SMITH A O CORP
10-Q, 1998-11-13
MOTORS & GENERATORS
Previous: SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORP, 10-Q, 1998-11-13
Next: KEYCORP /NEW/, 10-Q, 1998-11-13




                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-Q

 X       QUARTERLY  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO SECTION  13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended September 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 1-475


                             A.O. SMITH CORPORATION


              Delaware                                   39-0619790
     (State of Incorporation)                    (IRS Employer ID Number)

                P. O. Box 23972, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223-0972
                            Telephone: (414) 359-4000


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 and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days. Yes X No


Class A Common Stock Outstanding as of October 31, 1998:  8,705,835 shares

Common Stock Outstanding as of October 31, 1998:  14,585,751 shares

                              Exhibit Index Page 15


<PAGE>


                                      Index


                             A. O. Smith Corporation



Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Retained Earnings
     - Three and nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997                 3

     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
     - September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997                                4

     Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
     - Nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997                           5

     Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
     - September 30, 1998                                                    6-7

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations                                                   8-12



Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings                                                     13

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                   13

Item 5. Other                                                                 13

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

Signatures                                                                    14

Index to Exhibits                                                             15

                                       2

<PAGE>




PART I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1--FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>

                             A.O. SMITH CORPORATION
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
                              AND RETAINED EARNINGS
             Three and Nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997
                     (000 omitted except for per share data)
                                   (unaudited)
<CAPTION>

                                                                     Three Months Ended                   Nine Months Ended
                                                                        September 30                         September 30
                                                                        ------------                         ------------
EARNINGS                                                           1998              1997              1998               1997
- --------                                                           ----              ----              ----               ----

<S>                                                             <C>                 <C>              <C>                <C>      
Electric Motor Technologies                                     $ 135,309           $ 94,081         $ 360,913          $ 298,779
Water Systems Technologies                                         71,685             68,872           220,534            211,218
Storage & Fluid Handling Technologies                              36,260             43,011           111,442            117,153
                                                           ---------------   ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
NET SALES                                                         243,254            205,964           692,889            627,150
Cost of products sold                                             196,232            167,060           552,245            496,806
                                                           ---------------   ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
Gross profit                                                       47,022             38,904           140,644            130,344
Selling, general and administrative expenses                       26,324             25,013            80,605             82,251
Interest expense                                                    1,974              1,913             5,191              6,602
Interest income                                                      (258)            (3,010)           (3,279)            (6,370)
Other expense - net                                                   927                394             2,341              2,085
                                                           ---------------   ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
                                                                   18,055             14,594            55,786             45,776
Provision for income taxes                                          6,356              4,918            19,587             16,003
                                                           ---------------   ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
Earnings before equity in loss of joint ventures                   11,699              9,676            36,199             29,773
Equity in loss of joint ventures                                     (725)              (667)           (2,418)            (1,965)
                                                           ---------------   ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                                10,974              9,009            33,781             27,808
EARNINGS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Earnings (less related income tax provisions
     of $548 and $7,698)                                                -                980                 -             15,231
Gain on disposition (less related income
     tax provision of $58,056)                                          -                  -                 -             94,616
                                                           ---------------   ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
NET EARNINGS                                                       10,974              9,989            33,781            137,655

RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at beginning of period                                    483,896            446,229           466,514            325,361
Cash dividends on common shares                                    (2,832)            (2,988)           (8,257)            (9,786)
                                                           ---------------   ----------------  ----------------   ----------------

BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD                                        $ 492,038          $ 453,230         $ 492,038          $ 453,230
                                                           ===============   ================  ================   ================

BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (note 5)
     Continuing Operations                                           $.47               $.34             $1.43               $.98
     Discontinued Operations                                            -                .04                 -               3.86
                                                           ---------------   ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
NET EARNINGS                                                         $.47               $.38             $1.43              $4.84
                                                           ---------------   ----------------  ----------------   ----------------

DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (note 5)
     Continuing Operations                                           $.46               $.33             $1.39               $.96
     Discontinued Operations                                            -                .04                 -               3.79
                                                           ---------------   ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
NET EARNINGS                                                         $.46               $.37             $1.39              $4.75
                                                           ---------------   ----------------  ----------------   ----------------

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE (note 5)                                  $.12               $.11              $.35               $.34
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                       3

<PAGE>


PART I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1--FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>

                             A.O. SMITH CORPORATION
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                    September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997
                                  (000 omitted)
<CAPTION>

                                                              (unaudited)
                                                           September 30, 1998    December 31, 1997
ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS 
<S>                                                             <C>                    <C>     
Cash and cash equivalents (note 2)                                $ 26,191               $145,896
Receivables                                                        146,769                126,232
Inventories (note 3)                                                86,985                 79,049
Deferred income taxes                                               11,487                 11,849
Other current assets                                                12,863                  2,702
                                                          -----------------       ----------------

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                               284,295                365,728

Property, plant and equipment                                      488,471                450,147
Less accumulated depreciation                                      255,860                242,391
                                                          -----------------       ----------------
Net property, plant and equipment                                  232,611                207,756
Investments in and advances to joint ventures                       31,253                 25,605
Other assets                                                        72,913                 65,644
Goodwill                                                           141,493                 51,783
                                                          -----------------       ----------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                                     $ 762,565              $ 716,516
                                                          =================       ================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade payables                                                    $ 74,869               $ 61,299
Accrued payroll and benefits                                        30,639                 26,397
Product warranty                                                     8,002                  7,972
Accrued income taxes                                                   883                  6,607
Long-term debt due within one year                                   4,629                  5,590
Other current liabilities                                           23,478                 20,017
                                                          -----------------       ----------------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                                          142,500                127,882

Long-term debt (note 4)                                            126,933                100,972
Other liabilities                                                   55,291                 59,515
Deferred income taxes                                               44,708                 28,442

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: (note 5)
Class A common stock, $5 par value: authorized
   14,000,000 shares; issued 8,753,889                              43,769                 29,192
Common stock, $1 par value: authorized 60,000,000
   shares; issued 23,795,473                                        23,795                 15,861
Capital in excess of par value                                      51,066                 72,542
Retained earnings (note 4)                                         492,038                466,514
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments                 (1,525)                (1,579)
Treasury stock at cost                                            (216,010)              (182,825)
                                                          -----------------       ----------------

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                         393,133                399,705
                                                          -----------------       ----------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                       $ 762,565              $ 716,516
                                                          =================       ================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

                                       4


<PAGE>



PART I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1--FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>

                             A.O. SMITH CORPORATION
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                  Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998 and 1997
                                  (000 omitted)
                                   (unaudited)
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    Nine Months Ended
                                                                                       September 30

                                                                               1998                   1997
                                                                               ----                   ----
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
CONTINUING
<S>                                                                          <C>                    <C>     
Net earnings                                                                 $ 33,781               $ 27,808
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by
 operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                                              21,751                 19,390
    Equity in loss of joint ventures                                            2,418                  1,965
    Net change in current assets and liabilities                               (6,963)                 4,679
    Net change in noncurrent assets and liabilities                             2,751                    432
    Other - net                                                                   702                   1,042
                                                                            ---------               ---------
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                          54,440                 55,316
                                                                            ---------               ---------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures                                                          (20,116)               (33,460)
Capitalized purchased software costs                                           (1,308)                (1,094)
Investment in joint ventures                                                   (8,066)               (10,281)
Acquisition of business                                                      (126,456)               (60,918)
                                                                            ----------              ---------
CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                            (155,946)              (105,753)
                                                                            ----------              ---------
CASH USED BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS
  BEFORE FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                                (101,506)               (50,437)

DISCONTINUED
    Cash provided / (used) by discontinued operations
      before financing activities                                              (2,095)               503,754
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Long-term debt incurred                                                        30,590                      -
Long-term debt retired                                                         (5,590)              (143,768)
Purchase of common stock held in treasury                                     (33,244)              (125,168)
Proceeds from common stock options exercised                                      232                  3,455
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options                                        165                    571
Dividends paid                                                                 (8,257)                (9,786)
                                                                            ----------              ---------
CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                             (16,104)              (274,696)
                                                                            ----------              ---------
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                       (119,705)               178,621
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of period (note 2)                        145,896                  6,405
                                                                            ----------              --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD                                   $ 26,191              $ 185,026
                                                                            ==========             =========
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
                          
                                       5

<PAGE>

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                             A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               September 30, 1998
                                   (unaudited)

1.  Basis of Presentation
    The financial  statements  presented herein are based on interim figures and
    are  subject  to  audit.  In the  opinion  of  management,  all  adjustments
    consisting of normal accruals considered  necessary for fair presentation of
    the results of  operations  and of financial  position  have been made.  The
    results of operations for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998 are
    not  necessarily  indicative of the results  expected for the full year. The
    consolidated  balance  sheet as of  December  31,  1997 is derived  from the
    audited financial  statements but does not include all disclosures  required
    by generally accepted accounting principles. Certain prior year amounts have
    been reclassified to conform to the 1998 presentation.

2.  Statement of Cash Flows
    For  purposes of the  Consolidated  Statement  of Cash Flows,  cash and cash
    equivalents   include   short-term   investments  held  primarily  for  cash
    management  purposes.  These investments normally mature within three months
    from the date of acquisition.

3.    Inventories
      (000 omitted)                 September 30, 1998      December 31, 1997
      -------------                 ------------------      -----------------
      Finished products                $  52,919              $  45,091
      Work in process                     16,202                 19,656
      Raw materials                       46,690                 42,870
      Supplies                             1,563                  1,634
                                        ---------              ---------
                                         117,374                109,251

      Allowance to state inventories
         at LIFO cost                     30,389                 30,202
                                         --------               --------
                                       $  86,985              $  79,049
                                         ========               ========

4.  Long-Term Debt
    On July 1, 1998 the company  issued $30 million in senior notes under a loan
    facility with The Prudential  Insurance Company of America. The notes mature
    in 2018 and carry an interest rate of 6.66%.

                                       6

<PAGE>

    The company's  long-term credit  agreements  contain certain  conditions and
    provisions which restrict the company's payment of dividends. Under the most
    restrictive  of these  provisions,  retained  earnings of $63.2 million were
    unrestricted  as of September 30, 1998 for cash dividends and treasury stock
    purchases.

5.  Stockholders' Equity
    On June 9, 1998 the company's  Board of Directors  declared a  three-for-two
    stock split of the  company's  Class A Common  Stock and Common  Stock to be
    effected in the form of a stock dividend to  shareholders  of record on July
    31, 1998 and payable on August 17, 1998. All earnings and dividend per share
    calculations presented in this report include the impact of the stock split.
    At September 30, 1998,  31,740 and 9,228,731  shares of Class A Common Stock
    and Common Stock, respectively, were held as Treasury Stock.

6.  Comprehensive Earnings
    Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  (SFAS) No. 130 - "Reporting
    Comprehensive  Income"  requires  the  company  to  disclose   comprehensive
    earnings,  consisting  of net  earnings and all other  non-owner  changes in
    equity during the period. The company's comprehensive earnings for the third
    quarter  1998 and  1997  were  $11,202,000  and  $10,239,000,  respectively.
    Comprehensive  earnings  for the  first  nine  months  of 1998 and 1997 were
    $33,814,000 and $136,893,000,  respectively. Comprehensive earnings, for all
    periods  presented,  was  comprised  of net  earnings  and foreign  currency
    translation adjustments, net of any related income tax expense.

7.  New Accounting Standard
    In June 1998, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board issued SFAS No.133,
    "Accounting  for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging  Activities",  which is
    required  to be  adopted  in years  beginning  after  June 15,  1999.  Early
    adoption of the  Statement  is  permitted.  The  Statement  will require the
    company to recognize all derivatives in the balance sheet at fair value. The
    company has not yet determined  what the effect of Statement No. 133 will be
    on earnings and the financial position of the company.

                                       7

<PAGE>


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
         CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1998 COMPARED TO 1997

Sales  totaled  $243.3  million  in the third  quarter  of 1998,  an 18  percent
increase over 1997 third quarter sales of $206.0 million.  Significantly  higher
sales  at  Electric  Motor  Technologies  primarily  due to  the  July  1,  1998
acquisition of General Electric's compressor motor facility in Scottsville, KY.,
coupled with  modestly  higher  sales at Water  Systems  Technologies  more than
offset a 16 percent  decline in sales at Storage & Fluid Handling  Technologies.
Sales for the first  nine  months of 1998 were  $692.9  million  or more than 10
percent  higher  than the $627.2  million of sales in the same period last year.
Acquisitions  contributed  approximately  $50  million of the nearly $66 million
increase in sales.

Third quarter earnings from continuing operations increased nearly 22 percent to
$11.0  million  compared  with the $9.0  million  earned  in last  year's  third
quarter.   Significantly   higher  operating  profits  at  Electric  Motors  and
moderately  higher  profits at Water  Systems  more than offset  lower  interest
income  and a  significant  decline  in  operating  profit  at  Storage  & Fluid
Handling.  Earnings from continuing operations for the first nine months of 1998
were $33.8  million  compared  with $27.8  million  for the first nine months of
1997. On a per share basis,  third  quarter  diluted  earnings  from  continuing
operations  increased from $0.33 in 1997 to $0.46 in 1998.  Diluted earnings per
share for the first nine  months of 1998 were $1.39  compared  with $0.96 in the
same period last year.  Earnings  per share for the 1998 third  quarter and nine
months also benefited from the company's stock repurchase program.

On June 9, 1998 the company's Board of Directors declared a three-for-two  stock
split of the company's  Class A Common Stock and Common  Stock.  The stock split
was effected in the form of a stock dividend to  stockholders  of record on July
31, 1998 and was paid on August 17,  1998.  All  earnings and dividend per share
calculations presented in this report include the impact of the stock split.

The  company's  third  quarter  gross  profit  margin  increased to 19.3 percent
compared  with the 18.9 percent rate  generated in the third quarter of 1997, as
higher  motor   manufacturing   volumes   generated   improvement  in  operating
efficiencies. The gross profit margin for the first nine months of 1998 declined
to 20.3 percent from 20.8 percent in the prior year as a result of lower pricing
for motors and  declines in  profitability  in the  Storage  and Fluid  Handling
business segment.

Third  quarter  sales of $135.3  million  for the  Electric  Motor  Technologies
platform were nearly 44 percent  higher than sales in the third quarter of 1997.
On July 1, 1998 the  company  acquired  the  Scottsville,  KY  compressor  motor
business for $126.5 million,  subject to final adjustment.  The compressor motor
operation  manufactures

                                       8

<PAGE>

one-half  through six horsepower  motors used primarily in residential and light
commercial unitary air conditioning  applications.  The acquisition  contributed
approximately  $30 million to the segment's  sales during the third quarter.  An
improvement in demand for air conditioning and  subfractional  horsepower motors
also  contributed to higher sales in the third quarter.  Year-to-date  sales for
the electric  motor  segment were $360.9  million in 1998,  compared with $298.8
million in 1997.  The 21 percent  increase in sales for the first nine months of
1998 reflects both internally  generated growth as well as the company's ongoing
electric motor acquisition activities.

Operating   profit  for  the  Electric  Motor   Technologies   segment  improved
significantly   compared  with  the  third  quarter  of  1997,   reflecting  the
aforementioned  volume-related  improvement in operating efficiencies as well as
the  acquisition  of the  Scottsville  operation.  Acquisition  activities  also
contributed  to a  significant  increase in profits  for the nine months  ending
September 30, 1998.

Third  quarter  sales for Water  Systems  Technologies  were $71.7  million or 4
percent higher than 1997's third quarter sales of $68.9  million,  due primarily
to improved  pricing and stronger  commercial unit volumes.  Sales for the first
nine months of 1998 were $220.5  million,  compared with $211.2  million for the
first nine months of 1997.  Operating  profits  for the third  quarter and first
nine  months  of 1998 were  higher  than the same  periods  last year due to the
increased volume and stronger pricing of commercial product.

Third quarter sales for the Storage & Fluid Handling segment were $36.3 million,
or 16 percent lower than the $43.0 million generated in the same period in 1997.
Sales  declined more than 30 percent in the segment's  fiberglass  pipe business
and less than 10 percent in the  storage  tank  operation.  The decline in third
quarter sales was primarily the result of lower demand for  fiberglass  pipe and
storage tanks in the chemical, food processing and petroleum production markets.
The soft demand is attributed to weak prices in the oil and chemical markets and
the corresponding lower capital spending by the segment's  customers.  Sales for
the first nine months of 1998 were $111.4  million  compared with $117.2 million
for the comparable period in 1997.

Third quarter  operating  profits for the Storage & Fluid Handling business were
significantly  lower  than  the  third  quarter  of  1997  as a  result  of  the
substantial  decline in sales of  fiberglass  product.  Operating  profits  were
slightly  lower  for the  nine  months  ending  September  30,  1998,  than  the
comparable  period in 1997,  as cost  reduction  programs  partially  offset the
impact of the lower volumes.

Selling,  general and administrative  (SG&A) expenses for the third quarter were
$1.3 million  higher than the third  quarter of 1997,  while  year-to-date  SG&A
expenses  were $1.6  million  less than the first nine months of 1997.  The 1998
third quarter increase was partially due to additional costs associated with the
recent  acquisition.  The  year-to-date  comparison  reflects the cost reduction
activities  taken  at  mid-year  1997

                                       9

<PAGE>

associated with the divestiture of the company's automotive business and general
cost reduction programs in the company's remaining operations in the latter part
of 1997.

The company  recognized  year-to-date  net  interest  expense of $1.9 million in
1998,  compared with net interest  expense of $0.2 million in the same period of
1997.  The  year-to-year  increase  in net  interest  expense  was the result of
acquisition  activities  as well as the  company's  use of funds  for its  stock
repurchase program.

The  effective  tax rates for the third quarter of 1998 and year to date periods
for both 1997 and 1998 were  approximately 35 percent,  as the company continues
to benefit from its foreign sales  corporation  and research and development tax
credits.

After-tax  equity in losses of the company's  Chinese  joint  ventures were $0.7
million in both the third  quarter of 1998 and 1997.  Losses for the nine months
ending  September 30, 1998 were  approximately  $2.4 million  compared with $2.0
million in 1997 as the company  experienced  start up costs  associated with its
new manufacturing operation.

The company is currently  negotiating  to acquire the minority  interests in its
two Chinese joint ventures and could complete these negotiations as early as the
fourth quarter of 1998. If the buyout is completed, these entities will be fully
consolidated in the company's financial statements.

For 1999,  the company  expects the  difficulties  at its Storage and Fiberglass
Products  businesses to persist and  therefore is continuing to review  numerous
alternatives  to  improve  the  operations  of this  business.  The  company  is
cautiously  optimistic  about the market for the  products of its Water  Systems
business segment. The company believes the Electric Motors business will improve
over  1998 as it  benefits  from the  incremental  business  of the  Scottsville
acquisition  as well  as the  "Tier  One"  supply  agreement  signed  with  York
International on July 6, 1998.

The company continues to aggressively pursue accretive  acquisitions such as the
Uppco  C-Frame  motor  business  (March  1997),  and  the  previously  discussed
Scottsville  compressor  motor  business.  The company  considers the pursuit of
acquisitions to be a very important element in its strategy for growth. Although
the company believes 1999 earnings,  excluding acquisitions,  will increase over
1998 levels, accretive acquisitions will be required to achieve its target of 15
percent annual growth in earnings per share.

During 1997,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued  Statement of
Financial  Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 131,  "Disclosure about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information",  which is effective for the company for the
year ended December 31, 1998. Implementation of this statement will not have any
impact on A.O. Smith Corporation's results of operations,  financial position or
cash flows.

During  the  first  nine  months of 1998,  the  company  was a party to  futures
contracts  for the  purposes  of  hedging  a portion  of  certain  raw  material
purchases. The company was 

                                       10

<PAGE>

also a party to forward  foreign  exchange  contracts to hedge foreign  currency
transactions  consistent with its committed  exposures.  Had these contracts not
been in place,  the net earnings of the company  would not have been  materially
affected.  As discussed in Note 7 to the  financial  statements,  the  Financial
Accounting  Standards Board has issued SFAS No. 133,  "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities". The company has not yet determined what the
effect of SFAS No. 133 will be on  earnings  and the  financial  position of the
company.


Liquidity & Capital Resources

The company's  working capital was $141.8 million at September 30, 1998 compared
to $237.8  million at the end of December  1997, a decline of $96  million.  The
reduction  was primarily a result of a decline in cash and cash  equivalents  in
the amount of $119.7  million as the company  completed the  acquisition  of the
Scottsville  compressor  motor  business  for  $126.5  million  during the third
quarter.  The majority of the increase in the remaining working capital accounts
was due to the acquisition.

Capital  expenditures  during the first nine  months of 1998 were $20.1  million
compared to $33.5 million through  September 30, 1997.  Primarily as a result of
lower capital  expenditures,  cash flow from continuing operations for the first
nine months of 1998 was $14.5 million  higher than for the same period last year
when adjusted for  acquisitions.  The company expects lower capital  spending in
1998 compared with 1997, and it expects  capital  expenditures  to be covered by
1998 cash flow.

The company  repurchased  1,188,450  shares of its common stock during the first
nine  months of 1998 under its stock  repurchase  program.  Since the  program's
inception  in  January  1997,   approximately   8.4  million  shares  have  been
repurchased.  As of the end of September 1998, $24.2 million remained of the $50
million authorization granted in December 1997.

At its October 6, 1998  meeting,  A. O. Smith's  Board of  Directors  declared a
regular quarterly  dividend of $.12 per share on its common stock (Classes A and
Common).  The dividend is payable on November 16, 1998 to shareholders of record
October 30, 1998.

Year 2000
A.O. Smith continues the efforts begun several years ago,  addressing  potential
problems  related to the Year 2000. It has  organized its  activities to prepare
for  the  Year  2000  under  a  company-wide  plan  that  involves:  Assessment,
Modification or Replacement, and Testing.

The company has completed the  assessment  phase which  included an inventory of
all information  technology (IT) systems (computer hardware,  operating systems,
and application  software);  all non-information  technology systems (equipment,
machinery,  and  telephone  systems);  and the  identification  of key  vendors,
service  providers,   and  business 


                                       11

<PAGE>

partners considered to have a material  relationship with the company.  Risks on
all IT and  non-IT  systems or  relationships  have been  assessed  and plans to
remedy potential  problems have been formulated.  The testing and implementation
phases  for  renovated   Information   Technology  (IT)  systems  are  underway.
Implementation of Year 2000-ready systems will be completed in early 1999. Costs
specifically  associated  with  renovating  software for Year 2000 readiness are
funded through operating cash flows and expensed as incurred.  Year 2000-related
costs have not had a material  effect on the  Company's  financial  position  or
results of  operations.  The Company  expects to incur  total Year  2000-related
costs of approximately $2.0 million of which remaining costs are estimated to be
$750,000.

The Company believes there is a high  probability that all critical  information
and non-information  technology systems and processes will be substantially Year
2000 ready and allow the  Company to  continue  operations  beyond the Year 2000
without a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

Unanticipated problems,  primarily external issues, may be identified, and could
result  in an  undetermined  financial  risk.  No  contingency  plans  have been
developed for such possibilities.

Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this report are forward-looking  statements.  Although the
company  believes that its  expectations  are based upon reasonable  assumptions
within the bounds of its  knowledge of its  business,  there can be no assurance
that its financial goals will be realized. Although a significant portion of the
company's sales are derived from the replacement of previously installed product
and such sales are therefore less volatile,  numerous  factors may affect actual
results  and may cause  results to differ  materially  from those  expressed  in
forward-looking  statements  made by or on behalf  of the  company.  Among  such
numerous  factors the company  includes the  continued  growth of the  worldwide
heating,  ventilating and air conditioning market; the weather and its impact on
the heating and air conditioning market; the pricing environment for residential
water heaters; capital spending trends in the oil, petrochemical,  chemical, and
food processing markets; the successful  execution of its acquisition  strategy;
and the successful development of the company's business venture in China.

                                       12

<PAGE>

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The company is  involved in various  unresolved  legal  actions,  administrative
proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of its business  involving product
liability,  property  damage,  insurance  coverage,  patents  and  environmental
matters  including the disposal of hazardous waste.  Although it is not possible
to predict with certainty the outcome of these  unresolved  legal actions or the
range of possible loss or recovery,  the company believes these unresolved legal
actions will not have a material effect on its financial  position or results of
operations.

There have been no  material  changes in the  environmental  matters  previously
reported in Part 1, Item 3 in the  company's  annual report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December, 1997 which is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

ITEM 5 - OTHER INFORMATION

On August 11, 1998 the Board of Directors elected two new directors,  William F.
Buehler   and   Robert  N.   Pokelwaldt.   Mr.   Buehler   is   executive   vice
president-business  operations with Xerox Corporation in Stamford,  Connecticut.
Mr.  Pokelwaldt is chairman and chief  executive  officer of York  International
Corporation, York, Pennsylvania.


ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)      Exhibits

         (27)     Financial Data Schedule

(b)      Reports on Form 8-K

         A Form 8-K Report was filed by the  corporation  on July 15, 1998.  The
         Form  8-K  stated  that  on  July  1,  1998  the  corporation  acquired
         substantially  all of the  assets of the  General  Electric  Industrial
         Control  Systems  Division  of General  Electric  Company  ("GE")  that
         related  to  GE's  hermetic  electric  motors  operations   located  in
         Scottsville, Kentucky.

                                       13

<PAGE>



                                   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.


                                        A. O. SMITH CORPORATION




November 13, 1998                       ________________________
                                        John J. Kita
                                        Vice President,
                                        Treasurer and Controller




November 13, 1998                       ________________________
                                        G. R. Bomberger
                                        Executive Vice President
                                        and Chief Financial Officer



                                       14

<PAGE>


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit
Number  Description

(27)    Financial Data Schedule

(27.1)  Restated Financial Data Schedule


                                       15

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the condensed
consolidated financial statements of A.O.SMITH CORPORATION as and for the period
ended  and  is  qualified  in  its  entirety  by  reference  to  such  financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                         3,091
<SECURITIES>                                   23,100
<RECEIVABLES>                                  146,769
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    86,985
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               284,295
<PP&E>                                         488,471
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (255,860)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 762,565
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          142,500
<BONDS>                                        126,933
                          67,564
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     325,569
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   762,565
<SALES>                                        692,889
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               692,889
<CGS>                                          552,245
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  552,245
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               79,667
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             5,191
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                55,786
<INCOME-TAX>                                   19,587
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            33,781
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   33,781
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  1.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  1.39
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the condensed
consolidated financial statements of A.O.SMITH CORPORATION as and for the period
ended  and  is  qualified  in  its  entirety  by  reference  to  such  financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         3,938
<SECURITIES>                                   181,088
<RECEIVABLES>                                  130,865
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    84,366
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               416,739
<PP&E>                                         440,407
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (238,416)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 768,888
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          150,287
<BONDS>                                        100,985
                          45,055
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     385,051
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   768,888
<SALES>                                        627,150
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               627,150
<CGS>                                          496,806
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  496,806
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               77,966
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             6,602
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                45,776
<INCOME-TAX>                                   16,003
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            27,808
<DISCONTINUED>                                 109,847
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   137,644
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  4.84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  4.75
        

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission