<PAGE> 1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X] Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 26, 1997 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 0-16059
JASON INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
WISCONSIN 39-1756840
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
411 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE, SUITE 2500, MILWAUKEE, WI 53202
(Address of principal executive offices)
(414) 277-9300
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Sections 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
--- ---
On September 26, 1997 there were outstanding 20,225,580 shares of the
Registrant's $.10 par value common stock.
Page 1 of 12
<PAGE> 2
JASON INCORPORATED
FORM 10-Q
SEPTEMBER 26, 1997
INDEX
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION PAGE NO.
--------
Statements of Income for the Three Months
Ended September 26, 1997 and September 27, 1996................... 3
Statements of Income for the Nine Months
Ended September 26, 1997 and September 27, 1996................... 4
Balance Sheets as at September 26, 1997 and
December 27, 1996................................................. 5
Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months
Ended September 26, 1997 and September 27, 1996................... 6
Notes to Financial Statements......................................... 7
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition..................... 8 - 12
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1 Legal Proceedings........................................ 12
Item 2 Changes in Securities.................................... 12
Item 3 Defaults Upon Senior Securities ......................... 12
Item 4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of
Security Holders...................................... 12
Item 5 Other Information........................................ 12
Item 6 (a) Exhibits............................................ 12
(b) Reports on Form 8-K................................. 12
Signatures............................................................ 12
Page 2 of 12
<PAGE> 3
JASON INCORPORATED
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT EARNINGS PER SHARE)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
----------------------------------------------------
SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER
26, 1997 27, 1996
----------------- -----------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
NET SALES $ 111,101 $ 106,730
COST OF SALES 89,067 85,408
------------- ------------
Gross Profit 22,034 21,322
SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 16,476 15,266
------------- ------------
Operating Income 5,558 6,056
INTEREST EXPENSE 2,243 2,396
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE (367) 58
------------- ------------
Income Before Income Taxes 3,682 3,602
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 1,436 1,332
------------- ------------
NET INCOME $ 2,246 $ 2,270
============= ============
NET INCOME PER SHARE $ 0.11 $ 0.11
============= ============
AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING 20,556,000 20,604,000
============= ============
</TABLE>
Page 3 of 12
<PAGE> 4
JASON INCORPORATED
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT EARNINGS PER SHARE)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
---------------------------------------------------
SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER
26, 1997 27, 1996
------------------ -------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
NET SALES $ 359,588 $ 322,395
COST OF SALES 289,118 256,501
------------ -----------
Gross Profit 70,470 65,894
SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 51,485 45,845
------------ -----------
Operating Income 18,985 20,049
INTEREST EXPENSE 7,442 7,166
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE (1,132) 2
------------ -----------
Income Before Income Taxes 12,675 12,881
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 4,943 5,136
------------ -----------
NET INCOME $ 7,732 $ 7,745
============ ===========
NET INCOME PER SHARE $ 0.38 $ 0.38
============ ===========
AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING 20,526,000 20,571,000
============ ===========
</TABLE>
Page 4 of 12
<PAGE> 5
JASON INCORPORATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER DECEMBER
26, 1997 27, 1996
-------------- ---------------
(Unaudited)
--------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash And Cash Equivalents $ 2,631 $ 2,978
Accounts Receivable - Net 56,956 61,483
Inventories (Note 2) 38,449 37,839
Costs And Earnings In Excess Of
Billings On Uncompleted Contracts 11,732 21,626
Income Taxes Receivable --- 2,250
Deferred Income Taxes 7,795 7,795
Other Current Assets 6,966 6,029
------------ ------------
Total Current Assets 124,529 140,000
------------ ------------
Property, Plant and Equipment
Cost 158,333 158,057
Less - Accumulated Depreciation (74,582) (66,624)
------------ ------------
Net Property, Plant and Equipment 83,751 91,433
------------ ------------
Intangible Assets - Net 87,188 89,876
Other Assets 1,635 1,817
------------ ------------
$ 297,103 $ 323,126
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt $ 5,840 $ 3,917
Accounts Payable 27,150 31,397
Accrued Compensation & Employee Benefits 14,652 13,050
Accrued Warranty 4,728 4,434
Accrued Interest 2,076 1,580
Accrued Income Taxes 40 ---
Other Current Liabilities 10,940 10,015
Billings In Excess Of Costs And
Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts 12,947 9,570
------------ ------------
Total Current Liabilities 78,373 73,963
Revolving Loan 10,000 42,190
Other Long-Term Debt 88,531 92,277
Deferred Income Taxes 8,017 8,544
Other Long-Term Liabilities 3,354 4,903
Postemployment & Postretirement Health
And Other Benefits 6,110 5,985
------------ ------------
Total Liabilities 194,385 227,862
------------ ------------
Commitments and Contingencies --- ---
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Stock & Additional
Contributed Capital 34,957 34,687
Retained Earnings 68,355 60,623
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment (594) (46)
------------ ------------
Total Shareholders' Equity 102,718 95,264
------------ ------------
$ 297,103 $ 323,126
============ ============
</TABLE>
Page 5 of 12
<PAGE> 6
JASON INCORPORATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
------------------------------------
SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER
26, 1997 27, 1996
----------- ----------
UNAUDITED
---------
<S> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income $ 7,732 $ 7,745
Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income To Net Cash
Provided By Operating Activities:
Depreciation 10,725 9,287
Amortization 3,766 4,215
Deferred Income Taxes (527) 646
Increase (Decrease) In Cash, Excluding Effects Of
Acquisitions, Due To Changes In:
Accounts Receivable 4,240 (16,980)
Inventories (909) 112
Cost And Earnings In Excess Of Billings
On Uncompleted Contracts 9,894 (7,673)
Other Current Assets 1,281 (2,122)
Other Assets (896) (611)
Accounts Payable (4,136) 3,798
Accrued Compensation & Employee Benefits 1,602 (629)
Accrued Warranty 294 547
Accrued Interest 514 1,014
Accrued Income Taxes 40 (1,739)
Billings In Excess Of Costs And Earnings
On Uncompleted Contracts 3,377 7,114
Other Liabilities (155) (220)
---------- ----------
Total Adjustments 29,110 (3,241)
---------- ----------
Net Cash Provided By Operations 36,842 4,504
---------- ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition Of Property, Plant And Equipment (9,023) (13,178)
Disposal Of Property, Plant And Equipment - Net 3,660 34
Other, Net (531) (36)
---------- ----------
Net Cash Used For Investing Activities (5,894) (13,180)
---------- ----------
Net Cash (Used) Provided Before Financing Activities 30,948 (8,676)
---------- ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds From Revolving Loan 56,610 98,070
Repayments Of Revolving Loan (88,800) (89,240)
Proceeds From (Repayments Of) Other Long-Term Debt 625 (136)
Issuance Of Common Stock - Net 270 84
---------- ----------
Net Cash Provided By (Used For) Financing Activities (31,295) 8,778
---------- ----------
Net Increase (Decrease) In Cash And Cash Equivalents (347) 102
Cash And Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period 2,978 1,890
---------- ----------
Cash And Cash Equivalents, End of Period $ 2,631 $ 1,992
========== ==========
Cash Paid For:
Interest 6,902 6,073
Income Taxes 3,297 6,231
</TABLE>
Page 6 of 12
<PAGE> 7
JASON INCORPORATED
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company operates in three primary business segments: power generation
products, motor vehicle products, and industrial products. Power generation
products include the design and manufacture of silencing equipment, waste heat
recovery boilers, and other auxiliary equipment for the gas turbine and other
industries and the design and fabrication of electromagnetic shielding products
for medical and other electronic equipment applications. Motor vehicle
products include the manufacture and marketing of needled nonwoven fiber
insulation, mastic insulation, dielectric padding and other interior trim
products primarily for the automotive industry but also for furniture and
industrial uses, plus seating products for motorcycles, construction,
agricultural and lawn/turf care equipment. Industrial products include the
manufacture and marketing of industrial brushes, buffing wheels and compound
used by manufacturers to finish a wide variety of manufactured products, plus
the manufacture and marketing of precision components such as precision
stampings, wire form components and expanded metal products.
The financial statements at September 26, 1997 and September 27, 1996 and for
the three and nine month periods then ended are unaudited, however, in the
opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position at these
dates and the results of operations and cash flows for these periods have been
included. The results for the three and nine month periods ended September 26,
1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the
full year or any other interim period.
Earnings per share are computed using the weighted average number of common and
common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. The weighted average
number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the third
quarters of 1997 and 1996 amounted to 20,556,000 and 20,604,000, respectively.
The weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding
during the first nine months of 1997 and 1996 amounted to 20,526,000 and
20,571,000, respectively. Shares issuable under employee stock option plans
are included in the earnings per share computations for all periods presented.
NOTE 2 - INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market and
consisted of the following (in thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 26, DECEMBER 27,
1997 1996
-------------------- -----------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Raw materials $ 19,830 $ 18,588
Work in process 5,826 4,898
Finished goods 12,793 14,353
------------ ------------
$ 38,449 $ 37,839
============ ============
</TABLE>
Page 7 of 12
<PAGE> 8
JASON INCORPORATED
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three months ended September 26, 1997 compared to the three months ended
September 27, 1996:
Sales for the three months ended September 26, 1997 increased by 4% from
$106,730,000 for the three months ended September 27, 1996 to $111,101,000.
Sales of power generation products decreased by 16% from $37,012,000 to
$31,032,000. Sales of motor vehicle products increased by 23% from $37,176,000
to $45,697,000. Sales of industrial products increased by 6% from $32,542,000
to $34,372,000.
The decrease in power generation sales was a result of a lower backlog level at
the beginning of the third quarter of 1997 compared to the prior year due to
lower bookings during the first half of 1997. The third quarter of 1997
started with a power generation backlog of $60 million compared to $101 million
a year earlier. Bookings in the third quarter of $33 million were up 10%
compared to $30 million in the third quarter of 1996. Sales in the third
quarter of $31 million were down compared to $37 million in the third quarter
of 1996, leaving a backlog at the end of the third quarter of 1997 of $62
million compared to $94 million a year ago. The lower level of backlog and the
increased requirements for foreign fabrication have resulted in excess capacity
at the U.S. facilities and has necessitated the permanent closure of the Fort
Smith, Arkansas facility of Braden and the St. Paul facility of Deltak. The
net cost to exit these facilities is not expected to be material.
The higher motor vehicle products sales was a result of an increase in both the
automotive products business and the seating business. Automotive product
sales include $2.7 million of sales for Suroflex, the European manufacturer of
automotive insulation products acquired in the fourth quarter of 1996.
Excluding Suroflex, automotive product sales increased by 12%. This increase
in sales was due to an increase in the Company's content per vehicle which was
due to improved sales of the Company's Marabond(R) moldable insulation product,
which more than offset a decrease in U.S. automobile industry production of 2%
in the third quarter compared to last year. The U.S. automotive industry has
announced a production schedule for the fourth quarter of 1997 that is above
the production level in the fourth quarter of 1996 and dealer inventories are
at a reasonably low 62 days compared to 60 days at the end of the third quarter
of 1996 but the actual number of units in dealer inventories was 2,593,000, a
decrease of 95,000 units from a year ago. Whether or not the industry will
build the number of units called for in the schedule depends on retail vehicle
sales during the fourth quarter. The Company's seating products business was
up 23% in the third quarter of 1997 compared to the prior year. This was
primarily the result of an increase in Harley-Davidson original equipment and
parts and accessories business as well as an increase in the Company's content
per motorcycle produced.
Industrial products sales in the third quarter of 1997 were up compared to last
year with the Osborn brush business showing the most significant increase, but
increases were also achieved for the JacksonLea buff and compound businesses
and the components business.
Page 8 of 12
<PAGE> 9
Operating income decreased in the third quarter of 1997 from $6,056,000 in the
third quarter of 1996 to $5,558,000.
Operating income for the power generation products segment declined from
$1,572,000 in the third quarter of 1996 to $626,000. The decline in operating
income is the result of industry price level pressures and a less profitable
product mix at Braden Manufacturing which included equipment package skids and
inlet filters. In addition, the relatively low backlog and the increased
requirements for foreign fabrication have resulted in under utilization of U.S.
manufacturing capacity.
Operating income for the motor vehicle products segment improved from
$3,025,000 in the third quarter of 1996 to $3,403,000 due primarily to higher
volume in both the automotive and seating businesses, as mentioned above.
Operating income for the industrial products segment improved from $2,073,000
in the third quarter of 1996 to $2,131,000. This increase in operating income
was a result of an improvement in sales volume at Osborn and JacksonLea,
partially offset by lower operating income for the components businesses due to
higher material costs.
Corporate expenses for the third quarter of 1997 were $602,000 compared to
$614,000 last year.
Interest expense decreased in the third quarter of 1997 from $2,396,000 in the
third quarter of 1996 to $2,243,000. The interest expense for the third
quarter of 1997 includes $174,000 of interest on the additional debt required
for the Suroflex acquisition in the fourth quarter of 1996. Excluding interest
on the Suroflex debt, interest expense decreased by $327,000 due to cash
generation during the first nine months of 1997 resulting in a $34 million
reduction in debt levels. The increase in other income in the third quarter of
1997 represents an increase in foreign royalty income and the minority interest
in third quarter losses at Suroflex.
Nine months ended September 26, 1997 compared to the nine months ended
September 27, 1996:
Sales for the nine months ended September 26, 1997 increased by 12% from
$322,395,000 for the nine months ended September 27, 1996 to $359,588,000.
Sales of power generation products increased by 2% from $104,662,000 to
$107,179,000. Sales of motor vehicle products increased by 25% from
$117,117,000 to $145,979,000. Sales of industrial products increased by 6%
from $100,616,000 to $106,430,000.
The higher power generation sales for the nine months of 1997 compared to last
year was a result of a higher power generation backlog at the beginning of 1997
and the timing of customer project requirements. Backlog at the beginning of
1997 of $80 million compared to $69 million a year earlier. Bookings in the
first nine months of $89 million were down 32% compared to $130 million in the
first nine months of 1996. Sales in the first nine months of $107 million
compared to $105 million in the first nine months of 1996 leaving a backlog at
the end of the first nine months of 1997 of $62 million compared to $94 million
a year ago. With this significant decrease in backlog, management believes
that sales for the remainder of the year will be below that of the fourth
quarter of last year. The lower level of backlog and the increased
requirements for foreign fabrication have resulted in excess capacity at the
U.S. facilities and has necessitated the permanent closure of the Fort Smith,
Arkansas facility of Braden and the St. Paul facility of Deltak. The net cost
to exit these facilities is not expected to be material.
Page 9 of 12
<PAGE> 10
The higher motor vehicle products sales were a result of an increase in both
the automotive products business and the seating business. Automotive product
sales include $8.6 million of sales for Suroflex, the European manufacturer of
automotive insulation products acquired in the fourth quarter of 1996.
Excluding Suroflex, automotive product sales increased by 15%. This increase
in sales was due to an increase in the Company's content per vehicle which was
due to improved sales of the Company's Marabond(R) moldable insulation product,
which more than offset the effect of a less than 1% decrease in U.S. automobile
industry production for the first nine months of 1997 compared to last year.
The U.S. automotive industry has announced a production schedule for the fourth
quarter of 1997 that is above the production level in the fourth quarter of
1996 and dealer inventories are at a reasonably low 62 days compared to 60 days
at the end of the third quarter of 1996 but the actual number of units in
dealer inventories was 2,593,000, a decrease of 95,000 units from a year ago.
Whether or not the industry will build the number of units called for in the
schedule depends on retail vehicle sales during the fourth quarter. The
Company's seating products business was up 21% in the first nine months of 1997
compared to the prior year. This was primarily the result of an increase in
Harley-Davidson original equipment and parts and accessories business as well
as an increase in the Company's content per motorcycle produced.
Industrial products sales in the first nine months of 1997 were up compared to
last year with the Osborn brush business showing the most significant increase,
but increases were also achieved for the JacksonLea buff and compound
businesses and the components business.
Operating income declined in the first nine months of 1997 from $20,049,000 in
the first nine months of 1996 to $18,985,000.
Operating income for the power generation products segment declined from
$3,753,000 in the first nine months of 1996 to $1,415,000. The decline in
operating income is the result of industry price level pressures and a less
profitable product mix at Braden Manufacturing which included equipment package
skids and inlet filters. In addition, the relatively low backlog and the
increased requirements for foreign fabrication have resulted in under
utilization of U.S. manufacturing capacity.
Operating income for the motor vehicle products segment improved from
$11,205,000 in the first nine months of 1996 to $13,096,000 due primarily to
higher volume in both the automotive and seating businesses, as mentioned
above.
Operating income for the industrial products segment declined from $6,720,000
in the first nine months of 1996 to $6,425,000. This decrease in operating
income was a result of a mix of new and lower margin products at Osborn and
higher material costs at the components businesses.
Corporate expenses for the first nine months of 1997 were $1,950,000 compared
to $1,629,000 last year. This increase is primarily due to an increase in
management incentive compensation.
Interest expense increased in the first nine months of 1997 from $7,166,000 in
the first nine months of 1996 to $7,442,000 due to additional debt required for
the Suroflex acquisition in the fourth quarter of 1996. The increase in other
income in the first nine months of 1997 represents an increase in foreign
royalty income and the minority interest in losses at Suroflex.
Page 10 of 12
<PAGE> 11
The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share" ("SFAS 128"). SFAS 128
replaces primary earnings per share ("EPS") with basic EPS, which excludes
dilution, and requires presentation of both basic and diluted EPS on the face
of the income statement. Diluted EPS is computed similarly to the current
fully diluted EPS. SFAS 128 is effective for financial statements issued for
periods ending after December 15, 1997, and requires restatement of all
prior-period EPS data presented. The adoption of this statement is not
expected to materially affect either future or prior-period EPS.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
During the first nine months of 1997, the Company satisfied the capital
requirements of its operations with internally generated funds. For the
foreseeable future, the Company believes it will generate funds from operations
to meet the capital requirements of its existing operations. As of September
26, 1997, the Company had available unused borrowing capacity of $68,919,000
under its bank revolving loan facility. During the first nine months of 1996,
the Company also satisfied the capital requirements of its operations with
internally generated funds.
During the first nine months of 1997, working capital decreased by $19,881,000
from $66,037,000 at December 27, 1996 to $46,156,000 at September 26, 1997.
This decrease was a result of lower power generation activity levels and better
progress payments on contracts in process. During the first nine months of
1997, the Company generated $36,842,000 in cash from operations. The Company
anticipates generating modest additional cash flow from operations during the
balance of the year.
In the first nine months of 1997 and 1996, the Company made capital
expenditures of $9,023,000 and $13,178,000, respectively. The major 1997
expenditures were in the motor vehicle products segment for equipment at
Milsco, Janesville Products and Sackner to support new programs and to improve
efficiency and in the industrial products segment for equipment at the
components businesses, Osborn and JacksonLea to support new programs at those
locations. The major 1996 expenditures were in the motor vehicle segment for
equipment to support new Marabond(R) programs at Janesville Products and for
plant and office additions to support an increased level of business at Milsco.
Capital expenditures for 1997 are anticipated to approximate $15.0 million. No
significant commitments are outstanding as of September 26, 1997.
SEASONALITY
U.S. auto makers traditionally shut down for the annual model changeover in the
third quarter. In addition, adjustments to production schedules are made
throughout the year based on retail auto sales and the level of dealer
inventories. These seasonal patterns affect the Company's motor vehicle
products operations most significantly but also have somewhat of an impact on
industrial products due to the effect on automotive suppliers which use the
Company's precision components and finishing products.
Page 11 of 12
<PAGE> 12
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains certain statements as to the Company's belief, expectation
or anticipation regarding future developments. Such statements constitute
forward-looking statements and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual future results and developments to differ materially
from those currently projected. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are
not limited to, changes in auto maker production schedules, delays in
anticipated bookings and customer delivery requirements and general economic
conditions in the Company's market segments.
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1 Legal Proceedings - None
ITEM 2 Changes in Securities - None
ITEM 3 Defaults Upon Senior Securities - None
ITEM 4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders - None
ITEM 5 Other information - None
ITEM 6 (a) Financial Data Schedule
(b) Reports on Form 8-K - None
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.
JASON INCORPORATED (Registrant)
by /s/ Mark Train
-----------------------------
Mark Train
President
(Chief Financial Officer)
Page 12 of 12
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM JASON
INCORPORATED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 26, 1997, AND CONSOLIDATED
INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 26, 1997. AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000813471
<NAME> JASON INCORPORATED
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-26-1997
<PERIOD-START> DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END> SEP-26-1997
<CASH> 2631
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 56956
<ALLOWANCES> 0<F1>
<INVENTORY> 38449
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 124529
<PP&E> 158333
<DEPRECIATION> 74582
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 297103
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 78373
<BONDS> 98531<F2>
0
0
<COMMON> 34957
<OTHER-SE> 67761
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 297103
<SALES> 359588
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 359588
<CGS> 289118
<TOTAL-COSTS> 289118
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7442
<INCOME-PRETAX> 12675
<INCOME-TAX> 4943
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 7732
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 7732
<EPS-PRIMARY> .38
<EPS-DILUTED> 0<F3>
<FN>
<F1>COMPANY PRESENTS RECEIVABLES ON A NET BASIS IN COMPLIANCE WITH ARTICLE 10
REGULATION S-X.
<F2>INCLUDES ALL NON-CURRENT PORTION OF DEBT OBLIGATIONS.
<F3>NOT REPORTED.
</FN>
</TABLE>
