<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ANNUAL REPORT AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1999 <PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> APR-30-1999 <CASH> 86 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 20,601 <ALLOWANCES> 658 <INVENTORY> 44,034 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 68,902 <PP&E> 131,561 <DEPRECIATION> 63,251 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 152,561 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 29,580 <BONDS> 122,710 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 35 <OTHER-SE> (12,178) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 152,561 <SALES> 163,444 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 163,444 <CGS> 125,013 <TOTAL-COSTS> 125,013 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 7,726 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 14,599 <INCOME-PRETAX> 1,496 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,496 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,496 <EPS-BASIC> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0