BRADY CORP
10-Q, 2000-02-25
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
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<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

               X QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
              ---
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                 For the Quarterly Period Ended January 31, 2000

                                       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 0-12730

                                BRADY CORPORATION
                                -----------------

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


          WISCONSIN                                              39-0178960
          ---------                                              ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of                               (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)



              6555 WEST GOOD HOPE ROAD, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53223
              ----------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (Zip Code)

                                 (414) 358-6600
                                 --------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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
    ---           ---
                      APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

As of February 21, 2000, there were outstanding 20,915,368 shares of Class A
Common Stock and 1,769,314 shares of Class B Common Stock. The Class B Common
Stock, all of which is held by an affiliate of the Registrant, is the only
voting stock.


<PAGE>   2





                                    FORM 10-Q

                                BRADY CORPORATION

                                      INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                Page
                                                                                                                ----
PART I.      Financial Information
<S>                                                                                                           <C>
     Item 1. Financial Statements

             Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet                                                       3

             Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of
                   Income and Earnings Retained in the Business                                                   4

             Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                                                      5

             Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements                                                 6

     Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                   Condition and Results of Operations                                                           10


PART II.     Other Information

     Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                                                    14

             Signatures                                                                                          15

</TABLE>




<PAGE>   3

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 ASSETS                                  January 31, 2000   July 31, 1999
                                                 ------                                  ----------------   -------------
                                                                                           (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                                         <C>             <C>
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                                                                $  66,801       $  75,466
   Accounts receivable, less allowance for losses ($2,851 and $2,339 respectively)             81,164          73,290
   Inventories                                                                                 36,892          37,527
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                   21,057          16,886
                                                                                            ---------       ---------

       Total current assets                                                                   205,914         203,169

Other assets:
   Intangibles - net                                                                           75,265          72,941
   Other                                                                                        8,463           8,026

Property, plant and equipment:
   Cost:
       Land                                                                                     5,027           5,008
       Buildings and improvements                                                              42,406          41,417
       Machinery and equipment                                                                103,159         101,324
       Construction in progress                                                                 4,658           2,229
                                                                                            ---------       ---------

                                                                                              155,250         149,978
   Less accumulated depreciation                                                               88,750          82,994
                                                                                            ---------       ---------

       Net property, plant and equipment                                                       66,500          66,984
                                                                                            ---------       ---------

Total                                                                                       $ 356,142       $ 351,120
                                                                                            =========       =========

                                LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT

Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                                                                         $  24,513       $  19,378
   Wages and amounts withheld from employees                                                   17,121          23,186
   Taxes, other than income taxes                                                               2,546           2,290
   Accrued income taxes                                                                         8,639          12,516
   Other current liabilities                                                                   11,409          13,289
   Current maturities on long-term debt                                                           106           2,626
                                                                                            ---------       ---------

       Total current liabilities                                                               64,334          73,285

Long-term debt, less current maturities                                                         1,009           1,402

Other liabilities                                                                              15,066          15,869
                                                                                            ---------       ---------

       Total liabilities                                                                       80,409          90,556

Stockholders' investment:
   Preferred stock                                                                              2,855           2,855
   Class A nonvoting common stock - issued 20,919,916 and 20,839,841 shares, respectively         209             208
   Class B voting common stock - issued and outstanding 1,769,314 shares                           18              18
   Additional paid-in capital                                                                  29,958          28,383
   Earnings retained in the business                                                          248,126         233,521
   Treasury stock - 4,548 shares of Class A nonvoting common stock, at cost                      (132)           (132)
   Cumulative other comprehensive income                                                       (3,317)         (1,958)
   Other                                                                                       (1,984)         (2,331)
                                                                                            ---------       ---------

       Total stockholders' investment                                                         275,733         260,564
                                                                                            ---------       ---------

Total                                                                                       $ 356,142       $ 351,120
                                                                                            =========       =========
</TABLE>

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                        3
<PAGE>   4


BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND EARNINGS RETAINED IN THE
BUSINESS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      (Unaudited)

                                                                                    Three Months Ended          Six months Ended
                                                                                       January 31                 January 31
                                                                                    2000          1999         2000         1999
                                                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ----------
<S>                                                                                <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Net sales                                                                          $ 129,222    $ 112,309    $ 254,771    $ 229,111

Operating expenses:
   Cost of products sold                                                              54,913       50,001      107,648      101,279
   Research and development                                                            5,535        4,362        9,823        9,008
   Selling, general and administrative                                                53,395       44,836      102,143       91,185
                                                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Total operating expenses                                                             113,843       99,199      219,614      201,472

Operating income                                                                      15,379       13,110       35,157       27,639

Other income and (expense):
   Investment and other income - net                                                     556          172        1,058          186
   Interest expense                                                                      (38)        (103)        (119)        (248)
                                                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------

Income before income taxes                                                            15,897       13,179       36,096       27,577

Income taxes                                                                           6,065        5,205       13,897       10,892
                                                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------

Net income                                                                             9,832        7,974       22,199       16,685


Earnings retained in business at beginning of period                                 242,126      213,437      233,521      208,254

Less dividends:
   Preferred Stock                                                                       (65)         (65)        (130)        (130)
   Common Stock                                                                       (3,767)      (3,529)      (7,464)      (6,992)
                                                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------


Earnings retained in business at end of period                                     $ 248,126    $ 217,817    $ 248,126    $ 217,817
                                                                                   =========    =========    =========    =========

Net income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share

                                                                      Basic        $    0.43    $    0.35    $    0.97    $    0.74
                                                                                   =========    =========    =========    =========

                                                                    Diluted        $    0.43    $    0.35    $    0.96    $    0.73
                                                                                   =========    =========    =========    =========
Net income per Class B Voting Common Share

                                                                      Basic        $    0.43    $    0.35    $    0.94    $    0.70
                                                                                   =========    =========    =========    =========

                                                                    Diluted        $    0.43    $    0.35    $    0.93    $    0.70
                                                                                   =========    =========    =========    =========
</TABLE>

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                        4

<PAGE>   5


BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in Thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  (Unaudited)
                                                                                               Six Months Ended
                                                                                                  January 31
                                                                                            2000             1999
                                                                                         ----------        ---------
<S>                                                                                      <C>               <C>
Operating activities:
Net income                                                                               $ 22,199          $ 16,685
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
  Depreciation                                                                              6,107             5,560
  Amortization                                                                              2,560             1,864
  Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment                                                29                30
  Provision for losses on accounts receivable                                                 951               521
  Other                                                                                       347               347
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects of business
    acquisitions):
     Accounts receivable                                                                   (9,548)           (3,324)
     Inventory                                                                                450               889
     Prepaid expenses and other assets                                                     (6,378)            4,415
     Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities                              (2,616)           (4,274)
     Income taxes                                                                          (4,199)           (2,792)
                                                                                         --------          --------
         Net cash provided by operating activities                                          9,902            19,921

Investing activities:
  Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired                                         (4,949)           (4,214)
  Purchases of property, plant and equipment                                               (5,839)           (6,298)
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                                         102               173
  Other                                                                                        16              (175)
                                                                                         --------          --------
         Net cash (used in) investing activities                                          (10,670)          (10,514)

Financing activities:
  Payment of dividends                                                                     (7,594)           (7,122)
  Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock                                                    1,577               667
  Principal payments on long-term debt                                                     (2,958)             (246)
  Proceeds from long-term borrowings                                                            0               343
                                                                                         --------          --------
         Net cash (used in) financing activities                                           (8,975)           (6,358)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                                                     1,078               894
                                                                                         --------          --------

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents                                       (8,665)            3,943
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                                             75,466            65,609
                                                                                         --------          --------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                                                 $ 66,801          $ 69,552
                                                                                         ========          ========

Supplemental disclosures:
Cash paid during the period for:
  Interest                                                                               $    311          $    325
  Income taxes, net of refunds                                                             15,609            12,029
</TABLE>


See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                        5

<PAGE>   6



                       BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        Six Months Ended January 31, 2000


NOTE A - Basis of Presentation

     The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been
prepared by the Company without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of the Company, the
foregoing statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal
recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the financial position of the
Company as of January 31, 2000, and July 3l, 1999, and its results of operations
for the three months and six months ended January 31, 2000, and 1999 and its
cash flows for the six months ended January 31, 2000, and 1999. The consolidated
balance sheet at July 31, l999, has been taken from the audited consolidated
financial statements of that date and condensed.

     Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although
the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information
presented not misleading. It is suggested that these condensed financial
statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes
thereto included in the Company's latest annual report.

     It is not practical to segregate the amounts of raw material, work in
process or finished goods at the respective interim balance sheet dates.

NOTE B - Net Income Per Common Share

     Reconciliations of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted
per share computations for the Company's Class A and Class B common stock are
summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          Fiscal 2000                               Fiscal 1999
                                                          -----------                               -----------

                                               2nd Quarter              6-Month           2nd Quarter              6-Month
                                               -----------              -------           -----------              -------
Numerator:
<S>                                           <C>                   <C>                   <C>                 <C>
   Net income                                   $9,832,000           $22,199,000           $7,974,000          $16,685,000
   Less:   Preferred stock dividends              (64,784)             (129,567)             (64,784)            (129,567)
                                                  --------             ---------             --------            ---------

   Numerator for basic and diluted
       Class A earnings per share                9,767,216            22,069,433            7,909,216           16,555,433

   Less:  Preferential dividends                        --             (694,492)                   --            (690,541)
   Less:  Preferential dividends on
       dilutive stock options                           --              (10,410)                   --              (2,739)
                                                        --              --------                   --              -------

   Numerator for basic and diluted
       Class B earnings per share               $9,767,216           $21,364,531           $7,909,216          $15,862,937
                                                ==========           ===========           ==========          ===========

</TABLE>




                                                          6


<PAGE>   7



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                Fiscal 2000                               Fiscal 1999
                                                                -----------                               -----------

                                                    2nd Quarter              6-Month           2nd Quarter            6-Month
                                                    -----------              -------           -----------            -------
Denominator:
<S>                                                 <C>                   <C>                  <C>                  <C>
   Denominator for basic earnings per
         share for both Class A and Class B          22,660,321            22,663,973           22,529,702           22,514,567
          share for both Class A and Class B
   Plus: Effect of dilutive stock options               269,034               287,962              185,864              115,104
                                                        -------               -------              -------              -------

   Denominator for diluted earnings per
       share for both Class A and Class B            22,929,355            22,951,935           22,715,566           22,629,671
                                                     ==========            ==========           ==========           ==========

Class A common stock earnings per share:
       Basic                                              $0.43                 $0.97                $0.35                $0.74
       Diluted                                            $0.43                 $0.96                $0.35                $0.73

Class B common stock earnings per share:
       Basic                                              $0.43                 $0.94                $0.35                $0.70
       Diluted                                            $0.43                 $0.93                $0.35                $0.70

</TABLE>

         Options to purchase 526,000 and 238,317 shares of Class A common stock
were not included in the computations of diluted earnings per share for the
quarters ending January 31, 2000, and 1999, respectively, because the option
exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares
and, therefore, the effect would be antidilutive.

         Options to purchase 254,167 and 1,024,418 shares of Class A common
stock were not included in the computations of diluted earnings per share for
the six months ending January 31, 2000, and 1999, respectively, because the
option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common
shares and, therefore, the effect would be antidilutive.

NOTE C - Comprehensive Income

         Total comprehensive income, which was comprised of net income and
foreign currency adjustments, amounted to approximately $7,922,000 and
$5,154,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2000, and 1999, respectively,
and $20,840,000 and $17,962,000 for the six months ended January 31, 2000, and
1999, respectively.

NOTE D - Acquisition

         Effective September 3, 1999, the Company acquired the brand name,
customer list and catalog artwork of Champion America, Inc., located in Chagrin
Falls, Ohio, a direct marketer of signs, labels and identification products for
cash of approximately $5,600,000. The purchase price of this acquisition is
subject to change based on post-closing adjustments.

         This acquisition has been accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting and accordingly the results of operations have been included since
the date of acquisition in the accompanying financial statements. The pro-forma
results assuming the acquisition had been consummated as of the beginning of the
periods presented are not significant.


                                        7


<PAGE>   8





NOTE E - Segment Information

     The Company's reportable segments are business units that are each managed
separately because they manufacture and/or distribute distinct products using
different processes. The Company has three reportable segments: the
Identification Solutions & Specialty Tapes Group, the Graphics Group and the
Direct Marketing Group. Following is a summary of segment information for the
three months ended January 31, 2000, and 1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            Identification
                                             Solutions &                                      Corporate
                                              Specialty                       Direct            and
                                                Tapes        Graphics       Marketing      Eliminations             Totals
                                                -----        --------       ---------      ------------             ------
Three months ended January 31, 2000:
<S>                                         <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>                     <C>
Revenues from external customers                $58,251       $29,810         $41,161                              $129,222
Intersegment revenues                               756           885             200          ($1,841)                  --
Profit (loss)                                    11,759         2,671           6,461           (3,982)              16,909

Three months ended January 31, 1999:
Revenues from external customers                $43,862       $29,717         $38,730                              $112,309
Intersegment revenues                             1,486           494             219          ($2,199)                  --
Profit (loss)                                     6,030         2,208           6,509             (675)              14,072

</TABLE>

Following is a summary of segment information for the six months ended January
31, 2000, and 1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                         Identification
                                           Solutions &                                    Corporate
                                            Specialty                      Direct            and
                                              Tapes         Graphics      Marketing      Eliminations                  Totals
                                              -----         --------      ---------      ------------                  ------
Six months ended January 31, 2000:
<S>                                     <C>               <C>            <C>            <C>                        <C>
Revenues from external customers             $112,681       $61,682         $80,408                                  $254,771
Intersegment revenues                           1,400         1,567             494          ($3,461)                      --
Profit (loss)                                  21,842         8,779          13,322           (6,064)                  37,879

Six months ended January 31, 1999:
Revenues from external customers              $89,268       $62,373         $77,470                                  $229,111
Intersegment revenues                           2,243         1,042             447          ($3,732)                      --
Profit (loss)                                  12,761         6,908          12,760           (2,640)                  29,789

</TABLE>










                                        8


<PAGE>   9





Following is a reconciliation of profit for the three and six months ended
January 31, 2000, and 1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           Fiscal 2000                               Fiscal 1999
                                                           -----------                               -----------

                                              2nd Quarter               6-Month          2nd Quarter              6-Month
                                              -----------               -------          -----------              -------
<S>                                          <C>                      <C>               <C>                     <C>
Total profit from reportable segments             $20,891               $43,943              $14,747              $32,429
Corporate and eliminations                        (3,982)               (6,064)                (675)              (2,640)
Unallocated amounts:
    Goodwill                                      (1,116)               (2,249)                (850)              (1,668)
    Interest-net                                      560                 1,102                  490                  717
    Foreign exchange                                 (61)                 (200)                (375)                (770)
    Other                                           (395)                 (436)                (158)                (491)
                                                     ----                 -----                -----                -----

Income before income taxes                        $15,897               $36,096              $13,179              $27,577
                                                  =======               =======              =======              =======
</TABLE>


NOTE F - Restructuring

     During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company recorded a
nonrecurring charge of $5,390,000 related primarily to a provision for severance
costs associated with a reduction in workforce at its operations around the
world. The workforce reduction of 7.5%, approximately 200 people, was
essentially completed in August 1998.

     A reconciliation of activity with respect to the Company's restructuring is
as follows:

<TABLE>


<S>                                                                                                   <C>
                      Provision, July 31, 1998                                                          $5,390,000
                      Fiscal 1999 activity:
                        Noncash asset write-offs                                                         (366,000)
                        Cash payments associated with severance                                        (4,150,000)
                        Amounts taken to income                                                          (611,000)
                                                                                                         ---------
                      Ending balance, July 31, 1999                                                        263,000

                      Fiscal 2000 activity:
                        Cash payments associated with severance                                          (199,000)
                                                                                                         ---------
                      Ending balance, October 31, 1999                                                      64,000
                        Cash payments associated with severance                                           (64,000)
                                                                                                          --------
                      Ending balance, January 31, 2000                                                          $0
                                                                                                                ==
</TABLE>











                                        9


<PAGE>   10





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

 Results of Operations

         For the three months ended January 31, 2000, revenues of $129,222,000
were 15.1% higher than the same quarter of the previous year. For the six months
ended January 31, 2000, revenues of $254,771,000 were 11.2% higher than the same
period last year. Sales of the Company's international operations increased
12.6% for the quarter and 9.9% for the six months ended January 31, 2000. Of
that increase, continued market penetration of existing base products in Brady's
operations outside the United States increased international sales by 10.5% for
the quarter and 6.9% for the six month period. The acquisitions of VisiSign.
Ltd., Holman Groupe S.A. and Soft S.A. increased international sales by 9.2% for
the quarter and 8.6% for the six month period. These increases were somewhat
offset by the negative effect of fluctuations in the exchange rates used to
translate financial results into U.S. currency, which reduced international
sales growth by 7.1 percentage points in the quarter and 5.5 percentage points
in the six month period. Sales of the Company's U.S. operations increased17.3%
in the quarter and 12.3% for the six months ended January 31, 2000. Of that
increase, base business increased 11.0% in the quarter and 6.9% for the six
month period. The acquisitions of Barcodes West, Inc. and the Champion America,
Inc. brand name increased U.S. sales by 6.3% in the quarter and 5.4% for the six
month period.

         The cost of products sold as a percentage of sales decreased from 44.5%
to 42.5% for the quarter and from 44.2% to 42.3% for the six months ended
January 31, 2000, due to reduced costs from changes in product mix towards
products with higher margins, reduced expenses as a result of last year's
workforce reduction and manufacturing efficiencies from the Company's continuous
improvement efforts. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a
percentage of sales were 41.3% for the quarter compared to 39.9% for the same
quarter of the previous year. For the six months ended January 31, 2000, this
percentage was 40.1% compared to 39.8% for the same period last year. These
increases were due primarily to the Company's investment in process improvements
discussed in the Financial Condition section below. Research and development
expenditures increased 26.9% for the quarter and 9.0% for the six months ended
January 31, 2000, over the same periods last year reflecting the Company's
commitment to new product development. As a percentage of sales, research and
development expenses increased from 3.9% to 4.3% for the quarter and equaled
3.9% for both six month periods.

         Operating income was $15,379,000 for the quarter and $35,157,000 for
the six months ended January 31, 2000, compared to $13,110,000 and $27,639,000
for the same periods last year because of the factors cited above.

         Investment and other income increased $384,000 for the quarter and
$872,000 for the six months ended January 31, 2000, over the same periods last
year. These increases were the result of lower foreign exchange transaction
losses and higher investment income because of higher interest rates.

         Income before income taxes increased 20.6% for the quarter and 30.9%
for the six months ended January 31, 2000, compared to the prior year results.
The Company's effective tax rate was 38.2% for the quarter compared to 39.5% for
the same quarter of the previous year. For the six months ended January 31,
2000, this percentage was 38.5% compared to 39.5% for the same period last year.
These decreases were the result of profitability changes in the Company's
international operations.


                                       10


<PAGE>   11





         Net income for the three months ended January 31, 2000, increased 23.3%
to $9,832,000 compared to $7,974,000 for the same quarter of the previous year.
For the six months ended January 31, 2000, net income increased 33.1% to
$22,199,000 from $16,685,000 for the same period last year. On a per share
basis, diluted net income for the three months ended January 31, 2000, was $0.43
compared to $0.35 for the same quarter of the previous year. For the six months
ended January 31, 2000, diluted net income per share was $0.96 compared to $0.73
for the same period last year.

Business Segment Operating Results

Identification Solutions & Specialty Tapes (ISST) Group:

         ISST sales increased 32.8% for the three months ended January 31, 2000.
For the six months ended January 31, 2000, ISST sales were 26.2% higher than the
same period last year. The increases were primarily the result of a growth of
base business, particularly with global customers in the telecommunications and
electronics markets. The acquisitions of Barcodes West, Inc. and Holman Groupe,
S.A. also contributed to the sales increase compared to last year. Sales were up
significantly in Latin America, Australia and Asia. Profit as a percentage of
sales increased from 13.7% to 20.2% for the quarter and from 14.3% to 19.4% for
the six months ended January 31, 2000. The increases were primarily the result
of product mix, operating leverage from the increased volume and manufacturing
efficiencies.

Graphics Group:

         Graphics sales increased 0.3% for the three months ended January 31,
2000. For the six months ended January 31, 2000, Graphics sales were 1.1% lower
than the same period last year. Sales generated by the acquisitions of VisiSign
Pty. Ltd. And Soft S.A. offset weakness in the industrial and safety markets in
the United States and Europe and the decrease in sales of Colorpix wide-format
color inkjet printers and related materials. Sales were up in Asia, Australia
and Canada and down in Europe and the United States. Profit as a percentage of
sales increased from 7.4% to 9.0% for the quarter and from 11.1% to 14.2% for
the six months ended January 31, 2000. These increases were primarily the result
of the group's refocusing resources on products with higher profit margins.

Direct Marketing Group:

         Direct Marketing sales increased 6.3% for the three months ended
January 31, 2000. For the six months ended January 31, 2000, Direct Marketing
sales were 3.8% higher that the same period last year. For the quarter, sales in
Brazil, Italy, Australia and Canada were up significantly, while sales in France
and Germany were below last year's totals. For the six month period, Australian
and Canadian sales were up significantly, while sales in the U.K. and Germany
were down. Profit as a percentage of sales decreased from 16.8% to 15.7% for the
quarter and increased from 16.5% to 16.6% for the six months ended January 31,
2000. The quarterly decrease was primarily the result of increased advertising
expenditures.










                                       11


<PAGE>   12





Financial Condition

         The Company's liquidity remains strong. The current ratio as of January
31, 2000, was 3.2 to 1. Cash and cash equivalents were $66,801,000 at January
31, 2000, compared to $75,466,000 at July 31, 1999. The decrease was primarily
due to the purchase of certain assets of Champion America, Inc. and the paydown
of Korean bank debt. Working capital increased $11,696,000 during the six months
and equaled $141,580,000 as of January 31, 2000.

         Cash flow from operations totaled $9,902,000 for the six months ended
January 31, 2000, compared to $19,921,000 for the same period last year. The
decrease was primarily the result of the increase in accounts receivable and
prepaid assets more than offsetting the Company's increased profitability.
Capital expenditures were $5,839,000 in the six months ended January 31, 2000,
compared to $6,298,00 in the first six months last year. Financing activities,
primarily the payment of dividends to the Company's stockholders and payments of
Korean bank debt, consumed $8,975,000 of cash in the first six months of fiscal
2000, compared to $6,358,000 for the same period last year.

         Long-term debt as a percentage of long-term debt plus stockholder's
investment was 0.4% at January 31, 2000, compared to 0.5% at July 31, 1999.

         In September 1999, the Company entered into a $150,000,000 revolving
loan agreement with six banks. In January 2000, the agreement was amended to
increase the available amount to $200,000,000. On January 27, 2000, the Company
commenced an unsolicited cash tender offer for Critchley Group plc, a British
company, at 575 pence per Critchley share. Purchase of all of Critchley's shares
at this price would require approximately $155,000,000 of cash plus expenses of
the transaction. On February 15, 2000, the Company announced that it would not
match a competing offer of 750 pence per Critchley share made by a competing
offeror. Both offers are subject to a number of conditions, including anti-trust
clearance in the U.K. and other countries.

         During the second quarter of fiscal 2000 a Company-wide process
improvement initiative was begun. This initiative will improve and standardize
processes throughout the Company and install new technology to support those
processes. The Company estimates this initiative will take approximately three
years to complete with total cash outlay of approximately $30,000,000. The
Company estimates that about 60% of that cash outlay will be capital
expenditures.

         The Company believes that its cash and cash equivalents, the cash flow
from operating activities and available line of bank credit are adequate to meet
the Company's current and anticipated investing and financing needs.

Year 2000 Compliance

         The Company did not experience any significant Year 2000 issues with
its in-house computers, software or other equipment. The Company estimates that
it spent approximately $2,500,000 over a multi-year period in preparation for
Year 2000. All costs associated with this issue were expensed as incurred and
did not have a material effect on the results of operations, cash flows or
financial condition of the Company.






                                       12


<PAGE>   13





Forward-Looking Statements

         Matters in this Quarterly Report may contain forward-looking
information, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
All such forward-looking information in this report involves risks and
uncertainties, including, but not limited to, unknown information with respect
to non-negotiated acquisitions; variations in the economic or political
conditions in the countries with which the Company does business; fluctuations
in currency exchange rates for international currencies versus the U.S. dollar;
technology changes; the continued availability of sources of supply; domestic
and international economic conditions and growth rates; the ability of the
Company to timely adjust its cost structure to changes in levels of sales,
product mix and low levels of order backlog; and the ability of the Company to
acquire new businesses. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are
not guarantees, since there are inherent difficulties in predicting future
results, and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or
implied in forward-looking statements.

















                                       13


<PAGE>   14





PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6.            Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

                   (a)     Exhibits

                           None

                   (b)     Reports on Form 8-K.

                            A report on form 8-K dated January 27, 2000, was
                            filed relating the Company's offer to purchase all
                            the outstanding shares of Critchley Group plc for
                            575 pence (approximately $9.49) per share, or a
                            total of 94 million pounds (approximately $155
                            million), in cash.

































                                       14



<PAGE>   15





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

SIGNATURES


                                        BRADY CORPORATION

Date:  February 25, 2000                /s/ K. M. Hudson
       -----------------                -------------------
                                        K. M. Hudson
                                        President


Date:  February 25, 2000                /s/ F. M. Jaehnert
       -----------------                -------------------
                                        F. M. Jaehnert
                                        Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
                                        (Principal Accounting Officer)





























                                                          15


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<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-2000
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