<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1999
<CASH>                                           4,687
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   93,638
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,802
<INVENTORY>                                     89,058
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               195,347
<PP&E>                                         218,130
<DEPRECIATION>                                  31,812
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 825,891
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          123,467
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           184
<OTHER-SE>                                     235,487
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   825,891
<SALES>                                        214,347
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               214,347
<CGS>                                          160,070
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  160,070
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                30,395
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   985
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,751
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,146
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,721
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,425
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .39