Graco (GGG) 8-K Results of Operations and Financial Condition

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:	FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Wednesday, October 13, 2004	Mark W. Sheahan (612) 623-6656

GRACO REPORTS RECORD THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
NET EARNINGS INCREASE 27 PERCENT
NET SALES INCREASE 11 PERCENT

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (October 13, 2004)– Graco Inc.(NYSE: GGG) today announced third quarter net earnings of $28.8 million on net sales of $149.1 million – increases over the prior year of 27 percent and 11 percent, respectively. Diluted net earnings per share for the quarter were $0.41 versus $0.32 last year, a 28 percent increase. For the first nine months, Graco reported net earnings of $81.1 million on net sales of $444.2 million – increases over the prior year of 24 percent and 11 percent, respectively.

When compared to 2003 results, stronger foreign currencies versus the U.S. dollar helped to increase third quarter and year-to-date net earnings and net sales. Translated at consistent exchange rates, third quarter net earnings and net sales increased by 21 percent and 9 percent, respectively and year-to-date net earnings and net sales increased by 17 percent and 9 percent, respectively.

When compared to the third quarter of 2003, worldwide Contractor Equipment Division sales of $68.6 million increased 5 percent. In the Americas, sales were up 3 percent, with higher sales in both the paint store and home center channels. European and Asia Pacific sales were up 18 percent and 10 percent, respectively, driven by new product introductions and targeted end user programs.

Third quarter Industrial/Automotive Equipment Division sales of $67.3 million increased 18 percent versus the same period last year. Sales in the Americas were up 14 percent, with gains across all of the major product categories. In Europe, sales were up 23 percent from last year primarily due to growth across all of the major product categories and a favorable currency environment. Asia Pacific sales were up 19 percent, with double-digit sales gains in most of the major countries throughout the region.

Third quarter sales for the Lubrication Equipment Division were $13.1 million, up 17 percent from last year. The increase was primarily due to stronger sales in the Americas versus last year’s third quarter. New product introductions and better economic conditions contributed to the higher sales this quarter versus last year.

Third quarter sales in the Americas increased 8 percent to $100.6 million. In Europe, net sales of $29.5 million were 21 percent higher than the third quarter of 2003, and were up 12 percent when measured in local currencies. In Asia Pacific, net sales of $18.9 million were 17 percent higher than the third quarter of 2003, and sales measured in local currencies increased 15 percent.

Graco’s gross profit margin, expressed as a percentage of sales, was 55.1 percent for the quarter versus 53.4 percent for the same period last year. The higher gross margin was due to several factors, including improved fixed cost absorption from higher production volumes, favorable currency translations and improved factory efficiencies. These factors helped to offset significantly higher raw material prices for commodities such as steel.

Graco’s operating profit margin, expressed as a percentage of sales, was 29 percent for the third quarter versus 25 percent last year. Higher sales, and an improved gross profit margin more than offset the modest 4 percent increase in total operating expenses. General and administrative expenses include contributions to the Company’s charitable foundation totaling $1 million for the third quarter and $2.7 million year-to-date.

“We are pleased to report another record quarter of growth in net sales, net earnings and earnings per share,” said President and Chief Executive Officer David A. Roberts. “ Our performance this year has been outstanding, with growth in all of our divisions across all three regions. As we have experienced this growth we have been able to leverage our fixed costs to substantially improve our profitability. This is especially pleasing given the substantial price increases we are experiencing for raw materials like steel. We recognize that we can’t continue to absorb these increases internally and will need to increase our 2005 prices accordingly. Nonetheless, as we head into the fourth quarter we continue to see good demand for our products and anticipate a strong finish to the year. While we are uncertain as to the duration of this economic recovery, we are cautiously optimistic that favorable conditions will remain for the balance of 2004 and into early 2005. We are excited about the prospects for further growth as we aggressively pursue our key strategies of developing new products, entering new markets, expanding distribution and making strategic acquisitions.”

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

A forward-looking statement is any statement made in this earnings release and other reports that the Company files periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as in press releases, analyst briefings, conference calls and the Company’s Annual Report to shareholders 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.

Conference Call

A conference call for analysts and institutional investors will be held Thursday, October 14, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss Graco’s third quarter results. Graco management will host the call.

A real-time, listen-only webcast of the conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet. Individuals wanting to listen can access the call at the Company’s website atwww.graco.com. Listeners should go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the live conference call to install any necessary audio software.

For those unable to listen to the live event, a replay will be available soon after the conference call at Graco’s website, or by telephone beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. ET on October 14, 2004, by dialing 800.405.2236, passcode 11010661, if calling within the U.S. or Canada. The dial-in number for international participants is 303.590.3000, with the same passcode. The replay by telephone will be available through October 17, 2004.

Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids in both industrial and commercial applications. It designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid materials. A recognized leader in its specialties, Minneapolis-based Graco serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction and maintenance industries. For additional information about Graco Inc., please visit us atwww.graco.com.

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Earnings

	Third Quarter (13 weeks) Ended				Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	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
Net Earnings per Common Share
Basic	$	0.42	$	0.33	$	1.17	$	0.94
Diluted	$	0.41	$	0.32	$	1.15	$	0.93
Weighted Average Number of Shares
Basic		69,176		68,777		69,167		69,374
Diluted		70,243		70,017		70,256		70,490
All share and per share data reflects the three-for-two stock split on March 30, 2004.
All figures are subject to audit and adjustment at the end of the fiscal year.

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Segment Information

	Third Quarter (13 weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended
(In thousands)	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
All figures are subject to audit and adjustment at the end of the fiscal year.

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets

(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, net		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
All figures are subject to audit and adjustment at the end of the fiscal year

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(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
Net Cash from Operating Activities		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
All figures are subject to audit and adjustment at the end of the fiscal year.

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