<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM QUARTERLY
REPORT AS OF AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                             364
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,237
<ALLOWANCES>                                       808
<INVENTORY>                                     38,322
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                63,903
<PP&E>                                          69,366
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 149,180
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           26,137
<BONDS>                                        123,899
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            34
<OTHER-SE>                                    (12,915)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   149,180
<SALES>                                         83,669
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                83,669
<CGS>                                           64,916
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   64,916
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,754
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   150
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,138
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,133
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,133
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,133
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0