<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS,
AND 10-K SCHEDULE II, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1999
<CASH>                                          11,960
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  275,567
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,223
<INVENTORY>                                    204,430
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               531,742
<PP&E>                                         353,808
<DEPRECIATION>                                 229,636
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 787,178
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          305,805
<BONDS>                                        196,237<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,569<F2>
<OTHER-SE>                                     267,094
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   787,178
<SALES>                                      1,274,997
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,274,997
<CGS>                                          815,408
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  384,701
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (6,498)<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,183
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              23,913
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 57,473
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,414
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             35,059
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,059
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.64
<FN>
<F1>TOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT
<F2>DOES NOT INCLUDE ADDITIONAL PAID-IN-CAPITAL
<F3>OTHER INCOME, NET
</FN>