SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

                QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the quarter ended March 31, 1998             Commission File No. 0-2504


                         MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



                  Pennsylvania                     25-0668780                   

      (State or other jurisdiction of   (IRS Employer Identification No.)      
      incorporation or organization)



           121 Gamma Drive
           RIDC Industrial Park
           O'Hara Township
           Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania                         15238               

     (Address of principal executive offices)            (Zip Code) 


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  412/967-3000


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 and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days.


            Yes   X                                         No      


As of April 30, 1998, there were outstanding 5,037,375 shares of common stock
without par value, including 598,480 shares held by the Mine Safety Appliances
Company Stock Compensation Trust.













                         PART I  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                         MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY
                      CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
                   (Thousands of dollars, except shares data)
March 31 December 31 1998 1997 ASSETS Current assets Cash $ 5,514 $ 5,264 Temporary investments, at cost plus accrued interest 17,870 14,657 Accounts receivable, less allowance (1998 - $3,778; 1997 - $3,704) 91,212 91,388 Inventories: Finished products 36,264 36,626 Work in process 13,319 13,772 Raw materials and supplies 28,591 30,668 --------- --------- Total inventories 78,174 81,066 --------- --------- Other current assets 27,998 27,238 --------- --------- Total current assets 220,768 219,613 --------- --------- Property, plant and equipment 358,571 354,649 Accumulated depreciation (201,755) (199,465) --------- --------- Net property 156,816 155,184 --------- --------- Other assets 30,762 31,607 --------- --------- TOTALS $ 408,346 $ 406,404 ========= =========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Notes and accounts payable $ 61,791 $ 55,990 Federal, foreign, state and local income taxes 5,067 4,089 Other current liabilities 42,792 43,161 --------- --------- Total current liabilities 109,650 103,240 --------- --------- Long-term debt 11,981 12,270 Noncurrent liabilities (principally employee/retiree benefits) and deferred credits 44,569 49,445 Shareholders' equity Preferred stock, 4-1/2% cumulative - authorized 100,000 shares of $50 par value; issued 71,373 shares, callable at $52.50 per share 3,569 3,569 Second cumulative preferred voting stock - authorized 1,000,000 shares of $10 par value; none issued Common stock - authorized 20,000,000 shares of no par value; issued 6,779,231 and 6,779,231 (outstanding 4,447,812 and 4,455,915) 12,296 12,297 Cumulative translation adjustments (8,618) (5,744) Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment (538) (538) Retained earnings 347,629 343,534 Common Stock Compensation Trust (599,170 and 600,000 shares) (28,161) (28,200) Less treasury shares, at cost: Preferred - 49,313 and 49,313 shares (1,595) (1,595) Common - 1,732,249 and 1,723,316 shares (82,436) (81,874) --------- --------- Total shareholders' equity 242,146 241,449 --------- --------- TOTALS $ 408,346 $ 406,404 ========= =========
MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME (Thousands of dollars, except earnings per share and shares outstanding)
Three Months Ended March 31 1998 1997 Net sales $ 122,145 $ 113,473 Other income 381 1,026 ---------- ---------- 122,526 114,499 ---------- ---------- Costs and expenses Cost of products sold 77,227 70,399 Selling, general and administrative 30,379 32,108 Depreciation 4,981 5,389 Interest 646 411 Currency exchange losses 147 71 ---------- ---------- 113,380 108,378 ---------- ---------- Income from operations before income taxes 9,146 6,121 Income taxes 3,658 2,517 ---------- ---------- Net income $ 5,488 $ 3,604 ========== ========== Basic earnings per common share $ 1.23 $ 0.78 ========== ========== Diluted earnings per common share $ 1.23 $ 0.78 ========== ==========
MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Thousands of dollars)
Three Months Ended March 31 1998 1997 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Income from operations $ 5,488 $ 3,604 Depreciation 4,981 5,389 Deferred taxes,pensions, and other non-cash charges/(credits) (5,967) (1,509) Changes in operating assets and liabilities 579 8,140 Other - principally currency exchange adjustments (358) (4,123) --------- --------- Cash flow from operating activities 4,723 11,501 --------- --------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES Property additions (7,256) (7,857) Property disposals 31 135 Other investing (589) (232) --------- --------- Cash flow from investing activities (7,814) (7,954) --------- --------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES Additions to long-term debt 7 23 Reductions of long-term debt (344) (453) Changes in notes payable and short term debt 11,117 12,896 Cash dividends (1,393) (1,623) Company stock purchases and sales (524) (1,347) --------- --------- Cash flow from financing activities 8,863 9,496 --------- --------- Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (2,309) (1,996) --------- --------- Increase in cash and cash equivalents 3,463 11,047 Beginning cash and cash equivalents 19,921 25,096 --------- --------- Ending cash and cash equivalents $ 23,384 $ 36,143 ========= ========= Note 1 - Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management of the registrant, necessary for a fair statement of the operating results for the three-month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and therefore do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, and changes in cash flows in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Note 2 - Earnings per Share Basic earnings per share is computed on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share includes the effect of the weighted average stock options outstanding during the period,using the treasury stock method. Antidilutive options are not considered in computing earnings per share. 1998 1997 Net income $ 5,488 $ 3,604 Preferred stock dividends declared 12 0 ------- ------- Income available to common shareholders 5,476 3,604 ------- ------- Basic shares outstanding 4,452 4,598 Stock options 10 8 ------- ------- Diluted shares outstanding 4,462 4,606 ------- ------- Antidilutive stock options 2 2 ------- ------- Note 3 - Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income/(loss) was $2,614,000 and $(1,660,000) for the three months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Comprehensive income includes net income and changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, primarily cumulative translation adjustments, for the period.
MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Consolidated sales for the first quarter of 1998 were $122,145,000 compared with $113,473,000 for the first quarter of 1997. Net income in the first quarter of 1998 was $5,488,000, or $1.23 per share, compared with $3,604,000, or 78 cents per share, for the same period last year. Sales improvements occurred in U.S. operations, reflecting stronger sales in domestic and export safety equipment markets and continued growth in the specialty chemicals business. First quarter invoicing from U.S. operations improved at double-digit percentage rates compared to the previous year. Incoming orders in 1998 were also strong at dollar levels comparable to invoicing. The 1998 improvement in invoicing was particularly meaningful because the 1997 first quarter invoicing level lagged that of incoming orders. As 1997 progressed, the two measures converged. Invoicing by European operations declined in local currency and sales as reported in U.S. dollars were reduced further by adverse exchange rate effects. European incoming order levels, however, did show some encouraging improvements on a local currency basis. Overall sales in other international operations were similar to prior year levels. Higher earnings for the quarter were largely due to sales improvements in U.S. operations combined with cost discipline. Gross margins were somewhat lower, particularly in specialty chemicals, due in part to changes in the product mix. Earnings from European operations, particularly in Germany, remained weak and disappointing. Several significant internal task forces are currently working on initiatives to improve MSA's European performance. The balance of MSA's international operations were adversely impacted on a direct and indirect basis by the economic difficulties of East Asia. The 1998 results include a $4 million pre-tax pension settlement gain. This gain resulted from settling remaining pension liabilities to participants from the Esmond, Rhode Island Plant, which was closed in 1997. Restructuring charges in anticipation of this closing were taken by the company in the fourth quarter of 1996. Costs of relocating production to other plants were recorded in 1997 and were largely offset by related pension gains. Additionally, a before-tax charge of $1.6 million was recorded in the current quarter to complete the recall of self-contained self-rescuers by Auergesellschaft, MSA's German operation. Pre-tax earnings before recognition of the pension settlement gain and recall provision were higher than the prior year by over 10%. The improvement of 1998 results over the first quarter of 1997 gives some satisfaction, particularly the gains in operating income prior to the special items. In many ways MSA is seeing the results of initiatives that the company has taken over the last several years. Incoming order levels in the U.S. and Europe were encouraging, although this has not gone on long enough to constitute a true trend. Improved sales and earnings by U.S. operations have more than offset weakness in international operations. The impact, direct and indirect, of the Asian economic difficulties will continue to challenge MSA as the year goes on, and last year's first quarter results were an easier target for comparison than subsequent quarters. MSA is actively engaged in measures to continue to improve overall performance. These efforts, particularly the initiatives in Europe and at Auergesellschaft, are of prime importance in reaching the company's goals. Fulfillment of these projects may entail expenses which will be recognized when their extent can be established. While effort and uncertainty lie ahead, MSA continues to pursue its goals and its plan for the year, which includes improved sales and earnings from ongoing operations in 1998. Currency exchange adjustments charged directly to the equity cumulative translation adjustments account are shown below. Significant first quarter 1998 translation losses relate primarily to Germany. Significant first quarter 1997 translation losses relate primarily to Germany and Italy.
Three Months Ended March 31 1998 1997 (Thousands of dollars) Translation gains/(losses)
(2,874) (5,264) Available credit facilities along with internal cash resources are adequate to provide for ensuing capital requirements. The company's financial position and liquidity continue to be adequate. The current ratio and term debt in relation to capital as of March 31, 1998 were 2.0 and 5.2%, respectively, as compared to 2.1 and 5.4% at December 31, 1997. PART II OTHER INFORMATION MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY Item 1. Legal Proceedings Not Applicable Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (a) Exhibits (10)(a)1998 Management Share Incentive Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Annex A to registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement filed March 25, 1998 for its 1998 Annual Meeting. (b) Reports on Form 8-K No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended March 31, 1998. 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. MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY Date: May 11, 1998 By S/James E. Herald James E. Herald Vice President - Finance; Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
 

5 THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MARCH 1998 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 3-MOS DEC-31-1998 MAR-31-1998 5,514 17,870 94,990 (3,778) 78,174 27,998 358,571 (201,755) 408,346 109,650 11,981 0 3,569 12,296 226,281 408,346 122,145 122,526 77,227 82,208 147 0 646 9,146 3,658 5,488 0 0 0 5,488 1.23 1.23