NORDSON CORP
10-Q/A, 1998-09-17
GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT, NEC
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                                  FORM 10-Q/A
              UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C.  20549

(Mark One)
 [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended     August 2, 1998
                              ------------------------
    OR

 [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from            to
                               ----------   ----------

Commission file number     0-7977
                      ---------------

                              NORDSON CORPORATION
           -----------------------------------------------------
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

              Ohio                                34-0590250
- ------------------------------      -----------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of     (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)

   28601 Clemens Road, Westlake, Ohio                      44145
- --------------------------------------          ----------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip Code)

    Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (440) 892-1580
                                                       -----------------

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 issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date:  COMMON SHARES WITHOUT PAR
VALUE AS OF AUGUST 2, 1998: 16,350,797

                                  Page 1
<PAGE>
                             NORDSON CORPORATION

                                  INDEX

Part I - Financial Information                         Page Number

    Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income -
     Thirteen and Thirty-Nine Weeks ended
     August 2, 1998 and August 3, 1997                      3

    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet -
     August 2, 1998 and November 2, 1997                    4

    Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash
     Flows - Thirty-Nine Weeks ended
     August 2, 1998 and August 3, 1997                      5

    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial
     Statements                                             6

    Management's Discussion and Analysis of
     Financial Condition and Results of Operations          8



Part II - Other Information

    Item 5, Other Information                              13

    Item 6, Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K               13

    Signature                                              14

    Exhibit Index                                          15

                                  Page 2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                        Part I - Financial Information

                             NORDSON CORPORATION
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
        (Dollars and shares in thousands except for per share amounts)

                         Thirteen Weeks Ended         Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
                        August 2,     August 3,       August 2,       August 3,
                          1998          1997            1998             1997
                       ----------    ----------      ----------      ----------
<S>                      <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>
Sales                    $167,171      $158,888        $474,211        $452,293

Cost of sales              73,241        70,087         215,780         193,884

Selling &
  administrative
  expenses                 71,397        70,228         214,988         209,808

Asset impairment,
  retirement and
  severance costs            --            --             9,718            --
                       ----------    ----------      ----------      ----------

Operating profit           22,533        18,573          33,725          48,601

Other income (expense):
  Interest expense         (2,505)       (1,879)         (7,070)         (5,891)
  Interest and
    investment income         199           138             420             509
  Other - net                 644         1,262           2,228           2,581
                       ----------    ----------      ----------      ----------

Income before income
  taxes                    20,871        18,094          29,303          45,800

Income taxes                7,096         5,899           9,963          15,458
                       ----------    ----------      ----------      ----------

Net income               $ 13,775      $ 12,195        $ 19,340        $ 30,342
                       ==========    ==========      ==========      ==========

Shares used in computing
   per share amounts:

   Basic                   16,358        17,227          16,544          17,379
                       ==========    ==========      ==========      ==========
   Diluted                 16,465        17,491          16,668          17,675
                       ==========    ==========      ==========      ==========

Earnings per share:
   Basic                 $    .84      $    .71        $   1.17        $   1.75
                       ==========    ==========      ==========      ==========
   Diluted               $    .84      $    .70        $   1.16        $   1.72
                       ==========    ==========      ==========      ==========

Dividends per
  common share           $    .22      $    .20        $    .66        $    .60
                       ==========    ==========      ==========      ==========
<FN>
See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>
                                  Page 3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                             NORDSON CORPORATION
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                            (Dollars in thousands)

                                      August 2, 1998     November 2, 1997
                                      --------------     ----------------
<S>                                         <C>                 <C>
ASSETS

Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents               $  7,937             $  1,517
    Marketable securities                         30                  200
    Receivables                              148,200              163,692
    Inventories                              126,168              122,084
    Deferred income taxes                     25,829               23,263
    Prepaid expenses                           4,918                8,059
                                            --------             --------

        Total current assets                 313,082              318,815

Property, plant and equipment                214,534              210,129
Less accumulated depreciation and
  amortization of property, plant
  and equipment                             (118,255)            (108,462)
Intangible assets - net                       58,097               60,378
Other assets                                  21,160               22,136
                                            --------             --------

                                            $488,618             $502,996
                                            ========             ========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
    Notes payable                           $ 84,122             $ 74,500
    Accounts payable                          27,281               37,699
    Current portion of long-term debt          4,180                6,175
    Other current liabilities                 65,376               61,289
                                            --------             --------

        Total current liabilities            180,959              179,663

Long-term debt                                65,429               66,502
Other liabilities                             44,361               36,286

Shareholders' equity:
    Common shares                             12,253               12,253
    Capital in excess of stated value         77,428               75,899
  Cumulative translation adjustments          (5,940)                (977)
  Retained earnings                          425,989              417,589
  Common shares in treasury, at cost        (311,555)            (283,816)
  Deferred stock-based compensation             (306)                (403)
                                            --------             --------

        Total shareholders' equity           197,869              220,545
                                            --------             --------

                                            $488,618             $502,996
                                            ========             ========
<FN>
See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>
                                  Page 4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                             NORDSON CORPORATION
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                           (Dollars in thousands)

                                                 Thirty Nine Weeks Ended
                                           August 2, 1998     August 3, 1997
                                           --------------     --------------
<S>                                         <C>               <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income                                $19,340            $30,342
    Non-recurring charge                       15,670               --
    Changes in operating assets and
        liabilities                            (9,470)            (6,805)
    Other - net                                21,696             22,806
                                             --------           --------
                                               47,236             46,343

Cash flows from investing activities:
    Additions to property, plant
        and equipment                         (10,029)           (11,568)
    Proceeds from sale of property,
        plant and equipment                        47                 74
    Acquisition of new business                  (504)              --
    Proceeds from sale of marketable
        securities                                170                110
                                             --------           --------
                                              (10,316)           (11,384)

Cash flows from financing activities:
    Net proceeds from notes payable            13,252             17,550
    Payment of long-term debt                  (5,529)            (4,637)
    Issuance of common shares                     582              3,150
    Purchase of treasury shares               (26,927)           (40,311)
    Dividends paid                            (10,940)           (10,423)
                                             --------           --------
                                              (29,562)           (34,671)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash          (938)              (723)
                                             --------           --------

(Decrease)/increase in cash                     6,420               (435)

Cash and cash equivalents
    Beginning of fiscal year                    1,517              9,221
                                             --------           --------

    End of period                             $ 7,937            $ 8,786
                                             ========           ========
<FN>
See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>
                                  Page 5
<PAGE>
                              NORDSON CORPORATION
             NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                               August 2, 1998

1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION.  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles for interim financial information and with the
instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they
do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally
accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In the
opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring
accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.
Operating results for the three quarters ended August 2, 1998 are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal
year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements
and footnotes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for
the year ended November 2, 1997.

2.  USE OF ESTIMATES.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated
financial statements.  Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.

Estimates are reevaluated frequently, and changes in estimates are recorded
throughout the year.  During the first quarter of fiscal 1997, an accrual
representing the Company's estimated annual obligation to its Employee Stock
Ownership Plan was reduced by $1.4 million to reflect the actual amount
contributed.

3.  INVENTORIES.  Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands of
dollars):

                                    August 2, 1998        November 2, 1997
                                    --------------        ----------------

        Finished goods                $ 50,196               $ 51,639
        Work-in-process                 16,498                 12,056
        Raw materials and
          finished parts                59,474                 58,389
                                      --------               --------

                                      $126,168               $122,084
                                      ========               ========

                                  Page 6
<PAGE>

4. ACCOUNTING CHANGES.  In the first quarter of 1998, the Company adopted
Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 128, "Earnings per Share."
Statement 128 replaced the previously reported primary and fully diluted
earnings per share with basic and diluted earnings per share.  Unlike primary
earnings per share, basic earnings per share excludes any dilutive effects of
options, warrants, and convertible securities.  Diluted earnings per share is
very similar to the previously reported fully diluted earnings per share.  All
earnings per share amounts for all periods have been presented, and where
necessary, restated to conform to the Statement 128 requirements.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued the following statements
which the Company has not yet adopted:  Statement No. 132, "Employers'
Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits" (FAS 132) and
Statement No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities" (FAS 133).  FAS 132 revises employers' disclosures about pension
and other postretirement benefit plans.  FAS 133 establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities.  The
Company must adopt FAS 132 no later than fiscal year 1999 and FAS 133 no later
than fiscal year 2000.  These statements are not expected to have a material
effect on the financial statements.

5.  EARNINGS PER SHARE.  The following table sets forth the computation of
basic and diluted earnings per share (dollars and shares in thousands except
for per share amounts):
<TABLE>
                       Thirteen Weeks Ended      Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
                      August 2,   August 3,       August 2,   August 3,
                        1998        1997            1998        1997
                      --------    --------        --------    --------
<S>                   <C>         <C>             <C>         <C>
Numerator -
  net income          $ 13,775    $ 12,195        $ 19,340    $ 30,342
                      ========    ========        ========    ========

Denominator for basic
  EPS - weighted-
  average common
  shares outstanding    16,358      17,227          16,544      17,379

Incremental common
  shares attributable
  to outstanding stock
  options, nonvested
  stock, and deferred
  stock-based
  compensation             107         264             124         296
                      --------    --------        --------    --------

Denominator for
  diluted EPS           16,465      17,491          16,668      17,675
                      ========    ========        ========    ========

Basic earnings per
  share                $   .84     $   .71         $  1.17     $  1.75
                      ========    ========        ========    ========

Diluted earnings per
  share                $   .84     $   .70         $  1.16     $  1.72
                      ========    ========        ========    ========
</TABLE>
                                  Page 7
<PAGE>

6.  ACQUISITIONS.  In October, 1997, Nordson acquired a provider of
ultraviolet curing equipment to the container industry.  The acquisition of
its U.S. operations was recorded in the fourth quarter of 1997; the
acquisition of its U.K. operations was recorded in the first quarter of 1998.

7.  ONE-TIME CHARGE.  In the second quarter of fiscal 1998, Nordson recognized
a one-time pre-tax charge of $15,670,000.  This charge includes $5,952,000
related to inventory valuations and charged to cost of sales.  The balance
relates to an early retirement program, involuntary severances and fixed asset
write-downs, and is reported below selling and administrative expenses.  The
one-time charge on an after-tax basis was $10,342,000 or $.62 per share.

8.  SUBSEQUENT EVENT.  In August, 1998, Nordson reached an agreement to
purchase BDL Holdings Inc., the privately owned parent company of J&M
Laboratories, Inc., headquartered in Dawsonville, Georgia.  J&M Laboratories
manufactures systems that produce synthetic fibers used to make nonwoven
fabrics and other products.  The transaction is expected to be finalized by
the end of September, 1998.


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

The following is Management's discussion and analysis of certain significant
factors affecting the Company's financial condition and results of operations
for the periods included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial
statements.

                              RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
SALES

Sales for the third quarter and year-to-date 1998 increased 5.2% and 4.8%,
respectively, over the comparable periods of 1997.  Price/volume gains of 8.5%
for the third quarter and 9.2% year-to-date were partially offset by
unfavorable currency effects.  Price increases averaging 2% were implemented
on orders taken after the beginning of the year for standardized small systems
and parts.

Strong sales volume growth in Europe and North America continued to drive sales
performance for the third quarter of 1998.  Compared with 1997, activity in
Europe remained strong, reflecting wide-spread growth across all Nordson's
businesses, with sales volume up 13.6% for the quarter and 18.8% for the
year-to-date.  Sales volume in North America increased 14.1% for the quarter
and 11.7% for the first three quarters of 1998, led by strong sales of
electronics, liquid finishing and ultraviolet curing systems.

                                  Page 8
<PAGE>

In contrast to Europe and North America, sales volumes declined in Japan and
other Pacific Rim countries, reflecting the ongoing economic challenges in
these markets.  Unfavorable currency effects further reduced reported revenues.
Compared with 1997, sales volume in Japan was down 4.4% for the third quarter
and 8.9% for the first three quarters of 1998.  In the Pacific South division,
which spans the Pacific Rim, South Asia and Latin America, sales volume was
down 15.3% for the third quarter and 12.2% year-to-date.

Sales to international customers for year-to-date 1998 comprised approximately
56% of total sales.  Translating international sales at exchange rates
reflecting generally higher average exchange rates as compared to the same
periods of the prior year had the effect of decreasing sales by 3.3% for the
third quarter and 4.4% for the year-to-date period.


OPERATING PROFIT

During the second quarter of fiscal 1998, Nordson recognized a one-time pre-tax
charge of $15.7 million.  The charge included $8.3 million for costs associated
with an early retirement program and other staff reductions implemented during
the second quarter.  The balance of this charge related to asset write-downs,
primarily inventory and fixed assets.  The amount related to inventories was
charged to cost of sales.

Operating profit, as a percentage of sales, increased to 13.5% for the third
quarter of 1998 from 11.7% for the third quarter of 1997.  Excluding the
one-time charge, year-to-date operating profit declined to 10.4% of sales for
1998, from 10.7% for the same period of 1997.

The gross margin rate increased for the third quarter from 55.9% in 1997 to
56.2% in 1998 and decreased for the first three quarters, before the one-time
charge, from 57.1% in 1997 to 55.8% in 1998.  The influencing factors behind
the lower margin for the first three quarters were the unfavorable currency
effects, combined with the mix of products sold in both North America and
Europe.

Selling and administrative expenses for the third quarter and the first three
quarters of 1998, before the effects of the one-time charge, increased 1.7% and
2.5%, respectively, over the comparable periods in 1997.  These minimal rates
of increase reflect efforts to contain costs in the face of unstable
international business climates.


NET INCOME

For the third quarter of 1998, net income, as a percentage of sales, increased
to 8.2% from 7.7% for the same period of 1997.  Year-to-date income, excluding
the one-time charge, was 6.3% of sales in 1998, compared to 6.7% in 1997.  In
addition to the factors impacting operating profit discussed above,
year-to-date interest expense increased $1,179,000 due to higher levels of
short-term borrowing, driven primarily by the continuing repurchases of Nordson
stock.

                                  Page 9
<PAGE>

In the first quarter of 1998, the Company adopted Financial Accounting
Standards Board Statement No. 128, "Earnings per Share."  Statement 128
replaced the previously reported primary and fully diluted earnings per share
with basic and diluted earnings per share.  For 1998 and 1997, diluted
earnings per share were $.84 and $.70, respectively, for the third quarter
and $1.16 and $1.72, respectively, for year-to-date.  The one-time charge on
an after-tax basis was $10.3 million or $.62 per share on a diluted basis.
Diluted earnings per share, before the one-time charge, were $1.78 for the
1998 year-to-date period.


FOREIGN CURRENCY EFFECTS

In the aggregate, average exchange rates for the third quarter and year-to-date
1998 used to translate international sales and operating results into U.S.
dollars compared unfavorably with average exchange rates during the comparable
1997 periods.  It is not possible to precisely measure the impact on operating
results arising from foreign currency exchange rate changes, because of
changes in selling prices, sales volume, product mix and cost structure in
each country in which the Company operates.  However, if transactions for the
third quarter 1998 were translated at exchange rates in effect during 1997,
sales would have been approximately $5,300,000 higher while third-party costs
and expenses would have been $3,000,000 higher.  If transactions for
year-to-date 1998 were translated at exchange rates in effect during 1997,
sales would have been approximately $20,000,000 higher and third-party costs
and expenses would have been $11,800,000 higher.


                           FINANCIAL CONDITION

During the first three quarters of 1998, net assets decreased $22,676,000.
This decrease is primarily due to net repurchases of Nordson stock totaling
$26,345,000, the payment of $10,940,000 in dividends and a decrease of
$4,963,000 from translating foreign net assets at the end of the third
quarter when the U.S. dollar was stronger against other currencies than at
the prior year end, offset by earnings of $19,340,000.

Working capital, as of the end of the quarter, decreased $7,029,000 over
the prior year-end.  This change consisted primarily of decreases in accounts
receivable and increases in notes payable and other current liabilities,
offset by increases in cash and inventories and decreases in accounts payable.
All changes include decreases from the effects of translating into U.S. dollars
current amounts denominated in generally weaker foreign currencies.
Receivables decreased from the collection of year-end receivables arising from
strong sales in the fourth quarter of 1997, notes payable increased from net
borrowings and other current liabilities increased as a result of customer
advance payments on orders which are expected to be invoiced during the fourth
quarter of 1998.  Inventories increased in anticipation of fourth quarter
demand for Nordson products and accounts payable decreased from the repayment
of additional purchases at prior year-end.

                                  Page 10
<PAGE>

Cash and cash equivalents increased $6,420,000 during the first three
quarters of 1998.  Cash provided from operating activities was $47,237,000
and cash provided by net proceeds from notes payable was $13,252,000.  Uses
for cash included purchases of treasury shares, outlays for capital
expenditures, dividends and scheduled repayments of long-term debt.
Available lines of credit continue to be more than adequate to meet
additional cash requirements over the next year.

Other non-current liabilities increased $8,075,000 from the prior year-end,
primarily from pension and other postretirement plan accruals, related to
the early retirement program, which will be paid over an extended number of
years and will not materially effect any individual year.


                                 OUTLOOK

Our improved operating profit margin for the third quarter of 1998 reflects
the initial results of our efforts to improve the efficiency and effective-
ness of our operations undertaken during the second quarter.  Despite the
challenges of today's international business environment, we remain committed
to making investments that will help us achieve our long-term growth objectives.


                                 YEAR 2000

Many computerized systems use only two digits, rather than four, to record
the year in a date field.  These systems may recognize the year 2000 as the
year 1900 or some other date, resulting in errors when dates are used in
computations and comparisons.  Nordson is addressing this issue for its
information systems, products, equipment (with embedded micro-controllers),
facilities, suppliers and vendors.  Assessment has been completed, while
remediation, testing and contingency planning are in progress.  Nordson
expects that all phases will be completed by mid-1999.  The total cost of
the project including purchased hardware and software and internal and
external resources is estimated to be $5.5 million.  Remaining costs are
approximately $3.9 million of which $2.0 will be expensed through 1999 and
the balance capitalized.

Nordson believes that the steps referred to above will minimize its business
risk related to the Year 2000.  However, Nordson cannot guarantee that cost
and time estimates or planned results will be achieved.  For a listing of
risks associated with the Year 2000, refer to the "Safe Harbor Statements
Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995" disclosure found
on Page 12.

                                  Page 11
<PAGE>

                             SAFE HARBOR STATEMENTS
                          UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES
                         LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

The statements in the paragraphs titled "Outlook" and "Year 2000" that refer
to anticipated trends, events or occurrences in, or expectations for, the
future (generally indicated by the use of phrases such as "Nordson expects"
or "Nordson believes" or words of similar import or by references to "risks")
are "forward-looking statements" intended to qualify for the protection
afforded by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These
forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve risks
and uncertainties.  Consequently, the Company's actual results could differ
materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially
from the expected results include deferral of orders, customer-requested delays
in system installations, currency exchange rate fluctuations, a sales mix
different from assumptions, significant changes in local business conditions
in geographic regions in which we conduct business and, in the case of Year
2000 issues, the availability and retention of internal and external resources,
delayed or unsuccessful completion of planned activities of the Company, and
delayed, unsuccessful or incompatible Year 2000 conversions by third parties
of their products or systems on which the Company relies.

                                  Page 12
<PAGE>

                        Part II - Other Information

Item 5. Other Information

The Company's proxies for its 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will
confer discretionary authority to vote on any matter if the Company does
not receive timely written notice of such matter in accordance with
Section 7 of Article I of the Company's Amended Regulations.  In general,
Section 7 provides that, to be timely, a shareholder's notice of business
requested to be brought before an annual meeting of shareholders must be
delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of
the Company not less than 60 nor more than 90 days prior to the annual
meeting.

The Company has not yet set the date for its 1999 Annual Meeting of Share-
holders, but expects that it will be held on a date that is close to the
anniversary of the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  If the 1999 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders were to be held on the same day of the month as the
1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (March 12), 60 days prior to the annual
meeting would be January 11, 1999, and 90 days prior to the annual meeting
would be December 12, 1998.  For business to be properly requested by a
shareholder to be brought before an annual meeting of shareholders, the
shareholder must comply with all of the requirements of Section 7, not just
the timeliness requirements outlined above.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

        (a) Exhibits - Exhibit 27 Financial Data Schedules

        (b) There were no reports on Form 8-K filed for the quarter ended
            August 2, 1998.

                                 Page 13
<PAGE>
                                 SIGNATURE


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


Date:  September 15, 1998                    Nordson Corporation




                                             /s/ Nicholas D. Pellecchia
                                             --------------------------
                                              Nicholas D. Pellecchia
                                              Vice President, Finance
                                              and Controller
                                             (Principal Financial Officer
                                              and Chief Accounting Officer)

                                  Page 14
<PAGE>
                             NORDSON CORPORATION

                               EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit 27      Financial Data Schedules

   Exhibit 27-a   Period Ending August 2, 1998

   Exhibit 27-b   Period Ending August 3, 1997

                                  Page 15
<PAGE>


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>           9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                 NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                      AUG-03-1998
<CASH>                                  7,937
<SECURITIES>                               30
<RECEIVABLES>                         151,504
<ALLOWANCES>                            3,304
<INVENTORY>                           126,168
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                      313,082
<PP&E>                                214,534
<DEPRECIATION>                        118,255
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                        488,618
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                 180,959
<BONDS>                                     0
                       0
                                 0
<COMMON>                               12,253
<OTHER-SE>                            185,616
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>          488,618
<SALES>                               474,211
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                      474,211
<CGS>                                 215,780
<TOTAL-COSTS>                         215,780
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          895
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                      7,070
<INCOME-PRETAX>                        29,303
<INCOME-TAX>                            9,963
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                    19,340
<DISCONTINUED>                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                             0
<CHANGES>                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                           19,340
<EPS-PRIMARY>                            1.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                            1.16
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>           9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                  NOV-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                       AUG-03-1997
<CASH>                                   8,786
<SECURITIES>                               200
<RECEIVABLES>                          151,885
<ALLOWANCES>                             3,461
<INVENTORY>                            129,601
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                       316,238
<PP&E>                                 209,436
<DEPRECIATION>                         105,191
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                         501,686
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                  220,488
<BONDS>                                      0
                        0
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