Company Description
Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) is a manufacturing company that supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids, coatings and powders in both industrial and commercial applications. The company designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment used to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid and powder materials. According to its public statements, Graco serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction and maintenance industries.
Graco is classified in the pump and pumping equipment manufacturing industry within the broader manufacturing sector. Its equipment is used in applications where fluids, coatings, sealants, adhesives and powders must be accurately handled and applied. The company has described itself as a recognized leader in these specialties and is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GGG.
Business segments and end markets
Public financial disclosures describe Graco’s operations by segment. The company has reported segment information for Contractor, Industrial and Expansion Markets. Management assesses performance of these segments by reference to operating earnings excluding unallocated corporate expenses, and reports segment net sales and operating margins in its quarterly results.
The Contractor segment is discussed in connection with construction-related demand and sales through channels such as home centers and other outlets that serve contractors. Company commentary links this segment’s performance to worldwide construction markets, including conditions in North America and other regions.
The Industrial segment is associated with applications in areas such as vehicle service and finishing systems, and is discussed in relation to commercial and industrial activity in the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific. Segment results highlight how pricing, product and channel mix, and regional demand affect sales and margins.
The Expansion Markets segment is described in company reports as serving product applications including semiconductor, electric motor and environmental uses. Graco has noted that sales trends in these applications can differ, with growth in some areas offsetting softness in others. Segment disclosures emphasize how volume, mix and regional demand contribute to overall performance.
Products, technologies and applications
According to information provided about the company, Graco manufactures equipment used for managing fluids, coatings and adhesives, including difficult-to-handle materials. Its broad array of products includes pumps, valves, meters, sprayers and equipment used to apply coatings, sealants and adhesives. The company also designs and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid and powder materials.
Graco has expanded its capabilities in areas such as powder handling, automated dosing, and mixing and material handling through acquisitions. For example, it has described Color Service S.r.l. as a global manufacturer of specialized automatic precision dosing systems for powders and liquids, and Radia (Red Devil Equipment Company) as a manufacturer of mixing, shaking and automated material handling equipment for the paint and coatings industry. These acquisitions are characterized as strengthening Graco’s powder handling portfolio and enhancing its contractor-focused color solutions offerings.
Geographic reach and customers
Graco reports sales across the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific regions. Its public earnings releases provide breakdowns of net sales changes by region and by segment, including the effects of volume and price, acquisitions and currency translation. The company states that it serves customers around the world in manufacturing, processing, construction and maintenance industries, and that its products are used by paint retailers across North America, including hardware, paint and big-box stores, through acquired operations such as Radia.
Growth, acquisitions and strategy signals
Graco’s recent public communications highlight acquisitions and segment performance as key elements of its development. The company has completed the acquisition of Color Service S.r.l., described as a global leader in automated dosing systems for powder and liquid applications, and has acquired Radia, a manufacturer of mixing, shaking and automated material handling equipment for the paint and coatings industry. Management commentary links these acquisitions to strengthening its powder handling portfolio, expanding precision tinting and dispensing capabilities, and enhancing its position in color solutions for contractor-focused businesses.
In its quarterly earnings releases, Graco distinguishes between organic revenue and incremental sales from acquired operations. It discusses how acquired operations contribute to sales growth in segments such as Contractor and Expansion Markets, and how factors like tariffs, product costs, pricing and product mix affect gross margins and operating earnings.
Capital allocation and shareholder actions
Public announcements from the Board of Directors describe actions related to the company’s common stock, including share repurchase authorizations and regular quarterly dividends. The Board has authorized plans to purchase shares of outstanding common stock over an indefinite period of time or until authorization is terminated, and has declared regular quarterly dividends per common share. Company disclosures also reference share repurchases in the context of cash flow from operations and capital deployment.
Corporate governance
Graco is incorporated in Minnesota and is subject to U.S. securities regulation as a NYSE-listed issuer. Its Board of Directors oversees governance, including committee assignments. For example, an 8-K filing reports the appointment of a new director to the Audit Committee and the Management Organization and Compensation Committee, with compensation consistent with the company’s standard director arrangements as described in its proxy statement.
Risk considerations and disclosures
In its earnings releases, Graco includes cautionary statements that refer readers to risk factors in its Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Form 10-Q. These risk discussions, as summarized in the company’s public statements, cover topics such as demand for products and the level of commercial, industrial and construction activity worldwide; changes in currency translation rates; international and domestic instability; interest rate fluctuations and credit markets; global sourcing of materials; inflationary cost pressures; tariffs; information systems; intellectual property; international operations; catastrophic events; personnel; public health crises; growth strategies and acquisitions; competition; dependence on certain customers and cyclical industries; changes in laws and regulations; climate-related matters; environmental, social and governance expectations; compliance with anti-corruption and trade laws; and tax or tariff changes.
Stock information and investor communications
Graco’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GGG. The company communicates with investors through earnings releases, conference calls and webcasts. It announces the timing of its quarterly earnings releases and related conference calls, and provides access to full-text earnings announcements and webcast replays through its investor relations site. Earnings communications typically include GAAP and non-GAAP measures, reconciliations of adjusted results, and commentary on segment performance and outlook.
Frequently Asked Questions about Graco Inc. (GGG)
- What does Graco Inc. do?
Graco Inc. designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment used to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid and powder materials. The company supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids, coatings and powders in industrial and commercial applications, serving manufacturing, processing, construction and maintenance industries. - In which industry and sector does Graco operate?
Graco is classified in the pump and pumping equipment manufacturing industry within the broader manufacturing sector. Its publicly described activities focus on equipment for managing fluids, coatings, adhesives and powders. - What are Graco’s main business segments?
Graco reports results by segment, including Contractor, Industrial and Expansion Markets. These segments are discussed in its earnings releases in terms of net sales, operating earnings and operating margins, as well as regional performance across the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific. - What kinds of products does Graco offer?
According to company descriptions, Graco’s products include pumps, valves, meters, sprayers and equipment used to apply coatings, sealants and adhesives. It also offers systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid and powder materials. - Where is Graco headquartered?
Graco describes itself as a Minneapolis-based company. It is incorporated in Minnesota and lists Minneapolis, Minnesota as its location in SEC filings. - On which exchange is Graco stock listed and what is its ticker?
Graco Inc. common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GGG. - How does Graco describe its customer base and end markets?
The company states that it serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction and maintenance industries. Through acquisitions such as Radia, it also notes that its equipment serves paint retailers across North America, including hardware, paint and big-box stores. - What recent acquisitions has Graco announced?
Graco has publicly announced the acquisition of Color Service S.r.l., described as a global leader in automated dosing systems for powder and liquid applications, and the acquisition of Radia (Red Devil Equipment Company), a manufacturer of mixing, shaking and automated material handling equipment for the paint and coatings industry. These acquisitions are presented as strengthening its powder handling and color solutions portfolios. - How does Graco communicate financial performance?
Graco issues quarterly earnings releases that include net sales, operating earnings, net earnings, diluted earnings per share, segment performance and regional sales data. It also provides non-GAAP measures adjusted for items such as excess tax benefits from stock option exercises and contingent consideration fair value adjustments, with reconciliations to GAAP figures. - Does Graco pay dividends or repurchase shares?
Board announcements indicate that Graco declares regular quarterly dividends per common share and authorizes share repurchase programs for its outstanding common stock. The company also reports share repurchases and related cash outflows in its financial summaries.