Back to GetFilings.com



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 24, 2004

Commission File Number: 001-9249

  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 is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

  Yes        X          No                 

69,132,000 common shares were outstanding as of October 19, 2004.

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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 6-10
       
  Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
         Condition and Results of Operations 11-14
       
  Item 4. Controls and Procedures 14
       
       
PART II OTHER INFORMATION  
       
  Item 1. Legal Proceedings 15
       
  Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 15-16
       
  Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 16
       
  Item 6. Exhibits 17
       
SIGNATURES 18
       
EXHIBITS  

PART I

  GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
Item I. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS  
  (Unaudited)  
  (In thousands except per share amounts)  


  Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended  
  Sept 24, 2004   Sept 26, 2003   Sept 24, 2004   Sept 26, 2003  
                 
Net Sales     $ 149,066   $ 133,788   $ 444,213   $ 399,812  
                           
     Cost of products sold     66,946     62,385     203,547     189,474  








Gross Profit       82,120     71,403     240,666    210,338  
                             
     Product development    5,231    4,464    15,798    13,265  
     Selling, marketing and distribution       24,449     23,794     73,976     71,979  
     General and administrative       9,195     9,111     29,208     27,680  








Operating Earnings    43,245    34,034    121,684    97,414  
                             
     Interest expense    115    146    384    386  
     Other expense (income), net    113    377    277    360  








Earnings Before Income Taxes    43,017    33,511    121,023    96,668  
                           
     Income taxes       14,200     10,800     39,900     31,300  








Net Earnings   $ 28,817   $ 22,711   $ 81,123   $ 65,368  








Basic Net Earnings  
     Per Common Share   $ .42   $ .33   $ 1.17   $ .94  
                             
Diluted Net Earnings  
     Per Common Share   $ .41   $ .32   $ 1.15   $ .93  
                             
Cash Dividends Declared  
     Per Common Share   $ .09   $ .06   $ .28   $ .17  



See notes to consolidated financial statements.

  GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
  CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  
  (Unaudited)  
(In thousands)

  Sept 24, 2004   Dec 26, 2003  
ASSETS            
     
Current Assets  
     Cash and cash equivalents   $ 56,273   $ 112,118  
     Accounts receivable, less allowances  
        of $5,600 and $5,700    102,488    98,853  
     Inventories    39,108    29,018  
     Deferred income taxes    15,791    14,909  
     Other current assets    1,961    1,208  
          Total current assets    
 

215,621
 
 

256,106
 
     
Property, Plant and Equipment  
     Cost    225,920    221,233  
     Accumulated depreciation    (134,948 )  (126,916 )
   
 

90,972
 
 

94,317
 
     
Prepaid Pension    27,027    25,444  
Goodwill    9,199    9,199  
Other Intangible Assets    9,253    10,622  
Other Assets    2,648    1,702  
   
$

354,720
 
$

397,390
 




LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   
     
Current Liabilities  
     Notes payable to banks   $ 5,883   $ 4,189  
     Trade accounts payable    18,096    15,752  
     Salaries, wages and commissions    17,180    16,384  
     Accrued insurance liabilities    8,750    9,939  
     Accrued warranty and service liabilities    8,972    9,227  
     Income taxes payable    9,584    5,981  
     Dividends payable    6,452    110,304  
     Other current liabilities    20,993    16,171  
          Total current liabilities  
 

95,910
 
 

187,947
 
     
Retirement Benefits and Deferred Compensation    31,864    30,567  
     
Deferred Income Taxes    8,927    9,066  
     
Shareholders' Equity  
     Common stock    69,103    46,040  
     Additional paid-in capital    98,335    81,405  
     Retained earnings    51,618    43,295  
     Other, net    (1,037 )  (930 )
          Total shareholders' equity  
 

218,019
 
 

169,810
 
     
$

354,720
 
$

397,390
 





See notes to consolidated financial statements

  GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  
  (Unaudited)  
(In thousands)

Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
  Sept 24, 2004   Sept 26, 2003  
Cash Flows from Operating Activities                
                 
     Net Earnings     $ 81,123   $ 65,368  
       Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash  
        provided by operating activities  
          Depreciation and amortization    13,333    13,568  
          Deferred income taxes    (985 )  (764 )
          Tax benefit related to stock options exercised    5,500    3,200  
          Change in:  
            Accounts receivable    (3,740 )  2,077  
            Inventories    (10,112 )  957  
            Trade accounts payable    2,353    (1,539 )
            Salaries, wages and commissions    800    (547 )
            Retirement benefits and deferred compensation    (777 )  2,173  
            Other accrued liabilities    7,015    47  
            Other    (152 )  223  
     
 

94,358
 
 

84,763
 
     
 

 
 
 

 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities   
                 
     Property, plant and equipment additions    (9,184 )  (10,934 )
     Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment    126    109  
     Capitalized software additions    (856 )  --  
     Acquisition of business    --    (13,514 )
   
 

(9,914
)
 

(24,339
)
     
 

 
 
 

 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities   
                 
     Borrowings on notes payable and lines of credit    20,943    12,588  
     Payments on notes payable and lines of credit    (19,186 )  (21,217 )
     Common stock issued    14,075    9,427  
     Common stock retired    (32,773 )  (55,496 )
     Cash dividends paid    (123,460 )  (11,460 )
     
 

(140,401
)
 

(66,158
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash  
 

112
 
 

(1,606
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  
 

(55,845
)
 

(7,340
)
                 
Cash and cash equivalents  
                 
     Beginning of year    112,118    103,333  
     End of period  
$

56,273
 
$

95,993
 
     
 

 
 
 

 
 



See notes to consolidated financial statements.

  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 24, 2004, and the related statements of earnings for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2004 and September 26, 2003, and cash flows for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2004 and September 26, 2003 have been prepared by the Company without being audited.


 

In the opinion of management, these consolidated 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 24, 2004, and the results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented.


 

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 2003 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.


2.

On February 20, 2004, the Board of Directors declared a three-for-two split of the Company’s common stock. The split was distributed on March 30, 2004 to shareholders of record on March 16, 2004. Share and per share amounts for all periods presented reflect the stock split.


3.

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  
  Sept 24, 2004   Sept 26, 2003   Sept 24, 2004   Sept 26, 2003  
Net earnings available to                    
  common shareholders   $ 28,817   $ 22,711   $ 81,123   $ 65,368  
                     
Weighted average shares  
  outstanding for basic  
  earnings per share    69,176    68,777    69,167    69,374  
                     
Dilutive effect of stock  
  options computed using the  
  treasury stock method and  
  the average market price    1,067    1,240    1,089    1,116  
                     
Weighted average shares  
  outstanding for diluted  
  earnings per share    70,243    70,017    70,256    70,490  
                     
Basic earnings per share   $ .42   $ .33   $ 1.17   $ .94  
Diluted earnings per share   $ .41   $ .32   $ 1.15   $ .93  

4.

The Company accounts for stock option and purchase plans using the intrinsic value method and has adopted the “disclosure only” provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure.” No compensation cost has been recognized for the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and stock options granted under the various stock incentive plans.


 

Had compensation cost been determined based upon fair value (using the Black-Scholes option-pricing method) at the grant date for awards under these plans, the Company’s net earnings and earnings per share would have been reduced as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):


  Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
  Sept 24, 2004   Sept 26, 2003   Sept 24, 2004   Sept 26, 2003  
Net earnings        
                             
As reported     $ 28,817   $ 22,711   $ 81,123   $ 65,368  
Stock-based compensation, net  
  of related tax effects    878    970    2,594    3,044  








   Pro forma   $ 27,939   $ 21,741   $ 78,529   $ 62,324  








Net earnings per   
  common share   
                             
Basic as reported   $ .42   $ .33   $ 1.17   $ .94  
Basic pro forma       .40     .32     1.14     .90
Diluted as reported       .41     .32     1.15     .93  
Diluted pro forma       .40     .31     1.12     .88  

5.

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


  Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended  
  Sept 24, 2004   Sept 26, 2003   Sept 24, 2004   Sept 26, 2003  
Pension Benefits        
Service cost     $ 982   $ 886   $ 3,067   $ 2,658  
Interest cost    2,193    2,051    6,554    6,153  
Expected return on assets    (3,524 )  (2,498 )  (10,571 )  (7,493 )
Amortization and other    5    213    263    638  
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)  
$

(344
)
$

652
 
$

(687
)
$

1,956
 
     
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
Postretirement Medical   
Service cost   $ 193   $ 171   $ 578   $ 514  
Interest cost    375    370    1,126    1,112  
Amortization of net loss    113    90    339    269  
Net periodic benefit cost  
$

681
 
$

631
 
$

2,043
 
$

1,895
 
     
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the Act) was signed into law. The Company’s retirement medical plan is not eligible for the Medicare subsidy under the Act.


6.

Total comprehensive income in 2004 was $28.8 million in the third quarter and $80.8 million year-to-date. In 2003, comprehensive income was $22.7 million for the third quarter and $65.6 million for the nine-month period. There have been no significant changes to the components of comprehensive income from those noted on the 2003 Form 10-K.


7.

The Company has three reportable segments; Industrial/Automotive, Contractor and Lubrication. The Company does not identify assets by segment. Sales and operating earnings by segment for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2004 and September 26, 2003 were as follows (in thousands):


  Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended  
  Sept 24, 2004   Sept 26, 2003   Sept 24, 2004   Sept 26, 2003  
Net Sales        
                             
Industrial/Automotive     $ 67,305   $ 57,276   $ 197,027   $ 167,378  
Contractor     68,620    65,316    209,205    197,060  
Lubrication    13,141    11,196    37,981    35,374  
Consolidated  
$

149,066
 
$

133,788
 
$

444,213
 
$

399,812
 
     
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
Operating Earnings   
                             
Industrial/Automotive   $ 22,612   $ 16,981   $ 63,980   $ 46,253  
Contractor    18,670    17,493    54,150    48,186  
Lubrication    3,446    1,549    9,096    7,136  
Unallocated Corporate  
   expenses    (1,483 )  (1,989 )  (5,542 )  (4,161 )
Consolidated  
$

43,245
 
$

34,034
 
$

121,684
 
$

97,414
 
     
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
8.

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


  Sept 24, 2004   Dec 26, 2003  
           
Finished products and components     $ 30,160   $ 25,548  
           
Products and components in various stages  
   of completion    16,760    16,464  
           
Raw materials and purchased components    19,437    15,408  
     
 

 
 
 

 
 
        66,357     57,420  
                 
Reduction to LIFO cost    (27,249 )  (28,402 )
     
 

 
 
 

 
 
    $ 39,108   $ 29,018  
     
 

 
 
 

 
 

9.

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


  September 24, 2004   December 26, 2003  
  Original
Cost
  Amorti-
zation
  Book
Value
  Original
Cost
  Amorti-
zation
  Book
Value
 
Customer lists and                            
  distribution network   $ 3,765   $ 1,354   $ 2,411   $ 8,336   $ 4,980   $ 3,356  
   
Trademarks, trade names  
  and non-compete  
  agreements    1,494    606    888    2,803    1,622    1,181  
   
Patents and other    1,241    567    674    1,241    436    805  
     
 

6,500
 
$

2,527
 
 

3,973
 
 

12,380
 
$

7,038
 
 

5,342
 
           
 

 
             
 

 
       
Not Subject to  
  Amortization:  
Brand name       5,280           5,280     5,280           5,280  
     
$

11,780
       
$

9,253
 
$

17,660
       
$

10,622
 
     
 

 
       
 

 
 
 

 
       
 

 
 

 

Amortization of intangibles was $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2004 and $1.4 million year-to-date. Estimated annual amortization is as follows: $1.7 million in 2004, $1.1 million in 2005, $0.9 million in 2006, $0.9 million in 2007, $0.4 million in 2008 and $0.3 million thereafter.


10.

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 warranty issues. Following is a summary of activity in accrued warranty and service liabilities (in thousands):


  Thirty-nine
Weeks Ended
Sept 24, 2004
  Year Ended
Dec 26, 2003
 
     
Balance, beginning of year     $ 9,227   $  6,294  
Charged to expense    5,531    9,490  
Margin on parts sales reversed    2,065    4,697  
Reductions for claims settled    (7,851 )  (11,254 )
Balance, end of period  
$

8,972
 
$

9,227
 
   

 

 

11.

The Company has been named as a defendant in a number of lawsuits alleging bodily injury as a result of exposure to asbestos or silica. None of the suits make any allegations specifically regarding the Company or any of its products. Management does not know why the Company was included in the suits along with hundreds of other defendants. Management does not expect that resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company, although the ultimate outcome cannot be determined based on available information.


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


Results of Operations

Increased sales and higher gross margin rates resulted in a 27 percent increase in net earnings for the quarter and a 24 percent increase year-to-date. Factors contributing to the improved results include better economic conditions, controlled spending increases, and favorable foreign currency translation rates. Translated at consistent exchange rates, third quarter and year-to-date net earnings increased by 21 percent and 17 percent, respectively.

The following table sets forth items from the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings as percentages of net sales:


  Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
  Sept 24,
2004   
  Sept 26,
2003   
  Sept 24,
2004   
  Sept 26,
2003   
 
Net Sales       100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %
   Cost of products sold     44.9     46.6     45.8     47.4  
Gross Profit      
55.1
   
53.4
   
54.2
   
52.6
 
   Product development     3.5     3.4     3.5     3.3  
   Selling, marketing and distribution     16.4     17.8     16.7     18.0  
   General and administrative     6.2     6.8     6.6     6.9  
Operating Earnings      
29.0
   
25.4
   
27.4
   
24.4
 
   Interest expense     0.1     0.1     0.1     0.1  
   Other (income) expense, net     0.1     0.3     --     0.1  
Earnings Before Income Taxes    
28.8
   
25.0
   
27.3
   
24.2
 
   Income taxes     9.5     8.0     9.0     7.9  
Net Earnings    
19.3
%  
17.0
%  
18.3
%  
16.3
%
     
 
 
 



Net Sales

Sales by segment and geographic area were as follows (in thousands):

          Thirteen Weeks Ended         Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
  Sept 24, 2004 Sept 26, 2003 Sept 24, 2004 Sept 26, 2003
By Segment        
         
Industrial/Automotive $  67,305 $  57,276 $197,027 $167,378
Contractor 68,620 65,316 209,205 197,060
Lubrication 13,141 11,196 37,981 35,374
Consolidated
$149,066

$133,788

$444,213

$399,812
 



By Geographic Area
 
Americas1 $100,621 $  93,307 $297,663 $278,303
Europe2 29,533 24,383 90,525 75,119
Asia Pacific 18,912 16,098 56,025 46,390
Consolidated
$149,066

$133,788

$444,213

$399,812
 




  1

North and South America, including the U.S.

  2

Europe, Africa and Middle East


Industrial/Automotive segment sales increased 18 percent for the both the quarter and year-to date. Translated at consistent exchange rates, sales increased 14 percent for the quarter and 13 percent year-to-date. Sales in this segment grew in all three geographic regions and across all major product categories. New product introductions contributed to sales growth, including the ProMix™ II and ProMix Easy units, which were launched in the second quarter.

Contractor segment sales increased 5 percent for the quarter and 6 percent year-to-date. Translated at consistent exchange rates, sales were up 4 percent for the quarter and 5 percent year-to-date. Sales increased in all geographic regions, with strong volume increases in Europe and Asia Pacific. In the Americas, sales were higher in both the professional paint store channel and in the home center channel. Sales were aided by demand for new products, including the new Ultra® Max II sprayers and a new texture unit.

Lubrication segment sales were up 17 percent for the quarter and 7 percent year-to-date. Translated at consistent exchange rates, sales were up 16 percent for the quarter and 6 percent year-to-date. Sales increased in all geographic regions, with most of the increase from the Americas. New product introductions include the Mini Fire-Ball oil pump released for sale in August.

Gross Profit

Gross margin rate was higher for the quarter and year-to-date. The effect of higher material costs on margin rate was more than offset by the favorable effects of production volume, productivity, favorable foreign currency translation rates and pension costs.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the quarter were 4 percent higher than the third quarter last year and 5 percent higher year-to-date. Operating expenses for both the quarter and year-to-date decreased as a percentage of sales. The Company increased spending on product development to meet its stated objective of creating sales growth from new products. Changes in currency translation rates contributed significantly to the increase in selling, marketing and distribution expenses. Year-to-date contributions to the Company’s charitable foundation (included in general and administrative expenses) were $2.7 million in 2004 compared to $1.1 million last year.

Year-to-date operations include a pension benefit credit of $.7 million compared to $2 million of expense in the same period last year. This change resulted from the increase in pension plan assets due to investment gains and the $20 million voluntary contribution made in the fourth quarter of 2003. Pension income / expense is allocated based on related salaries and wages, approximately 45 percent to cost of products sold and 55 percent to operating expenses.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Significant uses of cash in the first nine months of 2004 included $123 million of dividends paid (including $104 million for a one-time special dividend) and $33 million for purchases and retirement of Company common stock. Inventories have increased to support higher sales and from actions taken to improve customer service.

The Company has announced that it intends to open a manufacturing facility in the Shanghai region of China sometime in the second half of 2005. The facility will be approximately 50,000 square feet and will require approximately $4 million in capital investment.

The Company had unused lines of credit available at September 24, 2004 totaling $48 million. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, the Company obtained an additional $20 million uncommitted line of credit. Cash balances of $56 million at September 24, 2004, internally generated funds and unused financing sources provide the Company with the financial flexibility to meet liquidity needs, including its capital expenditure plan.

Outlook

Management has not been able to identify economic indicators that predict future Company results. The Company has experienced sales growth from favorable economic conditions and has leveraged fixed costs to improve profitability. Management is encouraged by these results, especially given the substantial price increases the Company has experienced for raw materials like steel. Management will attempt to protect the Company’s margins by increasing prices in 2005 and continuing to reduce manufacturing costs and improve efficiencies. While management is uncertain as to the duration of the economic recovery, it is cautiously optimistic that favorable conditions will remain for the balance of 2004 and into early 2005. Management is looking forward to the prospects for further growth as it pursues its strategies of developing new product, entering new markets, expanding distribution and making strategic acquisitions.

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, as well as in press or earnings releases, analyst briefings and conference calls, which reflects the Company’s current thinking on 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 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. Please refer to Exhibit 99 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2003 for a more comprehensive discussion of these and other risk factors.

Investors should realize that factors other than those identified above and in 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.


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, Vice President and Controller, Vice President and Treasurer, and Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Based upon that evaluation, they concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in gathering, analyzing and disclosing information needed to satisfy the Company’s disclosure obligations under the Exchange Act.

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.



PART II

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

The Company is engaged in routine litigation incident to its business, which management believes will not have a material adverse effect on its operations or consolidated financial position. The Company has also been named as a defendant in a number of lawsuits alleging bodily injury as a result of exposure to asbestos, and a number of lawsuits alleging bodily injury as a result of exposure to silica. All of these lawsuits have multiple (most in excess of 100) defendants, and several have multiple plaintiffs. None of the suits make any allegations specifically regarding the Company or any of its products. A substantial portion of the cost and potential liability for these cases is covered by insurance, although the exact extent of insurance coverage cannot be determined at this time because the cases are in the early stages of the litigation process and the allegations are so indefinite. Management does not expect that resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company, although the ultimate outcome cannot be determined based on available information.

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 1

On February 22, 2002, the Board of Directors authorized a plan for the Company to purchase up to a total of 2,700,000 shares of its outstanding common stock, primarily through open-market transactions. This plan effectively expired upon approval of a new plan on February 20, 2004, authorizing the purchase of up to 3,000,000 shares and expiring on February 28, 2006.

In addition to shares purchased under the plan, 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 stock option exercises.

Information on issuer purchases of equity securities follows:

Period                                     (a)
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
(b)
Average
Price Paid
per Share
(c)
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
(d)
Maximum Number
of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plans or
Programs (at
end of period)
                    
Jun 26, 2004 - Jul 23, 2004 --        --    --       2,471,200            
                    
Jul 24, 2004 - Aug 20, 2004 245,678        $30.60    236,800       2,234,400            
                    
Aug 21, 2004 - Sep 24, 2004 47,800        $31.00    47,800       2,186,600            


1

All share and per share data reflects the three-for-two stock splits distributed on June 6, 2002 and March 30, 2004.




Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
       
  None    



Item 6. Exhibits
       
    31.1 Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
       
    31.2 Certification of Vice President and Controller pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
       
    31.3 Certification of Vice President and Treasurer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
       
    32 Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer, Vice President and Controller, and Vice President and Treasurer pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18, U.S.C.

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 22, 2004   By: /s/David A. Roberts


        David A. Roberts
        President and Chief Executive Officer




Date: October 22, 2004   By: /s/James A. Graner


        James A. Graner
        Vice President and Controller




Date: October 22, 2004   By: /s/Mark W. Sheahan


        Mark W.Sheahan
        Vice President and Treasurer