L.B. Foster
FSTR
#8051
Rank
$0.29 B
Marketcap
$27.99
Share price
-0.04%
Change (1 day)
36.80%
Change (1 year)

L.B. Foster - 10-Q quarterly report FY


Text size:
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


Form 10-Q

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For Quarter Ended June 30, 1997

Commission File Number 0-10436


L. B. Foster Company
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware 25-1324733
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)



415 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15220
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)



(412) 928-3417
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes X No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the
registrant's classes of common stock as of the latest
practicable date.


Class Outstanding at August 8, 1997
-------- ------------------------------
Class A Common Stock, Par Value $.01 10,162,738 Shares
L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES


INDEX


PART I. Financial Information Page

Item 1. Financial Statements:

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets 2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income 3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 4

Notes to Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements 5



Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations 8


PART II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings 14

Item 4. Results of Votes of Security Holders 14

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 14


Signature 17
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands)


June 30, December 31,
ASSETS 1997 1996
<S> <C> <C>
Current Assets: --------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,453 $ 1,201
Accounts and notes receivable (Note 3):
Trade 40,793 49,468
Other 2,551 450
--------------------------
43,344 49,918
Inventories (Note 4) 53,662 42,925
Current deferred tax assets 664 1,214
Other current assets 312 398
--------------------------
Total current assets 99,435 95,656
--------------------------
Property, Plant & Equipment-At Cost 39,471 40,965
Less Accumulated Depreciation (20,328) (20,498)
--------------------------
19,143 20,467
--------------------------
Property Held for Resale 3,986 4,022
Other Assets 7,187 3,253
--------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS $129,751 $123,398
--------------------------
--------------------------

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of
long-term debt $ 1,332 $ 1,366
Short-term borrowings (Note 5) 17,918 6,000
Accounts payable 14,161 19,060
Accrued payroll and employee
benefits payable 2,567 3,543
Other current liabilities 1,186 2,160
--------------------------
Total current liabilities 37,164 32,129
--------------------------

Long-Term Debt 21,150 21,816
Deferred Tax Liabilities 474 394
Other Long-Term Liabilities 1,944 1,878

Stockholders' Equity:
Class A Common stock 102 102
Paid-in capital 35,445 35,276
Retained earnings 33,616 32,338
Treasury stock (144) (535)
--------------------------
Total stockholders' equity 69,019 67,181
--------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY $129,751 $123,398
--------------------------
--------------------------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)


Three Months Six Months
Ended Ended
June 30, June 30,
1997 1996 1997 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales $ 53,716 $ 64,758 $108,210 $113,061
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of Goods Sold 45,988 56,565 94,048 98,668
Selling and Admin-
istrative Expenses 5,825 5,610 11,127 11,013
Interest Expense 646 611 1,181 1,175
Other (Income) Expense (24) (209) (107) (336)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
52,435 62,577 106,249 110,520
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Before Income Taxes 1,281 2,181 1,961 2,541

Income Tax Expense 410 926 683 1,066
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income $ 871 $ 1,255 $ 1,278 $ 1,475
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings Per Common Share
(Note 6) $ 0.09 $ 0.13 $ 0.13 $ 0.15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Number of Common
Shares Outstanding 10,163 9,944 10,147 9,939
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Dividend per Common
Share $ - $ - $ - $ -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Thousands)


Six Months
Ended June 30,
1997 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net Income $ 1,278 $ 1,475
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
Provided (Used) by Operating Activities:
Deferred income taxes 630 1,066
Depreciation and amortization 1,333 1,608
Gain on sale of property, plant and
equipment (188) (413)
Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities:
Accounts receivable 6,574 (1,614)
Inventories (10,487) (3,273)
Property held for resale 36 1,342
Other current asset 86 233
Other non-current assets (297) (578)
Accounts payable-trade (4,899) (432)
Accrued payroll and employee benefits (976) (76)
Other current liabilities (974) (1,582)
Other liabilities 66 105
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Used by Operating Activities (7,818) (2,139)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of property, plant
and equipment 1,309 1,580
Capital expenditures on property, plant
and equipment (983) (1,129)
Purchase of DM&E stock (1,500)
Acquisition of business (2,500)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash (Used) provided by
Investing Activities (3,674) 451
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of revolving
credit agreement borrowings 11,918 2,485
Exercise of stock options 560 60
Payments of capital leases (734) (645)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities 11,744 1,900
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Increase in Cash and Cash
Equivalents 252 212

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning
of Period 1,201 1,325
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $ 1,453 $ 1,537
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:

Interest Paid $ 1,139 $ 1,201
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Taxes Paid $ 565 $ 241
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
During 1997 and 1996, the Company financed the purchase of
certain capital expenditures totaling $33,500 and $137,000,
respectively, through the issuance of capital leases.

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles for interim financial information
and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of
Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the
information and footnotes required by generally accepted
accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the
opinion of management, all estimates and adjustments (consisting
of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair
presentation have been included, however, actual results could
differ from those estimates. The results of operations for these
interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the
results that may be expected for the year ended December 31,
1997. For further information, refer to the consolidated
financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the
Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1996.


2. ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

In October 1995, the FASB issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation". The Company follows the requirements of
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees," in accounting for stock-based
compensation. The Company provides, when material,
the pro forma disclosures required by SFAS No. 123.

In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income" and SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise
and Related Information". The Company does not anticipate that the
reporting requirements of SFAS No. 130 or SFAS No. 131 will have a
material impact on existing disclosures.


3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Credit is extended on an evaluation of the customer's financial
condition and, generally, collateral is not required. Credit
terms are consistent with industry standards and practices.
Trade accounts receivable at June 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996
have been reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts of
$1,935,000 and $1,803,000, respectively. Bad debt expense was
$132,000 and ($30,000) for the three month periods ended June
30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
4. INVENTORIES

Inventories of the Company at June 30, 1997 and December 31,
1996 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30, December 31,
1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Finished goods $ 38,525 $ 31,347
Work-in-process 13,971 11,117
Raw materials 3,990 3,135
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total inventories at current costs: 56,486 45,599

(Less):
Current costs over LIFO
stated values (2,224) (2,074)
Reserve for decline in market
value of inventories (600) (600)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 53,662 $ 42,925
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Inventories of the Company are generally valued at the lower of
last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost or market. Other inventories of
the Company are valued at average cost or market, whichever is
lower. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method
can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory
levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO
calculations must necessarily be based on management's estimates
of expected year-end levels and costs.


5. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

The Company maintains a $45,000,000 revolving credit agreement.
The interest rate is, at the Company's option, based on the
prime rate, the domestic certificate of deposit rate (CD rate)
or the Euro-bank rate. The interest rates are adjusted
quarterly based on the fixed charge coverage ratio defined in
the agreement. The ranges are prime to prime plus 0.25%, the CD
rate plus 0.45% to the CD rate plus 1.125%, and the Euro-bank
rate plus 0.45% to the Euro-bank rate plus 1.125%. Borrowings
under the agreement, which expires July 1, 1999, are secured by
accounts receivable and inventory.

The agreement includes financial covenants requiring a minimum
net worth, a fixed charge coverage ratio, a leverage ratio and a
current ratio. The agreement also places restrictions on
dividends, investments, capital expenditures, indebtedness and
sales of certain assets.


6. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by
the average number of Class A common shares and common stock
equivalents outstanding during the periods ended June 30, 1997
and 1996 of approximately 10,163,000 and 9,944,000, respectively.
Common stock equivalents are the net additional number of shares
which would be issuable upon the exercise of the outstanding
common stock options, assuming that the Company used the
proceeds to purchase additional shares at market value. Common
stock equivalents had no material effect on the computation of
earnings per share for the periods ending June 30, 1997 and 1996.

In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued Statement No. 128, "Earnings per Share", which is
required to be adopted on December 31, 1997. At that time, the
Company will be required to change the method currently used to
compute earnings per share and to restate all prior periods.
Under the new requirements for calculating primary earnings per
share, the dilutive effect of stock options will be excluded.
The impact of Statement 128 on the calculations of primary and
fully diluted earnings per share for the second quarters ended
June 30, 1997 and June 30, 1996 is not material.


7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The Company is subject to laws and regulations relating to the
protection of the environment. While it is not possible to
quantify with certainty the potential impact of actions
regarding environmental matters, particularly any future
remediation and other compliance efforts, in the opinion of
management, compliance with the present environmental protection
laws will not have a material adverse effect on the financial
position, competitive position, or capital expenditures of the
Company. The Company will provide for any liability as defined
in SOP 96-1,"Environmental Remediation Liabilities. However,
the Company's efforts to comply with increasingly stringent
environmental regulations may have an adverse effect on the
Company's future earnings.

The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims which
arise in the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of
management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to
these actions will not materially effect the financial position
of the Company.

At June 30, 1997, the Company had outstanding letters of credit
of approximately $917,000.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales:
Rail Products $ 25,603 $ 25,109 $ 49,149 $ 48,628
Construction Products 13,985 23,663 33,183 39,681
Tubular Products 14,128 15,986 25,878 24,752
--------------------------------------------
Total Net Sales 53,716 64,758 108,210 113,061
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
Gross Profit:
Rail Products 3,746 3,549 6,433 7,063
Construction Products 2,486 3,294 4,864 5,371
Tubular Products 1,496 1,350 2,865 1,959
--------------------------------------------
Total Gross Profit 7,728 8,193 14,162 14,393
---------------------------------------------
Expenses:
Selling and admin-
istrative expenses 5,825 5,610 11,127 11,013
Interest Expense 646 611 1,181 1,175
Other (income) expense (24) (209) (107) (336)
---------------------------------------------
Total Expenses 6,447 6,012 12,201 11,852
---------------------------------------------
Income Before Income Taxes 1,281 2,181 1,961 2,541
Income Tax Expense 410 926 683 1,066
---------------------------------------------
Net Income $ 871 $ 1,255 $ 1,278 $ 1,475
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------

Gross Profit %:
Rail Products 14.6% 14.1% 13.1% 14.5%
Construction Products 17.8% 13.9% 14.7% 13.5%
Tubular Products 10.6% 8.4% 11.1% 7.9%
---------------------------------------------
Total Gross Profit % 14.4% 12.7% 13.1% 12.7%
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Second Quarter 1997 Results of Operations

The net income for the 1997 second quarter was $0.9 million or
$0.09 per share on net sales of $54 million. This compares to a
1996 second quarter net income of $1.3 million or $0.13 per
share on net sales of $65 million.

Rail products' second quarter net sales were 25.6 million in
1997 and $25.1 million in 1996. Construction products' second
quarter net sales decreased 41% from the year earlier quarter,
due primarily to the decline in piling sales which resulted from
the loss of our sheet piling producer and also, to lower
shipments of bridge and highway products. Tubular products' net
sales in the quarter were 12% lower than the year earlier
quarter due primarily to lower coating activity. Changes in net
sales are primarily the result of changes in volume rather than
changes in prices.

The gross margin percentage for the total company in the 1997
second quarter increased to 14% from 13% in the 1996 second
quarter. Rail products' gross margin percentage remained
approximately 14% while Construction products' gross margin
percentage increased 4% as a result of the reduced volume of
lower margin piling sales. The gross margin percentage
for tubular products climbed to almost 11% from 8% as
a result of higher margins on sales of coated pipe and coating
services sales.

Selling and administrative expenses increased 4% in the second
quarter of 1997 in comparison to the same period last year, due
in part to product development expenses associated with the
Monitor Group. Interest expense increased 6% from the year
earlier quarter due to higher borrowing costs resulting from the
increased investment in inventory associated with the purchase of
Bethlehem Steel's remaining sheet piling production. The total
income tax provision in the second quarter of 1997 decreased to 32%
of income before taxes as a result of reduced state income tax provisions.



First Six Months of 1997 Results of Operations

Net income for the first six months of 1997 was $1.3 million or
$0.13 per share on net sales of $108 million. This compares to
net income of $1.5 million or $0.15 per share for the first half
of 1996 on net sales of $113 million.

Rail products' net sales in the first half of 1997 were $49
million, the same as in the first half of 1996. Construction
products' net sales declined 16% due to the shut down of our
major piling producer and the decision to terminate the pile
driving equipment division. Tubular products' net sales were
$26 million in the first half of 1997 and $25 million in 1996.

The gross margin percentage for the Company was 13% in both the
first six months of 1997 and 1996. Rail products' gross margin
percentage declined from 14% to 13% while construction products'
gross margin increased to 15% from 14%. The gross margin
percentage for Tubular products increased to 11% from 8% due to
higher margins on sales of coated pipe and coating services as
stated earlier.

Selling and administrative expenses for the first six months of
1997 and 1996 were unchanged at $11 million. As noted
previously, the change in the state income tax provision had the
effect of lowering the effective rate by approximately 5% for
the first six months of 1997.
Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's ability to generate internal cash flow
("liquidity") results from the sale of inventory and the
collection of accounts receivable. During the first six months
of 1997, the average turnover rate for inventory decreased from
the prior year primarily due to purchases of sheet piling inventory.
The Company's supplier of sheet piling products, Bethlehem Structural
Products Corporation, shut down its hot rolled sheet piling
and structural products facility in Bethlehem, PA in March, 1997.
The Company purchased Bethlehem's remaining piling production, prior to
shutdown, and will use a portion of this inventory to maintain its rental
piling business beyond 1997. The turnover rate for accounts
receivable during the first six months of 1997 was higher than
during the same period of the prior year due to an increase in
collection rate. Working capital at June 30, 1997 was $62.3
million compared to $63.5 million at December 31, 1996.

During the first six months of 1997, the Company had capital
expenditures of $1.0 million. In addition, the Company
purchased the assets of the Monitor Group for $2.5 million and
increased its investment in the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern
Railroad Corporation by $1.5 million. Excluding acquisitions,
capital expenditures in 1997 are not expected to exceed $2.0
million and are anticipated to be funded by cash flow from
operations.

Total revolving credit agreement borrowings at June 30, 1997
were $35.9 million or an increase of $6.7 million from the end
of the prior year. At June 30, 1997, the Company had
approximately $8.2 million in available unused borrowing
commitment. Management believes its internal and external
sources of funds are adequate to meet anticipated needs.


Other Matters

In June, 1997, the Company increased its investment in the
Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Corporation (DM&E), a
privately-held, regional railroad which operates over 1,100
miles of track in five states, by acquiring $1.5 million of the
DM&E's Series B Preferred Stock and warrants. The Company
maintained its ownership of approximately 13% of the DM&E's
outstanding common stock on a fully diluted basis. The Company's
investment in the DM&E's stock is recorded in the Company's
accounts at its historical cost of $1.7 million including, $0.2
million of common stock and $1.5 million of the DM&E Series B
Preferred Stock and warrants. Although its market value is not
readily determinable, management believes that this investment,
without taking into account the DM&E's proposed Powder River
Basin project, could be worth significantly more than its
historical cost.

The DM&E announced in June, 1997 that it plans to build
approximately 250 miles of new railroad as an extension from the
DM&E's existing line into the low sulfur coal market of the
Powder River Basin in Wyoming and to rebuild approximately 650
miles of its existing track (the "Project"). The DM&E also has
announced that the estimated cost of this Project is $1.2
billion. The Project is subject to approval by the Surface
Transportation Board and the Project is scheduled to be
completed within 5 years if the DM&E is able to obtain the
required financing. Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. has been retained
by the DM&E to assist in identifying strategic partners to join
in the Project. The DM&E has stated that the DM&E could repay
project debt and cover its operating costs if it captures a 5%
market share in the Powder River Basin. If the Project proves
to be viable, management believes that the value of the
Company's investment in the DM&E could increase dramatically.

As stated previously, the Company intends to divest its
Fosterweld operations but does not expect to complete any sale
in the near-term. Additionally, the Company has terminated its
pile driving equipment business through sales and leases of its
remaining assets.

On May 6, 1997 the Company acquired the assets of the Monitor
Group. The Monitor Group designs, develops and assembles
portable mass spectrometers. Mass spectrometers are used to
measure gas compositions and concentrations for various
applications, including monitoring air quality for the mining
industry and serving as a process monitor and diagnostic tool in
chemical manufacturing industries. For the balance of 1997, the
Company anticipates that the Monitor Group's operating costs
will exceed the Division's revenue.

Management continues to evaluate the overall performance of
certain operations. A decision to terminate an existing
operation could have a material effect on near-term earnings but
would not be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition of the Company.


Outlook

As previously disclosed, the Company's primary supplier of hot
rolled sheet piling products has ceased operations as of March,
1997. The Company has agreed to become the exclusive
distributor of sheet piling for Chaparral Steel when it enters
this market. Chaparral has announced a plan to build a new
facility to produce sheet piling and expects to begin operations
in 1999.

The rail segment of the business depends on one source for
fulfilling certain trackwork contracts. The Company has
provided $5.6 million of working capital to this supplier in the
form of loans and advanced payments. If, for any reason, this
supplier is unable to perform, the Company could experience a
negative short term effect on earnings.

The Company's operations are in part dependent on governmental
funding of infrastructure projects. Significant changes in the
level of government funding of these projects could have a
favorable or unfavorable impact on the operating results of the
Company. Additionally, governmental actions concerning
taxation, tariffs, the environment or other matters could
impact the operating results of the Company. The Company's
operating results may also be affected by the weather.
Although backlog is not necessarily indicative of future
operating results, total Company backlog at June 30, 1997, was
approximately $70 million. This does not include the previously
awarded Tren-Urbano project which will have an order value of
$17 - $20 million. If this project was included in the
following table, Rail Products' backlog would be, at a minimum,
$53 million and the total backlog would be $87 million.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Backlog
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 30, December 31,
1997 1996 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)

<S> <C> <C> <C>
Rail Products $ 36,099 $ 46,035 $ 36,100
Construction Products 20,451 30,068 28,080
Tubular Products 13,372 16,403 11,328
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Backlog $ 69,922 $ 92,506 $ 75,508
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements relating to the potential value or viability of the
DM&E or the Project, or management's belief as to such matters,
are forward-looking statements and are subject to numerous
contingencies and risk factors. The Company has based its
assessments on information provided by the DM&E and has not
independently verified such information. In addition to matters
mentioned above, factors which could adversely affect the value
of the DM&E, its ability to complete the Project or the
viability of the Project include the following: any failure to
meet the requirements of the DM&E's credit agreements,
insufficient capital or operating cash flows, adverse weather
conditions, labor disputes, any inability to obtain necessary
environmental and other governmental approvals for the Project
in a timely fashion, an inability to obtain financing for the
Project, competitors' responses to the Project (such as cutting
coal-freight rates), changes in the demand for coal or
electricity and changes in environmental and other laws and
regulations.

The Company wishes to caution readers that various factors could
cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially
from those indicated by forward-looking statements made from
time to time in news releases, reports, proxy statements,
registration statements and other written communications
(including the preceding sections of this Management's
Discussion and Analysis), as well as oral statements made from
time to time by representatives of the Company. Except for
historical information, matters discussed in such oral and
written communications are forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to
general business conditions, the availability of material from
major suppliers, the impact of competition, the seasonality of
the Company's business, taxes, inflation and governmental
regulations.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 7, "Commitments and Contingent Liabilities", to the
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


Item 4. RESULTS OF VOTES OF SECURITY HOLDERS

At the Company's annual meeting on May 15, 1997, the
following individuals were elected to the Board of Directors:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

For Withheld
Name Election Authority
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
L. B. Foster II 8,809,273 104,293
J. W. Puth 8,812,756 100,810
W. H. Rackoff 8,812,792 100,774
R. L. Shaw 8,812,856 100,710
J. W. Wilcock 8,812,856 100,710
</TABLE>

Additionally, the shareholders voted to approve Ernst &
Young, LLP as the Company's independent auditors for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1997. The following table sets
forth the results of the vote for independent auditors:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Against
For Approval Approval Abstained
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
8,836,693 51,145 25,728
</TABLE>

Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

a) EXHIBITS

Unless marked by an asterisk, all exhibits are incorporated
herein by reference:



3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation as amended to date
filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 1987.

3.2 Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended to date, filed as
Exhibit 3.2 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993.

4A Rights Agreement, dated as of May 15, 1997, between
L. B. Foster Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company, including the form of Rights Certificate and the
Summary of Rights attached thereto, filed as Exhibit 4A
to Form 8-A dated May 23, 1997.
4.1      Amended and Restated Loan Agreement by and among the
Registrant and Mellon Bank, N.A., NBD Bank, and
Corestates Bank, N.A. dated as of November 1, 1995 and
filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995.

10.15 Lease between the Registrant and Amax, Inc. for
manufacturing facility at Parkersburg, West Virginia,
dated as of October 19, 1978, filed as Exhibit 10.15 to
Registration Statement No. 2-72051.

10.16 Lease between Registrant and Greentree Building
Associates for Headquarters office, dated as of June 9,
1986, as amended to date, filed as Exhibit 10.16 to Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988.

10.16.1 Amendment dated June 19, 1990 to lease between Registrant
and Greentree Building Associates, filed as Exhibit
10.16.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1990.

* 10.16.2 Amendment dated May 29, 1997 to lease between Registrant
and Greentree Building Associates.

10.19 Lease between the Registrant and American Cast Iron Pipe
Company for Pipe Coating Facility in Birmingham, Alabama
dated December 11, 1991 and filed as Exhibit 10.19 to
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991.

10.19.1 Amendment to Lease between the Registrant and American
Cast Iron Pipe Company for Pipe Coating Facility in
Birmingham, Alabama dated April 15, 1997.

* 10.33.2 Amended and Restated 1985 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as
amended and restated July 30, 1997. **

10.45 Medical Reimbursement Plan filed as Exhibit 10.45 to Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992. **

10.46 Leased Vehicle Plan as amended to date. Filed as Exhibit
10.46 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993. **

10.49 Lease agreement between Newport Steel Corporation and
L.B. Foster Company dated as of October 12, 1994 and
filed as Exhibit 10.49 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 1994.

10.50 L. B. Foster Company 1997 Incentive Compensation Plan.
Filed as Exhibit 10.50 to Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996. **
10.51     Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan.  Filed as Exhibit
10.51 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.
**

19 Exhibits marked with an asterisk are filed herewith.

** Identified management contract or compensatory plan or
arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit.


b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

On June 2, 1997, the Registrant filed a Current Report on Form 8-K
announcing that L. B. Foster Company declared a dividend distribution
of stock purchase rights.
SIGNATURE


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.



L. B. FOSTER COMPANY
(Registrant)


Date: August 11, 1997


By /s/ Roger F. Nejes
Roger F. Nejes
Sr. Vice President-
Finance and Administration
& Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer
and Duly Authorized Officer
of Registrant)