SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                    WASHINGTON, D. C.  20549

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                            FORM 10-Q

          Quarterly Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of
               The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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For Quarter Ended September 30, 1998 Commission file no. 0-10546

                      LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC.
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     (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                              36-2229304
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(State or other jurisdiction of               (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)               Identification No.)

1666 East Touhy Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois         60018
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(Address of principal executive offices)         (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone no., including area code:   (847) 827-9666

Not applicable
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Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report.

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No

     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. 10,808,322 Shares, $1 par
value, as of October 16, 1998.







                     LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)            Sept. 30,  December 31,
                                                           1998        1997
                                                        ----------- ------------
                                                        (UNAUDITED)
 
ASSETS
Current Assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents .......................   $  14,346    $  10,248
     Marketable securities ...........................      11,576       11,638
     Accounts receivable, less allowance for
     doubtful accounts ...............................      35,660       33,714
     Inventories (Note B) ............................      44,326       41,788
     Miscellaneous receivables and prepaid
       expenses ......................................       8,975        5,760
     Deferred income taxes ...........................       1,122          836
                                                         ---------    ---------
                Total Current Assets .................     116,005      103,984

Marketable securities ................................      13,207       21,713
Property, plant and equipment, less
  allowances for depreciation and

  amortization .......................................      40,941       40,963
Investments in real estate ...........................       3,878        3,731
Deferred income taxes ................................       5,122        4,447
Other assets .........................................      14,871       14,136
                                                         ---------    ---------
                Total Assets .........................   $ 194,024    $ 188,974
                                                         =========    =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
     Accounts payable ................................   $   5,781    $   4,928
     Accrued expenses and other liabilities ..........      17,860       17,902
     Income taxes ....................................       1,743        1,641
                                                         ---------    ---------
                Total Current Liabilities ............      25,384       24,471
                                                          ---------    ---------

Accrued liability under security bonus plans .........      14,808       14,000
Other ................................................      10,153       10,578
                                                         ---------    ---------
                                                            24,961       24,578
                                                         ---------    ---------

Stockholders' Equity:
     Preferred Stock, $1 par value:
         Authorized - 500,000 shares
         Issued and outstanding - None ...............        --           --
     Common Stock, $1 par value:
         Authorized - 35,000,000 shares
         Issued and outstanding -
           (1998 - 10,853,322 shares;
            1997 - 11,135,233 shares) ................      10,853       11,135

     Capital in excess of par value ..................         763          770

     Retained earnings ...............................     132,677      128,708

     Accumulated other comprehensive income ..........        (614)        (688)
                                                         ---------    ---------
                Total Stockholders' Equity ...........     143,679      139,925
                                                         ---------    ---------

                Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
                  Equity .............................   $ 194,024    $ 188,974
                                                          =========    =========




See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                      - 2 -







                     LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                   (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data) For the Three For the Nine Months Ended Months Ended Sept. 30, Sept. 30, 1998 1997 1998 1997 --------------- -------------- ---------------- --------- Net sales $75,530 $71,420 $218,427 $207,693 Investment and other income 592 408 1,870 1,188 ------- ------- -------- -------- 76,122 71,828 220,297 208,881 ------- ------- -------- -------- Cost of goods sold (Note B) 25,941 24,331 75,645 71,167 Selling, general and administrative expenses 41,043 37,453 119,520 110,258 ------- ------- -------- -------- 66,984 61,784 195,165 181,425 ------- ------- -------- -------- Income before income taxes 9,138 10,044 25,132 27,456 Provision for income taxes 3,884 4,165 10,627 11,206 ------- ------- -------- -------- Net income $ 5,254 $ 5,879 $ 14,505 $ 16,250 ======= ======= ======== ======== Net income per share of common stock: Basic $ 0.48 $ 0.53 $ 1.31 $ 1.46 ======= ======= ======== ======== Diluted $ 0.48 $ 0.53 $ 1.30 $ 1.45 ======= ======= ======== ======== Cash dividends declared per share of common stock $ 0.14 $ 0.14 $ 0.42 $ 0.40 ======= ======= ======== ======== Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 11,054 11,125 11,103 11,158 ======= ======= ======== ======== Diluted 11,057 11,157 11,125 11,174 ======= ======= ======== ======== See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
- 3 - LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (Amounts in thousands) For the Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 1998 1997 ---- ---- Operating activities: Net income ...................................... $ 14,505 $ 16,250 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization ............... 4,196 3,746 Changes in operating assets and liabilities . (8,970) (10,303) Other ....................................... (118) 1,875 --------- --------- Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities ....... 9,613 11,568 --------- --------- Investing activities: Additions to property, plant and equipment ...... (3,949) (3,886) Purchases of marketable securities .............. (172,749) (118,637) Proceeds from sale of marketable securities ..... 181,418 121,302 Other ........................................... 629 40 --------- --------- Net Cash Provided by/(Used in) Investing Activities ..................................... 5,349 (1,181) --------- --------- Financing activities: Purchases of treasury stock ..................... (6,201) (4,062) Dividends paid .................................. (4,677) (4,366) Other ........................................... 14 17 --------- --------- Net Cash Used in Financing Activities ........... (10,864) (8,411) --------- --------- Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents ............................... 4,098 1,976 Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period ........................................ 10,248 14,515 --------- --------- Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period .. $ 14,346 $ 16,491 ========= ========= See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. - 4 - Part I NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS A) As contemplated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the accompanying consolidated financial statements and footnotes have been condensed and therefore, do not contain all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. Reference should be made to the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1997. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1998, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 are unaudited. In the opinion of the Company, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) have been made, which are necessary to present fairly the results of operations for the interim periods. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 1998. B) Inventories (consisting of primarily finished goods) at September 30, 1998 and cost of goods sold for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 were determined through the use of estimated gross profit rates. C) As of January 1, 1998, the Company adopted FASB Statement 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," (SFAS 130). SFAS 130 establishes new rules for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components; however, the adoption of this Statement had no impact on the Company's net income or stockholders' equity. SFAS 130 requires unrealized gains or losses on the Company's available-for-sale marketable securities and foreign currency translation adjustments to be included in other comprehensive income, which prior to adoption were reported separately in stockholders' equity. Total comprehensive income and its components, net of related tax, for the first three and nine months of 1998 and 1997 are as follows: Three months ended September 30 1998 1997 ---- ---- Net income $5,253,716 $5,879,218 Unrealized gains(losses) on marketable securities (43,000) 63,000 Foreign currency translation adjustments (279,928) (99,170) ----------- ----------- Comprehensive income $4,930,788 $5,843,048 =========== ========== - 5 - Part I NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS C) - Continued - Nine months ended September 30 1998 1997 ---- ---- Net income $14,505,218 $16,249,750 Unrealized gains(losses) on marketable securities 123,000 (19,000) Foreign currency translation adjustments (49,977) (282,363) ------------ ------------ Comprehensive income $14,578,241 $15,948,387 ============ =========== The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of related tax, at September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997 are as follows: 1998 1997 Unrealized gain on marketable securities $686,000 $563,000 Foreign currency translation adjustments (1,300,672) (1,250,695) ------------ ------------ Accumulated other comprehensive income $ (614,672) $ (687,695) ============ ============ In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Accounting Standards No. 131, Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information (SFAS 131). SFAS 131 establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and requires that those enterprises report selected information about operating segments in interim financial reports. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. SFAS 131 is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997, and therefore the Company will adopt the new requirements retroactively in 1998. Management has not completed its review of SFAS 131, but does not anticipate that the adoption of the statement will have a significant effect on the Company's reported financial disclosures. - 6 - Part I NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS D) Earnings per Share The calculation of dilutive weighted average shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 are as follows: Three months ended September 30 1998 1997 Basic weighted average shares outstanding 11,054,494 11,124,852 Dilutive impact of options outstanding 2,657 32,430 ----------- ---------- Dilutive weighted average shares outstanding 11,057,151 11,157,282 =========== =========== Nine months ended September 30 1998 1997 Basic weighted average shares outstanding 11,103,067 11,158,459 Dilutive impact of options outstanding 22,067 15,154 ---------- ---------- Dilutive weighted average shares outstanding 11,125,134 11,173,613 ========== ========== - 7 - Part I Independent Accountants' Review Report Board of Directors Lawson Products, Inc. We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Lawson Products, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1998 and the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data, and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, which will be performed for the full year with the objective of expressing an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. We have previously audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the consolidated balance sheet of Lawson Products, Inc. as of December 31, 1997, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for the year then ended, not presented herein, and in our report dated February 27, 1998, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1997, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived. ERNST & YOUNG LLP October 16, 1998 - 8 - Part I This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998, contains certain forward-looking statements pertaining to the Year 2000 Issue and other matters. These statements are subject to uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to vary materially from those anticipated. ITEM 2 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Net sales for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1998 increased 5.8% to $75,530,000 and 5.2% to $218,427,000 relative to the similar periods of 1997. The sales advances reflect increased contribution from substantially all Lawson operations. Net income for the third quarter decreased 10.6% to $5,254,000 ($.48 per diluted share) from $5,879,000 ($.53 per diluted share) for the comparable period of 1997. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 declined 10.7% to $14,505,000 ($1.30 per diluted share) from $16,250,000 ($1.45 per diluted share) for the similar period of 1997. These decreases are primarily attributable to lower gross margins and higher selling costs due to a restructuring of the sales force, which more than offset the gains in net sales noted above. Per share net income was positively impacted by purchases in 1998 and 1997 under the Company's share repurchase program. Cash flows provided by operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 declined to $9,613,000 from $11,568,000 in the comparable period of the prior year. This decrease was due primarily to the decline in net income from the similar period of 1997. Current investments and cash flows from operations are expected to be sufficient to finance the Company's future growth, cash dividends and capital expenditures. Additions to property, plant and equipment were $3,949,000 and $3,886,000, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997. Capital expenditures during 1998 primarily reflect costs incurred relative to the construction of a new Lawson outbound facility in Atlanta, Georgia and purchases of computer related equipment. The new facility, expected to be completed during 1999 at a cost of approximately $7,000,000, will be used in place of the Norcross, Georgia facility, which will be closed. Capital expenditures during 1997 primarily reflect costs incurred for the completion of the facilities expansion at the Company's specialty chemical subsidiary, Drummond American Corporation. This project was completed at a cost of approximately $3,000,000. During the third quarter of 1998, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to 500,000 shares of the Company's common stock. No shares were purchased relative to the most recent authorization. In 1996, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock. During the first nine months of 1998, the Company purchased 282,500 shares at a cost of $6,201,000, while during the first nine months of 1997, the Company expended $4,062,000 to acquire 187,500 shares under the 1996 stock repurchase program. As of September 30, 1998, 762,000 shares have been purchased relative to the 1996 stock repurchase program. All treasury shares purchased as of September 30, 1998 have been retired. - 9 - Part I ITEM 2 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - continued The Company has developed a plan to modify its information technology to recognize the Year 2000 Issue. The Year 2000 Issue involves computer programs being written using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. Computer programs or hardware that have date-sensitive software or embedded chips may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000, which could result in a system failure or miscalculations causing disruptions in the processing of normal business transactions. Based on the Company's assessment of the Year 2000 Issue, it has been determined that it will be required to modify or replace portions of its software and certain hardware to insure the proper recognition of dates beyond December 31, 1999. The Company presently believes that with modifications or replacements of certain existing software and hardware, the Year 2000 Issue can be mitigated. The Company's plan to resolve the Year 2000 Issue involves the following four phases: assessment, remediation, testing, and implementation. The Company has fully completed its assessment of all systems that could be significantly impacted by the Year 2000 and is currently converting its critical data processing systems. Based on a review of its product line, the Company has determined that the products it has sold and will continue to sell do not require remediation to be Year 2000 compliant. Accordingly, the Company does not believe that the Year 2000 presents exposure as it relates to the Company's products. The Company has contacted all of its suppliers and has gathered information about their Year 2000 compliance status. To date, the Company is not aware of any supplier with a Year 2000 issue that would have a material impact on the operations of the Company. However, the Company does not have the means to ensure that third parties will be Year 2000 ready. The inability of third parties to complete their Year 2000 resolution process in a timely fashion could materially impact the Company. The effect of non-compliance by third parties is not determinable. The Company will utilize both internal and external resources to reprogram, or replace, test, and implement the software and operating equipment for Year 2000 modifications. This project remains on schedule, including testing and implementation. The Company presently believes all phases of the conversion will be completed by the second quarter of 1999 at a total cost of approximately $400,000, of which $300,000 of expense has been incurred as of September 30, 1998. This project is not expected to have a significant effect on operations. - 10 - Part I ITEM 2 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - continued Although the project is not yet complete, the management of the Company believes it has an effective program in place to resolve the Year 2000 Issue in a timely manner. The Company is committed to providing the necessary resources, including additional funding and manpower, as required, until such time that all phases of the Year 2000 project are completed. - 11 - Part II OTHER INFORMATION Items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are inapplicable and have been omitted from this report. Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K. (a) 15 Letter from Ernst & Young LLP Regarding Unaudited Interim Financial Information 27 Financial Data Schedule (b) The registrant filed a Current Report on Form 8-K August 14, 1998. - 12 - SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC. (Registrant) Dated October 16, 1998 /s/ Bernard Kalish --------------------- --------------- Bernard Kalish Chairman of the Board Dated October 16, 1998 /s/ Joseph L. Pawlick --------------------- ------------------ Joseph L. Pawlick Vice President and Controller - 13 -

                                                                      Exhibit 15
                                     Part I

                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We are aware of the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8 No. 33-17912 dated November 4, 1987) of Lawson Products, Inc. of our
report dated October 16, 1998 relating to the unaudited condensed consolidated
interim financial statements of Lawson Products, Inc. which are included in its
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998.

Pursuant to Rule 436(c) of the Securities Act of 1933 our report is not part of
the registration statement prepared or certified by accountants within the
meaning of Section 7 or 11 of the Securities Act of 1933.

                                   ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chicago, Illinois
October 16, 1998

                                     - 14 -

 


5 1,000 9-MOS DEC-31-1998 SEP-30-1998 14,346 24,783 37,753 2,093 44,326 116,005 72,683 31,742 194,024 25,384 0 0 0 10,853 132,826 194,024 218,427 220,297 75,645 75,645 0 826 20 25,132 10,627 14,505 0 0 0 14,505 1.31 1.30