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    March 31, 1996

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 May 8, 1996

Class A Common Stock, Par Value $.01               9,937,738 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 6. 	Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K	 		                	11


Signature									                                            	13

                  				PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                 				L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES  
                 				CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
                           				(In Thousands)
March 31, December 31, ASSETS 1996 1995 Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,533 $ 1,325 Accounts and notes receivable (Note 3): Trade 41,837 48,166 Other 274 111 42,111 48,277 Inventories (Note 4) 43,457 40,304 Current deferred tax assets 984 1,005 Other current assets 798 831 Property held for resale 985 985 Total current assets 89,868 92,727 Property, Plant & Equipment-At Cost 42,419 43,561 Less Accumulated Depreciation (20,876) (20,956) 21,543 22,605 Property Held for Resale 4,187 4,545 Deferred Tax Assets 1,899 2,018 Other Assets 2,816 2,528 TOTAL ASSETS $120,313 $124,423 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt $1,279 $1,266 Short-term borrowings (Note 5) 5,085 9,750 Accounts payable 20,221 18,065 Accrued payroll and employee benefits payable 2,206 2,682 Other current liabilities 1,866 3,105 Total current liabilities 30,657 34,868 Long-Term Debt 24,807 25,034 Other Long-Term Liabilities 1,441 1,348 Stockholders' Equity: Class A Common stock 102 102 Paid-in capital 35,163 35,148 Retained earnings 28,700 28,480 Treasury stock (557) (557) Total stockholders' equity 63,408 63,173 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $120,313 $124,423 See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Three Months Ended March 31, 1996 1995 Net Sales $48,303 $55,456 Costs and Expenses: Cost of Goods Sold 42,104 49,032 Selling and Administrative Expenses 5,403 5,221 Interest Expense 564 580 Other (Income) Expense (128) 13 47,943 54,846 Income Before Income Taxes and Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Method 360 610 Income Taxes 140 208 Income Before Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Method 220 402 Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Method (Note 2) (219) Net Income $ 220 $ 183 Earnings Per Common Share Before Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Method $ 0.02 $ 0.04 Earnings Per Common Share from Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Method (0.02) Earnings Per Common Share (Note 6) $ 0.02 $ 0.02 Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding 9,934 9,923 Cash Dividend per Common Share - - See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In Thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 1996 1995 Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net Income $220 $183 Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities: Deferred income taxes 140 284 Depreciation and amortization 874 649 Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment (178) (46) Cumulative effect of change in accounting method 219 Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities: Accounts receivable 6,166 2,177 Inventories (3,153) (4,785) Property held for resale 358 Other current asset 33 137 Other non-current assets (288) (80) Accounts payable-trade 2,156 2,869 Accrued payroll and employee benefits (476) (606) Other current liabilities (1,239) (529) Other liabilities 93 34 Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 4,706 506 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 1,079 182 Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment (596) (755) Net Cash Used by Investing Activities 483 (573) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Proceeds from issuance of revolving credit agreement borrowings (4,665) 200 Exercise of stock options 15 Repayments of long-term debt (331) (207) Net Cash Used by Financing Activities (4,981) (7) Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents 208 (74) Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period 1,325 1,180 Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $ 1,533 $ 1,106 Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: Interest Paid $ 602 $ 583 Income Taxes Paid $ 34 $ 30 During 1996, the Company financed the purchase of certain capital expenditures totaling $117,000 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. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 1996. 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, 1995. 2. ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES The Company adopted the provisions of the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of," in its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1995. The cumulative effect as of January 1, 1995, of adopting Statement 121 decreased net income by $219,000, or $0.02 per share. In October 1995, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation". This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995. The Company will continue to record stock-based compensation under the provisions of APB 25, and will provide the disclosures and pro forma results mandated by SFAS 123, for year end reporting. 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 March 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995 have been reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,857,000 and $1,800,000, respectively. Bad debt expense was $57,000 and $67,000 for the three month periods ended March 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. 4. INVENTORIES Inventories of the Company at March 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
March 31, December 31, 1996 1995 Finished goods $ 33,370 $ 33,570 Work-in-process 9,619 6,687 Raw materials 3,305 2,659 Total inventories at current costs: 46,294 42,916 (Less): Current costs over LIFO stated values (2,237) (2,012) Reserve for decline in market value of inventories (600) (600) $43,457 $40,304
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 During 1995, the Company executed a restated and amended revolving credit agreement. The amended agreement increased the borrowing commitment available to $45 million from $40 million, slightly reduced interest rates and extended the term of the agreement to July 1, 1999. Borrowings under the agreement 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 quarterly periods ending March 31, 1996 and 1995 of approximately 9,934,000 and 9,923,000, respectively. Common stock equivalents are the net additional number of shares which would be issuable upon the exercise of the outstanding common stock warrants and 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 March 31, 1996 and 1995. 7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES The Company is subject to laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and the Company's efforts to comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations may have an adverse effect on the Company's future earnings. 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 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 affect the financial position of the Company. At March 31, 1996, the Company had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $650,000. Management's Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 1996 1995 (Dollars in thousands) Net Sales: Rail Products $ 23,519 $ 21,130 Construction Products 16,018 19,215 Tubular Products 8,766 15,111 Total Net Sales 48,303 55,456 Gross Profit: Rail Products 3,514 2,751 Construction Products 2,076 2,125 Tubular Products 609 1,548 Total Gross Profit 6,199 6,424 Expenses: Selling and adminsitrative expenses 5,403 5,221 Interest expense 564 580 Other (income) expense (128) 13 Total Expenses 5,839 5,814 Income Before Income Taxes 360 610 Income Tax Expense 140 208 Income Before Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle 220 402 Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle (219) Net Income $ 220 $ 183
Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 1996 The net income for the 1996 first quarter was $0.2 million or $0.02 per share on net sales of $48 million. This compares to a 1995 first quarter net income of $0.2 million or $0.02 per share on net sales of $55 million. The restated 1995 results included a charge of $0.2 million relating to the adoption of SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of". Rail products' net sales in the 1996 first quarter of $23.5 million increased 12% from the comparable period last year as a result of increased sales of rail products primarily associated with the Port of Los Angeles project. Construction products' first quarter net sales decreased 16%. The decline was attributable to severe winter weather and the continued reduced availability of piling products due to decreased production by a major supplier. Tubular products' net sales in the quarter were $8.8 million or a decrease of 42% which reflects the Company's previously planned strategy to withdraw from the warehouse pipe market. 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 1996 first quarter increased to 13% from 12% in the 1995 first quarter. Rail products' gross margin percentage increased to 15% due primarily to higher margins on transit and relay rail products. Construction products' gross margin percentage increased to 13% due to a reduction in the sale of lower margin piling products. The gross margin percentage for tubular products decreased to 7% due to lower margins on coated pipe products as the result of a planned shutdown of the Birmingham facility for selected equipment upgrades. Selling and administrative expenses increased 3% in the 1996 first quarter from the same period last year. 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 three months of 1996, the average turnover rate for inventory increased slightly from the prior year. The turnover rate for accounts receivable during the first three months of 1996 was slightly lower than during the same period of the prior year. Working capital at March 31,1996 was $59.2 million compared to $57.9 million at December 31, 1995. During the first three months of 1996, the Company had capital expenditures of $0.6 million. Capital expenditures in 1996 are not expected to exceed $3.0 million and are anticipated to be funded by cash flows from operations. During 1995, the Company executed a restated and amended revolving credit agreement. The amended agreement increased the borrowing commitment available to $45 million from $40 million, slightly reduced interest rates and extended the term of the agreement to July 1, 1999. Borrowings under the agreement are secured by accounts receivable and inventory. Total revolving credit agreement borrowings at March 31, 1996 were $25.1 million or a decrease of $4.7 million from the end of the prior year. At March 31, 1996, the Company had approximately $19.3 million in available unused borrowing commitment. Management believes its internal and external sources of funds are adequate to meet anticipated needs. Other Matters The Company currently owns stock with a book value of approximately $2.0 million in a privately-held corporation. The market value of the stock is not readily determinable and, therefore, the investment is recorded in the Company's accounts at its historical cost of $0.2 million. The Company has been advised that plans are being formulated to sell this business. Although no assurances can be given as to timing or results of these plans, the Company believes that the potential sale price could significantly exceed the privately-held corporation's book value. The Company has made a decision to divest its Fosterweld operations. Exclusive discussions with a potential buyer concerning the Parkersburg, West Virginia facility, which has fixed assets and working capital with carrying values of approximately $3.0 and $4.1 million respectively, are currently ongoing. The outcome of these discussions, however, is uncertain at this time. Additionally, the Company has reached an agreement to sell its facility at Windsor, New Jersey, which has fixed assets with a carrying value of $1.0 million. These fixed assets have been classified on the consolidated balance sheet as property held for resale. In February 1996, the Company leased its Navasota, Texas pipe coupling facility to a third party, with an option to purchase at $0.8 million. Outlook The Company's future operating results may be affected by a number of factors. The Company is dependent upon a number of major suppliers. If a supplier had operational problems or ceased making material available to the Company, operations could be adversely affected. 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 operations results may also be affected by the weather. Although backlog is not necessarily indicative of future operating results, total Company backlog at March 31, 1996, was approximately $95 million or 18% higher than at December 31, 1995 and 11% lower than at March 31, 1995. The following table provides the backlog by business segment.
Backlog March 31, December 31, 1996 1995 1995 (Dollars in thousands) Rail Products $43,722 $58,762 $43,879 Construction Products 37,562 30,434 28,239 Tubular Products 13,872 17,827 8,857 Total Backlog $95,156 $107,023 $80,975
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 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. 4.1 Amended and Restated Loan Agreement by and amoung 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. 10.19 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. 10.33.2 Amended and Restated 1985 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated March 2, 1994 and filed as Exhibit 10.33.2 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993. ** 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 1996 Incentive Compensation Plan. Filed as Exhibit 10.50 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995. ** 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 No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Registrant during the three month period ended March 31, 1996. 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: May 10, 1996 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)
 

5 1,000 3-MOS DEC-31-1996 MAR-31-1996 1553 0 42111 1857 43457 89868 60156 33468 120313 30657 24807 0 0 102 63863 120313 48303 48303 42104 42104 0 0 564 360 140 220 0 0 0 220 .02 .02