SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934




Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 22, 2003
                                                 -------------------------------


                                The Stanley Works
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)


 Connecticut                      1-5244                 06-0548860
----------------              ----------------         -------------------------
(State or other               (Commission              (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of                File Number)             Identification No.)
incorporation)



1000 Stanley Drive, New Britain, Connecticut            06053
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:(860) 225-5111
                                                   -----------------------------



                         Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)









                       Exhibit Index is located on Page 3
                                 Page 1 of 15 Pages



Item 7          Financial Statements and Exhibits.

   (c) 20(i)    Press Release dated July 22, 2003 announcing second quarter
                2003 results and providing third quarter and full year 2003
                guidance.

   (c) 20(ii)   Cautionary Statements relating to forward looking statements
                included in Exhibit 20(i).


Item 9.         Regulation FD Disclosure.

                The following information is being furnished under both Item 9
                and Item 12 of Form 8-K.  In a press release attached to this
                8-K, the company reported its results for the Second Quarter of
                2003 and providing third quarter and full year 2003 guidance.







                                Page 2 of 15 Pages








                                   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.



                            THE STANLEY WORKS



Date:  July 22, 2003   By:   /s/ Bruce H. Beatt
     ---------------   --------------------------------
                       Name:  Bruce H. Beatt
                       Title: Vice President, General
                              Counsel and Secretary





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

                           Current Report on Form 8-K
                               Dated July 22, 2003



                              Exhibit No.   Page
                              -----------   ----

                               20(i)          4

                               20(ii)        15














                                 Page 3 of 15 Pages




                                                                  Exhibit 20 (i)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stanley Works Reports Second Quarter Results

Earnings Consistent With Management Forecasts

New Britain, Connecticut, July 22, 2003. The Stanley Works (NYSE: SWK) announced
that second quarter 2003 net income was $12 million (14 cents per  fully-diluted
share) compared with $63 million (72 cents per  fully-diluted  share) last year,
and within the range of company estimates of 10-40 cents provided May 8.

This result  included $48 million (38 cents per fully diluted  share) of pre-tax
restructuring costs,  impairment charges,  other exit costs and certain one-time
expenses related to its CEO's previously announced  retirement.  Aside from such
costs,  earnings per fully diluted share were 52 cents,  at the upper end of the
company's estimate of 48-52 cents.

Reported  results  for the second  quarter and first six months of 2003 and 2002
are supplemented with related amounts and percentages that exclude restructuring
costs, impairment charges, other exit costs, one-time executive retirement costs
and a 2002  pension  gain.  Management  believes  these  supplemental  financial
measures  provide  useful  information  by removing  the effect of  variances in
reported results that are not indicative of fundamental changes in the company's
earnings capacity.  A full  reconciliation  with reported amounts is included on
pages 8-9.

Net  sales  were  $700  million,  up  8%  over  last  year  and  slightly  above
expectations.  Exclusive of the Best Access Systems acquisition,  sales declined
2% with  currency  adding 4%. Sales in the  consumer  channel  decreased  due to
continued  customer  inventory  reductions  and the  carryover  impact of a lost
region of a major customer in entry doors that occurred in the fourth quarter of
2002. In addition,  soft market conditions in the industrial channels continued,
and the closure of the Mac Direct model began to be felt.

                               Page 4 of 15 Pages



Operating  cash  flow  was $64  million  versus  $84  million  last  year.  On a
year-to-date basis,  operating cash flow was $116 million versus $105 million in
2002, and free cash flow (cash from  operations  less capital  expenditures)  of
$101 million was 37% higher than the first half of last year.

The company  recently  repurchased 3.9 million shares of common stock and agreed
to settle the  remainder of its equity hedge via the  repurchase  of 4.1 million
shares over the next four years.  The effects of these  second  quarter  actions
plus a settlement  resulting in the receipt of .4 million  shares from the hedge
banks,  were  increased debt of $213 million and a 9.5% reduction of outstanding
shares.  Using cash repatriated from foreign locations and operating cash flows,
$55 million of debt was repaid and, thus, total debt increased by $158 million.

Second  quarter 2003 gross margin was $231  million,  or 33.0% of sales,  versus
$223 million in the prior year.  This included $3 million of impairment  charges
and other exit costs related to the  termination of Mac Direct.  Aside from such
costs, gross margin was 33.5% versus 34.4% last year.

Selling,  general and administrative  ("SG&A") expenses of $174 million were $39
million above second quarter 2002 levels. Included in 2003 costs are $12 million
relating  primarily to the exiting of Mac Direct and $8 million of  compensation
recorded in connection with the retirement of the company's CEO. Such retirement
expenses  were  comprised of severance and pension as specified in an employment
contract entered into in 2000.

Aside from the  aforementioned  Mac Direct exit and executive  retirement costs,
SG&A  expenses  were $154 million,  or 22.0% of sales,  versus $127 million,  or
19.5%  of  sales  (exclusive  of  certain   non-recurring  charges  last  year),
reflecting the inclusion of Best Access Systems. On the same basis SG&A expenses
were $8  million  and 230 basis  points  lower  than the first  quarter of 2003,
reflecting the benefits of Operation 15 actions.

Resulting  operating  income  was $57  million  versus  $88  million  last year.
Operating  margins,  aside from the retirement,  impairment and other exit costs
referred  to above,  were  11.5%  versus  14.9%  last year and 9.0% in the first
quarter  of 2003 on  volume  leverage,  the  strength  of  Best  Access  Systems
performance,  and the early-stage  benefits of Operation 15.  Specifically,  the
organization  streamlining and exit of Mac Direct were completed with employment
reductions of just over 800 people.

                               Page 5 of 15 Pages



John M. Trani,  Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer  commented:  "Our people
executed the second  quarter  Operation 15 actions very well. We came very close
to our 12% operating margin objective.  Operation 15 is on track to deliver $100
million of annual savings, and the 15% rate depends, to a large extent, on sales
volume."

Tools operating margins were 5.0% versus 13.2% last year.  Excluding  impairment
and exit charges,  Tools operating margins of 9.3% improved 60 basis points over
the  first  quarter  of 2003 due to the  impact of  Operation  15.  Tools  sales
decreased 3% to $481 million due principally to weak consumer sales and the exit
of Mac Direct. Lower volume, pricing pressures and commodity cost inflation were
the principal causes of the lower margin versus 2002.

Doors operating margins were 15.1% versus 14.7% last year.  Excluding impairment
and exit charges, Doors margins of 16.1% improved 640 basis points over the 9.7%
realized in the first quarter due to growth in Access Solutions and Operation 15
actions.  Doors sales increased 43% to $219 million,  but organic sales declined
4% as weakness in consumer doors more than offset growth in Access Technologies.
Door Systems were  adversely  affected by the  previously  announced loss of one
region of a major retail customer in addition to customer inventory  reductions.
Improved mix due to inclusion of Best Access  Systems was primarily  responsible
for the margin gain versus the prior year.

A summary of pre-tax charges recorded in 2003 and referred to above follows:

                                       Second
    ($ millions)   First Quarter       Quarter          Year-To-Date
                   -------------       -------          ------------
     Op 15
      Mac Direct      $   14           $  28              $  42
      Other                -              12                 12
                          --              --                 --
      Total Op 15     $   14           $  40              $  54
     Severance             3               -                  3
     CEO Retirement        -               8                  8
                          --              --                 --
      Total           $   17           $  48              $  65

The  charges   pertaining  to  Operation  15  are  within  the  expected   range
communicated  during the company's May 8 analyst  meeting.  The company  expects
additional  charges to be incurred in the next few quarters in  connection  with
this profit improvement initiative.

                               Page 6 of 15 Page



Due to weaker than previously  expected  sales,  primarily in consumer tools and
entry doors,  the company  expects a third quarter net sales increase of only 4%
over the prior year. Accordingly,  earnings per fully diluted share are expected
to be in the range of 39-51  cents  and,  aside  from  12-21  cents of  expected
charges  related to Operation 15 actions,  in the range of 60-63 cents versus 62
cents last year.

Full year earnings per share are expected to approximate $1.10 per fully diluted
share, with the aforementioned  restructuring costs,  impairment charges,  other
exit costs and one-time  expenses  charges  approximating  $1.10 per share.  The
current  full-year  2003  First  Call  consensus  of  $2.20  per  share  appears
consistent with management expectations, aside from such charges. Achievement of
the stated  objective of a 15% operating  margin  exiting 2003  requires  higher
sales than expected;  however,  the company continues to expect solid sequential
operating margin gains.

The  Stanley  Works,  an S&P 500  company,  is a  worldwide  supplier  of tools,
hardware and door systems for  professional,  industrial  and consumer use. More
information about The Stanley Works can be found at http://www.stanleyworks.com.

Contact:          Gerry Gould
                  Vice President - Investor Relations
                  (860) 827-3833
                  ggould@stanleyworks.com

The Stanley  Works  corporate  press  releases are  available  on the  company's
corporate web site at http://www.stanleyworks.com. Click on "Investor Relations"
and then on "News Releases".

This press release contains  forward-looking  statements.  Cautionary statements
accompanying  these  forward-looking  statements are set forth,  along with this
news release,  in a Form 8-K filed with the Securities  and Exchange  Commission
today. The Stanley Works corporate press releases are available on the company's
Internet web site at www.stanleyworks.com.

                               Page 7 of 15 Pages



                       THE STANLEY WORKS AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
            (Unaudited, Millions of Dollars Except Per Share Amounts)



                                                         
                                   Second Quarter          Year to Date
                                  ----------------       ----------------
                                    2003     2002          2003    2002
                                  -------   ------       -------  -------
NET SALES                        $ 699.7    $ 649.1     $1,365.9  $1,265.8

COSTS AND EXPENSES
  Cost of sales                    468.7      426.1        916.4    827.3
  Selling, general
   and administrative              173.8      134.9        346.1    270.0
  Interest - net                     6.7        5.9         14.7     12.3
  Other - net                       10.7      (21.0)        18.3    (18.9)
  Restructuring charges
   and asset impairments            21.9         -          25.0       -
                                 --------- ---------    --------- ---------
                                   681.8      545.9      1,320.5  1,090.7
                                 --------  ---------    --------- ---------
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES        17.9      103.2         45.4    175.1
  Income taxes                       5.5       39.9         13.8     62.9
                                --------   ---------    --------- ---------
NET EARNINGS                     $  12.4   $   63.3     $   31.6  $ 112.2
                                 =======   =========    ========= =========


NET EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

  Basic                          $   0.14    $ 0.74     $   0.37   $  1.31
                                 ========    ======     ========   =======

  Diluted                        $   0.14    $ 0.72     $   0.36   $  1.28
                                 ========    ======     ========   =======

DIVIDENDS PER SHARE              $   0.26    $ 0.24     $   0.51   $  0.48
                                 ========    ======     ========   =======

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING (in thousands)

     Basic                        85,555     85,822      86,407    85,677
                                  ======     ======      ======    ======

     Diluted                      86,002     88,111      86,988    87,972
                                  ======     ======      ======    ======






                                  Page 8 of 15 Pages


                       THE STANLEY WORKS AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        (Unaudited, Millions of Dollars)


                                                  
                                    June 28, 2003    December 28, 2002
                                    --------------   -----------------
ASSETS

  Cash and cash equivalents             $  127.7          $  121.7
  Accounts receivable                      516.1             548.0
  Inventories                              448.0             414.7
  Other current assets                     108.1             106.0
                                           -----             -----
     Total current assets                1,199.9           1,190.4
                                         -------           -------
  Property, plant and equipment            465.5             494.8
  Goodwill and other intangibles           621.6             544.9
  Other assets                             183.5             188.1
                                           -----             -----
                                        $2,470.5          $2,418.2
                                        ========          ========


LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY

  Short-term borrowings                $   268.6          $  149.6
  Accounts payable                         248.2             260.3
  Accrued expenses                         276.9             271.0
                                           -----             -----
      Total current liabilities            793.7             680.9
                                           -----             -----
  Long-term debt                           635.0             564.3
  Other long-term liabilities              264.6             189.2
  Shareowners' equity                      777.2             983.8
                                           -----             -----
                                       $ 2,470.5          $2,418.2
                                       =========          ========








                                  Page 9 of 15 Pages



                       THE STANLEY WORKS AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          SUMMARY OF CASH FLOW ACTIVITY
                        (Unaudited, Millions of Dollars)



                                                         
                                   Second Quarter           Year to Date
                                  ----------------       ------------------
                                    2003     2002          2003     2002
                                  -------   ------       -------  ---------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
   Net earnings                   $  12.4   $ 63.3       $  31.6  $  112.2
   Depreciation and amortization     21.9     16.0          44.5      32.7
   Restructuring charges and
    asset impairments                21.9       -           25.0        -
   Other non-cash items              40.8    (2.6)          58.9     (17.7)
   Changes in working capital       (25.6)   12.8          (46.1)      6.9
   Changes in other operating
    assets and liabilities           (7.3)   (5.5)           1.9     (29.6)
                                     ----    ----            ---     -----
   Net cash provided by
    operating activities             64.1    84.0          115.8     104.5

INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Capital and software expenditures  (7.8)  (12.5)         (15.3)    (31.2)
  Business acquisitions and
    asset disposals                   2.6     5.6          (12.3)      9.3
  Cash dividends on common stock    (21.8)  (20.5)         (44.0)    (40.9)
  Other net investing and financing
    activity                        (65.4)  (26.9)         (38.2)    (17.3)
                                    -----   -----          -----     -----
  Net cash used in investing
   and financing activities         (92.4)  (54.3)        (109.8)    (80.1)

Increase (Decrease) in Cash
   and Cash Equivalents             (28.3)   29.7            6.0      24.4

Cash and Cash Equivalents,
 Beginning of Period                156.0   109.9          121.7     115.2
                                    -----   -----          -----     -----
Cash and Cash Equivalents,
 End of Period                    $ 127.7 $ 139.6        $ 127.7  $  139.6
                                    =====   =====          =====     =====














                               Page 10 of 15 Pages


                       THE STANLEY WORKS AND SUBSIDIARIES
     Consolidated Statements of Operations and Business Segment Information
                        Reconciliation to GAAP Earnings
                           Second Quarter 2003 vs. 2002
            (Unaudited, Millions of Dollars Except Per Share Amounts)

                                                     
                                 2003                         2002
                    -----------------------------  ----------------------------
                    Excluding    (a)                Excluding   (b)
                     Charges   Charges   Reported   Charges   Charges  Reported
                    --------   -------   --------   -------   -------  --------
Net sales           $  699.7  $    -    $ 699.7    $  649.1  $    -   $  649.1
Cost of sales          465.3     3.4      468.7       426.1       -      426.1
                       -----     ---      -----       -----    -----  --------
Gross margin           234.4    (3.4)     231.0       223.0       -      223.0
                        33.5%              33.0%       34.4%              34.4%

SG&A expenses          154.2    19.6      173.8       126.5      8.4     134.9
                       -----    ----      -----       -----      ---   -------
                       22.0%              24.8%        19.5%              20.8%

Operating profit       80.2    (23.0)      57.2        96.5     (8.4)     88.1
                       11.5%                8.2%       14.9%              13.6%

Interest, net           6.7       -         6.7         5.9        -       5.9
Other, net              7.7      3.0       10.7        (2.6)   (18.4)    (21.0)
Restructuring and asset
  impairment charges     -      21.9       21.9          -         -       -
                       ----     ----      ------       -----   ------   ------
Earnings before
  income taxes         65.8    (47.9)      17.9        93.2     10.0     103.2
Income taxes           21.0    (15.5)       5.5        29.9     10.0      39.9
                       ----     ----      -----        ----     ----      ----

Net earnings        $  44.8   $(32.4)    $ 12.4      $ 63.3    $  -  $    63.3
                    =======   ======     ======      ======     ====    =======

Average shares outstanding
(diluted, in thousands) 86,002  86,002   86,002      88,111    88,111   88,111
Earnings per share
 (diluted)          $   0.52  $ (0.38)    $ 0.14     $  0.72  $  -     $ 0.72
                    ========  =======     ======     ========  ======   ======
(Continued)
                              Page 11 of 15 Pages


(Continued)

                                2003                         2002
                    -----------------------------  ----------------------------
                    Excluding    (a)                Excluding   (b)
                     Charges   Charges   Reported   Charges   Charges  Reported
                    --------   -------   --------   -------   -------  --------
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
Net sales
    Tools           $ 481.0   $     -     $ 481.0    $  496.5  $    -  $ 496.5
    Doors             218.7         -       218.7       152.6       -    152.6
                      -----   --------      -----       -----   ------   -----
    Consolidated    $ 699.7   $     -     $ 699.7     $ 649.1  $    -  $ 649.1
                    =======   ========    =======     ======== =======  ======
Operating profit
    Tools           $  44.9   $  (20.7)   $ 24.2     $   73.4  $ (7.8) $  65.6
    Doors              35.3       (2.3)     33.0         23.1    (0.6)    22.5
                       ----       ----      ----         ----    ----     ----
    Consolidated       80.2      (23.0)     57.2         96.5    (8.4)    88.1
                    -------   --------    ------     --------  ------  -------
Interest, net           6.7         -        6.7          5.9       -      5.9
Other, net              7.7        3.0      10.7         (2.6)  (18.4)   (21.0)
Restructuring and asset
  impairment charges      -       21.9      21.9            -       -        -
                    -------   ---------  --------    --------  ------- --------
Earnings before
  income taxes      $  65.8    $ (47.9)   $ 17.9     $   93.2  $ 10.0  $ 103.2
                    =======    =======    ======     ========   ======  =======

(a) Includes Operation 15 restructuring  costs, asset impairment charges,  other
exit costs, and CEO retirement costs. Aggregate charges of $27.9 million arising
from the exit of Mac Direct retail  channel are  classified as follows:  Cost of
sales  - $3.4  million;  SG&A  -  $11.4  million;  Other,  net -  $3.0  million;
Restructuring and asset impairment  charges - $10.1 million.  In addition,  $7.5
million in  compensation  and benefit costs  associated with the CEO's announced
retirement  plans.  The  $11.8  million  in  remaining  restructuring  and asset
impairment charges is mainly  attributable to severance and related benefits for
headcount reductions pertaining to other Operation 15 initiatives.

(b) Reflects  $8.4 million for severance and related  expenses  associated  with
SG&A  reductions,  and $18.4 million in Other, net for the final settlement of a
defined benefit pension plan.



                               Page 12 of 15 Pages





                       THE STANLEY WORKS AND SUBSIDIARIES
     Consolidated Statements of Operations and Business Segment Information
                        Reconciliation to GAAP Earnings
                                YTD 2003 vs. 2002
            (Unaudited, Millions of Dollars Except Per Share Amounts)


                                                    
                               2003                         2002
                    -----------------------------  ----------------------------
                    Excluding    (a)                Excluding  (b)
                     Charges   Charges   Reported   Charges   Charges  Reported
                    ---------  --------  --------   --------  -------  --------
Net sales             $1,365.9   $   -   $1,365.9   $1,265.8   $   -   $1,265.8
Cost of sales            909.4      7.0     916.4      827.3       -      827.3
                         -----    -----     -----      -----   ------   -------
Gross margin             456.5     (7.0)    449.5      438.5       -      438.5
                          33.4%              32.9%      34.6%      -       34.6%
SG&A expenses            316.3     29.8     346.1      261.6      8.4     270.0
                         -----     ----     -----      -----      ---     -----
                          23.2%              25.3%      20.7%              21.3%

Operating profit         140.2    (36.8)    103.4      176.9     (8.4)    168.5
                          10.3%               7.6%      14.0%              13.3%
Interest, net             14.7       -       14.7       12.3        -      12.3
Other, net                15.3      3.0      18.3       (0.5)    (18.4)   (18.9)
Restructuring and asset
 impairment charges         -      25.0      25.0         -         -        -
                          ----     ----    ------      ------    ------   -----
Earnings before income
 taxes                   110.2    (64.8)     45.4      165.1      10.0    175.1
Income Taxes              34.5    (20.7)     13.8       52.9      10.0     62.9
                          ----    -----      ----        ----     ----     ----
Net earnings          $   75.7   $(44.1)  $  31.6    $  112.2   $   -    $112.2
                      ========   ======   =======    ========   ======   ======
Average shares outstanding
(diluted, in thousands)  86,988   86,988    86,988     87,972   87,972   87,972
Earnings per share
 (diluted)            $    0.87  $ (0.51) $   0.36    $  1.28   $   -    $ 1.28
                      =========  =======  ========    ========  ======   ======

BUSINESS SEGMENTS
Net sales
    Tools             $   948.1  $    -   $  948.1    $  974.5  $   -   $ 974.5
    Doors                 417.8       -      417.8       291.3      -     291.3
                          -----  -------   -------      ------  ------    -----
    Consolidated      $ 1,365.9  $    -   $1,365.9    $1,265.8  $   -  $1,265.8
                      =========   ======   =======    ========= ======  =======

Operating profit
    Tools             $    85.5  $ (34.5) $   51.0    $  135.2 $ (7.8) $  127.4
    Doors                  54.7     (2.3)     52.4        41.7   (0.6)     41.1
                           ----     ----      ----         ----   ----     ----
    Consolidated          140.2    (36.8)    103.4       176.9   (8.4)    168.5
                          -----    -----     -----       -----   ----     -----
Interest, net              14.7       -       14.7        12.3      -     12.3
Other, net                 15.3      3.0      18.3        (0.5) (18.4)   (18.9)
Restructuring and asset
  impairment charges         -      25.0      25.0          -       -       -
                           ----     ----    ------       -----  ------ -------
Earnings before income
  taxes               $   110.2  $ (64.8)  $  45.4    $  165.1 $  10.0 $ 175.1
                       ========  =======   =======    ========= ======= =======
(Continued)
                              Page 13 of 15 Pages


(Continued)

(a) Includes Operation 15 restructuring costs, asset impairments charges,  other
exit costs, and CEO retirement costs. Aggregate charges of $41.7 million arising
from the exit of Mac Direct retail  channel are  classified as follows:  Cost of
sales  - $7.0  million;  SG&A  -  $21.6  million;  Other,  net -  $3.0  million;
Restructuring and asset impairment  charges - $10.1 million.  In addition,  $7.5
million in  compensation  and benefit costs  associated with the CEO's announced
retirement  plans.  The  $14.9  million  in  remaining  restructuring  and asset
impairment charges is mainly  attributable to severance and related benefits for
headcount reductions pertaining to other Operation 15 initiatives.

(b) Reflects $8.4 million in second quarter 2002 severance and related  expenses
associated with SG&A  reductions,  and $18.4 million in Other, net for the final
settlement of a defined benefit pension plan.



                                  Page 14 of 15 Pages



                                                                Exhibit 20(ii)

                              CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

           Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Certain  statements  including the  statements  in the  company's  press release
attached to this Current  Report on Form 8-K regarding the company's  ability to
(i) raise  operating  margins  to 15% as the  company  exits  2003 and  generate
benefits of approximately $100 million annually; (ii) increase third quarter net
sales 4% over the prior year and realize earnings per fully diluted share in the
third  quarter of 39-51 cents  (60-63  cents aside from the stated  charges) and
(iii)  achieve full year  earnings per fully  diluted  share of $1.10 ($2.20 per
share  aside  from the  stated  charges)  are  forward looking  and are based on
current  expectations  and involve inherent risks and  uncertainties,  including
factors listed below and other factors that could delay,  divert,  or change any
of them, and could cause actual  outcomes and results to differ  materially from
current expectations.

The company's ability to realize the results described above is dependent on (i)
the success of the company's  efforts to decentralize its operations  functions,
primarily into its Tools and Access Solutions business groups;  (ii) the success
of the company's  efforts to reduce its workforce and close certain  facilities,
payments related to such activities,  the need to respond to significant changes
in product  demand  while any  facility  consolidation  is in process  and other
unforeseen events; (iii) the success of the company's efforts to restructure its
Mac  Tools  organization  in order to  return  it to  profitability,  including,
without limitation,  the company's ability to liquidate certain Mac Tools assets
at a satisfactory  price; (iv) the success of the company's  marketing and sales
efforts;  (v) continued  improvements in productivity and cost reductions;  (vi)
the continued  improvement in the payment terms under which the company buys and
sells goods, materials and products; (vii) the reduction of selling, general and
administrative  expenses  as a  percentage  of  sales;  (viii)  the  success  of
recruiting  programs and other  efforts to maintain or expand  overall Mac Tools
truck count;  (ix) the company's ability to fulfill demand for its products in a
timely manner; (x) the absence of increased pricing pressures from customers and
competitors  and the  ability  to  defend  market  share  in the  face of  price
competition;  and (xi) the company's  ability to identify and engage a successor
CEO on a timely basis.

The company's  ability to achieve the  objectives  discussed  above will also be
affected by external  factors.  These  external  factors  include the  continued
consolidation of customers in consumer channels,  inventory management pressures
of the company's customers,  changing demand for the company's products, changes
in trade,  monetary,  tax and  fiscal  policies  and laws,  inflation,  currency
exchange  fluctuations,  the  impact of  dollar/foreign  currency  exchange  and
interest  rates  on the  competitiveness  of  products  and the  company's  debt
program,  the  strength  of  the  U.S.  economy  and  the  strength  of  foreign
currencies,  including but not limited to the Euro, war,  terrorist  activities,
political  unrest and  recessionary or expansive  trends in the economies of the
world in which the company operates.

The  Company   undertakes  no  obligation  to  publicly  update  or  revise  any
forward-looking  statements to reflect  events or  circumstances  that may arise
after the date hereof.




                              Page 15 of 15 Pages