<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT AS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1999 <CASH> 310,446 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 23,858,312 <ALLOWANCES> 264,272 <INVENTORY> 68,350,836 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 100,549,629 <PP&E> 76,682,206 <DEPRECIATION> 16,667,784 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 239,396,142 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 86,244,133 <BONDS> 80,653,100 <COMMON> 75,039 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 63,346,659 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 239,396,142 <SALES> 165,255,849 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 165,255,849 <CGS> 133,377,116 <TOTAL-COSTS> 133,377,116 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 17,152,150 <LOSS-PROVISION> (53,571) <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,599,863 <INCOME-PRETAX> 12,180,291 <INCOME-TAX> 4,871,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,309,291 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,309,291 <EPS-BASIC> 1.23 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.20