize both
internal and external resources to reprogram,  or replace, and test the software
for Year 2000 modifications. The Company plans to complete the Year 2000 project
during the first  half of  calendar  year 1999.  The total cost of the Year 2000
project is estimated to be between $4,000,000 and $6,000,000 and is being funded
through  operating  cash  flows.  Of  the  total  project  cost,   approximately
$3,000,000 is  attributable  to the purchase of new software or equipment  which
will be capitalized.  The remaining $1,000,000 to $3,000,000 will be expensed as
incurred.  The  Company  may  decide to  upgrade  versions  of the new  software
programs  which are Year 2000  compliant.  In these  instances,  the Company may
capitalize certain costs of the new system in accordance with current accounting
guidelines.
<PAGE>
     The  Company  presently  believes  that,  with  modifications  to  existing
software and  conversions  to new software for those sites which it believes may
be  affected,   the  Year  2000  issue  can  be  mitigated.   However,  if  such
modifications  and  conversions are not made, or are not completed  timely,  the
Year 2000 issue could have a material  adverse  impact on the  operations of the
Company.

     The  costs  of the  project  and the  date on which  the  Company  plans to
complete the Year 2000  modifications  are based on management's best estimates,
which were derived utilizing numerous assumptions of future events including the
continued availability of certain resources,  third party modification plans and
other factors.  However,  there can be no assurance that these estimates will be
achieved,  and actual results could differ materially from those plans. Specific
factors that might cause such material  differences include, but are not limited
to, the availability and cost of personnel  trained in this area, the ability to
locate and correct all relevant computer codes, and similar uncertainties.


Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards

     In July 1997, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS
No. 131,  "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,"
which is  effective  for fiscal years  beginning  after  December 15, 1997.  The
interim  reporting  disclosures  are not required in the first year of adoption.
SFAS No. 131 specifies revised  guidelines for determining an entity's operating
segments and the type and level of financial  information to be disclosed.  SFAS
No. 131 changes  current  practice under SFAS No. 14,  "Financial  Reporting for
Segments of a Business  Enterprise," by establishing a new framework on which to
base  segment  reporting.   The  "management"   approach  expands  the  required
disclosures for each segment.  The Company will adopt SFAS No. 131 in its annual
financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  April  30,  1999  and  has not yet
determined the impact of such adoption.

<PAGE>
Results of Operations:  Quarter ended October 31, 1998 compared to quarter ended
November 1, 1997.

     Net sales increased 5.9% to $33,414,000 from $31,542,000.  The increase was
primarily due to the acquisition of Environmental Test Systems, Inc. (ETS) which
was completed on April 30, 1998.  For the quarter  ended October 31, 1998,  ETS'
net sales were $2,016,000.  Approximately  60% of ETS' yearly sales are pool and
spa testing products which are seasonal in nature. Historically,  about 80.0% of
pool and spa testing products sales occurred between January and July. Exclusive
of ETS,  domestic sales increased 1.1% while  international  net sales decreased
3.4%. Sales throughout Asia, which represent  approximately 6.4% of consolidated
sales  decreased  23.1% from the prior year's second  quarter.  Asian sales were
down due to weaker  economic  conditions  and a stronger  dollar  versuses local
currencies.  Sales for the Company's European subsidiary increased approximately
12.3%.

     Cost of sales increased 4.9% to $16,794,000  from  $16,010,000.  This item,
composed of material, labor and product overhead, increased primarily because of
unit volume  increases.  The gross profit percent  increased to 49.7% from 49.2%
due to the  mix of  products  sold.

     Selling,  general and administrative  expense increased 11.1% to $9,752,000
from  $8,782,000.  The increase was due  primarily to the  inclusion of selling,
general and administration expenses for ETS in the current quarter amounts.

     Research  and  development  expense  increased  21.1%  to  $2,506,000  from
$2,070,000.  The  increase was due  primarily  to the  inclusion of research and
development expenses for ETS in the current quarter amounts.

     Interest income decreased to $96,000 from $119,000. The decrease was due to
lower average investment balances in the current period.

     Interest expense increased to $540,000 from $516,000.  The increase was due
to higher average borrowings in the current period.

     The effective  income tax rate was 35.0% in the current period  compared to
35.7% in the prior year's period.  
<PAGE>

Results of Operations:  Six months ended October 31, 1998 compared to six months
ended November 1, 1997.

     Net sales increased 9.8% to $70,190,000 from $63,956,000.  The increase was
primarily due to the acquisition of Environmental Test Systems, Inc. (ETS) which
was completed on April 30, 1998. For the six months ended October 31, 1998, ETS'
net sales were $6,227,000.  Approximately  60% of ETS' yearly sales are pool and
spa testing products which are seasonal in nature. Historically,  about 80.0% of
pool and spa testing products sales occurred between January and July. Exclusive
of ETS,  domestic sales increased 0.7% while  international  net sales decreased
1.2%. Sales throughout Asia, which represent  approximately 6.4% of consolidated
sales decreased 22% from the prior year's first and second quarter.  Asian sales
were down due to weaker economic conditions and a stronger dollar versuses local
currencies.  Sales for the Company's European subsidiary increased approximately
12.2%.

     Cost of sales increased 7.1% to $34,874,000  from  $32,561,000.  This item,
composed of material, labor and product overhead, increased primarily because of
unit volume  increases.  The gross profit percent  increased to 50.3% from 49.1%
due to the  mix of  products  sold.

     Selling,  general and administrative expense increased 14.1% to $20,158,000
from  $17,668,000.  The increase was due  primarily to the inclusion of selling,
general and administration expenses for ETS in the current year amounts.

     Research  and  development  expense  increased  18.2%  to  $5,008,000  from
$4,237,000.  The  increase was due  primarily  to the  inclusion of research and
development expenses for ETS in the current year amounts.

     Interest income  decreased to $260,000 from $599,000.  The decrease was due
to lower average investment balances in the current period.

     Interest  expense  increased to $1,046,000 from $656,000.  The increase was
due to higher average borrowings in the current period.

     The effective  income tax rate was 35.9% in the current period  compared to
35.6% in the prior year's period. 


Part II.  Other Information

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

         None

<PAGE>
Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

     On  September   15,  1998,   Hach  Company  held  its  annual   meeting  of
stockholders.  At this meeting, the stockholders were asked to consider and vote
upon a proposal to amend the 1993 Stock Option Plan to authorize  the Company to
issue up to an  additional  1,500,000  shares of Class A Common  Stock under the
plan. A total of 7,921,610 votes were cast of which 7,484,812 were  affirmative,
409,410 were negative and 27,388 abstained.


Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)  1.  Report of Independent Accountants.  

     2.  Awareness Letter of Independent Accountants.

     3.  Financial Data Schedule

(b)  During the quarter ended October 31, 1998,  the Registrant  filed no report
     on From 8-K.


                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



                                  Hach Company

By: /s/ Bruce J. Hach
    ----------------------------------------------------
    Bruce J. Hach, President and Chief Executive Officer

December 15, 1998     
Date                  





By: /s/ Gary R. Dreher
    ----------------------------------------------------------
    Gary R. Dreher, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

December 15, 1998     
Date                  



AMENDMENT  NO. 1 TO HACH  COMPANY 1993 STOCK OPTION PLAN AS AMENDED AND RESTATED
AS OF NOVEMBER 25, 1997

This  Amendment No. 1 to the Hach Company 1993 Stock Option Plan, as Amended and
Restated  as of November  25,  1997 (the  "Plan"),  is made by Hach  Company,  a
Delaware corporation (the "Company") with reference to the following facts:

     A.   By action of the Board of  Directors  of the Company on  February  24,
          1998,  the 1993 Stock  Option  Plan was  amended  and  restated  as of
          November 25, 1997.

     B.   Subsequent  to  that  amendment  and  restatement,   the  Company  has
          determined  to increase the number of shares of Class A Common  Stock,
          $1.00 par value, which may be optioned and sold under the Plan, and to
          amend Section 3 of the Plan to effect that increase.

     C.   It is also appropriate to amend Section 8(c) of the Plan to make clear
          that  only  shares  of  Common  Stock  may be used  to pay for  shares
          purchased upon exercise of options granted before the establishment of
          Class A Common Stock.

Now therefore,  the Company,  pursuant to action by its board of directors taken
on April 27, 1998,  hereby  amends the Plan as follows,  such  amendments  to be
effective as of November 25, 1997:

     1.   The first  paragraph  of  Section 3 of the Plan is  amended to read in
          full as follows:

          Subject  to the  provisions  of Section  11 of the Plan,  the  maximum
          aggregate  number of Shares  which may be optioned  and sold under the
          Plan is Six Hundred  Twenty-Five  Thousand  (625,000) shares of Common
          Stock and Two Million,  One Hundred Twenty-Five  Thousand  (2,125,000)
          shares of Class A Common  Stock.  The  Shares may be  authorized,  but
          unissued, or reacquired shares of Stock.

     2.   Section 8(c) of the Plan is amended to read in full as follows:

          (c) The  consideration  to be paid for the  Shares to be  issued  upon
          exercise  of an  Option,  including  the method of  payment,  shall be
          determined  by the Board at the time of grant and may  consist of cash
          and/or  check.  Payment  may  also be made by  delivering  a  properly
          executed  exercise notice together with irrevocable  instructions to a
          broker to promptly  deliver to the Company the amount of sale proceeds
          necessary to pay the exercise  price. An Optionee may also in addition
          pay all or part of the  purchase  price  with  Shares of Common  Stock
          and/or Shares of Class A Common Stock,  provided,  however that in the
          case of  Options  granted  before  September  10,  1997,  the date the
          Company's dual class capital structure became effective,  options must
          be exercised  in tandem (i.e.  both the option of Common Stock and the
          companion  option  on Class A Common  Stock  which  resulted  from the
          change to a dual class capital structure must be exercised at the same
          time) and, provided  further,  that the number of shares of each class
          which may be so utilized in payment of the options shall be subject to
          such additional  rules and  restrictions as the Committee or Board may
          promulgate for such  exercises.  Shares used to pay the exercise price
          shall be valued at their fair market value on the exercise date.  With
          the  approval of the Board,  the  Optionee may borrow from the Company
          all or any portion of the funds  needed to pay the price on such terms
          and conditions as the Board deems  appropriate,  provided that (i) the
          interest  rate for any such loan by the Company shall not be less than
          the   "applicable   federal   rate"  (as   defined  by  Code   Section
          127(d)(1)(A))  in effect on the date of such loan or any other rate as
          necessary to avoid the  imputation of interest under the Code or other
          applicable  law,  (ii) proceeds of the loan are used solely to pay the
          exercise price of an Option  granted  pursuant to this Plan, and (iii)
          the Optionee  executes a promissory  note and such other  documents as
          the Board deems appropriate to evidence the Optionee's indebtedness to
          the  Company,  and  pledges the Shares  received in exchange  for such
          borrowed funds as collateral for such loan.

     3.   The  foregoing  amendment  to Section 3 shall  require  approval of or
          ratification by the stockholders of the Company.

Adopted  pursuant  to  Board  Resolution  of  April  27,  1998  and  subject  to
Stockholder approval.


FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

This  First  Amendment  to  Revolving  Credit  Agreement  made  this 20th day of
February  1998,  among HACH  COMPANY,  a Delaware  corporation,  and HACH EUROPE
S.A./N.V.,  A Belgian limited liability  company  (collectively the "Borrower"),
and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION f/k/a COLORADO NATIONAL BANK ("Lender").

Whereas,  the parties have heretofore entered into that certain Revolving Credit
Agreement dated as of July 7, 1997, (the "Agreement"); and

Whereas, the parties desire to amend the Agreement as hereinafter provided.

Now, therefore, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which is  hereby  acknowledged,  the  parties  hereby  covenant  and agree as
follows:

     1.   Effective January 5, 1998, the following definition is amended in its
          entirety to read as follows:

          "Adjusted Eurodollar Rate" means, for any Interest Rate Determination
          Date, the rate per annum obtained by dividing (i) the London Interbank
          Offered Rate  (expressed as a rate per annum and rounded upward to the
          nearest  1/16 of one percent)  appearing  on the  Telerate  system (as
          quoted  by the  Bank's  standard  administrative  procedures)  on such
          Interest Rate  Determination  Date for U.S. dollar deposits of amounts
          in same day funds comparable to the principal amount of the Eurodollar
          Loan for which the Adjusted  Eurodollar Rate is then being  determined
          with  maturities  comparable  to the  Interest  Period  for which such
          Adjusted Eurodollar Rate will apply by (ii) a percentage equal to 100%
          minus the actual rate of all reserve requirements (including,  without
          limitation, any marginal,  emergency,  supplemental,  special or other
          reserves)   actually  imposed  on  the  Bank  on  such  Interest  Rate
          Determination Date.

     2.   The following is added as Section 8.7(g):

          (g)  Liens of an entity  acquired by the  Borrower  which exist at the
               time of acquisition, provided that:

               (i)  such entity is maintained  as a separate  corporate or other
                    limited liability subsidiary; and

               (ii) such lien is nonrecourse to Borrower or its assets.

     3.   Unless otherwise  provided herein,  the defined terms shall have their
          ascribed meanings as provided in the Agreement.

     4.   This Amendment may be executed in counterparts.

     5.   The Agreement,  as amended hereby, and the Note is hereby ratified and
          confirmed between the parties.
<PAGE>
In  witness  whereof,   the  parties  have  executed  this  First  Amendment  to
Warehousing  Credit and Security  Agreement  as of the day and year  first-above
written.

COMPANY:

HACH EUROPE S.A./N.V.,
a Belgian limited liability company

By: /s/ Bruce J. Hach
    ----------------------------------------------------
    Bruce J. Hach, President and Chief Executive Officer

HACH COMPANY

By: /s/ Bruce J. Hach
    ----------------------------------------------------
    Bruce J. Hach, President and Chief Executive Officer


LENDER:

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
f/n/a COLORADO NATIONAL BANK

By: /s/ Brian T. McKinney
    ---------------------------------
    Brian T. McKinney, Vice President


SECOND AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

This  Second  Amendment  to  Revolving  Credit  Agreement  made this 10th day of
October  1998,  among HACH  COMPANY,  a Delaware  corporation,  and HACH  EUROPE
S.A./N.V.,  A Belgian limited liability  company  (collectively the "Borrower"),
and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION f/k/a COLORADO NATIONAL BANK ("Lender").

Whereas,  the parties have heretofore entered into that certain Revolving Credit
Agreement dated as of July 7, 1997, as amended by the First Amendment dated 20th
day of February, 1998 (collectively the "Agreement"); and

Whereas, the parties desire to amend the Agreement as hereinafter provided.

Now, therefore, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which is  hereby  acknowledged,  the  parties  hereby  covenant  and agree as
follows:

     1.   The  introductory  paragraph  of  Section  3.3(b)  is  amended  in its
          entirety to read as follows:

          (b)  Selection  of Interest  Periods.  The  Borrower  shall  select an
               interest period (each, an "Interest  Period") to be applicable to
               each  Eurodollar  Loan,  pursuant  to the  applicable  notice  of
               Borrowing or Notice of  Conversion/Continuation,  as the case may
               be, which Interest Period shall be, at the Borrower's  option,  a
               30-, 60-, 90-, 180- or 360-day period;  provided, that all of the
               following shall be satisfied with respect thereto:

     2.   Section 8.6(f) is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

          (f)  Indebtedness   related  to  Capitalized   Leases   providing  for
               aggregate outstanding liabilities of not more than $5,000,000;

     3.   Section 8.7(e) is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

     4.   Unless otherwise  provided herein,  the defined terms shall have their
          ascribed meanings as provided in the Agreement.

     5.   This Amendment may be executed in counterparts.

     6.   The Agreement,  as amended hereby, and the Note is hereby ratified and
          confirmed between parties.

In  witness  whereof,   the  parties  have  executed  this  First  Amendment  to
Warehousing  Credit and Security  Agreement  as of the day and year  first-above
written.

COMPANY:

HACH EUROPE S.A./N.V.,
a Belgian limited liability company

By: /s/ Bruce J. Hach
    ----------------------------------------------------
    Bruce J. Hach, President and Chief Executive Officer

HACH COMPANY

By: /s/ Bruce J. Hach
    ----------------------------------------------------
    Bruce J. Hach, President and Chief Executive Officer


LENDER:

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
f/n/a COLORADO NATIONAL BANK

By: /s/ Brian T. McKinney
    ---------------------------------
    Brian T. McKinney, Vice President



[Letterhead]


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Stockholders and
Board of Directors of
Hach Company:


We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Hach Company and
Subsidiaries  as of October 31, 1998,  the related  consolidated  statements  of
income and retained  earnings for the three and six month  periods ended October
31, 1998 and November 1, 1997 and the related  consolidated  statements  of cash
flows for the six month  periods  ended  October 31, 1998 and  November 1, 1997.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.

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

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



PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP


Denver, Colorado
November 18, 1998




[Letterhead]



Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549


Re:      Hach Company and Subsidiaries
         Registration on Form S-8


Gentlemen:

We are aware that our report  dated  November  18, 1998 on our review of interim
financial  information of Hach Company and  Subsidiaries for the three-month and
six-month  periods ended October 31, 1998, and included in this quarterly report
on Form 10-Q for the three months then ended,  is incorporated by reference into
the  registration  statements of Hach Company and  Subsidiaries on Form S-8 File
No. 333-39675),  Form S-8 (File No. 33-90584), Form S-8 (File No. 33-64793), and
Form S-8 (File No.  33-39019).  Pursuant to Rule 436(c) under the Securities Act
of  1933,  this  report  should  not be  considered  a part of the  registration
statements prepared or certified by us within the meaning of Section 7 and 11 of
that Act.



PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP


Denver, Colorado
December 10, 1998


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ON
PAGES 3, 4 AND 5 OF THE  COMPANY'S  FROM 10-Q FOR THE  QUARTERLY  PERIOD  ENDING
OCTOBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                       0000044764
<NAME>                                    HACH COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                           5,987
<SECURITIES>                                       910
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,134
<ALLOWANCES>                                       351
<INVENTORY>                                     14,589
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                45,058
<PP&E>                                          89,726
<DEPRECIATION>                                  50,634
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 101,643
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,931
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        23,246
<OTHER-SE>                                      23,023
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   101,643
<SALES>                                         70,190
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                70,190
<CGS>                                           34,874
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   34,874
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                25,166
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,046
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,364
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,364
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .35
        


</TABLE>


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