<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM QUARTERLY
REPORT AS OF AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1998
<CASH>                                             201
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,741
<ALLOWANCES>                                       733
<INVENTORY>                                     35,246
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                59,191
<PP&E>                                          68,264
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 141,256
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,768
<BONDS>                                        119,128
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            34
<OTHER-SE>                                      14,222
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   141,256
<SALES>                                         43,077
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                43,077
<CGS>                                           33,848
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   33,848
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,864
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    75
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,481
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (463)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (463)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (463)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0