Graco (GGG) 8-K Graco Reports Fourth Quarter and Annual Sales and Earnings

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:	FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Monday, January 26, 2009	James A. Graner (612) 623-6635

GRACO REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND ANNUAL SALES AND EARNINGS

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (January 26, 2009) - Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) today announced results for the quarter and year ended December 26, 2008.

Summary

$ in millions except per share amounts

	Fourth Quarter Ended			Year Ended
	Dec 26,	Dec 28,	%	Dec 26,	Dec 28,	%
	2008	2007	Change	2008	2007	Change
Net Sales	$       166.7	$       205.2	(19)%	$       817.3	$       841.3	(3)%
Net Earnings	10.1	35.7	(72)%	120.9	152.8	(21)%
Diluted Net Earnings
per Common Share	$         0.17	$         0.56	(70)%	$         1.99	$         2.32	(14)%

• Sales and order rates for the quarter decreased in all segments and regions.

• Actions were taken in the fourth quarter to better align operations and assets with expected economic conditions.

• Costs of workforce reductions and impairment charges reduced diluted earnings by approximately $0.08 per share.

• Costs related to the rollout of entry-level paint sprayers to additional paint and home center stores are expected to provide future returns in the form of market share growth. Such costs totaled $6 million in the fourth quarter and reduced diluted earnings by approximately $0.06 per share.

• Currency translation had a favorable effect of $4 million on net earnings for the year, but had an unfavorable effect of $3 million in the fourth quarter.

• Positive cash flow from operations for the year was $162 million, down 8 percent compared to last year.

• We continued to implement long-term growth strategies including acquisitions (Airlessco^® and LubeSci^™) and expanded product and market development.

“We are confident that our business model, strong management and long-term growth strategies are positioning the Company for future profitable growth. Our solid balance sheet and strong cash flow allow us to continue to strategically fund growth initiatives for new products and international expansion,” said Patrick J. McHale, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Consolidated Results

Sales for the quarter were lower than the comparable period last year in all regions, decreasing 17 percent in the Americas, 21 percent in Europe and 22 percent in Asia Pacific. Translation rates had an adverse impact on sales, contributing approximately 3 percentage points of the 19 percent decrease for the quarter.

Sales for the year were 3 percent lower than last year, with a 9 percent decrease in the Americas, an 8 percent increase in Europe and a 3 percent increase in Asia Pacific. Approximately 5 percentage points of the growth in Europe was from currency translation.

Sales include a total of $4 million for the quarter and $12 million for the year from GlasCraft® and Airlessco® operations acquired in 2008.

Gross profit margin for the quarter, expressed as a percentage of sales, was 48.8 percent, down from last year’s fourth quarter percentage of 53.5 percent, due to lower production volumes and unfavorable currency translation rates (each approximately 2 percentage points), and workforce reduction costs (nearly 1 percentage point).

Gross profit margin percentage for the year was 52.9 percent compared to 53.2 percent last year. The effects of higher material and other costs on the gross margin rate were mostly offset by the impact of favorable currency translation rates, pricing and manufacturing efficiencies.

Operating expenses for the quarter were $10 million (19 percent) higher than the comparable period last year. They included $6 million associated with the rollout of entry-level paint sprayers to additional paint and home center stores; $4 million of impairment charges because difficult economic conditions affected the value of certain intangible assets; $3 million related to workforce reductions; and $3 million from acquired GlasCraft® and Airlessco® operations.

For the year, operating expenses were $30 million (14 percent) higher than last year, including $7 million from acquired operations. In addition to expenses related to fourth quarter actions, continued strategic investments in product and market development contributed to the increase in operating expenses for the year, including expenses related to the introduction of new product lines, new product development teams and additional sales and marketing personnel in developing countries.

Year-to-date interest expense was $4 million higher than last year due to borrowings used for the purchase and retirement of Company shares and for business acquisitions.

The passage of legislation renewing R&D tax credits resulted in an effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 20.5 percent, down from 32 percent last year. The year-to-date effective tax rate of 32.3 percent was slightly lower than last year due to the settlement of the examination of the Company’s income tax returns in the first quarter of 2008.

In 2008, the Company’s balance sheet was affected by a change in the funded status of the Company’s qualified defined benefit pension plan. The funded status changed from a $30 million asset to a $70 million liability as the value of plan assets declined with the downturn in financial markets.

Segment Results

Certain measurements of segment operations are summarized below:

		Fourth Quarter			Year
		Industrial	Contractor	Lubrication	Industrial	Contractor	Lubrication
Net sales (in millions)		$         97.9	$          50.8	$        18.0	$         462.9	$       266.8	$         87.6
Net sales percentage change
	from last year	(17)%	(23)%	(16)%	4 %	(13)%	(3)%
Operating earnings as a
	percentage of net sales
	2008	21 %	(5)%	1 %	30 %	18 %	14 %
	2007	35 %	22 %	7 %	34 %	27 %	10 %

Industrial segment sales for the quarter were 17 percent lower than last year, with double-digit percentage decreases in all regions. For the year, there was modest growth in all regions. Operating earnings in this segment were affected by impairment charges, selling and product development initiatives and costs and expenses resulting from acquisition and integration related activities.

Contractor segment sales for the quarter were down 23 percent compared to the fourth quarter last year, also experiencing double-digit percentage decreases in all regions. For the year, an 8 percent increase in Europe (3 percent at consistent translation rates) was not enough to offset the 22 percent decrease in the Americas. The decrease in sales without a corresponding decrease in expenses had a large impact on the operating earnings of this segment. Operating results for this segment include expenses for developing products for new markets and the launch and production of new paint sprayer units in the paint and home center channels.

Lubrication segment sales for the quarter were 16 percent lower than last year. Sales in the Americas and Asia Pacific were each down 18 percent but sales were up 6 percent in Europe (12 percent at consistent translation rates). For the year, sales were down 3 percent. Solid growth in Europe and Asia Pacific was not enough to offset the 7 percent decrease in the Americas. Improvement in year-to-date operating profitability is related to the integration and consolidation of Lubrication operations in 2007, although segment profitability has also been affected by a sales decline in the higher-margin vehicle services product line.

Outlook

“We expect that economic conditions will continue to present a challenging operating environment in the coming year” said Patrick J. McHale, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have taken steps to better align our operations with market conditions. Workforce reductions are expected to yield savings of $9 million in 2009. We are also selectively reducing capital expenditures and discretionary spending to further control costs. We expect headwinds from less favorable currency translation and an $18 million increase in pension cost in 2009. We believe that a cash contribution to the plan will not be required in 2009, however we will consider possible contributions later in the year. We intend to continue making targeted investments in key operating and growth strategies including expenditures for improving manufacturing efficiencies, new product development, expanding distribution, entering new markets and pursuing acquisitions. We believe that by doing so, we are placing the Company and its shareholders in a position to benefit from the economic recovery when it comes.”

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 undertakes no obligation to update these statements in light of new information or future events.

The Company desires to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 by making cautionary statements concerning any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. The Company cannot give any assurance that the results forecasted in any forward-looking statement will actually be achieved. Future results could differ materially from those expressed, due to the impact of changes in various factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to: economic conditions in the United States and other major world economies, currency fluctuations, political instability, changes in laws and regulations, and changes in product demand. Please refer to Item 1A of, and Exhibit 99 to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2007 (and most recent Form 10-Q, if applicable) for a more comprehensive discussion of these and other risk factors. These reports are available on the Company’s website at www.graco.com and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

Conference Call

A conference call, including slides via webcast, with analysts and institutional investors will be held Tuesday, January 27, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss Graco’s fourth quarter and year-end results. Graco management will host the call.

A real-time webcast of the conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet. Individuals wanting to listen and view slides can access the call at the Company’s website at www.graco.com under Investor Relations. Slides will be available on January 27 at 9 a.m. ET. 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 2:00 p.m. ET on January 27, 2009, by dialing 800.405.2236, Conference ID #11124982, if calling within the U.S. or Canada. The dial-in number for international participants is 303.590.3000, with the same Conference ID #. The replay by telephone will be available through January 30, 2009.

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 at www.graco.com.

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)
		Fourth Quarter Ended		Year Ended
		Dec 26,	Dec 28,	Dec 26,	Dec 28,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)		2008	2007	2008	2007
Net Sales		$       166,689	$       205,190	$       817,270	$       841,339
	Cost of products sold	85,288	95,504	385,093	393,913
Gross Profit		81,401	109,686	432,177	447,426
	Product development	9,953	7,374	36,558	30,277
	Selling, marketing and distribution	36,582	32,946	138,665	124,508
	General and administrative	19,447	15,223	69,589	60,161
Operating Earnings		15,419	54,143	187,365	232,480
	Interest expense	2,190	1,499	7,633	3,433
	Other expense, net	547	186	1,153	211
Earnings Before Income Taxes		12,682	52,458	178,579	228,836
	Income taxes	2,600	16,800	57,700	76,000
Net Earnings		$         10,082	$          35,658	$       120,879	$     152,836
Net Earnings per Common Share
	Basic	$             0.17	$             0.57	$              2.01	$            2.35
	Diluted	0.17	$             0.56	$              1.99	$            2.32
Weighted Average Number of Shares
	Basic	59,493	62,663	60,264	65,043
	Diluted	59,837	63,434	60,835	65,984
Segment Information (Unaudited)
		Fourth Quarter Ended		Year Ended
		Dec 26,	Dec 28,	Dec 26,	Dec 28,
		2008	2007	2008	2007
Net Sales
	Industrial	$         97,913	$       117,588	$       462,941	$       444,725
	Contractor	50,780	66,072	266,772	306,703
	Lubrication	17,996	21,530	87,557	89,911
	Consolidated	$       166,689	$       205,190	$       817,270	$       841,339
Operating Earnings
	Industrial	$         20,393	$        40,708	$       138,240	$       152,278
	Contractor	(2,507)	14,866	47,156	81,528
	Lubrication	142	1,408	12,475	9,252
	Unallocated corporate	(2,609)	(2,839)	(10,506)	(10,578)
	Consolidated	$         15,419	$         54,143	$       187,365	$       232,480

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

			Dec 26, 2008	Dec 28, 2007
ASSETS
Current Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$              12,119	$                 4,922
	Accounts receivable, less allowances of
		$6,600 and $6,500	127,505	140,489
	Inventories		91,604	74,737
	Deferred income taxes		23,007	21,650
	Other current assets		6,360	7,034
		Total current assets	260,595	248,832
Property, Plant and Equipment
	Cost		326,729	306,073
	Accumulated depreciation		(176,975)	(165,479)
		Property, plant and equipment, net	149,754	140,594
Prepaid Pension			-	31,823
Goodwill			91,740	67,204
Other Intangible Assets, net			52,231	41,889
Deferred Income Taxes			18,919	-
Other Assets			6,611	6,382
		Total Assets	$              579,850	$             536,724
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
	Notes payable to banks		$                18,311	$                18,991
	Trade accounts payable		18,834	27,379
	Salaries, wages and commissions		17,179	20,470
	Dividends payable		11,312	11,476
	Other current liabilities		55,524	47,561
		Total current liabilities	121,160	125,877
Long-term Debt			180,000	107,060
Retirement Benefits and Deferred Compensation			108,656	40,639
Uncertain Tax Positions			2,400	5,400
Deferred Income Taxes			-	13,074
Shareholders' Equity
	Common stock		59,516	61,964
	Additional paid-in-capital		174,161	156,420
	Retained earnings		8,445	32,986
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(74,488)	(6,696)
		Total shareholders' equity	167,634	244,674
		Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$             579,850	$             536,724

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

					Year Ended
					Dec 26, 2008	Dec 28, 2007
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
	Net Earnings				$                 120,879	$                 152,836
		Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
		net cash provided by operating activities
			Depreciation and amortization		35,495	28,665
			Deferred income taxes		(160)	(1,590)
			Share-based compensation		9,051	8,583
			Excess tax benefit related to share-based
				payment arrangements	(2,873)	(4,508)
			Change in
				Accounts receivable	14,965	(1,844)
				Inventories	(9,937)	2,045
				Trade accounts payable	(6,806)	(2,314)
				Salaries, wages and commissions	(3,169)	(6,527)
				Retirement benefits and deferred compensation	(2,672)	(2,290)
				Other accrued liabilities	5,658	4,666
				Other	2,047	(625)
Net cash provided by operating activities					162,478	177,097
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
	Property, plant and equipment additions				(29,102)	(36,869)
	Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment				1,768	296
	Investment in life insurance				(1,499)	(1,499)
	Capitalized software and other intangible asset additions				(1,327)	(85)
	Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired				(55,186)	-
Net cash used in investing activities					(85,346)	(38,157)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
	Net borrowings (payments) on short-term lines of credit				(1,329)	(312)
	Borrowings on long-term line of credit				242,849	158,351
	Payments on long-term line of credit				(169,909)	(51,295)
	Excess tax benefit related to share-based
		payment arrangements			2,873	4,508
	Common stock issued				13,701	24,055
	Common stock retired				(114,836)	(230,412)
	Cash dividends paid				(44,702)	(43,188)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities					(71,353)	(138,293)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash					1,418	(1,596)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents					7,197	(949)
Cash and cash equivalents
	Beginning of year				4,922	5,871
	End of period				$                   12,119	$                    4,922

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