GGG Graco Inc

Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) today announced results for the quarter ended March 27, 2009.

Summary

� � First Quarter Ended March 27, � � March 28, � � % $ in millions except per share amounts 2009 2008 Change � Net Sales $ � 137.9 $ � 204.1 (32)% Net Earnings 2.8 35.6 (92)% Diluted Net Earnings per Common Share $ 0.05 $ 0.57 (91)% �

• Sales and orders decreased in all segments and regions.
• Low volume drove a decrease in gross profit margin rate.
• Costs of $4 million relating to an additional workforce reduction in March were recorded as part of continued efforts to align operations with market and economic conditions, reducing diluted earnings by $0.04 per share.
• Currency translation had an unfavorable effect on sales ($6 million) and net earnings ($2 million).
• Positive cash flow from operations was $28 million, down only 13 percent compared to last year.
• Inventories decreased $6 million (7 percent) and management continues to focus on working capital management.

�Although our operating results have been severely affected by the depth of the recession and its impact on the markets we serve, our business model, product offering, global distribution channel and competitive position remain strong� said Patrick J. McHale, President and Chief Executive Officer. �We took further expense actions during the quarter, but continue to protect our core organic growth strategies of targeting adjacent new markets, developing leading-technology new products, and expanding our global footprint. We believe these investments will drive excellent long-term shareholder returns.�

Consolidated Results

Sales decreased 31 percent in the Americas, 40 percent in Europe (32 percent at consistent exchange rates) and 24 percent in Asia Pacific. Translation rates had an adverse impact on consolidated sales, contributing approximately 3 percentage points of the consolidated 32 percent decrease.

Gross profit margin, expressed as a percentage of sales, was 46.7 percent, down from 54.8 percent last year, due to lower production volumes (approximately 4 percentage points), unfavorable currency translation rates (approximately 2 percentage points), workforce reduction costs (approximately 1.5 percentage points) and increased pension cost (approximately 1 percentage point).

Total operating expenses were slightly lower than last year. Product development expense increased by $2 million as continued investment in new and improved products is a key component of the Company�s strategy for future growth. Offsetting this increase was a decrease of $2 million from translation effects. Increases in pension expense ($3 million) and severance expense related to the additional workforce reduction in 2009 ($1 million) were offset by the effects of the work force reduction in the fourth quarter of 2008, lower incentive and bonus accruals and other spending reductions.

The effective tax rate of 34 percent for the first quarter was higher than last year�s first quarter rate of 30 percent due to the settlement of the examination of the Company�s income tax returns in the first quarter of 2008.

Segment Results

Certain measurements of segment operations are summarized below:

� � First Quarter Industrial � � Contractor � � Lubrication � Net sales (in millions) $ 75.2 $ 47.4 $ 15.2

Net sales percentage change from last year

(34)% (28)% (36)%

Operating earnings as a percentage of net sales

����2009

15 % 3 % (9)%

����2008

33 % 21 % 18 % �

All segments experienced double-digit percentage sales decreases, in all regions. Operating expenses decreased in all divisions but not enough to offset the effects of lower sales and the resulting impact of lower production volume on gross margin rates. In addition to the impacts of low factory volume, workforce reduction costs and higher product development spending that were common to all segments, Lubrication operating earnings were also affected by the mix of products sold and costs related to discontinued products. The Contractor segment continued to incur expenses related to the rollout of entry-level paint sprayers to additional paint and home center stores in 2009.

Outlook

�We expect that global economic conditions will continue to present a challenging operating environment in the near-term� said Patrick J. McHale, President and Chief Executive Officer. �We are focused on managing expenses, capital expenditures, manufacturing efficiencies and working capital. Workforce reductions initiated in 2008 and the further reduction announced in March of 2009 are expected to yield $18 million in annualized savings. We intend to continue making targeted investments in our strategic organic growth initiatives and to protect our key human capital to the extent practical. We will use this difficult period to strengthen our competitive position, expand our product offering, build our global channel and enter new market spaces. We also recognize that the timing and shape of a recovery is highly uncertain. We will remain agile and have contingency plans in place to appropriately respond to conditions as they unfold.�

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

A forward-looking statement is any statement made in this earnings release and other reports that the Company files periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as in press releases, analyst briefings, conference calls and the Company�s Annual Report to shareholders, which reflects the Company�s current thinking on market trends and the Company�s future financial performance at the time they are made. All forecasts and projections are forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements in light of new information or future events.

The Company desires to take advantage of the �safe harbor� provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 by making cautionary statements concerning any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. The Company cannot give any assurance that the results forecasted in any forward-looking statement will actually be achieved. Future results could differ materially from those expressed, due to the impact of changes in various factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to: economic conditions in the United States and other major world economies, currency fluctuations, political instability, changes in laws and regulations, and changes in product demand. Please refer to Item 1A of, and Exhibit 99 to, the Company�s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2008 (and most recent Form 10-Q, if applicable) for a more comprehensive discussion of these and other risk factors. These reports are available on the Company�s website at www.graco.com and the Securities and Exchange Commission�s website at www.sec.gov.

Conference Call

Graco management will hold a conference call, including slides via webcast, with analysts and institutional investors on Thursday, April 23, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss Graco�s first quarter results.

A real-time Webcast of the conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet. Individuals wanting to listen and view slides can access the call at the Company�s website at www.graco.com. Listeners should go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the live conference call to install any necessary audio software.

For those unable to listen to the live event, a replay will be available soon after the conference call at Graco�s website, or by telephone beginning at approximately 2:00 p.m. ET on April 23, 2009, by dialing 800.405.2236, Conference ID #11130290, if calling within the U.S. or Canada. The dial-in number for international participants is 303.590.3000, with the same Conference ID #. The replay by telephone will be available through April 27, 2009.

Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids in both industrial and commercial applications. It designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid materials. A recognized leader in its specialties, Minneapolis-based Graco serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction and maintenance industries. For additional information about Graco Inc., please visit us at www.graco.com.

� GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES � � Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) � First Quarter Ended March 27, March 28, (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2009 2008 � Net Sales $ 137,880 $ 204,120 Cost of products sold � 73,552 � � 92,267 � Gross Profit 64,328 111,853 Product development 10,051 7,940 Selling, marketing and distribution 31,933 33,821 General and administrative � 16,215 � � 17,738 � Operating Earnings 6,129 52,354 Interest expense 1,366 1,603 Other expense (income), net � 595 � � (115 ) Earnings Before Income Taxes 4,168 50,866 Income taxes � 1,400 � � 15,300 � Net Earnings $ 2,768 � $ 35,566 � � Net Earnings per Common Share Basic $ 0.05 $ 0.58 Diluted $ 0.05 $ 0.57 Weighted Average Number of Shares Basic 59,638 61,254 Diluted 59,903 61,917 � Segment Information (Unaudited) � First Quarter Ended March 27, March 28, 2009 2008 � Net Sales Industrial $ 75,232 $ 114,251 Contractor 47,448 66,180 Lubrication � 15,200 � � 23,689 � Total $ 137,880 � $ 204,120 � Operating Earnings Industrial $ 11,495 $ 37,898 Contractor 1,239 13,696 Lubrication (1,436 ) 4,317 Unallocated corporate � (5,169 ) � (3,557 ) Total $ 6,129 � $ 52,354 � � All figures are subject to audit and adjustment at the end of the fiscal year. �

The Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Management's Discussion and Analysis are available in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on our website at www.graco.com.