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1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)

For the Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2000

Commission File Number 0-12730

BRADY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Wisconsin 39-0178960
--------- ----------
(State of Incorporation) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

6555 West Good Hope Road
Milwaukee, WI 53223
(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

(414) 358-6600
(Registrant's Telephone Number)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Class A Nonvoting Common Stock, Par Value $.01 per share

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. Yes No X

As of October 6, 2000, there were outstanding 20,979,298 shares of Class A
Nonvoting Common Stock (the "Class A Common Stock"), and 1,769,314 shares of
Class B Common Stock. The Class B Common Stock, all of which is held by
affiliates of the Registrant, is the only voting stock.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Brady Corporation 2000 Annual Report, Incorporated into Part II & IV

2



I N D E X


PAGE
----

PART I

Item 1. Business

General Development of Business....................................................................... I-1

Financial Information About Industry Segments......................................................... I-1

Narrative Description of Business:

Overview......................................................................................... I-1

Business Strategy................................................................................ I-2

Growth Strategy.................................................................................. I-2

Products......................................................................................... I-3

Marketing and Sales.............................................................................. I-6

Manufacturing Process and Raw Materials.......................................................... I-7

Technology and Product Development............................................................... I-7

International Operations......................................................................... I-8

Competition...................................................................................... I-8

Backlog.......................................................................................... I-8

Environment...................................................................................... I-9

Employees........................................................................................ I-9

Acquisitions..................................................................................... I-9

Financial Information About Foreign and Domestic Operations and

Export Sales................................................................................... I-10

Item 2. Properties..................................................................................... I-11


Item 3. Legal Proceedings.............................................................................. I-11


Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders........................................... I-11


PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related

Stockholder Matters............................................................................ II-1


Item 6. Selected Financial Data........................................................................ II-2


Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition

and Results of Operations...................................................................... II-2


Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.................................................... II-2


Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on

Accounting and Financial Disclosure............................................................ II-2


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PART III PAGE
----


Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant ........................................... III-1


Item 11. Executive Compensation ....................................................................... III-4


Summary Compensation Table ........................................................................ III-4

Stock Options...................................................................................... III-6

Common Stock Price Performance Graph .............................................................. III-9

Compensation of Directors.......................................................................... III-10

Termination of Employment and Change in Control Arrangements....................................... III-10

Restricted Stock................................................................................... III-11

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation........................................ III-11

Profit Sharing and Employee Thrift Plan ........................................................... III-11

Deferred Compensation Arrangements................................................................. III-12

Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation............................................ III-13

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management................................ III-16


Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions................................................ III-19


PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedule and Reports on Form 8-K................................ IV-1


SIGNATURES.............................................................................................. IV-6




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PART I

Brady Corporation and Subsidiaries is referred to herein as the "Company" or
"Brady".

ITEM 1 BUSINESS

(a) General Development of Business

The Company, a Wisconsin corporation, currently operates 26
manufacturing facilities worldwide. Ten are located in the United States, four
in France, two each in Australia and Canada and one each in Belgium, Brazil,
China, England, Italy, Japan, Korea and Singapore. The Company sells through
subsidiaries or sales offices in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China,
England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the
Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the United States. The
Company's corporate headquarters are located at 6555 West Good Hope Road,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223, and its telephone number is (414) 358-6600. The
Company's Internet address is http://www.bradycorp.com.

(b) Financial Information About Industry Segments

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to
Note 7 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on Pages 35 through 37 of
the Brady Corporation 2000 Annual Report.

(c) Narrative Description of Business

OVERVIEW

Brady Corporation is a leading international manufacturer and marketer
of high-performance identification solutions and specialty coated materials. The
Company's products consist of over 50,000 stock and custom items as well as
complete identification systems that are used by the Company's customers to
create a safer work environment for employees, improve production and operating
efficiencies and increase the utilization of assets through tracking and
inventory process controls. Major product categories include: industrial
identification and data collection products; safety and facility identification
products; and precision materials.

The Company's products are sold in a variety of markets, including
electrical, electronic, telecommunication, governmental, public utility,
computer, construction, transportation equipment and education. The need for the
Company's products is driven by specification of customer engineering
departments, by regulatory compliance requirements imposed by agencies such as
OSHA and the EPA, or by the need to identify and track assets, or to direct,
warn, inform, train and protect people. The Company manufactures and sells its
products domestically and internationally through multiple channels including
direct sales, distributor sales, mail-order catalog and telemarketing and
electronic access through the Internet. The Company has a broad customer base,
which in fiscal 2000 consisted of more than 300,000 companies, with the largest
customer representing less than 5% of net sales. Sales from international
operations represented 44.4%, 44.6% and 43.5% of net sales in fiscal 2000, 1999
and 1998, respectively.





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BUSINESS STRATEGY

Brady's mission is to be the world leader in identification and
material solutions that help companies improve productivity, performance, safety
and security. The Company expects to accomplish this objective by offering a
broad range of high-quality, innovative products to a widely diversified
customer base in a prompt and responsive manner. Underlying the Company's
business strategy is a Company-wide commitment to enhancing shareholder value.
The Company's long-term focus on activities that will create sustainable value
for its shareholders drives decision making at all levels of the Company. The
Company's employees participate in an incentive plan that is focused upon the
creation of shareholder value. This incentive plan serves to motivate employees,
foster a team-oriented work environment and maximize the utilization of assets.
Key elements of the Company's business strategy include:

Product innovation. The Company continually seeks to improve existing
products and to develop innovative products to satisfy its customers'
requirements and expectations. Brady's commitment to product innovation is
reflected in research and development efforts that include approximately 200
employees primarily dedicated to research and development activities in the
United States, Canada, Belgium, France and Singapore.

Breadth of product line. The Company's products include over 50,000
stock as well as custom items. The number of products offered allows Brady to
serve as a one-stop shopping network for its customers. Additionally, management
believes that the Company provides a broader range of identification solutions
than any of its competitors.

Focus on customers. The Company seeks to provide "seamless" customer
service and to offer rapid response to customer orders and inquiries. To meet
this goal, the Company has streamlined its manufacturing processes to shorten
lead-times and has increased its investment in telecommunications and management
information systems worldwide.

Niche markets. The Company strives to be a major player in niche
markets that allow the Company to leverage its capabilities in specialty
materials, die-cut parts and printing systems. By focusing on specific markets
and value-added product applications, the Company has established leading
positions in the electrical and safety markets with certain of its products such
as wire markers, pipe markers, safety signs and printing systems. It also is a
leader in precision die-cut materials and bar-code label generation software.

GROWTH STRATEGY

The major elements of the Company's strategy for growth include:

New products and new markets. The Company, through its strong product
innovation and development activities, seeks continually to introduce new
products and explore additional applications for its products in existing and
new markets.

Increased market penetration. The Company seeks to increase market
penetration in existing domestic and international markets through existing
distribution channels and strong sales and marketing efforts. To achieve this
objective, the Company is aligning more closely with distributors, expanding its
current sales force and is pursuing additional niche distribution channels.



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Geographic expansion. Sales from Brady's international operations have
increased from $50,707,000 or 26.5% of net sales in fiscal 1990 to $240,079,000,
or 44.4%, of net sales in fiscal 2000. The Company believes that international
markets continue to represent a significant growth opportunity. Accordingly, the
Company is actively seeking to increase its penetration in established markets
in Europe, Asia/Pacific and Canada and to enter new emerging markets elsewhere
in the Pacific Rim and in Latin America.

Strategic acquisitions and joint ventures. While the Company intends to
continue pursuing internal growth through the above strategies, the Company also
intends, where practical, to fill product lines or market sectors, open new
geographic markets and strengthen its offerings through the pursuit of strategic
acquisitions and joint ventures. During the last three years, Brady's growth has
occurred through strategic acquisitions, innovative product development and
improvement, market expansion and increased market penetration.

E-business. E-Business will help support growth as the Company works to
make every Brady business an electronic or Internet-enabled business. Brady is
striving to do at least 50 percent of the Company's business electronically
within the next three to five years. Investments in e-commerce and information
technology have been increased to help the Company achieve this goal.

PRODUCTS

The Company's products consist of over 50,000 stock and thousands of
custom items as well as complete identification systems that are used by the
Company's customers to create a safer work environment for employees, improve
product and operating efficiencies and increase the utilization of assets
through tracking and inventory process controls. Major product categories
include: industrial identification and data-collection products including wire
and cable markers, high-performance labels, stand-alone printing systems,
barcode and other software, radio frequency identification tags and readers and
other automatic identification and data collection systems; safety and facility
identification products including signs, pipe and valve markers, storage
markers, asset identification tags, lockout/tagout products, traffic-control
products, printing systems and software; and specialty tapes and die-cut
materials.

Many of the Company's stock products were originally designed,
developed and manufactured as custom products for a specific purchaser. However,
such products have frequently developed wide industry acceptance and become
stock items offered by the Company through mail-order and distributor sales. The
Company's most significant types of products are described below.

INDUSTRIAL IDENTIFICATION AND DATA-COLLECTION PRODUCTS

Wire and Cable Markers

Brady manufactures a broad range of wire- and cable-marking products.
These products help mark and identify wires, cables and various hazards. Such
products may be used in virtually every industrial, electrical and
telecommunications market to specify the origination and/or destination of
wiring and to facilitate repair or maintenance of equipment and
datacommunication and electrical wiring systems.





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High Performance Labels

Brady produces a complete line of label materials to meet customers'
needs for identification that performs under harsh or sensitive conditions.
Brady prints stock and custom labels and also sells unprinted materials to
enable customers to print their own labels on-site, on-demand, using thermal
transfer, laser, dot matrix and inkjet printers. Brady labels range from
static-dissipative labels for use on electronic components to labels that
withstand extreme conditions, such as 1000 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures and
harsh chemicals.

Software and Printing Systems

The Company designs and produces various computer software, industrial
thermal-transfer and dot matrix printers and other electromechanical devices to
serve the growing and specialized needs of customers. Industrial labeling
systems, software, tapes, ribbons and label stocks provide customers with the
resources and flexibility to produce signs and labels on demand at their site.

Automatic Identification and Data-Collection Systems

Brady's automatic identification and data collection solutions include
bar-code-label-generating software; bar-code and radio frequency scanners; tags;
and labels to enable accurate tracking of manufacturing, warehousing, receiving
and shipping data. The Company's software applications, integration services,
fixed station terminals, high-speed printers and associated customized
consumable products allow its customers to have a higher degree of knowledge and
control over production, asset management and all phases of inventory control,
including receiving, warehousing, work-in-process, finished goods and shipping.

SAFETY AND FACILITY IDENTIFICATION PRODUCTS

Signs

The Company manufactures safety and informational signs for use in a
broad range of industrial, commercial, governmental and institutional
applications. These signs are either self-adhesive or mechanically mounted, are
designed for both indoor and outdoor use and are manufactured to meet standards
issued by the National Safety Council, OSHA and a variety of industry
associations in the United States and abroad. The Company's sign products are
categorized by type of message to be conveyed, including admittance, directional
and exit signs; electrical hazard warnings; energy conservation messages; fire
protection and fire equipment signs; hazardous waste labels; hazardous and toxic
material warning signs; personal hazard warnings; housekeeping and operational
warnings; pictograms; radiation and laser signs; safety practices signs and
regulatory markings.

Pipe and Valve Markers

The Company manufactures both self-adhesive and mechanically applied
stock and custom-designed pipe markers and plastic and metal valve tags for the
identification of pipes and control valves. These products are designed to help
identify and provide information as to the contents, direction of flow and
special hazardous properties of materials contained in piping systems, and to
facilitate repair or maintenance of the system.



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Storage Markers

The Company produces signs, self-adhesive and self-aligning die cut
numbers and letters used for the systematic identification of facilities, bins
and shelving. Storage marker products are primarily used by industrial companies
in factories, warehouses, stockrooms and other facilities.

Asset Identification Markers

Brady offers a wide range of asset identification products. These
include self-adhesive or mechanically mounted labels or tags made of aluminum,
brass, stainless steel, polycarbonate, vinyl, polyester, mylar and paper. These
products are also offered in tamper-evident varieties.

Lockout/Tagout Products

Brady offers a wide variety of lockout/tagout products. Under OSHA
regulations, all energy sources must be "locked out" while machines are being
serviced or maintained to prevent accidental engagement and injury. The
Company's products allow its customers to comply with these regulations and to
ensure worker safety for a wide variety of energy and fluid transmission systems
and operating machinery.

Traffic Control Products

The Company offers a wide variety of traffic-control devices, including
directional and warning signs, barriers, cones and other devices.

Other

The Company also offers sign-making kits, stenciling materials,
barricading products, visual warning systems, floor-marking products, safety
hard-hat labels, safety badges, photo identification kits, ergonomic products,
first aid cabinets/kits, body harnesses, anti-slip coatings and alarm security
systems, among others.

SPECIALTY MATERIALS

Specialty Tapes

Brady manufactures specialty tapes and related products that are used
in a variety of audio, video and computer applications. These specialty tape
products are characterized by high-performance adhesives, most of which are
formulated by the Company, to meet high-tolerance requirements of the industries
in which they are used. Its data-storage products include audio and video
cassette splicing tapes.

Die-Cut Materials

The Company's precision die-cut materials are used to seal, insulate,
protect, shield or provide other mechanical performance properties in the
assembly of electronic, telecommunications and other equipment, including
cellular phones, pagers, computer hard drives, two-way radios, and other
devices.



I-5


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Graphics Products

Brady serves the identification and information needs of various
non-industrial markets with a variety of easy-to-use printing systems and
consumable supplies. It provides lettering and labeling systems, poster
printers, laminators and supplies to education, and training markets.

OTHER PRODUCTS

The Company also sells a variety of other products, none of which
individually accounts for a material portion of its sales, including: hospital
and clinical labels, packing and shipping goods, name plates and quality and
production control products, among others.

MARKETING AND SALES

The Company's products are sold in a wide variety of markets including
electrical, electronic, telecommunications, governmental, public utility,
computer, construction, transportation equipment and education. Brady has a
diverse customer base that consisted of over 300,000 customers in fiscal 2000.
No material part of the Company's business is dependent upon a single customer
or group of customers, and the loss of a particular customer would not have a
material adverse effect upon the Company's business. In fiscal 2000, no single
customer accounted for more than 5% of the Company's net sales.

The Company seeks to offer the right product with rapid response times
and superior service so that it can provide solutions to the customer that are
better, faster and more economical than those available from competitors. The
Company markets and sells its products domestically and internationally through
multiple channels including direct sales, distributor sales, mail-order catalog
marketing and electronic access through the Internet. The Company currently has
over 4,000 established relationships with a broad range of electrical, safety,
industrial and other domestic and international distributors. To support its
distributor network, the Company employs a sales force of over 500 people. The
Company's sales force seeks to establish and foster ongoing relationships with
the end-users (and distributors) by providing technical support and product
application advice.

The Company direct markets its products and those of other
manufacturers by catalog sales in both domestic and international markets. Such
products include industrial and facility identification products, safety and
regulatory compliance products and OEM component products, among others. Catalog
operations are conducted through offices in the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada,
England, France, Germany, Italy and Japan and include foreign-language catalogs.













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MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND RAW MATERIALS

The Company manufactures the majority of the products it sells, while
purchasing certain items from other manufacturers. Products manufactured by the
Company generally require a high degree of precision and the application of
adhesives with chemical and physical properties suited for specific uses. The
Company's manufacturing processes include compounding, coating, converting,
software publishing and printer engineering and assembly. The compounding
process involves the mixing of chemical batches for primers, top coatings and
adhesives, in solvent- or water-based materials. The coatings and adhesives are
applied to a wide variety of materials including polyester, polyimide, cloth,
paper, metal and metal foil. The converting process may include embossing,
perforating, laminating, die cutting or slitting and printing or marking the
materials as required.

The Company seeks to optimize the performance, quality and durability
of its products, while continually improving manufacturing processes, shortening
lead times and lowering manufacturing costs. The Company produces the majority
of its own adhesive stocks and top-coated materials through an integrated
manufacturing process. These integrated manufacturing processes permit it to
achieve greater flexibility in product design and manufacture and to improve its
ability to provide specialized products designed to meet the needs of specific
applications. Brady's "cellular" manufacturing processes and "just-in-time"
inventory control allow it to attain profitability in small orders by
emphasizing flexibility and the maximization of assets through quick turnaround
and delivery. Most of the Company's manufacturing facilities have received ISO
9001 or 9002 certification.

The materials used in the products manufactured by the Company consist
primarily of plastic sheets and films (primarily polyesters and polycarbonates),
paper, metal and metal foil, cloth, fiberglass, inks, dyes, adhesives, pigments,
natural and synthetic rubber, organic chemicals, polymers and solvents. The
Company purchases its raw materials from many suppliers and is not dependent
upon any single supplier for any of its base supply materials.

TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

The Company focuses its research and development efforts on
applications in the science of surface chemistry, such as coatings, adhesives
and physical bonding. This dedication to surface chemistry, in combination with
a manufacturing technology oriented to adhesives and graphics, has led to the
development of many proprietary release coatings, adhesives and products that
are adhesively fastened.

The Company possesses patents covering various aspects of adhesive
chemistry, electronic circuitry, computer-generated wire markers, and systems
for aligning letters and patterns. Although the Company believes that its
patents are a significant factor in maintaining its market position as to
certain products, technology in the areas covered by many of the patents is
evolving rapidly and may limit the value of such patents. The Company's business
is not dependent on any single patent or group of patents.







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The Company conducts much of its research and development activities at
its approximately 39,600 sq. ft. Frederic S. Tobey Research and Innovation
Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Company spent approximately $21,500,000,
$17,700,000 and $20,300,000 in fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively, on its
research and development activities. In fiscal 2000, approximately 200 employees
were engaged in research and development activities for the Company. Additional
research projects were conducted under contract with universities, other
institutions and consultants.

INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

In Fiscal 2000, 1999, and 1998, sales from international operations
accounted for 44.4%, 44.6%, and 43.5%, respectively, of the Company's net sales
The Company's global infrastructure includes subsidiaries in Australia, Belgium,
Brazil, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico,
Singapore, Spain and Sweden and sales offices in Hong Kong, Malaysia, the
Philippines and Taiwan. Several of these locations manufacture or have the
capability to manufacture certain of the products they sell. The Company
acquired or opened new operations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France
and the Philippines in the last three years. The Company expects to continue to
expand its international operations as appropriate.

COMPETITION

The markets for most of the Company's products are competitive. The
Company believes that it is the leading domestic producer of self-adhesive wire
markers, safety signs, pipe markers, audio and video splicing tapes, precision
die-cut materials and bar-code label generating software. The Company competes
for business principally on the basis of product quality, performance, range of
products offered and to a lesser extent, on price. Product quality is determined
by factors such as suitability of component materials for various applications,
adhesive properties, graphics quality, durability, product consistency and
workmanship. Competition in many of the Company's product markets is highly
fragmented, ranging from smaller companies offering only one or a few types of
products, to some of the world's major adhesive and electrical product companies
offering some competing products as part of their product line. A number of the
Company's competitors are larger than the Company and have greater resources.
Notwithstanding the resources of these competitors, management believes that the
Company provides a broader range of identification solutions than any of its
competitors.

BACKLOG

As of July 31, 2000, the amount of the Company's backlog orders
believed to be firm was approximately $27,100,000. This compares with
approximately $22,300,000 and $20,400,000 of backlog orders as of July 31, 1999
and 1998, respectively. Average delivery time for the Company's orders varies
from one day to 12 weeks, depending on the type of product, and whether the
product is stock or custom designed and manufactured.








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ENVIRONMENT

At present, the manufacturing processes for the Company's
adhesive-based products utilize certain evaporative solvents which, unless
controlled, would be vented into the atmosphere. Emissions of these substances
are regulated at the federal, state and local levels. During the past several
years, the Company has implemented a number of procedures to reduce atmospheric
emissions and/or to recover solvents. Management believes the Company is
substantially in compliance with all environmental regulations.

EMPLOYEES

As of July 31, 2000, the Company employed approximately 3,100
individuals. The Company has never experienced a material work stoppage due to a
labor dispute, is not a party to any labor contract and considers its relations
with employees to be excellent. To meet present and future labor requirements,
the Company maintains an active college recruiting program for sales, technical
and administrative personnel.

ACQUISITIONS

Effective March 9, 1998, the Company acquired the common stock of
Techniques Avancees located in Auch, France, a bar-code-labeling-software
developer, for cash of $10,735,000 and a payable of $1,030,000.

Effective April 30, 1998, the Company acquired the common stock of
GrafTek Inc. located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, a bar-code labeling software
developer, for cash of $8,528,000 and a payable of $933,000.

Effective August 11, 1998, the Company acquired the common stock of VEB
Sistemas de Etiquetas Ltda. located in Sao Paulo, Brazil, an industrial label
manufacturer, for cash of approximately $4,400,000.

Effective March 25, 1999, the Company acquired the assets of Barcodes
West Inc. located in Seattle, Washington, a label manufacturer and software and
service provider, for cash of $5,757,000.

Effective May 7, 1999, the Company acquired the common stock of Visi
Sign Pty. Ltd. located in Victoria, Australia, a manufacturer of identification
products, for cash of approximately $1,396,000.

Effective July 7, 1999, the Company acquired the common stock of Holman
Groupe S.A. located in Rungis, France, an automatic identification and
application specialist, for cash of approximately $5,343,000 and a payable of
approximately $554,000.

Effective July 30, 1999, the Company acquired the common stock of the
graphics division of SOFT S.A., located in Lyon, France, a developer and
distributor of printing systems, for cash of approximately $14,044,000.

Effective September 3, 1999, the Company acquired the brand name,
customer list and catalog artwork of Champion America, Inc., located in Chagrin
Falls, Ohio, a direct marketer of signs, labels and identification products, for
cash of approximately $4,949,000 and a payable of approximately $561,000.


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Effective March 3, 2000, the Company acquired Data Recognition, Inc.,
located in Austin, Texas, a systems integrator providing automatic
identification and data collection ("AIDC") solutions.

Effective March 22, 2000, the Company acquired Imtec, Inc., located in
Keene, New Hampshire, a manufacturer of high-performance bar-code labels and
labeling systems used in automatic identification applications.

The combined price for Data Recognition, Inc. and Imtec, Inc. was cash
of approximately $33,422,000 and a payable of approximately $1,490,000. The
purchase price is subject to change based on post-closing adjustments.

(d) FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC OPERATIONS AND EXPORT SALES

See Note 7 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on Pages 35
through 37 of the Brady Corporation 2000 Annual Report.




































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ITEM 2 PROPERTIES

The Company currently operates 26 manufacturing facilities. Ten are
located in the United States, four in France, two each in Australia and Canada
and one each in Belgium, Brazil, China, England, Italy, Japan, Korea and
Singapore. The Company's primary research facility of approximately 39,600
square feet is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Company's present operating
facilities contain a total of approximately 1,590,000 square feet of space, of
which approximately 833,000 square feet is leased. The Company believes that its
equipment and facilities are modern, well-maintained and adequate for its
present needs.

ITEM 3 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is, and may in the future be, party to litigation arising
in the course of its business. The Company is not currently a party to any
material pending legal proceedings.

ITEM 4 SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

































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PART II


ITEM 5 MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

(a) Market Information

Brady Corporation Class A Nonvoting Common Stock trades on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol BRC. There is no trading market for the
Company's Class B Voting Common Stock.

Stock price disclosure required by this Item is incorporated by
reference to Page 39 of the Brady Corporation 2000 Annual Report.

(b) Holders

The number of holders of record of the Company's Class A and Class B
Common Stock as of September 19, 2000, was 391 and 2, respectively.

(c) Dividends

The Company has followed a practice of paying quarterly dividends on
its outstanding common stock. Before any dividend may be paid on the
Class B Common Stock, holders of the Class A Common Stock are entitled
to receive an annual, noncumulative cash dividend of $.033 per share
(subject to adjustment in the event of future stock splits, stock
dividends or similar events involving shares of Class A Common Stock).
Thereafter, any further dividend in that fiscal year must be paid on
all shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on an equal
basis.

During its two most recent fiscal years and for the first quarter of
the current year, the Company declared the following dividends per
share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock:



Year
Ending
Year Ended 7/31/99 Year Ended 7/31/00 7/31/01
--------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ------------
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr 1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr 1st Qtr
--------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ------------

Class A $.16 $.16 $.16 $.16 $.17 $.17 $.17 $.17 $.18
Class B .13 .16 .16 .16 .14 .17 .17 .17 .15












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ITEM 6 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to Page 17 of
the Brady Corporation 2000 Annual Report.

ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to Pages 18
through 22 of the Brady Corporation 2000 Annual Report.

From time to time the Company may provide forward-looking information, as
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
information involves risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to,
domestic and international economic conditions and growth rates; fluctuations in
currency exchange rates for international currencies versus the U.S. dollar; the
successful implementation of a new enterprise-resource-planning system; the
ability of the company to acquire, integrate and achieve anticipated synergies
from new businesses; the ability of the company to adjust its cost structure to
changes in levels of sales and product mix in a timely manner; variations in the
economic or political conditions in the countries in which the company does
business; technology changes; and the continued availability of sources of
supply. Brady cautions that forward-looking statements are not guarantees, since
there are inherent difficulties in predicting future results, and that actual
results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in
forward-looking statements.

ITEM 8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to Pages 23
through 38 of the Brady Corporation 2000 Annual Report and the table on page
III-3.

ITEM 9 CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE

None.

















II-2

17

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Quarters
First Second Third Fourth Total
----- ------ ----- ------ -----
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
2000


Net Sales $125,549 $129,222 $142,484 $143,822 $541,077
Gross Margin 72,814 74,309 82,744 81,603 311,470
Operating Income 19,778 15,379 19,102 15,032 69,291
Net Income 12,367 9,832 11,729 13,273 47,201

Net Income Per Class A Common Share:
Basic 0.54 0.43 0.51 0.59 2.07
Diluted 0.54 0.43 0.51 0.57 2.05



1999

Net Sales $116,802 $112,309 $121,455 $120,296 $470,862
Gross Margin 65,524 62,308 70,954 69,873 268,659
Operating Income 14,529 13,110 20,728 15,405 63,772
Net Income 8,711 7,974 12,937 9,962 39,584

Net Income Per Class A Common Share:
Basic 0.38 0.35 0.57 0.44 1.74
Diluted 0.38 0.35 0.57 0.43 1.73


















II-3


18



PART III


ITEM 10 DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT



Name Age Title

Katherine M. Hudson 53 President, CEO and Director
Richard L. Fisk 56 Vice President, Direct Marketing Group
David R. Hawke 46 Vice President, Graphics Group
Frank M. Jaehnert 43 Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
David W. Schroeder 45 Vice President, Identification Solutions & Specialty Tapes Group
Conrad G. Goodkind 56 Secretary
Peter J. Lettenberger 63 Director
Robert C. Buchanan 60 Director
Roger D. Peirce 63 Director
Richard A. Bemis 59 Director
Dr. Frank W. Harris 58 Director
Gary E. Nei 56 Director
Mary K. Bush 52 Director
Frank R. Jarc 58 Director


KATHERINE M. HUDSON - Mrs. Hudson joined the Company in January 1994, as
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director. Before joining Brady
Corporation, she was a Vice President at Eastman Kodak Company and General
Manager of its Professional, Printing and Publishing Imaging Division. Her 24
years at Eastman Kodak Company included positions in finance, communication and
public affairs, information systems and the management of instant photography
and printing. She is a director of CNH Global N.V. and Charming Shoppes, Inc.,
and serves on the Alverno College Board of Trustees, the Advisory Board of the
University of Wisconsin School of Business, the Advisory Council for the Indiana
University School of Business, and the Medical College of Wisconsin Board of
Trustees.

RICHARD L. FISK - Mr. Fisk joined the Company in 1979 and was appointed to his
present position in August 1987. He previously served as General Manager of
Seton Name Plate Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

DAVID W. HAWKE - Mr. Hawke joined the Company in 1979. He served as General
Manager of the Industrial Products Division from 1985 to 1991. From 1991 to
February 1995, he served as Managing Director - European Operations. In March
1995, he was appointed to his present position.

FRANK M. JAEHNERT - Mr. Jaehnert joined the Company in 1995 as Finance Director
of the Identification Solutions & Specialty Tapes Group. He was appointed to his
present position in November 1996. Before joining the Company, he held various
financial and management positions for Robert Bosch GmbH from 1983 to 1995.

DAVID W. SCHROEDER - Mr. Schroeder joined the Company in June 1991 as General
Manager of the Industrial Products Division. He was appointed to his present
position in March 1995. Before joining the Company, he served as President and
Chief Executive Officer of Uniroyal Adhesives & Sealants Co., Inc. from 1988 to
May 1991.

III-1


19


CONRAD G. GOODKIND - Mr. Goodkind was elected Secretary of the Company in
November 1999. He is a partner of Quarles & Brady, general counsel to the
Company, which he joined in 1979.

PETER J. LETTENBERGER - Mr. Lettenberger has served as a Director of the Company
since January 1977. Mr. Lettenberger is a member of the Company's Finance and
Corporate Governance Committees. He is a partner of Quarles & Brady, general
counsel to the Company, which he joined in 1964. He is also a director of
Electronic Tele-Communications, Inc., Waukesha, Wisconsin.

ROBERT C. BUCHANAN - Mr. Buchanan has been a Director of the Company since
November 1987. Mr. Buchanan is a member of the Company's Finance Committee and
chairs its Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Buchanan is President of Fox
Valley Corporation in Appleton, Wisconsin, having assumed that position November
1980. He is also a trustee of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company,
Milwaukee.

ROGER D. PEIRCE - Mr. Peirce has served as a Director of the Company since
September 1988. Mr. Peirce has been a member of the Compensation Committee of
the Company since September 1988, and its chairman since November 1996, and is a
member of its Corporate Governance and Finance Committees. Mr. Peirce is a
private investor and consultant and is a director and secretary/treasurer of The
Jor-Mac Company, Inc. in Grafton, Wisconsin. He was President and CEO of
Valuation Research Corporation from April 1995 to May 1996. From September 1988
to December 1993, he was President of Super Steel Products Corp. in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin. Prior to that he was a managing partner for Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent certified public accountants.

RICHARD A. BEMIS - Mr. Bemis has been a Director of the Company since January
1990 and a member of its Compensation Committee since March 1990, and is a
member of its Finance and Technology Committees. Mr. Bemis is President and CEO
of Bemis Manufacturing Company, a manufacturer of molded plastic products in
Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. He is also a director of the Wisconsin Public
Service Corporation, Green Bay, Wisconsin.

FRANK W. HARRIS - Dr. Harris has been a Director of the Company since November
1991, a member of its Audit Committee since May 1999, and is chair of its
Technology Committee. Dr. Harris is a Distinguished Professor of Polymer Science
and Biomedical Engineering in the Institute of Polymer Science at the University
of Akron, and has been on its faculty since 1983.

GARY E. NEI - Mr. Nei has been a Director of the Company since November 1992.
Mr. Nei is a member of the Company's Technology Committee and chair of its
Finance Committee. Mr. Nei is Chairman of B&B Publishing, a publishing company
in Walworth, Wisconsin. He is also a director of Uroquest, Inc., Menlo Park,
California.

MARY K. BUSH - Ms. Bush was elected to the Board of Directors on May 15, 2000.
Ms. Bush is president of Bush & Company, Washington, D.C., an international
financial advisory firm. She serves on the Audit and Finance Committees. Ms.
Bush is also a director of Texaco, Inc., Mortgage Guarantee Insurance Corp., and
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc.

FRANK R. JARC - Mr. Jarc was elected to the Board of Directors on May 15, 2000.
Mr. Jarc is a consultant specializing in corporate development and international
acquisitions, and the former senior vice president of corporate development at
Office Depot. He is chair of Brady's Audit Committee and serves on the
Compensation Committee.



III-2


20


All directors serve until their respective successors are elected at
the next annual meeting of shareholders. Officers serve at the discretion of the
Board of Directors. None of the Company's directors or executive officers has
any family relationship with any other director or executive officer.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

During fiscal year 2000, with respect to the Company's Class A Common Stock:

1. Richard L. Fisk, an officer of the Company, exercised options to
purchase 5,000 shares on November 19, 1999 and sold the shares on the same day.
These transactions were reported on a Form 4 filed January 4, 2000.

2. On June 6, 2000, Peter J. Lettenberger, a Director of the Company,
donated 1,000 shares to a non-profit institution. This transaction was reported
on a Form 4 dated July 12, 2000.





































III-3


21


ITEM 11 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following table summarizes the compensation paid or accrued by the Company
during the three fiscal years ended July 31, 2000, to those persons who, as of
the end of fiscal 2000, were the Named Executive Officers.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE



Long-Term
Annual Compensation Compensation Awards
------------------- -------------------
Other Restricted All Other
Name and Fiscal Salary Bonus Annual Stock Options/SAR Comp
Principal Position Year ($) ($) (1) Comp Awards (# of Shares) ($) (4)
- ------------------ ---- --- ------- ($) (2) ($) (3) ------------- -------
------- -------

K. M. Hudson 2000 470,308 535,963 6,913 --- 82,000 58,059 (5)
President & Chief 1999 441,577 529,892 4,950 --- 34,000 47,589 (5)
Executive Officer 1998 449,516 190,145 4,829 1,487,500 24,000 107,066 (5)

R. L. Fisk 2000 265,962 206,652 4,668 --- 12,500 241,562 (6)
Vice President, 1999 253,654 228,289 3,235 --- 12,500 231,903 (6)
Direct Marketing 1998 259,615 82,363 3,560 743,750 8,000 215,180 (6)
Group

D. W. Schroeder 2000 255,962 238,659 5,631 --- 12,500 6,699
Vice President, 1999 243,573 219,216 5,908 --- 12,500 13,549
ISST Group 1998 247,889 78,643 4,271 743,750 8,000 13,612

D.R. Hawke 2000 245,961 191,112 4,790 --- 12,500 6,735
Vice President, 1999 233,654 210,289 5,191 --- 12,500 13,219
Graphics Group 1998 238,836 75,774 2,813 743,750 8,000 13,527

F.M. Jaehnert 2000 213,269 165,710 5,558 --- 8,600 8,931
Vice President & 1999 190,962 171,866 6,835 --- 83,000 13,280
Chief Financial 1998 185,309 54,870 5,685 --- 6,000 13,225
Officer



(1) Reflects bonus earned during the listed fiscal year which was paid
during the next fiscal year.

(2) The amounts shown represent costs to the Company for expenses
associated with the use of a company car.









III-4


22


(3) In August 1997, the Company granted restricted stock awards of 50,000
shares to Mrs. Hudson and 25,000 shares each to Messrs. Fisk, Schroeder
and Hawke. These awards are valued at $29.7500/share, the closing price
for the Company's Class A Common Stock on the date of issue, in this
table. As of July 31, 2000 and 1999, Mrs. Hudson held 50,000 shares and
Messrs. Fisk, Schroeder and Hawke held 25,000 shares each of restricted
stock. Using the closing price for the Company's Class A Common Stock
on July 31, 2000, of $30.4375/share, Mrs. Hudson's holdings were valued
at $1,521,875 and the holdings of Messrs. Fisk, Schroeder and Hawke
were valued at $760,938 each. The restricted stock awards granted to
Mrs. Hudson and Mr. Fisk vest on August 1, 2002. The restricted stock
awards granted to Mr. Schroeder and Mr. Hawke vest 75% on August 1,
2002, with the remaining 25% vesting on August 1, 2003. The executives
have the right to receive any cash dividends payable on these shares.

(4) All other compensation for fiscal 2000 for Mrs. Hudson, and Messrs.
Fisk, Schroeder, Hawke and Jaehnert, respectively, includes: (i)
matching contributions to the Company's Profit Sharing and Employee
Thrift Plan for each named executive officer of $9,600, $5,915, $5,946,
$5,977 and $8,580 respectively and (ii) the cost of group term life
insurance for each named executive officer of $1,485, $2,286, $753,
$758 and $351, respectively.

All other compensation for fiscal 1999 for Mrs. Hudson, and Messrs.
Fisk, Schroeder, Hawke and Jaehnert, respectively, includes: (i)
matching contributions to the Company's Profit Sharing and Employee
Thrift Plan for each named executive officer of $12,800, $12,262,
$12,800, $12,323 and $12,800 respectively and (ii) the cost of group
term life insurance for each named executive officer of $3,434, $2,642,
$749, $896 and $480, respectively.

All other compensation for fiscal 1998 for Mrs. Hudson, and Messrs.
Fisk, Schroeder, Hawke and Jaehnert, respectively, includes: (i)
matching contributions to the Company's Profit Sharing and Employee
Thrift Plan for each named executive officer of $12,800 each and (ii)
the cost of group term life insurance for each named executive officer
of $4,669, $2,380, $812, $727 and $425, respectively.

(5) Fiscal 2000 includes $46,974 accrued, but not paid, for the current
year's portion of a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP).
Fiscal 1999 includes $31,355 accrued, but not paid, for that year's
portion of the SERP. Fiscal 1998 includes club dues and estate planning
fees of $61,963 and $27,634 accrued, but not paid, for the that year's
portion of the SERP.

(6) Fiscal 2000 includes $233,360 accrued, but not paid, for the current
year's portion of a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP).
Fiscal 1999 includes $217,000 accrued, but not paid, for that year's
portion of a SERP. Fiscal 1998 includes $200,000 accrued, but not paid,
for that year's portion of the SERP.










III-5


23


STOCK OPTIONS

The following tables summarize option grants and exercises during
fiscal 2000 to or by the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation
Table above, and the value of unexercised options held by such persons at July
31, 2000. Stock Appreciation Rights are not available under any of the Company's
plans.

OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL 2000

Individual Grants
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



% of Total
Options
Options Granted to Exercise
Granted (#) Employees Price ($/share)
Name (1) in Fiscal 2000 (2) Expiration Date
- ---- ----------- -------------- --------------- ---------------

K.M. Hudson 50,000 16.5% 33.7500 November 17, 2009
32,000 10.6% 30.5625 October 14, 2009
R.L. Fisk 12,500 4.1% 30.5625 October 14, 2009
D.W. Schroeder 12,500 4.1% 30.5625 October 14, 2009
D.R. Hawke 12,500 4.1% 30.5625 October 14, 2009
F.M. Jaehnert 8,600 2.8% 30.5625 October 14, 2009






Potential Realizable Value
at Assumed Rates of
Stock Price Appreciation (3)
-------------------------------------------
$30.5625 $49.7800 $79.2700
Name 0% ($) 5% ($) (6) 10% ($) (6)
------ ---------- -----------

K.M. Hudson 0 1,676,460 4,248,140
R.L. Fisk 0 240,219 608,844
D.W. Schroeder 0 240,219 608,844
D.R. Hawke 0 240,219 608,844
F.M. Jaehnert 0 165,271 418,885


All Stockholders' Gains
(increase in market value of Brady corporation
Common Stock at assumed rates of stock price
appreciation) (4) (6)....................... $401,030,117 $1,016,426,405

All Optionees' Gains
(as a percent of all shareholders' gains) (5) (6).... 1.47% 1.47%





III-6


24



(1) The options granted October 14, 1999, become exercisable as follows: 33
1/3% of the shares on October 14, 2000; 33 1/3% of the shares on
October 14, 2001; and 33 1/3% of the shares on October 14, 2002. These
options have a term of ten years.

The options granted to Mrs. Hudson on November 17, 1999, become
exercisable January 01, 2004, and have a term of ten years.

(2) The exercise price is the average of the highest and lowest sale prices
of the Company's Class A Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock
Exchange on the date of the grant.

(3) Represents total potential appreciation of approximately 0%, 63% and
159% for assumed annual rates of appreciation of 0%, 5% and 10%,
respectively, compounded annually for the ten year option term.

(4) Calculated from the $30.5625 exercise price applicable to the options
granted on October 14, 1999 and the $33.7500 exercise price applicable
to the options granted on November 17, 1999 based on the 20,867,965
shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding on November 17, 1999.

(5) Represents potential realizable value for all options granted in fiscal
2000 compared to the increase in market value of Brady Corporation
Class A Common Stock at assumed rates of stock price appreciation.

(6) The Company disavows the ability of any valuation model to predict or
estimate the Company's future stock price or to place a reasonably
accurate present value on these options because any model depends on
assumptions about the stock's future price movement that the Company is
unable to predict.























III-7

25


AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN FISCAL 2000
AND VALUE OF OPTIONS AT END OF FISCAL 2000






Number of Unexercised Options at
July 31, 2000
----------------------------------------------------
Shares
Acquired on Value
Name Exercise (#) Realized ($) Exercisable (#) Unexercisable (#)
- ---- ------------ ------------- --------------- ------------------

K.M. Hudson 0 0 198,333 312,667
R.L. Fisk 35,000 601,840 35,501 123,499
D.W. Schroeder 0 0 54,001 123,499
D.R. Hawke 3,000 71,088 48,001 123,499
F.M. Jaehnert 0 0 14,667 93,433





Value of Unexercised
In-the-Money Options
at July 31, 2000 (1)
----------------------------------------------------
Name Exercisable ($) Unexercisable ($)
- ---- --------------- -----------------

K.M. Hudson 2,196,934 1,567,504
R.L. Fisk 212,795 749,996
D.W. Schroeder 588,753 749,996
D.R. Hawke 472,753 749,996
F.M. Jaehnert 83,941 836,086




(1) Represents the closing price for the Company's Class A Common Stock on
July 31, 2000, of $30.4375 less the exercise price for all outstanding
exercisable and unexercisable options for which the exercise price is
less than such closing price.








III-8
26
COMMON STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The graph below shows a comparison of the cumulative return over the last
five fiscal years had $100 been invested at the close of business on July 31,
1995, in each of Brady Corporation Class A Common Stock, the Standard & Poor's
(S&P) 500 Index and the Russell 2000 Index. Prior year graphs compared Brady's
performance to the S&P 500 and the National Association of Securities Dealers'
Automated Quotation System (NASDAQ) United States Index. In May 1999, Brady
listed on the New York Stock Exchange making the comparison to a NASDAQ index
obsolete.




COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL
RETURN Brady Corporation versus Published Indices (S&P 500 and Russell 2000)
Fiscal Year Ending July 31,




1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----

Brady $100 $193 $228 $193 $256 $240
S&P 500 $100 $114 $170 $199 $236 $255
RUSSELL 2000 $100 $105 $138 $140 $148 $167
NYSE $100 $114 $164 $188 $208 $213














































III-9


27
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

Each director who is also an employee of the Company receives no
additional compensation for service on the Board or on any committee of the
Board. Directors who are not also employees of the Company receive an annual
retainer of $20,000 plus $1,500 for each committee they chair and $1,250 plus
expenses for each meeting of the Board or any committee thereof which they
attend and are a member. Directors receive $750 for each meeting they attend of
any committee for which they are not a member.


TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS

In May 1997, the Board approved Change in Control Agreements for
certain of its executive officers including Mrs. Hudson, Messrs. Fisk,
Schroeder, Hawke and Jaehnert. The agreements call for payment of an amount
equal to two times the annual salary for Mrs. Hudson and Messrs. Fisk, Schroeder
and Hawke, and payment of one time his annual salary for Mr. Jaehnert in the
event of termination or resignation upon a change of control. The agreements
also call for reimbursement of any excise taxes imposed and up to $25,000 of
attorney fees to enforce the executive's rights under the agreement. Payments
under the agreements will be spread over two years for Mrs. Hudson and Messrs.
Fisk, Schroeder and Hawke, and over one year for Mr. Jaehnert. In August 1998,
the Board amended the Change in Control Agreement for Mr. Jaehnert to call for
payment of an amount equal to two times his annual salary in the event of
termination or resignation upon a change in control with payments spread over
two years.

In May 1997, the Company created a Supplemental Executive Retirement
Plan (SERP) for Mr. Fisk. The Plan calls for the Company to credit a deferred
compensation account with $200,000 on August 1 of each year beginning August 1,
1997, to and including August 1, 2001, provided Mr. Fisk is employed by the
Company as of each of those dates. Interest accrues on the balance in the
account at the prime rate in effect on August 1 of each year, but not less than
6% nor more than 10% per annum.

The Company is required to pay Mr. Fisk the balance in the account over
a ten year period beginning on August 1 of the year following his termination of
employment with the Company. The first payment, and the nine succeeding
payments, will equal one-tenth of the balance in the account. Succeeding
payments will include interest credited to the account in the interim. The
Company may make payments in some other manner provided the payments are neither
smaller nor extend beyond such ten year period.

In fiscal 1994 the Company created a Supplemental Executive Retirement
Plan (SERP) for Mrs. Hudson. The stated amount of the Plan at January 1, 1999,
was $500,000. The Company credited a deferred compensation account with the net
present value of the stated amount in January 1994. The account is credited
annually with the current year's increase in the net present value calculation.
After January 1, 1999, interest accrues quarterly on the balance in the account
at the prime rate in effect at the end of each calendar quarter.

The Company is required to pay Mrs. Hudson the balance in the account
over a ten year period beginning January 2009. The first payment will be
one-tenth of the balance in the account; the second one-ninth; and so on.


III-10


28
In the event of a change in control of the Company, Mrs. Hudson's SERP
may accelerate and become payable in 30 days.

RESTRICTED STOCK

In August 1997, the Company granted restricted stock awards to certain
key executives. Mrs. Hudson was awarded 50,000 shares of authorized, but
unissued, Class A Common Stock and Messrs. Fisk, Schroeder and Hawke were
awarded 25,000 shares each of authorized, but unissued Class A Common Stock. The
restricted stock awards granted Mrs. Hudson and Mr. Fisk vest on August 1, 2002.
The restricted stock awards granted Mr. Schroeder and Mr. Hawke vest 75% on
August 1, 2002, with the remaining 25% vesting on August 1, 2003. The executives
have the right to receive any cash dividends payable on these shares.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

During fiscal 2000, the Board's Compensation Committee was composed of
Messrs. Bemis, Jarc and Peirce. Mr. Lettenberger serves as a nonvoting advisor
to the Committee. None of these persons has at any time been an employee of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries. There are no relationships among the
Company's executive officers, members of the Compensation Committee or entities
whose executives serve on the Board that require disclosure under applicable SEC
regulations.

MONEY PURCHASE AND 401K PLAN

Substantially all Brady employees in the United States and certain
expatriate employees working for its international subsidiaries are eligible to
participate in the Company's Money Purchase and Employee 401K Plan (the
"BradyGold 401K Plan"). Under this plan the Company agrees to contribute certain
amounts to the BradyGold 401K Plan. Under the Money Purchase Plan, the Company
first contributes 4% of the eligible earnings of each person covered by the
Money Purchase Plan. In addition, participants may elect to have their annual
pay reduced by up to 4% and have the amount of this reduction contributed to the
BradyGold 401K Plan by the Company and matched by an additional, equal
contribution by the Company. Participants may also elect to have up to another
8% of their eligible earnings contributed to the BradyGold 401K Plan (without an
additional matching contribution by the Company). The assets of the BradyGold
401K and Money Purchase Plans credited to each participant are invested by the
BradyGold 401K and Money Purchase Plan trustee as directed in several investment
funds as permitted by the BradyGold 401K and Money Purchase Plans. The annual
contributions and forfeitures allocated to any participant under all defined
contribution plans may not exceed the lesser of $30,000 or 25% of the
participant's base compensation and bonuses. Benefits are generally payable upon
the death, disability, or retirement of the participant or upon termination of
employment before retirement, although benefits may also be withdrawn from the
BradyGold 401K Plan and paid to the participant if required for certain
emergencies. Under certain specified circumstances, the BradyGold 401K Plan
allows loans to be drawn on a participant's account. The participant is
immediately fully vested with respect to the contributions attributable to
reductions in pay; all other contributions become fully vested after five years
of service.





III-11


29


DEFERRED COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS

During fiscal 1998, the Company adopted new deferred compensation plans
whereby directors, executive officers, corporate staff officers and certain key
management employees of the Company are permitted to defer portions of their
fees, salary and bonus into a plan account, the value which is measured by the
Company's Class A Common Stock. Participants in the old deferred compensation
plan were allowed to convert their balances in the old plan to this new plan.
The conversion to the new plan was funded by the issuance of 372,728 shares of
Class A Common Stock to a Rabbi Trust (the "Trust") in November 1997. All
deferrals into the new plan result in purchases of existing Class A Common Stock
by the Trust. No deferrals are allowed into the old plan.

Upon the retirement, disability, or death of participant, the Company
is required under the new plan to pay, each year for a period of ten years, a
portion of the shares held in the participant's name by the Trust. The first
payment must be one-tenth of the number of shares held; the second one-ninth;
and so on, with the number of shares held in the Trust reduced by each payment.

If the participant's employment ends for reasons other than retirement,
disability or death, the shares held by the Trust in the participant's name will
be distributed over a period of ten years. At the request of the participant and
for special situations at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee, the
Company may make distributions in larger installments or in a lump sum or other
basis.

In the old deferred compensation plan, directors, executive officers,
corporate staff officers and certain key management employees of the Company
were permitted to defer portions of their fees, salary and bonus into a plan,
the value of which was measured in "phantom stock" of the Company. "Phantom
Stock" is not actual stock or rights to acquire stock in the Company, but it
gives participants the right to share in increases in book value (as defined) of
the common stock. At the end of each fiscal year, the deferred compensation
balance (with interest) is credited to the purchase of phantom common stock at
the then book value of the common stock of the Company, and is thereafter
adjusted to reflect stock dividends and other dividends or distributions on the
Company's Class A Common Stock. No new deferrals are allowed into this old
deferred compensation plan. Upon the retirement, disability, or death of
participant, the Company is required to pay, each year for a period of ten
years, a portion of the book value of the phantom stock determined by the book
value of the corresponding number of common shares as of the end of each fiscal
year. The first payment must be one-tenth of the book value; the second
one-ninth; and so on, with the number of phantom shares reduced by the
equivalent in book value of each payment. At the request of the participant, the
Company may make payments in larger installments or in a lump sum on a
discounted or other basis.

All current directors and executives converted their balances to the
new deferred compensation plan. Certain retired participants elected not to
transfer their balances into the new plan. They were allowed to remain in the
old deferred compensation plan until the end of fiscal 2002. At that point the
old plan will terminate and participant's balances will earn simple interest at
a rate equal to the yield on a 30-year U.S. Treasury Bond as of July 31 of each
year.





III-12


30
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Company's Compensation Committee (the "Committee") is composed
entirely of outside directors and is responsible for considering and approving
compensation arrangements for senior management of the Company, including the
Company's executive officers and the chief executive officer. It is the
philosophy of the Committee to establish a total executive compensation program
which is competitive with a broad range of companies that it considers to be of
comparable size and complexity.

The primary components of the Company's executive compensation program
are (i) base salary, (ii) annual shareholder value enhancement plan cash bonuses
and (iii) long term incentive compensation in the form of stock options and/or
restricted stock. These are designed to align shareholder and management
interests, to balance the achievement of annual performance targets with actions
that focus on the long-term success of the Company, and to attract, motivate and
retain key executives who are important to the continued success of the Company.
Decisions made by the Committee relating to the base salary compensation and the
annual cash incentive compensation plan are reviewed and approved by the full
Board of Directors.

The Committee believes that:

- The Company's pay levels are appropriately targeted to attract and
retain key executives;
- The Company's incentive plan provides strong incentives for management
to increase shareholder value; and
- The Company's total executive compensation program is a cost-effective
strategy to increase shareholder value.

Base Salary

Consistent with the Committee's philosophy, base salaries are generally
maintained at or modestly above competitive base salary levels. Competitive
salary level is defined as the average base salary for similar responsibilities
in a group of companies selected by the Committee that the Committee considers
to be of comparable size and complexity. In setting base salaries for fiscal
2000, the Committee reviewed compensation survey data and was satisfied that the
base salary levels set would achieve the Company's objectives. Specific
increases reflect the Committee's subjective evaluation of individual
performance.

Annual Shareholder Value Enhancement Plan

The shareholder value enhancement plan (the "Bonus Plan") provides for
the annual payment of cash bonuses. When viewed together with the Company's base
salary, the purpose of the Bonus Plan is to provide a balance between fixed
compensation and variable, results-oriented compensation. The Bonus Plan is 90%
objective. It stresses maximization of Company profitability and increasing
shareholder value.







III-13


31
Stock Options

In May 1997, the Company approved the Brady Corporation 1997 Omnibus
Incentive Stock Plan and the Brady Corporation 1997 Nonqualified Stock Option
Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the "Option Plans") under which 2,000,000
shares and 125,000 shares, respectively, of Class A Common Stock are available
for grant. In 1989 the Board approved the Brady Corporation 1989 Non-Qualified
Stock Option Plan (the "Option Plan") under which 1,500,000 shares of Class A
Common Stock were available for grant. The Option Plans assist directors,
executive officers, corporate staff officers and key management employees in
becoming shareholders with an important stake in the Company's future, aligning
their personal financial interest with that of all shareholders. Stock options
are typically granted annually and have a term of ten years. Generally, the
options become one-third exercisable one year after the date of the grant and
one-third additional in each of the succeeding two years so that at the end of
three years after the date of the grant they are fully exercisable. All grants
under the Option Plans are at market price on the date of the grant.

Compliance with Tax Regulations Regarding Executive Compensation

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, added by the Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, generally disallows a tax deduction to public
companies for compensation over $1 million paid to the corporation's chief
executive officer and the other named executive officers. Qualifying
performance-based compensation will not be subject to the deduction limit if
certain requirements are met. The Company's executive compensation program, as
currently constructed, is not likely to generate nondeductible compensation in
excess of these limits. The Compensation Committee will continue to review these
tax regulations as they apply to the Company's executive compensation program.
It is the Compensation Committee's intent to preserve the deductibility of
executive compensation to the extent reasonably practicable and to the extent
consistent with its other compensation objectives.





















III-14


32
Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer

Mrs. Hudson received $470,308 in base salary in fiscal 2000, an
increase of 6.5% from the prior year's base salary. She was paid a bonus
attributable to fiscal 2000 of $535,963, an increase of 1.1%, or $6,071, from
the prior year's bonus. The bonus was determined in accordance with the
Company's objective Bonus Plan, discussed above. Mrs. Hudson's compensation
reflects:

(i) an increase of 16.6%, or $6,496,000, in profits (after
removing the effects of the nonrecurring items) and 14.9% in
sales over similar amounts from the prior year; a decrease of
13%, from $35.00 to $30.44, in the Company's stock price
(ii) the successful acquisitions of certain assets of Champion
America, Inc., Data Recognition, Inc. and Imtec, Inc. this
year and the integration of last year's acquisitions VEB
Sistemas de Etiquetas Ltda., Barcodes West Inc., Visi Sign
Pty. Ltd., Holman Groupe S.A. and the graphics division of
SOFT S.A.
(iii) continued improvement in asset utilization (a 9.8% increase in
inventory despite the 14.9% increase in sales)
(iv) continued efforts to focus the Company's resources on
sustainable value-enhancing long-term growth
(v) continued improvement in intercompany teamwork.

During fiscal 2000, Mrs. Hudson was awarded options to purchase 82,000
shares of Class A Common Stock.

The Committee believes these awards are consistent with the objectives
of the various plans and with the overall compensation policy of the Board of
Directors.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Compensation Committee believes the executive compensation programs
and practices described above are competitive. They are designed to provide
increased compensation with improved financial results and provide additional
opportunity for capital accumulation, but only if shareholder value is
increased.

Roger D. Peirce, Chairman
Richard A. Bemis
Frank R. Jarc










III-15


33
ITEM 12 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

(a) Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

The following table sets forth the current beneficial ownership of
shareholders who are known by the Company to own five percent (5%) of any class
of the Company's voting shares on October 06, 2000.


Amount of
Title of Name and Address of Beneficial Percent of
Class Beneficial Owner Ownership Ownership
----- ---------------- --------- ---------

Class B William H. Brady, Jr.(1) 1,574,866 89%
Common Marital Trust
Stock c/o Quarles & Brady
Attn: Peter J. Lettenberger
411 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202

William H. Brady, Jr.(1) 194,448 11%
Non-QTIP Marital Trust
c/o Quarles & Brady
Attn: Peter J. Lettenberger
411 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202


- ----------------------

(1) The trustees of both trusts are Richard A. Bemis, Robert C. Buchanan, Peter
J. Lettenberger, Roger D. Peirce and Gary E. Nei, each of whom shares voting and
dispositive power. The vested beneficiary was Irene B. Brady, who died March 26,
1998. The contingent remainder beneficiaries are William H. Brady, III and
Elizabeth Brady Lurie.
























III-16

34
(b) Security Ownership of Management

The following table sets forth the current beneficial ownership of each
class of equity securities of the Company by each Director or Nominee
and by all Directors and Officers of the Company as a group as of
October 06, 2000. Except as otherwise indicated, all shares are owned
directly.


Title Name of Beneficial Amount of Percent
of Owner & Nature of Beneficial of
Class Beneficial Ownership Ownership(10) Ownership
- ----- -------------------- --------- ---------

Class A Peter J. Lettenberger (1)(2)(3) 2,529,231 12.1%
Common Stock Richard A. Bemis (1)(4) 1,785,205 8.5%
Gary E. Nei (1)(5) 1,780,705 8.5%
Roger D. Peirce (1)(6) 1,779,205 8.5%
Robert C. Buchanan (1)(7) 1,778,305 8.5%
Katherine M. Hudson (8) 302,351 1.4%
Conrad G.Goodkind 17,382 0.1%
Frank W. Harris 7,200 * %
All Officers and Directors as
a Group (17 persons)(9) 3,280,650 15.6%

Class B Peter J. Lettenberger (1) 1,769,314 100%
Common Stock Richard A. Bemis (1) 1,769,314 100%
Gary E. Nei (1) 1,769,314 100%
Roger D. Peirce(1) 1,769,314 100%
Robert C. Buchanan (1) 1,769,314 100%
All Officers and Directors as a Group 1,769,314 100%

6% Cumulative Peter J. Lettenberger (1)(2) 2,751 69.1%
Preferred Stock Richard A. Bemis (1) 1,920 48.2%
Gary E. Nei (1) 1,920 48.2%
Roger D. Peirce (1) 1,920 48.2%
Robert C. Buchanan (1) 1,920 48.2%
All Officers and Directors as a Group 2,751 69.1%

10% Cumulative Peter J. Lettenberger (2) 5,529 25.2%
1979 Series All Officers and Directors as a Group 5,529 25.2%
Preferred Stock

6% Cumulative Peter J. Lettenberger (2) 2,600 100%
1972 Series All Officers and Directors as a Group (2) 2,600 100%
Preferred Stock

* Indicates less than one-tenth of one percent
- ----------------------------------------------------------







III-17


35
(1) The amount shown includes shares held directly by the William
H. Brady, Jr. Marital Trust (the "Marital Trust") and the
William H. Brady Jr. Non-QTIP Marital Trust (the "Non-Q-TIP
Trust") (collectively, the "Trusts"). The Marital Trust owns
1,771,538 shares of Class A Common Stock, 1,574,866 shares of
Class B Common Stock, and 1,709 shares of 6% Cumulative
Preferred Stock. The Non-QTIP Trust owns 194,448 shares of
Class B Common Stock and 211 shares of 6% Cumulative Preferred
Stock. The Trustees of both Trusts are Richard A. Bemis,
Robert C. Buchanan, Peter J. Lettenberger, Gary E. Nei and
Roger D. Peirce, each of whom shares voting and dispositive
power.

(2) Peter J. Lettenberger is a director of the W.H. Brady
Foundation, Inc. (the "Foundation") which owns 5,529 shares of
the 1979 Series 10% Cumulative Preferred Stock, 763 shares of
the 6% Cumulative Preferred Stock and 2,600 shares of the 6%
Cumulative Preferred Stock, 1972 Series. Mr. Lettenberger is
also a trustee of the Irene B. Brady Revocable Trust of 1986
(the "1986 Trust"), which owns 748,718 shares of Class A
Common Stock and 68 shares of 6% Cumulative Preferred Stock.
He disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by the
Foundation and the 1986 Trust.

(3) In addition to shares beneficially owned as a trustee of the
Trusts and the 1986 Trust and as a director of the Foundation,
Mr. Lettenberger owns directly 4,308 shares of Class A Common
Stock and holds vested options to acquire an additional 4,667
shares of Class A Common Stock.

(4) In addition to shares beneficially owned as a trustee of the
Trusts, Mr. Bemis owns 9,000 shares of Class A Common Stock
directly and holds vested options to acquire an additional
4,667 shares of Class A Common Stock.

(5) In addition to shares beneficially owned as a trustee of the
Trusts, Mr. Nei owns 4,500 shares of Class A Common Stock
directly and holds vested options to acquire an additional
4,667 shares of Class A Common Stock.

(6) In addition to shares beneficially owned as a trustee of the
Trusts, Mr. Peirce owns 1,500 shares of Class A Common Stock
directly, 1,500 shares through his Keogh plan and holds vested
options to acquire an additional 4,667 shares of Class A
Common Stock.

(7) In addition to shares beneficially owned as a trustee of the
Trusts, Mr. Buchanan owns 600 shares of Class A Common Stock
directly, 1,500 additional shares through his Keogh plan and
holds vested options to acquire an additional 4,667 shares of
Class A Common Stock.

(8) Mrs. Hudson owns 57,351 shares of Class A Common Stock
directly and holds vested options to acquire an additional
245,000 shares of Class A Common Stock.

(9) The amount shown for all officers and directors as a group (17
persons) includes options to acquire a total of 542,791 shares
of Class A Common Stock which are currently exercisable or
will be exercisable within 60 days of October 6, 2000. It does
not include other options for Class A Common Stock which have
been granted at later dates.




III-18


36
(10) In addition to the shares shown in this table, the officers and
directors as a group owned the equivalent of 308,316 shares of
the Company's Class A Common Stock in its deferred compensation
plans, including 75,733 for Mrs. Hudson, 6,385 for Mr. Jaehnert,
33,297 for Mr. Fisk, 34,418 for Mr. Hawke, 22,608 for
Mr. Schroeder, 3,116 for Mr. Oliver and 4,379 for Mr. Rearic.

(c) Changes in Control

No arrangements are known to the Company which may, at a subsequent
date, result in a change in control of the Company.



ITEM 13 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

None.









































III-19


37
PART IV

ITEM 14 EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:

1) The consolidated financial statements, together with the
Independent Auditors' Report thereon of Deloitte & Touche LLP,
presented on Pages 23 through 39 of the Company's 2000 Annual
Report is incorporated herein by reference.

2) Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule--

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Independent Auditors' Report on Financial Statement Schedule

All other schedules are omitted as they are not required, or the
required information is shown in the consolidated financial
statements or notes thereto.

3) Exhibits - See Exhibit Index at page IV-2 of this Form 10-K.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K.

No report on form 8-K was filed by the Company during the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2000.






















IV-1


38
EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
Number Description
------- -----------

3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation of Brady Corporation(1)
3.2 By-laws of Brady Corporation, as amended(2)
10.2 Brady Corporation BradyGold Plan, as amended(2)
10.3 Executive Additional Compensation Plan, as amended(2)
10.4 Form of Executive's Deferred Compensation Agreement, as
amended(2)
10.5 Forms of Director's Deferred Compensation Agreement, as
amended(2)
10.6 Brady Corporation 1989 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan(4)
10.7 Shareholder Value Enhancement (SVE) Plan(6)
10.9 Brady Corporation Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan(4)
10.10 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan between Brady
Corporation and Katherine M. Hudson(5)
10.12 Brady Corporation 1997 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan(7)
10.13 Brady Corporation 1997 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for
Non-Employee Directors(7)
10.14 Change of Control Agreement dated May 13, 1997, between Brady
Corporation and Katherine M. Hudson(7)
10.15 Change of Control Agreement dated May 13, 1997, between Brady
Corporation and David W. Schroeder(7)
10.16 Change of Control Agreement dated May 13, 1997, between Brady
Corporation and Richard L. Fisk(7)
10.17 Change of Control Agreement dated May 13, 1997, between Brady
Corporation and David R. Hawke(7)
10.19 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan dated May 14, 1997,
between Brady Corporation and Richard L. Fisk(7)
10.20 Restricted Stock Agreement dated August 1, 1997, between Brady
Corporation and Katherine M. Hudson(8)
10.21 Restricted Stock Agreement dated August 1, 1997, between Brady
Corporation and Richard L. Fisk(8)
10.22 Restricted Stock Agreement dated August 1, 1997, between Brady
Corporation and David W. Schroeder(8)
10.23 Restricted Stock Agreement dated August 1, 1997, between Brady
Corporation and David R. Hawke(8)
10.24 Amendment to Change of Control Agreement dated August 1, 1998,
between Brady Corporation and Frank M. Jaehnert
10.25 Brady Corporation Restoration Plan dated January 1, 2000
13.1 Annual Report to Shareholders for year ended July 31, 2000
18.1 Letter regarding change in accounting method(3)
21.1 Subsidiaries of Brady Corporation
23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Auditor
27.1 Financial Data Schedule









IV-2


39
(1) Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Registration
Statement No. 333-04155 on Form S-3
(2) Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1989
(3) Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 1989
(4) Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Annual Report on
form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1992
(5) Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1994
(6) Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1995
(7) Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 1997
(8) Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1997


































IV-3


40


BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS



Year ended July 31,
------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ----
(Dollars in Thousands)

Description
- -----------

Valuation accounts deducted in balance sheet from assets to which they
apply --

Accounts receivable-- allowance for losses:

Balances at beginning of period $2,339 $2,011 $2,241

Additions -- Charged to expense 1,830 966 970
Due to acquired businesses 45 97 64

Deductions-- Bad debts written off, net of recoveries (1,295) (735) (1,264)
------- ----- -------

Balances at end of period $2,919 $2,339 $2,011
====== ====== ======


Inventory-- reserve for slow-moving inventory:

Balances at beginning of period $5,506 $3,544 $1,766

Additions -- Charged to expense 1,962 3,293
Due to acquired businesses 349

Deductions-- Inventory written off (1,141) ______ (1,515)
------- -------

Balances at end of period $4,714 $5,506 $3,544
====== ====== ======










IV-4


41



INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Brady Corporation:

We have audited consolidated financial statements of Brady Corporation and
subsidiaries as of July 31, 2000 and 1999, and for each of the three years in
the period ended July 31, 2000, and have issued our report thereon dated
September 8, 2000; such consolidated financial statements and report are
included in your 2000 Annual Report to Stockholders and are incorporated herein
by reference. Our audits also included the consolidated financial statement
schedule of Brady Corporation and subsidiaries, listed in Item 14. The
consolidated financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In
our opinion, such consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in
relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.



/S/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
September 8, 2000































IV-5

42




SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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 this twenty-sixth day
of October, 2000.
BRADY CORPORATION

By /s/ F. M. Jaehnert
--------------------------------------------------
F. M. Jaehnert
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
(Principal Financial Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant
and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.




/s/ K. M. Hudson President and Director October 26, 2000
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------
K. M. Hudson (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ P. J. Lettenberger Director October 26, 2000
- ------------------------------------------- --------------------
P. J. Lettenberger

/s/ R. A. Bemis Director October 26, 2000
- --------------------------------------------- --------------------
R. A. Bemis

/s/ F. W. Harris Director October 26, 2000
- --------------------------------------------- --------------------
F. W. Harris

/s/ R. C. Buchanan Director October 26, 2000
- --------------------------------------------- --------------------
R. C. Buchanan

/s/ R. D. Peirce Director October 26, 2000
- --------------------------------------------- --------------------
R. D. Peirce

/s/ G. E. Nei Director October 26, 2000
- --------------------------------------------- --------------------
G. E. Nei

/s/ M. K. Bush Director October 26, 2000
- --------------------------------------------- --------------------
M. K. Bush

/s/ F. R. Jarc Director October 26, 2000
- --------------------------------------------- --------------------
F. R. Jarc