SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________________
SCHEDULE 13G*
(Rule 13d-102)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO RULES 13d-1(b), (c) AND (d) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED
PURSUANT TO 13d-2(b)
L. B. Foster Company
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
350060109
(CUSIP Number)
June 5, 2003
(Date of event which requires filing of this statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this
Schedule 13G is filed:
[ ] Rule 13d-1(b)
[X] Rule 13d-1(c)
[ ] Rule 13d-1(d)
(Page 1 of 10 Pages)
________________
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would
alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the
Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
CUSIP No. 350060109 13G Page 2 of 10 Pages
____________________________________________________________________________
(1) NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Tontine Partners, L.P.
_____________________________________________________________________________
(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
(a) [X]
(b) [ ]
_____________________________________________________________________________
(3) SEC USE ONLY
_____________________________________________________________________________
(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
_____________________________________________________________________________
NUMBER OF (5) SOLE VOTING POWER
-0-
SHARES ______________________________________________________________
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
296,834
OWNED BY ___________________________________________________________
EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
REPORTING ______________________________________________________________
PERSON WITH (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
296,834
_____________________________________________________________________________
(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
296,834
_____________________________________________________________________________
(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ** [ ]
_____________________________________________________________________________
(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
3.1%
_____________________________________________________________________________
(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
PN
_____________________________________________________________________________
** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
CUSIP No. 350060109 13G Page 3 of 10 Pages
____________________________________________________________________________
(1) NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Tontine Management, L.L.C.
_____________________________________________________________________________
(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
(a) [X]
(b) [ ]
_____________________________________________________________________________
(3) SEC USE ONLY
_____________________________________________________________________________
(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
_____________________________________________________________________________
NUMBER OF (5) SOLE VOTING POWER
-0-
SHARES ______________________________________________________________
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
296,834
OWNED BY ___________________________________________________________
EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
REPORTING ______________________________________________________________
PERSON WITH (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
296,834
_____________________________________________________________________________
(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
296,834
_____________________________________________________________________________
(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ** [ ]
_____________________________________________________________________________
(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
3.1%
_____________________________________________________________________________
(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
OO
_____________________________________________________________________________
** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
CUSIP No. 350060109 13G Page 4 of 10 Pages
____________________________________________________________________________
(1) NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Tontine Overseas Associates, L.L.C.
_____________________________________________________________________________
(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
(a) [X]
(b) [ ]
_____________________________________________________________________________
(3) SEC USE ONLY
_____________________________________________________________________________
(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
_____________________________________________________________________________
NUMBER OF (5) SOLE VOTING POWER
-0-
SHARES ______________________________________________________________
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
242,865
OWNED BY ___________________________________________________________
EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
REPORTING ______________________________________________________________
PERSON WITH (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
242,865
_____________________________________________________________________________
(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
242,865
_____________________________________________________________________________
(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ** [ ]
_____________________________________________________________________________
(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
2.5%
_____________________________________________________________________________
(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
IA
_____________________________________________________________________________
** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
CUSIP No. 350060109 13G Page 5 of 10 Pages
____________________________________________________________________________
(1) NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Jeffrey L. Gendell
_____________________________________________________________________________
(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
(a) [X]
(b) [ ]
_____________________________________________________________________________
(3) SEC USE ONLY
_____________________________________________________________________________
(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States
_____________________________________________________________________________
NUMBER OF (5) SOLE VOTING POWER
-0-
SHARES ______________________________________________________________
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
539,699
OWNED BY ___________________________________________________________
EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
REPORTING ______________________________________________________________
PERSON WITH (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
539,699
_____________________________________________________________________________
(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
539,699
_____________________________________________________________________________
(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ** [ ]
_____________________________________________________________________________
(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
5.6%
_____________________________________________________________________________
(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
IN
_____________________________________________________________________________
** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
CUSIP No. 350060109 13G Page 6 of 10 Pages
Item 1(a). Name of Issuer:
The name of the issuer is L. B. Foster Company (the "Company").
Item 1(b). Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
The Company's principal executive offices are located at 415 Holiday Drive,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15220.
Item 2(a). Name of Person Filing:
This statement is filed by:
(i) Tontine Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("TP")
with respect to the shares of Common Stock directly owned by it;
(ii) Tontine Management, L.L.C., a limited liability company
organized under the laws of the State of Delaware ("TM"),
with respect to the shares of Common Stock directly owned by
TP;
(iii) Tontine Overseas Associates, L.L.C., a limited liability
company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware
("TOA"), which serves as investment manager to Tontine
Overseas Fund, Ltd. ("TOF"), a company organized under the laws
of the Cayman Islands, with respect to the shares of Common Stock
directly owned by TOF; and
(iv) Jeffrey L. Gendell, with respect to the shares of Common Stock
directly owned by each of TP and TOF.
The foregoing persons are hereinafter sometimes collectively
referred to as the "Reporting Persons." Any disclosures herein with respect to
persons other than the Reporting Persons are made on information and belief
after making inquiry to the appropriate party.
CUSIP No. 350060109 13G Page 7 of 10 Pages
Item 2(b). Address of Principal Business Office or, if None, Residence:
The address of the business office of each of the Reporting Persons is 55
Railroad Avenue, 3rd Floor, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.
Item 2(c). Citizenship:
TP is a limited partnership organized under the laws of the State of
Delaware. TM and TOA are limited liability companies organized under the laws
of the State of Delaware. Mr. Gendell is a United States citizen.
Item 2(d). Title of Class of Securities:
Common Stock, $0.01 par value (the "Common Stock")
Item 2(e). CUSIP Number:
350060109
Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to Rules 13d-1(b) or 13d-2(b) or
(c), check whether the person filing is a:
(a) [ ] Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the
Act,
(b) [ ] Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act,
(c) [ ] Insurance Company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of
the Act,
(d) [ ] Investment Company registered under Section 8 of the
Investment Company Act of 1940,
(e) [ ] Investment Adviser in accordance with Rule
13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(E),
(f) [ ] Employee Benefit Plan or Endowment Fund in accordance
with 13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(F),
(g) [ ] Parent Holding Company or control person in accordance
with Rule 13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(G),
(h) [ ] Savings Association as defined in Section 3(b) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act,
(i) [ ] Church Plan that is excluded from the definition of an
investment company under Section 3(c)(14) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940,
(j) [ ] Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).
Not applicable.
CUSIP No. 350060109 13G Page 8 of 10 Pages
Item 4. Ownership.
A. Tontine Partners, L.P.
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 296,834
(b) Percent of class: 3.1% The percentages used herein and in
the rest of Item 4 are calculated based upon the 9,577,770 shares of Common
Stock issued and outstanding at May 2, 2003 as reflected in the Company's Form
10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003.
(c)(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 296,834
(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 296,834
B. Tontine Management, L.L.C.
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 296,834
(b) Percent of class: 3.1%
(c)(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 296,834
(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 296,834
C. Tontine Overseas Associates, L.L.C.
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 242,865
(b) Percent of class: 2.5%
(c)(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 242,865
(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 242,865
D. Jeffrey L. Gendell
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 539,699
(b) Percent of class: 5.6%
(c)(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 539,699
(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 539,699
CUSIP No. 350060109 13G Page 9 of 10 Pages
Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
TM, the general partner of TP, has the power to direct the affairs of TP,
including decisions respecting the disposition of the proceeds from the sale of
the shares of the Company. Mr. Gendell is the managing member of TM and TOA, and
in that capacity directs their operations. Each of the clients of TOA has the
power to direct the receipt of dividends from or the proceeds of sale of such
shares.
Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired
the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
See Item 2.
Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Certification.
Each of the Reporting Persons hereby makes the following certification:
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for
the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the
issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection
with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.
CUSIP No. 350060109 13G Page 10 of 10 Pages
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of our knowledge and belief, the
undersigned certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.
DATED: June 16, 2003
/s/ JEFFREY L. GENDELL
Jeffrey L. Gendell, individually, and as
managing member of
Tontine Management, L.L.C.,
general partner of
Tontine Partners, L.P., and as
managing member of
Tontine Associates, L.L.C.