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Danaher

dhr · NYSE Healthcare
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Sector Healthcare
Industry Medical - Diagnostics & Research
Employees 10,000+
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FY1997 Annual Report · Danaher
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Danaher  Corporation

1250  24th  Street,  NW

Suite  800

Washington,  D.C.  20037

202  828  0850

Danaher Corporation

1997 Annual Report

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About the Cover:

Over a decade ago, the vision of a manufacturing 

company, dedicated to continuous improvement and 

customer satisfaction, was conceived during a fishing 

trip on the Danaher, a tributary to the south fork 

of the Flat Head River which runs through the 

Bob Marshall Wilderness in western Montana.The

founders of the company adopted the Danaher name 

for their new organization.The origin of “Danaher”

goes back to the root “Dana,” a Celtic word dating 

from before 700 B.C. and meaning “swift flowing.”

As the Danaher Corporation has evolved, the elements 

of a swift-flowing river have been retained.The company

has never strayed from the clarity of its initial vision.

The flow of business is ever changing, but the guiding

principles remain constant. Over time, the company 

has grown rapidly in size and success, achieving record

levels, again, in 1997.

Danaher Corporation

Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures and 

markets industrial and consumer products with strong

Contents

Financial Highlights

Letter to Shareholders

brand names, proprietary technology and major market

Danaher Business Segments

positions in two principal businesses:Tools and

Ensuring Future Growth

Components and Process/Environmental Controls.

Financial Section

Management and Directors

1

2

5

6

11

26

Through a focused strategy, Danaher has become a 

Shareholders’ Information

inside back cover

leading manufacturer, competing effectively on a global

basis by leveraging product value, quality and customer

service.Today, Danaher’s 13,200 associates are located in

more than 20 countries around the world.

Shareholders’ Information

Auditors
Arthur Andersen LLP
Washington, D.C.

Shareholders’ Information
Shareholder requests for information or assistance,
please write or call our corporate office.

Danaher Corporation
c/o Investor Relations
1250 24th Street, N.W., Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 828-0850

Internet Address
http://www.danaher.com

Stock Listing
Symbol: DHR
New York and Pacific Stock Exchanges

Transfer Agent
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, LLC
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Form 10-K
A copy of the Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission
on Form 10-K may be obtained by writing to Danaher Corporation.

Market Prices of Common Stock

First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

1997

1996

High

50

517⁄8

587⁄16

633⁄4

Low

415⁄8

395⁄8

4913⁄16

537⁄16

High

371⁄4
431⁄2
431⁄8
465⁄8

Low

291⁄2
361⁄8
361⁄8
401⁄2

High and low per share data are as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange.

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Financial Highlights

(000’s omitted, except per share data and number of associates)

1997

1996

Operations:

Net sales

Operating profit

Net earnings from continuing operations

Net earnings

Earnings per common share (diluted):

From continuing operations

Net earnings

Depreciation expense 

Capital expenditures, net

Number of associates

Financial Position at Year-end:

Total assets

Total debt

Stockholders’ equity

Total debt as a percent of total capitalization

Return on equity

Book value per share

$2,050,968

$1,811,878

266,885

154,806

154,806

2.57

2.57

52,342

62,808

13,200

226,136

127,959

207,770*

2.13

3.47*

48,168

51,255

11,600

1,879,717

1,765,074

198,247

916,881

236,327

800,261

18%

18.0%

15.68

23%

18.4%

13.59

*Includes gain of $79.8 million, or $1.33 per share, on sale of Fayette Tubular Products subsidiary

Net Sales
(dollars in millions)

Operating Profit
(dollars in millions)

Earnings Per Share*
(in dollars)

Year-end Market 
Price of Stock  (in dollars)

19% compounded 
annual growth rate

35% compounded 
annual growth rate

37% compounded 
annual growth rate

*From continuing operations

37% compounded 
annual growth rate

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To Our Shareholders

From an idea born more than a decade ago on a remote river in Montana, the Danaher Corporation has evolved into 

a company with more than $2 billion in annual sales and 13,200 associates around the world. Like the river for which we are

named, we remain “swift flowing.” During the last decade, our sales have quadrupled, and our earnings per share have grown

sixfold. Danaher is intensely focused on goals and objectives: above-average growth with reduced cyclicality, top-quartile

financial performance and superior shareholder value. Our shareholders have been rewarded as Danaher’s stock has appreciated

over the past ten years at a 31% compounded annual growth rate.An investment of $100 in Danaher stock on December 31,

1987, with dividends reinvested, was worth $1,405 on December 31, 1997, as compared to $424 for a comparable investment

in the S&P 500.

1997 Performance   During 1997, Danaher’s sales grew to $2.05 billion, 13% above last year’s record performance.

Comparable company sales increased 6% after a 1% negative currency effect, while acquisitions accounted for 7% of our 

sales growth. Gross margin improved 1% in 1997, following a 1.5% improvement last year, and allowed us to continue

increasing investments in marketing and research and development while improving profitability. Both 1997 earnings and

earnings per share for continuing operations were up 21% over our record performance in 1996. Operating cash flow 

increased $61.3 million to a record $278.4 million. Our debt to total capital at year-end was 18%, which provides flexibility 

to pursue strategic acquisitions while retaining financial strength.

Growth   Danaher’s business segments,Tools and Components and Process/Environmental Controls, continue to grow faster

than the industries in which we participate.We plan to keep exceeding industry growth rates in our existing businesses, to

accelerate international growth and to expand through acquisitions. Our corporate plans, which are geared for sustainable

competitive advantage, have evolved into four strategic platforms that offer higher growth opportunities: environmental

products and services; power quality and reliability; instruments, sensors and controls; and hand tools and related products.

In addition, we will continue our focus on high-share global niche businesses. New products will remain a key factor in

accelerating growth. In 1997, our sales outside the United States, including both exports and direct sales abroad, reached 

$487 million, 25% above the prior year, and now constitute 24% of total sales.

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Like the river for which we are named, the
Danaher Corporation remains “swift flowing.”

George M. Sherman

President and Chief Executive Officer

Acquisitions   During 1997, three acquisitions were completed.These acquisitions added approximately $130 million in 

sales on an annualized basis to our strategic growth platforms.The hand tool companies which we acquired, with facilities in

China and Taiwan, provide a manufacturing base from which we can accelerate our growth in select international markets.

Current Technology brought new strength to our power quality and reliability platform, and Gems Sensors, a leading global

manufacturer of level, flow and pressure sensors, fits well with our instruments, sensors and controls platform. All of these

companies have high-growth profiles and complement our existing product lines.

In February 1998, we reached an agreement to acquire the Pacific Scientific Company, an international business that 

designs, manufactures and markets motion control, process control and safety equipment.This acquisition represents an 

attractive strategic opportunity for our Process/Environmental Controls Business Segment.

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Danaher Business Segments

1997 Sales

• Tools and Components  58%
• Process/Environmental 

Controls  42%

1997 Operating Profit

• Tools and Components  51%
• Process/Environmental 

Controls  49%

Tools and Components   The Tools and Components

Process/Environmental Controls   The Process/

Business Segment manufactures and distributes a broad

Environmental Controls Business Segment produces a 

range of hand tools, tool holders, storage containers, hard-

broad range of monitoring, sensing, controlling, measuring,

ware, wheel service equipment, fasteners and components

counting, electrical power quality and telecommunications

for consumer, industrial and professional markets. Products

products, systems, instruments and components.A major

are sold through retail channels; independent mobile tool

growth area and focus is environmental products.These

distributors; industrial, utility and agricultural distributors;

products include underground petroleum storage tank

and original equipment manufacturers.Typical hand tool

inventory control and leak detection systems, plus water and

customers range from do-it-yourselfers and professional/

air quality monitoring devices.The segment’s business lines

industrial end-users to automotive mechanics. Component

include American Sigma,Anderson Instruments, Clark

customers, generally OEMs, include portable drill and

Controls, Communication Technology, Current Technology,

heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers. Products from the

Cyberex, Danaher Controls, Dolan-Jenner, EIT, Gems

Tools and Components Business Segment are marketed

Sensors, Hengstler,A.L. Hyde, Jennings Technology, Joslyn

under well-recognized brand names, including Allen™,

Electronic Systems, Joslyn Hi-Voltage, Joslyn Sunbank,

Ammco®,Armstrong®, Coats®, Sears Craftsman®, Delta®,

KACO, Kistler-Morse, McCrometer, M&M Precision

Holo-Krome®, Jacobs®, Jake Brake®, Joslyn, K-D®, Matco®,

Systems, Namco Controls, Partlow, Qualitrol,TxPort,

NAPA® and SATA.

Veeder-Root,Warrick and West.

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Ensuring Future Growth

More than a decade ago, the Danaher River
inspired a company to respond swiftly to 
changing environments and to maximize 
opportunities for future growth.The results 
in 1997, again, set new records.

P

ast successes give us comfort, but our challenge is to

do even better in the future. Performance will benefit from

A Revitalized Company   The Joslyn Hi-Voltage

Corporation joined the Danaher family in 1995. Joslyn 

the management philosophy which links all of our associates

Hi-Voltage is a leading manufacturer of high-voltage

together.The Danaher Business System’s goal is to achieve

switches, including advanced electronic controls with a

world-class excellence in customer satisfaction.The system

power quality focus for electric utilities worldwide. Strategic

begins with the voice of the customer and then continuous-

products include VerSaVac® and Varmaster®, for high-

ly strives to improve quality, delivery and cost.All associates

voltage capacitor switching, and TransmasterTM, for switching

are drawn into the process and are provided with the tools

steel producer’s electric arc furnaces. Products designed to

needed to achieve specific business objectives.

minimize power outages feature JVRTM auto-recloser,

VBMTM sectionalizer and FasTranTM auto-transfer switches.

Our record 1997 results came not from one single project

When acquired, Joslyn Hi-Voltage had a well-established,

but, rather, from a multitude of efforts. New products 

global electric utility market position but was not growth

continue to stimulate markets thought to be mature.

oriented. Management quickly embraced the powerful tools

Process improvements are leveraged as good ideas are 

of the Danaher Business System (DBS).The focus was

shared among associates throughout the company.The three

immediately redirected to quality, delivery and cost with a

examples which we have included in this annual report are

target to exceed customer expectations and achieve 

representative of the many stories which, in total, have built

double-digit sales growth.

a sustainable competitive advantage for Danaher.

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At the Joslyn Hi-Voltage facility in Cleveland, Ohio, manufacturing associates produce new products, such as VerSaVac,

with reduced development cycles, improved quality and less waste. The Danaher Business System is now a way of life.

VerSaVac, built in Cleveland, Ohio, was the initial focus.

Cost improvements were significant and remain a focus to

Combining DBS with an eager team of associates, the 

meet growing global demands. DBS efficiency is readily

manufacturing system was reconfigured into single-piece

apparent by the elimination of the central stockroom.

flow work cells, and the operations capacity was nearly

Raw materials have been repositioned to point of use, and

tripled to meet the 50% annual growth rate experienced 

KanBan material control principles have been employed to

for the past two consecutive years. Manufacturing floor

ensure material flow and elimination of waste. Joslyn Hi-

space and part travel distance were reduced more than 80%.

Voltage’s overall plant space requirements have been reduced

A product that had once taken weeks to build was now

35% in the midst of double-digit annual growth.VerSaVac

reduced to a few hours.

inventory turns increased a factor of four, while plantwide

inventory turns doubled.

Joslyn Hi-Voltage had an outstanding quality reputation;

however, opportunities for improvement were evident.

Simultaneous with these internal developments,

Quality became the company’s top priority. Using the DBS

deregulation of domestic electric utilities and the growing

tools of fact-based management and problem solving, quali-

electrification of developing countries present new, dynamic

ty metrics have improved 50% in each of the last two years.

market opportunities and challenges. International growth,

combined with Danaher’s marketing and Business System

Delivery lead times for VerSaVac were reduced more 

excellence, has transformed a successful low-growth 

than 60%. Customers have recognized the improvements 

company into a growth engine focused on the future.

at Joslyn Hi-Voltage with an increasing level of confidence

that its premium quality products would be delivered 

when needed.

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Growth in a Mature Industry   Since 1992, the Danaher

The Armstrong Eliminator Ratcheting System was devel-

Hand Tool Group has grown more than twice as fast as 

oped in conjunction with professional users and distributors.

the industry growth rate.The group, with a leading share

Our team of product managers and engineers designed a

position in mechanics hand tools, is consistently working 

ratchet that eliminated the drive square, a necessary com-

to revamp its extensive product line. Cross-functional teams

ponent in traditional ratchets.The new design eliminated

involving Sales, Marketing, Engineering and Manufacturing

that part of the tool most prone to failure and produced a

associates work with customers and end-users to identify

ratcheting system that provides 40% greater strength.The

product innovations.These breakthrough products are

Eliminator is 50% slimmer and provides twice the life of

designed to provide greater productivity and convenience

existing ratchets on the market today. Feedback from indus-

for the end-user.

trial distributors has been extremely positive, and initial sales

have tripled our most optimistic expectation.

The teams work carefully to understand and translate 

customer requirements into key product features and 

The Quick Wrench product line is an example of the

benefits. Once these targeted needs have been identified 

impact that new products can have on share and sales

and design parameters established, the team quickly brings

growth.The Quick Wrench was developed in partnership

these products to market.Two recent examples include the

with Sears and launched during the fourth quarter of 1997.

Quick Wrench™, introduced under the Craftsman brand at

This new product provides the user with increased speed,

Sears, and the Eliminator™ Ratcheting System, introduced

convenience and torque due to its longer size and open-end

into the industrial channel of distribution under the

geometry. Supported by an extensive program of national

Armstrong brand.

television advertising and in-store merchandising, Christmas

The Danaher Hand Tools Group continues to reinvent itself. New products, including the Quick Wrench and the

Armstrong Eliminator Ratcheting System, have resulted in incremental sales growth. Associates at the Springdale,

Arkansas, facility have significantly improved quality, delivery and cost in 1997.

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season sell-through exceeded our expectations by 50%.

Growth through Global Product Development   Our

Based on this success, current sales projections suggest 

acquisition of the German company Hengstler, in late 1994,

the Quick Wrench will generate a substantial increase in

with its strong sales and distribution position in Europe,

revenue and profit growth for our customer.

provided us with an excellent opportunity to penetrate the

rapidly growing global encoder market. Encoders are highly

The Quick Wrench is produced in our Springdale,Arkansas,

accurate position and motion sensors which are used for a

facility, the world’s largest manufacturer of wrenches.

wide variety of industrial applications, including elevators,

Through the use of the Danaher Business System, Springdale

materials handling, packaging and motors. Danaher already

not only executed the launch on time, but continued to

had an established position in the North American encoder

improve all internal measurements of business performance

market through its Danaher Controls business.Working

as well. Specifically, over the past two years, safety within 

together, these two businesses analyzed the worldwide 

the facility has improved by 50%, and product quality, as

market and crafted a global product-development plan and

measured by defective parts per million, improved by 48%.

priority list. Individual engineering centers of excellence

Delivery performance above 98% is the best in the industry,

worked on projects to meet global market needs, which

and the plant was able to deliver 50% more Quick Wrenches

eliminated the redundant engineering effort typical of a

than our initial expectation for the fourth quarter of 1997.

domestic-only focus.

Capital investments have been made to meet growing cus-

tomer demand and to develop and implement proprietary

technology which will ensure product and process leadership

well into the next century.

Global coordination of new products allows our instruments and controls business to leverage good ideas around the

world. Associates in Gurnee, Illinois, produce encoders which have benefited from ideas originated in Germany.

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Several major product lines were introduced on a global

As is the case with all Danaher products, an important ele-

basis. Capital equipment machinery was deployed more

ment in the encoders’ success was the Danaher Business

efficiently, resulting in 20% lower expenditures. Designs

System (DBS). Focused on customer satisfaction, DBS was

were significantly improved as the Danaher Controls and

key to developing a superior manufacturing process for

Hengstler team shared existing concepts, process technology

encoders.All production of the new encoders takes place in

and new ideas.These new designs had fewer parts, were eas-

a cell environment with single-piece flow. For products pro-

ier to manufacture and cost less than previous models.

duced at Hengstler and Danaher Controls, identical cells are

Customer satisfaction increased because lead times, which

used, thereby providing greater production flexibility.

had been weeks long, were now reduced to days. Hengstler’s

KanBan is used to minimize inventory and provide a simple

quality improved as its internal product defect rate was

visual system for monitoring materials and interfacing with

reduced by 58%.

suppliers. Finished stocks have been completely eliminated

due to the ability to produce locally, utilizing identical man-

The new encoder products have been highly successful in

ufacturing processes worldwide. Hengstler, alone, has

the global market.Within 18 months, five important, new

reduced inventory by 40% since the acquisition.

product lines have been introduced, offering innovative fea-

tures and reduced costs for customers. Sales growth was four

Using the DBS approach, impressive and similar results 

times the market growth rate. Global customers were won,

have also been attained for other Hengstler and Danaher

and key accounts were gained in new market segments.

Controls product lines.

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Selected Financial Data

(000’s omitted except per share data)

1997

1996

1995

1994

1993

Sales

Operating profit

$2,050,968 $1,811,878

$1,486,769

$1,113,973

$937,633

266,885

226,136

180,257

124,427

87,058

48,030

0.83

0.84

5,719

0.10

0.10

Earnings from continuing operations

154,806

127,959

105,766

72,319

Per share

Diluted

Basic

Discontinued operations

Per share

Diluted

Basic

2.57

2.63

—

—

—

2.13

2.18

79,811

1.33

1.36

1.77

1.80

2,550

0.04

0.04

1.24

1.26

9,331

0.16

0.16

Earnings before cumulative effect of accounting change

154,806

207,770

108,316

81,650

53,749

Per share

Diluted

Basic

Cumulative effect of accounting change*

Per share*

Diluted

Basic

Net earnings

Earnings per common share

Diluted

Basic

Dividends declared

Dividends per share

Total assets

Total debt

2.57

2.63

—

—

—

3.47

3.54

—

—

—

1.81

1.85

—

—

—

1.40

1.42

—

—

—

0.93

0.94

(36,000)

(0.62)

(0.63)

154,806

207,770

108,316

81,650

17,749

2.57

2.63

5,887

0.10

3.47

3.54

5,360

0.09

1.81

1.85

4,672

0.08

1.40

1.42

3,710

0.07

0.31

0.31

3,412

0.06

1,879,717

1,765,074

1,485,991

1,105,645

872,472

198,247

236,327

283,587

185,286

133,585

* Adoption of accrual method specified by SFAS No. 106 for post retirement benefits.

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations Danaher Corporation (the “Company”) operates a variety of businesses through its wholly-owned sub-
sidiaries.These businesses are conducted in two business segments:Tools and Components and Process/Environmental Controls. In
Tools and Components, the Company is the principal manufacturer of Sears, Roebuck and Co.’s Craftsman® line, National Automo-
tive Parts Association (NAPA®) line, K-D® automotive line, and the Matco®,Armstrong® and Allen™ lines of mechanics’ hand tools.
The Company also manufactures Allen™ wrenches, Jacobs® drill chucks and diesel engine retarders, Delta® storage containers and
Coats® and Ammco® wheel service equipment. In its Process/Environmental Controls segment, the Company is a leading producer
of leak detection sensors for underground fuel storage tanks and motion, position, temperature, pressure, level, flow and power relia-
bility and quality control devices.

Presented below is a summary of sales by business segment (000’s omitted).

Tools and Components
Process/Environmental Controls

$

1,192,761

858,207

1997

%

58.2

41.8

2,050,968

100.0

$
1,103,443
708,435
1,811,878

1996
%
60.9
39.1
100.0

$
1,005,005
481,764
1,486,769

1995
%
67.6
32.4
100.0

Tools and Components The Tools and Components segment is comprised of the Danaher Hand Tool Group (including Special
Markets,Asian Tools and Professional Tools divisions), Matco Tools, Jacobs Chuck Manufacturing Company, Delta Consolidated
Industries, Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Hennessy Industries and the hardware and electrical apparatus lines of Joslyn Manufacturing Com-
pany (“JMC”).This segment is one of the largest domestic producers and distributors of general purpose and specialty mechanics’
hand tools. Other products manufactured by these companies include tool boxes and storage devices, diesel engine retarders, wheel
service equipment, drill chucks, custom designed headed tools and components, hardware and components for the power generation
and transmission industries, high quality precision socket screws, fasteners, and high quality miniature precision parts.

Sales in 1997 were 8% higher than in 1996.An acquisition in the first quarter of 1997 accounted for

1997 Compared to 1996
3%, price increases provided less than 1% and higher shipment volume provided 5%. Demand for drill chucks and diesel engine
retarders was particularly strong in 1997. Operating margins increased from 11.6% to 12.1%, reflecting increased fixed cost leverage
as well as continued process improvements in manufacturing operations.

Sales in this segment increased 10% from 1995. Of this increase, acquisitions accounted for approxi-
1996 Compared to 1995
mately 5%, higher unit volumes accounted for approximately 5% and increased average pricing accounted for less than 1%. Sales
levels were benefitted by particularly strong demand in the mobile tool distribution and storage device areas, offset somewhat by
decreased demand for diesel engine retarders as North American and Asian heavy truck production decreased in 1996. Operating
margins increased from 11.2% to 11.6%.This margin increase reflects the benefits of the higher sales volumes and continued 
manufacturing process improvements, offset by the full year effect of the lesser margins associated with the hardware and electrical
apparatus lines of JMC.

Process/Environmental Controls The Process/Environmental Controls segment includes the Veeder-Root Company, Danaher
Controls, Partlow,Anderson Instruments,West Instruments, Ltd., QualiTROL Corporation,A.L. Hyde Company, Hengstler, Ameri-
can Sigma, the controls product line business units of Joslyn Corporation, the operating businesses of Acme-Cleveland Corporation
(Namco Controls, Dolan-Jenner, M&M Precision Systems,TxPort, Inc., Communications Technology Corporation) and Current
Technology, Inc. and Gems Sensors, Inc., both acquired in 1997.These companies produce and sell underground storage tank leak
detection systems and temperature, level, motion and position sensing devices, power switches and controls, communication line
products, power protection products, liquid flow measuring devices, telecommunication products, quality assurance products and 
systems, and electronic and mechanical counting and controlling devices.These products are distributed by the Company’s sales 
personnel and independent representatives to original equipment manufacturers, distributors and other end users.

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Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)

Year Ended December 31,

Sales

Cost of sales

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Total operating expenses

Operating profit

Interest expense

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

Income taxes

Earnings from continuing operations

Discontinued operations, net of income taxes of $0 and $1,630

1997

1996

1995

$ 2,050,968

$ 1,811,878

$ 1,486,769

1,382,475

401,608

1,784,083

266,885

13,104

253,781

98,975

154,806

1,239,846

345,896

1,585,742

226,136

16,376

209,760

81,801

127,959

1,039,622

266,890

1,306,512

180,257

7,198

173,059

67,293

105,766

(1996—gain on sale; 1995—earnings from operations)

—

79,811

2,550

Net earnings

Basic earnings per share:

Continuing operations

Discontinued operations

Net earnings

Average shares outstanding

Diluted earnings per share:

Continuing operations

Discontinued operations

Net earnings

$

154,806

$

207,770

$

108,316

$2.63

—

$2.63

$2.18

1.36

$3.54

$1.80

.04

$1.85

58,769,164

58,623,470

58,661,849

$2.57

—

$2.57

$2.13

1.33

$3.47

$1.77

.04

$1.81

Average common stock and common equivalent 

shares outstanding

60,256,475

59,954,636

59,862,673

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands of dollars)

As of December 31,

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and equivalents

Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful 

accounts of $18,510 and $14,868

Inventories

Prepaid expenses and other

Total current assets

Property, plant and equipment, net

Other assets

Excess of cost over net assets of acquired companies, less 

accumulated amortization of $116,357 and $92,583

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Current liabilities:

1997

1996

$

33,317

$

26,444

322,600

209,416

53,006

618,339

335,223

72,739

266,668

204,236

49,393

546,741

319,606

105,903

853,416

$1,879,717

792,824

$1,765,074

Notes payable and current portion of debt

$

35,527

$

16,757

Trade accounts payable

Accrued expenses

Total current liabilities

Other liabilities

Long-term debt

Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock, one cent par value; 125,000,000 shares 

authorized; 64,275,868 and 64,186,673 issued;

58,478,262 and 58,889,067 outstanding

Additional paid-in capital

Cumulative foreign translation adjustment and other

Retained earnings

Treasury stock, at cost; 5,797,606 and 5,297,606 shares

Total stockholders’ equity

135,190

353,518

524,235

275,881

162,720

643

336,109

(6,122)

655,692

(69,441)

916,881

110,194

347,622

474,573

270,670

219,570

642

333,587

8,858

506,773

(49,599)

800,261

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these balance sheets.

$1,879,717

$1,765,074

16

7364-8 Nebel finan.edco1B  9/30/02  1:44 PM  Page 17

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands of dollars)

Year Ended December 31,

Cash flows from operating activities

Earnings from continuing operations

Earnings from discontinued operations

Depreciation and amortization

Increase in accounts receivable

(Increase) decrease in inventories

Increase in accounts payable

Change in other assets and liabilities

Total operating cash flows

Cash flows from investing activities:

Payments for additions to property, plant and equipment, net

Sale of Fayette Tubular Products

Net cash paid for acquisitions

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

Dividends paid

Borrowings (repayments) of debt

Purchase of common stock

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

Net change in cash and equivalents

Beginning balance of cash and equivalents

Ending balance of cash and equivalents

Supplemental disclosures:

Cash interest payments

Cash income tax payments

Common stock issued for acquisitions

1997

1996

1995

$ 154,806

$ 127,959

$ 105,766

—

76,116

(46,175)

14,691

19,579

59,355

278,372

(62,808)

—

(147,238)

(210,046)

2,523

(5,887)

(38,080)

(19,842)

(61,286)

(167)

6,873

26,444

—

68,626

(11,818)

38,866

10,385

(16,904)

217,114

(51,255)

155,000

(246,427)

(142,682)

9,507

(5,065)

(48,407)

(12,110)

(56,075)

149

18,506

7,938

2,550

58,527

(20,098)

(15,589)

626

42,374

174,156

(59,172)

—

(207,941)

(267,113)

3,559

(4,672)

98,301

—

97,188

108

4,339

3,599

$ 33,317

$ 26,444

$

7,938

$ 13,666

$ 66,588

$

—

$ 16,981

$ 80,152

$

8,883

$ 13,699

$ 69,853

$

—

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

17

7364-8 Nebel finan.edco1B  9/30/02  1:44 PM  Page 18

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(in thousands of dollars)

Common Stock

Shares

Amount

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

Retained
Earnings

Treasury
Stock

Cumulative
Foreign
Translation
Adjustment
and Other

Balance, December 31, 1994

63,198,208

$632

$ 311,648

$ 200,719

$(37,489)

$

590

Net earnings for the year

Dividends declared

Common stock issued for options

exercised

Increase from translation of foreign

financial statements

Balance, December 31, 1995

Net earnings for the year

Dividends declared

Common stock issued for options

exercised

Purchase of common stock

Unrealized gain on securities held

Common stock issued 

for acquisitions

Increase from translation of foreign

financial statements

Balance, December 31, 1996

Net earnings for the year

Dividends declared

Common stock issued for options

exercised

Purchase of common stock

Decrease from translation of 

foreign financial statements

Unrealized gain on securities held

Sale of securities held

Balance, December 31, 1997

—

—

208,006

—

63,406,214

—

—

483,233

—

—

297,226

—

64,186,673

—

—

89,195

—

—

—

—

—

—

2

—

634

—

—

5

—

—

3

—

642

—

—

1

—

—

—

—

—

—

108,316

(4,672)

3,557

—

315,205

—

—

9,502

—

—

8,880

—

333,587

—

—

2,522

—

—

—

—

—

—

304,363

207,770

(5,360)

—

—

—

—

—

506,773

154,806

(5,887)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(37,489)

—

—

—

(12,110)

—

—

—

(49,599)

—

—

—

(19,842)

—

—

—

3,008

3,598

—

—

—

—

4,000

—

1,260

8,858

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(12,680)

1,700

(4,000)

64,275,868

$643

$336,109

$655,692

$(69,441)

$(6,122)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

18

7364-8 Nebel finan.edco1B  9/30/02  1:44 PM  Page 19

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
Accounting Principles The consolidated financial statements
include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.The
accounts of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are
included on the basis of a fiscal year ending November 30.
This procedure was adopted to allow sufficient time to include
these companies in the consolidated financial statements.All
significant intercompany balances and transactions have been
eliminated upon consolidation. Preparation of these consoli-
dated financial statements necessarily includes the use of man-
agement’s estimates.
Inventory Valuation Inventories include material, labor and
overhead and are stated principally at the lower of cost or mar-
ket using the last-in, first-out method (LIFO).
Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equip-
ment are carried at cost.The provision for depreciation has
been computed principally by the straight-line method based
on the estimated useful lives (3 to 35 years) of the depreciable
assets.
Other Assets Other assets include principally deferred
income taxes, equity securities, noncurrent trade receivables
and capitalized costs associated with obtaining financings
which are being amortized over the term of the related debt.
Available for sale equity securities have been shown at their fair
market value.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments For cash and equiva-
lents, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
For long-term debt, rates available for debt with similar terms
and remaining maturities are used to estimate the fair value of
existing debt.
Excess of Cost Over Net Assets of Acquired Companies
This asset is being amortized on a straight-line basis over forty

years. $23,774,000, $20,458,000 and $14,482,000 of amortiza-
tion was charged to expense for the years ended December
31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.When events and cir-
cumstances so indicate, all long-term assets, including the
Excess of Cost Over Net Assets of Acquired Companies, are
assessed for recoverability based upon cash flow forecasts.
Should an impairment exist, fair value estimates would be
determined based on the cash flow forecasts, discounted at a
market rate of interest.
Foreign Currency Translation Exchange adjustments result-
ing from foreign currency transactions are generally recognized
in net earnings, whereas adjustments resulting from the transla-
tion of financial statements are reflected as a separate compo-
nent of stockholders’ equity. Net foreign currency transaction
gains or losses are not material in any of the years presented.
Statements of Cash Flows The Company considers all
highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or
less at date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Income Taxes The Company provides income taxes for
unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries which are not con-
sidered permanently reinvested in that operation.
Earnings Per Share The computation of diluted earnings
per share is based on the weighted average number of com-
mon shares and common stock equivalents outstanding during
the year.
Discontinued Operations In January, 1996, the Fayette Tubu-
lar Products subsidiary was sold for approximately $155 mil-
lion.A gain of approximately $80 million was recognized in
1996. Net sales for Fayette were $155 million in 1995.
Comprehensive Income The total of net income and all
other nonowner changes in equity consists of:

Year Ended December 31,

Net Income
Other Comprehensive Income:
Currency Translation
Unrealized gains on securities:

Arising during year
Included in net income

Comprehensive Income

1997

$154,806

(12,680)

1,700

(3,500)

(14,480)

$140,326

1996

$207,770

1,260

4,000
—
5,260
$213,030

1995

$108,316

3,008

—
—
3,008
$111,324

(2) Acquisitions:
The Company obtained control of Acme-Cleveland Corpora-
tion (Acme) as of July 2, 1996.Total consideration for Acme
was approximately $200 million.The fair value of assets
acquired was approximately $240 million, including $140 mil-
lion of excess cost over net assets acquired, and approximately
$40 million of liabilities were assumed.The transaction was
accounted for as a purchase.

The unaudited pro forma information for the period set
forth below gives effect to this transaction as if it had occurred
at the beginning of the period.The pro forma information is
presented for informational purposes only and is not necessar-
ily indicative of the results of operations that actually would

19

7364-8 Nebel finan.edco1B  9/30/02  1:44 PM  Page 20

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

have been achieved had the acquisition been consummated as
of that time (unaudited, 000’s omitted):

Year Ended

December 31, 1996

(4) Property, Plant and Equipment:
The major classes of property, plant and equipment are sum-
marized as follows (000’s omitted):

December 31, 1997

December 31, 1996

Net Sales
Net Earnings from 
continuing operations
Earnings per share 
from continuing 
operations (diluted)

$1,885,700

129,197

$

2.15

The Company obtained control of Joslyn Corporation
(Joslyn) as of September 1, 1995 when Joslyn’s shareholders
tendered approximately 75% of the outstanding shares to the
Company for $34 per share in cash.The remaining 25% was
acquired in October, 1995.Total consideration for Joslyn was
approximately $245 million.The fair value of assets acquired
was approximately $345 million, including $180 million of
excess of cost over net assets acquired, and approximately $100
million of liabilities were assumed.The transaction was
accounted for as a step acquisition purchase. Results of opera-
tions reflect a minority interest elimination for the two-month
period between the change in control and the merger of
Joslyn.

In 1997, the Company acquired Gems Sensors and
Current Technology and several other entities.Aggregate
consideration for these transactions was approximately 
$147 million.The fair value of the assets acquired was
approximately $167 million and approximately $20 million 
of liabilities were assumed in the acquisitions.The transactions
have been accounted for as purchases.These acquisitions had
no significant impact on 1997 results of operations.These
entities have combined annual sales levels of approximately
$130 million.

(3) Inventory:
The major classes of inventory are summarized as follows
(000’s omitted):

December 31, 1997

December 31, 1996

Finished goods
Work in process
Raw material

$ 82,451

54,544

72,421

$209,416

$ 88,083
49,681
66,472
$204,236

If the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method had been used for
inventories valued at LIFO cost, such inventories would have
been $8,940,000 and $10,959,000 higher at December 31,
1997 and 1996, respectively.

Land and 
improvements
Buildings
Machinery and 
equipment

Less accumulated 
depreciation
Property, plant and 
equipment

$ 19,369

112,629

466,452

598,450

$ 17,457
107,343

413,636
538,436

(263,227)

(218,830)

$ 335,223

$ 319,606

(5) Financing:
Financing consists of the following (000’s omitted):

December 31, 1997

December 31, 1996

Notes payable
Other

Less-currently payable

$ 85,900

112,347

198,247

35,527

$162,720

$100,600
135,727
236,327
16,757
$219,570

The Notes had an original average life of approximately 6.5
years and an average interest cost of 7.2%. Principal amortiza-
tion began in December 1995 and continues through April
2003.The estimated fair value of the Notes was approximately
equal to their carrying value as of December 31, 1997 and
1996.

Other includes principally short-term borrowings under
uncommitted lines of credit which are payable upon demand.
The carrying amount approximates fair value.The Company
has a bank credit facility which provides revolving credit
through September 30, 2001, of up to $250 million.The
Company has complied with covenants relating to mainte-
nance of working capital, net worth, debt levels, interest cover-
age, and payment of dividends applicable to the Notes and the
revolving credit facility.The facility provides funds for general
corporate purposes at an interest rate of LIBOR plus .125%.
Weighted average borrowings under the bank facility were
$-0-, $-0- and $5,000,000 for the years ended December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Maximum amounts out-
standing for these years were $-0-, $-0- and $60,000,000,
respectively.The Company is charged a fee of .075% per
annum for the facility. Commitment and facility fees of
$187,500, $234,000 and $216,000 were incurred in 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively. Interest expense of $7,150,000 is
included in discontinued operations for the year ended
December 31, 1995.The weighted average interest rate for

20

7364-8 Nebel finan.edco1B  9/30/02  1:44 PM  Page 21

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

short-term borrowings was 5.9%, 5.8% and 6.0% for each of
the three years ended December 31, 1997.

Other debt is classified as noncurrent as management
intends to refinance it and the bank credit facility provides the
ability to refinance maturities to September 30, 2001.

The minimum principal payments during the next five
years are as follows: 1998–$35,527,000; 1999–$43,010,000;
2000–$202,000; 2001–$88,900,000; 2002–$225,000 and
$30,383,000 thereafter.

(6) Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities:
Selected accrued expenses and other liabilities include the
following (000’s omitted):

December 31, 1997

December 31, 1996

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was
10%. The discount rate used in determining pension cost and
benefit obligations was 7.5% at January 1, 1997 and 7.25% at
December 31, 1997.

Substantially all employees not covered by defined benefit
plans are covered by defined contribution plans which gener-
ally provide funding based on a percentage of compensation.
Pension expense for all plans amounted to $21,269,000,
$16,754,000 and $11,870,000 for the years ended December
31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

In addition to providing pension benefits, the Company

provides certain health care and life insurance benefits for
some of its retired employees. Certain employees may become
eligible for these benefits as they reach normal retirement age
while working for the Company.

Post retirement benefits cost included the following com-

Current Noncurrent

Current Noncurrent

ponents (000’s omitted):

Employee 
compensation
Insurance, including 
self insurance
Post retirement 
benefits
Environmental 
compliance

$44,908

$35,284 $43,380

$34,022

7,867

58,160

9,992

48,372

5,000

75,553

5,000

71,819

27,729

49,296

29,725

52,866

Approximately $17 million of accrued expenses and other
liabilities were guaranteed by bank letters of credit.

(7) Pension and Employee Benefit Plans:
The Company has noncontributory defined benefit pension
plans which cover certain of its domestic hourly employees.
Benefit accruals under most of these plans have ceased, and
pension expense for defined benefit plans is not significant 
for any of the periods presented. It is the Company’s policy 
to fund, at a minimum, amounts required by the Internal 
Revenue Service.

The following sets forth the funded status of the plans as 

of the most recent actuarial valuations (000’s omitted):

Service cost
Interest cost

1997

1996

1995

$ 336

4,058

$4,394

$ 536
4,295
$4,831

$ 298
4,734
$5,032

The following sets forth the program’s funded status
(000’s omitted):

December 31, 1997 December 31, 1996

Accumulated Post 
Retirement Benefit 
Obligation (APBO):

Retirees
Fully eligible active 

participants

Other active participants

Total APBO
Net Gains
Plan assets
Accrued Liability

$61,123

$52,387

7,175

2,463

70,761

9,792

—

$80,553

10,563
9,243
72,193
4,626
—
$76,819

Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
Vested benefit obligation
Accumulated benefit obligation
Projected benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets (consisting of stocks, bonds and temporary cash investments)
Projected benefit obligation (in excess of) or less than plan assets
Unrecognized net (gain) loss
Unrecognized net asset
Pension (liability) prepaid recognized in the balance sheet

21

1997

1996

Assets Exceed

Assets Exceed

Accumulated

Accumulated

Accumulated

Benefits

Benefits

Benefits

Exceed Assets

$131,578

136,087

136,087

166,743

30,656

(22,927)

(1,359)

$ 6,370

$ 56,216
57,637
57,650
79,226
21,576
(14,360)
(487)
$ 6,729

$55,587
58,371
58,371
55,040
(3,331)
4,257
(1,129)
$ (203)

7364-8 Nebel finan.edco1B  9/30/02  1:44 PM  Page 22

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

A 10% annual rate of increase in per capita costs of covered
health care benefits was assumed for 1998, decreasing to 6% by
2002.A 1% increase in the assumed cost trend assumption
would increase the APBO by $6.4 million and would have
increased 1997 costs by approximately $500,000. Discount rates
of 7.25% and 7.50% were used to determine both Plan costs
and the APBO as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

(8) Stock Transactions:
The Company has adopted a non-qualified stock option plan
for which it is authorized to grant options to purchase up to
5,000,000 shares. Under the plan, options are granted at not
less than 85% of existing market prices, expire ten years from
the date of grant and generally vest ratably over a five-year
period.An option to acquire 1,000,000 shares was granted to a
senior executive outside of the plan in 1990.
Changes in stock options were as follows:

Number of Shares
Under Option

Outstanding at December 31, 1994
Granted (average $30.71 per share)
Exercised (average $9.54 per share)
Cancelled
Outstanding at December 31, 1995 
(average $14.23 per share)
Granted (average $37.61 per share)
Exercised (average $7.76 per share)
Cancelled
Outstanding at December 31, 1996 
(average $20.35 per share)
Granted (average $49.56 per share)
Exercised (average $15.25 per share)
Cancelled
Outstanding at December 31, 1997 (at $5.94 
to $60.19 per share, average $29.72 per share)

3,401,102
383,300
(208,006)
(136,520)

3,439,876
887,100
(483,233)
(188,508)

3,655,235
1,601,900
(89,195)
(104,700)

5,063,240

As of December 31, 1997, options with a weighted average
remaining life of 4.6 years covering 2,357,086 shares were exer-
cisable at $5.94 to $45.63 per share (average $15.20 per share) and
options covering 1,452,000 shares remain available to be granted.
Options outstanding at December 31, 1997 are summa-

Nonqualified options have been issued only at fair market
value exercise prices as of the date of grant during the periods
presented herein, and the Company’s policy does not recog-
nize compensation costs for options of this type. Beginning in
1996, the pro-forma costs of these options granted subsequent
to January 1, 1995 have been calculated using the Black-
Scholes option pricing model and assuming a 7% risk-free
interest rate, a 10-year life for the option, a 15% expected
volatility and dividends at the current annual rate.The
weighted average grant date fair market value of options issued
was approximately $13 per share in 1995, $15 per share in
1996 and $20 per share in 1997. Had this method been used
in the determination of income, net income would have
decreased by approximately $5.3 million in 1997 and $1.4 mil-
lion in 1996 and diluted earnings per share would have
decreased by $.09 in 1997 and $.02 in 1996. Since this amount
represents only the proforma effect of options granted since
January 1, 1995, there was only a negligible impact on
reported net income for 1995, and these proforma amounts
are not likely to be representative of the effects on proforma
net income for future years.

(9) Leases and Commitments:
The Company’s leases extend for varying periods of time up
to 10 years and, in some cases, contain renewal options. Future
minimum rental payments for all operating leases having initial
or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year
are $17,110,000 in 1998, $14,584,000 in 1999, $10,559,000
in 2000, $7,625,000 in 2001, $6,529,000 in 2002 and
$16,260,000 thereafter.Total rent expense charged to income
for all operating leases was $18,341,000, $16,009,000 and
$16,067,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996,
and 1995, respectively.

(10) Litigation and Contingencies:
A former subsidiary of the Company is engaged in litigation in
multiple states with respect to product liability.The Company
sold the subsidiary in 1987. Under the terms of the sale agree-
ment, the Company agreed to indemnify the buyer of the sub-
sidiary for product liability related to tools manufactured by
the subsidiary prior to June 4, 1987.The cases involve approxi-
mately 3,000 plaintiffs, in state and federal courts in multiple
states.All other major U.S. air tool manufacturers are also

rized below:

Exercise Price

$  5.94 to $  8.50
$  9.00 to $13.50
$14.94 to $22.25
$22.63 to $28.88
$31.13 to $45.63
$45.88 to $60.19

Average Number
Outstanding

Average Exercise
Price

Average Remaining
Life

Number
Exercisable

810,350
700,626
523,884
574,360
1,472,920
981,100

$  6.70
$12.12
$17.65
$26.33
$40.84
$53.41

22

2 years
5 years
6 years
7 years
9 years
10 years

810,350
615,626
413,916
283,816
233,378
—

Exercise
Price

$  6.70
$11.93
$17.61
$25.79
$36.54
—

7364-8 Nebel finan.edco1B  9/30/02  1:44 PM  Page 23

A subsidiary of the Company has sold, with limited

recourse, certain of its accounts and notes receivable.A provi-
sion for estimated losses as a result of the limited recourse has
been included in accrued expenses. No gain or loss arose from
these transactions.

(11) Income Taxes:
The provision for income taxes for the years ended December
31 consists of the following (000’s omitted):

1997

1996

1995

Current:
Federal
State and local
Foreign

Total current

Deferred:
Federal
Other

Total deferred
Income tax provision

$ 85,653

10,625

4,800

$101,078

(1,963)

(140)

(2,103)

$ 98,975

$62,908
5,000
7,000
$74,908

6,449
444
6,893
$81,801

$62,225
7,000
4,000
$73,225

(5,917)
(15)
(5,932)
$67,293

Deferred income taxes are reflected in prepaid expenses and
other current assets and in other assets. Deferred tax assets (the
valuation allowances relate to foreign jurisdictions where oper-
ating loss carryforwards exist) consist of the following (000’s
omitted):

December 31,

1997

1996

Bad debt allowance
Inventories
Property, plant and equipment
Post retirement benefits
Insurance, including self insurance
Environmental compliance
Other accruals
All other accounts
Operating loss carryforwards
Gross deferred tax asset
Valuation allowances
Net deferred tax asset

$ 6,386

(773)

(32,470)

32,319

21,755

26,043

41,730

(1,341)

—

93,649

—

$ 93,649

$ 5,505
(171)
(29,100)
30,552
18,920
28,102
42,559
(4,793)
8,265
99,839
(8,265)
$ 91,574

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

defendants.The gravamen of these complaints is that the
defendants’ air tools, when used in different types of manufac-
turing environments over extended periods of time, were
defective in design and caused various physical injuries.The
plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages.The cases
are in preliminary stages of discovery and pleading and the
Company intends to defend its position vigorously.The
Company’s maximum indemnification obligation under the
contract is approximately $85,000,000.The Company believes
it has insurance coverage for all or a substantial part of the
damages, if any.The outcome of this litigation is not currently
predictable.

A subsidiary, Joslyn Manufacturing Company (JMC),
previously operated wood treating facilities that chemically
preserved utility poles, pilings and railroad ties.All such
treating operations were discontinued or sold prior to 1982.
These facilities used wood preservatives that included
creosote, pentachlorophenol and chromium-arsenic-copper.
While preservatives were handled in accordance with then
existing law, environmental law now imposes retroactive
liability, in some circumstances, on persons who owned or
operated wood-treating sites. JMC is remediating some of its
former sites and will remediate other sites in the future.
The Company has made a provision for environmental
remediation; however, there can be no assurance that 
estimates of environmental liabilities will not change.

JMC is a defendant in a class action tort suit.The suit
alleges exposure to chemicals, allegedly causing various physi-
cal injuries, and property devaluation resulting from wood
treating operations previously conducted at a Louisiana site.
The size of the class, the number of injuries related to the
alleged exposures and the amount of alleged damages are all
disputed and uncertain.The Company has tendered the
defense of the suit to its insurance carrier.The Company
believes that it may have adequate insurance coverage for the
litigation; however, because of the above uncertainties, the
Company is unable to determine at this time the potential 
liability, if any.

In addition to the litigation noted above, the Company is
from time to time subject to routine litigation incidental to its
business.These lawsuits primarily involve claims for damages
arising out of the use of the Company’s products, some of
which include claims for punitive as well as compensatory
damages.The Company is also involved in proceedings with
respect to environmental matters including sites where the
Company has been identified as a potentially responsible party
under federal and state environmental laws and regulations.
The Company believes that the results of the above noted liti-
gation and other pending legal proceedings will not have a
materially adverse effect on the Company’s results of opera-
tions or financial condition, notwithstanding any related insur-
ance recoveries.

23

7364-8 Nebel finan.edco1B  9/30/02  1:44 PM  Page 24

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The effective income tax rate for the years ended December
31 varies from the statutory Federal income tax rate as follows:

The detail segment data is presented in the following table

(000’s omitted):

Percentage of Pre-Tax Earnings

Operations in Different Industries—

1997

1996

1995

Year Ended December 31,

1997

1996

1995

Statutory Federal income tax rate 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
Increase (decrease) in tax rate 
resulting from:

Permanent differences in 
amortization of certain 
assets for tax and financial 
reporting purposes
State income taxes (net of 

Federal income tax benefit)

Taxes on foreign earnings

Effective income tax rate

3.7

3.4

2.9

2.7

2.6
1.6
(1.0)
(1.6)
(2.4)
39.0% 39.0% 38.9%

(12) Segment Data:
The Company operates within two major business segments:
Tools and Components and Process/Environmental Controls.
The Tools and Components segment has a customer which
accounted for approximately 13%, 14% and 16% of total sales
in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Operating profit represents total revenues less operating

expenses, excluding interest and taxes on income.The
identifiable assets by segment are those used in each segment’s
operations. Intersegment amounts are eliminated to arrive at
consolidated totals.

Total Sales:
Tools and 

Components

$1,192,761 $1,103,443 $1,005,005

Process/

Environmental 
Controls

Operating Profit:
Tools and 

858,207

481,764
$2,050,968 $1,811,878 $1,486,769

708,435

Components

$ 144,370 $ 128,118 $ 112,981

Process/

Environmental 
Controls

Other

Identifiable Assets:
Tools and 

136,970

80,804
(13,528)
$ 266,885 $ 226,136 $ 180,257

112,243
(14,225)

(14,455)

Components

$ 832,614 $ 861,345 $ 821,604

Process/

Environmental 
Controls

Other

Depreciation and 
Amortization:
Tools and 

960,226

599,466
64,921
$1,879,717 $1,765,074 $1,485,991

849,199
54,530

86,877

Components

$

44,908 $

40,237 $

35,211

Process/

Environmental 
Controls

Capital Expenditures:
Tools and 

31,208
76,116 $

28,389
68,626 $

23,316
58,527

$

Components

$

38,304 $

31,346 $

48,500

Process/

Environmental 
Controls

24,504
62,808 $

19,909
51,255 $

10,672
59,172

$

24

7364-8 Nebel finan.edco1B  9/30/02  1:44 PM  Page 25

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Operations in Geographical Areas—

Year Ended December 31,

1997

1996

1995

Total Sales:

United States
Europe
Other

Operating Profit:
United States
Europe
Other

Identifiable Assets:
United States
Europe
Other

Sales outside United States:
Direct Sales
Exports

$1,727,086

222,245

101,637

$2,050,968

$ 234,662

21,959

10,264

$ 266,885

$1,521,393

281,701

76,623

$1,879,717

$ 323,882

163,000

$ 486,882

$1,565,110
205,416
41,352
$1,811,878

$ 207,433
15,107
3,596
$ 226,136

$1,552,665
188,660
23,749
$1,765,074

$ 246,768
144,000
$ 390,768

$1,235,933
205,228
45,608
$1,486,769

$ 156,170
20,348
3,739
$ 180,257

$1,292,166
173,949
19,876
$1,485,991

$ 250,836
107,000
$ 357,836

(13) Quarterly Data-Unaudited (000’s omitted except per share data)

Net sales
Gross profit
Operating profit
Net earnings
Earnings per share:
Basic
Diluted

Net sales
Gross profit
Operating profit
Earnings from continuing operations
Gain on sale from discontinued operations
Net earnings
Basic earnings per share:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net earnings
Diluted earnings per share:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net earnings

1997

1996

2nd Quarter

$502,789

164,064

65,942

38,258

$

$

.65

.64

2nd Quarter
$ 434,897
137,988
56,302
32,525
—
32,525

$

$

$

$

.56
—
.56

.54
—
.54

3rd Quarter

$516,601

173,134

71,383

41,781

$

$

.71

.69

3rd Quarter
$ 470,787
149,021
60,293
33,577
—
33,577

$

$

$

$

.57
—
.57

.56
—
.56

4th Quarter

$565,137

183,815

74,103

43,232

$

$

.74

.72

4th Quarter
$ 496,637
160,730
62,413
34,929
—
34,929

$

$

$

$

.59
—
.59

.58
—
.58

1st Quarter

$466,441

147,480

55,457

31,535

$

$

.53

.52

1st Quarter
$ 409,557
124,293
47,128
26,928
79,811
106,739

$

$

$

$

.46
1.37
1.83

.45
1.34
1.79

25