<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-2000 <PERIOD-START> MAY-03-1999 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1999 <CASH> 790 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 72,033 <ALLOWANCES> (2,284) <INVENTORY> 78,234 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 157,638 <PP&E> 244,361 <DEPRECIATION> (120,043) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 338,676 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 64,838 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 566 <OTHER-SE> 124,814 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 338,676 <SALES> 245,479 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 245,479 <CGS> 201,360 <TOTAL-COSTS> 201,360 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 31,073 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,900 <INCOME-PRETAX> 7,208 <INCOME-TAX> 2,451 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,757 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,757 <EPS-BASIC> 0.40 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.39