<ARTICLE> 5
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                      13,800,013
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               39,182,629
<ALLOWANCES>                                   700,000
<INVENTORY>                                 48,100,338
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           103,381,820
<PP&E>                                      44,468,964
<DEPRECIATION>                            (13,834,261)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             168,173,531
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       30,796,172
<BONDS>                                     30,485,333
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       573,853
<OTHER-SE>                                 104,425,561
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               168,173,531
<SALES>                                    201,296,320
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           201,296,320
<CGS>                                      177,981,328
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              185,209,161
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               695,722
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               700,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,441,834
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             14,482,867
<INCOME-TAX>                                 5,619,352
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          8,863,515
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 8,863,515
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.92
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.92