SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                       Washington, D. C.  20549
                    ______________________________
                                   
                               FORM 10-K
      (Mark One)
   (  X  )     ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES ACT OF 1934
              For The Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1998
                                   
                                  OR
                                   
   (     )     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                  THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                                   
      For the Transition Period From ___________ to ____________
                    Commission File Number 0-22462
                                   
                      GIBRALTAR STEEL CORPORATION
        (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
                                   
   Delaware                                 16-1445150
  (State or other jurisdiction of         (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   incorporation organization)      
  
  3556 Lake Shore Road, P.O. Box 2028, Buffalo, New York           14219-0228
 (address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)
                             (716) 826-6500
          Registrant's telephone number, including area code
                                   
      Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
  
  Title of each class                Name of each exchange on which registered
  Common Stock, $.01 par value       NASDAQ National Market System
  
      Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                                   
                                 NONE
                                   
  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 by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant
  to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will
  not be contained, to the best of the Registrant's knowledge, in
  definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by
  reference in Part III of the Form 10-K or any amendment to this
  Form 10-K. (  )
  
  As of December 31, 1998, the aggregate market value of the voting
  stock held by nonaffiliates of the Registrant amounted to
  $140,803,000.
  
  As of December 31, 1998, the number of common shares outstanding
  was: 12,484,418.
  

                  DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
                                   
    Portions of the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for the
                    Annual Meeting of Shareholders
   to be held May 18, 1999, are incorporated by reference into Part III
                           of this report.           
                                          Exhibit Index is on Page 39
                                   1
                                   
                                PART I
                                   
     Item 1. Description of Business
     
     General
     
     The Company is a processor of a broad array of high value-
     added,  technically sophisticated steel and other metal
     products.  The Company utilizes any one or a combination
     of several different processes at each of its operating
     facilities to add substantial margin and value to raw
     material acquired from primary steel and other metal
     producers.  Underlying each of these processes is a common
     set of steel and metal processing core competencies.
     These core competencies are the foundation upon which all
     the Company's operations and customer offerings are based.
     Expertise in these core competencies has allowed the
     Company to successfully expand beyond its original cold-
     rolled strip steel and steel strapping processing
     operations to the processing of building and construction
     products and providing of metallurgical heat treating and
     materials management services.
     
     Industry Overview
     
     Steel and metal processors occupy a market niche that
     exists between the primary steel and metal producers and
     end-users and others.  Primary steel and metal producers
     typically focus on the sale of standard size and tolerance
     steel and other metals to large volume purchasers,
     including steel and metal processors.  At the same time,
     end-users require steel with closer tolerances and with
     shorter lead times than the primary steel and metal
     producers can provide efficiently.
     
     Metal Processes, Products and Services
     
     The Company produces and delivers a variety of products
     and services on a just-in-time basis for  industrial
     manufacturers, fabricators and other end-users in the
     automotive, automotive supply, appliance, building and
     construction, machinery, and steel industries.

                                  2

     The following table sets forth certain information
     regarding sales of products and services as a percentage
     of net sales for the past three years:
                                        Year ended December 31,
     Products and Services              1996      1997     1998
     Cold-rolled strip steel              43%       35%       30%
     Building and construction products     -       20%       32%
     Precision metal products             44%       36%       31%
     Other processes and services         13%         9%       7%
     
     The following steel and metal products, processes, and
     services are provided by the Company:
     
     Cold-Rolled Strip Steel
     The Company produces a broad range of fully processed cold-
     rolled strip steel products.  The Company buys wide, open
     tolerance sheet steel in coils from primary steel producers
     and processes it to specific customer orders by performing
     such computer-aided processes as cold reduction, annealing,
     temper rolling, edge rolling and slitting.  Cold reduction
     is the rolling of steel to a specified thickness, tolerance
     and finish.  Annealing is a thermal process which changes
     hardness and certain metallurgical characteristics of steel.
     Temper rolling is the rolling of steel to a specific
     hardness.  Edge rolling involves conditioning edges of
     processed steel into square, fully round or partially round
     shapes.  Slitting is the cutting of steel to specified
     widths.  Depending on customer specifications, one or more
     of these processes are utilized to produce steel strip of a
     precise grade, temper, tolerance and finish.
     
     The Company operates 10 rolling mills at its facilities in
     Cleveland, Ohio, Chattanooga, Tennessee and Buffalo, New
     York, all of which are QS9000 certified, and is capable of
     rolling widths of up to 50 inches.  The Company has the
     capability to process coils up to a maximum of 72 inch
     outside diameter.  The Company's rolling mills include
     automatic gauge control systems with hydraulic screwdowns
     allowing for microsecond adjustments during processing.  In
     January 1998, the Company began operating a 56 inch
     reversing mill which the Company believes is the widest of
     its type in the industry.
     
     The Company's computerized mills produce products meeting
     the most stringent statistical quality control standards,
     enabling it to satisfy a growing industry demand for a range
     of steel from thicker to thinner, low carbons to alloy
     grades, all with precision gauge tolerances as close as +/-
     .0002 inches.

                                  3

     The Company's rolling facilities are further complemented by 15
     high convection annealing furnaces, which shorten annealing
     times over conventional annealers.  The Company's newest
     furnaces incorporate the use of a hydrogen atmosphere for the
     production of cleaner and more uniform steel.  As a result of
     its annealing capabilities, the Company is able to produce cold-
     rolled strip steel with improved consistency in terms of
     thickness, hardness, molecular grain structure and surface.
     
     The Company can produce certain of its strip steel products
     on oscillated coils which wind the steel strip in a manner
     similar to the way thread is wound on a spool.  Oscillating
     the steel enables the Company to put at least six times
     greater volume of finished product on a coil than standard
     ribbon winding, allowing customers to achieve longer
     production runs by reducing the number of equipment shut-
     downs to change coils.  Customers are thus able to increase
     productivity, reduce downtime, improve yield and lengthen die
     life.
     
     Building and Construction Products
     The Company processes steel and other metal to manufacture
     a wide array of  products for the building and
     construction industry.  Building and construction industry
     products are manufactured primarily from galvanized steel,
     as well as from aluminum, copper and other metals.
     Building and construction products manufactured include
     metal trims, prefab homes and utility sheds, steel lumber
     connectors, metal roofing, drywall products, gutters and
     down spouts, ventilation products and storm panel systems
     for residential and commercial properties.
     
     During 1998, the Company acquired three building and
     construction products companies which broaden its product
     line, extends its geographic reach and further diversifies
     and builds its customer base.  The Solar Group (Solar),
     acquired in March 1998, operates three facilities located
     in Mississippi and primarily manufactures wind turbines,
     power vents, other ventilation products and accessories.
     Appleton Supply Co., Inc. (Appleton), acquired in April
     1998 with facilities located in Wisconsin and Missouri,
     also manufacturers ventilation products and accessories,
     as well as roofing products and other construction
     products.  United Steel Products Company (USP), acquired
     in June 1998 with facilities located in Minnesota,
     California, North Carolina and New Jersey,  is a leading
     producer of steel lumber connectors and gives the Company
     its first manufacturing and distribution facility on the
     West Coast.  These three acquisitions compliment the
     Company's existing building and construction products
     business comprised of Southeastern Metals Manufacturing
     Company, Inc. (SEMCO), with facilities located in Florida,
     Georgia, Tennessee and Texas.   All of these facilities
     use precision engineering combined with slitting,
     stamping, roll forming and other processes to manufacture
     their various products.

                                  4     
     
     Precision Metal Products
     The Company's precision metal products are comprised primarily of
     higher value-added flat-rolled sheet steel, as well as steel
     strapping and other products.
     
     Precision Metal Processing.  The Company operates two precision
     metals facilities in New York and Tennessee which primarily
     process flat-rolled sheet steel.  In addition to slitting and
     cutting to length, these precision metals facilities can produce
     higher value-added products which are held to close tolerances
     and tight specifications through cold-rolling, annealing,
     blanking, oscillating and edging rolling.
     
     The Company also operates two precision metals facilities
     in Illinois and Alabama which process galvanized,
     Galvalume and prepainted steel and can slit and cut to
     length material based upon customer specifications.
     
     Steel Strapping.  Steel strapping is banding and packaging
     material that is used to close and reinforce shipping units
     such as bales, boxes, cartons, coils, crates and skids.  The
     Company believes that it is one of four major domestic
     manufacturers of high tensile steel strapping, which is used in
     heavy duty applications.  High tensile strapping is subject to
     strength requirements imposed by the American Society for
     Testing and Materials for packaging of different products for
     common carrier transport.  This high tensile steel strapping is
     essential to producers of large, heavy products such as steel,
     paper and lumber where reliability of the packaging material is
     critical to the safe transport of the product.
     
     The Company's QS9000 certified strapping facility manufactures
     high tensile steel strapping by slitting, oscillating, heat
     treating, painting and packaging cold-rolled coils.
     
     Steel strapping is cold-rolled to precise gauge on one of the
     Company's rolling mills, which incorporates hydraulic screw
     downs and automatic gauge controls with statistical charting.
     This process ensures strapping product of the most uniform
     gauge available and produces the maximum amount of strapping
     per pound of steel.  All products are tested by on-site
     laboratory personnel for width, thickness and other physical
     and metallurgical properties.
     
     To meet the differing needs of its customers, the Company
     offers its strapping products in various thicknesses, widths
     and coil sizes.  The Company also manufactures custom color and
     printed strapping.  In addition, the Company offers related
     strapping products, such as seals and tools, and is able to
     manufacture tensional strapping for lighter duty applications.

                                  5
     
     Other Products.  The Company's Solar acquisition produces
     a complete line of mailboxes manufactured primarily with
     galvanized steel.  The Company believes it is the largest
     manufacturer of mailboxes in the United States.
     
     Other Processes and Services
     Metallurgical Heat Treating Services.   The Company provides a
     wide range of metallurgical heat treating services  in which
     customer-owned parts are exposed to precise temperature and
     other conditions to improve their mechanical properties,
     durability and wear resistance.  These services include case-
     hardening, surface-hardening and through-hardening processes
     for customers in a wide variety of industries.  Using methods
     such as annealing,
     flame hardening, vacuum hardening, carburizing and nitriding,
     as well as a host of other services, these heat treating
     processes can harden, soften or otherwise impart desired
     properties on parts made of steel, copper and various alloys
     and other metals.  A variety of brazing services to join
     metallic objects together is also provided.
     
     The Company acquired Harbor Metal Treating Co., Inc.
     (Harbor) in October 1998 and now operates nine heat
     treating facilities in North Carolina, South Carolina,
     Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, Indiana and
     Illinois.  The Company maintains a metallurgical
     laboratory at each facility providing a range of testing
     capabilities to add value to treated parts and enhance
     quality control.  Consistent quality control is maintained
     by application of a statistical process control system.
     Additionally, the Company maintains a fleet of trucks and
     trailers to provide rapid turnaround time for its
     customers.
     
     Due to time and costs associated with transporting
     materials and customers' need for just-in-time delivery of
     heat treated products, the commercial heat treating
     industry has developed as a regional industry concentrated
     in major industrial areas of the country.  In addition,
     the commercial heat treating industry has realized
     significant growth in recent years as many companies
     involved in the manufacture of metal components outsource
     their heat treating requirements.  The Company believes
     that its heat treating facilities are strategically
     located to meet the needs of customers from a
     geographically diverse base of operations and to
     capitalize on the growing trend in outsourcing of heat
     treating operations.
     
     Materials Management Services.  The Company operates two
     materials management facilities that link primary steel
     producers and end-user manufacturers by integrating the
     inventory purchasing, receiving, inspection, billing, storage
     and shipping functions and producing true just-in-time delivery
     of materials.  These facilities receive shipments of steel by
     rail and truck from steel producers, which retain ownership of
     the steel until it is delivered to the end-user manufacturer.
     The Company inspects the steel and stores it in a climate-
     controlled environment through the use of a specialized stacker
     crane and racking system.  When an order is placed, the Company

                                  6
     
     often delivers the steel to the end-user manufacturer within
     one hour using Company-owned trucks that have been custom
     designed to facilitate the loading and unloading process.
     
     Steel Pickling Joint Venture.  The Company is a minority
     partner in two steel pickling operations in Ohio.  After the
     hot-rolling process, the surface of sheet steel is left with a
     residue known as scale, which must be removed prior to further
     processing by a cleaning process known as pickling.  This joint
     venture pickles steel on a toll basis, receiving fees for its
     pickling services without acquiring ownership of the steel.
     
     Quality Control
     
     The Company carefully selects its raw material vendors and uses
     computerized inspection and analysis to assure that the steel
     and other metals which it processes will be able to meet the
     most critical specifications of its customers.  The Company
     uses documented procedures during the production process, along
     with statistical process control computers linked directly to
     processing equipment, to monitor that such specifications are
     met.  Physical, chemical and metallographic analyses are
     performed during the production process to verify that
     mechanical and dimensional properties, cleanliness, surface
     characteristics and chemical content are within specification.
     
     Suppliers and Raw Materials
     
     Steel and metal processing companies are required to maintain
     substantial inventories of raw materials in order to
     accommodate the short lead times and just-in-time delivery
     requirements of their customers.  Accordingly, the Company
     generally maintains its inventory of raw materials at levels
     that it believes are sufficient to satisfy the anticipated
     needs of the customers based upon historic buying practices and
     market conditions.  The primary raw material processed by the
     Company is flat rolled steel purchased at regular intervals
     primarily from 18 major North American suppliers and a limited
     number of foreign steel companies.  The Company has no long-
     term commitments with any of its suppliers.
     
     Technical Services
     
     The Company employs a staff of engineers and other technical
     personnel and maintains fully-equipped, modern laboratories to
     support its operations.  These laboratories enable the Company to
     verify, analyze and document the physical, chemical, metallurgical and
     mechanical properties of its raw materials and products.  
     Technical service personnel also work in conjunction with the sales 
     force to determine the types of steel required for the particular needs of
     the Company's customers.

                                  7

     Sales and Marketing
     
     The Company's products and services are sold primarily by
     Company sales personnel located throughout the United States
     and Mexico.  This marketing staff is supported by a vice
     president of sales for each of the Company's principal product
     lines.
     
     Customers and Distribution
     
     The Company has approximately 9,000 customers located
     throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico principally in
     the automotive, automotive supply, appliance, building and
     construction, machinery and steel industries.  Major customers
     include automobile manufacturers and suppliers, building and
     construction product distributors, and commercial and
     residential contractors.  No customer of the Company
     represented 10% or more of the Company's net sales for 1996,
     1997 or 1998.
     
     The Company manufactures its products exclusively to customer
     order rather than for inventory, except for building and
     construction products.  Although the Company negotiates annual
     sales orders with a majority of its customers, these orders are
     subject to customer confirmation as to product amounts and
     delivery dates.
     
     Competition
     
     The steel processing market is highly competitive.  The Company
     competes with a small number of other steel processors, some of
     which also focus on fully processed, high value-added steel
     products.  The Company competes on the basis of the precision
     and range of achievable tolerances, quality, price and the
     ability to meet delivery schedules dictated by customers.
     
     The Company also competes with a small number of other steel
     strapping manufacturers on the basis of quality, price, product
     variety and the ability to meet delivery schedules dictated by
     customers.
     
     The Company competes with numerous suppliers of building and
     construction products in its market on the basis of quality,
     price and delivery.
     
     The Company competes with a small number of suppliers of heat
     treating services in its market areas on the basis of quality,
     price, and delivery.

                                  8

     Employees
     
     At December 31, 1998, the Company employed approximately 2,700
     people, of which approximately 200 are represented by
     collective bargaining agreements.
     
     Backlog
     
     Because of the nature of the Company's products and the short
     lead time order cycle, backlog is not a significant factor in
     the Company's business.  The Company believes that
     substantially all of its backlog of firm orders existing on
     December 31, 1998 will be shipped prior to the end of 1999.
     
     Governmental Regulation
     
     The Company's processing centers and manufacturing facilities
     are subject to many federal, state and local requirements
     relating to the protection of the environment.  The Company
     believes that it is in material compliance with all
     environmental laws, does not anticipate any material
     expenditures in order to meet environmental
     requirements and does not believe that future compliance with
     such laws and regulations will have a material adverse effect
     on its results of operations or financial condition.
     
     The Company's operations are also governed by many other laws
     and regulations.  The Company believes that it is in material
     compliance with these laws and regulations and does not believe
     that future compliance with such laws and regulations will have
     a material adverse effect on its results of operations or
     financial condition.

                                    9          

     Item 2. Description of Properties
     
     The Company maintains its corporate headquarters in Buffalo,
     New York and conducts its business operations in facilities
     located throughout the United States.
     
     The Company believes that its primary existing facilities,
     listed below, and their equipment are effectively utilized,
     well maintained, in good condition and will be able to
     accommodate its capacity needs through 1999.
                                                          Square     Owned or
     Location               Utilization                   Footage      Leased
     Buffalo, New York      Headquarters                  23,000       Leased
     Buffalo, New York      Precision metals processing;
                            warehouse                    207,000        Owned
     Cheektowaga, New York  Cold-rolled strip steel 
                            processing and strapping 
                            products                     148,000        Owned
     Tonawanda, New York    Cold-rolled strip steel 
                            and precision metals 
                            processing                   128,000        Owned
     Lackawanna, New York   Materials management facility 65,000        Leased
     Dearborn, Michigan     Strapping tool products        3,000        Owned
     Woodhaven, Michigan    Materials management facility 100,000       Owned
     Franklin Park, Illinois Coated sheet steel and 
                             precision metals processing  99,000       Owned
     Birmingham, Alabama    Coated sheet steel and 
                            precision metals processing   97,900       Leased
     Cleveland, Ohio        Cold-rolled strip steel 
                            processing                   259,000       Owned
     Chattanooga, Tennessee Steel processing              65,000       Owned
     Brownsville, Texas     Distribution warehouse        15,000       Leased
     Troy, Michigan         Sales office                     800       Leased
     Fountain Inn, 
      S. Carolina           Heat treating services        77,400       Leased
     Reidsville, 
      N. Carolina           Heat treating services        53,500       Leased
     Morristown, Tennessee  Heat treating services        24,200       Owned
     Conyers, Georgia       Heat treating services        18,700       Leased
     Athens, Alabama        Heat treating services        20,000       Leased
     Charlotte, N. Carolina Administrative office          3,400       Leased
     Benton Harbor, 
      Michigan              Administration office 
                            and heat treating services    56,700       Owned
     Benton Harbor, 
      Michigan              Warehouse                     25,000       Leased
     South Bend, Indiana    Heat treating services        33,900       Owned
     Rockford Illinois      Heat treating services        15,600       Owned
     Rockford, Illinois     Heat treating services        54,400       Owned
     Jacksonville, Florida  Administrative office and
                            construction products 
                            manufacturing                261,400       Leased
     Miami, Florida         Construction products 
                            manufacturing                 77,000       Leased
     Tampa, Florida         Construction products 
                            manufacturing                 50,000       Leased
     Nashville, Tennessee   Construction products 
                            manufacturing                 52,500       Leased
     San Antonio, Texas     Construction products 
                            manufacturing                 70,000       Leased
     Houston, Texas         Construction products 
                            manufacturing                 48,200       Leased
     Vidalia, Georgia       Construction products 
                            manufacturing                 34,000       Leased
     Taylorsville, 
      Mississippi           Construction products 
                             manufacturing                53,600       Owned
     Taylorsville, 
      Mississippi           Construction products 
                             manufacturing               238,700       Owned

                                  10

     Enterprise, Mississippi Construction products 
                             manufacturing               194,300       Owned
     Appleton, Wisconsin    Construction products 
                            manufacturing                100,300       Owned
     Appleton, Wisconsin    Construction products 
                            manufacturing                 42,600       Owned
     Joplin, Missouri       Construction products 
                            manufacturing                 45,400       Owned
     Montogomery, Minnesota Administrative office and 
                            construction products 
                            manufacturing                115,600       Owned
     Montogomery, Minnesota Construction products 
                            manufacturing                 22,000       Leased
     LeCenter, Minnesota    Construction products 
                            manufacturing                 15,000       Leased
     Livermore, California  Construction products 
                            manufacturing                103,500       Leased
     North Wilkesboro,
      N.Carolina            Warehouse                     23,500       Leased
     Hainesport, New Jersey Warehouse                     10,800       Leased
     
     
     
     Item 3. Legal Proceedings
     
     From time to time, the Company is named a defendant in legal
     actions arising out of the normal course of business.  The
     Company is not a party to any pending legal proceeding the
     resolution of which the management of the Company believes will
     have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of
     operations or financial condition or to any other pending legal
     proceedings other than ordinary, routine litigation incidental
     to its business.  The Company maintains liability insurance
     against risks arising out of the normal course of business.
     
     Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
     
     Not applicable.

                                    11

                                PART II
                                   
     Item 5. Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
     
     As of  December 31, 1998, there were 140 shareholders of record
     of the Company's common stock.  However, the Company believes
     that it has a significantly higher number of shareholders
     because of the number of shares that are held by nominees.
     
     The Company's common stock is traded in the over-the-counter
     market and quoted on the National Association of Securities
     Dealers Automated Quotation System - National Market System
     ("Nasdaq").  Its trading symbol is "ROCK".  The following table
     sets forth the high and low sales prices per share for the
     Company's common stock for each quarter of 1998 and 1997:
     
            1998                         High            Low
            Fourth Quarter             $ 22 7/8        $15
            Third Quarter                23             14 3/8
            Second Quarter               25 1/4         20 1/2
            First Quarter                25 3/4         18 1/2

            1997
            Fourth Quarter            $  25 1/2        $17 3/4
            Third Quarter                28             20 3/4
            Second Quarter               25 1/2         18 7/8
            First Quarter                26 3/4         18 1/4
     
     The Company has never paid cash dividends on its common stock
     as it has been the Company's policy to invest earnings in the
     future development and growth of the Company.

                                    12
     
 Item 6.  Selected Financial Data
         (in thousands, except per share data)
                                                                  
                                          Year Ended December 31,
                              1998       1997       1996      1995      1994
                                                 
 Net Sales                $ 557,944  $ 449,700  $ 342,974 $ 282,833 $ 200,142
 Income from operations      44,455     32,603     30,617    20,368    16,179
 Interest expense            11,389      5,115      3,827     3,984     1,374
 Income before income 
    taxes                    33,066     27,488     26,790    16,384    14,805
 Income taxes                13,226     11,072     10,815     6,662     5,996
 Net income                  19,840     16,416     15,975     9,722     8,809
                                                                    
                                                                    
 Net income per share-
    Basic                 $    1.59  $    1.33  $    1.42 $     .96 $     .87
 Weighted average shares
    outstanding-Basic        12,456     12,357     11,261    10,164    10,163
                                                                    
 Net income per share-
    Diluted               $    1.57  $    1.30  $    1.39 $     .95 $     .86
 Weighted average shares
    outstanding- Diluted     12,651     12,591     11,464     10,213   10,200

                                                                   
                                                                    
 Current assets           $ 175,834  $ 130,746  $ 109,526 $   86,995 $  70,552
 Current liabilities         51,598     43,101     40,853     29,480    22,028
 Total assets               438,435    281,336    222,507    167,423   126,380
 Total debt                 200,746     83,024     49,841     59,054    38,658
 Shareholders' equity       160,308    140,044    121,744     70,244    60,396
                                                                     
 Capital expenditures     $  22,062  $  21,784  $  15,477 $   14,504 $  16,171
 Depreciation and
    amortization             13,333      8,478      6,246      4,538     3,445
13 Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Results of Operations Year Ended 1998 Compared to Year Ended 1997 Net sales increased $108.2 million, or 24%, to a record $557.9 million in 1998 from $449.7 million in 1997. This increase primarily resulted from including the net sales of Solar (acquired March 1, 1998), Appleton (acquired April 1, 1998), USP (acquired June 1, 1998) and Harbor (acquired October 1, 1998) (collectively, the 1998 acquisitions) from their respective acquisition dates with the net sales of the Company's existing operations, and from sales growth at existing operations. Cost of sales increased $80.9 million, or 22%, to $456.4 million in 1998 from $375.5 million in 1997. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 81.8% in 1998 from 83.5% in 1997. This improvement was due to the 1998 acquisitions, which have historically generated higher margins than the Company's existing operations, and due to lower raw material costs at existing operations. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $15.5 million, or 37%, to $57.0 million in 1998 from $41.6 million in 1997. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 10.2% in 1998 from 9.2% in 1997. This increase was primarily due to higher costs as a percentage of net sales due to acquisitions and performance based compensation linked to the Company's sales and profitability. Interest expense increased by $6.3 million from 1997 to 1998 primarily due to higher average borrowings during 1998 as a result of current year acquisitions and capital expenditures, partially offset by a decrease in interest rates in the fourth quarter of 1998. As a result of the above, income before taxes increased by $5.6 million, or 20%, to a record $33.1 million in 1998 from $27.5 million in 1997. Income taxes approximated $13.2 million in 1998, based on a 40.0% effective rate compared with a 40.3% effective rate in 1997. Year Ended 1997 Compared to Year Ended 1996 Net sales increased by $106.7 million, or 31%, to $449.7 million in 1997 from $343.0 million in 1996. This increase primarily resulted from the inclusion of net sales of SEMCO (acquired January 1997) and sales growth at existing operations. Cost of sales increased $93.8 million, or 33%, to $375.5 million in 1997 from $281.7 million in 1996. Cost of sales increased to 83.5% of net sales in 1997 from 82.1% of net sales in 1996. This increase was due to higher raw material costs which were not fully passed through to customers, partially offset by higher margins on SEMCO sales. Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $10.9 million, or 36%, to $41.6 million in 1997 from $30.6 million in 1996. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased from 8.9% in 1996 to 9.2% in 1997. This increase was primarily due to higher costs as a percentage of sales attributable to SEMCO. Interest expense increased by $1.3 million from 1996 to 1997 primarily due to higher average borrowings as a result of the SEMCO acquisition and capital expenditures. 14 As a result of the above, income before taxes increased by $.7 million, or 3%, to $27.5 million in 1997 from $26.8 million in 1996. Income taxes approximated $11.1 million in 1997, an effective rate of 40.3% in comparison with 40.4% in 1996. Liquidity and Capital Resources During 1998, the Company increased its working capital by $36.6 million to $124.2 million as a result of the addition of working capital from the 1998 acquisitions and due to working capital increases at the Company's existing operations. As a result, the Company's current ratio improved to 3.4 to 1 at December 31, 1998 from 3.0 to 1 at December 31, 1997. Long-term debt increased by $117.6 million to $199.4 million and to 55% of total capitalization at December 31, 1998. Additionally, shareholders' equity increased by 14% to $160.3 million. The Company's principal capital requirements are to fund its operations, including working capital requirements, the purchase and funding of improvements to its property and equipment, and to fund acquisitions. The Company's primary sources of liquidity are from cash provided by operating activities and the Company's revolving credit facility. Net cash provided by operations of $13.3 million resulted primarily from net income of $19.8 million and depreciation and amortization of $13.3 million, offset by increases in accounts receivable and inventories of $11.7 million, necessary to service increased sales levels, and the decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $7.6 million. During 1998, the Company amended its revolving credit agreement with its bank group to increase the capacity of its revolver to $240 million and secure borrowings thereunder with its accounts receivable, inventories and property. At December 31, 1998, the Company had five interest rate swap agreements outstanding which effectively converted $75 million of borrowings under the revolving credit agreement to fixed rates ranging from 6.60% to 7.31% and which terminate at different dates beginning in November 2000. The Company accounts for interest rate swap agreements on an accrual basis. Additional borrowings under the revolving credit facility carry interest at LIBOR plus a fixed rate. The weighted average interest rate of these borrowings was 6.71% at December 31, 1998. Net cash provided by operations of $13.3 million combined with net proceeds from long-term debt of $107.3 million and $.6 million of cash on hand were primarily used for the acquisition of Solar, Appleton, USP and Harbor, and for capital expenditures. The Company believes that availability under its credit facility, together with funds generated from operations, will be more than sufficient to provide the Company with the liquidity and capital resources necessary to fund its anticipated working capital requirements, acquisitions and capital expenditure commitments for the next twelve months. The Company believes that environmental issues will not require the expenditure of material amounts for environmental compliance in the future. 15 Impact of Year 2000 The Year 2000 issue concerns the inability of some computer hardware and software to distinguish between the year 1900 and the year 2000. If not corrected, computer applications could fail or create erroneous results. The Company is conducting a detailed assessment of all of its information technology and non-information technology hardware and software with regard to Year 2000 issues. The Company's plan to ensure that its systems are Year 2000 ready is comprised of: cataloging all processes and systems which may have a date-related component and identifying those which are not Year 2000 ready; correcting or replacing those systems which are not Year 2000 ready; and testing the corrected or replaced processes and systems to insure that they will, in fact, operate as desired according to Year 2000 requirements. The Company is in various stages of its Year 2000 readiness process at each of its facilities and expects to complete testing of the corrected or replaced systems and be fully Year 2000 ready by July 1999. In addition, the Company is working with its major customers and major vendors, including raw material suppliers and utility companies, to assess their internal state of Year 2000 readiness. These customer and vendor responses are evaluated for any possible risk to, or effect on, the Company's operations and are incorporated into its own detailed Year 2000 readiness assessment. Costs specifically associated with modifying internal use software for Year 2000 readiness are expensed as incurred but have not been, and are not expected to be, material to the Company's net income. Costs of replacing some of the Company's systems with Year 2000 ready systems have been capitalized as these new systems were acquired for business reasons and not to remediate Year 2000 problems, if any, in the former systems. Based upon the results of Year 2000 readiness efforts underway, the Company believes that all critical information and non-information technology systems and processes will be Year 2000 ready and allow the Company to continue operations beyond the Year 2000 without a material impact on its results of operations or financial position. However, unanticipated problems which may be identified in the ongoing Year 2000 readiness process could result in an undetermined financial risk. Contingency plans to counter these unanticipated problems will be developed as part of the ongoing Year 2000 readiness process. Recent Accounting Pronouncement In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (FAS No. 133) which requires recognition of the fair value of derivatives in the statement of financial position, with changes in the fair value recognized either in earnings or as a component of other comprehensive income dependent upon the hedging nature of the derivative. Implementation of FAS No. 133 is required for fiscal 2000. FAS No. 133 will not have a material impact on the Company's earnings or other comprehensive income. 16 Safe Harbor Statement The Company wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Statements by the Company, other than historical information, constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Act and may be subject to a number of risk factors. Factors that could affect these statements include, but are not limited to, the following: the impact of changing steel prices on the Company's results of operations; changing demand for the company's products and services; the impact of the Year 2000 issue; and changes in interest or tax rates. 17 Company Responsibility For Financial Statements The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Gibraltar Steel Corporation have been prepared by management, which is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. The statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and include amounts based on management's best estimates and judgments. Financial information elsewhere in this Annual Report is consistent with that in the consolidated financial statements. The Company has established and maintains a system of internal control designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded and that the financial records reflect the authorized transactions of the Company. The financial statements have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants. As part of their audit of the Company's 1998 financial statements, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP considered the Company's system of internal control to the extent they deemed necessary to determine the nature, timing and extent of their audit tests. The Board of Directors pursues its responsibility for the Company's financial reporting through its Audit Committee, which is composed entirely of outside directors. The independent accountants have direct access to the Audit Committee, with and without the presence of management representatives, to discuss the results of their audit work and their comments on the adequacy of internal accounting controls and the quality of financial reporting. Brian J. Lipke Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Walter T. Erazmus Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 18 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Page Number Index to Financial Statements: Financial Statements: Report of Independent Accountants 20 Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 1998 and 1997 21 Consolidated Statement of Income for the three years ended December 31, 1998 22 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31, 1998 23 Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity for the three years ended December 31, 1998 24 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 25 Supplementary Data: Quarterly Unaudited Financial Data 35 19 Report of Independent Accountants To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Gibraltar Steel Corporation In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Gibraltar Steel Corporation and its subsidiaries at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Buffalo, New York January 21, 1999 20 GIBRALTAR STEEL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (in thousands, except share and per share data) December 31, 1998 1997 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,877 $ 2,437 Accounts receivable 71,070 49,151 Inventories 99,351 76,701 Other current assets 3,536 2,457 Total current assets 175,834 130,746 Property, plant and equipment, net 176,221 115,402 Other assets 86,380 35,188 $ 438,435 $ 281,336 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 38,601 $ 38,233 Accrued expenses 11,646 3,644 Current maturities of long-term debt 1,351 1,224 Total current liabilities 51,598 43,101 Long-term debt 199,395 81,800 Deferred income taxes 25,289 15,094 Other non-current liabilities 1,845 1,297 Shareholders' equity Preferred shares, $.01 par value; authorized: 10,000,000 shares; none outstanding - - Common shares, $.01 par value; authorized: 50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 12,484,418 shares in 1998 and 12,409,619 in 1997 125 124 Additional paid-in capital 66,613 66,190 Retained earnings 93,570 73,730 Total shareholders' equity 160,308 140,044 $ 438,435 $ 281,336
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 21 GIBRALTAR STEEL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (in thousands, except per share data) Year Ended December 31, 1998 1997 1996 Net sales $ 557,944 $ 449,700 $ 342,974 Cost of sales 456,449 375,537 281,717 Gross profit 101,495 74,163 61,257 Selling, general and 57,040 41,560 30,640 administrative expense Income from operations 44,455 32,603 30,617 Interest expense 11,389 5,115 3,827 Income before taxes 33,066 27,488 26,790 Provision for income taxes 13,226 11,072 10,815 Net income $ 19,840 $ 16,416 $ 15,975 Net income per share - Basic $ 1.59 $ 1.33 $ 1.42 Weighted average shares 12,456 12,357 11,261 outstanding - Basic Net income per share - Diluted $ 1.57 $ 1.30 $ 1.39 Weighted average shares 12,651 12,591 11,464 outstanding - Diluted
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 22 GIBRALTAR STEEL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) Year Ended December 31, 1998 1997 1996 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $ 19,840 $ 16,416 $ 15,975 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 13,333 8,478 6,246 Provision for deferred income taxes 1,693 2,227 774 Undistributed equity investment income (284) (444) (528) Other noncash adjustments 304 239 184 Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in (net of effects from acquisitions): Accounts receivable (5,363) (176) (1,225) Inventories (6,309) 1,607 (17,077) Other current assets (1,430) (726) 411 Accounts payable and accrued expenses (7,572) (2,597) 9,275 Other assets (899) (289) (244) Net cash provided by operating activities 13,313 24,735 13,791 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (99,415) (26,475) (23,715) Investments in property, plant and equipment (22,062) (21,784) (15,477) Net proceeds from sale of property and equipment 187 1,050 771 Net cash used in investing activities (121,290) (47,209) (38,421) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Long-term debt reduction (61,508) (79,962) (78,195) Proceeds from long-term debt 168,825 98,417 68,906 Net proceeds from issuance of common stock 100 911 35,341 Net cash provided by financing activities 107,417 19,366 26,052 Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (560) (3,108) 1,422 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 2,437 5,545 4,123 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 1,877 $ 2,437 $ 5,545
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 23 GIBRALTAR STEEL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (in thousands) Additional Common Shares Paid-in Retained Shares Amount Capital Earnings Balance at December 31, 1995 10,174 $ 102 $ 28,803 $ 41,339 Net income - - - 15,975 Public offering 2,050 20 34,370 - Stock options exercised 87 1 950 - Profit sharing plan contribution 11 - 184 - Balance at December 31, 1996 12,322 123 64,307 57,314 Net income - - - 16,416 Stock options exercised and related tax benefit 73 1 1,562 - Stock awards 4 - 82 - Profit sharing plan contribution 11 - 239 - Balance at December 31, 1997 12,410 124 66,190 73,730 Net income - - - 19,840 Stock options exercised and related tax benefit 8 - 119 - Restricted stock granted 55 1 - - Earned portion of restricted stock - - 87 - Profit sharing plan contribution 11 - 217 - Balance at December 31, 1998 12,484 $ 125 $ 66,613 $ 93,570
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 24 GIBRALTAR STEEL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Gibraltar Steel Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company). Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, checking accounts and all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less. Inventories Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Accelerated methods are used for income tax purposes. Interest is capitalized in connection with construction of qualified assets. Under this policy, interest of $404,000, $963,000 and $522,000 was capitalized in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Other Assets Goodwill is amortized over 35 years. Amortization expense was $1,949,000, $880,000 and $557,000 in 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively. 25 Shareholders' Equity In both July 1998 and 1997, the Company issued 11,000 of its common shares as a contribution to one of its profit sharing plans. Interest Rate Exchange Agreements Interest rate swap agreements, which are used by the Company in the management of interest rate risk, are accounted for on an accrual basis. Amounts to be paid or received under interest rate swap agreements are recognized as interest expense or income in the periods in which they accrue. Swaps are not used for trading purposes. Income Taxes The financial statements of the Company have been prepared using the asset and liability approach in accounting for income taxes which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of other assets and liabilities. Earnings Per Share Basic net income per share equals net income divided by the weighted average shares outstanding during the year. The computation of diluted net income per share includes all dilutive common stock equivalents in the weighted average shares outstanding. 2. ACQUISITIONS On October 1, 1998, the Company purchased all the outstanding capital stock of Harbor Metal Treating Co., Inc. and its affiliates (Harbor) for $13.5 million in cash. Harbor provides metallurgical heat treating services in which customer-owned parts are exposed to precise temperature and other conditions to improve their material properties, strength and durability. On June 1, 1998, the Company purchased all the outstanding common stock of United Steel Products Company (USP) for approximately $24 million in cash. USP designs and manufacturers steel lumber connector products for the building construction market. On April 1, 1998, the Company purchased the assets and business of Appleton Supply Co., Inc. (Appleton) for approximately $28 million in cash. Appleton manufactures louvers, roof edging, soffitts and other metal building products. On March 1, 1998, the Company purchased the assets and business of The Solar Group (Solar) for approximately $35 million in cash. Solar manufactures a line of construction products as well as a complete line of mailboxes, manufactured primarily with galvanized steel. On January 31, 1997, the Company purchased all of the outstanding capital stock of Southeastern Metals Manufacturing Company, Inc. (SEMCO) for approximately $25 million in cash. SEMCO manufactures a wide array of metal products for the residential and commercial construction markets. 26 These acquisitions have been accounted for under the purchase method. Results of operations of Harbor, USP, Appleton, Solar and SEMCO have been consolidated with the Company's results of operations from the respective acquisition dates. The aggregate excess of the purchase prices of these acquisitions over the fair market values of the net assets of the acquired companies is being amortized over 35 years from the acquisition dates using the straight-line method. The following information presents the pro forma consolidated condensed results of operations as if the acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 1997. The pro forma amounts may not be indicative of the results that actually would have been achieved had the acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 1997 and are not necessarily indicative of future results of the combined companies. (in thousands, except per share data) Year Ended December 31, 1998 1997 (unaudited) Net sales $ 596,437 $580,447 ====== ====== Income before taxes $ 34,309 $ 29,242 ====== ====== Net income $ 20,495 $ 17,260 ====== ====== Net income per share - Basic $ 1.65 $ 1.40 ====== ====== 3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Accounts receivable are expected to be collected within one year and are net of reserves for doubtful accounts of $1,230,000 and $990,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. 4. INVENTORIES Inventories at December 31 consist of the following: (in thousands) 1998 1997 Raw material $ 60,665 $ 51,804 Finished goods and work-in-process 38,686 24,897 Total inventories $ 99,351 $ 76,701 ====== ======
27 5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation, at December 31 consists of the following: (in thousands) 1998 1997 Land and land improvements $ 5,290 $ 2,984 Building and improvements 48,506 32,420 Machinery and equipment 160,633 99,737 Construction in progress 8,730 16,503 223,159 151,644 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 46,938 36,242 Property, plant and equipment, net $ 176,221 $ 115,402 ====== ====== 6. OTHER ASSETS Other assets at December 31 consist of the following: (in thousands) 1998 1997
Goodwill, net $ 79,971 $ 30,275 Equity interest in partnership 4,020 3,736 Other 2,389 1,177 Total other assets $ 86,380 $ 35,188 ====== ======
The Company's 26% partnership interest is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The partnership provides a steel cleaning process called pickling to steel mills and steel processors, including the Company. 28 7. DEBT Long-term debt at December 31 consists of the following: (in thousands) 1998 1997 Revolving credit notes payable $196,047 $ 77,400 Industrial Development Revenue Bond 3,905 5,048 Other debt 794 576 200,746 83,024 Less current maturities 1,351 1,224 Total long-term debt $199,395 $ 81,800 ====== ======
In October 1998, the Company amended its debt agreement increasing its revolving credit facility to $240,000,000. The facility is secured by the Company's accounts receivable, inventories, property and equipment and is committed through April 2003. This facility has various interest rate options which are no greater than the bank's prime rate. In addition, the Company may enter into interest rate exchange agreements (swaps) to manage interest costs and exposure to changing interest rates. At December 31, 1998 the Company had five interest rate swap agreements outstanding which effectively converted $75,000,000 of floating rate debt to fixed rates ranging from 6.60% to 7.31% and which terminate at different dates beginning November 2000. At December 31, 1998, additional borrowings consisted of $121,047,000 with an interest rate of LIBOR plus a fixed rate. The weighted average interest rate of these borrowings was 6.71% at December 31, 1998. In addition, the Company has an Industrial Development Revenue Bond payable in equal installments through May 2002, with an interest rate of LIBOR plus a fixed rate (6.67% at December 31, 1998), which financed the cost of its Tennessee expansion under a capital lease agreement. The cost of the facility and equipment equal the amount of the bond and includes accumulated amortization of $1,321,000. The agreement provides for the purchase of the facility and equipment at any time during the term of the lease at scheduled amounts or at the end of the lease for a nominal amount. The aggregate maturities on long-term debt including lease purchase obligations for the five years following December 31, 1998 are as follows: 1999, $1,351,000; 2000, $1,203,000; 2001, $1,209,000; 2002, $825,000 and 2003, $196,102,000. The Company had no amounts outstanding under short-term borrowing for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997. The various loan agreements, which do not require compensating balances, contain provisions that limit additional borrowings and require maintenance of minimum net worth and financial ratios. The Company is in compliance with the terms and provisions of all its financing agreements. 29 Total cash paid for interest in the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $11,257,000, $6,155,000 and $4,701,000, respectively. 8. LEASES The Company leases certain facilities and equipment under operating leases. Rent expense under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $3,554,000, $3,771,000 and $2,358,000, respectively. Future minimum lease payments under these operating leases are $2,899,000, $2,446,000, $2,159,000, $1,916,000 and $1,817,000 for the years 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively, and $4,979,000 thereafter through 2038. 9. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS During 1998, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 132 Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and other Post- Retirement Benefits (FAS No. 132). Adoption of FAS No. 132 did not effect the Company's results of operations or financial position. Non-union employees participate in various profit sharing plans. Contributions to these plans are funded annually and are based on a percentage of pretax income or amounts determined by the Board of Directors. Certain subsidiaries have multi-employer non-contributory retirement plans providing for defined contributions to union retirement funds. A supplemental pension plan provides defined pension benefits to certain salaried employees upon retirement. Net unfunded periodic pension costs of $166,000 and $154,000 were accrued under this plan in 1998 and 1997, respectively, and consisted primarily of service cost using a discount rate of 6.5% and 7.0%, respectively. Total expense for all retirement plans was $1,774,000, $1,258,000 and $1,066,000 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. 10. OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS Certain subsidiaries of the Company provide health and life insurance to substantially all of their employees and to a number of retirees and their spouses. The net periodic post- retirement benefit cost charged to expense consisting of service cost, interest cost and amortization of transition obligations was $255,000, $223,000 and $237,000 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. 30 The approximate unfunded accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation at December 31, consists of the following: (in thousands) 1998 1997 Retirees $ 474 $ 482 Other fully eligible participants 341 308 Other active participants 1,290 1,018 $ 2,105 $ 1,808 ===== =====
The accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation was determined using a weighted average discount rate of 6.5% in 1998 and 7.0% in 1997. The medical inflation rate was assumed to be 7% in 1998, with a gradual reduction to 5% over two years. The effect of a 1% increase or decrease in the annual medical inflation rate would increase or decrease the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation at December 31, 1998 by approximately $371,000 and increase or decrease the annual service and interest costs by approximately $39,000. One of the Company's subsidiaries also provides post- retirement health care benefits to its unionized employees through contributions to a multi-employer health care plan. 11. INCOME TAXES The provision for income taxes consists of the following: (in thousands) 1998 1997 1996 Current tax expense Federal $ 9,749 $ 7,514 $ 8,774 State 1,784 1,331 1,267 Total current 11,533 8,845 10,041 Deferred tax expense Federal 1,628 2,036 670 State 65 191 104 Total deferred 1,693 2,227 774 Total provision $ 13,226 $ 11,072 $ 10,815 ===== ===== =====
31 Deferred tax liabilities (assets) at December 31, consist of the following: (in thousands) 1998 1997 Depreciation $ 25,088 $ 14,129 Inventory method change 1,344 1,588 Other 2,011 1,371 Gross deferred tax liabilities 28,443 17,088 State taxes (1,062) (656) Other (3,849) (2,074) Gross deferred tax assets (4,911) (2,730) Net deferred tax liabilities $ 23,532 $ 14,358 ===== =====
The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable U.S. statutory federal income tax rate to income before taxes as a result of the following differences: (in thousands) 1998 1997 1996 Statutory U.S. tax rates $ 11,573 $ 9,621 $ 9,376 Increase in rates resulting from: State and local taxes, net 1,202 989 891 Other 451 462 548 $13,226 $11,072 $10,815 ===== ===== =====
Total cash paid for income taxes in the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $9,180,000, $9,100,000 and $9,639,000, respectively. 32 12. EARNINGS PER SHARE Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 Earnings Per Share requires dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share on the face of the income statement. The reconciliation between the computations is as follows: Basic Diluted Diluted Income Shares Basic EPS Shares EPS 1998 $19,840,000 12,455,554 $1.59 12,651,119 $1.57 1997 $16,416,000 12,357,186 $1.33 12,591,019 $1.30 1996 $15,975,000 11,260,956 $1.42 11,463,508 $1.39
Included in diluted shares are common stock equivalents of 195,565, 233,833, and 202,552 relating to options for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. 13. STOCK OPTIONS The Company may grant non-qualified stock options to officers, employees, non-employee directors and advisers at an exercise price equal to 100% of market price, and incentive stock options to officers and other key employees at an exercise price not less than 100% of market price, up to an aggregate of 400,000 and 850,000 shares, respectively. The options may be exercised in cumulative annual increments of 25% commencing one year from the date of grant and expire ten years from the date of grant. The following table summarizes the option plans' activity for the years ended December 31: Options Weighted Average Options Weighted Average Outstanding Exercise Price Exercisable Exercise Price Balance at January 1, 1996 470,000 $10.78 171,875 $10.85 Granted 173,750 16.75 Exercised (87,500) 10.87 Balance at December 31, 1996 556,250 $12.63 201,875 $10.80 Granted 220,450 21.75 Exercised (72,219) 11.49 Forfeited (11,250) 10.75 Balance at December 31, 1997 693,231 $15.68 282,781 $11.55 Granted 336,650 17.36 Exercised (8,749) 11.12 Forfeited (24,502) 17.48 Balance at December 31, 1998 996,630 $16.24 406,993 $13.30 ======
The Company realized tax benefits of $20,000 and $733,000 in the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, associated with the exercise of certain stock options which have been credited to paid in capital. 33 Options outstanding at December 31, 1998 consisted of: Range of Weighted Average Exercise Options Remaining Weighted Average Options Weighted Average Price Outstanding Contractual Life Exercise Price Exercisable Exercise Price $10 - $11 297,001 5.3 years $10.79 280,439 $10.77 $15.63 - $22.50 699,629 8.8 years $18.56 126,554 $18.88 996,630 7.8 years $16.24 406,993 $13.30 ====== ======
The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (FAS No. 123). Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the option plans as stock options granted under these plans have an exercise price equal to 100% of the market price on the date of grant. If the compensation cost for these plans had been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards consistent with the method of FAS No. 123, the pro forma effect on the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 is as follows: As Reported Pro Forma As Reported Pro forma 1998 1998 1997 1997 Net Income $19,840,000 $18,976,000 $16,416,000 $16,108,000 Net Income per Share-Basic $1.59 $1.52 $1.33 $1.30
The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was used to estimate the fair value of the options granted on the date of grant. The fair values and assumptions used in the model, assuming no dividends, are as follows: Expected Risk-Free Fair Value Life Volatility Interest Rate 1998 Grant $7.71 5 years 43.7% 4.4% 1997 Grant $9.77 5 years 40.2% 6.1% 1996 Grant $7.44 5 years 38.1% 6.6% 1995 Grant $4.56 5 years 36.2% 5.7%
The Company also has a Restricted Stock Plan reserved for issuance of 100,000 common shares for the grant of restricted stock awards to employees and non-employee directors at a purchase price of $.01 per share. In 1997, 4,000 shares were awarded to non-employee directors under this plan and in 1998, 55,000 shares were awarded to employees. 14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Company is a party to certain claims and legal actions generally incidental to its business. Management does not believe that the outcome of these actions, which is not clearly determinable at the present time, would significantly affect the Company's financial condition or results of operations. 34 QUARTERLY UNAUDITED FINANCIAL DATA (in thousands, except per share data) 1998 Quarter Ended March 31 June 30 Sept. 30 Dec. 31 Total Net Sales $116,383 $144,882 $152,628 $144,051 $557,944 Gross Profit 20,160 26,893 27,691 26,751 101,495 Income From Operations 8,474 12,330 11,914 11,737 44,455 Net Income 4,121 5,751 5,146 4,822 19,840 Net Income Per Share-Basic $ .33 $ .46 $ .41 $ .39 $ 1.59 Net Income Per Share-Diluted $ .33 $ .45 $ .41 $ .38 $ 1.57 1997 Quarter Ended March 31 June 30 Sept. 30 Dec. 31 Total Net Sales $108,277 $119,213 $114,249 $107,961 $449,700 Gross Profit 18,698 19,917 18,147 17,401 74,163 Income From Operations 8,622 9,341 7,622 7,018 32,603 Net Income 4,446 4,697 3,787 3,486 16,416 Net Income Per Share-Basic $ .36 $ .38 $ .31 $ .28 $ 1.33 Net Income Per Share-Diluted $ .35 $ .37 $ .30 $ .28 $ 1.30
35 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure None. PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant Information regarding directors and executive officers of the Company is incorporated herein by reference to the information included in the Company's definitive proxy statement which will be filed with the Commission within 120 days after the end of the Company's 1998 fiscal year. Item 11. Executive Compensation Information regarding executive compensation is incorporated herein by reference to the information included in the Company's definitive proxy statement which will be filed with the Commission within 120 days after the end of the Company's 1998 fiscal year. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated herein by reference to the information included in the Company's definitive proxy statement which will be filed with the Commission within 120 days after the end of the Company's 1998 fiscal year. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions is incorporated herein by reference to the information included in the Company's definitive proxy statement which will be filed with the Commission within 120 days after the end of the company's 1998 fiscal year. 36 PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K Page Number (a) (1) Financial Statements: Report of Independent Accountants 20 Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 1998 and 1997 21 Consolidated Statement of Income for the three years ended December 31, 1998 22 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31, 1998 23 Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity for the three years ended December 31, 1998 24 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 25 (2) Supplementary Data Quarterly Unaudited Financial Data 35 (3) Exhibits The exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K included herein are set forth on the attached Exhibit Index beginning on page 39. (b) Reports on Form 8-K No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company during the three month period ended December 31, 1998. 37 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirement of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. GIBRALTAR STEEL CORPORATION By /s/Brian J. Lipke Brian J. Lipke President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. /s/ Brian J. Lipke President, Chief Executive Officer February 3, 1999 Brian J. Lipke and Chairman of the Board (principal executive officer) /s/ Walter T. Erazmus Treasurer and February 3, 1999 Walter T. Erazmus Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer) /s/ Neil E. Lipke Director February 3, 1999 Neil E. Lipke /s/ Gerald S. Lippes Director February 3, 1999 Gerald S. Lippes /s/ Arthur A. Russ, Jr. Director February 3, 1999 Arthur A. Russ, Jr. /s/ David N. Campbell Director February 3, 1999 David N. Campbell /s/ William P. Montague Director February 3, 1999 William P. Montague 38 Exhibit Index Exhibit Sequentially Number Exhibit Numbered Page 3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference to the same exhibit number to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-69304)) 3.2 Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant effective August 11, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998) 4.1 Specimen Common Share Certificate (incorporated by reference to the same exhibit number to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-69304)) 10.1 Partnership Agreement of Samuel Pickling Management Company dated June 1, 1988 between Cleveland Pickling, Inc. and Samuel Manu-Tech, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-69304)) 10.2 Partnership Agreement dated May 1988 among Samuel Pickling Management Company, Universal Steel Co. and Ruscon Steel Corp., creating Samuel Steel Pickling Company, a general partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-69304)) 10.3 Lease dated September 1, 1990 between Erie County Industrial Development Agency and Integrated Technologies International, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1(Registration No. 33-69304)) 10.4 Lease dated June 4, 1993 between Buffalo Crushed Stone, Inc. and Gibraltar Steel Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-69304)) 10.5* Employment Agreement dated as of July 9, 1998 between the Registrant and Brian J. Lipke (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998) 39 Exhibit Sequentially Number Exhibit Numbered Page 10.6 Gibraltar Steel Corporation Executive Incentive Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1(Registration No. 33-69304)) 10.7 Agreement dated June 29, 1992 for Adoption by Gibraltar Steel Corporation of Chase Lincoln First Bank, N.A. (now Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.) Non-Standardized Prototype 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1(Registration No. 33-69304)) 10.8* Gibraltar Steel Corporation Incentive Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-69304)) 10.9* Gibraltar Steel Corporation Incentive Stock Option Plan, Second Amendment and Restatement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-03979)) 10.10* Gibraltar Steel Corporation Incentive Stock Option Plan, Third Amendment and Restatement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997) 10.11* Gibraltar Steel Corporation Restricted Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-69304)) 10.12* Gibraltar Steel Corporation Restricted Stock Plan, First Amendment and Restatement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997) 10.13* Gibraltar Steel Corporation Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-69304)) 10.14* Gibraltar Steel Corporation Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, First Amendment and Restatement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-03979)) 10.15* Gibraltar Steel Corporation Profit Sharing Plan dated August 1, 1984, as Amended April 14, 1986 and May 1, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-69304)) 40 Exhibit Sequentially Number Exhibit Numbered Page 10.16* Changed in Control Agreement dated July 9, 1998 between Registrant and Brian J. Lipke (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998) 10.17* Form of Change in Control Agreement dated July 9, 1998 between Registrant and each of Neil E. Lipke, Eric R. Lipke, Walter T. Erazmus, Joseph A. Rosenecker, Carl P. Spezio and Andrew S. Tsakos (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998) 10.18 Credit Agreement dated as of September 15, 1997 among Gibraltar Steel Corporation, Gibraltar Steel Corporation of New York, Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and various financial institutions that are signatories thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1997) 10.19 Bond Purchase Agreement dated June 16, 1994 among the Industrial Development Board of the County of Hamilton, Tennessee, Fleet Bank of New York and Gibraltar Steel of Tennessee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-03979)) 10.20* Gibraltar Steel Corporation 401(k) Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-87034)) 10.21* First Amendment, dated January 20, 1995, to Gibraltar Steel Corporation 40l(k) Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994) 10.22 Real Property Lease Agreement dated February 14, 1996 between Blacksmith Leasing and Carolina Commercial Heat Treating, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-03979)) 10.23 Real Property Lease Agreement dated February 14, 1996 between Blacksmith Leasing and Carolina Commercial Heat Treating, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-03979)) 41 Exhibit Sequentially Number Exhibit Numbered Page 10.24 Lease dated as of August 12, 1995 between John W. Rex and Carolina Commercial Heat Treating, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-03979)) 21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant 43 27 Financial Data Schedule ________________________________ * Document is a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement 42
2
                                   
                             Subsidiaries

The following is a list of the subsidiaries of Gibraltar Steel
Corporation.  The names of indirectly owned subsidiaries are indented
under the names of their respective parent corporations:

Gibraltar Steel Corporation of New York                        New York
  Wm. R. Hubbell Steel Corporation                             Illinois
  Carolina Commercial Heat Treating, Inc.                      Nevada
  Southeastern Metals Manufacturing Company, Inc.              Florida
  Gibraltar Steel Corporation Flight Services Corp.            New York
  Solar Group, Inc.                                            Delaware
  Appleton Supply Co., Inc.                                    Delaware
  United Steel Products Company                                Minnesota
  Harbor Metal Treating Co.                                    Michigan
  Rock River Heat Treating Company                             Michigan
  Harbor Metal Treating of Indiana, Inc.                       Michigan
Gibraltar Strip Steel, Inc.                                    Delaware
Integrated Technologies International, Ltd.                    Delaware
Cleveland Pickling, Inc.                                       Delaware
GIT Limited                                                    New York
Gibraltar Steel Corporation of Tennessee                       Tennessee

                                  43

 

5 THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ON FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 1,000 US DOLLARS 12-MOS DEC-31-1998 JAN-01-1998 DEC-31-1998 1 1,877 0 72,300 1,230 99,351 175,834 223,159 46,938 438,435 51,598 199,395 0 0 125 160,183 438,435 557,944 557,944 456,449 456,449 57,040 0 11,389 33,066 13,226 19,840 0 0 0 19,840 1.59 1.57