ESCO ELECTRONICS CORP
10-Q, 1998-08-13
SEARCH, DETECTION, NAVAGATION, GUIDANCE, AERONAUTICAL SYS
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                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
                          Washington, D.C. 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 June 30, 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 1-10596
 
 
                       ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
 
          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 Missouri                                                         43-1554045
 (State or other jurisdiction of                            (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                          Identification No.)
 
 8888 Ladue Road, Suite 200                                       63124-2090
 St. Louis, Missouri                                              (Zip Code)
 (Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
 
    Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (314) 213-7200
 
 
    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   
 
 Number of common stock trust receipts outstanding at July 31, 1998:
 12,449,018 receipts.
 
 
 
 
 
 PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 Item 1. Financial Statements
 
 
               ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
              Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                (Unaudited)
             (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
<TABLE>
 
                                                    Three Months Ended
                                                         June 30,
 
                                                    1998          1997 
                                                    ----          ----
<S>                                             <C>            <C>
 Net sales                                       $ 98,236       109,348
                                                 --------       -------
 Costs and expenses:
    Cost of sales                                  72,595        83,835
    Selling, general and administrative expenses   16,966        17,063
    Interest expense                                2,021         1,935
    Other, net                                      1,056         1,096
                                                 --------       ------- 
      Total costs and expenses                     92,638       103,929
                                                 --------       -------
 Earnings before income taxes                       5,598         5,419
 Income tax expense                                 1,751         2,089
                                                 --------       -------
 Net earnings                                    $  3,847         3,330
                                                 ========       =======

 Earnings per share:     -  Basic                $    .32           .28
                                                 ========       =======

                         -  Diluted                   .31           .27
                                                 ========       =======
 
 
  See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>




             ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                (Unaudited)
            (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
<TABLE>
 
                                                    Nine Months Ended
                                                        June 30,
 
                                                   1998           1997
                                                ----------      ---------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>
 Net sales                                      $262,343        267,058
                                                --------        -------
 Costs and expenses:
    Cost of sales                               190,077         202,158
    Selling, general and administrative expenses 49,783          45,754
    Interest expense                              5,664           3,446
    Other, net                                    2,774           2,895
                                               --------         -------  
      Total costs and expenses                 248,298          254,253
                                               -------          -------
 Earnings before income taxes                   14,045           12,805
 Income tax expense                              4,348            4,526
                                               -------          -------    
 Net earnings                                 $  9,697            8,279
                                              ========          =======
 
 Earnings per share:     -  Basic             $    .82              .70
                                              ========          =======
                         -  Diluted                .78              .68
                                              ========          ======= 
 
 
 See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>




              ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                         (Dollars in thousands)
                                    
<TABLE>
                                    
                                                  June 30,      September 30,
                                                    1998            1997
                                                    ----            ----
<S>                                             <C>              <C> 
 Assets                                          (Unaudited)
 Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                    $  4,845            5,818
    Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
      accounts of $536 and $462, respectively      52,376           48,612
    Costs and estimated earnings on long-term
      contracts, less progress billings of
      $53,669 and $56,451, respectively            36,913           54,633
    Inventories                                    88,550           45,110
    Other current assets                            4,253            2,794
                                                  -------          -------    
        Total current assets                      186,937          156,967
                                                  -------          -------
 Property, plant and equipment, at cost           145,041          135,002
 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization    49,977           38,470
                                                  -------          -------
        Net property, plant and equipment          95,064           96,532
 Excess of cost over net assets of purchased
    businesses, less accumulated amortization 
    of $4,029 and $2,735, respectively             58,833           54,996
 Deferred tax assets                               43,875           48,510
 Other assets                                      21,192           21,182
                                                  -------          -------  
                                                 $405,901          378,187
                                                  =======          =======
 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 Current liabilities:
    Short-term borrowings and current maturities
      of long-term debt                          $ 51,000           25,500
    Accounts payable                               38,575           38,238
    Advance payments on long-term contracts, less costs
      incurred of $1,317 and $1,624, respectively   6,846            6,348
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 23,130           24,590
                                                  -------          -------  
        Total current liabilities                 119,551           94,676
                                                  -------          -------
 Other liabilities                                 26,441           28,548
 Long-term debt                                    45,147           50,000
                                                  -------          -------  
        Total liabilities                         191,139          173,224
                                                  -------          -------
 Commitments and contingencies                       -                -       
 Shareholders' equity:
    Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share,
      authorized 10,000,000 shares                   -                -    
    Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized
      50,000,000 shares; issued 12,639,345 and
    12,478,328 shares, respectively                   126              125
    Additional paid-in capital                    195,118          194,663
    Retained earnings since elimination of
      deficit of $60,798 at September 30, 1993     25,678           15,981
    Cumulative foreign currency translation
      adjustment                                     (551)             196
    Minimum pension liability                        (181)            (181)
                                                  --------         --------  
                                                  220,190          210,784
    Less treasury stock, at cost; 635,445 
      and 689,945 common shares, respectively      (5,428)          (5,821)
                                                  --------         --------
        Total shareholders' equity                214,762          204,963
                                                  -------          -------
                                                 $405,901          378,187
                                                  =======          =======
 
  See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>




             ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
             Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                               (Unaudited)
                         (Dollars in thousands)
                                     
<TABLE>
 
                                                    Nine Months Ended
                                                         June 30,
                                                         --------
 
                                                   1998           1997
                                                   ----           ----
<S>                                            <C>            <C>
 Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net earnings                                $ 9,697          8,279
    Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
    cash provided (used) by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                13,718         10,513
    Changes in operating working capital,
    net of acquired businesses                  (32,077)       (17,609)
    Other                                         4,221          5,333
                                                -------        -------
    Net cash provided (used) by operating
    activities                                   (4,441)         6,516
                                                -------        -------
 Cash flows from investing activities:
    Capital expenditures                        ( 9,839)        (7,518)
    Acquisition of businesses, less cash
       acquired                                 ( 4,722)        (92,900)
                                                --------        -------- 
    Net cash used by investing activities       (14,561)       (100,418)
                                                --------       ---------
 Cash flows from financing activities:
    Net increase in short-term borrowings        24,476          33,000
    Proceeds from long-term debt                   -             60,000
    Principal payments on long-term debt         (5,113)        (14,675)
    Other                                        (1,334)           (631)
                                                --------        --------
    Net cash provided by financing activities    18,029          77,694
                                                -------         -------
 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents         (973)        (16,208)
 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   5,818          22,209
                                                --------        --------  
 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period      $  4,845           6,001
                                                =======         =======
 
 
  See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>




             ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
        Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
                               (Unaudited)
                                       
1.  Basis of Presentation
 
    The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, in the
    opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal
    recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for
    the interim periods presented. The condensed consolidated financial
    statements are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q
    and consequently do not include all the disclosures required by generally
    accepted accounting principles. For further information refer to the
    consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the
    Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
    September 30, 1997. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to
    conform with the fiscal 1998 presentation.
 
    The results for the three and nine month periods ended June 30, 1998 are
    not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire 1998 fiscal year.
 
2.  Earnings Per Share
 
    Basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number
    of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per
    share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares
    outstanding during the period plus shares issuable upon the assumed
    exercise of dilutive common share options and performance shares by using
    the treasury stock method. The number of shares used in the calculation
    of earnings per share for each period presented is as follows (in
    thousands):
<TABLE>
    
                                   Three Months Ended      Nine Months ended
                                         June 30,               June 30,
                                         --------               --------

                                   1998          1997      1998         1997
                                   ----          ----      ----         ----
   <S>                           <C>           <C>       <C>         <C>        
    Weighted Average Shares
     Outstanding - Basic          11,965        11,804    11,880       11,810
    Dilutive Options and
     Performance Shares              534           415       535          424
                                  ------        ------    ------       ------ 
    Adjusted Shares - Diluted     12,499        12,219    12,415       12,234
                                  ======        ======    ======       ======
    
</TABLE>
    
    Options to purchase 77,500 shares of common stock at approximately
    $18.00 - $19.22 per share and options to purchase 163,750 shares of
    common stock at $12.38 were outstanding during the nine month periods
    ended June 30, 1998 and June 30, 1997, respectively, but were not
    included in the respective computations of diluted EPS because the
    options  exercise price was greater than the average market price of the
    common shares. These options expire in 2007 and 2008. Approximately
    113,000 and 334,000 performance shares were outstanding but unearned at
    June 30, 1998, and 1997, respectively, and therefore, were not included
    in the respective computations of diluted EPS. The unearned performance
    shares expire in 2001.

3.  Inventories
 
    Inventories consist of the following (dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
    
                                                 June 30,       September 30,
                                                   1998             1997
                                                   ----             ----
   <S>                                          <C>              <C> 
    Finished Goods                               $ 8,670           8,542
    Work in process, including long-term
       contracts                                  64,177          22,971
    Raw materials                                 15,703          13,597
                                                  ------          ------

         Total inventories                       $88,550          45,110
                                                  ======          ======
</TABLE>
 
 
    Under the contractual arrangements by which progress payments are
    received, the U.S. Government has a security interest in the inventories
    associated with specific contracts. Inventories are net of progress
    payment receipts of $3.1 million and $3.2 million at June 30, 1998 and
    September 30, 1997, respectively. The increase in inventories
    (work-in-process) is primarily related to the TUNNER program at SEI, as
    well as a normal inventory build-up at the other operating units
    necessary to satisfy the increased sales requirements for the remaining
    three months of fiscal 1998.
    
    
    
    
 Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and
            Financial Condition
 
 
 Results of Operations - Three months ended June 30, 1998 compared with
                         three months ended June 30, 1997.
 
 Net sales of $98.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 1998 decreased
 $11.1 million (10.2%) from net sales of $109.3 million for the third quarter
 of fiscal 1997. The sales decrease in the current quarter reflects lower
 defense sales at Systems & Electronics Inc. (SEI) resulting from the timing
 of the receipt of defense orders. This decrease was partially offset by
 additional commercial sales at PTI and Filtertek. Commercial sales were
 $55.1 million (56.1%) and defense sales were $43.1 million (43.9%) for the
 third quarter of fiscal 1998, compared with commercial and defense sales of
 $56.5 million (51.7%) and $52.8 million (48.3%), respectively, in the third
 quarter of fiscal 1997. Commercial sales decreased ($1.4 million, net) in
 the third quarter of fiscal 1998 compared with the third quarter of fiscal
 1997 due to lower U.S. Postal Service sales at SEI, partially offset by
 an increase in filtration/fluid flow products at PTI and Filtertek.
 
 Order backlog at June 30, 1998 was $285.3 million, compared with
 $253.4 million at March 31, 1998. During the fiscal 1998 third quarter, new
 orders aggregating $130.1 million were received, compared with
 $88.0 million (48% increase) in the third quarter of fiscal 1997. The most
 significant orders in the current period were for electric utility
 communication and automatic meter reading systems, filtration/fluid flow
 products, long-lead funding for the 60K/TUNNER aircraft loader program,
 U.S. Postal Service equipment, and electronic test equipment.
 
 The gross profit percentage was 26.1% in the third quarter of fiscal 1998
 and 23.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 1997. The gross margin increased
 in the third quarter of fiscal 1998 due to an improved sales mix throughout
 the Company.
 
 Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the third quarter of
 fiscal 1998 were $17.0 million, or 17.3% of net sales, compared with
 $17.1 million, or 15.6% of net sales, for the same period a year ago. The
 percentage increase is the result of the lower sales level in fiscal 1998.

Interest expense increased to $2.0 million in fiscal 1998 from
$1.9 million in fiscal 1997 as a result of higher average outstanding
borrowings in the current period. A significant amount of the outstanding
borrowings in both periods presented were incurred in conjunction with the
1997 acquisition of Filtertek.
 
Other costs and expenses, net, were $1.1 million in the third quarter of
fiscal 1998, consistent with the $1.1 million in the same period of fiscal
1997. 
 
The effective income tax rate in the third quarter of fiscal 1998 was 31.3%
compared to 38.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 1997. The lower effective
tax rate is primarily attributable to the earnings contributed from the
Company's foreign operations.
    
    
    
    
Results of Operations - Nine months ended June 30, 1998 compared with nine
                        months ended June 30, 1997
 
Net sales of $262.3 million for the first nine months of fiscal 1998
decreased $4.8 million (1.8%) from net sales of $267.1 million for the first
nine months of fiscal 1997. The decrease primarily reflects lower defense
sales at SEI. This decrease was partially offset by additional commercial
sales resulting from the Filtertek acquisition ($26.4 million net increase)
and higher volume at EMC Test Systems and PTI. Commercial sales were
$145.9 million (55.6%) and defense sales were $116.4 million (44.4%) for the
first nine months of fiscal 1998, compared with commercial and defense sales
of $122.1 million (45.7%) and $145 million, (54.3%) respectively,
in the first nine months of fiscal 1997.
 
The order backlog at June 30, 1998 was $285.3 million, compared with
$228.2 million at September 30, 1997. During the first nine months of fiscal
1998, new orders aggregating $319.4 million were received, compared with
$240.6 million (32.8% increase) in the first nine months of fiscal 1997. The
most significant orders in the current period were for filtration/fluid flow
products, electric utility communication and automatic meter reading systems,
long-lead funding for the 60K/TUNNER aircraft loader program, M1000 tank
transporters, airborne radar systems, and fire support mission equipment.
 
The gross profit percentage was 27.5% in the first nine months of fiscal 1998
and 24.3% in the first nine months of fiscal 1997. The fiscal 1998 gross
profit percentage increased from fiscal 1997 due to an improved sales mix
throughout the Company.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first nine months of
fiscal 1998 were $49.8 million, or 19.0% of net sales, compared with
$45.8 million or 17.1% of net sales, for the same period a year ago. The
increase in fiscal 1998 SG&A expenses is primarily due to the inclusion of
Filtertek for the entire period of fiscal 1998 as compared to a partial
period of fiscal 1997 as the acquisition was completed February 7, 1997.
 
Interest expense increased to $5.7 million from $3.4 million as a result of
higher average outstanding borrowings in fiscal 1998 compared to fiscal 1997.
A significant amount of the outstanding borrowings in 1998 were incurred in
conjunction with the February 1997 acquisition of Filtertek.

Other costs and expenses, net, were $2.8 million in the first nine months of
fiscal 1998, consistent with the $2.9 million in the same period of fiscal
1997. 

The effective income tax rate in the first nine months of fiscal 1998 was
31.0% compared with 35.3% for the first nine months of fiscal 1997. The lower
effective tax rate for the first nine months of fiscal 1998 is attributable
to the earnings contributed from the Company's Puerto Rican and other foreign
operations, and refunds received relating to the resolutions of state and
local tax matters. Management estimates the annual effective tax rate for
fiscal 1998 to be approximately 31%.
 
Financial Condition
 
Working capital increased to $67.4 million at June 30, 1998 from
$62.3 million at September 30, 1997. During the first nine months of fiscal
1998: accounts receivable increased by $3.8 million as a result of the timing
of sales and deliveries throughout the period; costs and estimated earnings
on long-term contracts and inventories increased in the aggregate by
$25.7 million in support of near-term production requirements
(primarily 60K/TUNNER); and accounts payable and accrued expenses decreased
by $1.0 million due to the timing of payments.
 
Net cash used by operating activities was $4.4 million in the first nine
months of fiscal 1998. Net cash generated by operating activities was
$6.5 million in the same period of fiscal 1997. The 1998 cash usage was
primarily due to the inventory requirements discussed in the previous
paragraph.
 
Capital expenditures were $9.8 million in the first nine months of fiscal
1998 compared with $7.5 million in the comparable period of fiscal 1997.
Major expenditures in the current period included manufacturing equipment at
Filtertek and PTI.
 
On December 31, 1997, the Company completed the purchase of Euroshield OY for
consideration which included $3.5 million in cash. Euroshield, based in Eura,
Finland, designs and manufactures high quality shielding products used in the
electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) industry.
 
The Year 2000 Issue
 
The Year 2000 (Y2K) issue refers to the inability of a date-sensitive computer
program to recognize a two-digit date field designated as "00" as the year
2000. Mistaking "00" for 1900 could result in a system failure or
miscalculations causing disruptions to operations, including manufacturing,
a temporary inability to process transactions, send invoices, or engage in
other normal business activities. This is a significant issue for most, if
not all, companies with far reaching implications, some of which cannot be
anticipated or predicted with any degree of certainty.
 
The Company is currently assessing the magnitude of its Y2K issue and has
already determined that it may be required to modify or replace certain
portions of its software so that its computer systems will be able to
function properly beyond December 31, 1999. This may require software
replacement, reprogramming or other remedial action. The Company is also
communicating with its suppliers and customers to determine the extent of
the Company s vulnerability to the failure of third parties to remediate
their own Y2K issue.
 
In conjunction with this assessment, the Company is finalizing its action
plans to address the Y2K issue, including contingencies to address unforeseen
problems. The Company plans to use both internal and external resources to
complete Y2K reprogramming, software replacement and testing. Preliminary
plans anticipate completion of the Y2K remedial work by September 30, 1999.
To date, the company has incurred approximately $1.25 million related to the
Y2K remedial work. The total cost of the Y2K remedial work is estimated to be
less than $5 million and will be expensed as incurred over the next
15 months.

The expected costs of the project and the date on which the Company plans to
complete the Y2K remediation work are based on management s best estimates,
which were derived from numerous assumptions about future events, including
the availability of certain resources, third-party modification plans, and
other factors. However, there can be no guarantee that these estimates will
be achieved and actual results could differ materially from those plans.
Specific factors that might cause material differences include, but are not
limited to, the availability and cost of personnel trained in this area and
the ability to identify and correct all relevant computer codes.
 
Forward Looking Statements
 
Statements in this report that are not strictly historical are "forward
looking" statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the
federal securities laws. Investors are cautioned that such statements are
only predictions, and speak only as of the date of this report. Actual
results may differ due to risks and uncertainties which are described in the
Company's Form 10-K for fiscal year 1997, on page 37 of the 1997 Annual
Report to Shareholders and in  The Year 2000 Issue  section above.
 


 
                        PART II OTHER INFORMATION
                                     
 
Item 6.        Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
 
a) Exhibits
 
   Exhibit
   Number
    
    4                     Credit Agreement dated as of September 23, 1990
                          (as most recently amended and restated as of
                          February 7, 1997 and amended as of May 6, 1997,
                          November 21, 1997 and June 29, 1998)among the
                          Company, Defense Holding Corp., the Banks listed
                          therein and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of
                          New York, as agent.
    
    10(a)                 Notice of Award - stock award to executive
                          officer
    
    10(b)                 Notice of Award - stock award to executive
                          officer
 
b)  Reports on Form 8-K   There were no reports on Form 8-K filed      
                          during the quarter ended June 30, 1998.
 
 
 
                           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.
 
                                            ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
 
                                           /s/Philip M. Ford
                                           -----------------
                                           Philip M. Ford
                                           Senior Vice President
                                           and Chief Financial Officer
                                           (as duly authorized officer
                                           and principal financial
 Dated: August 13, 1998                    officer of the registrant)

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           4,845
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   52,912<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                       536
<INVENTORY>                                     88,550
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               186,937
<PP&E>                                         145,041
<DEPRECIATION>                                  49,977
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 405,901
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          119,551
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           126
<OTHER-SE>                                     214,636
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   405,901
<SALES>                                        262,343
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               262,343
<CGS>                                          190,077
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  239,860
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,774
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,664
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,045
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,348
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,697
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,697
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .78
<FN>
<F1>THIS NUMBER DOES NOT INCLUDE $36.9 MILLION OF COSTS AND ESTIMATED EARNINGS ON
LONG-TERM CONTRACTS
</FN>
        

</TABLE>

                           EXECUTION COPY
                                     
                         THIRD AMENDMENT dated as of June 29, 1998,
                         to the Credit Agreement dated as of 
                         September 23, 1990 (as amended and restated as
                         of February 7, 1997), as amended by the
                         Amendments dated as of May 6, 1997, and 
                         November 21, 1997 (the "Credit Agreement"),
                         among ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION, a Missouri
                         corporation ("ESCO"), DEFENSE HOLDING CORP., a
                         Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the BANKS
                         party thereto (the "Banks") and MORGAN GUARANTY 
                         TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as Agent (the
                         "Agent").
     
                   A.  Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined
     herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit
     Agreement, as amended hereby.
     
                   B.  ESCO and the Borrower have requested that certain
     provisions of the Credit Agreement be amended as set forth herein. 
     The Banks are willing to so amend the Credit Agreement subject to 
     the terms and conditions set forth herein.
     
                   Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual agreements 
     herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the
     sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the
     parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
     
     
                   SECTION 1.  Amendments.  (a) Section 1.01 of the Credit
     Agreement is hereby amended to add the following definitions:
     
                   "AMT" means Advanced Membrane Technology, Inc., a
             California corporation.
     
                   "AMT Investment" means the acquisition by a Wholly-
             Owned Consolidated Subsidiary of all of the outstanding
             common stock of AMT in exchange for consideration of
             approximately $15,000,000 (adjusted upward to reflect AMT's
             cash at closing and downward to reflect AMT's debt at
             closing) payable approximately 45% in cash and 55% in shares 
             of common stock of ESCO.
     
                   (b)  Article II of the Credit Agreement is hereby
     amended and restated by adding the following Section 2.17 at the
     end of such Article:
     
             SECTION 2.17.  Conversion.  Effective upon the
             consummation of the AMT Investment, (a) Working Capital
             Borrowings in an aggregate principal amount of $7,000,000
             shall be automatically converted into Term Borrowings and (b)
             the Working Capital Commitments shall be ratably reduced by
             $7,000,000.  Prior to the date of such conversion, the
             Borrower shall notify the Agent in writing of the Working
             Capital Borrowing or Borrowings (or portions thereof) that
             are to be converted pursuant to the preceding sentence.  The 
             conversion of each such Borrowing (or portion thereof) shall 
             be allocated ratably to the Loans included in such Borrowing. 
             If the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Working
             Capital Loans would be less than $7,000,000 on the date that
             such conversion is to be made pursuant to the first sentence
             of this Section, then the Borrower shall borrow additional
             Working Capital Loans so that there are not less than
             $7,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Working Capital
             Loans outstanding at the time of such conversion. 
             Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such conversion shall
             become effective until receipt by the Security Agent of an
             amendment to each mortgage, deed of trust, assignment of
             leases or similar instrument or document required by law or
             reasonably requested by the Security Agent (all in form and
             substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Banks) to
             be filed, registered or recorded in order to maintain in
             favor of the Security Agent (or a trustee on its behalf) for
             the benefit of the Banks a valid, legal and perfected first
             priority security interest in or lien on the real property
             (and improvements thereon) owned by the Borrower or any
             Specified Subsidiary and identified on Schedule 3.01(j) to
             the Credit Agreement, in each case duly executed and
             delivered by each mortgagor, grantor or pledgor thereunder.
     
             (c)  Section 5.09 of the Credit Agreement is hereby
     amended by deleting the words "clause (f), (l) or (n)" from the
     second sentence thereof and substituting the words "clause (f),
     (l), (n) or (o)".
     
             (d) Section 5.11(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby
     amended by replacing the period at the end of clause (xiv) thereof 
     with a semicolon and by adding the following clauses (xv) and (xvi)
     at the end of such Section:
     
             (xv) Debt of any Subsidiary acquired pursuant to an
             acquisition consummated in reliance upon clause (f) or (o) of
             Section 5.16; provided that (A) such Debt is outstanding at
             the time of and is not incurred in contemplation of such
             acquisition and (B) the aggregate principal amount of Debt at
             any time outstanding under this clause (xv) shall not exceed
             $1,000,000; and
     
             (xvi) Debt incurred by DCS to finance the purchase of
             real property and improvements thereon to be used by DCS as
             its headquarters, and any Guarantee of such Debt by ESCO;
             provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Debt of 
             DCS at any time outstanding under this clause (xvi) shall not
             exceed $2,500,000.
     
             (e)  Section 5.16 of the Credit Agreement is hereby
     amended by replacing the period at the end of clause (n) thereof
     with "; and" and adding the following clause (o) at the end of such
     Section:  
     
             (o) if at the time thereof and after giving effect
             thereto no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, an 
             Investment by a Wholly-Owned Consolidated Subsidiary
             consisting of the AMT Investment; provided that the cash
             portion of the consideration for such Investment made
             pursuant to this clause (o) and any Debt of AMT remaining
             outstanding after the AMT Acquisition shall be treated as an 
             Investment made pursuant to clause (f) of this Section for
             purposes of determining compliance with the limitations of
             such clause (f).
     
             (f)  Section 5.17 of the Credit Agreement is hereby
     amended by replacing the period at the end of clause (n) thereof
     with "; and" and adding the following clause (o) at the end of such
     Section:
     
             (o) Liens on the real property and improvements referred
             to in clause (xvi) of Section 5.11(a) securing Debt of DCS
             permitted by such clause.
     
             (g)  Section 5.23 of the Credit Agreement is hereby
     amended and restated as follows:
     
             SECTION 5.23.  Leverage Ratio.  The Leverage
             Ratio will not exceed (i) 0.70 to 1.00 at any date prior to
             October 1, 1999, or (ii) 0.65 to 1.00 at any date on or after
             October 1, 1999.
     
             SECTION 2.  Representations and Warranties.  Each of
     ESCO and the Borrower hereby represents and warrants to each Bank, 
     on and as of the date hereof, that:
     
             (a)  This Third Amendment has been duly authorized,
     executed and delivered by each of ESCO and the Borrower, and each
     of this Third Amendment and the Credit Agreement as amended by this
     Third Amendment constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation
     of each of ESCO and the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with
     its terms.
     
             (b)  The representations and warranties of ESCO, the
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries contained in the Credit Agreement and
     in each other Loan Document are true and correct in all respects
     with the same effect as if made on and as of the date hereof,
     except to the extent that such representations and warranties
     expressly relate to an earlier date.
     
             (c)  After giving effect to this Third Amendment, no
     Default has occurred and is continuing.
     
             SECTION 3.  Effectiveness.  This Third Amendment shall 
     become effective upon receipt by the Agent of counterparts hereof
     signed by each of ESCO, the Borrower and each Bank.
     
             SECTION 4.  Miscellaneous.  (a)  This Third Amendment
     constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties
     with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and
     all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating 
     to the subject matter hereof.
     
             (b)  Section headings used herein are for convenience
     of reference only and are not to affect the construction of, or to 
     be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Third Amendment.
     
             (c)  This Third Amendment shall be construed in
     accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.
     
             (d)  Each reference to a party hereto shall be deemed
     to include its successors and assigns, all of whom shall be bound
     by this Third Amendment and to whose benefit the provisions of this
     Third Amendment shall inure.
     
             (e)  This Third Amendment may be executed in any number
     of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of
     which, when taken together, shall constitute but one instrument.
     
             (f)  Except as specifically amended or modified hereby,
     the Credit Agreement shall continue in full force and effect in
     accordance with the provisions thereof.
     
     
             IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
     Third Amendment to be duly executed by their respective authorized
     officers as of the date first above written.
     
     
                                        ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION 
                     
                     
                                        DEFENSE HOLDING CORP.
                     
                     
                                        MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW
                                        YORK, individually and as Agent
                     
                     
                                        NATIONSBANK, N.A.
                     
                     
                                        THE BANK OF NEW YORK
                     
                     
                                        THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
                     
                     
                                        NATIONAL CITY BANK
                     
                     
                                        FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF
                                        NORTH CAROLINA
                     
                     
                                        SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION

                            NOTICE OF AWARD
                                     
  To:             Walter Stark
  
  From:           Human Resources and Ethics Committee of the Board of    
                  Directors of ESCO Electronics Corporation (Committee)
  
  Subject:        Award of Restricted Shares
  
       1.    Award. The Committee has awarded to you 9,000 Shares of Company
  Stock (as hereinafter defined), subject to the terms hereinafter set
  forth.
       
       2.    Terms. The following are the terms of the Award:
  
             a)  During the period commencing on the date hereof and ending
  on September 30, 2001 (the  Restriction Period ) you must remain employed
  by the Company. If during the Restriction Period you terminate employment
  for any reason other than death or disability, you will forfeit the
  shares of Company Stock awarded hereunder. If, during the Restriction
  Period, you terminate employment on account of death or disability (as
  determined by the Board), you (or your estate) shall become fully vested
  in the shares of Company Stock awarded hereunder and the employment
  requirement of this subparagraph (a) shall cease to apply.
  
             b)  During the Restriction Period, the certificates representing
  the shares of Company Stock awarded hereunder shall be held by an escrow
  agent selected by the Company. At the end of the Restriction Period (or
  upon your earlier termination of employment on account of death or
  disability as determined under subparagraph (a), above, or upon a change
  of Control under the circumstances described in subparagraph (c), below)
  the escrow agent shall deliver such certificates to you (or to your
  estate). During the Restriction Period you will be entitled to all
  dividends paid on the shares of Company Stock awarded hereunder and you
  will be entitled to instruct the escrow agent how to vote such shares.
  
             c)  If there is a Change of Control (as hereinafter defined) and
  you are employed by the Company on the date of the Change of Control, you
  will become fully vested in the shares of Company stock awarded hereunder
  and the employment requirement of subparagraph (b) shall cease to apply.
  
          3. Definitions
  
             a)  Change of Control  shall mean:
  
                 i)  The purchase or other acquisition (other than from the
  Company) by any persons, entity or group of persons, within the meaning
  of Section 13 (d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
  amended (the  Exchange Act ) (excluding, for this purpose, the Company or
  its subsidiaries or any employee benefit plan of the Company or its
  subsidiaries), of the beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule
  13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of either the
  then-outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company or the combined
  voting power of the Company s then-outstanding voting securities entitled
  to vote generally in the election of directors; or 
  
                 ii)  Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the
  Board (as the date hereof, the  Incumbent Board ) cease for any reason to
  constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person who
  becomes a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or
  nomination for election by the Company s shareholders, was approved by a
  vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the
  Incumbent Board (other than an individual whose initial assumption of
  office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest
  relating to the election of directors of the Company, as such terms are
  used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act)
  shall be, for purposes of this section, considered as though such person
  were a member of the Incumbent Board; or
  
                 iii)  Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a
  reorganization, merger or consolidation, in each case with respect to
  which persons who were the stockholders of the Company immediately prior 
  to such reorganization, merger or consolidation do not, immediately
  thereafter, own more than 50% of respectively, the common stock and the
  combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the elections of
  directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated corporations  then-
  outstanding voting securities, or of a liquidation or dissolution of the 
  Company or of the sale of all substantially all of the assets of the
  Company. 
  
               b)  Company Stock  means common stock of the Company as well as
  common stock trust receipts issued pursuant to the Deposit and Trust
  Agreement dated September 24, 1990 among the Company, Emerson Electric
  Co. and Boatmen s Trust Company, as Trustee
  
           4.  Amendment. The Award may be amended by written consent between
  the Company and you.
  
  Executed this 22 day of May 1998
  
  ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
  
  BY: Deborah J. Hanlon
  
  ATTEST: D. J. Moore, Secretary
  
  AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED:
  
  Walter Stark

                            NOTICE OF AWARD
                                     
  To:             Philip M. Ford
  
  From:           Human Resources and Ethics Committee of the Board of    
                  Directors of ESCO Electronics Corporation ( Committee )
  
  Subject:        Award of Restricted Shares
  
           1.  Award. The Committee has awarded to you 9,000 Shares of Company
  Stock (as hereinafter defined), subject to the terms hereinafter set
  forth.
       
           2.  Terms. The following are the terms of the Award:
  
              a)  During the period commencing on the date hereof and ending
  on September 30, 2001 (the  Restriction Period ) you must remain employed
  by the Company. If during the Restriction Period you terminate employment
  for any reason other than death or disability, you will forfeit the
  shares of Company Stock awarded hereunder. If, during the Restriction
  Period, you terminate employment on account of death or disability (as
  determined by the Board), you (or your estate) shall become fully vested
  in the shares of Company Stock awarded hereunder and the employment
  requirement of this subparagraph (a) shall cease to apply.
  
              b)  During the Restriction Period, the certificates representing
  the shares of Company Stock awarded hereunder shall be held by an escrow
  agent selected by the Company. At the end of the Restriction Period (or
  upon your earlier termination of employment on account of death or
  disability as determined under subparagraph (a), above, or upon a change
  of Control under the circumstances described in subparagraph (c), below)
  the escrow agent shall deliver such certificates to you (or to your
  estate). During the Restriction Period you will be entitled to all
  dividends paid on the shares of Company Stock awarded hereunder and you
  will be entitled to instruct the escrow agent how to vote such shares.
  
              c)  If there is a Change of Control (as hereinafter defined) and
  you are employed by the Company on the date of the Change of Control, you
  will become fully vested in the shares of Company stock awarded hereunder
  and the employment requirement of subparagraph (b) shall cease to apply.
  
           3.  Definitions
  
               a)  Change of Control  shall mean:
  
                 i)  The purchase or other acquisition (other than from the
  Company) by any persons, entity or group of persons, within the meaning
  of Section 13 (d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
  amended (the  Exchange Act ) (excluding, for this purpose, the Company or
  its subsidiaries or any employee benefit plan of the Company or its
  subsidiaries), of the beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule
  13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of either the
  then-outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company or the combined
  voting power of the Company s then-outstanding voting securities entitled
  to vote generally in the election of directors; or 
  
                 ii)  Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the
  Board (as the date hereof, the  Incumbent Board ) cease for any reason to
  constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person who
  becomes a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or
  nomination for election by the Company s shareholders, was approved by a
  vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the
  Incumbent Board (other than an individual whose initial assumption of
  office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest
  relating to the election of directors of the Company, as such terms are
  used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act)
  shall be, for purposes of this section, considered as though such person
  were a member of the Incumbent Board; or
  
                 iii)  Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a
  reorganization, merger or consolidation, in each case with respect to
  which persons who were the stockholders of the Company immediately prior 
  to such reorganization, merger or consolidation do not, immediately
  thereafter, own more than 50% of respectively, the common stock and the
  combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the elections of
  directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated corporations  then-
  outstanding voting securities, or of a liquidation or dissolution of the 
  Company or of the sale of all substantially all of the assets of the
  Company. 
  
               b)  Company Stock  means common stock of the Company as well as
  common stock trust receipts issued pursuant to the Deposit and Trust
  Agreement dated September 24, 1990 among the Company, Emerson Electric
  Co. and Boatmen s Trust Company, as Trustee
  
           4.  Amendment. The Award may be amended by written consent between
  the Company and you.
  
  Executed this 22 day of May 1998
  
  ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
  
  BY: Deborah J. Hanlon
  
  ATTEST: D. J. Moore, Secretary
  
  AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED:
  
  Walter Stark


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