BUTLER MANUFACTURING CO
8-K, 1997-07-03
PREFABRICATED METAL BUILDINGS & COMPONENTS
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<PAGE>   1






                     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:  June 23, 1997



                        BUTLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY



                        BMA Tower - Penn Valley Park
                           Post Office Box 419917
                      Kansas City, Missouri  64141-0917
                            Phone: (816) 968-3000

                    Incorporated in the State of Delaware

                        Commission File No. 001-12335

               IRS Employer Identification Number:  44-0188420





<PAGE>   2




                                    INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      Page No.
<S>                                                                        <C>
INFORMATION INCLUDED IN FORM 8-K REPORT

ITEM 2.    Acquisition or Disposition of Assets                              3

ITEM 7.    Financial Statements and Exhibits                                 3

      (b)  Pro Forma Financial Information of Butler Manufacturing Company

           Condensed Consolidation Financial Statements (unaudited):

           Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Three Month Period
           Ended March 31, 1997                                              4

           Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Twelve Month Period
           Ended December 31, 1996                                           5

           Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1997                   6

      (c)  Exhibits                                                          7

</TABLE>




                                   Page 2




<PAGE>   3



Item 2. Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

     On June 23, 1997, Butler Manufacturing Company (the "Company") sold the
business and substantially all of the assets and liabilities used in the
business of the Grain Systems Division, an unincorporated division of the
Company, to CTB, Inc., a privately owned company in Indiana, for an agreed upon
price of approximately $34 million in cash.  The net cash proceeds of
approximately $24 million will be used to fund investments in Butler's core
building products businesses and share repurchases, which will be made from
time to time in the open market or in private negotiated transactions.

     The sale was consummated pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement (the
"Agreement") dated March 31, 1997 which provides for an adjustment of the cash
portion of the purchase price after the date of close based on changes in the
net asset value at the date of close from a targeted net asset value of $10.1
million.  The Agreement is attached as Exhibit 2.

     The purchased assets include the business of the Grain Division, all
account and trade receivables, prepaid items, inventories, factory machinery
and equipment, all office furniture and furnishings, all patents and trademarks
used exclusively by the Grain Division, leasehold interests in real estate and
personal property, all books and records of the division, and the assumption of
certain liabilities of the business.  CTB, Inc. is licensed to use the Butler
oval trademark and "Butler" trademark for two years and three years,
respectively with respect to the business acquired.



ITEM 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits

     (b)  Pro Forma Financial Information of Butler Manufacturing Company

     The following pro forma consolidated statements of operations of the
Company is intended to show the effects of the transaction as described in Item
2 above for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the three months ended March
31, 1997 as if it had occurred on January 1, 1996 and January 1, 1997,
respectively.  A consolidated balance sheet for the Company as of March 31,
1997 is presented to show the effects of the transaction as if it had occurred
on March 31, 1997.



                                   Page 3




<PAGE>   4




                        BUTLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
               PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997
- ---------------------------------

                                           Historical      Pro Forma        As
                                          (Unaudited) Adjustments(a)  Adjusted
                                          ----------  -------------- ----------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>           <C>
Net sales                                 $  188,102   $   (6,575)   $  181,527
Cost of sales                                156,025       (4,977)      151,048
                                          ----------   ----------    ----------
  Gross profit                                32,077       (1,598)       30,479
Selling, general and administrative costs     27,427         (639)       26,788
                                          ----------   ----------    ----------
  Operating income                             4,650         (959)        3,691

International joint venture income (loss)        156          ---           156
Other income (expense), net                     (290)         (26)         (316)
                                          ----------   ----------    ----------
  Expense before interest and taxes (loss)     4,516         (985)        3,531

Interest expense                               1,279         (389)          890
                                          ----------   ----------    ----------
  Pretax earnings                              3,237         (596)        2,641

Income tax expense (benefit)                   1,341         (238)        1,103
                                          ----------   ----------    ----------
  Net earnings (loss)                     $    1,896   $     (358)   $    1,538
                                          ==========   ==========    ==========
Earnings (loss) per common share          $      .25   $     (.05)   $      .20
                                          ==========   ==========    ==========
Common share equivalents-average 
  outstanding                              7,671,458    7,671,458     7,671,458

</TABLE>


(a)  To reflect:  1.  The sale of the Grain Division as if it had occurred on
     January 1, 1997, therefore excluding the financial results of that
     division in the "As Adjusted" column in the above statement.  2. The
     reduction of interest expense related to the repayment of short-term
     borrowings from the $24.2 million net proceeds of the sale.



                                   Page 4



<PAGE>   5



                                     
                        BUTLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
               PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
- -------------------------------------


                                                          Pro Forma          As
                                          Historical  Adjustments(a)   Adjusted
                                          ----------  -------------- ----------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>           <C>
Net sales                                 $  870,162   $  (41,693)   $  828,469
Cost of sales                                714,116      (32,301)      681,815
                                          ----------   ----------    ----------
  Gross profit                               156,046       (9,392)      146,654
Selling, general and administrative costs    106,548       (3,335)      103,213
                                          ----------   ----------    ----------
  Operating income                            49,498       (6,057)       43,441

International joint venture income (loss)       (137)         ---          (137)
Other income (expense), net                      987          802         1,789
                                          ----------   ----------    ----------
  Expense before interest and taxes (loss)    50,348       (5,255)       45,093

Interest expense                               4,344         (424)        3,920
                                          ----------   ----------    ----------
  Pretax earnings                             46,004       (4,831)       41,173

Income tax expense (benefit)                  20,241       (1,932)       18,309
                                          ----------   ----------    ----------
  Net earnings (loss)                     $   25,763   $   (2,899)   $   22,864
                                          ==========   ==========    ==========
Earnings (loss) per common share          $     3.35   $     (.38)   $     2.97
                                          ==========   ==========    ==========
Common share equivalents-average 
  outstanding                              7,692,803    7,692,803     7,692,803

</TABLE>

(a)  To reflect:  1.  The sale of the Grain Division as if it had occurred on
     January 1, 1996, therefore excluding the financial results of that
     division in the "As Adjusted" column in the above statement.  2. The
     reduction of interest expense related to the repayment of short-term
     borrowings from the $24.2 million net proceeds of the sale and interest
     income related to the investment of cash during the period when the
     Company had no outstanding short-term debt.



                                   Page 5




<PAGE>   6





                                     
                        BUTLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
                    PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

AS OF MARCH 31, 1997
- --------------------


                                          Historical      Pro Forma          As
                                          (Unaudited) Adjustments(a)   Adjusted
                                          ----------  -------------- ----------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>           <C>
Assets:
  Cash and equivalents                    $       14   $    9,500    $    9,514
  Receivables, net                            98,598       (1,901)       96,697
  Inventories                                 67,931       (8,025)       59,906
  Real estate developments in progress        38,516          ---        38,516
  Prepaid income taxes                         8,878          ---         8,878
  Other current assets                         7,800          (12)        7,788
                                          ----------    ---------    ----------
     Total current assets                    221,737         (438)      221,299
  
  Investments and other assets                27,792          ---        27,792
  Assets held for sale                        13,260          ---        13,260
  Property, plant and equipment, net          80,823       (4,046)       76,777
                                          ----------    ---------    ----------
     Total assets                         $  343,612    $  (4,484)   $  339,128
                                          ==========    =========    ==========

Liabilities and shareholders' equity
  Notes payable                           $   36,260    $ (24,248)   $   12,012
  Current portion of long-term debt            5,712          ---         5,712
  Accounts payable                            64,174       (1,458)       62,716
  Dividends payable                              910          ---           910
  Accrued liabilities                         48,940         (919)       48,021
  Taxes on income                              9,175        8,956        18,131
                                          ----------    ---------    ----------
     Total current liabilities               165,171      (17,669)      147,502

  Deferred income taxes                        3,837          ---         3,837
  Other non-current liabilities                9,813          ---         9,813
  Long-term debt                              39,243          ---        39,243
  Shareholders' equity                       125,548       13,185       138,733
                                          ----------    ---------     ---------
     Total liabilities and equity         $  343,612    $  (4,484)    $ 339,128
                                          ==========    =========     =========
</TABLE>

(a)  To reflect:  1.  The sale of the Grain Division as if it had occurred
     on March 31, 1997 therefore excluding the assets and liabilities of that   
     division in the "As Adjusted" column in the above statement.  2.  The
     $24.2 million net proceeds of the sale used to repay short-term debt.  3. 
     The investments of cash during the period when the Company had no
     outstanding short-term debt.


                                   Page 6


<PAGE>   7


      (c)  Exhibits
      -------------
             (2)  Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 31, 1997, between Butler
                  Manufacturing Company (seller) and CTB, Inc. (purchaser).

             (20) Press release of the Company dated June 23, 1997.



SIGNATURES

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.

Butler Manufacturing Company

      July 3, 1997              /s/ John J. Holland
- ----------------------------    -------------------------------
Date                            John J. Holland
                                Vice President - Finance
                                and Chief Financial Officer



      July 3, 1997              /s/Richard O. Ballentine
- ----------------------------    -------------------------------           
Date                            Richard O. Ballentine
                                Vice President - General
                                Counsel and Secretary












                                     Page 7


<PAGE>   1



     ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of the close of business on March 31,
1997 (this "AGREEMENT"), between BUTLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, a Delaware
corporation ("SELLER") and CTB, INC., an Indiana corporation ("BUYER").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, Seller is engaged in the business of manufacturing and marketing
grain storage bins and marketing grain conditioning and handling equipment
through its Grain Systems Division (the "DIVISION");

     WHEREAS, upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein,
Buyer desires to buy and Seller desires to sell the business, assets and other
rights of the Division (collectively, the "BUSINESS"), and Buyer is willing to
assume certain related ordinary course liabilities and obligations of Seller
related to the Business, all as hereinafter set forth (such acquisition and
assumption is collectively referred to as the "ACQUISITION");

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants of the parties hereto, it is hereby agreed as follows:

SECTION 1. PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS, ASSUMPTION OF CERTAIN LIABILITIES

     1.1    TRANSFER OF ASSETS.  On the basis of the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements and subject to the satisfaction (or waiver
by the party whose obligations hereunder are subject to such satisfaction) of
the conditions set forth in this Agreement, on the Closing Date (as defined in
Section 2.1), Seller shall sell, convey, assign, transfer and deliver to Buyer,
and Buyer shall purchase and acquire from Seller, all of Seller's right, title
and interest in and to the properties, assets and other rights (other than the
Excluded Assets) owned or leased by, or licensed to Seller and used exclusively
in the Business, including, without limitation, the following:

           (a) all copyrights, trademarks, tradenames, service marks, patents
      and other similar rights or intellectual property of Seller which is
      listed on Schedule 1.1(a), including all goodwill associated therewith
      and all applications and registrations therefor and all licenses,
      sublicenses, covenants or other agreements with respect thereto
      (collectively, the "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY");

           (b) all contracts and agreements of Seller for the conduct of the
      Business, including leases of real and personal property, license and
      distributorship agreements, dealer agreements, supply agreements,
      purchase agreements and purchase orders, outstanding quotations and
      agency agreements, listed on Schedule 1.1(b) and such other contracts and
      agreements of Seller for the conduct of the Business entered into prior
      to the date hereof and not listed on Schedule 1.1(b) the benefits of
      which Buyer elects to assume in its sole discretion, together with all
      such contracts and agreements for the conduct of the Business that are
      entered into in the ordinary course of business of the Business between
      the date hereof and the Closing Date other than in violation of Section
      4.2 and other than express or implied product  warranties ("PRODUCT
      WARRANTIES") issued in connection with the sale of goods by the Business
      (the "ASSUMED CONTRACTS");

<PAGE>   2






           (c) all real property used by the Business that is owned by Seller
      and listed on Schedule 1.1(c) and all buildings, structures and other
      improvements and fixtures located on such real property and any
      additions, improvements, replacements and alterations thereto between the
      date of this Agreement and the Closing Date;

           (d) all leasehold interests in real property relating to the
      Business leased by Seller listed on Schedule 1.1(d), including all
      buildings, structures and other improvements located on such real
      property and any additions, improvements, replacements and alterations
      thereto between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date;

           (e) all office furniture, furnishings and fixtures of Seller that is
      used exclusively in the Business and that is  located on the real
      property or leaseholds listed on Schedules 1.1(c) and 1.1(d) and any
      additions, improvements, replacements and alterations thereto between the
      date of this Agreement and the Closing Date and all warranties and
      guarantees, if any, express or implied in respect of the foregoing;

           (f) all equipment, machinery and vehicles of Seller used exclusively
      by the Business, including, without limitation, all equipment, machinery
      and vehicles listed on Schedule 1.1(f) and any additions, improvements,
      replacements and alterations thereto between the date of this Agreement
      and the Closing Date, and all warranties and guarantees, if any, express
      or implied in respect of the foregoing;

           (g) all management information systems and software, customer,
      subscriber and vendor lists, catalogs, research material, technical
      information and technology used exclusively by the Business;

           (h) all prepayments and prepaid expenses made exclusively for the
      Business unless the same relate to contracts or agreements that are not
      included in the Assumed Contracts and Assumed Liabilities;

           (i) all advertising, promotional, marketing and other similar
      agreements entered into exclusively for the benefit of the Business and
      all sales promotion and selling literature and promotional and
      advertising materials used exclusively by the Business;

           (j) all books, records and accounts of Seller used exclusively for
      the Business;

           (k) all right, title and interest of the Seller under or in respect
      of the Plans (as defined below) and all assets relating to the Plans, if
      such Plans are assumed by Buyer in its sole discretion;

           (l) all accounts receivable of the Business;

           (m) all franchises, permits and non-governmental licenses or
      sublicenses of Seller used for the exclusive benefit of the Business;


                                       2

<PAGE>   3



           (n) to the extent transferable under applicable law, all franchises,
      approvals, permits, licenses, orders, registrations, certificates,
      variances and similar rights obtained from government authorities used
      for the exclusive benefit of the Business;

           (o) all telephone numbers of Seller used for the exclusive benefit
      of the Business to the extent that the numbers may be transferred without
      interference to Seller's use of telephone numbers beginning with the 968
      prefix for its operations other than those of the Business;

           (p) all inventories, raw materials, office supplies, production
      supplies, packaging materials and other supplies, spare parts, work in
      process, goods consigned to third parties, finished goods and other
      tangible property used exclusively by the Business of any kind;

           (q) all claims, causes of action, choses in action, rights of
      recovery and rights of set-off of any kind of the Seller arising out of
      or held for the benefit of the Business  (other than those related to
      Excluded Assets or Excluded Liabilities);

           (r) all goodwill of the Business as a going concern including,
      without limitation, all goodwill associated with the Intellectual
      Property;

           (s) all other properties, assets and rights owned by the Seller
      which are exclusively  used in the Business  (other than those related to
      Excluded Assets or Excluded Liabilities); and

           (t) all right, title and interest of Seller to those items listed on
      Schedule 1.2(k) which are marked to be sold and conveyed to Buyer.

The assets being sold, conveyed, assigned, transferred and delivered to Buyer
by Seller hereunder are sometimes hereinafter referred to as the ("ASSETS.")
All Schedules hereto shall be prepared as of the date of this Agreement as
specified above unless otherwise specified in the Schedule.

     1.2    EXCLUDED ASSETS.  It is expressly understood and agreed that the
Assets shall not include the following (the "EXCLUDED ASSETS"):

           (a) all corporate minute books, stock transfer books, corporate tax
      returns, checks, check registers and insurance polices of Seller;

           (b) all intercompany receivables;

           (c) all contracts other than the Assumed Contracts ("EXCLUDED
      CONTRACTS"), including, without limitation, those listed or described on
      Schedule 1.2(c);

           (d) Seller's rights under or pursuant to this Agreement;



                                       3

<PAGE>   4






           (e) all prepayments and prepaid expenses related to other Excluded
      Assets or Excluded Liabilities;

           (f) all right, title and interest in and to the "Butler" tradename
      and trademark and to the trademarks 'BUTLER AGRI-BUILDER,' 'BUTLER
      AGRI-CONTRACTOR,' 'AGRI-BUILDER' and 'AGRI-CONTRACTOR,' which shall
      remain the property of Seller and will be subject to a Trademark License
      Agreement to be entered into between Seller and Buyer (the "TRADEMARK
      LICENSE AGREEMENT") on the Closing Date, substantially in the form
      attached hereto as Exhibit E, and all other trade names, trade marks,
      service marks, copyrights, patents, and similar rights as well as
      applications and registrations therefor and all licenses, sublicenses,
      covenants or other agreements with respect thereto, not specifically
      included on Schedule 1.1(a);

           (g) all claims, causes of action, choses in action, rights of
      recovery, rights of set-off, counterclaims, cross claims and defenses of
      any kind related to other Excluded Assets or Excluded Liabilities;

           (h) all right, title and interest of the Seller under or in respect
      of the Plans  which are not included in the Assumed Liabilities;

           (i) all reserves established for (a) the nonpayment of  accounts
      receivable and (b) warranty claims and obligations and other claims or
      suits or any future claims and suits not included in the Assumed
      Liabilities;

           (j) all of Seller's assets which are used exclusively in Seller's
      other businesses;

           (k) all of Seller's books, records and information which are used in
      Seller's other businesses and in the Business, which shall be made
      available to Buyer for inspection and copying at all reasonable times,
      and properties, assets and other rights jointly used by the Business and
      Seller's other business which are listed on Schedule 1.2(k) and
      designated as being retained by Seller, the continued joint use of which
      shall be governed by the terms set forth on Schedule 1.2(k) (all of which
      excluded assets under this subsection are referred to as the "JOINTLY
      USED ASSETS");

           (l) all contracts of insurance and any claims or rights of Seller
      thereunder, including, without limitation, any claims or rights of Seller
      to reserves, unearned premiums or return of premiums arising thereunder;

           (m) all cash in payroll accounts and other accounts established
      specifically for the payment of obligations that are not included in the
      Assumed Liabilities;

           (n) Real Estate described on Schedule 1.2(n); and


                                       4

<PAGE>   5


           (o) all cash and cash equivalents on hand in bank accounts
      maintained for or otherwise held for the Business on the Closing Date.

     1.3    INSTRUMENTS OF CONVEYANCE AND TRANSFER.  On the Closing Date,
Seller shall (a) deliver or cause to be delivered to Buyer such deeds, bills of
sale, endorsements, consents, assignments, and other good and sufficient
instruments of conveyance and assignment, all in recordable form, where
applicable, as shall be effective to vest in Buyer all right, title and
interest of Seller in and to the Assets, and as shall otherwise be in the form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and Buyer's counsel, and (b)
transfer to Buyer originals of all contracts, agreements, commitments, books,
records, files, certificates, licenses, permits, plans and specifications and
other data of Seller relating to the Business, including, without limitation,
computer tapes and computer-generated records.  All materials referred to in
clause (b) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be delivered to Buyer in
the form and order in which they are maintained by Seller on the date hereof.

     1.4    FURTHER ASSURANCES.  From time to time after the Closing Date,
Seller and any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with
Seller (an "AFFILIATE") shall execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be
executed, acknowledged and delivered, such other instruments of conveyance,
assignment, transfer and delivery and will take or cause to be taken such other
actions as Buyer may reasonably request in order more effectively to sell,
convey, assign, transfer, and deliver to Buyer any of the Assets, or to enable
Buyer to protect, exercise and enjoy all rights and benefits of Seller with
respect thereto, and as otherwise may be appropriate to carry out the
transactions herein contemplated.

     1.5    ASSUMED LIABILITIES.

           (a) The Assets shall be sold and conveyed to Buyer free and clear of
      all Liens (as defined below), except Permitted Liens (as defined below).
      Subject to Section 1.5(b) below, at the Closing, Buyer will assume and
      agree to fully pay, perform or discharge in a timely manner, fully in
      accordance with the respective terms thereof, as and when they become
      due, (i) all liabilities and obligations of Seller relating to the Assets
      or the Business arising from, or in connection with, the conduct of the
      Business or the ownership of the Assets by Buyer or any other person
      after the Closing Date; (ii) all liabilities and obligations of Seller
      under the terms of the Assumed Contracts, except for (A) those
      liabilities and obligations which Seller is required to satisfy prior to
      the Closing (except to the extent such liabilities or obligations are
      reflected on the Final Closing Balance Sheet) or (B) which arise due to a
      breach by Seller of an Assumed Contract prior to the Closing; (iii) all
      accounts payable and other current liabilities of the Seller as of the
      Closing Date in each case incurred in the ordinary course of the Business
      to the extent reflected on the Final Closing Balance Sheet; (iv) to the
      extent that the FANAV exceeds the Cap, any liabilities or obligations
      under Assumed Contracts, accounts payable and other current liabilities
      of the Seller not set forth in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above that were
      incurred in the ordinary course of the Business as of the Closing Date
      and of the type reflected as liabilities on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet
      (but any such additional obligations and liabilities shall be assumed
      only to the extent of the amount by which

                                       5

<PAGE>   6


      FANAV exceeds the Cap); (v) all liabilities and obligations of Seller to
      Employees of the Business to the extent provided in Section 6; and (vi)
      all other liabilities and obligations of the Seller incurred in the
      ordinary course of the Business to the extent expressly accrued or
      reserved for on the Final Closing Balance Sheet (collectively, the
      "ASSUMED LIABILITIES"). Except as set forth in this Section 1.5, Buyer
      will assume no other liabilities in connection with the Assets, the
      Business or the transactions contemplated hereby.  All liabilities and
      obligations which are not Assumed Liabilities are "EXCLUDED LIABILITIES"
      and each is an "EXCLUDED LIABILITY." On the basis of the representations,
      warranties and covenants and agreements and subject to the satisfaction of
      the conditions set forth in this Agreement, on the Closing Date, Buyer
      shall deliver to Seller an undertaking to assume the Assumed Liabilities
      in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "ASSUMPTION
      AGREEMENT").

           (b) Without limiting the generality of Section 1.5(a), and
      notwithstanding any other provision hereof, each of the following is an
      Excluded Liability:

                 (i) all intercompany payables;

                 (ii) any of Seller's obligations hereunder;

                 (iii) any liability or obligation of Seller arising from, or
            in connection with, the conduct of the Business or the ownership of
            the Assets by the Seller or any other person prior to the Closing
            Date except for liabilities and obligations set forth in clauses
            (ii), (iii), (iv) (if applicable), (v) and (vi) of Section 1.5(a)
            (which shall constitute Assumed Liabilities);


                 (iv) any liability of Seller arising from indebtedness for
            borrowed money;

                 (v) any liability of Seller for Taxes owed to any taxing
            authority except to the extent included in current liabilities on
            the Final Closing Balance Sheet and tax liabilities referred to in
            Section 9.3;

                 (vi) any liability or obligation arising out of or related to
            past, present or future litigation or other claims to the extent
            arising out of or relating to the ownership or operation of the
            Assets or the Business prior to the Closing Date including, without
            limitation, claims with respect to Product Warranties and any other
            claims with respect to defective products or services, alleged
            improper sales practices, warranty claims, claims for any loss,
            damage or cost arising out of any property damage or personal
            injury due to the use of any product manufactured or sold by or
            services furnished by the Business prior to the Closing Date;

                 (vii) any of Seller's liabilities or obligations, the
            existence of which constitutes a breach of a representation or
            warranty set forth in this Agreement (without regard to the
            survival period, if any, associated therewith);


                                       6

<PAGE>   7



                 (viii) any liability of any other division of Seller or any
            Affiliate of Seller (including, without limitation, any owner of
            capital stock of Seller);

                 (ix) except as provided in Section 6, all obligations and
            liabilities arising out of or relating to the Plans or any other
            employee benefit plan, program, policy or arrangement presently or
            formerly maintained or contributed by any member of the controlled
            group of companies (as such term is defined in Section 414 of the
            Code) of which Seller is or was a member, or with respect to which
            Seller or such controlled group member has any liability;

                 (x) any liability or obligation relating to workers
            compensation claims which are filed on or before the Closing Date
            or which are filed after the Closing Date and which relate to
            occurrences or events on or before the Closing Date;

                 (xi) any claim, liability or obligation to the extent such
            claim, liability or obligation arises out of or relates to
            Materials of Environmental Concern existing on, at or under any
            Asset before the Closing Date, or otherwise arises from, or in
            connection with, the conduct of the Business or the ownership of
            the Assets by the Seller or any other person prior to the Closing
            Date; and

                 (xii) any obligations or liabilities arising out of or
            relating to all claims and causes of action under federal, state
            and/or municipal civil rights and/or employment law statutes
            including, but without limitation, Title VII of the Civil Rights
            Acts of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age
            Discrimination in Employment Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the
            Occupational Health & Safety Act, the National Labor Relations Act,
            or the Missouri Civil Rights Act for actions of Seller arising
            prior to the Closing Date.

SECTION 2. CLOSING, PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE

     2.1    CLOSING DATE.  On and subject to the conditions herein set forth,
the closing with respect to the transactions provided for in this Agreement
(the "CLOSING") shall take place at the offices of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
located at 425 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York at 10:00 a.m., Eastern
time, on the earlier of (x) June 30, 1997 or (y) such earlier date as shall be
designated by Buyer on at least three business days prior written notice to
Seller, or at such other time and place as shall be agreed upon by the parties
hereto.  The actual time and date of the Closing are herein referred to as the
("CLOSING DATE.")

     2.2    PRELIMINARY PURCHASE PRICE AND PAYMENT.  As consideration for the
Assets, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, Sections 2.3 and 9.3, Buyer shall on the Closing Date (a)
assume the Assumed Liabilities as provided in Section 1.5, (b) deposit the
amount of $300,000 into an account to be maintained with Commerce Bank of
Kansas City, N.A. (the "ESCROW AGENT"), pursuant to an Escrow Agreement to be
entered into on or prior to the Closing Date among Buyer, Seller and the Escrow
Agent, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "ESCROW
AGREEMENT") and (c) transfer to the order of Seller in immediately available
funds an amount equal to the sum of  $32,200,000

                                       7

<PAGE>   8

minus the amount by which the Preliminary Adjusted Net Asset Value (as defined
below) is less than $10,100,000 or, if the Preliminary Adjusted Net Asset Value
is greater than $10,100,000, plus the lesser of (x) the amount by which the
Preliminary Adjusted Net Asset Value exceeds $10,100,000 or (y) $2,500,000 (the
"Cap"). The sum of (b) and (c) is herein referred to as the "PRELIMINARY CASH
PURCHASE PRICE."

     2.3    CASH PURCHASE PRICE ADJUSTMENT AND PAYMENT.

           (a) Not later than four (4) business days prior to the Closing Date,
      Seller shall deliver to Buyer a certificate setting forth its good faith
      estimate of the Closing Balance Sheet (the "ESTIMATED CLOSING BALANCE
      SHEET").  The Estimated Closing Balance Sheet shall be derived from
      Seller's internal books and records.  The amount of the Adjusted Net
      Asset Value reflected on the Estimated Closing Balance Sheet is
      hereinafter referred to as "SELLER'S ADJUSTED NET ASSET VALUE
      CALCULATION."   Buyer shall have the right to review, approve and copy
      the computations and work papers (including accountant's work papers) and
      underlying books and records used in connection with Seller's preparation
      of the Estimated Closing Balance Sheet and the determination of Seller's
      Adjusted Net Asset Value Calculation and to have access to Seller's
      employees and accountants, and their respective books and records, in
      connection therewith.  Seller's Adjusted Net Asset Value Calculation,
      with such changes, if any, as are agreed upon by Seller and Buyer not
      later than the business day prior to the Closing Date shall be referred
      to as the "PRELIMINARY ADJUSTED NET ASSET VALUE".

           (b) Not later than the 45th day following the Closing Date, Buyer
      shall provide to Seller a certificate setting forth its good faith
      determination of the Closing Balance Sheet (the "BUYER'S CLOSING BALANCE
      SHEET").  The Buyer's Closing Balance Sheet shall be derived from the
      books and records of the Business.  Seller will give Buyer and its
      representatives access during the normal business hours of Seller to the
      personnel, books and records of the Seller relating to the Business to
      assist Buyer in the preparation of Buyer's Closing Balance Sheet. Seller
      shall notify Buyer in writing ("SELLER'S DISPUTE NOTICE") within fifteen
      (15) days after receiving Buyer's Closing Balance Sheet if Seller
      disagrees with Buyer's calculation of the final Adjusted Net Asset Value,
      which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail each item which Seller
      disputes, the amount in dispute and the basis for its disagreement.
      Buyer will give Seller and its representatives access during the normal
      business hours of Buyer to the personnel, books and records of the
      Business to assist Seller in the preparation of Seller's Dispute Notice.
      If no Seller's Dispute Notice is received by Buyer within such fifteen
      (15) day period, Buyer's determination of the final Adjusted Net Asset
      Value as of the Closing Date as set forth in Buyer's Closing Balance
      Sheet shall be the final Adjusted Net Asset Value ("FANAV") and shall be
      final and binding on the parties and Buyer's Closing Balance Sheet shall
      be the Closing Balance Sheet.

           (c) Seller and Buyer shall negotiate in good faith to resolve any
      disagreement with respect to the FANAV.  To the extent Buyer and Seller
      are unable to agree with respect to the FANAV  within thirty (30) days
      after the receipt by Buyer of the Seller's Dispute Notice, Buyer and
      Seller shall select a mutually acceptable partner at any "big

                                       8

<PAGE>   9

      six" accounting firm other than Arthur Andersen LLP, KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
      or Deloitte & Touche LLP mutually selected by Buyer and Seller (the
      "INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTING FIRM"), and submit their dispute to the
      Independent Accounting Firm.  The Independent Accounting Firm will be
      requested to review only the disputed items identified in Seller's Dispute
      Notice and not previously resolved by Seller and Buyer.  The Independent
      Accounting Firm shall resolve such dispute after reviewing written
      submissions of Buyer and Seller supporting their respective determinations
      of the items in dispute and stating each of their estimates of Adjusted
      Net Asset Value.  The Independent Accounting Firm shall make an
      independent determination of all disputed items and then calculate a FANAV
      based upon such independent determination and Seller's and Buyer's
      determination of all amounts not in dispute.  In its determination, the
      Independent Accounting Firm shall be entitled to rely on presentations
      prepared by Buyer and Seller.  The decision of the Independent Accounting
      Firm shall be conclusive between, and final and binding on, the parties
      hereto.  The fees and expenses of the Independent Accounting Firm will be
      paid by the party (either Buyer or Seller) whose calculation of the
      Adjusted Net Asset Value would result in a Cash Purchase Price that
      deviates the furthest from the final Cash Purchase Price determined based
      upon the Adjusted Net Asset Value as calculated by the Independent
      Accounting Firm.  If the Closing Balance Sheet is not produced under the
      preceding subsection (b), then the Buyer's Closing Balance Sheet as
      adjusted by the final resolution of the dispute under this subsection
      shall be the Closing Balance Sheet and the Accountant's determination of
      the Adjusted Net Asset Value shall be the FANAV.

           (d) Upon the final determination of  FANAV in accordance herewith
      (i) Buyer shall pay to Seller the amount by which the Cash Purchase Price
      (as defined below) exceeds the Preliminary Cash Purchase Price or, (y) if
      the Cash Purchase Price shall be less than the Preliminary Cash Purchase
      price, Seller shall pay to Buyer the amount by which the Preliminary Cash
      Purchase Price exceeds the Cash Purchase Price, in either case, together
      with interest thereon from the Closing Date at a rate of interest equal
      to the prime rate established by The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., on the
      date of payment.  In either case, such payment shall be made within five
      business days after all disputes, if any, have been resolved as set forth
      above, or, if Seller shall have accepted (or shall have been deemed to
      have accepted) Buyer's determination of the FANAV, within five business
      days after such acceptance.  Such payment shall be made by wire transfer
      of immediately available funds to a bank account specified by the
      recipient not less than two business days prior to such payment date.

           (e) "ADJUSTED NET ASSET VALUE" means, with respect to each of the
      Estimated Closing Balance Sheet, the Buyer's Closing Balance Sheet and
      the Closing Balance Sheet, the amount by which the assets exceed the
      liabilities reflected on such balance sheet.

           (f) "CASH PURCHASE PRICE" shall mean the sum of (i) $32,200,000 plus
      (ii) the $300,000 escrow and (to the extent FANAV does not equal
      $10,100,000) (iii) minus the amount by which the FANAV is less than
      $10,100,000 or, if the FANAV is greater than $10,100,000, plus the lesser
      of (x) the amount by which the FANAV exceeds $10,100,000 or (y)
      $2,500,000.







                                       9

<PAGE>   10


           (g) "CLOSING BALANCE SHEET" means a balance sheet of the Business
      reflecting the Assets and Assumed Liabilities as of the close of business
      on the day immediately preceding the Closing Date.  Except as set forth
      in this Section 2.3(g), the Closing Balance Sheet shall be prepared in
      accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in
      the United States ("GAAP") as if such date were the Business's normal
      year end, applied on a basis consistent with the financial statements of
      the Business referenced in Section 3.1(d).  Notwithstanding the
      foregoing, the Closing Balance Sheet (i) will contain a liability of
      $180,000 for post-retirement health and life insurance obligations for
      active employees of the Business (and no other liability for such
      obligations) if such obligations are assumed by Buyer in its sole
      discretion, (ii) will not contain any reserve for liabilities not being
      assumed by Buyer, (iii) will contain all accounts payable and other
      current liabilities as of the Closing incurred in the ordinary course of
      business of the type reflected in the Pro Forma Balance Sheet and (iv)
      will include all other liabilities and obligations of the Seller incurred
      in the ordinary course of business as of the Closing of the kind accrued
      or reserved for in the Pro Forma Balance Sheet.  The Closing Balance
      Sheet will be prepared in the form of the balance sheet attached hereto
      as Schedule 2.3(g) (the "PRO FORMA CLOSING BALANCE SHEET"), which Pro
      Forma Closing Balance Sheet reflects the form of the Closing Balance
      Sheet as if the Closing Date had occurred on April 1, 1997.

     2.4    ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PRICE.

           (a) Buyer and Seller agree that they shall allocate the sum of the
      Cash Purchase Price and the Assumed Liabilities among the Assets and the
      covenant not to compete (set forth in Section 4.9 of this Agreement) as
      of the Closing Date on Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") Form 8594, in
      accordance with Section 1060 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
      amended (the "CODE"), and the Treasury regulations promulgated
      thereunder.  The allocation described in the preceding sentence shall be
      determined by the joint agreement of Buyer and Seller based upon the fair
      market value of the Assets and such covenant not to compete, as of the
      Closing Date.  Buyer shall provide Seller with a copy of Buyer's proposed
      fair market value allocation (the "ALLOCATION") as promptly as reasonably
      practicable; provided, however, that Buyer shall provide Seller with a
      copy of the Allocation within 30 days after the determination of the Cash
      Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.3.  In the event that Buyer and
      Seller are unable to agree on the Allocation within 90 days after the
      determination of the Cash Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.3, a
      third-party appraiser jointly selected by Buyer and Seller, the cost of
      which shall be borne equally by Buyer and Seller, shall resolve all items
      with respect to the Allocation to which there is a dispute between the
      parties.

           (b) Buyer and Seller shall timely file with the appropriate Tax
      authorities copies of the agreed upon IRS Form 8594 and shall use the
      Allocation in the preparation of all Tax Returns (including any
      attachments thereto) and for all other Tax purposes.  In the event any
      party hereto receives notice of an audit in respect of the Allocation,
      such party shall notify the other party in writing as to the date and
      subject of such audit as promptly as reasonably practicable.


                                     10
<PAGE>   11

           (c) If any Tax Return filed by Buyer or Seller relating to the
      transactions contemplated hereby is challenged by the Tax authority with
      which such Tax Return was filed on the basis of the Allocation, as
      finally adjusted, the filing party shall assert in good faith the
      validity and correctness of the Allocation and such party shall not agree
      to any adjustment to the Allocation without obtaining the prior written
      consent of the other party (which consent shall not be unreasonably
      withheld).  If any such Tax Return is challenged as herein described, the
      party filing such Tax Return shall keep the other party apprised of its
      decisions and the current status and progress of all administrative and
      judicial proceedings, if any, that are undertaken at the election of such
      party with respect thereto.

      2.5    ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE.  All accounts received by Seller subsequent to
12:01 A.M., Kansas City Time, on the date of Closing and pertaining to the
Business and/or the Assets, shall be the property of Buyer, and Seller shall
promptly remit the same plus all documentation regarding said payment to Buyer.

SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

      3.1    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER.  Seller makes the
following  representations and warranties to Buyer:

           (a) DUE ORGANIZATION, POWER; CAPACITY, GOOD STANDING, OWNERSHIP.
      Seller is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
      standing under the laws of Delaware and has the requisite corporate power
      and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to
      conduct its business as now conducted by it.  Seller has all requisite
      corporate and other power and authority to enter into this Agreement, the
      Assumption Agreement, the Trademark License Agreement, the Supply
      Purchase Agreement between Buyer and Seller whereby Buyer shall have the
      right to purchase certain raw materials with and through Seller for a
      fixed period of time as contemplated by Section 4.16 (the "SUPPLY
      PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), the Escrow Agreement and any other agreements
      contemplated hereby to which it is a party (collectively, the "SELLER
      ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS") and to perform its obligations hereunder and
      thereunder.

           (b) AUTHORIZATION AND VALIDITY.  The execution, delivery and
      performance by Seller of this Agreement and the other Seller Acquisition
      Documents and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated
      hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
      action.  This Agreement has been, and on the Closing Date each other
      Seller Acquisition Document will be, duly executed and delivered by
      Seller and this Agreement constitutes, and each other Seller Acquisition
      Document will upon execution and delivery thereof constitute, a legal,
      valid and binding obligation of Seller, enforceable against it in
      accordance with their respective terms, except as affected by bankruptcy,
      insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to
      or affecting creditors' rights generally, by general equitable principles
      (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding
      in equity or at law) or by an implied covenant of good faith and fair
      dealing.


                                       11
<PAGE>   12

           (c) NO GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS OR NOTICES REQUIRED; NO CONFLICT.
      Except for (1) the expiration or termination of all applicable waiting
      periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
      as amended (the "HSR ACT"), (2) provisions contained in Assumed Contracts
      which require the consent of third parties to the assignment thereof
      where the failure to obtain such consents would not, individually or in
      the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below) and none
      of which individually and all of which collectively are not material to
      the conduct of the Business, and (3) as set forth in Schedule 3.1(c), the
      execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other
      Seller Acquisition Documents by Seller and the consummation by Seller of
      the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (i) will not violate
      (with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both), or
      require any consent, approval, filing or notice under any provision of
      any License (as defined in Section 3.1(g)), law, rule or regulation,
      court or administrative order, writ, judgment or decree applicable to
      Seller, the Business or any of the Assets or the Assumed Liabilities and
      (ii) will not (with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time
      or both) (x) violate or conflict with, or result in the breach,
      suspension or termination of any provision of, or constitute a default
      under, or result in the acceleration of the performance of the
      obligations of Seller under, or (y) result in the creation of any lien,
      mortgage, pledge, security interest, claim, charge or encumbrance or
      other restriction of any kind or nature (collectively, "LIENS") upon the
      Business or the Assets of Seller pursuant to the charter or by-laws of
      Seller, or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, agreement,
      contract or instrument to which Seller is a party or by which Seller, the
      Business or the Assets is bound.


            (d) FINANCIAL INFORMATION, LIABILITIES.

                 (i) The audited balance sheets of the Business as at December
            31, 1995 and 1996 (such latest balance sheet being referred to
            herein as the "BALANCE SHEET") and the related statements of
            earnings, division equity and cash flows for each of the years in
            the three year period ending on December 31, 1996, copies of which
            have been furnished to Buyer and which are attached hereto as
            Schedule 3.1(d)(i)(a), present fairly the financial condition of
            the Business as at December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the results of
            its operations for each of the  years in the three year period
            ending on December 31, 1996 (the "YEAR-END FINANCIAL STATEMENTS").
            The balance sheet of the Business as at March 31, 1997 and the
            related statement of earnings of the Business for the three-month
            period then ended, copies of which have been furnished to Buyer and
            which are attached hereto as Schedule 3.1(d)(i)(b), present fairly
            the financial condition of the Business as at March 31, 1997 and
            the results of its operations for the three-month period ending on
            March 31, 1997 (the "INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS").  All Year-End
            Financial Statements, including the related schedules and notes
            thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently
            applied.  The Interim Financial Statements were prepared in
            accordance with GAAP consistently applied.  Seller did not have
            with respect to the Business, at December 31, 1996, any material
            contingent obligation, contingent liability or liability for taxes,
            or any 

                                       12
<PAGE>   13
            long-term lease or unusual forward or long-term commitment not
            reflected in the Balance Sheet or in a footnote thereto.

                 (ii) Except to the extent set forth in the Balance Sheet, the
            Business does not have any liabilities or obligations (absolute,
            accrued, contingent or otherwise), whether due or to become due
            which would be required, in accordance with GAAP, to be set forth
            on a consolidated balance sheet of the Business, other than any
            such liabilities or obligations incurred since December 31, 1996 in
            the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and,
            to the extent applicable, the requirements of Section 4.2.

           (e) TITLE AND CONDITION OF PROPERTIES, ABSENCE OF LIENS.  Except as
      specifically disclosed on the Schedules:

                 (i) Seller has, and Buyer on the Closing Date will receive,
            good, marketable and insurable fee simple title to all real
            property, and good and marketable title to all personal property
            (tangible and intangible), constituting Assets, free and clear of
            all Liens, except (1) with respect to Assets leased, licensed or
            not owned by Seller or other contractual rights of Seller (and
            which are not reflected on the Balance Sheet or the Closing Balance
            Sheet as owned) for contractual restrictions or claims on such
            Assets pursuant to the lease, license or other Assumed Contract
            relating to such Assets and restrictions imposed by any law or
            regulation with respect to licenses, permits, copyrights,
            trademarks and the like, (2) Liens for current property taxes not
            yet due and payable or being contested in good faith by appropriate
            proceedings, (3) statutory liens of landlords, carriers,
            warehousemen, and other liens imposed by law incurred in the
            ordinary course of business for amounts not then delinquent and (4)
            with respect to real property, easements, rights-of-way,
            restrictions and other similar charges or encumbrances and other
            title defects or irregularities which, individually or in the
            aggregate, do not interfere with the ordinary conduct of the
            Business or the use of any such real property for its current uses
            or diminish the value of such real property for its current use
            ("PERMITTED LIENS").

                 (ii) All tangible Assets taken as a whole are in good
            operating condition and state of repair (ordinary wear and tear
            excepted) other than machinery and equipment temporarily out of
            repair or out of service for routine maintenance in the ordinary
            course of the Business, and are adequate and sufficient for the
            current operations of the Business as conducted in the year ended
            December 31, 1996, and, subject to the last sentence of Section
            3.1(f), conform to all applicable laws, statutes, ordinances and
            regulations.

           (f) GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS.  To the Seller's knowledge, the Seller
      is complying with all laws, statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances,
      decrees or orders of any federal, state, local or foreign authority
      applicable to the Business, including, without limitation, zoning, wage
      and hour, equal employment opportunity or occupational safety and health
      laws or regulations, and the Seller has and holds all governmental
      permits and 


                                       13
<PAGE>   14

      authorizations necessary to entitle it to own and operate the
      properties of the Business and to conduct the  operations of the
      Business.  There are no proceedings pending or, to the best knowledge of
      Seller, threatened, or any notices received, with respect to a violation
      of any such law, rule, regulation, decree or order or which might result
      in the revocation, cancellation, suspension or adverse modification of
      any such governmental permits or authorizations.  Seller makes no
      representation or warranty that the Real Property included in the Assets
      or the operations conducted thereon comply with requirements of the
      Americans with Disabilities Act (the "ADA").

           (g) LICENSES AND GOVERNMENT APPROVALS.  Schedule 3.1(g) includes all
      licenses, permits, approvals, consents, certificates of public
      convenience, orders, franchises and other authorizations of any federal,
      state, local or foreign governmental authority ("LICENSES") possessed by
      or granted to the Seller with respect to the Business or the Assets.
      Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.1(g), Seller is not aware of any
      impediment to the renewal of such Licenses.  All such Licenses are valid
      and in full force and effect and no proceeding is pending or threatened
      seeking the suspension, modification, revocation or limitation of any
      such License.  No other Licenses are required to permit the continued
      operation after the date hereof of the Business as now conducted, except
      where the failure to have such License, individually or in the aggregate,
      would not have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below).

           (h) CONTRACTS, LIST OF PROPERTIES, PERMITS AND OTHER DATA.  Schedule
      1.1(b) hereto accurately lists the following contracts, leases,
      agreements, plans and arrangements, whether written or oral, express or
      implied, or having any other legally binding basis undertaken by or for
      the Business and to which the Seller or any of its Affiliates is a party
      or by which they or any of their property is bound:


                 (1) any such contract, lease, agreement, plan or arrangement
            involving commitments to others to make capital expenditures or
            purchases or sales involving $25,000 or more in any one case except
            commitments which may be terminated without liability or penalty by
            the Buyer on not more than 30 days' notice;

                 (2) any such contract, lease, agreement, plan or arrangement
            relating to any direct or indirect indebtedness for borrowed money
            (including but not limited to loan agreements, lease-purchase
            arrangements, guarantees, agreements to purchase goods or services
            or to supply funds or other undertakings on which others rely in
            extending credit), or any conditional sales contracts, chattel
            mortgages, equipment lease agreements, and other security
            arrangements with respect to personal property with a value in
            excess of $25,000 in each instance used or owned by the Seller;

                 (3) any such contract, lease, agreement, plan or arrangement
            with or for the benefit, directly or indirectly, of any business or
            operation of the  Seller or any Affiliate of the Seller that is not
            included within the Business and that is also for the benefit,
            directly or indirectly of the Business;

                                       14
<PAGE>   15


                 (4) any contract containing covenants limiting the freedom of
            the Business to compete in any line of business with any person or
            in any area or territory;

                 (5) any license agreement, either as licensor or licensee, or
            any other agreement of any type relating to any of the patents,
            trademarks or trade names or other assets listed on Schedule 1.1(a)
            hereto;

                 (6) any contract or arrangement of any kind whatsoever,
            whether exclusive or otherwise, containing expressed terms and
            conditions with any sales agent, representative, franchisee or
            distributor of any of the products of the Business;

                 (7) any contract or arrangement of any kind whatsoever which
            requires the payment of royalties in connection with the Business;
            and

                 (8) any other legally binding contract, lease, agreement, plan
            or arrangement not of the type covered by any of the other items of
            this Section 3.1(h) which is not in the ordinary course of business
            or which is material to the business, operations, properties,
            liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the
            Business.

            True and complete copies of all documents (including all amendments
      thereto and waivers in respect thereof) referred to in the foregoing
      Schedules have been delivered or made available to Buyer.  Summaries of
      all oral contracts listed on the foregoing schedules previously provided
      to the Buyer are correct and do not omit to state any fact necessary to
      make the statements therein complete or not misleading.  No contract,
      agreement, plan or arrangement exists between the Seller and any other
      party based upon a past course of dealing.  All contracts, agreements,
      leases, licenses, sublicenses, permits and franchises referred to in such
      Schedules are in full force and effect.  Seller is not (and to the best
      knowledge of Seller, each other party thereto is not) in breach or default
      in the performance of any obligation thereunder, and, to the best
      knowledge of Seller, no event has occurred or has failed to occur whereby,
      with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, a
      default or breach will be deemed to have occurred thereunder or any of the
      other parties thereto have been or will be released therefrom or will be
      entitled to refuse to perform thereunder, except for such breaches,
      defaults and events which, either individually or in the aggregate, could
      not have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or other),
      results of operations, assets, properties or prospects of the Business,
      the Assets or the Assumed Liabilities or have a material adverse effect on
      Seller's ability to perform its obligations hereunder or under any other
      Seller Acquisition Document (each of such effects is herein called a
      "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT").

           (i) REAL ESTATE.  Schedule 1.1(c), Schedule 1.1(d) and Schedule
      3.1(i) hereto accurately list all real property relating to the Business
      owned or leased by the Seller ("REAL PROPERTY") and identify whether each
      such item of Real Property is owned or 

                                       15
<PAGE>   16


      leased by Seller.  Except as disclosed on such Schedules and in the Title
      Commitment and the Survey to be delivered to Buyer pursuant to Section
      4.15:

                 (1) The Seller has good and marketable title to all such owned
            Real Property and good and valid leasehold interests in all such
            leased Real Property, in each case free and clear of all Liens
            except for Permitted Liens and as set forth on Schedule 3.1(i).

                 (2) There are no condemnation proceedings or eminent domain
            proceedings of any kind pending or, to the best knowledge of the
            Seller, threatened against the Real Property.

                 (3) To the knowledge of Seller all of the Real Property is
            occupied under a valid and current certificate of occupancy or
            similar permit, if required, the sale of the Assets hereunder will
            not, except as required by the City of Kansas City, Missouri,
            require the issuance of any new or amended certificate of occupancy
            and there are no facts which would prevent the Real Property from
            being occupied and used by the Seller after the Closing Date in the
            same manner as before.

                 (4) All improvements on the Real Property constructed by or on
            behalf of the Seller or any other person were constructed in
            compliance with all then applicable federal, state, local or
            foreign statutes, laws, ordinances, regulations, rules, codes,
            orders or requirements (including, but not limited to, any
            building, zoning or environmental laws or codes) affecting such
            Real Property.

                 (5) All improvements on the Real Property and the present use
            and conditions thereof do not violate any applicable deed
            restrictions or other applicable covenants, restrictions,
            agreements, existing site plan approvals and, to the knowledge of
            seller, zoning or subdivision regulations or urban redevelopment
            plans as modified by any duly issued variances, and no permits,
            licenses or
            certificates pertaining to the ownership or operation of all
            improvements on the Real Property by the Seller are required by any
            governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Real Property, it
            being understood that Seller makes no representation concerning the
            transferability of Seller's existing licenses and permits or those
            which Buyer may be required to obtain.

                 (6) All improvements on the Real Property are wholly within
            the lot limits of such Real Property and do not encroach on any
            adjoining premises and there are no encroachments on any Real
            Property by any improvements located on any adjoining premises.

                 (7) There have been no improvements made to or constructions
            on any Real Property within the period provided by law for the
            filing of mechanic's liens except in the ordinary course of the
            Business.


                                       16
<PAGE>   17


                 (8) The Seller enjoys peaceful and quiet possession of each
            parcel of Real Property, and there is not under any lease of any of
            the leased Real Property (a "LEASE") any default by the Seller
            thereunder or any condition which notice or the passage of time or
            both would constitute such a default, and Seller has not received
            notice asserting the existence of any such default or condition.
            Seller has no knowledge of any default under any Lease by the
            landlord thereunder.

                 (9) The Seller has heretofore furnished to the Buyer a true
            and complete copy of each Lease and all amendments thereto
            pertaining to any leased Real Property.

                 (10) Each Lease is valid and binding and in full force and
            effect.

                 (11) The rental set forth in each Lease is the actual rental
            being paid, and there are not separate agreements or understandings
            with respect to the same.

                 (12) There are no renewal options contained in the respective
            Leases.

                 (13) Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the sale of
            the Assets hereunder shall cause a default under any Lease or
            require the prior written consent of any landlord under any Lease.


           (j) LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.  There is no litigation, proceeding or
      governmental investigation to which Seller is a party pending or, to the
      best knowledge of Seller, threatened against it that relates  to the
      Business, the Assets, the Assumed Liabilities or the transactions
      contemplated by this Agreement which could, either individually or in the
      aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect or which seeks to restrain
      or enjoin the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated
      hereby.  Seller is not in violation of any term of any judgment, writ,
      decree, injunction or order entered by any court or governmental
      authority (domestic or foreign) and outstanding against Seller or with
      respect to the Business or any of the Assets, except for such violations
      which could not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
      Adverse Effect.  To the best knowledge of Seller, there are no facts
      which would provide a basis for any successful prosecution of any such
      litigation, proceeding or investigation.

           (k) INSURANCE.  The properties and assets of Seller which are of an
      insurable character and are used or useful in the Business are insured
      against loss or damage by fire or other risks, and Seller maintains
      liability insurance, to the extent and in the manner and covering such
      risks as is customary for companies engaged in a business similar to the
      Business or owning assets similar to the Assets.  The coverage under each
      such policy and binder is in full force and effect, and no notice
      cancellation or nonrenewal with respect to any such policy or binder has
      been received by Seller.  Schedule 3.1(k) lists insurance maintained by
      Seller on the Assets and with respect to the employees and
      representatives of the Business and the operations of the Business.


                                     17
<PAGE>   18




           (l) LABOR.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(1), (i) there have
      been no labor strikes, grievances, slow-downs, work stoppages,
      administrative, arbitration or court proceedings or other material labor
      controversies or disputes during the past three (3) years, nor is any
      such strike, grievance, slow-down, work stoppage administrative,
      arbitration or court proceeding or other material labor controversy or
      dispute pending or, to the best knowledge of Seller, threatened between
      Seller and any of the employees, prospective employees, former employees,
      retirees or labor unions now employed or formerly employed by the
      Business or affecting the Business, (ii) no unfair labor charges or
      complaints have been filed against Seller with respect to its operations
      related to the Business, and Seller has not received any notice or
      communication reflecting an intention or a threat to file any such
      charges or complaints, (iii) Seller is not party to any labor contract,
      collective bargaining agreement ("CBA"), contract, letter of
      understanding or, to Seller's knowledge, any other agreement, formal or
      informal with any labor union or organization respecting the operation of
      the Business, nor are any of the employees of the Business represented by
      any labor union or organization nor have there been any labor union
      organizing activities at the facilities of the Business within the last
      three (3) years, (iv) Seller has paid in full to all of its employees now
      employed or formerly employed by the Business all wages, salaries,
      commissions, bonuses, benefits and other compensation due to such
      employees, (v) Seller has not closed any facility, effectuated any
      layoffs within the meaning of the Worker Adjustment & Retraining
      Notification Act ("WARN") of employees or implemented any early
      retirement, separation or window program within the past three years with
      respect to its operations related to the Business, nor has Seller planned
      or announced any such action or program relating to the Business other
      than as contemplated by the Transaction for the future, (vi) no promises
      of benefit improvements under the Plans (as defined in Section 3.1(r)
      have been made by Seller or any Affiliate thereof to any employee now
      employed or formerly employed by the Business of Seller, and (vii) Seller
      is not party to any written and/or undisclosed severance benefit
      applicable to any employees of the Business except as referred to in
      Schedule 3.1(l), Section 6 or Section 6.1.

           Seller has provided to Buyer true, correct and complete copies of
      the executed CBAs relating to the Business, including true, correct and
      complete copies of any and all written modifications and interpretations
      thereof and descriptions of any and all oral modifications and
      interpretations thereof.  No representations have been made by Seller or
      its employees or agents to employees of Seller with respect to Buyer's
      intentions to employ, or not to employ, any of Seller's employees, or to
      assume, or not to assume, any CBA, or to change or to maintain any wages
      or benefits.  Seller has or will notify any labor union or organization
      representing any of its employees of the  decision to sell and will
      satisfy its obligations, if any, to negotiate concerning that decision
      and its obligation to bargain concerning the effects of that decision.

           Between December 31, 1996 and the date hereof, no person employed by
      the Business was transferred to any other business or operation of Seller
      or any of its Affiliates.


                                       18
<PAGE>   19


           (m) ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE.  Seller's accounts  receivable reflected on
      the Balance Sheet are, and those reflected on the "FINAL CLOSING BALANCE
      SHEET" will be valid receivables arising in the ordinary course of
      business.  No person or entity has any lien on such receivables or any
      part thereof, no agreement for deduction, free goods, discount or other
      deferred price or quantity adjustment has been made with respect to any
      such receivables and to the knowledge of Seller such receivables are not
      subject to any valid counterclaims or setoffs.

           (n) INVENTORIES.  The inventories of the Business reflected on the
      Balance Sheet (except the inventories which have been sold or disposed of
      in the ordinary course of business since the date of the Balance Sheet
      and except for excess and obsolete inventory which has been written off)
      and the inventories thereafter acquired or manufactured in connection
      with the Business and not subsequently sold or disposed of in the
      ordinary course of business do, and the inventories reflected on the
      Final Closing Balance Sheet will, consist of items of a quality and
      quantity which in the aggregate are (i) usable in the ordinary course of
      the Business or (ii) saleable in the ordinary course of the Business at
      net realizable values (i.e., normal selling price less all applicable
      discounts, commissions and shipping costs) not less than their respective
      book value amounts.  Inventory on the Balance Sheet is, and Inventory on
      the Final Closing Balance Sheet will be, except for obsolete and
      below-standard quality inventory described below, stated at the lower of
      cost (determined by the FIFO method) or market in accordance with GAAP,
      consistently applied.  The value of excess and obsolete inventory and
      inventory of below standard quality reflected on the Balance Sheet has
      been, and to be reflected on the Final Closing Balance Sheet will be,
      written down to net realizable marketable value or written off or
      adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, have
      been provided therefor.  The inventory on hand is, and as of the Closing
      Date shall be, at levels consistent with expected customer demand and
      consistent with the Business's past practice.

           (o) PRODUCT AND SERVICE WARRANTY.  Each product repaired or
      delivered and each service rendered by the Business has been in
      conformity in all material respects with all applicable contractual
      commitments and all express and implied warranties, and neither Seller
      nor any of its Affiliates has any liabilities or obligations for
      replacement or repair thereof or other damages in connection therewith in
      excess of past custom and practice.  No product repaired or delivered or
      service rendered by the Business prior to the date hereof is subject to
      any guaranty, warranty or other indemnity for a term in excess of  the
      periods specified on express warranties delivered to Buyer hereunder from
      the date such product was repaired or delivered or such service rendered.
      Prior to the date hereof, Seller has delivered to Buyer copies of the
      standard terms and conditions of sale for products delivered and services
      rendered by the Business (containing applicable guaranty, warranty, and
      indemnity provisions).


           (p) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.  Seller has, and will transfer to Buyer
      on the Closing Date, good and marketable title to all the Intellectual
      Property, free and clear of all Liens, except as provided for in Section
      1.2(f) above.  No claims have been asserted against Seller to the effect
      that the use of the Intellectual Property by Seller infringes on 


                                       19
<PAGE>   20

      any intellectual property of any other person.  The use of all
      Intellectual Property by Seller (and by Buyer in connection with the
      operation after the Closing of the Business in the manner currently
      operated) does not (and will not, as of the Closing Date) infringe on the
      rights of any person.  There is no infringing use of any of such
      trademarks and trade names (or brandmarks, brand names or trade dress) or
      infringement of any of such copyrights and patents by any other person,
      either within or outside the United States.  Seller owns or has a license
      to use all Intellectual Property used in the Business as presently
      conducted.

           (q) COMPLIANCE WITH LAW AND REQUIREMENTS.  Except as set forth in
      Schedule 3.1(q), Seller has conducted the Business in compliance with all
      applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, rights of concession, licenses,
      know how or other proprietary rights of others, the failure to comply
      with which could, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
      Adverse Effect.

           (r) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PROGRAMS.  Except as otherwise provided in
      Schedule 3.1(r):

                 (i) Schedule 3.1(r) sets forth all of the "employee benefit
            plans" (as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement
            Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), employment,
            change-in-control, incentive, deferred compensation and severance
            policies, plans and arrangements, and all other employee benefit,
            fringe benefit plans and programs maintained or contributed to by
            the Seller with respect to current or former employees of the
            Business (the "PLANS").  Seller has provided or made available to
            Buyer (a) a copy of each of the Plans, including all amendments
            thereto, (b) any trust agreements thereunder, (c) each summary plan
            description, (d) the most recent favorable determination letter
            issued by the Internal Revenue Service, if applicable, and (e) for
            the three most recent years, the Form 5500 and attached schedules,
            audited financial statements, and actuarial valuation reports.

                 (ii) To the knowledge of  Seller, each Plan is in all material
            respects, in compliance with the applicable requirements of law,
            including, if applicable, ERISA and the Code, and has been
            established and administered in accordance with its terms.

                 (iii) Each Employee Pension Benefit Plan which is intended to
            qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable
            determination letter that it is so qualified, and, to the knowledge
            of Seller, no facts or circumstances exist which would cause any of
            such favorable determination letters to be revoked.  In addition,
            to the knowledge of Seller, no such Plan has incurred any
            "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of
            ERISA and Section 412 of the Code), and to the knowledge of Seller,
            no "reportable event" (as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA) has 
            occurred with respect to any such Plan.

                                       20
<PAGE>   21


                 (iv) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.1(r), and to the
            knowledge of Seller, no plan or arrangement exists which would be
            reasonably likely to result in the payment to any employee or
            former employee of the Business of any money or other property or
            rights or accelerate or provide any other rights or benefits to any
            employee or former employee of the Business as a result of the
            transactions contemplated by this Agreement, whether or not such
            payment would constitute a parachute payment within the meaning of
            Section 280G of the Code, and there are no contracts, agreements or
            other arrangements which would be reasonably likely to result in
            the payment to any such employee of an excess parachute payment" as
            that term is used in Section 280G of the Code.

                 (v) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.1(r). Seller has not
            contributed to or participated in any pension plan which is a
            "multiemployer plan", as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA, or in
            any "multiple employer" plan within the meaning of Section 4063 or
            4064 of ERISA, in respect of Business employees.

                 (vi) To the knowledge of Seller all contributions with respect
            to employees of the Business required to be made on or prior to
            Closing under the terms of any Plan have been (or will by Closing
            be) timely made by Seller.

                 (vii) There are no pending or, to the knowledge of Seller
            threatened, claims (other than with respect to benefits in the
            normal course), lawsuits, investigations, administrative
            proceedings or other actions arising out of, or in connection with
            the operation or administration of any Plan with respect to the
            Business or the employment of any current or former employee of the
            Business.

                 (viii) As of March 31, 1997, the assets of the Seller's
            Pension Plan for Hourly Paid Factory Employees of the Kansas City
            Plant are at least equal in value to the present value of the
            vested and unvested accrued benefits obligations, based on
            actuarial assumptions of Seller's actuaries as contained in the
            January 1, 1997 actuarial valuation; provided that this warranty
            shall not be deemed to have been given unless Buyer in its sole
            discretion assumes the Pension Plan.  Between March 31, 1997 and
            the Closing Date there will have been no material adverse change in
            the funding of the Pension Plan.

           (s) CERTAIN FEES.  Neither Seller nor any of its respective
      officers, directors or employees or Affiliates has employed any broker or
      finder or incurred any other liability for any brokerage fees,
      commissions or finders' fees in connection with the transactions
      contemplated hereby except for fees to be paid by Seller to George K.
      Baum & Co., which fees and all related expenses shall be the
      responsibility of Seller.


           (t) ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS.  Since December 31, 1996
      and except as otherwise disclosed herein or set forth in Schedule 3.1(t)
      or the other Schedules hereto, there has not been (i) any Material
      Adverse Effect with respect to the Business, the Assets, the Assumed
      Liabilities or in the condition (financial or other), results of
      operations or prospects of the Business, (ii) any material damage,
      destruction or loss 

                                       21
<PAGE>   22


      relating to the Business or the Assets, whether or not insured, (iii) any
      liability created or incurred which Buyer will assume under the Assumption
      Agreement except for liabilities accruing after December 31, 1996 in the
      ordinary course of business in a manner consistent with past practice and,
      to the extent applicable, the requirements of Section 4.2, (iv) any Lien
      created on any Asset except Permitted Liens, (v) any increase in, or
      commitment or plan adopted to increase, the wages, salaries, compensation,
      pension or other benefits or payments to any of the Business's employees,
      (vi) any capital expenditures or commitment to make any such expenditures
      with respect to the Assets or as to which Buyer will become obligated
      after the Closing pursuant to the Assumption Agreement, except (A) with
      respect to any such expenditures or commitments incurred prior to the date
      hereof, to the extent such expenditures and commitments do not exceed
      $200,000 in the aggregate and (B) with respect to any such expenditures or
      commitments incurred on or after the date hereof as permitted under
      Section 4.2, (vii) any condemnation proceedings commenced with respect to
      any Asset or notice received by Seller as to the proposed commencement of
      any such proceedings, (viii) any rights of substantial value knowingly
      waived with respect to the Assets or the Business or (ix) any sale or
      transfer of any Assets other than dispositions of inventory and obsolete
      or worn out equipment in the ordinary course of business.  Since December
      31, 1996, other than acts relating to the transactions contemplated by
      this Agreement, the Business has been conducted in all significant
      respects only in the ordinary course, consistent with past practice and,
      to the extent applicable, Section 4.2.

           (u) ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(u),
      with respect to the Business and the Assets: (i) Seller complies and has
      complied in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws,
      and possesses and complies in all material respects with and has
      possessed and complied with all Environmental Permits; (ii) there are and
      have been no Materials of Environmental Concern, or, to the knowledge of
      Seller other conditions, at any property owned or leased by Seller and
      included in the Assets that could give rise to any liability under any
      Environmental Law or result in costs arising out of any Environmental
      Law; (iii) no judicial, administrative, or arbitral proceeding (including
      any notice of violation or alleged violation) under any Environmental Law
      to which Seller is, or to the knowledge of Seller will be, named as a
      party is pending or, to the knowledge of Seller, threatened, nor is
      Seller the subject of any investigation in connection with any such
      proceeding or potential proceeding; (iv) there are no past or present
      conditions, circumstances, practices, plans, or legal requirements that
      to the knowledge of Seller would be expected to prevent, or materially
      increase the burden on the Business of complying with applicable
      Environmental Laws or of obtaining, renewing, or complying with all
      Environmental Permits required under such laws; and (v) Seller has
      provided to Buyer true and complete copies of all Environmental Reports
      relating to the Business in its possession or control.

               "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" shall mean any and all laws, rules, orders,
          regulations, statutes, ordinances, guidelines, codes, decrees, or
          other legally enforceable requirement (including, without limitation,
          common law) of  the United States, or any state, local, municipal or
          other governmental authority, 


                                       22
<PAGE>   23

            regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of
            conduct concerning protection of the environment or of human health,
            or employee health and safety.

                 "ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS" shall mean any and all permits,
            licenses, registrations, notifications, exemptions and any other
            authorization required under any Environmental Law.

                 "ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT" shall mean any report, study,
            assessment, audit, or other similar document that addresses any
            issue of actual or potential noncompliance with, or actual or
            potential liability under or cost arising out of, any Environmental
            Law that may in any way affect the Business or the Assets.

                 "MATERIALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN" shall mean any gasoline
            or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or
            petroleum products, polychlorinated biphenyls, urea-formaldehyde
            insulation, asbestos, pollutants, contaminants and radioactivity,
            and any other substances of any kind that are regulated pursuant to
            or could give rise to liability under any Environmental Law.

           (v) ENTIRE BUSINESS.  The Assets, when taken together with the
      Excluded Assets listed in Section 1.2 hereof, constitute all of the
      properties, assets and other rights of Seller and its Affiliates used in
      or necessary for the conduct of the Business as currently conducted.  On
      the Closing Date, subject to the provisions hereof, Seller will transfer
      to Buyer all of the properties, assets and other rights used in or
      necessary for the conduct by Buyer of the Business as currently conducted
      by Seller, except for the Excluded Assets listed in Section 1.2 hereof.

           (w) TAX MATTERS.  All Tax Returns required to be filed by Seller on
      or before the Closing Date with respect to the Business or its
      activities, properties or employees have been or shall be timely filed
      and all Taxes which are due or which may be claimed to be due with
      respect to the Business or its activities, properties or employees have
      been or shall be timely paid or accrued within the prescribed period,
      including any extension thereof.  All such Tax Returns are complete and
      accurate in all material respects. There are no Liens upon any of the
      Assets in respect of Taxes except for Liens for current Taxes that are
      not yet due and payable.  All Taxes required to be withheld by Seller
      with respect to the Business or its activities, properties or employees
      have been withheld and paid over to the appropriate Tax authority.
      Seller (or any predecessor of Seller) is not a party to and has not
      received any notice with respect to any proposed or pending action by any
      governmental authority for assessment or collection of Taxes with respect
      to the Business or its activities, properties or employees, nor is Seller
      a party to any dispute or threatened dispute in which action or dispute
      an adverse determination reasonably could be expected to result in a
      foreclosure of the Assets and no such claim for assessment or collection
      of Taxes has been made upon Seller.  Seller is not a "foreign person"
      within the meaning of section 1445 of the Code, and Seller will furnish
      Buyer with an affidavit that satisfies the requirements of section
      1445(b)(2) of the Code.  For purposes of this Agreement, (i) the term
      "TAX" or "TAXES" shall mean all United States federal, state, provincial,
      local and foreign income, profits, franchise, gross receipts, payroll,
      sales, 


                                       23
<PAGE>   24


      employment, use, property, excise, value added, net worth,
      intangible, privilege, business, license, transfer, estimated, stamp,
      alternative or add-on minimum, environmental, withholding and any other
      taxes, duties or assessments, together with all interest, penalties and
      additions imposed with respect to such amounts, (ii) the term "TAX
      RETURNS" shall mean any return (including any consolidated combined or
      unitary return), declaration, estimated, installment, report, claim for
      refund or information return or statement relating to Taxes which is
      required to be filed with the appropriate governmental agency, including
      any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof
      and (iii) the term "TAX AUTHORITY" shall mean any authority having
      jurisdiction over Taxes.

           (x) AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.1(x),
      there are no agreements, arrangements, undertakings or other transactions
      between the Business and any other division or business of Seller or any
      Affiliate of Seller (including, without limitation, any owner of capital
      stock of Seller).

           (y) DISCLOSURE.  Section 3.1 of this Agreement and the related
      Schedules hereto contain no untrue statement of any material fact nor
      omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
      made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
      made, not misleading.


     3.2    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER.  Buyer represents and
warrants to Seller as follows:

           (a) DUE ORGANIZATION AND POWER.  Buyer is a corporation duly
      organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Indiana.
      Buyer has all requisite corporate and other power and authority to enter
      into this Agreement, the Assumption Agreement, the Trademark License
      Agreement, the Supply Purchase Agreement, the Escrow Agreement and any
      other agreement contemplated hereby to which it is a party (collectively,
      the "BUYER ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS") and to perform its obligations
      hereunder and thereunder.  Buyer is duly authorized, qualified or
      licensed to do business as a foreign corporation, and is in good
      standing, in each of the jurisdictions in which its right, title or
      interest in or to any asset, or the conduct of its business, requires
      such authorization, qualification or licensing, except where the failure
      to so qualify or to be in good standing could not have an adverse effect
      on the ability of Buyer to perform its obligations hereunder or under any
      other Buyer Acquisition Document.

           (b) AUTHORIZATION AND VALIDITY.  The execution, delivery and
      performance by Buyer of this Agreement and the other Buyer Acquisition
      Documents and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated
      hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
      action.  This Agreement has been, and on the Closing date each other
      Buyer Acquisition Document will be, duly executed and delivered by Buyer
      and this Agreement constitutes, and each other Buyer Acquisition Document
      will upon execution and delivery thereof constitute, a legal, valid and
      binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with
      their respective terms, except as affected by bankruptcy, insolvency,
      reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or
      affecting creditors' rights generally, by general equitable principles

                                       24
<PAGE>   25

      (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding
      in equity or at law) or by an implied covenant of good faith and fair
      dealing.

           (c) GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS; NO CONFLICT.  Except for the expiration
      or termination of all applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act and as
      set forth in Schedule 3.2(c), the execution, delivery and performance of
      this Agreement and the other Buyer Acquisition Documents by Buyer and the
      consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby
      (i) will not violate (with or without the giving of notice or the lapse
      of time or both), or require any consent, approval, filing or notice
      under any provision of any law, rule or regulation, court or
      administrative order, writ, judgment or decree applicable to Buyer or its
      assets or properties and (ii) will not (with or without the giving of
      notice or the lapse of time or both) (x) violate or conflict with, or
      result in the breach, suspension or termination of any provision of, or
      constitute a default under, or result in the acceleration of the
      performance of the obligations of Buyer under, or (y) result in the
      creation of any Liens upon the assets or properties of Buyer pursuant to
      the charter or by-laws of Buyer or any indenture, mortgage, deed of
      trust, lease, agreement, contract or instrument to which Buyer is a party
      or by which Buyer or any of its assets or properties is bound.

           (d) BROKERS' FEES.  Neither Buyer nor any of its officers, directors
      or employees, on behalf of Buyer, has employed any broker or finder or
      incurred any other liability for any brokerage fees, commissions or
      finders' fees in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby
      except for fees to be paid by Buyer to American Securities Capital
      Partners, L.P., which fees and all related expenses shall be the
      responsibility of Buyer.

           (e) DISCLOSURE.  Section 3.2 of this Agreement and the related
      Schedules hereto contain no untrue statement of any material fact nor
      omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
      made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
      not misleading.

           (f) FINANCING.  Buyer has delivered to Seller a copy of a bank
      commitment received by Buyer from KeyBank, N.A. in such amount and for
      such duration so as to enable Buyer, without disruption of the Closing
      schedule contemplated by this Agreement, to consummate the purchase of
      the Assets for the Cash Purchase Price and under the payment and other
      terms described in this Agreement.  Although Buyer may be planning a
      public offering of its capital stock, Buyer warrants that the
      transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not dependent upon the
      progress or success of any such offering.

           (g) CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.  Buyer warrants and represents that
      the requirements of Section 4.12 concerning  Confidential Information
      have been and will be satisfied through any termination or Closing of the
      transactions contemplated by this Agreement.



                                       25
<PAGE>   26


     3.3    SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS.  The representations and warranties
contained in Sections 3.1 and 3.2 of this Agreement shall survive the Closing
until April 30, 1998, at which time they shall terminate, provided that the
representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.1(a), 3.1(b), 3.1(e)(i),
3.1(u), 3.1(w), 3.2(a) and 3.2(b) shall survive indefinitely and shall not
terminate.  The Escrow shall be terminated on April 30, 1998, and all funds
contained therein at such date shall be paid to the Seller.

     3.4    DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES.  Any matter disclosed on any Schedule to
Section 3.1 (the "EXPRESS DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE") will be deemed disclosed and
incorporated by reference onto all other Schedules of Section 3.1 to which such
matter is applicable (the "OTHER DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES") if the specific matter
which is disclosed on the Express Disclosure Schedule also must be disclosed on
the applicable Other Disclosure Schedule.

SECTION 4. AGREEMENTS

     4.1    ACCESS TO INFORMATION.  Prior to Closing, Seller agrees to (a) give
or cause to be given to Buyer and its employees, advisors and other
representatives such access, during normal business hours, to the offices,
employees, properties, books and records of Seller and its Affiliates relating
to the Business, the Assets and the Assumed Liabilities as Buyer may from time
to time reasonably request and (b) furnish or cause to be furnished to Buyer
such financial and operating data and other information with respect to the
Business, the Assets and the Assumed Liabilities as Buyer may from time to time
reasonably request.  After the Closing Date, Buyer shall, at reasonable times,
permit Seller to make reasonable examination of the books and records of the
Business relating to time periods ending at or prior to the Closing Date and
shall permit Seller to make copies of the relevant portions of such books and
records at Seller's expense, in each case to the extent necessary for Seller or
its Affiliates to comply with applicable legal, tax or accounting requirements.
After the Closing Date, Seller shall, at reasonable times, permit Buyer to
make reasonable examination of the books and records of the Seller relating to
the Business and shall permit Buyer to make copies of the relevant portions of
such books and records at Buyer's expense to the extent necessary for Buyer or
its Affiliates to comply with applicable legal, tax or accounting requirements.

     In addition to the foregoing, (A) Buyer shall make available to Seller at
Seller's expense (x) all documents and records of the Business for copying and
inspection and (y) all Buyer personnel employed or formerly employed by the
Business to interview or use as a witness, which Seller shall reasonably
request for the prosecution or defense of any claim or demand arising out of or
relating to any Excluded Liability or Excluded Assets of the Business or to
otherwise satisfy its obligations to Buyer under Section 8.1 and (B) Seller
shall make available to Buyer at Buyer's expense (x) all documents and records
relating to the Business for copying and inspection and (y) all Seller
personnel formerly employed by the Business to interview or use as a witness,
which Buyer shall reasonably request for the prosecution or defense of any
claim or demand arising out of or relating to any Assets or the Business or to
otherwise satisfy its obligations to Seller under Section 8.2.  Any use of
Buyer's personnel by Seller, or Seller's personnel by Buyer, for more than one
half a day shall be charged at a per diem rate equal to a pro rata portion of
the employee's total compensation, plus any travel expenses.



                                       26
<PAGE>   27


     4.2    CONDUCT OF THE BUSINESS.  Seller agrees that, except as expressly
required by this Agreement or otherwise consented to in writing by Buyer,
during the period commencing March 31, 1997 and ending on the Closing Date,
Seller shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, with respect to the Business,
the Assets and the Assumed Liabilities:

           (a) operate the Business only in the usual, regular and ordinary
      manner, on a basis consistent with past practice and, to the extent
      consistent with such operation, use its reasonable best efforts to
      preserve its present business organization intact, keep available the
      services of its present employees, preserve its present business
      relationships and maintain all rights, privileges and franchises
      necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of the Business;

           (b) maintain its inventory of supplies, parts and other materials
      and keep its books, accounts, files and records in the usual, regular and
      ordinary manner, on a basis consistent with past practice, and comply
      with and perform in all material respects all laws and contractual and
      other obligations applicable to the Business, the Assets or the Assumed
      Liabilities;

           (c) maintain in full force and effect adequate insurance with
      respect to the Business, the Assets and the employees of the Business
      covering risks customarily insured by similar businesses;

           (d) not (i) enter into any contract, agreement or other commitment
      which is not terminable by the parties upon 30 days' notice or less and
      without penalty or which involves aggregate consideration in excess of
      $25,000 except as set forth in Schedule 4.2(d) and except for purchases
      and sales of inventories in the ordinary course of business consistent
      with past practice, (ii) amend, supplement, waive or otherwise modify any
      contract or agreement included in the Assets, other than in the ordinary
      course of business consistent with past practice or (iii) permit any of
      its Affiliates to do, or agree, in writing or otherwise, to do, any of
      the foregoing;

           (e) except as set forth on Schedule 4.2(e) or as required by
      applicable law or to the extent required under existing employee benefit
      plans, agreements or arrangements as in effect on the date of this
      Agreement, not (i) increase the compensation or fringe benefits of any of
      the Business's officers or employees, except for increases, in the
      ordinary course of business, in salary or wages of employees who are not
      officers, (ii) except in the ordinary course of business grant any
      severance or termination pay, (iii) hire, except in the ordinary course
      of business, any new employees or consultants, or (iv) enter into or
      amend or terminate any collective bargaining, bonus, profit sharing,
      thrift, compensation, pension, retirement, deferred compensation,
      employment, termination, severance or other plan, agreement, trust, fund,
      policy or arrangement for the benefit of any past or present officers or
      employees;

           (f) not (i) dispose of or abandon any of the Assets, other than the
      disposition of obsolete or worn-out equipment or machinery in the
      ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, (ii) enter
      into or engage in any transaction with or for the 

      
                                       27
<PAGE>   28

      benefit of any other division or business of Seller or any Affiliate of
      Seller except as is required by an existing written agreement set forth in
      Schedule 3.1(x) or (iii) permit any of its Affiliates to do, or agree, in
      writing or otherwise, to do, any of the foregoing;

           (g) not (i) permit or allow any of the Assets to become subject to
      any Liens, except for Permitted Liens, (ii) waive any material claims or
      rights relating to the Business or the Assets, (iii) grant any increase
      in the compensation or benefits of the employees of the Business
      (including any such increase pursuant to any deferred compensation,
      severance, bonus, pension, profit-sharing or other plan or commitment)
      except for annual salary increases in the ordinary course of business
      consistent with past practice, except as otherwise required by applicable
      law, (iv) establish, enter into or adopt any employment agreement or
      collective bargaining agreement with employees of the Business or other
      Employee Benefits Programs or modify or terminate any Employee Benefits
      Programs or (v) permit any of its Affiliates to do, or agree, in writing
      or otherwise, to do, any of the foregoing;

           (h) not acquire or agree to acquire outside the ordinary course of
      business any assets that are material, individually or in the aggregate,
      to the Business, or make or agree to make any capital expenditures except
      for capital expenditures not in excess of $25,000 for any individual
      expenditure and $100,000  in the aggregate;

           (i) not pay, discharge or satisfy any claims, liabilities or
      obligations of the Business  (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted,
      contingent or otherwise), except for the payment, discharge or
      satisfaction, of liabilities or obligations in the ordinary course of
      business consistent with past practice or in accordance with their terms
      as in effect on the date hereof (including scheduled principal payments
      on the Seller Indebtedness), or transfer any rights of material value of
      the Business or modify or change in any material respect any existing
      license, lease, contract or other document relating to the operations of
      the Business, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent
      with past practice;

           (j) not change any material accounting principle that would affect
      the Balance Sheet or Final Closing Balance Sheet;

           (k) not acquire or agree to acquire, by merging or consolidating the
      Division with, or by using any of the Assets to purchase a substantial
      portion of the stock or assets of, or by incurring a liability which is
      an Assumed Liability, any business or any corporation, partnership, joint
      venture, association or other business organization or division thereof;

           (l) not (i) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money, or guarantee
      any such indebtedness of another person, issue or sell any debt
      securities or warrants or other rights to acquire any debt securities of
      Seller, guarantee any debt securities of another person, enter into any
      "keep well" or other agreement to maintain any financial statement
      condition of another person or enter into any arrangement having the
      economic effect of any of the foregoing, or (ii) make any loans, advances
      or capital contributions to, or 

                                       28
<PAGE>   29

      investments in, any other person, where any such action under clause (i)
      or (ii) would create an Assumed Liability or have a Material Adverse
      Effect; and

           (m) not authorize any of, or commit or agree to take any of, the
      foregoing actions.

     4.3    FURTHER ACTIONS.  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof,
Seller and Buyer agree to use their reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be
taken, all action and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper
or advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, including using its reasonable efforts (without payment of
money, commencement of litigation, the assumption of any material obligation or
the entering of any agreement to divest or hold separate any assets): (i) to
obtain at the earliest practicable date prior to the Closing Date (pursuant to
instruments reasonably satisfactory to Buyer in form and substance) all
licenses, permits, consents, approvals, authorizations, qualifications and
orders of governmental authorities and parties to contracts, leases, licenses
or agreements with Seller or its Affiliates as are necessary for the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without
limitation, the expiration or termination of all applicable waiting periods
under the HSR Act); (ii) to effect all necessary registrations and filings
(including, without limitation, all filings under the HSR Act); (iii) to
furnish to each other such information and assistance as reasonably may be
requested in connection with the foregoing; and (iv) to obtain, prior to the
Closing Date, all governmental licenses, permits, consents, approvals,
authorizations, qualifications and orders as are necessary in order to enable
Buyer to conduct the Business in the ordinary course as of and from the opening
of business on the Closing Date.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set
forth in this Agreement, to the extent that any consent or approval is not
obtained with respect to any contract, lease, license or agreement as
contemplated above, this Agreement shall not constitute an assignment or an
attempted assignment thereof and the failure to obtain such consent shall not
be deemed a breach by Seller of any obligation hereunder so long as reasonable
arrangements may be made as otherwise contemplated in this paragraph.  In each
such case, Seller agrees to cooperate with Buyer in any reasonable arrangement
designed to (i) provide for Buyer the benefits under any such contract, lease,
license or agreement, including enforcement at the cost and for the account of
Buyer of any and all rights of Seller against the other party or otherwise and
(ii) insure performance by Buyer of Seller's obligations thereunder to the
extent Buyer receives such benefits.  If and to the extent that such
arrangement cannot be made, Buyer shall not have any obligation with respect to
any such contract, lease, license or agreement.  Seller shall vacate and cease
to occupy as of the close of business on the Closing Date all Real Property
included in the Assets used and shall deliver possession of all such Real
Property to Buyer as of the close of business on the Closing Date, except for
office space leased to Bucon at the Kansas City Plant.

     4.4    ANTITRUST LAWS.  The Buyer and the Seller shall each file with the
U.S. Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") and the Antitrust Division of the
United States Department of Justice (the "ANTITRUST DIVISION") any
notifications required to be filed by themselves or their respective "ultimate
parent" companies (as such term is defined in the HSR Act and the regulations
promulgated thereunder) under the HSR Act with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.  Subject to the terms of this Agreement the
parties hereto will use their respective best efforts to make such filings
promptly, to respond to any requests for 

                                       29
<PAGE>   30


additional information made by either of such agencies and to cause the waiting
periods under the HSR Act to terminate or expire at the earliest possible date.
Each party hereto shall promptly inform the other of any material communication
from the FTC, the Antitrust Division or any other domestic or foreign
governmental authority regarding the sale of the Business or any of the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  If either party hereto or any of
their respective Affiliates receives a request for additional information or
documentary material from any such government or authority with respect to the
sale of the Business or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
then such party will endeavor in good faith to make, or cause to be made, as
soon as reasonably practicable and after consultation with the other party
hereto, an appropriate response in compliance with such request.

     4.5    NOTIFICATION.  Seller shall notify Buyer and keep it advised of (i)
any litigation or administrative proceeding pending or, to the best knowledge
of Seller, threatened against Seller or affecting the Business which could, if
adversely determined, have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) any material damage
or destruction of any of the Assets, and (iii) any material adverse change in
the Business or the condition (financial or other), results of operations,
assets or prospects of Seller or the Business.

     4.6    NO INCONSISTENT ACTION.  Subject to Sections 7.1 and 7.2, the
parties hereto shall not take any action inconsistent with their obligations
under this Agreement or which could materially hinder or delay the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  None of the parties hereto
shall take or omit to take any action that could result in any of their
respective representations and warranties not being true in all material
respects on the Closing Date.

     4.7    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Seller shall give prompt notice to
Buyer, and Buyer shall give prompt notice to Seller prior to the Closing, of
(a) any representation or warranty made by it or them contained in this
Agreement that is qualified as to materiality becoming untrue or inaccurate in
any material respect or any such representation or warranty that is not so
qualified becoming untrue or inaccurate in any material respect or (b) the
failure by it or them to comply with or satisfy in any material respect any
covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it or them
under this Agreement; provided, however, that no such notification shall affect
the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of the parties or the
conditions to the obligations of the parties under this agreement.

     4.8    EXECUTION OF ADDITIONAL ACQUISITION AGREEMENTS.  On the Closing
Date, each of the Buyer and Seller shall execute and deliver each of the
Assumption Agreement, the Trademark License Agreement, the Supply Purchase
Agreement and the Escrow Agreement (the "ADDITIONAL ACQUISITION AGREEMENTS").


     4.9    COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE.

           (a) In consideration of the Buyer entering into this Agreement with
      the Seller, the Seller hereby agrees effective as of the Closing Date,
      and for a period of five years thereafter (the "NONCOMPETE PERIOD"), that
      the Seller shall not, and the Seller shall cause each of its controlled
      Affiliates to not, directly or indirectly, either for itself or through


                                       30
<PAGE>   31

      any other Person, engage in, or provide any technical or marketing
      assistance to, or permit its name to be used by any enterprise engaging
      in, the production, sale or distribution anywhere in the world of any
      grain storage bin or of any grain conditioning or handling equipment of
      the general type produced, sold or distributed by the Business on the
      date hereof (collectively, "Relevant Products").  For purposes of this
      Agreement, the phrase "directly or indirectly engage in" shall include
      any direct or indirect ownership or profit participation interest in such
      enterprise, whether as an owner, stockholder, partner, joint venturer of
      otherwise, and shall include any direct or indirect participation in such
      enterprise as a consultant, licensor of technology or otherwise.
      Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 4.9 shall
      not prohibit the direct or indirect acquisition by the Seller or any of
      its Affiliates of less than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of
      any publicly-traded corporation.  Seller agrees that this covenant is
      reasonably designed to protect Buyer's substantial investment and is
      reasonable with respect to its duration, geographical area and scope.
      Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer and Seller acknowledge that Seller
      is in the business of manufacturing and distributing throughout the world
      farm buildings and other commercial structures with wooden or structural
      steel frames which may be used and are used for the "flat storage" and
      handling of grain or other materials and that such activities are not
      intended to be prohibited by this Section 4.9.  Buyer also agrees that no
      business activity of Seller as described in its 1996 Annual Report to
      Stockholders and in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996,
      involves any activity proscribed by this Section 4.9 other than the
      activities of the Business and that following the Closing Seller may
      continue to engage in all of its other businesses as now conducted.
      Buyer also acknowledges that Seller distributes farm buildings with
      wooden or structural steel frames used for grain storage and other
      products not included within the Business through dealers and other
      agents that also market, distribute and erect grain bins and grain drying
      and handling equipment for the Business and that this covenant is not
      intended to cause Seller to terminate its relationships with any such
      dealers or agents, to preclude such dealers or agents from continuing to
      use the Butler name and trademark (other than in connection with the sale
      of Relevant Products which are labelled with a trademark or tradename
      subject to the Trademark License Agreement or which otherwise purport to
      be Seller's products) or to otherwise cease the conduct of such activity.

           (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time a court holds that
      the restrictions stated in this section are unreasonable or otherwise
      unenforceable under circumstances then existing, Buyer and Seller agree
      that the maximum period, scope or geographic area determined to be
      reasonable under such circumstances by such court will be substituted for
      the stated period, scope or area.  Buyer and Seller agree that money
      damages will be an inadequate remedy for any breach of the agreements
      described in this section.  In the event of a breach or threatened breach
      of the agreements described in this section, the Buyer or its successors
      or assigns may, in addition to other rights and remedies existing in
      their favor, apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for specific
      performance and/or injunctive relief in order to enforce, or prevent any
      violations of, the provisions hereof (without the posting of a bond or
      other security).


                                       31
<PAGE>   32


     4.10    TERMINATION OF AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS.  Except as disclosed on
Schedule 4.10, all agreements, arrangements, undertakings or other transactions
set forth in Schedule 3.l(x) shall be terminated on or prior to the Closing
Date at no cost to the Business or Buyer.

     4.11    CUSTOMER CLAIMS ON PRODUCT WARRANTIES AND PURCHASE OF PAST DUE
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE.

           (a) In furtherance of the administrative convenience of the parties
      and subject to the next sentence and the procedures outlined on Schedule
      4.11, Buyer shall, after the Closing Date, satisfy Product Warranty
      claims made by customers or purchaser of products of the Business which
      arise under the express warranties of the Business as delivered to Buyer
      under Section 3.1(o).  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
      notwithstanding, Seller shall, in accordance with Section 8 indemnify and
      hold Buyer harmless, on a dollar for dollar basis, from and against all
      obligations or liabilities of the nature described in this Section 4.11.
      Anything in this Agreement or generally accepted accounting principles to
      the contrary notwithstanding, the Final Closing Balance Sheet shall not
      include any reserve for liabilities or obligations of the nature
      contemplated by this Section 4.11.

           (b) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
      Seller shall, in accordance with Section 8, indemnify and hold Buyer
      harmless, on a dollar for dollar basis, from and against any contract
      back charges that are incurred by Buyer before the Closing or for any
      items past due as of the Closing Date.  Anything in this Agreement or
      generally accepted accounting principles to the contrary notwithstanding,
      the Final Closing Balance sheet shall not include any reserve for
      contract back charges.

           (c) The Accounts Receivable reflected on the Final Closing Balance
      Sheet will not include as an Asset any reserve for uncollected accounts
      receivable.  As a consequence, Seller shall purchase from Buyer each
      account receivable that has not been paid in full within 150 days
      following the date of the of the  original invoice or other initial
      demand for payment.   The amount of the purchase price shall be  100% of
      the balance due plus interest but excluding late fees.  Seller shall
      remit the price to Buyer within thirty days following a tender of the
      receivable.  Upon such purchase, Seller shall have the right to require
      Buyer to continue its routine collection efforts with respect to such
      receivable for Seller in exchange for a collection fee equal to 5% of the
      amount collected.  Routine collection efforts shall not require the
      filing of any suit or proceeding or the placement of the account with an
      attorney or other professional collector.

     4.12    CONFIDENTIALITY.   Buyer confirms that it is bound by the terms of
the confidentiality agreement between Seller and American Securities Capital
Partners, L.P., dated January 23, 1997, as if it were a signatory thereto and
that, subject to Section 9.1 hereto, it will keep and treat the evaluation
material and all other items of confidential information provided by Seller to
Buyer hereunder and under the Letter of Intent dated February 21, 1997, in
accordance with the terms of that confidentiality agreement.


                                       32
<PAGE>   33



     4.13    RIGHT TO CHALLENGE.  Seller acknowledges that although Buyer has
agreed to pay for KPMG Peat Marwick's audit of the Business's financial
statements, Buyer in no way takes responsibility therefor.

     4.14    CERTAIN LOSSES.  Seller agrees that in the event of any property
or casualty losses or damage prior to the Closing to any of the Assets included
in the Balance Sheet, Seller shall make any necessary repairs or replacement or
pay to Buyer any payment necessary so that the Buyer receives such Assets (or a
comparable replacement thereof) in the same condition as such Assets were in on
December 31, 1996 (other than for normal wear and tear subsequent to such
date).

     4.15    TITLE COMMITMENT AND SURVEY.

           (a) TITLE COMMITMENT.  Seller agrees, at Seller's sole expense, to
      use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be furnished and
      delivered to Buyer on or before June 13, 1997 a current title commitment
      (the "TITLE COMMITMENT"), for an Owner's Title Insurance Policy (1992
      form ALTA policy) to be issued by Chicago Title Insurance Company or, at
      Seller's option, by such other company as Buyer may approve (the "TITLE
      INSURER"), setting forth the status of title of the owned real property
      listed on Schedule 1.1(c) (the "OWNED REAL PROPERTY") and all other
      exceptions, including rights-of-way, easements, restrictions, covenants,
      reservations, and other conditions, if any, affecting the Owned Real
      Property which would appear in an owner's title policy, if issued,
      together with copies of all instruments referred to in the Title
      Commitment affecting the title to the Owned Real Property.

           (b) SURVEY.  Seller shall cause to be prepared, at Seller's sole
      expense, a current as-built survey of the Owned Real Property and to use
      commercially reasonably efforts to cause the same to be furnished to
      Buyer and the Title Insurer on or before June 18, 1997
      (the "SURVEY").  The Survey shall be made in accordance with the 1992
      Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for Land Title Surveys as jointly
      established and adopted by the American Land Title Association and the
      American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, certified to Buyer and the
      Title Insurer in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and the Title
      Insurer and prepared by Blue Valley Engineers and Surveyors, Inc. or, at
      Seller's option, such other independent professional licensed land
      surveyor as may be reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and the Title
      Insurer.

           (c) REVIEW OF TITLE AND SURVEY.  Buyer shall have a period (the
      "REVIEW PERIOD") ending five (5) days after the date on which Buyer
      receives the last to be received of the following:  (i) the Title
      Commitment, (ii) copies of all instruments referred to in the Title
      Commitment which affect title to the Owned Real Property and (iii) the
      Survey required in paragraph (b) above, in which to notify Seller of any
      objections Buyer has to any matter shown or referred to on the Survey or
      in the Title Commitment which are reasonably unacceptable to Buyer.  Any
      matters to which Buyer does not object by written notice delivered to
      Seller prior to the end of the Review Period, as well as utility
      easements and other easements, rights of way, covenants, reservations and
      restrictions of record which, individually or in the aggregate, do not

                                       33
<PAGE>   34


      interfere with the ordinary conduct of the Business or the use of any
      such real property for its current uses, diminish the value of such real
      property shall be considered Permitted Liens.  Liens of an ascertainable
      amount shall not be considered to be matters rendering title
      unmarketable, and shall be paid and discharged by Seller at or before the
      Closing, except for liens for taxes and assessments which shall be
      accrued on the Final Closing Balance Sheet.  In the event Buyer notifies
      Seller in writing prior to the end of the Review Period of any objections
      to any matters shown or referred to in the Title Commitment or the
      Survey, Seller shall eliminate or modify the conditions giving rise to
      such objections to the reasonable satisfaction of Buyer prior to the
      Closing.  Without limiting the foregoing, any matter will be reasonably
      objectionable by Buyer if it reflects that the Buyer will not receive
      good and marketable title to all real property currently used by the
      Seller in the conduct of the Business other than the leased Real Property
      and the Excluded Assets.

     4.16    OTHER AGREEMENTS.  Buyer and Seller shall negotiate in good faith
to agree to a form of Supply Purchase Agreement satisfying the requirements of
this Section 4.16 on or prior to May 30, 1997.  Buyer and Seller shall
negotiate in good faith to agree to a form of lease agreement with Bucon,
d.b.a. Butler Construction ("BUCON"), on or prior to May 30, 1997.  Said lease
agreement will govern the lease by Buyer to Bucon of that portion of the Real
Property to be occupied by Bucon following Closing.  The Supply Purchase
Agreement will contain terms and conditions satisfactory to both Buyer and
Seller providing Buyer the option for a period of four years after the Closing
Date to purchase steel for the Business and for any other storage bins
manufactured by Buyer and on the same terms and conditions as Seller purchases
steel.  To the extent so negotiated, the Supply Purchase Agreement will also
contain terms and conditions relating to the purchase of steel for all the
business and operations of Buyer.

     4.17    ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.   Buyer and Seller shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to complete their environmental "due diligence" review of
the Real Property by June 30, 1997.

SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     5.1    CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF PARTIES.  The respective
obligations of the parties hereto to consummate the Acquisition shall be
subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing Date of the following
conditions:

           (a) NO INJUNCTION, ETC.  No preliminary or permanent injunction or
      other order issued by any federal or state court of competent
      jurisdiction in the United States or by any United States federal or
      state governmental or regulatory body nor any statute, rule, regulation
      or executive order promulgated or enacted by any United States federal or
      state governmental authority which restrains, enjoins or otherwise
      prohibits any of the transactions contemplated hereby shall be in effect;

           (b) HSR ACT.  The waiting periods (and any extensions thereof)
      applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under the
      HSR Act shall have been terminated or shall have expired;



                                       34
<PAGE>   35



           (c) GOVERNMENT ACTIONS.  No action shall have been taken, and no
      statute, rule or regulation shall have been enacted, by any state or
      Federal government or governmental agency which would prevent the
      consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or impose
      material conditions with respect thereto;

           (d) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION.  No action shall have been
      taken or threatened by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to
      terminate any defined benefit pension plan maintained by Seller or its
      Affiliates with respect to the Business which has not been resolved or
      discontinued without material conditions with respect thereto; and

           (e) SUPPLY PURCHASE AGREEMENT.  The Seller and the Buyer shall have
      agreed to the form of Supply Purchase Agreement as contemplated by
      Section 4.16.

     5.2    CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER.  The obligations of
Buyer to consummate the Acquisition are subject to the satisfaction (or waiver
by Buyer) at or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions:

           (a) ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  All representations
      and warranties of Seller contained herein or in any certificate,
      instrument or other document delivered to Buyer pursuant hereto shall be
      true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date,
      with the same force and effect as though such representations and
      warranties had been made on and as of the Closing Date, except to the
      extent that any such representation and warranty is made as of a
      specified date, in which case such representation and warranty shall have
      been true and correct as of such date;

           (b) PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS.  Seller shall have performed in all
      material respects all obligations and agreements, and complied in all
      material respects with all covenants contained in this Agreement to be
      performed or complied with by it prior to the Closing Date;


           (c) OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE.  Buyer shall have received a certificate,
      dated the Closing Date, of the President of Seller to the effect that the
      conditions specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) above have been fulfilled;

           (d) OPINIONS.  Buyer shall have received an opinion dated the
      Closing Date from Richard O. Ballentine, General Counsel to Seller, in
      substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C;

           (e) CONSENTS, ETC.  All licenses, permits, consents, approvals,
      authorizations and orders of governmental authorities and other third
      parties necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated
      hereby and the transfer to the Buyer of all rights, title and interest of
      the Seller in and to all of the Assets and the conduct of the Business by
      Buyer after the Closing shall have been obtained or otherwise adequately
      provided for pursuant to Section 4.3;


                                       35
<PAGE>   36


           (f) ADDITIONAL ACQUISITION AGREEMENTS.  Seller shall have executed
      and delivered to Buyer each of the Additional Acquisition Agreements to
      the reasonable satisfaction of Buyer;

           (g) TITLE INSURANCE; SURVEYS.  Buyer shall have received, with
      respect to each parcel of real property listed on Schedule 1.1(c), a 1992
      form ALTA policy of title insurance (collectively, the "TITLE POLICIES")
      issued by the Title Insurer dated as of the Closing Date in an amount
      equal to the value of such parcel of real property, as reasonably agreed
      to by the parties prior to the Closing Date.  The Title Policies shall be
      issued at ordinary rates and shall insure fee simple title to such real
      property to be vested in the Buyer or its nominee subject only to the
      Permitted Liens.  The Buyer shall have received the Title Commitment and
      the Survey as provided in Section 4.15 and the obligations of Seller
      under Section 4.15(c) shall have been satisfied in a manner that does not
      preclude Buyer from receiving the financing contemplated by Section
      3.2(f) on the terms contemplated by the commitment letter of KeyBank,
      N.A. (it being understood that the Real Property will be mortgaged to
      secure such financing).  Seller shall have resolved in a manner
      reasonably satisfactory to Buyer the matters referenced in the memorandum
      dated March 10, 1997 by Patricia L. Wilson described in Schedule 1.1 (c)
      and in the memorandum dated November 15, 1993 by An Bergstrom attached
      thereto; and

           (h) ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.  Buyer shall have completed its
      environmental "due diligence" review of the Business and, based upon such
      review, shall not in good faith believe that the aggregate cost of any
      necessary or appropriate remediation of Materials of Environmental
      Concern or other environmental-related expenditures is likely to cost in
      excess of $3,000,000, it being understood and agreed that Seller will
      under all circumstances be responsible for the cost of such remediation.

     5.3    CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF SELLER.  The obligations
of Seller to consummate the Acquisition are subject to the satisfaction (or
waiver by Seller) at or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following
conditions:

           (a) ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  All representations
      and warranties of Buyer contained herein, or in any certificate,
      instrument or other document delivered to Seller pursuant hereto shall be
      true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date,
      with the same force and effect as though such representations and
      warranties had been made on and as of the Closing Date, except to the
      extent that any such representation and warranty is made as of a
      specified date, in which case such representation and warranty shall have
      been true and correct as of such date;

           (b) PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS.  Buyer shall have performed all
      obligations in all material respects and agreements, and complied in all
      material respects with all covenants, contained in this Agreement to be
      performed or complied with by each of them prior to the Closing Date;


                                       36
<PAGE>   37



           (c) OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE.  Seller shall have received a
      certificate, dated the Closing Date, of the President of Buyer to the
      effect that the conditions specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) above have
      been fulfilled;

           (d) OPINIONS.  Seller shall have received an opinion dated the
      Closing Date from Michael J. Kissane, General Counsel of Buyer, in
      substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D;

           (e) ADDITIONAL ACQUISITION AGREEMENTS.  Buyer shall have executed
      and delivered to Seller each of the Additional Acquisition Agreements;
      and

           (f) ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.  Buyer shall have completed its
      environmental "due diligence" review of the Business and Seller shall
      have completed its own due diligence review of any environmental issues
      raised by Buyer's review, and Seller shall not in good faith believe that
      the aggregate cost of any necessary or appropriate remediation of
      Materials of Environmental Concern or other environmental-related
      expenditures relating to the Business and identified in such reviews is
      likely to cost in excess of $2,000,000.

SECTION 6. EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

     6.1    EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS.  Except as provided on Schedule 6.1, Seller
has no employment agreements with the employees of the Business and all such
employees are employed on an "at will" basis.  Seller intends to terminate all
of the employees of the Business ("Seller's Employees" or an "Employee") at
Closing.  Except for liabilities assumed by Buyer hereunder pursuant to this
Section 6 and Section 1.5 above, Seller is responsible for, and shall indemnify
and hold harmless Buyer from and against any and all claims of Seller's
employees with respect to employment prior to the Closing, and Seller shall
retain sole responsibility for and fully and timely pay all salaries, wages,
and benefits that have accrued to its employees through the Closing Date,
whether or not such amounts are payable prior to the Closing Date.  Except for
liabilities retained by Seller hereunder pursuant to this Section 6 and Section
1.5 above, Buyer is responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless
Seller from and against any and all claims of Seller's employees with respect
to (a) employment of such employees by Buyer subsequent  to the Closing, (b)
matters covered by the CBA based on facts that arise after the Closing Date,
(c) claims for accrued vacation pay or vacation benefits and (d) any claims by
employees of the Business (i) under WARN, (ii) for severance benefits under the
CBA, or Seller's severance guidelines for Salaried Employees as shown on
Schedule 3.1(r), due to the termination of an employee of the Business by
Seller at the Closing whether or not rehired by Buyer, (iii) due to any
termination of any new employment relationship between Buyer and an employee of
the Business following the Closing, (iv) only to the extent expressly agreed to
by Buyer, for any amount or the cost of any benefit that Seller may provide to
any Hourly Employees following the Closing due to agreements made by Seller in
order to satisfy its obligations under Section 6.2 and (v) for any other claim
of a Salaried or Hourly Employee due to Seller's termination of any such
Employee in connection with the Closing, including any claim arising out of
Seller's termination of the CBA or Seller's termination of its employment
relationship with any Salaried Employee (with (i) through (v) referred to as
"SEVERANCE CLAIMS").  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller shall be
responsible for, and shall indemnify 

                                       37
<PAGE>   38



and hold harmless Buyer from and against any and all claims of Salaried
Employees for severance benefits under Seller's severance guidelines for
Salaried Employees and any other claim of a Salaried Employee due to Seller's
termination of any such Employee in connection with the Closing, if such
Salaried Employee is offered employment by Buyer at a position and level of
compensation comparable to the position and level of compensation at which such
Salaried Employee was employed by Seller immediately prior to Closing (all such
claims retained by Buyer shall not constitute Severance Claims).


     6.2    COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS.  Seller shall be solely liable
and responsible for any liability under the National Labor Relations Act
arising from any failure by Seller to satisfy its obligations to notify (other
than as to WARN obligations) and/or bargain with any union prior to the
Closing.  Seller agrees to indemnify and hold Buyer and its Affiliates harmless
against any loss, damage, claim, obligation or liability arising out of or
relating to Seller's failure to satisfy such obligations, subject to Buyer's
obligations under 6.1(d).

     6.3    OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT TO OTHER EMPLOYEES.  Buyer or its designated
Affiliate may, but shall not be required to, extend an offer of employment to
some or all of the employees employed by the Business.  Buyer shall have the
exclusive right to set the initial levels of wages, benefits, and other terms
and conditions of employment for any such employees.  Those employees not
covered by a CBA are referred to as "SALARIED EMPLOYEES" and those employees
covered by a CBA are referred to as "HOURLY EMPLOYEES".  Buyer may interview
Seller's Salaried and Hourly Employees for purposes of determining whether to
extend an offer of employment to such employees.

     6.4    COMPLIANCE WITH "WARN".  Buyer covenants and agrees that it shall,
in connection with succeeding Seller as an employer in accordance with this
Section 6, comply fully with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification
Act ("WARN"), taking into account all relevant employment activities of Seller
disclosed on Schedule 6.4 which Seller represents and warrants to Buyer fully
describes for purposes of evaluating potential liabilities under WARN all
hirings, recalls, terminations and lay-offs of employees of the Business during
the one year period preceding the Closing Date.

     6.5    NON-SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES; NO TRANSFERS.  Seller agrees that
neither it nor any of its Affiliates will, for a period commencing on the date
hereof and ending on the 18 month anniversary of the Closing Date, without the
prior written consent of Buyer, whether directly or indirectly, solicit the
employment of any person who is at that time an employee, representative or
officer of the Business and who was prior to the Closing an employee of Seller
at the Business and had a salary in excess of $50,000 per year.  Prior to the
Closing Date, Seller shall not transfer the employment of any employee of the
Business to any other business or operation of Seller or to any Affiliate of
Seller.

     6.6    EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION.

           (a) HOURLY EMPLOYEES--HOURLY EMPLOYEES' PENSION PLAN AND RETIREE
      MEDICAL BENEFITS.  Subject to the provisions of this Section 6, effective
      as of the Closing Date Seller shall freeze or make other lawful provision
      for the merger, termination, 


                                       38
<PAGE>   39

      cessation or other disposition of Seller's existing Pension Plan for
      Hourly Employees of the Kansas City Plant of the Business (the "PENSION
      PLAN") unless, on or prior to the Closing, Buyer in its sole discretion
      assumes all of Seller's obligations under the Pension Plan and receives
      all Pension Plan assets, whether arising before or after the Closing, and
      agrees to indemnify and hold Seller harmless against any loss, damage,
      claim, obligation or liability arising out of or relating to Buyer's
      failure to satisfy any of Seller's obligations under or with respect to
      the Pension Plan, subject to Seller's representations and warranties
      pursuant to Section 3.1(r)(viii) and Seller's indemnification of Buyer,
      pursuant to Section 8.1, with respect to the design, operation and funding
      of the Pension Plan through the Closing Date.  Seller and Buyer shall take
      all steps reasonably necessary to facilitate Buyer's assumption of the
      Pension Plan if Buyer in its sole discretion elects to assume the Plan.
      If Buyer does not assume the Pension Plan, Seller shall retain all
      obligations and liability with respect to the Pension Plan, including the
      payment of benefits to Hourly Employees attributable to their service
      prior to the Closing Date.  Seller shall retain any liability to provide
      retiree medical benefits with respect to Hourly Employees of Seller who
      retire before or on the Closing Date.

           (b) TRANSFERRED EMPLOYEES - BENEFITS AFTER THE CLOSING.  Hourly and
      Salaried Employees that are hired by Buyer after the Closing
      ("TRANSFERRED EMPLOYEES") will be provided such employee benefits and
      compensation, after the Closing Date, as Buyer, in its sole discretion,
      may determine or otherwise negotiate with the Union; provided, however,
      and notwithstanding any other provision contained herein to the contrary,
      Transferred Employees shall be given credit for past service with Seller
      for purposes of service eligibility requirements as to any retiree
      medical benefit plan or vacation plan provided by Buyer for such
      Employees.  Subject to Section 6.1(a) and the preceding sentence, after
      the Closing Date, nothing herein shall, with respect to Transferred
      Employees who are Salaried Employees, (i) require Buyer to maintain any
      particular plan or arrangement, (ii) prevent or preclude Buyer from
      continuing any requirements for employee contributions under any employee
      benefit plans in the same proportions as the employee-paid portion under
      such plans constituted prior to the Closing Date, (iii) prevent the
      amendment or termination of any plan, program or arrangement established
      or maintained by Buyer, or (iv) interfere with Buyer's right or
      obligation to take any action or refrain from taking any action which
      Seller could take or refrain from taking prior to the Closing Date.  In
      addition, in administering any plans, programs or arrangements
      established or maintained by the Buyer, the Buyer may cause a reduction
      of benefits under any such plans, programs or arrangements, specifically
      including any vacation plan, to the extent Buyer deems necessary to avoid
      duplication of benefits with respect to the same covered matter or years
      of service or otherwise.  Seller and Buyer shall agree on the
      responsibilities for payroll taxes with respect to Transferred Employees.

           (c) EMPLOYEES-OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO RETIREE AND OTHER BENEFITS
      PRE CLOSING AND SEVERANCE CLAIMS.  Seller shall retain any liability to
      provide retiree medical benefits with respect to retired Employees of the
      Business who qualify for such coverage as of the Closing Date. Seller
      shall also remain responsible for any benefits to Salaried Employees
      under stock option or cash bonus plans, commission agreements, automobile
      allowances, tuition reimbursement plans, vacation pay plans, welfare or

                                       39
<PAGE>   40


      pension benefits, Sellers' 401(k) plan, Sellers' Employee Stock Ownership
      Plan, life insurance, death benefits and health supplement benefits with
      respect to Salaried Employees in relation to their service prior to the
      Closing Date.  With respect to Salaried Employees, Buyer  shall not
      assume any employment contracts, wage rates, work practices, health,
      welfare or pension benefit plans, or any other employment arrangements or
      understanding to which Seller is or has been a party, except to the
      extent required by law, except for any benefits arising out of Severance
      Claims or as set forth on Schedule 6.1.

           (d) COBRA COVERAGE.  Seller shall be responsible for satisfying
      "continuation coverage" requirements for all plans under Section 4980B of
      the Code or Part 6 of Title I of ERISA (COBRA) for all Employees for
      qualifying events occurring on or before the Closing Date.  Seller shall
      offer "continuation coverage" under its plans to all employees and shall
      comply with all notice and other requirements under COBRA or similar
      state statutes as a result of qualifying events occurring prior to the
      Closing Date or as a result of the transactions contemplated under this
      agreement to the Employees or any of their respective beneficiaries.
      Buyer shall assume all liability for satisfying the obligations under
      COBRA to provide continuation coverage to or with respect to any
      Transferred Employee in accordance with law with respect to any
      "qualifying event" occurring after the Closing Date and shall waive
      pre-existing conditions and any eligibility waiting period.

           (e) WORKERS' COMPENSATION, DISABILITY AND UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
      CLAIMS.  Seller shall be responsible for any and all liabilities arising
      in connection with workers' compensation, disability and unemployment
      compensation claims which are incurred prior to the Closing Date with
      respect to all Employees (whether or not such claims have been filed
      prior to the Closing Date).  Buyer shall be responsible for any and all
      liabilities arising in connection with workers' compensation, disability
      and unemployment compensation claims which are incurred on or after the
      Closing Date with respect to any Hourly Employee and with respect to any
      Transferred Employee who is a Salaried Employee.  Seller shall be
      responsible for any and all long term disability benefits (and all other
      disability-related welfare benefits for Salaried Employees) which become
      payable after the Closing Date to any Salaried Employee who met the plan
      requirements for long term disability as of the Closing Date.

           (f) RECORD KEEPING.  To the extent that service with Seller or Buyer
      is relevant for purposes of providing benefits to Employees, Buyer and
      Seller shall keep and provide each other with reasonable records and
      notification of such information as may be necessary to provide benefits
      to such Employees.


           (g) PAYMENT OF REGULAR PAYROLL ACCRUED AS OF THE CLOSING DATE AND
      VACATION.  Seller shall pay according to its normal business schedule or
      the provisions of the Plans (i) all liabilities, obligations and
      commitments relating to all regular  wages, salaries, commissions and
      other forms of regular monthly payroll and related expenses with respect
      to Employees, including without limitation, obligations for all
      applicable payroll taxes, attributable to the period ending on the close
      of business on the day prior 




                                       40
<PAGE>   41

      to the Closing Date and (ii) all employee benefits under any and all
      plans, programs or arrangements maintained or contributed to by Seller on
      behalf of the Transferred Employees for all claims incurred during the
      period ending on the close of business on the day prior to the Closing
      Date (whether or not a claim for such benefits has been filed prior to the
      Closing Date).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer shall assume Seller's
      liability to Salaried Employees of the Business with respect to any
      accrued vacation and Severance Claims.

           (h) NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES.  No employee of Seller or the
      Business, whether or not hired by Buyer, shall be construed as a third
      party beneficiary under this Agreement, and no provision in this
      Agreement shall create any right in any such employee (or his or her
      beneficiary or dependent) for any reason, including, without limitation,
      in respect of employment, continued employment, or resumed employment
      with Seller or Buyer (or any of their Affiliates) or in respect of any
      benefits that may be provided, directly or indirectly, under any plan or
      arrangement maintained by Seller or Buyer (or any of their Affiliates).

SECTION 7. TERMINATION

     7.1    GENERAL.  This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions
contemplated herein abandoned (a) by mutual consent of Buyer and Seller, (b) by
Buyer, if there has been a material breach of Seller's representations,
covenants or agreements hereunder, (c) by Seller, if there has been a material
breach of Buyer's representations, covenants or agreements hereunder, (d) by
any party by notice to the other parties in the event that the Closing Date, as
extended by agreement of the parties, shall not have occurred on or before June
30, 1997, or (e) by Buyer or Seller if the Form of Supply Purchase Agreement
has not been agreed to in writing by June 1, 1997.

     7.2    NO LIABILITIES IN EVENT OF TERMINATION.  In the event of any
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1, this Agreement shall
forthwith become null and void and of no further force or effect and there
shall be no liability on the part of Buyer or Seller, except that Sections
4.12, 8 and 9 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and that
termination shall not preclude any party from suing any other party for breach
of this Agreement.

SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION

     8.1    SELLER INDEMNITY.  Seller agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
Buyer, its Affiliates, each of their respective directors, officers, employees
and agents, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of
the foregoing (collectively, "BUYER INDEMNIFIED PERSONS") from and against (i)
all Excluded Liabilities, (ii) any claim, cost, loss, liability or damage
incurred or sustained by any Buyer Indemnified Person as a result of any
misrepresentation or breach of warranty by Seller or a breach by Seller of any
covenant or other agreement contained herein or under any other agreement or
certificate executed and delivered by the parties in furtherance of the
transactions described herein, (iii) any and all liabilities for sales, use,
income and other Taxes arising at any time out of the operation of the Business
prior to the opening of business on the Closing Date to the extent not included
in the Assumed 


                                       41
<PAGE>   42



Liabilities, (iv) any claim, cost, loss, liability or damage arising out of or
relating to any governmental or other third party claim or action against any
Buyer Indemnified Person to the extent arising out of or relating to the
ownership or operation of the Business or Assets by Seller or any other person
prior to the Closing Date other than an Assumed Liability, (v) any claim,
liability or obligation arising out of or relating to any Materials of
Environmental Concern existing on, at or under any Asset before the Closing
Date, or otherwise arising from, or in connection with, the conduct of the
Business or the ownership of the Assets by the Seller or any other person prior
to the Closing Date and (vi) all reasonable costs and expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements) incurred by any Buyer Indemnified
Party in connection with any action, suit, proceeding, demand, assessment or
judgment incident to any of the matters indemnified against in this Section 8.1.
Seller shall have no obligation to indemnify any Buyer Indemnified Person with
respect to any claim, liability or obligation relating to Real Property found
not to be in compliance with the ADA.

     8.2    BUYER INDEMNITY.  Buyer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
Seller and its Affiliates, each of their respective directors, officers,
employees and agents, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns
of any of the foregoing (collectively, the "SELLER INDEMNIFIED PERSONS" and
each a "SELLER INDEMNIFIED PERSON") from and against (i) any claim, cost, loss,
liability or damage arising out of or relating to any Assumed Liabilities, (ii)
any claim, cost, loss, liability or damage incurred or sustained by any Seller
Indemnified Person as a result of any misrepresentation or breach of warranty
by Buyer or a breach by Buyer of any covenant or other agreement contained
herein, or under any other agreement executed and delivered by the parties in
furtherance of the transactions described herein, (iii) any claim, cost, loss,
liability or damage arising out of or relating to any governmental or other
third party claim or action against any Seller Indemnified Person to the extent
arising out of or relating to the ownership or operation of the Business or
Assets by Buyer or any other person following the Closing Date, other than any
Excluded Liability, (iv) any claim, liability or obligation arising out of or
relating to any Materials of Environmental Concern existing on, at or under any
Asset after the Closing Date or otherwise arising from, or in connection with,
the conduct of the Business by the Buyer or any other person after the Closing
Date, in each case except for any Excluded Liability set forth in Section
1.5(b)(xi) and (v) all reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees and disbursements) incurred by any Seller Indemnified Person in
connection with any action, suit, proceeding, demand, assessment or judgment
incident to any of the matters indemnified against in this Section 8.2.

     8.3    THIRD PARTY CLAIMS.  If a claim by a third party is made against an
indemnified person hereunder, and if such indemnified person intends to seek
indemnity with respect thereto under this Article, such indemnified person
shall promptly notify the indemnifying person in writing of such claims setting
forth such claims in reasonable detail, provided that failure of such
indemnified person to give prompt notice as provided herein shall not relieve
the indemnifying person of any of its obligations hereunder, except to the
extent that the indemnifying person is materially prejudiced by such failure.
With respect to any such claim relating solely to the payment of money damages
and which will not result in the indemnified party's becoming subject to
injunctive or other equitable relief and as to which the indemnifying party
shall have acknowledged in writing its obligation to indemnify the indemnified
party hereunder, the indemnifying person shall have twenty (20) days after
receipt of such notice to undertake, 

                                       42
<PAGE>   43


through counsel of its own choosing, subject to the reasonable approval of such
indemnified person, and at its own expense, the settlement or defense thereof,
and the indemnified person shall cooperate with it in connection therewith;
provided, however, that the indemnified person may participate in such
settlement or defense through counsel chosen by such indemnified person,
provided that the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be borne by such
indemnified person.  If the indemnifying person shall assume the defense of a
claim, it shall not settle or compromise such claim without the prior written
consent of the indemnified person, (i) unless such settlement or compromise
includes as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant of a
release of the indemnified person from all liability with respect to such claim
or (ii) if such settlement or compromise involves the imposition of equitable
remedies or the imposition of any material obligations on such indemnified party
will be indemnified hereunder.  If the indemnifying person shall assume the
defense of a claim, the fees of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified
person shall be borne by such indemnified person unless there exists a conflict
between them as to their respective legal defenses (other than one that is of a
monetary nature), in which case the indemnified person shall be entitled to
retain separate counsel, the reasonable fees and expenses of which shall be
reimbursed by the indemnifying person.  If the indemnifying person does not
notify the indemnified person within twenty (20) days after the receipt of the
indemnified person's notice of a claim of indemnity hereunder that it elects to
undertake the defense thereof and acknowledges its obligation to indemnify the
indemnified person hereunder, or if the claim does not relate solely to the
payment of money damages, the indemnified person shall have the right to
contest, settle or compromise the claim but shall not thereby waive any right to
indemnity therefor pursuant to this Agreement.

     8.4    ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS.

           (a) The obligations to indemnify and hold harmless a party hereto,
      pursuant to Section 8.1(ii) and 8.2(ii) with respect to any
      misrepresentation or breach of warranty shall terminate when the
      applicable representation or warranty terminates pursuant to Section 3.3;
      provided, however, that such obligation to indemnify and hold harmless
      shall not terminate with respect to any item as to which the person to be
      indemnified shall have, before the expiration of the applicable period,
      previously made a claim by delivering a notice (stating in reasonable
      detail the basis of such claim) to the indemnifying party.

           (b) The parties agree that any indemnification payments made
      pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated for tax purposes as an
      adjustment to the Purchase Price, unless otherwise required by applicable
      law.

           (c) Whenever any claim for indemnification shall arise under this
      Section 8, other than a Third Party Claim as defined in Section 8.3
      (each, a "CLAIM"), the party seeking indemnification (the "INDEMNITEE")
      shall notify in writing the party from which indemnification is sought
      (the "INDEMNITOR") of the Claim within sixty (60) days after the
      Indemnitee becomes aware of the Claim's existence, with such notice to
      contain the factual basis for the Claim and the amount or an estimate 
      (if known or reasonably determinable) of the liability that may arise 
      therefrom, provided that  the failure to provide  


                                       43
<PAGE>   44

      such notice shall not affect the Indemnitor's right to indemnification
      hereunder except to the extent that the Indemnitor is actually 
      prejudiced by such failure.

           (d) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
      Seller shall have no obligation to indemnify Buyer with respect to any
      claim arising from or relating to (a) Seller's breach of the
      representations and warranties in Section 3.1 hereto or (b) Seller's
      breach of its covenants and agreements in Section 4 that are required to
      be performed prior to the Closing other than a Tax Claim, Environmental
      Claim, Customer Claim or "Section 3.1(v) Claim" (all of which shall not
      be subject to this Section 8.1(d)) until such time as, and to the extent
      that, all such claims exceed $300,000.  A "CUSTOMER CLAIM" means any
      claim  for indemnification by Buyer in connection with any liability or
      obligation (including any contract back charge) imposed upon Buyer with
      respect to the matters contemplated in Section 4.11.  A "TAX CLAIM" means
      any claim under Section 3.1(w).  An "ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIM", means any
      claim for breach of representation or warranty under Section 3.1(u).  A
      "SECTION 3.1(V) CLAIM" means any claim for breach of representation or
      warranty under Section 3.1(v).

           (e) In the event that Seller has in Buyer's judgment failed or
      refused to pay an amount properly demanded by Buyer as due under this
      Section 8 within 30 days of Buyer's written demand for indemnification
      hereunder, Buyer may, to the extent of the Escrow Amount, satisfy such
      claim from the Escrow Amount pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, provided
      that the exhaustion or release of the Escrow Amount shall not limit or
      otherwise affect any rights of a Buyer Indemnified Person hereunder.
      Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, Buyer's
      satisfaction of any claim from the Escrow Amount shall not mean Buyer is
      entitled to indemnification hereunder and in the event Seller contests
      such indemnification claim, following any arbitration judgment pursuant
      to Section 9.13 the Buyer will deposit promptly (and in any event within
      three business days) with the Escrow Agent (or return to the Seller if
      the Escrow Amount has been released) any amount withdrawn from the Escrow
      Amount in respect of a claim for which the arbitrator rules the Buyer was
      not entitled to indemnification.

SECTION 9. MISCELLANEOUS

     9.1    PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.  No news release or other public announcement
pertaining in any way to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will
be made by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties,
unless in the opinion of counsel to such party (after consultation with counsel
to the other parties) such release or announcement is required by law.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer shall be entitled (a) to include in any
registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission such
information relating to the transactions contemplated hereby as the Buyer shall
deem necessary or appropriate and that does not constitute trade secrets or
other than information that could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect which has not previously been disclosed to the public by Seller
("CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION") and (b) to disclose such information that is not
Confidential Information as it shall deem necessary or appropriate in
connection with the sale or solicitation of offers to purchase any securities
being registered pursuant to any such registration statement.  For purposes of
any registration statement filed by Buyer with the Securities and 


                                       44
<PAGE>   45


Exchange Commission prior to the Closing, Confidential Information shall not be
deemed to include the Financial Statements, any Closing Balance Sheet and such
other information about the Business as Seller agrees does not reveal trade
secrets of the Business.

     9.2    EXPENSES.  Subject to Section 9.3, whether or not the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement are completed, each of the parties hereto shall
pay the fees and expenses incurred by it in connection with the negotiation,
preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement, including, without
limitation, attorneys' and accountants' fees, and, in no event, shall any such
fees and expenses of Seller constitute Assumed Liabilities under this
Agreement.  The foregoing shall not affect the legal right, if any, that any
party hereto may have to recover expenses from any other party that breaches
its obligations hereunder.

     9.3    TRANSFER TAXES AND RECORDING EXPENSES.  Seller and Buyer shall
share equally all sales, motor vehicle, transfer and similar taxes and
recording expenses, if any, required to be paid in connection with the transfer
of the Assets.

     9.4    NOTICES.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications
which are required or may be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly giver if delivered personally or mailed,
first class mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, as follows:


       (a)  If to Seller:

            Butler Manufacturing Company
            BMA Tower, Penn Valley Park
            Post Office Box 419917
            Kansas City, MO 64141-0917
            Telephone No.: 816-968-3206
            Telecopy No.:  816-968-3211
            Attention: Vice President and General Counsel


       (b)  If to Buyer:

            CTB, Inc.
            State Road 15 North
            P.O. Box 2000
            Milford, Indiana 46542-2000
            Telephone No.:
            Telecopy No.:
            Attention:  General Counsel

            with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice to Buyer):



                                       45
<PAGE>   46


            Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
            425 Lexington Avenue
            New York, New York 10017
            Telephone No.: (212) 455-2000
            Telecopy No.: (212) 455-2502
            Attention:   Richard Capelouto, Esq.

or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as any party
shall have specified by notice in writing to the other parties.  All such
notices, requests, demands and communications shall be deemed to have been
received on the date of personal delivery or on the third business day after
the mailing thereof.

     9.5    ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement (including the Exhibits and
Schedules hereto) constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto
and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral and written,
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof including,
without limitation, the letter of intent, dated February 21, 1997, between
Buyer and Seller.

     9.6    BINDING EFFECT; BENEFIT.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns.  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to
confer on any person other than the parties hereto or their respective
successors and assigns and any person entitled to indemnification under Section
8.1 or 8.2, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason
of this Agreement.

     9.7    BULK SALES LAW.  The parties agree to waive compliance with the
provisions of the bulk sales laws of any jurisdiction.  Seller agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless Buyer from and against any and all liabilities
(including any liability in respect of Taxes) which may be asserted by third
parties against Buyer as a result of such noncompliance other than the Assumed
Liabilities.

     9.8    ASSIGNABILITY.  This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or
in part, by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other
party hereto except that Buyer may assign its rights hereunder at any time to
any of its Affiliates without the consent of the Seller, provided that no such
assignment shall relieve the Buyer of its obligations hereunder.

     9.9    AMENDMENT; WAIVER.  This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified only by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto.
No waiver by any party of any of the provisions hereof shall be effective
unless explicitly set forth in writing and executed by the party so waiving.
Except as provided in the preceding sentence, no action taken pursuant to this
Agreement, including without limitation, any investigation by or on behalf of
any party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party taking such
action of compliance with any representations, warranties, covenants, or
agreements contained herein, or in any documents delivered or to be delivered
pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with the Closing hereunder.  The
waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall
not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.




                                       46
<PAGE>   47


     9.10    SECTION HEADINGS; TABLE OF CONTENTS.  The section headings
contained in this Agreement and the Table of Contents to this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement.

     9.11    SEVERABILITY.  If any provision of this Agreement shall be
declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or
unenforceable, all other provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected and
shall remain in full force and effect.

     9.12    COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

     9.13    ARBITRATION.   Any dispute (including without limitation, a
dispute as to the validity of this Agreement or the enforceability of this
Section of this Agreement) arising under or pertaining to this Agreement
(including any subsequent verbal or written modifications thereof, all of which
shall hereinafter in this Section be collectively referred to as the
"Agreement"), or arising with respect to any performance of any of the parties
under this Agreement, whether sounding in tort, contract, violation of statute
or otherwise, shall be settled by arbitration by a single arbitrator pursuant
to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association.
Such arbitration proceeding shall be held in Chicago, Illinois. The arbitrator
shall be required to be an attorney licensed to practice law in Illinois and
shall have been in practice for more than five years.  A judgment on the award
of the arbitrator shall be binding on the parties and may be entered in any
court of competent jurisdiction.

     9.14    APPLICABLE LAW; JURISDICTION; VENUE.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF INDIANA
WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY:

                 (i) SUBMITS FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR
            PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS TO
            WHICH IT IS A PARTY, OR FOR RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF ANY
            JUDGMENT IN RESPECT THEREOF, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE GENERAL 
            JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATES OF INDIANA AND MISSOURI, 
            THE COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE NORTHERN 
            DISTRICT OF INDIANA AND THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI, AND 
            APPELLATE COURTS FROM ANY THEREOF;

                 (ii) CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE
            BROUGHT IN SUCH COURTS, AND WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY AND ANY OBJECTION
            THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH ACTION
            OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING
            WAS BROUGHT IN 


                                       47
<PAGE>   48

            AN INCONVENIENT COURT AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM THE SAME;


                 (iii) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR
            PROCEEDING MAY BE EFFECTED BY MAILING A COPY THEREOF BY REGISTERED
            OR CERTIFIED MAIL (OR ANY SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR FORM OF MAIL),
            POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE PARTY AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH IN
            SUBSECTION 9.4 OR AT SUCH OTHER ADDRESS OR TO THE ATTENTION OF SUCH
            OTHER PERSON AS ANY PARTY SHALL HAVE SPECIFIED BY NOTICE IN WRITING
            TO THE OTHER PARTIES;

                 (iv) AGREES THAT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT TO
            EFFECT SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR
            SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT TO SUE IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND

                 (v) EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
            UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR
            PROCEEDING REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (i) ABOVE.

     9.15    KNOWLEDGE.   As used herein, the "knowledge" of a party is deemed
to be the knowledge of any (a) officer or director of the party, (b) officer of
the Grain Systems Division of Seller or (c) manager or other executive of a
Party or of the Grain Systems Division that has compliance responsibility for
the matter in question.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement as of the date first above written.

                  THIS CONTRACT CONTAINS A BINDING ARBITRATION
                 PROVISION WHICH MAY BE ENFORCED BY THE PARTIES

                                    BUTLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY         



                                    By:   Donald H. Pratt
                                          ---------------------------
                                    Name: Donald H. Pratt
                                          ---------------------------
                                    Title: President
                                          ---------------------------

                                    CTB, INC.


                                    By:
                                          ---------------------------
                                    Name:
                                          ---------------------------
                                    Title:
                                          ---------------------------    


                                       48
<PAGE>   49

            AN INCONVENIENT COURT AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM THE SAME;


                 (iii) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR
            PROCEEDING MAY BE EFFECTED BY MAILING A COPY THEREOF BY REGISTERED
            OR CERTIFIED MAIL (OR ANY SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR FORM OF MAIL),
            POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE PARTY AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH IN
            SUBSECTION 9.4 OR AT SUCH OTHER ADDRESS OR TO THE ATTENTION OF SUCH
            OTHER PERSON AS ANY PARTY SHALL HAVE SPECIFIED BY NOTICE IN WRITING
            TO THE OTHER PARTIES;

                 (iv) AGREES THAT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT TO
            EFFECT SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR
            SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT TO SUE IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND

                 (v) EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
            UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR
            PROCEEDING REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (i) ABOVE.

     9.15    KNOWLEDGE.   As used herein, the "knowledge" of a party is deemed
to be the knowledge of any (a) officer or director of the party, (b) officer of
the Grain Systems Division of Seller or (c) manager or other executive of a
Party or of the Grain Systems Division that has compliance responsibility for
the matter in question.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement as of the date first above written.

                  THIS CONTRACT CONTAINS A BINDING ARBITRATION
                 PROVISION WHICH MAY BE ENFORCED BY THE PARTIES


                                    BUTLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY



                                    By:                   
                                          -------------------------------------
                                    Name:                    
                                          -------------------------------------
                                    Title:
                                          -------------------------------------

                                    CTB, INC.


                                    By:   J. Christopher Chocola
                                          -------------------------------------
                                    Name: J. Christopher Chocola
                                          -------------------------------------
                                    Title:President and Chief Executive Officer
                                          -------------------------------------







                                       48

<PAGE>   50




                                   SCHEDULES



<TABLE>
  <S>                       <C>            <C>
  Schedule 1.1(a)             --            Intellectual Property
  Schedule 1.1(b)             --            Assumed Contracts
  Schedule 1.1(c)             --            Real Property
  Schedule 1.1(d)             --            Leaseholds
  Schedule 1.1(f)             --            Equipment, Machinery and Vehicles
  Schedule 1.2(c)             --            Excluded Contracts
  Schedule 1.2(k)             --            Jointly Used Assets
  Schedule 1.2(n)             --            Excluded Real Estate
  Schedule 2.3(g)             --            Pro Forma Closing Balance Sheet
  Schedule 3.1(c)             --            Consents, Approvals, etc.
  Schedule 3.1(d)(i)(a)       --            Year-End Financial Statements
  Schedule 3.1(d)(i)(b)       --            Interim Financial Statements
  Schedule 3.1(g)             --            Licenses, Permits and Franchises
  Schedule 3.1(i)             --            Liens on Real Property
  Schedule 3.1(k)             --            Insurance
  Schedule 3.1(l)             --            Labor Issues
  Schedule 3.1(q)             --            Compliance With Law
  Schedule 3.1(r)             --            Employee Benefit Programs
  Schedule 3.1(t)             --            Certain Changes and Events
  Schedule 3.1(u)             --            Environmental Matters
  Schedule 3.1(x)             --            Affiliate Transactions
  Schedule 3.2(c)             --            Consents, Approvals, etc.
  Schedule 4.2(d)             --            Permitted Contracts
  Schedule 4.2(e)             --            Permitted Employment Agreements
  Schedule 4.10               --            Termination of Affiliate Transactions
  Schedule 4.11               --            Procedure for Customer Claims
  Schedule 6.1                --            Employment Agreements
  Schedule 6.4                --            WARN Pre-Closing Activities
</TABLE>



                                       v

<PAGE>   1
                                [BUTLER LETTERHEAD]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BUTLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
COMPLETES SALE OF GRAIN SYSTEMS DIVISION;

BOARD AUTHORIZES 800,000 SHARE REPURCHASE


KANSAS CITY, MO, JUNE 23, 1997 -- Butler Manufacturing Company announced today
that it has completed the sale of its Grain Systems division to CTB, Inc., for
a approximately $34 million in cash.  CTB, Inc. is a privately-owned company
that owns several agricultural equipment entities, including Brock
Manufacturing, a grain storage business based in Indiana.

Butler also announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of
up to 800,000 shares of the Company's common stock.  This share repurchase
authorization replaces a prior 500,000 share authorization granted in
September, 1995.  Butler had repurchased 88,000 shares under the 1995
authorization at an average cost of $29 per share and currently has 7.8 million
shares outstanding.

The  sale of  the  Grain  Systems  division  will  generate an after-tax  gain
of  about  $13 million, or $1.70 per share, for Butler.  The net proceeds of
the sale of approximately $23 million will be used to fund investments in
Butler's core building products businesses and share repurchases, which will be
made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated
transactions.   The shares purchased under the authorization will be used for
general corporate purposes, including the Company's employee stock plans, stock
option plans and other appropriate uses.

Butler Manufacturing Company is the world's leading producer of pre-engineered
building systems and is a supplier of specialty components and construction
services for the nonresidential construction market.

                                   #   #   #



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