Graco (GGG) 10-Q 2011 Q1 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period endedApril 1, 2011

Commission File Number:001-09249

GRACO INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

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

(612) 623-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Yes   X             No       

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

Yes   X             No       

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

Large Accelerated Filer	X	Accelerated Filer
Non-accelerated Filer		Smaller reporting company

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

Yes                 No   X   

60,649,000 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $1.00 par value, were outstanding as of April 20, 2011.

INDEX

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

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PART I

Item 1.

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts)

	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	April 1,		March 26,
	2011		2010
Net Sales	$	217,679	$	164,721
Cost of products sold		93,282		75,426
Gross Profit		124,397		89,295
Product development		9,931		9,474
Selling, marketing and distribution		37,483		29,160
General and administrative		19,914		17,955
Operating Earnings		57,069		32,706
Interest expense		616		1,080
Other expense, net		-		161
Earnings Before Income Taxes		56,453		31,465
Income taxes		19,200		10,900
Net Earnings	$	37,253	$	20,565
Basic Net Earnings per Common Share	$	0.62	$	0.34
Diluted Net Earnings per Common Share	$	0.61	$	0.34
Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share	$	0.21	$	0.20

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

3

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

	April 1,			Dec 31,
	2011			2010
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	102,509		$	9,591
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $5,500 and $5,600		153,541			124,593
Inventories		102,785			91,620
Deferred income taxes		19,272			18,647
Other current assets		2,418			7,957
Total current assets		380,525			252,408
Property, Plant and Equipment
Cost		342,777			344,854
Accumulated depreciation		(209,388	)		(210,669	)
Property, plant and equipment, net		133,389			134,185
Goodwill		91,740			91,740
Other Intangible Assets, net		25,461			28,338
Deferred Income Taxes		15,267			14,696
Other Assets		9,040			9,107
Total Assets	$	655,422		$	530,474
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Notes payable to banks	$	11,192		$	8,183
Trade accounts payable		28,930			19,669
Salaries and incentives		18,362			34,907
Dividends payable		12,621			12,610
Other current liabilities		50,658			44,385
Total current liabilities		121,763			119,754
Long-term Debt		150,000			70,255
Retirement Benefits and Deferred Compensation		77,437			76,351
Shareholders’ Equity
Common stock		60,625			60,048
Additional paid-in-capital		227,823			212,073
Retained earnings		69,066			44,436
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(51,292	)		(52,443	)
Total shareholders’ equity		306,222			264,114
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	655,422		$	530,474

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited) (In thousands)

	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	April 1,			March 26,
	2011			2010
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net Earnings	$	37,253		$	20,565
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities Depreciation and amortization		8,427			8,578
Deferred income taxes		(1,795	)		(3,254	)
Share-based compensation		2,658			2,108
Excess tax benefit related to share-based payment arrangements		(1,200	)		(700	)
Change in
Accounts receivable		(27,372	)		(19,601	)
Inventories		(11,037	)		(7,849	)
Trade accounts payable		9,193			6,088
Salaries and incentives		(17,139	)		1,333
Retirement benefits and deferred compensation		2,025			2,714
Other accrued liabilities		7,853			6,153
Other		5,314			(94	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		14,180			16,041
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Property, plant and equipment additions		(4,517	)		(2,847	)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		143			57
Capitalized software and other intangible asset additions		-			(125	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(4,374)			(2,915	)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Borrowings on short-term lines of credit		7,861			3,851
Payments on short-term lines of credit		(5,220	)		(960	)
Borrowings on long-term notes and line of credit		252,175			17,315
Payments on long-term line of credit		(172,430	)		(23,575	)
Excess tax benefit related to share-based payment arrangements		1,200			700
Common stock issued		12,437			7,984
Common stock repurchased		-			(52	)
Cash dividends paid		(12,612	)		(12,002	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		83,411			(6,739	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(299	)		(166	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		92,918			6,221
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year		9,591			5,412
End of period	$	102,509		$	11,633

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

5

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. The consolidated balance sheet of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of April 1, 2011 and the related statements of earnings for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2011 and March 26, 2010, and cash flows for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2011 and March 26, 2010 have been prepared by the Company and have not been audited.

In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries as of April 1, 2011, and the results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented.

In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company changed its cash flow presentation of notes payable activity, for all periods presented, to separately disclose borrowings and payments. The Company also changed the cash flow presentation of activity on the swingline portion of its long-term revolving credit arrangement by changing the method it uses to accumulate borrowing and payment amounts. In prior periods, such activity was disclosed on a net basis. The effect of this change was to increase both borrowings and payments on long-term line of credit by $17 million in the first quarter of 2010. These changes had no impact on net cash used in financing activities.

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

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

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

	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	April 1,		March 26,
	2011		2010
Net earnings available to common shareholders	$	37,253	$	20,565
Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share		60,270		60,206
Dilutive effect of stock options computed using the treasury stock method and the average market price		1,090		507
Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share		61,360		60,713
Basic earnings per share	$	0.62	$	0.34
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.61	$	0.34

Stock options to purchase 828,000 and 3,103,000 shares were not included in the 2011 and 2010 computations of diluted earnings per share, respectively, because they would have been anti-dilutive.

3. Information on option shares outstanding and option activity for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2011 is shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts):

				Weighted				Weighted
				Average				Average
	Option			Exercise		Options		Exercise
	Shares			Price		Exercisable		Price
Outstanding, December 31, 2010		5,509		$	30.42		2,980	$	31.99
Granted		497			42.73
Exercised		(235	)		20.69
Canceled		(17	)		37.25
Outstanding, April 1, 2011		5,754		$	31.86		3,410	$	32.08

The Company recognized year-to-date share-based compensation of $2.7 million in 2011 and $2.1 million in 2010. As of April 1, 2011, there was $13.0 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options, expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.4 years.

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

	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	April 1,			March 26,
	2011			2010
Expected life in years		6.5			6.0
Interest rate		2.8	%		2.7	%
Volatility		33.7	%		33.8	%
Dividend yield		2.0	%		3.0	%
Weighted average fair value per share	$	13.21		$	7.16

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

	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	April 1,			March 26,
	2011			2010
Expected life in years		1.0			1.0
Interest rate		0.3	%		0.3	%
Volatility		27.8	%		42.8	%
Dividend yield		2.1	%		2.9	%
Weighted average fair value per share	$	10.05		$	8.48

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

	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	April 1,			March 26,
	2011			2010
Pension Benefits
Service cost	$	1,233		$	1,241
Interest cost		3,370			3,277
Expected return on assets		(4,000	)		(3,475	)
Amortization and other		1,481			1,504
Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,084		$	2,547
Postretirement Medical
Service cost	$	125		$	125
Interest cost		325			325
Net periodic benefit cost	$	450		$	450

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

	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	April 1,			March 26,
	2011			2010
Net earnings	$	37,253		$	20,565
Pension and postretirement medical liability adjustment		1,363			1,468
Gain (loss) on interest rate hedge contracts		454			705
Income taxes		(666	)		(805	)
Comprehensive income	$	38,404		$	21,933
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were (in thousands):
	April 1,			Dec 31,
	2011			2010
Pension and postretirement medical liability adjustment	$	(50,469	)	$	(51,334	)
Gain (loss) on interest rate hedge contracts		-			(286	)
Cumulative translation adjustment		(823	)		(823	)
Total	$	(51,292	)	$	(52,443	)

6. The Company has three reportable segments: Industrial, Contractor and Lubrication. Sales and operating earnings by segment for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2011 and March 26, 2010 were as follows (in thousands):

	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	April 1,			March 26,
	2011			2010
Net Sales
Industrial	$	122,830		$	96,792
Contractor		70,205			50,797
Lubrication		24,644			17,132
Total	$	217,679		$	164,721
Operating Earnings
Industrial	$	45,025		$	30,474
Contractor		11,115			4,883
Lubrication		5,227			1,707
Unallocated corporate (expense)		(4,298	)		(4,358	)
Total	$	57,069		$	32,706

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Assets by segment were as follows (in thousands):

	April 1,		Dec 31,
	2011		2010
Industrial	$	286,027	$	270,160
Contractor		155,261		134,938
Lubrication		85,017		81,746
Unallocated corporate		129,117		43,630
Total	$	655,422	$	530,474

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

	April 1,			Dec 31,
	2011			2010
Finished products and components	$	53,719		$	48,670
Products and components in various stages of completion		36,028			31,275
Raw materials and purchased components		48,630			46,693
		138,377			126,638
Reduction to LIFO cost		(35,592	)		(35,018	)
Total	$	102,785		$	91,620

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

	Estimated							Foreign
	Life		Original		Accumulated			Currency			Book
	(years)		Cost		Amortization			Translation			Value
April 1, 2011
Customer relationships		5-8	$	40,875	$	(26,180	)	$	(181	)	$	14,514
Patents, proprietary technology and product documentation		3-10		19,452		(14,233	)		(87	)		5,132
Trademarks, trade names and other		3		6,960		(4,325	)		-			2,635
				67,287		(44,738	)		(268	)		22,281
Not Subject to Amortization:
Brand names				3,180		-			-			3,180
Total			$	70,467	$	(44,738	)	$	(268	)	$	25,461
December 31, 2010
Customer relationships		3-8	$	41,075	$	(24,840	)	$	(181	)	$	16,054
Patents, proprietary technology and product documentation		3-10		19,902		(13,956	)		(87	)		5,859
Trademarks, trade names and other		3-10		8,154		(4,909	)		-			3,245
				69,131		(43,705	)		(268	)		25,158
Not Subject to Amortization:
Brand names				3,180		-			-			3,180
Total			$	72,311	$	(43,705	)	$	(268	)	$	28,338

Amortization of intangibles was $2.9 million in the first quarter of 2011. Estimated annual amortization expense is as follows: $10.7 million in 2011, $8.8 million in 2012, $4.1 million in 2013, $0.9 million in 2014, $0.5 million in 2015 and $0.2 million thereafter.

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

	April 1,		Dec 31,
	2011		2010
Accrued self-insurance retentions	$	6,797	$	6,675
Accrued warranty and service liabilities		6,907		6,862
Accrued trade promotions		3,673		5,947
Payable for employee stock purchases		1,276		5,655
Income taxes payable		13,007		733
Other		18,998		18,513
Total other current liabilities	$	50,658	$	44,385

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

	Thirteen
	Weeks Ended			Year Ended
	April 1,			Dec 31,
	2011			2010
Balance, beginning of year	$	6,862		$	7,437
Charged to expense		1,189			3,484
Margin on parts sales reversed		789			3,412
Reductions for claims settled		(1,933	)		(7,471	)
Balance, end of period	$	6,907		$	6,862

10.	The Company accounts for all derivatives, including those embedded in other contracts, as either assets or liabilities and measures those financial instruments at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on their intended use and designation.
	As part of its risk management program, the Company may periodically use forward exchange contracts and interest rate swaps to manage known market exposures. Terms of derivative instruments are structured to match the terms of the risk being managed and are generally held to maturity. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. All other contracts that contain provisions meeting the definition of a derivative also meet the requirements of, and have been designated as, normal purchases or sales. The Company’s policy is to not enter into contracts with terms that cannot be designated as normal purchases or sales.
	The Company periodically evaluates its monetary asset and liability positions denominated in foreign currencies. The Company enters into forward contracts or options, or borrows in various currencies, in order to hedge its net monetary positions. These instruments are recorded at current market values and the gains and losses are

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included in other expense (income), net. There were seven contracts outstanding as of April 1, 2011, with notional amounts totaling $21 million. The Company believes it uses strong financial counterparts in these transactions and that the resulting credit risk under these hedging strategies is not significant.

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

	Balance Sheet	April 1,			Dec 31,
	Classification	2011			2010
Gain (loss) on interest rate hedge contracts	Other current liabilities	$	—		$	(454	)
Gain (loss) on foreign currency forward contracts
Gains		$	186		$	92
Losses			(263	)		(284	)
Net	Other current liabilities	$	(77	)	$	(192	)

11.	In March 2011, the Company entered into a note agreement and sold $150 million of unsecured notes (series A and B) in a private placement. Proceeds were used to repay revolving line of credit borrowings and invested in cash equivalents. The note agreement provides for the issuance and sale of an additional $150 million in unsecured notes (series C and D) on or before July 26, 2011.
	Interest rates and maturity dates on the four series of notes are as follows (dollars in millions):

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

The note agreement requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios as to cash flow leverage and interest coverage.

The Company is in compliance with all financial covenants of its debt agreements.

The estimated fair value of the notes sold in March 2011 is not significantly different from the $150 million carrying amount as of April 1, 2011.

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12. In April 2011, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the finishing businesses of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) in a $650 million cash transaction. The agreement contemplates a closing date on or after June 1, 2011, subject to regulatory reviews and other customary closing conditions. The Company currently expects the transaction to close in the third quarter of 2011. The Company plans to finance the acquisition through a new committed $450 million revolving credit facility and funds available under the long-term notes referenced above.

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Item 2. GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

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

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

Results of Operations

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

	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	April 1,		March 26,		%
	2011		2010		Change
Net Sales	$	217.7	$	164.7		32	%
Net Earnings	$	37.3	$	20.6		81	%
Diluted Net Earnings per Common Share	$	0.61	$	0.34		79	%

All segments and geographic regions had double-digit percentage revenue growth for the first quarter. Volume increases drove improvements in gross margin rates and net earnings. Currency translation did not have a significant effect on consolidated results for the quarter.

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Consolidated Results

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

	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	April 1,		March 26,
	2011		2010
Americas1	$	115.6	$	86.7
Europe2		53.3		41.8
Asia Pacific		48.8		36.2
Consolidated	$	217.7	$	164.7

1	North and South America, including the U.S.
2	Europe, Africa and Middle East

First quarter sales increased 33 percent in the Americas, 27 percent in Europe and 35 percent in Asia Pacific (31 percent at consistent translation rates). Translation rates did not have a significant impact on the overall sales increase of 32 percent.

Gross profit margin, expressed as a percentage of sales, was 57 percent, up from 54 percent for the first quarter last year. Higher production volume was the major factor in the improvement. Selling price increases also contributed to the increase in margin rates.

Total operating expenses increased $11 million (19 percent) compared to first quarter last year, including increases of $8 million in selling and marketing and $2 million in general and administrative. Increases in payroll (headcount and incentives) and product promotion (mostly Contractor segment) were related to higher levels of business activity. As a percentage of sales, operating expenses decreased to 31 percent from 34 percent for the first quarter last year.

The effective income tax rate was 34 percent compared to 34¹/2 percent for the first quarter last year. The decrease is mostly due to the federal R&D credit included in the 2011 rate. There was no R&D credit included in the rate for the first quarter of 2010.

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Segment Results

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

Industrial
	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	April 1,			March 26,
	2011			2010
Net sales (in millions)
Americas	$	52.9		$	41.9
Europe		34.4			27.9
Asia Pacific		35.5			27.0
Total	$	122.8		$	96.8
Operating earnings as a percentage of net sales		37	%		31	%

Industrial segment sales increased 26 percent in the Americas, 24 percent in Europe and 31 percent in Asia Pacific.

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

Contractor
	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	April 1,			March 26,
	2011			2010
Net sales (in millions)
Americas	$	44.9		$	31.9
Europe		16.7			12.6
Asia Pacific		8.6			6.3
Total	$	70.2		$	50.8
Operating earnings as a percentage of net sales		16	%		10	%

Contractor segment sales increased 41 percent in the Americas, with substantial gains in both the paint store and home center channels. Sales increased 33 percent in Europe and 38 percent in Asia Pacific.

Higher volume and expense leverage contributed to the improvement in operating earnings as a percentage of sales. High product development expenses affected operating margin rate in 2010, and increased marketing, including product launch and promotion expenses, moderated the improvement in 2011.

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Lubrication
	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	April 1,			March 26,
	2011			2010
Net sales (in millions)
Americas	$	17.8		$	12.8
Europe		2.2			1.4
Asia Pacific		4.6			2.9
Total	$	24.6		$	17.1
Operating earnings as a percentage of net sales		21	%		10	%

Lubrication segment sales increased 39 percent in the Americas. From small bases, sales increased 55 percent in Europe and 61 percent in Asia Pacific.

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

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities was $14 million in 2011 and $16 million in 2010. The effect of higher net earnings was offset by larger increases in inventories and receivables and higher 2010 incentive and bonus payments made in the first quarter of 2011.

Since the end of 2010, inventories increased by $11 million to meet higher demand, and accounts receivable increased by $29 million due to higher sales levels.

At April 1, 2011, the Company had various lines of credit totaling $271 million, of which $262 million was unused.

In March 2011, the Company entered into a note agreement and sold $150 million of unsecured notes in a private placement. One series of notes totaling $75 million bears interest at 4.0 percent and matures in 2018. Another series of notes totaling $75 million bears interest at 5.01 percent and matures in 2023. Proceeds were used to repay revolving line of credit borrowings and invested in cash equivalents. The note agreement provides for the issuance and sale of an additional $150 million in unsecured notes on or before July 26, 2011. One series of notes to be issued totaling $75 million will bear interest at 4.88 percent and mature in 2020. Another series of notes to be issued totaling $75 million will bear interest at 5.35 percent and mature in 2026.

Under terms of the note agreement, interest is payable quarterly. The Company is required to maintain a cash flow leverage ratio of not more than 3.25 to 1.00 and an interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.00 to 1.00. If a significant acquisition is consummated, the agreement allows, for a one-year period, for a cash flow leverage ratio of 3.75 to 1.00 and an interest coverage ratio of not less than 2.50 to 1.00. The note agreement contains covenants typical of unsecured credit facilities, including customary default provisions. If an event of default occurs, all outstanding obligations may become immediately due and payable. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants at April 1, 2011.

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In April 2011, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the finishing business operations of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) in a $650 million cash transaction. The agreement contemplates a closing date on or after June 1, 2011, subject to regulatory reviews and other customary closing conditions. The Company currently expects the transaction to close in the third quarter of 2011. The Company plans to finance the acquisition through a new committed $450 million revolving credit facility and funds available under the long-term notes referenced above.

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

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Outlook

Management is optimistic that sales momentum will continue throughout 2011, although percentage gains may decline due to tougher sales comparisons, particularly in the Contractor segment, where the initial stocking of new handheld products occurred in the second quarter of 2010.

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

SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

A forward-looking statement is any statement made in this report and other reports that the Company files periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or in press or earnings releases, analyst briefings and conference calls, which reflects the Company’s current thinking on 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. In addition, risk factors related to the Company’s pending acquisition of the ITW finishing business include: whether and when the required regulatory approvals will be obtained, whether and when the closing conditions will be satisfied and whether and when the transaction will close, the ability to close on committed financing on satisfactory terms, the amount of debt that the Company will incur to complete the transaction, completion of purchase price valuation for acquired assets, whether and when the Company will be able to realize the expected financial results and accretive effect of the transaction, how customers, competitors, suppliers and employees will react to the transaction, and economic changes in global markets. Please refer to Item 1A of, and Exhibit 99 to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2010 and Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a more comprehensive discussion of these and other risk factors.

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

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

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

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

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

Changes in internal controls

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

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PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A. Risk Factors

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

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

We have entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the finishing business of Illinois Tools Works Inc. (ITW) in a $650 million cash transaction. We cannot predict whether or when the required regulatory approvals will be obtained or if the closing conditions will be satisfied. If we terminate the agreement before April 1, 2012 due to failure to obtain regulatory approval, we will be required to pay a $20 million termination fee. The $450 million revolving credit facility that will be used to finance the transaction has not yet been executed. After the transaction closes, significant changes to our financial condition as a result of global economic changes or difficulties in the integration of the newly acquired businesses may affect our ability to obtain the expected benefits from the transaction or to satisfy the financial covenants included in the terms of the financing arrangements.

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

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

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

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

No shares were purchased in the first quarter of 2011. As of April 1, 2011, there were 5,179,638 shares that may yet be purchased under the Board authorization.

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Item 6.   Exhibits

10.1	Chief Executive Officer Restricted Stock Agreement (Performance-Based). Form of agreement used to award performance-based restricted stock to the Chief Executive Officer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K filed March 2, 2011).
10.2	Note Agreement, dated March 11, 2011, between Graco Inc. and the Purchasers listed on the Purchaser Schedule attached thereto, which includes as exhibits the form of Senior Notes (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K filed March 16, 2011).
10.3	Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for award in 2011 of non-qualified stock options to chief executive officer under the Graco Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan.
10.4	Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used for award in 2011 of non-qualified stock options to executive officers under the Graco Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan.
31.1	Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
32	Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18, U.S.C.
99.1	Press Release, Reporting First Quarter Earnings, dated April 27, 2011.
101	Interactive Data File.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

GRACO INC.

Date: April 27, 2011	By:	/s/ Patrick J. McHale
		Patrick J. McHale
		President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: April 27, 2011	By:	/s/ James A. Graner
		James A. Graner
		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

Date: April 27, 2011	By:	/s/ Caroline M. Chambers
		Caroline M. Chambers Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)