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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

Commission File Number:  001-09249

 

		GRACO INC.
		(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

		Minnesota				41-0285640
		(State of incorporation)				(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

88 - 11th Avenue N.E. Minneapolis, Minnesota				55413
(Address of principal executive offices)				(Zip Code)

 

		(612) 623-6000
		(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes      X                No             

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes      X                 No            

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large Accelerated Filer

X

Accelerated Filer

Non-accelerated Filer

Smaller reporting company

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes                      No         X    

59,685,000 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $1.00 par value, were outstanding as of October 19, 2011.

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INDEX

 

						Page Number
PART I		FINANCIAL INFORMATION
		Item 1.		Financial Statements
				Consolidated Statements of Earnings		3
				Consolidated Balance Sheets		4
				Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows		5
				Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		6
		Item 2.		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		15
		Item 3.		Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		21
		Item 4.		Controls and Procedures		21
PART II		OTHER INFORMATION
		Item 1A.		Risk Factors		22
		Item 2.		Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		23
		Item 6.		Exhibits		24
SIGNATURES
EXHIBITS

 

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PART I

Item 1.

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands except per share amounts)

 

		Thirteen Weeks Ended								Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
		Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010				Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010
Net Sales		$	227,347			$	189,963			$	679,689			$	546,772
Cost of products sold			100,998				85,405				296,497				250,999
Gross Profit			126,349				104,558				383,192				295,773
Product development			10,423				9,263				30,708				28,209
Selling, marketing and distribution			36,673				33,280				113,738				95,087
General and administrative			22,451				18,592				66,620				57,139
Operating Earnings			56,802				43,423				172,126				115,338
Interest expense			3,125				1,038				5,473				3,159
Other expense, net			325				254				649				147
Earnings Before Income Taxes			53,352				42,131				166,004				112,032
Income taxes			16,800				11,700				54,100				36,200
Net Earnings		$	36,552			$	30,431			$	111,904			$	75,832
Basic Net Earnings per Common Share		$	0.60			$	0.51			$	1.85			$	1.26
Diluted Net Earnings per Common Share		$	0.60			$	0.50			$	1.82			$	1.25
Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share		$	0.21			$	0.20			$	0.63			$	0.60

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

		Sep 30,       2011				Dec 31,       2010
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	274,832			$	9,591
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $5,400 and $5,600			156,430				124,593
Inventories			111,727				91,620
Deferred income taxes			18,904				18,647
Other current assets			3,305				7,957
Total current assets			565,198				252,408
Property, Plant and Equipment
Cost			351,974				344,854
Accumulated depreciation			(217,549)				(210,669)
Property, plant and equipment, net			134,425				134,185
Goodwill			93,400				91,740
Other Intangible Assets, net			20,646				28,338
Deferred Income Taxes			15,230				14,696
Other Assets			10,710				9,107
Total Assets		$	839,609			$	530,474
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Notes payable to banks		$	8,088			$	8,183
Trade accounts payable			29,889				19,669
Salaries and incentives			29,280				34,907
Dividends payable			12,608				12,610
Other current liabilities			48,618				44,385
Total current liabilities			128,483				119,754
Long-term Debt			300,000				70,255
Retirement Benefits and Deferred Compensation			77,564				76,351
Shareholders’ Equity
Common stock			59,811				60,048
Additional paid-in-capital			238,537				212,073
Retained earnings			84,648				44,436
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(49,434)				(52,443)
Total shareholders’ equity			333,562				264,114
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity		$	839,609			$	530,474

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited) (In thousands)

 

		Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
		Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net Earnings		$	111,904			$	75,832
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization			26,308				25,496
Deferred income taxes			(2,494)				(3,848)
Share-based compensation			8,821				7,339
Excess tax benefit related to share-based payment arrangements			(1,800)				(1,000)
Change in
Accounts receivable			(31,852)				(34,845)
Inventories			(19,790)				(26,740)
Trade accounts payable			7,085				6,892
Salaries and incentives			(6,420)				14,637
Retirement benefits and deferred compensation			5,400				(2,810)
Other accrued liabilities			6,327				(258)
Other			5,281				1,744
Net cash provided by operating activities			108,770				62,439
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Property, plant and equipment additions			(17,334)				(9,416)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment			211				180
Acquisition of business			(2,139)				-
Investment in life insurance			(1,499)				(1,499)
Capitalized software and other intangible asset additions			(534)				(342)
Net cash used in investing activities			(21,295)				(11,077)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Borrowings on short-term lines of credit			15,550				8,358
Payments on short-term lines of credit			(15,737)				(8,692)
Borrowings on long-term notes and line of credit			402,175				92,795
Payments on long-term line of credit			(172,430)				(89,055)
Payments of debt issuance costs			(1,131)				-
Excess tax benefit related to share-based payment arrangements			1,800				1,000
Common stock issued			20,563				9,667
Common stock repurchased			(35,250)				(24,218)
Cash dividends paid			(38,116)				(36,171)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			177,424				(46,316)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash			342				(792)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			265,241				4,254
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year			9,591				5,412
End of period		$	274,832			$	9,666

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.

The consolidated balance sheet of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 30, 2011 and the related statements of earnings for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2011 and September 24, 2010, and cash flows for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2011 and September 24, 2010 have been prepared by the Company and have not been audited.

In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2011, and the results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented.

In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company changed its cash flow presentation of notes payable activity, for all periods presented, to separately disclose borrowings and payments. The Company also changed the cash flow presentation of activity on the swingline portion of its long-term revolving credit arrangement by changing the method it uses to accumulate borrowing and payment amounts. In prior periods, such activity was disclosed on a net basis. The effect of this change was to increase both borrowings and payments on long-term line of credit by $83 million in the first nine months of 2010. These changes had no impact on net cash used in financing activities.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. Therefore, these statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that will be realized for the full fiscal year.

 

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2.	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

		Thirteen Weeks Ended								Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
		Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010				Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010
Net earnings available to common shareholders		$	36,552			$	30,431			$	111,904			$	75,832
Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share			60,430				60,107				60,474				60,304
Dilutive effect of stock options computed using the treasury stock method and the average market price			985				517				1,141				536
Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share			61,415				60,624				61,615				60,840
Basic earnings per share		$	0.60			$	0.51			$	1.85			$	1.26
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.60			$	0.50			$	1.82			$	1.25

Stock options to purchase 1,161,000 and 2,965,000 shares were not included in the 2011 and 2010 computations of diluted earnings per share, respectively, because they would have been anti-dilutive.

 

3.	Information on option shares outstanding and option activity for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2011 is shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

		Option     Shares				Weighted Average Exercise Price				Options Exercisable				Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding, December 31, 2010			5,509			$	30.42				2,980			$	31.99
Granted			569				43.15
Exercised			(479)				26.91
Canceled			(39)				35.50
Outstanding, September 30, 2011			5,560			$	31.99				3,284			$	32.03

The Company recognized year-to-date share-based compensation of $8.8 million in 2011 and $7.3 million in 2010. As of September 30, 2011, there was $9.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options, expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years.

 

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The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions and results:

 

		Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
		Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010
Expected life in years			6.5				6.0
Interest rate			2.8 %				2.7 %
Volatility			33.7 %				34.0 %
Dividend yield			2.0 %				3.0 %
Weighted average fair value per share		$	13.35			$	7.38

Under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Company issued 313,000 shares in 2011 and 436,000 shares in 2010. The fair value of the employees’ purchase rights under this Plan was estimated on the date of grant. The benefit of the 15 percent discount from the lesser of the fair market value per common share on the first day and the last day of the plan year was added to the fair value of the employees’ purchase rights determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions and results:

 

		Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
		Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010
Expected life in years			1.0				1.0
Interest rate			0.3 %				0.3 %
Volatility			27.8 %				42.8 %
Dividend yield			2.1 %				2.9 %
Weighted average fair value per share		$	10.05			$	8.48

 

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4.	The components of net periodic benefit cost for retirement benefit plans were as follows (in thousands):

 

		Thirteen Weeks Ended								Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
		Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010				Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010
Pension Benefits
Service cost		$	865			$	1,038			$	3,330			$	3,173
Interest cost			3,076				3,160				9,816				9,575
Expected return on assets			(3,852)				(3,564)				(11,852)				(10,364)
Amortization and other			1,524				1,547				4,470				4,599
Net periodic benefit cost		$	1,613			$	2,181			$	5,764			$	6,983
Postretirement Medical
Service cost		$	202			$	138			$	452			$	413
Interest cost			264				310				914				930
Amortization			(68)				(50)				(68)				(145)
Net periodic benefit cost		$	398			$	398			$	1,298			$	1,198

The Company paid $1.5 million in July 2011 and $1.5 million in June 2010 for contracts insuring the lives of certain employees who are eligible to participate in certain non-qualified pension and deferred compensation plans. These insurance contracts will be used to fund the non-qualified pension and deferred compensation arrangements. The insurance contracts are held in a trust and are available to general creditors in the event of the Company’s insolvency. Cash surrender value of $7.3 million and $6.2 million is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

 

5.	Total comprehensive income was as follows (in thousands):

 

		Thirteen Weeks Ended								Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
		Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010				Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010
Net earnings		$	36,552			$	30,431			$	111,904			$	75,832
Pension and postretirement medical liability adjustment			1,525				1,507				4,317				4,466
Gain on interest rate hedge contracts			-				763				454				2,401
Income taxes			(559)				(841)				(1,762)				(2,542)
Comprehensive income		$	37,518			$	31,860			$	114,913			$	80,157

 

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Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were (in thousands):

 

		Sep 30,     2011				Dec 31,     2010
Pension and postretirement medical liability adjustment		$	(48,611)			$	(51,334)
Gain (loss) on interest rate hedge contracts			-				(286)
Cumulative translation adjustment			(823)				(823)
Total		$	(49,434)			$	(52,443)

 

6.	The Company has three reportable segments: Industrial, Contractor and Lubrication. Sales and operating earnings by segment for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2011 and September 24, 2010 were as follows (in thousands):

 

		Thirteen Weeks Ended								Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
		Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010				Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010
Net Sales
Industrial		$	124,502			$	99,236			$	376,636			$	296,489
Contractor			77,757				70,362				228,664				194,941
Lubrication			25,088				20,365				74,389				55,342
Total		$	227,347			$	189,963			$	679,689			$	546,772
Operating Earnings
Industrial		$	42,632			$	31,195			$	132,996			$	91,234
Contractor			16,700				13,753				44,239				31,839
Lubrication			4,380				2,751				13,652				6,326
Unallocated corporate (expense)			(6,910)				(4,276)				(18,761)				(14,061)
Total		$	56,802			$	43,423			$	172,126			$	115,338

Unallocated corporate in 2011 includes $3 million of expense for the quarter and $6 million year-to-date related to the pending acquisition of ITW’s finishing businesses.

Assets by segment were as follows (in thousands):

 

		Sep 30,     2011				Dec 31,     2010
Industrial		$	300,124			$	270,160
Contractor			158,158				134,938
Lubrication			88,528				81,746
Unallocated corporate			292,799				43,630
Total		$	839,609			$	530,474

 

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7.	Major components of inventories were as follows (in thousands):

 

		Sep 30,     2011				Dec 31,     2010
Finished products and components		$	57,701			$	48,670
Products and components in various stages of completion			38,269				31,275
Raw materials and purchased components			54,378				46,693
			150,348				126,638
Reduction to LIFO cost			(38,621)				(35,018)
Total		$	111,727			$	91,620

 

8.	Information related to other intangible assets follows (dollars in thousands):

 

		Estimated Life (years)		Original   Cost				Accumulated Amortization				Foreign Currency Translation				Book     Value
September 30, 2011
Customer relationships		2 - 8		$	40,925			$	(29,252)			$	(181)			$	11,492
Patents, proprietary technology and product documentation		3 - 10			14,668				(10,090)				(87)				4,491
Trademarks, trade names and other		2 - 3			6,140				(4,657)				-				1,483
					61,733				(43,999)				(268)				17,466
Not Subject to Amortization:
Brand names					3,180				-				-				3,180
Total				$	64,913			$	(43,999)			$	(268)			$	20,646
December 31, 2010
Customer relationships		3 - 8		$	41,075			$	(24,840)			$	(181)			$	16,054
Patents, proprietary technology and product documentation		3 - 10			19,902				(13,956)				(87)				5,859
Trademarks, trade names and other		3 - 10			8,154				(4,909)				-				3,245
					69,131				(43,705)				(268)				25,158
Not Subject to Amortization:
Brand names					3,180				-				-				3,180
Total				$	72,311			$	(43,705)			$	(268)			$	28,338

 

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Amortization of intangibles was $2.6 million in the third quarter of 2011 and $8.4 million year-to-date. Estimated annual amortization expense is as follows: $10.9 million in 2011, $9.0 million in 2012, $4.3 million in 2013, $0.9 million in 2014, $0.5 million in 2015 and $0.2 million thereafter.

 

9.	Components of other current liabilities were (in thousands):

 

		Sep 30, 2011				Dec 31, 2010
Accrued self-insurance retentions		$	6,634			$	6,675
Accrued warranty and service liabilities			6,753				6,862
Accrued trade promotions			4,771				5,947
Payable for employee stock purchases			4,904				5,655
Income taxes payable			3,168				733
Other			22,388				18,513
Total other current liabilities		$	48,618			$	44,385

A liability is established for estimated future warranty and service claims that relate to current and prior period sales. The Company estimates warranty costs based on historical claim experience and other factors including evaluating specific product warranty issues. Following is a summary of activity in accrued warranty and service liabilities (in thousands):

 

		Thirty-nine Weeks Ended Sep 30, 2011				Year Ended Dec 31, 2010
Balance, beginning of year		$	6,862			$	7,437
Charged to expense			3,641				3,484
Margin on parts sales reversed			2,168				3,412
Reductions for claims settled			(5,918)				(7,471)
Balance, end of period		$	6,753			$	6,862

 

10.	The Company accounts for all derivatives, including those embedded in other contracts, as either assets or liabilities and measures those financial instruments at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on their intended use and designation.

As part of its risk management program, the Company may periodically use forward exchange contracts and interest rate swaps to manage known market exposures. Terms of derivative instruments are structured to match the terms of the risk being managed and are generally held to maturity. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. All other contracts that contain provisions meeting the definition of a derivative also meet the requirements of, and have been designated as, normal purchases or sales. The Company’s policy is to not enter into contracts with terms that cannot be designated as normal purchases or sales.

 

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The Company periodically evaluates its monetary asset and liability positions denominated in foreign currencies. The Company enters into forward contracts or options, or borrows in various currencies, in order to hedge its net monetary positions. These instruments are recorded at current market values and the gains and losses are included in other expense (income), net. The notional amount of contracts outstanding as of September 30, 2011, totaled $21 million. The Company believes it uses strong financial counterparts in these transactions and that the resulting credit risk under these hedging strategies is not significant.

The Company uses significant other observable inputs to value the derivative instruments used to hedge interest rate volatility and net monetary positions, including reference to market prices and financial models that incorporate relevant market assumptions. The fair market value and balance sheet classification of such instruments follows (in thousands):

 

		Balance Sheet Classification		Sep 30,         2011				Dec 31,         2010
Gain (loss) on interest rate hedge contracts		Other current liabilities		$	-			$	(454)
Gain (loss) on foreign currency forward contracts
Gains				$	989			$	92
Losses					(26)				(284)
Net		Accounts receivable		$	963
		Other current liabilities						$	(192)

 

11.

In March 2011, the Company entered into a note agreement and sold $150 million of unsecured notes (series A and B) in a private placement. In July 2011, the Company sold an additional $150 million in unsecured notes (series C and D). Proceeds were used to repay revolving line of credit borrowings and invested in cash and cash equivalents, mostly money market funds (carried at cost, which approximates market value).

Interest rates and maturity dates on the four series of notes are as follows (dollars in millions):

 

Series		Amount				Rate				Maturity
A		$	75				4.00    %				March 2018
B		$	75				5.01    %				March 2023
C		$	75				4.88    %				January 2020
D		$	75				5.35    %				July 2026

The notes have a carrying amount of $300 million and an estimated fair value of $320 million as of September 30, 2011. Estimated fair value is based on the present value of future cash flows and rates that would be available for issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

The note agreement requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios as to cash flow leverage and interest coverage. The Company is in compliance with all financial covenants of its debt agreements.

 

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12.

In April 2011, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the finishing businesses of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) in a $650 million cash transaction. Closing on the purchase is subject to regulatory reviews and other customary closing conditions. The Company is cooperating with the Federal Trade Commission to obtain clearance to close on the transaction. The Company plans to finance the acquisition through a new committed $450 million revolving credit facility that will be funded upon closing of the purchase, and funds available under the long-term notes referenced above.

Also in April 2011, the Company acquired the assets and assumed certain liabilities of Eccentric Pumps, LLC (“Eccentric”) for approximately $2.1 million cash. Eccentric was engaged in the business of designing and selling peristaltic hose pumps for metering, dosing and transferring fluids. The Company expects to employ the Eccentric assets to expand and complement its Industrial segment business. The purchase price was allocated based on estimated fair values, including $1.7 million of goodwill and $0.7 million of other identifiable intangible assets.

 

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Item 2.		GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
		MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

The Company designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid materials. Management classifies the Company’s business into three reportable segments: Industrial, Contractor and Lubrication. Key strategies include developing and marketing new products, expanding distribution globally, opening new markets with technology and channel expansion and completing strategic acquisitions.

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis reviews significant factors affecting the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements.

Results of Operations

Net sales, net earnings and earnings per share were as follows (in millions except per share amounts and percentages):

 

		Thirteen Weeks Ended												Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
		Sep 30,     2011				Sep 24,   2010				% Change				Sep 30,     2011				Sep 24,   2010				% Change
Net Sales		$	227.3			$	190.0				20%			$	679.7			$	546.8				24%
Net Earnings		$	36.6			$	30.4				20%			$	111.9			$	75.8				48%
Diluted Net Earnings per Common Share		$	0.60			$	0.50				20%			$	1.82			$	1.25				46%

All segments and geographic regions had revenue growth over last year for the quarter and year-to-date. Volume increases continued to drive improvement in net earnings. Changes in translation rates increased net earnings for the quarter by approximately $3 million and increased year-to-date earnings by approximately $7 million.

 

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Consolidated Results

Sales by geographic area were as follows (in millions):

 

		Thirteen Weeks Ended								Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
		Sep 30,     2011				Sep 24,     2010				Sep 30,     2011				Sep 24,     2010
Americas1		$	122.8			$	108.7			$	364.1			$	305.6
Europe2			51.1				43.4				162.4				129.2
Asia Pacific			53.4				37.9				153.2				112.0
Consolidated		$	227.3			$	190.0			$	679.7			$	546.8

¹ North and South America, including the U.S.

² Europe, Africa and Middle East

Sales for the quarter increased 20 percent (16 percent at consistent translation rates), including increases of 13 percent in the Americas, 18 percent in Europe (10 percent at consistent translation rates) and 41 percent in Asia Pacific (34 percent at consistent translation rates). Year-to-date sales increased 24 percent (21 percent at consistent translation rates), with increases of 19 percent in the Americas, 26 percent in Europe (19 percent at consistent translation rates) and 37 percent in Asia Pacific (31 percent at consistent translation rates).

Gross profit margin, expressed as a percentage of sales, was 56 percent for both the quarter and year-to-date, up  ¹/2 percentage point from the third quarter last year and 2 percentage points higher than last year-to-date. The favorable effects of translation and higher volume were partially offset by higher material costs for both the quarter and the year-to-date.

Total operating expenses increased $8 million for the quarter and $31 million year-to-date. Selling, marketing and distribution expenses were $3 million higher for the quarter and were up $19 million year-to-date. The increases came from translation, headcount increases (mostly in Asia Pacific) and higher marketing and promotion expenses (mainly in Contractor segment in the first half of the year). General and administrative expense for the quarter and year-to-date increased $4 million and $9 million, respectively, including $3 million for the quarter and $6 million year-to-date, related to the pending acquisition of ITW’s finishing businesses.

The effective income tax rate of 32 percent for the quarter is higher than the 28 percent rate for third quarter last year. Last year’s lower rate reflected the favorable effects of tax law rulings and expiring statutes of limitations. The effective rate of 33 percent for the year-to-date is consistent with the rate for the comparable period last year.

 

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Segment Results

Certain measurements of segment operations compared to last year are summarized below:

Industrial

 

		Thirteen Weeks Ended								Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
		Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010				Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010
Net sales (in millions)
Americas		$	53.8			$	46.7			$	162.6			$	134.1
Europe			33.1				25.6				103.6				80.6
Asia Pacific			37.6				26.9				110.4				81.8
Total		$	124.5			$	99.2			$	376.6			$	296.5
Operating earnings as a percentage of net sales			34 %				31 %				35 %				31 %

Industrial segment sales for the quarter increased 15 percent in the Americas, 29 percent in Europe (21 percent at consistent translation rates) and 40 percent in Asia Pacific (34 percent at consistent translation rates). Year-to-date sales increased 21 percent in the Americas, 29 percent in Europe (22 percent at consistent translation rates) and 35 percent in Asia Pacific (30 percent at consistent translation rates).

Higher volume, expense leverage and currency translation contributed to the improvement in operating earnings as a percentage of sales.

Contractor

 

		Thirteen Weeks Ended								Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
		Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010				Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010
Net sales (in millions)
Americas		$	51.2			$	46.8			$	148.6			$	130.2
Europe			16.0				16.2				52.3				44.1
Asia Pacific			10.6				7.4				27.8				20.6
Total		$	77.8			$	70.4			$	228.7			$	194.9
Operating earnings as a percentage of net sales			21 %				20 %				19 %				16 %

Contractor segment sales for the quarter increased 10 percent in the Americas and 43 percent in Asia Pacific (34 percent at consistent translation rates). Sales were down 2 percent in Europe (down 9 percent at consistent translation rates) compared to the third quarter of 2010, which included substantial stocking shipments of new products. Year-to-date sales increased 14 percent in the Americas, 19 percent in Europe (12 percent at consistent translation rates) and 35 percent in Asia Pacific (26 percent at consistent translation rates).

Higher volume, expense leverage and currency translation contributed to the improvement in operating earnings as a percentage of sales. Increased marketing, including product launch and promotion expenses in the first half of the year, moderated the improvement in 2011.

 

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Lubrication

 

		Thirteen Weeks Ended								Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
		Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010				Sep 30, 2011				Sep 24, 2010
Net sales (in millions)
Americas		$	17.8			$	15.2			$	52.8			$	41.2
Europe			2.1				1.6				6.6				4.5
Asia Pacific			5.2				3.6				15.0				9.6
Total		$	25.1			$	20.4			$	74.4			$	55.3
Operating earnings as a percentage of net sales			17 %				14 %				18 %				11 %

Lubrication segment sales for the quarter increased 17 percent in the Americas, 29 percent in Europe and 46 percent in Asia Pacific. Year-to-date sales increased 28 percent in the Americas, 46 percent in Europe and 56 percent in Asia Pacific.

Higher volume, expense leverage and currency translation contributed to the improvement in operating earnings as a percentage of sales. Increasing material and production costs moderated the improvement in the third quarter.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities was $109 million in 2011 and $62 million in 2010.

Since the end of 2010, inventories increased by $20 million to meet higher demand, and accounts receivable increased by $32 million due to higher sales levels. The increases in inventories and receivables occurred in the first half of the year, with balances leveling off in the third quarter. The Company purchased and retired $38 million of Company common stock in the third quarter, of which $3 million settled in the first week of the fourth quarter and was included in accounts payable as of September 30, 2011.

At September 30, 2011, the Company had various lines of credit totaling $270 million, of which $264 million was unused.

In March 2011, the Company entered into a note agreement and sold $150 million of unsecured notes in a private placement. One series of notes totaling $75 million bears interest at 4.0 percent and matures in 2018. Another series of notes totaling $75 million bears interest at 5.01 percent and matures in 2023. Under terms of the agreement, the Company sold an additional $150 million of unsecured notes on July 26, 2011. One series of notes issued in July totaling $75 million bears interest at 4.88 percent and matures in 2020. Another series of notes issued in July totaling $75 million bears interest at 5.35 percent and matures in 2026. Proceeds were used to repay revolving line of credit borrowings and invested in cash and cash equivalents, mostly money market funds.

Under terms of the note agreement, interest is payable quarterly. The Company is required to maintain a cash flow leverage ratio of not more than 3.25 to 1.00 and an interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.00 to 1.00. If a significant acquisition is consummated, the agreement allows, for a one-year period, for a cash flow leverage ratio of 3.75 to 1.00 and an interest

 

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coverage ratio of not less than 2.50 to 1.00. The note agreement contains covenants typical of unsecured credit facilities, including customary default provisions. If an event of default occurs, all outstanding obligations may become immediately due and payable. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants at September 30, 2011.

In April 2011, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the finishing business operations of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) in a $650 million cash transaction. Closing on the purchase is subject to regulatory reviews and other customary closing conditions. On July 5, 2011, the Company received a request for additional information from the Federal Trade Commission. The issuance of this second request extends the waiting period to close the acquisition to thirty days after the Company and ITW have substantially complied with their respective requests. Both parties had certified to substantial compliance to the FTC’s second requests as of October 18, 2011, and also agreed to extend the waiting period by an additional thirty days.

The Company plans to finance the acquisition with borrowings under the long-term notes referenced above and with borrowings under a new revolving credit facility that will be funded upon closing of the purchase. In May 2011, the Company entered into a credit agreement providing the Company access to a $450 million unsecured revolving credit facility until May 2016. The Company may not obtain any loans under the credit agreement until certain conditions are met, including the closing of the acquisition of ITW’s finishing businesses and the Company receiving not less than $75 million in proceeds from the issuance of additional long-term notes.

Internally generated funds and unused financing sources are expected to provide the Company with the flexibility to meet its liquidity needs in 2011.

Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2011, management expects the global demand to be generally favorable compared to last year, with the exception of the U.S. housing and commercial construction markets, which remain at historic lows. Management is closely monitoring demand trends in Europe, watching for any order impact resulting from the Eurozone financial crisis. Fourth quarter percentage growth trends are expected to be lower, reflecting more difficult comparisons to the prior year and an additional week of shipments that occurred in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2010.

The pending acquisition of the ITW finishing businesses would advance all of the Company’s stated core growth strategies, including new products and technology, geographic expansion, and new markets.

 

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SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

A forward-looking statement is any statement made in this report and other reports that the Company files periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or in press or earnings releases, analyst briefings and conference calls, which reflects the Company’s current thinking on the acquisition of the finishing businesses of ITW, market trends and the Company’s future financial performance at the time they are made. All forecasts and projections are forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements in light of new information or future events.

The Company desires to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 by making cautionary statements concerning any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. The Company cannot give any assurance that the results forecasted in any forward-looking statement will actually be achieved. Future results could differ materially from those expressed, due to the impact of changes in various factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to: economic conditions in the United States and other major world economies, currency fluctuations, political instability, changes in laws and regulations, and changes in product demand. In addition, risk factors related to the Company’s pending acquisition of the ITW finishing businesses include: whether and when the required regulatory approvals will be obtained, whether and when the closing conditions will be satisfied and whether and when the transaction will close, the ability to close on committed financing on satisfactory terms, the amount of debt that the Company will incur to complete the transaction, completion of purchase price valuation for acquired assets, whether and when the Company will be able to realize the expected financial results and accretive effect of the transaction, how customers, competitors, suppliers and employees will react to the transaction, and economic changes in global markets. Please refer to Item 1A of, and Exhibit 99 to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2010 and Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a more comprehensive discussion of these and other risk factors.

Investors should realize that factors other than those identified above and in Item 1A and Exhibit 99 might prove important to the Company’s future results. It is not possible for management to identify each and every factor that may have an impact on the Company’s operations in the future as new factors can develop from time to time.

 

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Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes related to market risk from the disclosures made in the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

As of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures. This evaluation was done under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President and Controller, and the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Based upon that evaluation, they concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in internal controls

During the quarter, there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II      OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the Company’s risk factors from those disclosed in the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K, except for the addition of the risk factor described below:

Pending Acquisition - Our pending acquisition of the finishing business operations of Illinois Tool Works Inc. is subject to regulatory approvals and the expected benefits from the acquisition may not be fully realized.

We have entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the finishing business of Illinois Tools Works Inc. (ITW) in a $650 million cash transaction. We cannot predict whether or when the required regulatory approvals will be obtained or if the closing conditions will be satisfied. If we terminate the agreement before April 1, 2012 due to failure to obtain regulatory approval, we will be required to pay a $20 million termination fee. After the transaction closes, significant changes to our financial condition as a result of global economic changes or difficulties in the integration of the newly acquired businesses may affect our ability to obtain the expected benefits from the transaction or to satisfy the financial covenants included in the terms of the financing arrangements.

 

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Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

On September 18, 2009, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to purchase up to 6,000,000 shares of its outstanding common stock, primarily through open-market transactions. The authorization expires on September 30, 2012.

In addition to shares purchased under the Board authorizations, the Company purchases shares of common stock held by employees who wish to tender owned shares to satisfy the exercise price or tax withholding on option exercises.

Information on issuer purchases of equity securities follows:

 

Period		Total Number of Shares Purchased				Average Price Paid per Share				Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs				Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (at end of period)
Jul 2, 2011 – Jul 29, 2011			674				51.53				-				5,179,638
Jul 30, 2011 – Aug 26, 2011			748,550				36.76				748,550				4,431,088
Aug 27, 2011 – Sep 30, 2011			310,110				34.90				310,110				4,120,978

 

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Item 6.    Exhibits

 

	10.1			Amendment No. 1 Dated as of August 15, 2011 to Pledge Agreement Dated as of July 12, 2007.
	10.2			Amendment No. 1 Dated as of August 15, 2011 to Pledge Agreement Dated as of May 23, 2011.
	31.1			Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
	31.2			Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
	32			Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18, U.S.C.
	99.1			Press Release, Reporting Third Quarter Earnings, dated October 26, 2011.
	101			Interactive Data File.

 

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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.

 

				GRACO INC.
Date:		October 26, 2011		By:		/s/ Patrick J. McHale
						Patrick J. McHale
						President and Chief Executive Officer
						(Principal Executive Officer)
Date:		October 26, 2011		By:		/s/ James A. Graner
						James A. Graner
						Chief Financial Officer
						(Principal Financial Officer)
Date:		October 26, 2011		By:		/s/ Caroline M. Chambers
						Caroline M. Chambers
						Vice President and Controller
						(Principal Accounting Officer)