<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-28-2001
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-28-2000
<CASH>                                           7,670
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  248,701
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    145,564
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               415,392
<PP&E>                                         128,652
<DEPRECIATION>                                  76,838
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 565,686
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          284,798
<BONDS>                                         33,986
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           274
<OTHER-SE>                                     233,928
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   565,686
<SALES>                                        297,593
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               297,593
<CGS>                                          218,270
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  218,270
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                54,965
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 749
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,609
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,046
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,142
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,142<F1>
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .51
<FN>
<F1>The Company recognized minority interest expense in the amount of $421,000
in the consolidated statement of income, which represents the minority
shareholders' portion of the income for less than wholly-owned subsidiaries.
</FN>