FEDERAL SIGNAL CORP /DE/
10-K405, 1998-03-30
MOTOR VEHICLES & PASSENGER CAR BODIES
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<PAGE>   1

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C.  20549
                                  FORM 10-K

[X]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
     ACT OF 1934
                 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
                                           -----------------
                                     OR
[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

           For the transition period from __________ to __________

                        Commission File Number 1-6003

                          FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
          (Exact name of the Registrant as specified in its charter)

                                      
               DELAWARE                                        36-1063330
- ----------------------------------------              --------------------------
    (State or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)                        Identification No.)


1415 West 22nd Street,
Oak Brook, Illinois                                                60521
- -------------------------------------------           --------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                         (Zip Code)
The Registrant's telephone number, including area code (630) 954-2000
                                                       --------------
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


                                                         Name of Each Exchange
        Title of Each Class                               on Which Registered
- ------------------------------------------            --------------------------
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share,                New York Stock Exchange
with preferred share purchase rights

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes  X   No
   -----   -----

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein,
and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant's knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part
III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

State the aggregate market value of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the
Registrant as of March 1, 1998.
                Common stock, $1.00 par value -- $960,769,930
                ---------------------------------------------

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant's classes
of common stock, as of March 1, 1998.
              Common stock, $1.00 par value - 45,988,557 shares
              -------------------------------------------------

                     Documents Incorporated by Reference
                     -----------------------------------
Portions of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held on April 15, 1998, are incorporated by reference into Parts I, II and III.





<PAGE>   2

PART I

Item 1. Business.

     Federal Signal Corporation, founded in 1901, was reincorporated as a
Delaware Corporation in 1969.  The company is a manufacturer and worldwide
supplier of safety, signaling and communications equipment, hazardous area
lighting, fire rescue products, street sweeping and vacuum loader vehicles,
parking control equipment, custom on-premise signage, carbide cutting tools,
precision punches and related die components.

     Products produced and services rendered by the Registrant and its
subsidiaries (referred to collectively as the "Registrant" herein, unless
context otherwise indicates) are divided into groups (business segments) as
follows:  Safety Products, Sign, Tool and Vehicle.  This classification of
products and services is based upon the Registrant's historical divisional
structure established by management for the purposes of internal control,
marketing and accounting.

     Developments, including acquisitions and divestitures of businesses,
considered significant to the company or individual segments are described
under the following discussions of the applicable groups.

     The Financial Review and Note M - Segment Information included in the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Proxy Statement for
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 15, 1998, are
incorporated herein by reference.

Safety Products Group

     The Safety Products Group includes the Signal Products Division, Target
Tech, Aplicaciones Tecnologicas VAMA S.A. (VAMA), Victor Industries Ltd.
(Victor), Pauluhn Electric Mfg. Co., Akusta IFE, Justrite Manufacturing Company
(Justrite), and Federal APD.

     Safety Products Group products manufactured by the Registrant consist of:
(1) a variety of visual and audible warning, signaling and lighting devices
used by private industry, federal, state and local governments, building
contractors, police, fire and medical fleets, utilities and civil defense; (2)
hazardous area lighting and communications products used by mines,
petrochemical plants, offshore oil platforms and other hazardous industrial
sites; (3) safety containment products for handling and storing hazardous
materials used by a wide variety of industrial and laboratory customers as well
as military agencies and municipal, state and federal governments; and (4)
parking, revenue control, and access control equipment and systems for parking
facilities, commercial businesses, bridge and pier installation and residential
developments.

     Visual and audible signaling devices include emergency vehicle warning
lights, electromechanical and electronic vehicle sirens and industrial signal
lights, sirens, horns, bells and solid state audible signals, audio/visual
emergency warning and evacuation systems, including weather and nuclear power
plant warning notification systems and fire alarm system panels and devices.

     Hazardous area lighting and communications products include specialized
lights, control ballasts, connectors, and microprocessor-based public address
and multi-party paging systems.

     Safety containment products include safety cabinets for flammables and
corrosives; safety and dispenser cans; waste receptacles and  disposal cans;
spill control pallets and overpacks; and hazardous material storage buildings,
lockers, pallets and platforms.




                                    - 2 -


<PAGE>   3

     Parking, revenue control, and access control equipment and systems include
parking and security gates, card access readers, ticket issuing devices, coin
and token units, fee computers, automatic paystations, various forms of
electronic control units and personal computer based revenue and access control
systems.

     Warning and signaling products, which account for the principal portion of
the group's business, are marketed to both industrial and governmental users.
Many of the group's products are designed in accordance with various regulatory
codes and standards, and meet agency approvals such as Factory Mutual (FM) and
Underwriters Laboratory (UL).  Products are sold to industrial customers
through manufacturers' representatives who sell to approximately 1,500
wholesalers.  Products are also sold to governmental customers through more
than 900 active independent distributors as well as through original equipment
manufacturers and direct sales.  International sales are made through the
Registrant's independent foreign distributors or on a direct basis.

     Because of the large number of the Registrant's products, the Registrant
competes with a variety of manufacturers and suppliers and encounters varying
competitive conditions among its different products and different classes of
customers.  Because of the variety of such products and customers, no
meaningful estimate of either the total number of competitors or the
Registrant's overall competitive position can be made.  Generally, competition
is intense as to all of the Registrant's products and, as to most such
products, is based on price, including competitive bidding, product reputation
and performance, and product servicing.  Although some competitors in certain
product lines are larger than the Registrant, the Registrant believes it is the
leading supplier of particular products in the United States.

     The backlog of orders of the Safety Products Group products believed to be
firm at December 31, 1997 and 1996 was $22.1 million and $18.6 million,
respectively.  Almost all of the backlog of orders at December 31, 1997, are
reasonably expected to be filled within the current fiscal year.

During the period 1993 through 1997, the following businesses were acquired and
became part of the Safety Products Group:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Entity            Principal Headquarters  Acquired       Principal Products/Services
- ------            ----------------------  --------       ---------------------------
<S>               <C>                     <C>            <C>
Akusta IFE        England                 October 1997   Heavy duty and explosion-proof
                                                         communications equipment

Pauluhn Electric  Texas                   July 1997      Hazardous area and explosion-proof
                                                         electrical products

Victor            England                 June 1996      Hazardous area industrial lighting products

Target Tech       Illinois                December 1995  Amber signaling products for construction
                                                         and work vehicles

Justrite          Illinois                May 1994       Safety equipment for the storage,
                                                         transfer, use and disposal of flammable
                                                         and hazardous materials
</TABLE>


                                     - 3 -




<PAGE>   4

Sign Group

     The Sign Group, operating principally under the name "Federal Sign",
designs, engineers, manufactures, installs and maintains sign displays for both
sale and lease.  The Registrant additionally provides sign repair services and
also enters into maintenance service contracts for signs it manufactures as
well as signs produced by other manufacturers.  Its operations are oriented to
custom designing and engineering of commercial and industrial signs or groups
of signs for its customers.

     The sale and lease of signs and the sale of maintenance contracts are
conducted primarily through the Registrant's direct sale organization which
operates from its twenty-four principal sales and manufacturing facilities
located strategically throughout the continental U.S.  Customers for sign
products and services consist of local commercial businesses, as well as major
national and multi-national companies.

     Some of the Registrant's displays are leased to customers for terms of
typically three to five years, with both the lease and the maintenance portions
of many such contracts then renewed for successive periods.

     The Registrant is nationally a principal producer of high-end custom and
custom-quantity signs.  The Registrant's marketing strategies focus on market
segments to which it can provide a unique set of services.  The Registrant has
multiple regional and national competitors.  Competition for sign products and
services is intense and competitive factors are largely quality, price, project
and program management capabilities, aesthetic and design considerations, and
lease/maintenance services.

     Total backlog at December 31, 1997, applicable to sign products and
services was approximately $53.5 million compared to approximately $52.4
million at December 31, 1996.  A significant part of the Registrant's sign
products and services backlog relates to sign maintenance contracts since such
contracts are usually performed over long periods of time.  At December 31,
1997, the Sign Group had a backlog of in-service sign maintenance contracts of
approximately $36.8 million compared to approximately $41.2 million at December
31, 1996.  With the exception of the sign maintenance contracts, most of the
backlog orders at December 31, 1997, are reasonably expected to be filled
within the current fiscal year.

Tool Group

     Tool Group products are produced by the Registrant's wholly-owned
subsidiaries.  The die components and precision tooling operations include:
Dayton Progress Corporation, Schneider Stanznormalien GmbH (Schneider),
Jamestown Precision Tooling, Inc., Technical Tooling, Inc. (TTI), and M.J.
Industries (MJI).  The cutting tool operations include Manchester Tool Company
and Dico Corporation.  During the period 1993 to 1996, sales and revenue were
also generated by Bassett Rotary Tool Company, a manufacturer of rotary carbide
cutting tools, which was sold at the end of 1996.

     The die components and precision tooling operations manufacture and
purchase for resale an extensive variety of consumable standard and special die
components for the metal stamping industry.  These components consist of
piercing punches, matched die matrixes, punch holders or retainers, can and
body punches, precision ground high alloy parts and many other products related
to a metal stamper's needs. The die components and precision tooling operations
also produce a large variety of consumable precision metal products for
customers' nonstamping needs, including special heat exchanger tools, beverage
container tools, powder compacting tools and molding components.



                                    - 4 -



<PAGE>   5

     During the period 1993 through 1997, the die components and precision
tooling operations continued to broaden the markets they serve through the
following acquisitions:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Entity  Principal Headquarters  Acquired     Principal Products/Services
- ------  ----------------------  --------     ---------------------------
<S>     <C>                     <C>          <C>
MJI     France                  August 1996  Precision punch and die 
                                             components

TTI     Minnesota               July 1996    Body punch tooling
</TABLE>

     The acquisitions of these businesses provide manufacturing capabilities on
the European continent and greater access to European markets and complement
and broaden the operations' can and body punch product lines.

     The carbide cutting tool operations manufacture consumable carbide and
superhard insert tooling for cutoff and deep grooving metal cutting
applications.

     Because of the nature of and market for the Registrant's products,
competition is keen at both domestic and international levels.  Many customers
have some ability to produce the product themselves, but at a cost
disadvantage.  Major market emphasis is placed on quality of product, delivery
and level of service.

     Tool Group products are capital intensive with the only significant
outside cost being the purchase of the tool steel, carbide, cubic boron nitride
and polycrystalline diamond material, as well as items necessary for
manufacturing.  Inventories are maintained to assure prompt service to the
customer with the average order for standard tools filled in less than one week
for domestic shipments and within two weeks for international shipments.

     Tool Group customers include metal and plastic fabricators and tool and
die shops throughout the world.  Because of the nature of the products, volume
depends mainly on repeat orders from customers numbering in the thousands.
These products are used in the manufacturing process of a broad range of items
such as automobiles, appliances, construction products, electrical motors,
switches and components and a wide variety of other household and industrial
goods.  Almost all business is done with private industry.

     The Registrant's products are marketed in the United States, and many
international markets, principally through industrial distributors.
Foreign-owned manufacturing, sales and distribution facilities are located in
Weston, Ontario; Tokyo, Japan; Warwickshire, England; Frankfurt, Germany; and
Meaux, France.

     The order backlogs of the Tool Group as of December 31, 1997, and December
31, 1996, were $9.5 million and $7.6 million, respectively.  All of the backlog
of orders at December 31, 1997, is expected to be filled within the current
fiscal year.

Vehicle Group

     The Vehicle Group is composed of Emergency One, Inc., Bronto Skylift Oy Ab
(Bronto), Superior Emergency Vehicles, Ltd., Elgin Sweeper Company, Vactor
Manufacturing, Inc. (Vactor), Guzzler Manufacturing, Inc. (Guzzler), and Ravo
International.  In January 1998, the Registrant also acquired Saulsbury Fire
Equipment Corp. and Five Star Manufacturing.  These acquisitions are more fully
described in the "Other Matters" section of the Financial Review.

     Emergency One, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of fire rescue vehicles
including four-, six- and eight-wheel drive rescue trucks, tankers, pumpers,
aerial ladder trucks, custom chassis, and airport rescue and fire fighting 
vehicles (each of aluminum construction for rust-free operation and energy 
efficiency).


                                    - 5 -




<PAGE>   6

     Superior Emergency Vehicles, Ltd. manufactures and distributes a full
range of fire truck bodies primarily for the Canadian market.

Acquired in August 1995, and headquartered in Tampere, Finland, Bronto is a
leading manufacturer of vehicle-mounted aerial access platforms for fire rescue
and heavy duty industrial markets.  The acquisition enabled the Vehicle Group
to expand its worldwide fire apparatus product offering and distribution.

     Elgin Sweeper Company is the leading manufacturer in the United States of
self-propelled street cleaning vehicles.  Utilizing three basic cleaning
methods (mechanical sweeping, vacuuming and recirculating air), Elgin's
products are primarily designed for large-scale cleaning of curbed streets and
other paved surfaces.

     Ravo International is a leading European manufacturer and marketer of
self-propelled street and sewer cleaning vehicles.  Utilizing the vacuuming
cleaning method, Ravo's products are primarily designed for cleaning of curbed
streets and other paved surfaces.

     Vactor, acquired in June 1994, is an Illinois-based manufacturer of
municipal combination catch basin/sewer cleaning vacuum trucks.  This
acquisition provided a significant expansion of the Vehicle Group offering of
municipal equipment and enhanced the domestic and international dealer networks
of both Elgin Sweeper and Vactor.

     Guzzler, acquired in March 1993, is an Alabama-based manufacturer and
marketer of waste removal vehicles, using vacuum based technology, for
worldwide industrial and environmental markets.  The acquisition of Guzzler
complemented Elgin Sweeper Company's product distribution and provided for
increased exposure to the industrial marketplace for both Elgin and Guzzler.

     All of the Vehicle Group companies also sell accessories and replacement
parts for their products.  Ravo International also provides after-market
service and support for its products in the Netherlands.

     Some products and components thereof are not manufactured by the
Registrant but are purchased for incorporation with products of the
Registrant's manufacture.

     A majority of Vehicle Group sales are made to domestic and overseas
municipalities and other governmental units.  Vacuum loader vehicles produced
by Guzzler are principally sold to industrial customers.  Worldwide sales are
conducted by domestic and international dealers, in most areas, with some sales
being made on a direct-to-user basis.

     The Registrant competes with several domestic and foreign manufacturers
and due to the diversity of products offered, no meaningful estimate of either
the number of competitors or the Registrant's relative position within the
market can be made, although the Registrant does believe it is a major supplier
within these product lines.  The Registrant competes with numerous foreign
manufacturers, principally in international markets.

     At December 31, 1997, the Vehicle Group backlog was $223.1 million
compared to $201.5 million at December 31, 1996. A substantial majority of the
orders in the backlog at December 31, 1997, are reasonably expected to be
filled within the current fiscal year.



                                    - 6 -




<PAGE>   7

Additional Information

     The Registrant's sources and availability of materials and components are
not materially dependent upon either a single vendor or very few vendors.

     The Registrant owns a number of patents and possesses rights under others
to which it attaches importance, but does not believe that its business as a
whole is materially dependent upon any such patents or rights.  The Registrant
also owns a number of trademarks which it believes are important in connection
with the identification of its products and associated goodwill with customers,
but no material part of the Registrant's business is dependent on such
trademarks.

     The Registrant's business is not materially dependent upon research
activities relating to the development of new products or services or the
improvement of existing products and services, but such activities are of
importance as to some of the Registrant's products.  Expenditures for research
and development by the Registrant were approximately $12.0 million in 1997,
$11.2 million in 1996 and $7.0 million in 1995.

     Note M - Segment Information, presented in the Registrant's Proxy
Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 15, 1998,
contains information concerning the Registrant's foreign sales, export sales
and operations by geographic area, and is incorporated herein by reference.

     Certain of the Registrant's businesses are susceptible to the influences
of seasonal buying or delivery patterns.  The Registrant's businesses which
tend to have lower sales in the first calendar quarter compared to other
quarters as a result of these influences are signage, street sweeping, outdoor
warning, other municipal emergency signal products, parking systems and aerial
access platform manufacturing operations.

     No material part of the business of the Registrant is dependent either
upon a single customer or very few customers.  The Registrant is in substantial
compliance with federal, state and local provisions which have been enacted or
adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or
otherwise relating to the protection of the environment.  These provisions have
had no material adverse impact upon capital expenditures, earnings or
competitive position of the Registrant and its subsidiaries.  The Registrant
employed 6,591 people in ongoing businesses at the close of 1997.  The
Registrant believes relations with its employees have been very good.

Item 2. Properties.

     As of March 1, 1998, the Registrant utilized thirty-two principal
manufacturing plants located throughout North America, as well as thirteen in
Europe, one in South Africa, and one in the Far East.  In addition, there were
thirty-seven sales and service/warehouse sites, with thirty-three being
domestically based and four located overseas.

     In total, the Registrant devoted approximately 1,989,000 square feet to
manufacturing and 992,000 square feet to service, warehousing and office space,
as of March 1, 1998.  Of the total square footage, approximately 40% is devoted
to the Safety Products Group, 8% to the Sign Group, 10% to the Tool Group and
42% to the Vehicle Group.  Approximately 62% of the total square footage is
owned by the Registrant, with the remaining 38% being leased.

     All of the Registrant's properties, as well as the related machinery and
equipment, are considered to be well-maintained, suitable and adequate for
their intended purposes.  In the aggregate, these facilities are of sufficient
capacity for the Registrant's current business needs.

     Capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
were $19.6 million, $16.9 million, and $15.7 million, respectively.  The
Registrant




                                    - 7 -




<PAGE>   8

anticipates total capital expenditures in 1998 will be approximately 20% to 30%
greater than 1997 amounts.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

     The Registrant is subject to various claims, other pending and possible
legal actions for product liability and other damages and other matters arising
out of the conduct of the Registrant's business.  The Registrant believes,
based on current knowledge and after consultation with counsel, that the
outcome of such claims and actions will not have a material adverse effect on
the Registrant's consolidated financial position or the results of operations.

     On December 29, 1995, the Registrant settled a lawsuit with Duravision,
Inc. and Manufacturers Product Research Group of North America, Inc. for $6.7
million.  As a result of the settlement, the Registrant recorded a pre-tax
charge in other income and expense, the after-tax effect of which was $4.2
million, or $.09 per share.  The resolution of this case had no effect on the
Registrant's operating performance as it involved a discontinued product line.
The Registrant is actively seeking recoveries from its original trial counsel.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

     No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders through the
solicitation of proxies or otherwise during the three months ended December 31,
1997.

                                   PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Stock and Related Security Holder
        Matters.

     Federal Signal Corporation's Common Stock is listed and traded on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol FSS.  Market price range and dividend per
share data listed in Note P - Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited) contained in
the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held on April 15, 1998 is incorporated herein by reference.  As of March 1,
1998, there were 5,052 holders of record of the Registrant's common stock.

     Certain long-term debt agreements impose restrictions on the Registrant's
ability to pay cash dividends on its common stock.  All of the retained
earnings at December 31, 1997, were free of any restrictions.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

     Selected Financial Data contained in the Registrant's Proxy Statement for
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 15, 1998, is
incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
        Results of Operations.

     The Financial Review contained in the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 15, 1998, is incorporated
herein by reference.



                                    - 8 -




<PAGE>   9

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

     The consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes of the
Registrant and the report of the independent auditors set forth in the
Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held
on April 15, 1998, are incorporated herein by reference.


Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on 
          Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
 
     None.


                                   PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

The information under the caption "Election of Directors" contained in the
Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held
on April 15, 1998, is incorporated herein by reference.

     The following is a list of the Registrant's executive officers, their
ages, business experience and positions and offices as of March 1, 1998:

     Joseph J. Ross, age 52, was elected Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer in February 1990.

     John A. DeLeonardis, age 50, was elected Vice President-Taxes in January
1992.

     Duane A. Doerle, age 42, was elected Vice President-Corporate Development
in July 1996.  Previously, he served as Director-Corporate Development since
April 1992.  He has worked for the Registrant in various capacities since
October 1984.

     Henry L. Dykema, age 58, joined the Registrant as Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer in January 1995.  Mr. Dykema was self-employed from September
1993 to December 1994 and served as Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial
Officer of Kennametal, Inc. from October 1989 to August 1993.

     Richard G. Gibb, age 54, was appointed Executive Vice President in January
1998.  Previously, Mr. Gibb was President of the Safety Products Group and the
Signal Products Division, having served in those capacities since April 1995
and February 1985, respectively.

     Robert W. Racic, age 49, was elected Vice President and Treasurer in April
1984.

     Richard L. Ritz, age 44, was elected Vice President and Controller in
January 1991.

     Kim A. Wehrenberg, age 46, was elected Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary effective October 1986.

     These officers hold office until the next annual meeting of the Board of
Directors following their election and until their successors shall have been
elected and qualified.

     There are no family relationships among any of the foregoing executive
officers.


                                    - 9 -



<PAGE>   10

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

      The information contained under the caption "Executive Compensation" of
the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held April 15, 1998, is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

      The information contained under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners" of the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting
of Shareholders to be held April 15, 1998, is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

      The information contained under the caption "Executive Compensation" of
the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held April 15, 1998, is incorporated herein by reference.

                                   PART IV



Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a)1. Financial Statements

      The following consolidated financial statements of Federal Signal
      Corporation and Subsidiaries included in the Registrant's Proxy Statement
      for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 15, 1998, are
      filed as a part of this report and are incorporated by reference in Item
      8:

           Consolidated Balance Sheets -- December 31, 1997 and 1996

           Consolidated Statements of Income -- Years ended December 31, 1997,
           1996 and 1995

           Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -- Years ended December 31,
           1997, 1996 and 1995

           Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2.    Financial Statement Schedules

      The following consolidated financial statement schedule of Federal Signal
      Corporation and Subsidiaries, for the three years ended December 31, 1997,
      is filed as a part of this report in response to Item 14(d):

      Schedule II -- Valuation and qualifying accounts

      All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable
      accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not
      required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and
      therefore, have been omitted.

3.    Exhibits

      3.  a. Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, filed as 
             Exhibit (3)(a) to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended 
             December 31, 1996, is incorporated herein by reference.

          b. By-laws of the Registrant, filed as Exhibit (3)(b) to the 
             Registratnt's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, is 
             incorporated herein by reference.



                                    - 10 -




<PAGE>   11

     4.   a. Rights Agreement, filed as Exhibit (4)(a) to the Registrant's Form
             10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, is incorporated herein 
             by reference.

          b. The Registrant has no long-term debt agreements for which the 
             related outstanding debt exceeds 10% of consolidated total assets 
             as of December 31, 1997.  Copies of debt instruments for which the
             related debt is less than 10% of consolidated total assets will be
             furnished to the Commission upon request.

     10.  a. The 1996 Stock Benefit Plan, filed as Exhibit (10)(a) to the
             Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, is
             incorporated herein by reference.

          b. Corporate Management Incentive Bonus Plan, filed as Exhibit 
             (10)(b) to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 
             31, 1994, is incorporated herein by reference.

          c. Supplemental Pension Plan, filed as Exhibit (10)(c) to the 
             Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, is 
             incorporated herein by reference.

          d. Executive Disability, Survivor and Retirement Plan, filed as
             Exhibit (10)(d) to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended 
             December 31, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference.

          e. Supplemental Savings and Investment Plan, filed as Exhibit 
             (10)(f) to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 
             31, 1993, is incorporated herein by reference.

          f. Employment Agreement with Joseph J. Ross, filed as Exhibit 
             (10)(g) to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 
             31, 1994, is incorporated herein by reference.

          g. Change of Control Agreement with Kim A. Wehrenberg, filed as 
             Exhibit (10)(h) to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended 
             December 31, 1994, is incorporated herein by reference.

          h. Director Deferred Compensation Plan.

          i. Retirement Plan for Outside Directors (applies only to individuals
             who became a director prior to October 9, 1997).

     13.  Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
          held April 15, 1998. Such report, except for those portions thereof
          which are expressly incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K, is
          furnished for the information of the Commission only and is not to be
          deemed "filed" as part of this filing.

     21.  Subsidiaries of the Registrant

     23.  Consent of Independent Auditors

     27.  Financial Data Schedule




                                    - 11 -



<PAGE>   12


(b)  Reports on Form 8-K

     No reports on Form 8-K were filed for the three months ended December 31,
     1997.

(c)  and (d)

     The response to this portion of Item 14 is being submitted as a separate
     section of this report.

Other Matters

     For the purposes of complying with the amendments to the rules governing
Form S-8 (effective July 13, 1990) under the Securities Act of 1933, the
undersigned, the Registrant, hereby undertakes as follows, which undertaking
shall be incorporated by reference into the Registrant's Registration
Statements on Form S-8 Nos. 33-12876, 33-22311, 33-38494, 33-41721, 33-49476
and 33-14251, dated April 14, 1987, June 26, 1988, December 28, 1990, July 15,
1991, June 9, 1992, and October 16, 1996, respectively:

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel, the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


                                    - 12 -



<PAGE>   13

                                  Signatures


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) 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.


                                FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION




                                By:         /s/  Joseph J. Ross          
                                     ------------------------------------ 
                                     Chairman, President, Chief Executive 
                                             Officer and Director        




Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below, on March 30, 1998, by the following persons on
behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated.




    /s/  Henry L. Dykema                    /s/  Walter R. Peirson
- -----------------------------             ---------------------------
  Vice President and Chief                         Director
      Financial Officer                 
                                        
                                        
/s/  Richard L. Ritz                      /s/  J. Patrick Lannan, Jr.
- -----------------------------             ---------------------------
Vice President and Controller                      Director
                                        
                                        
                                          /s/  James A. Lovell, Jr.
                                          ---------------------------
                                                   Director


                                          /s/  Thomas N. McGowen, Jr.
                                          ---------------------------
                                                   Director


                                          /s/  Richard R. Thomas
                                          ---------------------------
                                                   Director





                                    - 13 -



<PAGE>   14

                                                                     SCHEDULE II



                 FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

             For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            
                                                                        
                                                             Deductions 
                                                Additions   ----------- 
                                                ----------   Accounts   
                                    Balance at  Charged to  written off   Balance
                                    beginning   costs and     net of       at end
           Description               of year     expenses   recoveries    of year
- ----------------------------------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------
<S>                                 <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>

Year ended December 31, 1997:
- ----------------------------------

 Deducted from asset accounts:

   Allowance for doubtful accounts
   Manufacturing activities         $2,602,000                           $2,527,000
   Financial service activities      1,348,000                            1,772,000
                                    ----------                           ----------

 Total                              $3,950,000  $2,421,000   $2,072,000  $4,299,000



Year ended December 31, 1996:
- ----------------------------------

 Deducted from asset accounts:

   Allowance for doubtful accounts
   Manufacturing activities         $3,058,000                           $2,602,000
   Financial service activities      1,124,000                            1,348,000
                                    ----------                           ----------

 Total                              $4,182,000  $1,719,000   $1,951,000  $3,950,000



Year ended December 31, 1995:
- ----------------------------------

 Deducted from asset accounts:

   Allowance for doubtful accounts
   Manufacturing activities         $2,848,000                           $3,058,000
   Financial service activities      1,174,000                            1,124,000
                                    ----------                           ----------

 Total                              $4,022,000  $1,716,000   $1,556,000  $4,182,000
</TABLE>






<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.h.


                          FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
                     DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN


1.   A director may elect to defer payment of his fees, in increments of 10%
     up to 100%, by completing an Election form.  Only fees which have not been
     earned (no services performed) when the election is made may be deferred.
     An election to defer fees shall continue from year to year unless the
     Director terminates it in writing.

2.   The Company shall establish an account for each participating director
     which will be credited at the end of each quarter with the fees he is
     deferring for the quarter, as well as accrued interest on the account
     balance at the prime rate, as set by Harris Bank in Chicago, on the last
     day of the preceding quarter.

3.   The Company shall have absolute discretion with respect to the
     administration, use and disposal of any and all amounts credited to a
     director's deferred compensation account.  It is expressly agreed that all
     monies held at any time in such account shall be and remain the property
     of the Company and a director will have no ownership rights of any nature
     with respect thereto until such time as the monies are paid from the
     account to the director.

4.   A director shall have the right to be paid his deferred compensation, in
     the manner provide for in paragraph 5, when he ceases to be a director or
     on the date set forth in the Election form, whichever he chooses when he
     completes the Election form.  A director is not entitled to payment from
     the account at any other time.

5.   A director's deferred compensation account balance shall be paid out to
     him either as a lump sum or as a five year annual annuity, whichever he
     elects when he completes the Election form.  Account balances shall
     continue to earn interest until the account balance has been paid in full.

6.   Upon the death of a director, his account balance or remaining portion
     thereof, shall be distributed in one lump sum to his beneficiary named on
     the Election form or if no beneficiary is named and surviving, to his
     estate.

7.   The officers of the Company are empowered to place the Plan in effect
     under such additional conditions and terms as they deem appropriate but
     which are not inconsistent with the above-stated terms and which will not
     jeopardize the status of the Plan as a deferred compensation plan and to
     terminate the Plan or a director's participation in it if the officers
     deem such action to be appropriate.







<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.i.



                             RETIREMENT PLAN FOR
OUTSIDE DIRECTORS


     Effective February 3, 1989, Federal Signal Corporation hereby establishes
the Federal Signal Retirement Plan for Outside Directors.

                                  ARTICLE I

INTRODUCTION


Section 1.1  Name of Plan.  The name of the plan is the Federal Signal 
             Retirement Plan for Outside Directors (the "Plan").

Section 1.2  Effective Date.  The effective date of the Plan is 
             February 3, 1989.



ARTICLE II

                                 DEFINITIONS



Section 2.1  "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of Federal Signal 
             Corporation (the "Company").

Section 2.2  "Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the 
             following events without the prior approval of the Board:

             (a)  any person (including a group as defined in Section 13(d) of 
                  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) becoming the beneficial  
                  owner, directly or indirectly, of twenty (20%) percent or
                  more of the shares of the Company entitled to vote for the
                  election of directors;

             (b)  as a result of or in connection with any cash tender offer, 
                  exchange offer, merger or other business combination, sale of 
                  assets or contested election, or combination of the
                  foregoing, the persons who were directors of the Company just
                  prior to such event shall cease to constitute a majority of
                  the Board; or

             (c)  the stockholders of the Company approve an agreement 
                  providing for a transaction in which the Company will cease   
                  to be an independent publicly-owned corporation or a sale or
                  other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
                  of the Company occurs.


Section 2.3  "Compensation Committee" shall mean the Compensation Committee of 
             the Board or its delegate.

Section 2.4  "Participant" shall mean an outside director of the Company who 
             became a director prior to October 9, 1997.





<PAGE>   2

                                 ARTICLE III

                           BENEFITS UNDER THE PLAN




Section 3.1  Eligibility to Receive Benefits Under the Plan.  A Participant
             under this Plan shall be eligible to receive benefits under this
             Plan only if, a the time of termination from service on the Board,
             (1) such Participant has attained the age of 68 and completed at
             least ten (10) years of service on the Board (Directors who have
             past service on the Board when this Plan was adopted must have
             completed at least five (5) years of service at the time of
             termination of service from the Board); or (2) a Change in Control
             has occurred.

Section 3.2  Amount of Annual Benefit Payable Under the Plan.  A Participant
             who is eligible to receive benefits under this Plan shall be
             entitled to receive an annual benefit, paid on a quarterly basis,
             of (1) $15,000 if the Participant has attained age 70 prior to the
             termination of service on the Board or after a Change in Control;
             (2) $11,250 if the Participant is between the age of 69 and 70 at
             the time of termination of service on the board; or (3) $7,500 if
             the Participant is between the age of 68 and 69 at the time of
             termination of service of the Board.

Section 3.3  Duration of Payments Under the Plan.  The annual benefits payable
             as set forth in Section 3.2 of the Plan shall be paid 25% at the
             end of each quarter, beginning with the first quarter immediately
             following a Participant's termination of service on the Board, and
             shall continue for ten (10) years if the amount of the annual
             benefit is $15,000; for eight (8) years if the amount of the
             annual benefit is $11,250; for five (5) years if the amount of the
             benefits $7,500 or until death of the Participant if death occurs
             prior to the expiration of the foregoing periods.

Section 3.4  Lump Sum Option.  If termination of service on the Board occurs
             after a Change in Control, a Participant may elect, upon his
             termination of service on the Board, to receive a lump sum payment
             equal to the present value (using the applicable Pension Benefit
             Guarantee Corporation interest rate) of the annual benefits of
             $15,000 for ten (10) years, which lump sum shall be paid
             immediately upon termination of the Participant's service on the
             Board.

Section 3.5  Non-Assignability of Interests.  The interests herein and the
             right to receive benefits hereunder may not be anticipated,
             alienated, sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, encumbered, or
             subjected to any charge or legal process.



                                  ARTICLE IV

                                  CONSULTING

Section 4.1  Consulting.  After termination of service from the Board, a
             Participant receiving benefits under this Plan shall, during the
             applicable period set forth in Section 3.3, agree to hold himself
             available at mutually convenient times for consultation with 
             members of the Board and senior management of the Company, at the 
             request of the Chief Executive Officer, concerning the business 
             and affairs of the Company at a fee of $1,000, plus reasonable 
             expenses, for each day of active consultation for up to three (3) 
             days per quarter, or as otherwise mutually agreed.





<PAGE>   3
                                  ARTICLE V

                             PLAN ADMINISTRATION



Section 5.1  Administration.  The Plan shall be administered by the
             Compensation Committee.  The Compensation Committee shall have the
             authority to interpret the Plan and any such interpretation shall
             be final and binding on all parties.  The Compensation Committee
             shall have the authority to delegate to the Chief Executive Officer
             of the Company, or others, the duties and responsibilities of
             maintaining records, issuing such regulations as it deems
             appropriate, and making distributions hereunder.  The Board, or if
             specifically delegated, its delegate, may amend or terminate the
             Plan at any time, provided that no such amendment or termination
             shall adversely affect the rights under the Plan of directors who
             became directors before the time of such amendment or termination
             unless such directors consent to the amendment or termination in
             writing.  The Company will pay for all distributions made pursuant
             to the Plan and for all costs, charges and expenses relating to the
             administration of the Plan.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Federal Signal Corporation has caused this Plan to be 
executed as of February 3, 1989.

                                               FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION




                                               By: /s/ Joseph J. Ross
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                  Joseph J. Ross, President and
                                                  Chief Executive Officer




<PAGE>   1
 
                            [FEDERAL SIGNAL LOGO]
                             1415 West 22nd Street
                           Oak Brook, Illinois 60521
 
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
                          TO BE HELD ON APRIL 15, 1998
 
To the Stockholders of
  Federal Signal Corporation
 
     The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Federal Signal Corporation
("Federal") for the year 1998 will be held at the Chicago Marriott Hotel-Oak
Brook, 1401 West 22nd Street, Oak Brook, Illinois, on Wednesday, April 15, 1998,
at 10:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
 
          1. To elect two directors of Federal; and
 
          2. To consider and act on a proposal to amend the Federal Signal
     Corporation Stock Benefit Plan to expand the eligibility provision.
 
          3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
     meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
     The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business, February 19, 1998,
as the record date for determining the holders of Common Stock of Federal
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
     A copy of Federal's Financial Statements and its Annual Report for the year
ended December 31, 1997 and a Proxy Statement accompany this notice.
 
IMPORTANT! TO ASSURE THAT YOUR SHARES ARE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING, PLEASE
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
 
NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF THE PROXY IS MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
 
                                          By order of the Board of Directors
 
                                          KIM A. WEHRENBERG
                                          Secretary
 
March 9, 1998
<PAGE>   2
 
                            [FEDERAL SIGNAL LOGO]
                             1415 West 22nd Street
                           Oak Brook, Illinois 60521
 
                                  MAILING DATE
                                  ON OR ABOUT
                                 MARCH 9, 1998
 
                               ------------------
 
               PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
                          TO BE HELD ON APRIL 15, 1998
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
     This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of Federal Signal Corporation ("Federal") for
use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Wednesday, April 15,
1998, and any adjournment thereof. Costs of solicitation will be borne by
Federal. Following the original solicitation of proxies by mail, certain
officers and regular employees of Federal may solicit proxies by correspondence,
telephone, telegraph, or in person, but without extra compensation. Federal will
reimburse brokers and other nominee holders for their reasonable expenses
incurred in forwarding the proxy materials to the beneficial owners.
 
     Each proxy solicited herewith will be voted as to each matter as the
stockholder directs thereon, but in the absence of such directions it will be
voted for the nominees specified herein. Any proxy solicited herewith may be
revoked by the stockholder at any time prior to the voting thereof, but a
revocation will not be effective until satisfactory evidence thereof has been
received by the Secretary of Federal.
 
                               VOTING SECURITIES
 
     The holders of record of the Common Stock of Federal at the close of
business on February 19, 1998, will be entitled to vote at the meeting. At such
record date, there were outstanding 45,988,557 shares of Common Stock. A
majority of the outstanding shares will constitute a quorum at the meeting.
Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted to determine if a quorum is
present. Abstentions are counted as votes cast, whereas broker non-votes are not
counted as votes cast for determining whether a proposition has been approved.
Each stockholder of record will be entitled to one vote for each share of Common
Stock standing in the name of the holder on the books of Federal on the record
date.
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   3
 
                         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
                               BENEFICIAL OWNERS
 
     The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 1997 (unless
otherwise noted) with respect to (i) any person who is known to Federal to be
the beneficial owner of more than 5% of Federal's Common Stock, which is
Federal's only class of outstanding voting securities, and (ii) each director,
and all directors and officers as a group:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                AMOUNT AND
                                                                NATURE OF
                                                                BENEFICIAL       PERCENT OF
                            NAME                                OWNERSHIP          CLASS
                            ----                                ----------       ----------
<S>                                                             <C>              <C>
Beneficial Owner of More than 5% of Federal's Common
  Stock:....................................................         None
Each Director and Five Executive Officers and Executive
  Officers and Directors as a Group:(1)
     J. Patrick Lannan, Jr., Director.......................      262,328(2)         .57%
     James A. Lovell, Jr., Director.........................       31,126(3)         .07%
     Thomas N. McGowen, Jr., Director.......................       34,666            .08%
     Walter R. Peirson, Director............................       29,991(3)         .07%
     Joseph J. Ross, Director and Executive Officer.........      837,255(3)        1.82%
     Richard R. Thomas, Director............................      132,848(3)         .29%
     Henry L. Dykema, Executive Officer.....................       37,093(3)         .08%
     Kim A. Wehrenberg, Executive Officer...................      211,964(3)         .46%
     Richard L. Ritz, Executive Officer.....................       72,738(3)         .16%
     Robert W. Racic, Executive Officer.....................       46,289(3)         .10%
     All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (12
      persons)..............................................    1,755,698           3.83%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The information contained in this table is based upon information furnished
    to Federal by the individuals named above. Except as set forth in the
    following footnotes, each director claims sole voting and investment power
    with respect to these shares.
 
(2) This figure includes 17,899 shares owned by Mr. Lannan's wife. Mr. Lannan
    disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to these shares. It also
    includes 18,848 shares for which he shares voting and investment power.
 
(3) These figures include options shares exercisable within 60 days as follows:
    Mr. Lovell, 17,016; Mr. Peirson, 8,226; Mr. Ross, 306,033; Mr. Dykema,
    10,750; Mr. Wehrenberg, 85,425; Mr. Ritz, 42,387; and Mr. Racic, 12,266.
    These figures also include stock award shares pursuant to Federal's Stock
    Benefit Plan which are subject to certain restrictions under the plan, as
    follows: Mr. Ross, 13,375; Mr. Dykema, 14,125; Mr. Wehrenberg, 5,375; Mr.
    Ritz, 3,125 and Mr. Racic, 1,363.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
     Federal's Board of Directors consists of six directors divided into three
classes with one class term expiring each year. Mr. Thomas N. McGowen, Jr. and
Mr. Richard R. Thomas are nominated as a Class II directors for election at this
Annual Meeting for a term to expire at the 2001 Annual Meeting or until their
successors are elected and qualified.
 
     The accompanying proxy card permits a stockholder to direct whether his or
her shares are to be voted for, or withheld from the vote for the nominees. Each
proxy will be voted as the stockholder directs thereon; however, if no such
direction is given, it is the present intention of the persons named in the
proxy card to vote such proxies for the election of the above-named nominees as
directors. If on account of death or unforeseen contingencies the nominees shall
not be available for election, the persons named in the proxy will vote the
proxies for such other persons as the Nominating Committee may nominate as
directors so as to provide a full board. The nominees receiving the highest
number of votes cast will be elected as directors.
 
     Information regarding the nominees for election and the directors
continuing in office is set forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             YEAR FIRST    YEAR PRESENT            PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
                                               BECAME          TERM                  OR EMPLOYMENT FOR
               NAME                   AGE     DIRECTOR       EXPIRES                LAST FIVE YEARS(1)
               ----                   ---    ----------    ------------            --------------------
<S>                                   <C>    <C>           <C>             <C>
Nominees:
Thomas N. McGowen, Jr. ...........    72        1974           1998        Mr. McGowen is an attorney. He is
                                                                           also a director of Energy West
                                                                           Corporation and Ribi Immunochem
                                                                           Research, Inc.

Richard R. Thomas.................    64        1994           1998        Mr. Thomas retired in 1994 as
                                                                           President of the Tool Group of
                                                                           Federal Signal Corporation and is a
                                                                           director of TE-CO Tooling Components,
                                                                           Inc., a tool manufacturer.
Continuing Directors:
J. Patrick Lannan, Jr. ...........    59        1978           1999        Mr. Lannan is President and a
                                                                           director of the Lannan Foundation for
                                                                           the support of the visual arts,
                                                                           literature and rural native American
                                                                           communities.

James A. Lovell, Jr. .............    69        1984           1999        Mr. Lovell is President of Lovell
                                                                           Communications (a consulting
                                                                           company). He retired in 1990 as
                                                                           Executive Vice President, Corporate
                                                                           Staff and as a director of Centel
                                                                           Corporation (a telecommunications
                                                                           company). He is a director of AASI
                                                                           Aircraft Company, a manufacturer of
                                                                           aircraft, and Power Spectra, Inc., a
                                                                           manufacturer of high speed
                                                                           semi-conductor devices.

Joseph J. Ross....................    52        1986           2000        Mr. Ross is Chairman, President and
                                                                           Chief Executive Officer of Federal.
                                                                           He has served as President and Chief
                                                                           Executive Officer since December,
                                                                           1987 and also became Chairman in
                                                                           February, 1990 and is a director of
                                                                           Varlen Corporation.

Walter R. Peirson.................    71        1987           2000        Mr. Peirson retired in 1989 as
                                                                           Executive Vice President and as a
                                                                           director of Amoco Corporation (a
                                                                           petroleum company).
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The information contained in this table is based upon information furnished
    to Federal by the individuals named above.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
                       BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
 
     Pursuant to its by-laws, Federal has established standing audit,
nominating, compensation/stock option, pension and executive committees.
 
     The Audit Committee reviews and recommends to the Board of Directors
internal accounting and financial controls, auditing practices and procedures
and accounting principles to be employed in the preparation of Federal's
financial statements and the review of financial statements by independent
public accountants. The Audit Committee also makes recommendations concerning
the engagement of independent public accountants to audit the annual financial
statements and the scope of the audit to be undertaken by such accountants. In
addition, the Audit Committee considers the performance of non-audit services by
such accountants, including the effect which the performance of such non-audit
services may have upon the independence of the accountants. The by-laws prohibit
a director who is also an employee of Federal from serving on the Audit
Committee. The members of the Audit Committee are James A. Lovell, Jr.,
Chairman, J. Richard R. Thomas and Walter R. Peirson.
 
     The Nominating Committee evaluates and recommends to the Board of Directors
candidates for election or re-election as directors. No determination has been
made regarding the consideration of or procedure for the recommendation of
nominees by stockholders. The members of the Nominating Committee are Joseph J.
Ross, Chairman, Thomas N. McGowen, Jr. and James A. Lovell, Jr.
 
     The Compensation/Stock Option Committee reviews and recommends to the Board
of Directors policies, practices and procedures relating to compensation of
managerial employees and the establishment and administration of employee
benefit plans. The members of the Compensation/Stock Option Committee are Walter
R. Peirson, Chairman, Thomas N. McGowen, Jr. and J. Patrick Lannan, Jr.
 
     The Pension Committee reviews and recommends to the Board of Directors
policies, practices and procedures relating to Federal's various pension,
savings and similar retirement plans and programs and to the investment of the
funds associated with these plans. The members of the Pension Committee are J.
Patrick Lannan, Jr., Chairman, and Walter R. Peirson.
 
     During 1997, the Board of Directors held a total of five meetings and the
Executive Committee of the Board, which generally exercises the power and
authority of the Board in the intervals between full board meetings, held one
meeting. The members of the Executive Committee are Thomas N. McGowen, Jr.,
Chairman, Joseph J. Ross and James A. Lovell, Jr. During 1997, the
Compensation/Stock Option Committee held five meetings; the Nominating Committee
held two meetings; the Audit Committee held three meetings; and the Pension
Committee met twice. No director attended less than 75% of the meetings of the
Board and of each committee of which he was a member.
 
     As compensation for services to Federal, each director who is not also an
officer of Federal receives director's fees at a current annual rate of $23,000.
In addition, each such director receives additional fees for serving on
committees of the Board as follows: Executive Committee chairman--$5,000, other
members--$2,500; Audit or Compensation/Stock Option Committee chairman--$3,500,
other members--$2,500; Pension Committee chairman--$3,500, other
members--$2,500; and Nominating Committee members--$2,500. Directors are also
reimbursed for their expenses relating to attendance at meetings. Mr. Thomas
also received $3,000 for consulting for the Tool Group in 1997. Directors may
receive options in lieu of director's fees, as described in the stock option
section of this proxy statement. Directors who retire as a director of Federal
after attaining age 68 and meeting years of service requirements are eligible
for a director retirement benefit. This Director retirement plan was terminated
for anyone who becomes a Federal director after October 9, 1997. The maximum
benefit is $15,000 per year for ten years if the director retires after age 70.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The following is the Summary Compensation Table for the Chief Executive
Officer and four other top executive officers of Federal for compensation earned
during the 1997 fiscal year:
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           LONG-TERM
                                                                         COMPENSATION
                                                                            AWARDS
                                                                    -----------------------
                                        ANNUAL COMPENSATION         RESTRICTED      NUMBER
            NAME AND                ----------------------------      STOCK           OF          ALL OTHER
       PRINCIPAL POSITION           YEAR     SALARY      BONUS      AWARDS(1)       OPTIONS    COMPENSATION(3)
       ------------------           ----     ------      -----      ----------      -------    ---------------
<S>                                 <C>     <C>         <C>         <C>             <C>        <C>
Joseph J. Ross..................    1997    $405,000    $294,500     $228,375       55,000         $45,197
  Chairman, President               1996     375,000     300,000      222,750       65,000          33,378
  and Chief Executive Officer       1995     348,000     334,080            0            0          68,208
Henry L. Dykema.................    1997     197,000     132,975       88,812       12,000           4,719
  Vice President and                1996     190,000     113,288       74,250       14,500           5,274
  Chief Financial Officer           1995     182,500      95,813      258,750(2)    20,000           3,670
Kim A. Wehrenberg...............    1997     165,000     111,375       88,812       12,000          14,291
  Vice President, General           1996     158,000      99,540       86,625       14,500          13,726
  Counsel and Secretary             1995     152,000     109,440            0            0          14,646
Richard L. Ritz.................    1997     115,000      67,922       50,750       10,000          12,353
  Vice President, Controller        1996     108,000      56,700       49,500       19,500          12,268
                                    1995     101,000      61,358            0            0          12,098
Robert W. Racic.................    1997     107,000      57,178       21,568        5,000           4,800
  Vice President, Treasurer         1996     103,000      54,075       22,275        2,000           4,500
                                    1995      99,000      57,544            0            0           4,500
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Stock awards generally vest 25% on each anniversary date after date of
    grant. The number and aggregate value of unvested stock awards as of
    December 31, 1997 were: for Mr. Ross 13,375 shares ($289,234), for Mr.
    Dykema 14,125 shares ($305,453), for Mr. Wehrenberg 5,375 shares ($116,243),
    for Mr. Ritz 3,125 shares ($67,578) and for Mr. Racic 1,363 shares
    ($29,474). Dividends are paid at the regular rate to these people on the
    unvested shares.
 
(2) Stock awards vest 25% on each anniversary date between the third and seventh
    year after date of grant.
 
(3) This compensation consists of the Company matching contribution under
    Federal's 401(k) savings plan in which most employees participate and
    supplemental savings and retirement plans and auto allowance which break out
    as follows, respectively, Mr. Ross $4,800, $16,337, $24,060, $0; Mr. Dykema
    $3,120, $1,599, $0, $0; Mr. Wehrenberg $4,800, $3,491, $0, $6,000; Mr. Ritz
    $4,800, $353, $0, $7,200; Mr. Racic $4,800, $0, $0, $0. Of these officers
    who put part of their bonus into the Company's supplemental savings plan,
    Mr. Wehrenberg invested $111,375, and Mr. Dykema invested $45,000 of their
    bonuses in Federal Signal stock.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     Federal has an employment agreement with Joseph J. Ross. The agreement
continues until the December 31 following the employee's 65th birthday subject
to earlier termination by either Federal or the employee. As of January 1, 1998,
termination salary under this agreement was $405,000 for Mr. Ross and the annual
salary of Mr. Ross, which is approved by the Compensation Committee, is not set
by this employment agreement. In the discretion of the Board of Directors,
annual compensation may be increased during the term of the agreement. If
terminated by Federal under circumstances not involving cause, Federal would be
obligated to pay in monthly installments an amount equal to the then applicable
salary for one year (or, if less, the amount of minimum salary payable through
the December 31 following such employee's 65th birthday). In the event of death
prior to termination of employment, the employee's estate is entitled to receive
in monthly installments an amount equal to one year's minimum compensation. Mr.
Ross and Mr. Wehrenberg have change of control agreements. In the event Federal
is subject to a "change of control" (as specifically defined), the agreements
permit the employee to elect to terminate employment during a specified period
and to receive termination payments calculated as if Federal had terminated
employment without cause, except that such payment shall be based on three
years' W-2 compensation rather than one. Upon termination of employment for any
reason, each employee is obligated not to engage in specified competitive
activities for a period of three years.
 
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            GRANT DATE
                                   INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                                           VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------
                                                           NUMBER OF
                                                           SECURITIES
                                                           UNDERLYING
                                                        OPTIONS GRANTED
                                                          12/11/97 AT        % OF TOTAL     GRANT DATE
                                                            $20.4375          OPTIONS      PRESENT VALUE
                                                       PER SHARE EXERCISE    GRANTED TO     $ BASED ON
                                                       OR BASE PRICE AND    EMPLOYEES IN   BLACK-SCHOLES
                        NAME                            EXPIRE 12/11/07     FISCAL YEAR      METHOD(2)
                        ----                           ------------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                    <C>                  <C>            <C>
Joseph J. Ross.......................................        55,000             13.4%        $269,775
Henry L. Dykema......................................        12,000              2.9%          58,860
Kim A. Wehrenberg....................................        12,000              2.9%          58,860
Richard L. Ritz......................................        10,000              2.5%          49,050
Robert W. Racic......................................         5,000              1.2%          24,525
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) No SARs were granted. These options become 100% exercisable on the third
    anniversary date.
 
(2) The following assumptions were used under the Black-Scholes method:
    volatility .184; risk free rate of return 5.64%; dividend yield 2.3%;
    expected life, 6.7 years.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
                   OPTION EXERCISES AND YEAR-END VALUE TABLE
    AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FY-END OPTION VALUE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              NUMBER OF
                                                                             SECURITIES         VALUE OF
                                                                             UNDERLYING       UNEXERCISED
                                                                             UNEXERCISED      IN-THE-MONEY
                                                                             OPTIONS AT        OPTIONS AT
                                                                              FY-END(#)        FY-END($)
                                                                            -------------   ----------------
                                         SHARES ACQUIRED       VALUE        EXERCISABLE/      EXERCISABLE/
                 NAME                    ON EXERCISE(#)    REALIZED($)(1)   UNEXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE(2)
                 ----                    ---------------   --------------   -------------   ----------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>              <C>             <C>
Joseph J. Ross.........................      351,448(3)      $6,973,042        291,033         $2,027,526
                                                                                92,300             72,362
Henry L. Dykema........................            0                  0          7,250                  0
                                                                                39,250             39,250
Kim A. Wehrenberg......................       27,224            581,471         81,925            693,404
                                                                                19,250             14,250
Richard L. Ritz........................        8,168            148,614         42,387            258,380
                                                                                24,750             11,875
Robert W. Racic........................            0                  0         11,766             98,176
                                                                                 6,000              5,937
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Market value of underlying securities at exercise, minus the exercise or
base price.
 
(2) "Spread" calculated by subtracting the exercise or base price from the
    closing stock price of $21.625 on December 31, 1997.
 
(3) Mr. Ross has a stock option exercise loan totaling $1,962,369, including
    $21,826 of interest in 1997 at 6.01%. Such loans are available to all
    employees participating in the Plan.
 
RETIREMENT PLANS
 
     Federal's Retirement Plan provides retirement benefits for salaried and
hourly employees including officers. Contributions are made on an actuarial
group basis, and no specific amount of contributions is set aside for any
individual participant. Under the method of computing the annual contribution,
the Internal Revenue Service's full funding limitation prohibits a contribution
to the plan for 1997. The following table sets forth the approximate annual
pension benefit based on years of service and compensation, but does not reflect
dollar limitations under the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which limits the
annual benefits which may be paid from a tax qualified retirement plan. For
employees covered by Federal's supplemental pension plan, amounts in excess of
such limitations will be paid from the general funds of Federal, pursuant to the
terms of such plan. The amount of pension benefits is reduced by one-half of the
amount of available individual Social
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
Security benefits. Estimated credited years of service are as follows: Mr. Ross,
13.5, Mr. Dykema, 2; Mr. Wehrenberg, 10; Mr. Ritz, 12.5 and Mr. Racic, 23.75.
 
                               PENSION PLAN TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPENSATION              APPROXIMATE ANNUAL STRAIGHT-LIFE ANNUITY
  FOR THE FIVE CONSECUTIVE                    PENSION UPON RETIREMENT AT 65
 CALENDAR YEARS OF THE LAST   --------------------------------------------------------------
 TEN FOR WHICH COMPENSATION    10 YEARS     15 YEARS     20 YEARS     25 YEARS     30 YEARS
         IS HIGHEST           OF SERVICE   OF SERVICE   OF SERVICE   OF SERVICE   OF SERVICE
- ---------------------------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
<S>                           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
300,000.....................   $ 50,000     $ 75,000     $100,000     $125,000     $150,000
400,000.....................     66,667      100,000      133,334      166,167      200,000
500,000.....................     83,334      125,000      166,667      208,334      250,000
600,000.....................    100,000      150,000      200,000      250,000      300,000
700,000.....................    116,667      175,000      233,333      291,667      350,000
800,000.....................    133,333      200,000      266,667      333,334      400,000
</TABLE>
 
     For purposes of the Retirement Plan, an employee's compensation is his
Annual Compensation as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.
 
     Pursuant to Federal's supplemental pension plan, various officers of
Federal are entitled to pension supplements which have the effect of assuring
that, regardless of their actual years of service, if they remain in the
employment of Federal until age 65, they will receive benefits as if they had
been continuously employed by Federal since their thirty-fourth birthday. Giving
effect to such pension supplements, the additional years of service credited
under Federal's Supplemental Retirement Plan as of December 31, 1997 to Mr. Ross
is 3 1/4 years. The supplemental pension benefit for Mr. Ross makes up the
difference between his actual pension benefit and what it would have been with
30 years of service under the 1976 plan.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors consists of three
independent outside directors. The Committee meets without the Chief Executive
Officer present to evaluate his performance and establish his compensation.
Compensation for Federal's executive officers consists of three major
components: salary, bonus and stock options/awards. The officers' compensation
is based on the individual's skill level, years of experience, job duties and
the individual's and Company's performance. The Committee uses its subjective
evaluation of these factors, without a mechanical weighting, to determine the
officers' salary and level of participation in the bonus plan; Mr. Ross
participates at 40% of his salary and the other officers participate at 25% to
30% of their salary.
 
     The Company's total return to shareholders has been an average of about 9%
per year for the last five years. The Company's performance in 1997 compared to
1996 was essentially flat; therefore, the Committee determined that there would
be no salary increases for Mr. Ross and the other four officers for 1998.
 
     The officers' bonuses are tied directly to company performance. Bonus
targets are established for the officers based on their level of responsibility.
The amount of bonus to which an officer is entitled is based on Federal's
pre-tax profits (before extraordinary items, interest on long-term debt and
bonus payments) as a percentage of Federal's average stockholders' equity plus
average long-term debt, as well as on goals for growth of the Company, except
that the Committee used its discretion to reduce the 1997 bonus of Mr. Ross by
$70,000 because of the Company's stock price decline and flat earnings in 1997.
The officers' bonus targets remain the same for 1998. Therefore, if the
Company's return on capital is the same as it was in 1997, the officers' bonuses
will also be about the same for 1998. The 1997 bonus target achievement was 83%.
The other officers' bonuses generally constitute about 40% of their cash
compensation.
 
     The third major component of the officers' compensation consists of stock
options and awards. This is long-term compensation which provides value to the
officers based on the increased market value of the Company for all
stockholders. For example, over the last ten years the total market value of the
Company has
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
increased about five-fold from about $200 million to approximately $1 billion of
stockholder value. The Performance Graph on page 10 shows that Federal has
out-performed the Standard & Poor Industrials and companies comparable to
Federal in three of the last five years, but under performed them in the last
two years. To give the officers an incentive to increase shareholder value and
to compensate them in accordance with such increases in shareholder value, the
Compensation Committee intends to grant the officers additional stock options
and restricted stock awards in 1998. The Committee subjectively determines the
number of shares to be granted and there is no mechanical relationship between
the number of options and restricted share awards to be granted, nor is there a
mechanical relationship to prior grants.
 
WALTER R. PEIRSON          J. PATRICK LANNAN, JR.         THOMAS N. McGOWEN, JR.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
                                   [GRAPH]
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Measurement Period
      (Fiscal Year Covered)                FSC             S&P IND.             DJIDI
<S>                                 <C>                <C>                <C>
1992                                              100                100                100
1993                                              134                109                120
1994                                              133                113                107
1995                                              172                153                137
1996                                              175                187                175
1997                                              151                245                225
</TABLE>
 
Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1992 in Federal Signal Corporation Common
Stock (FSC), S&P Industrials Index (S&P Ind.) and the Dow Jones Industrial -
Diversified Index (DJIDI).
 
* Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends and is based on fiscal years
ending December 31.
 
                    PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO STOCK BENEFIT PLAN
 
     On April 17, 1996 Federal's shareholders approved the Federal Signal Stock
Benefit Plan (the "Plan") to provide stock options, awards and units to "key"
employees of Federal, and below market stock options to Federal directors in
lieu of director fees (the amount below market is equal to the amount of waived
director fees). On December 11, 1997 the Board of Directors of Federal approved
an amendment of the Plan, subject to shareholder approval, to expand
participation in the Plan by deleting the definition of "key" employee. The
purpose of this is to allow a greater number of employees to participate in the
Plan therefore increasing their identification with shareholders and giving them
an incentive to further increase the Company's shareholder value in the future
similar to the almost five fold increase in value achieved over the last nine
years. The amendment would also make directors eligible for full market priced
options and benefits instead of just the below market stock options they can
currently elect in lieu of directors fees. This will allow Federal, at a lower
cost to the Company, to grant benefits to directors in lieu of the director
retirement plan which the directors voted to phase out.
 
     For more information about the Plan, see the Executive Compensation section
of this Proxy Statement and Note I, Stock Based Compensation of the attached
Financial Statements.
 
     The following is the proposed amendment of the Plan showing the current
Plan language being deleted by line outs and the language added by italics.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
     4. ELIGIBILITY
 
          Benefits may be granted to key employees (which term shall be deemed
     to include officers) who on the Granting Date (or, with respect to Benefits
     that are not incentive stock options, within 30 days thereafter in the
     instance of newly hired employees) (i) are in the employ of the corporation
     or one of its then subsidiary corporations (the "subsidiaries"), as defined
     in Section 425 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended (the
     "Code"), and Directors (ii) have administrative, managerial, supervisory,
     professional, scientific, engineering or similar responsibilities. Below
     market stock options may also be granted to any Director of the Corporation
     in lieu of part or all of their Directors' fees in accordance with Section
     8 of this Plan.
 
     The Amendment will be effective upon the approval of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Common stock voting at the meeting. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE
PLAN.
 
                         INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     Ernst & Young has been selected by Federal to serve as its independent
public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998. A
representative of that firm will be present at the Annual Meeting with the
opportunity to make a statement if he desires to do so and to respond to
questions of stockholders. The appointment of the auditors is approved annually
by the Board of Directors based upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee.
 
                          FUTURE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
     In order to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement for the 1999
Annual Meeting of Shareholders, stockholder proposals must be received by
Federal on or before November 20, 1998.
 
                                 OTHER BUSINESS
 
     As of the date hereof, the foregoing is the only business which management
intends to present, or is aware that others will present, at the meeting. If any
other proper business should be presented to the meeting, the proxies will be
voted in respect thereof in accordance with the discretion and judgment of the
person or persons voting the proxies.
 
                                          By order of the Board of Directors
 
                                          Kim A. Wehrenberg
                                          Secretary
                                          Federal Signal Corporation
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               1997     1996     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991     1990     1989     1988     1987
                               ----     ----     ----     ----     ----     ----     ----     ----     ----     ----     ----
<S>                           <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Operating Results (dollars
  in millions):
  Net sales.................  $924.9   $896.4   $816.1   $677.2   $565.2   $518.2   $466.9   $439.4   $398.4   $361.4   $305.8
  Income before income taxes
    (a,b)...................  $ 84.8   $ 93.4   $ 77.3   $ 70.2   $ 58.8   $ 49.9   $ 45.6   $ 42.5   $ 34.6   $ 28.4   $ 23.8
  Income from continuing
    operations (a,b)........  $ 59.0   $ 62.0   $ 51.6   $ 46.8   $ 39.8   $ 34.5   $ 31.0   $ 28.1   $ 22.1   $ 18.2   $ 14.5
  Operating margin..........   10.8%    11.5%    11.8%    11.6%    11.3%    10.6%    10.8%    10.8%    10.6%     9.6%     8.6%
  Return on average common
    shareholders' equity
    (a,b)...................   20.6%    23.8%    22.0%    22.3%    21.0%    20.0%    20.0%    20.4%    18.7%    17.0%    14.5%
Common Stock Data (per
  share) (c):
  Income from continuing
    operations--diluted
    (d).....................  $ 1.29   $ 1.35   $ 1.13   $ 1.02   $ 0.86   $ 0.75   $ 0.67   $ 0.61   $ 0.48   $ 0.40   $ 0.31
  Cash dividends............  $ 0.67   $ 0.58   $ 0.50   $ 0.42   $ 0.36   $ 0.31   $ 0.27   $ 0.22   $ 0.19   $ 0.16   $ 0.15
  Market price range:
    High....................  $26 3/4  $28 1/4  $25 7/8  $21 3/8  $   21   $17 5/8  $15 3/16 $10 3/4  $7 1/8   $4 13/16 $4 15/16
    Low.....................  $19 7/8  $20 7/8  $19 5/8  $16 7/8  $15 3/4  $12 3/8  $9 1/4   $6 3/16  $4 1/4   $3 1/2   $2 7/8
  Average common shares
    outstanding (in
    thousands) (d)..........  45,840   45,885   45,776   45,948   46,155   46,157   46,126   46,038   46,103   45,639   47,137
Financial Position at
  Year-End (dollars in
  millions):
  Working capital (e).......  $ 41.6   $ 40.6   $ 48.8   $ 53.9   $ 52.8   $ 49.5   $ 44.9   $ 42.7   $ 63.8   $ 59.5   $ 53.9
  Current ratio (e).........     1.2      1.2      1.3      1.4      1.5      1.6      1.5      1.5      2.1      2.0      1.9
  Total assets..............  $727.9   $703.9   $620.0   $521.6   $405.7   $363.7   $341.2   $295.8   $271.3   $251.1   $233.3
  Long-term debt, net of
    current portion.........  $ 32.1   $ 34.3   $ 39.7   $ 34.9   $ 21.1   $ 16.2   $ 15.6   $ 15.8   $ 16.8   $ 18.6   $ 24.8
  Shareholders' equity......  $299.8   $272.8   $248.1   $220.3   $199.2   $179.0   $164.8   $146.4   $130.4   $115.5   $103.2
  Debt to capitalization
    ratio (e)...............     28%      28%      29%      22%       1%       2%       1%       2%      10%      18%      22%
Other (dollars in millions)
  (f):
  New business..............  $956.2   $924.6   $780.5   $700.3   $584.2   $510.3   $462.7   $467.6   $429.9   $382.4   $328.3
  Backlog...................  $308.2   $280.0   $251.4   $261.0   $221.8   $198.0   $203.2   $199.9   $171.7   $140.2   $119.2
  Net cash provided by
    operating activities....  $ 64.2   $ 61.4   $ 62.9   $ 53.8   $ 48.8   $ 40.2   $ 43.9   $ 48.3   $ 34.6   $ 22.5   $ 20.1
  Net cash (used for)
    investing activities....  $(38.4)  $(54.2)  $(88.1)  $(96.9)  $(38.1)  $(26.9)  $(47.8)  $(14.7)  $(24.1)  $(20.8)  $(37.7)
  Net cash provided by (used
    for) financing
    activities..............  $(27.5)  $ (4.1)  $ 29.9   $ 45.1   $(10.3)  $(11.2)  $  2.5   $(34.6)  $ (8.9)  $ (3.3)  $ 17.8
  Capital expenditures......  $ 19.6   $ 16.9   $ 15.7   $ 11.1   $ 10.1   $  8.8   $ 12.0   $  8.3   $  9.2   $  7.3   $  6.9
  Depreciation..............  $ 14.8   $ 13.2   $ 11.8   $ 10.3   $  9.2   $  8.7   $  8.2   $  7.8   $  7.9   $  7.1   $  5.5
  Employees.................   6,591    6,233    6,015    5,243    4,426    4,268    4,212    4,158    4,142    3,880    3,653
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(a) in 1996, includes gain on sale of subsidiary of $4.7 million pre-tax, $2.8
    million after-tax or $.06 per share
(b) in 1995, includes the impact of a nonrecurring charge for a litigation
    settlement of $6.7 million pre-tax, $4.2 million after-tax or $.09 per share
(c) reflects 10% stock dividends each paid in 1988 and 1989, 3-for-2 stock
    splits in 1990, 1991 and 1992, and a 4-for-3 stock split in 1994
(d) income from continuing operations--diluted and average common shares
    outstanding include the effects of shares issuable under the company's stock
    option program in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
    Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share", issued in February 1997
(e) manufacturing operations only
(f) continuing operations only
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   14
 
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ---------------------------
                                                                  1997           1996
                                                                  ----           ----
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
                           ASSETS
  Manufacturing activities:
     Current assets
       Cash and cash equivalents............................  $ 10,686,000   $ 12,431,000
       Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful
          accounts of $2,527,000 and $2,602,000,
          respectively......................................   142,973,000    141,203,000
       Inventories--Note B..................................   109,383,000    108,293,000
       Prepaid expenses.....................................     5,580,000      5,079,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
            Total current assets............................   268,622,000    267,006,000
     Properties and equipment--Note C.......................    84,709,000     82,825,000
     Other assets
       Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization...   188,002,000    165,854,000
       Other deferred charges and assets....................    19,482,000     17,228,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
            Total manufacturing assets......................   560,815,000    532,913,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
  Financial services activities
     Lease financing and other receivables, net of
       allowances for doubtful accounts of $1,772,000 and
       $1,348,000, respectively, and net of unearned finance
       revenue--Note D......................................   167,090,000    170,988,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
            Total assets....................................  $727,905,000   $703,901,000
                                                              ============   ============
            LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Manufacturing activities:
     Current liabilities
       Short-term borrowings--Note E........................  $ 86,158,000   $ 69,987,000
       Accounts payable.....................................    50,385,000     64,088,000
       Accrued liabilities
          Compensation and withholding taxes................    16,278,000     20,293,000
          Other.............................................    62,878,000     61,419,000
       Income taxes--Note F.................................    11,330,000     10,626,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
            Total current liabilities.......................   227,029,000    226,413,000
     Other liabilities
       Long-term borrowings--Note E.........................    32,110,000     34,311,000
       Deferred income taxes--Note F........................    23,581,000     22,183,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
            Total manufacturing liabilities.................   282,720,000    282,907,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
Financial services activities--Borrowings--Note E...........   145,413,000    148,205,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
            Total liabilities...............................   428,133,000    431,112,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
Shareholders' equity--Notes I and J
  Common stock, $1 par value, 90,000,000 shares authorized,
     46,501,000 and 45,986,000 shares issued,
     respectively...........................................    46,501,000     45,986,000
  Capital in excess of par value............................    61,029,000     57,138,000
  Retained earnings--Note E.................................   226,432,000    190,181,000
  Treasury stock, 895,000 and 668,000 shares, respectively,
     at cost................................................   (19,695,000)   (14,404,000)
  Deferred stock awards.....................................    (1,718,000)    (1,508,000)
  Foreign currency translation adjustment...................   (12,777,000)    (4,604,000)
                                                              ------------   ------------
            Total shareholders' equity......................   299,772,000    272,789,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
            Total liabilities and shareholders' equity......  $727,905,000   $703,901,000
                                                              ============   ============
</TABLE>
 
                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   15
 
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                       --------------------------------------------
                                                           1997            1996            1995
                                                           ----            ----            ----
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>             <C>
Net sales..........................................    $924,912,000    $896,357,000    $816,127,000
  Costs and expenses
     Cost of sales.................................     634,068,000     619,951,000     567,772,000
     Selling, general and administrative...........     191,170,000     173,514,000     152,456,000
                                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
Operating income...................................      99,674,000     102,892,000      95,899,000
Interest expense...................................     (17,163,000)    (15,359,000)    (13,359,000)
Other income (expense), net--Notes K and L.........       2,336,000       5,882,000      (5,261,000)
                                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
Income before income taxes.........................      84,847,000      93,415,000      77,279,000
Income taxes--Note F...............................      25,878,000      31,382,000      25,669,000
                                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
Net income.........................................    $ 58,969,000    $ 62,033,000    $ 51,610,000
                                                       ============    ============    ============
Basic net income per share.........................    $       1.30    $       1.37    $       1.14
                                                       ============    ============    ============
Diluted net income per share.......................    $       1.29    $       1.35    $       1.13
                                                       ============    ============    ============
</TABLE>
 
                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   16
 
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                    -----------------------------------------------
                                                        1997             1996             1995
                                                        ----             ----             ----
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
Operating activities
  Net income....................................    $  58,969,000    $  62,033,000    $  51,610,000
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
     cash provided by operating activities:
     Gain on sale of subsidiary.................                        (4,663,000)
     Depreciation...............................       14,789,000       13,201,000       11,806,000
     Amortization...............................        5,756,000        5,209,000        4,085,000
     Provision for doubtful accounts............        2,421,000        1,719,000        1,716,000
     Deferred income taxes......................        4,080,000        4,429,000        2,454,000
     Other, net.................................       (1,392,000)      (5,490,000)      (1,578,000)
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities
       net of effects from acquisitions of
       companies
       Accounts receivable......................       (8,688,000)     (15,256,000)      (6,368,000)
       Inventories..............................         (833,000)      (6,168,000)      (6,837,000)
       Prepaid expenses.........................         (528,000)         699,000         (669,000)
       Accounts payable.........................      (10,839,000)       5,416,000        3,676,000
       Accrued liabilities......................        3,073,000       (6,748,000)       4,454,000
       Income taxes.............................       (2,611,000)       6,980,000       (1,402,000)
                                                    -------------    -------------    -------------
          Net cash provided by operating
            activities..........................       64,197,000       61,361,000       62,947,000
                                                    -------------    -------------    -------------
Investing activities
  Purchases of properties and equipment.........      (19,611,000)     (16,889,000)     (15,701,000)
  Principal extensions under lease financing
     agreements.................................     (113,148,000)    (119,747,000)    (119,833,000)
  Principal collections under lease financing
     agreements.................................      116,622,000       96,294,000       99,536,000
  Payments for purchases of companies, net of
     cash acquired..............................      (29,601,000)     (27,615,000)     (46,611,000)
  Proceeds from sale of subsidiary..............                        13,500,000
  Other, net....................................        7,341,000          250,000       (5,478,000)
                                                    -------------    -------------    -------------
          Net cash used for investing
            activities..........................      (38,397,000)     (54,207,000)     (88,087,000)
                                                    -------------    -------------    -------------
Financing activities
  Addition to short-term borrowings, net........       13,601,000       28,892,000       50,970,000
  Principal payments on long-term borrowings....       (2,164,000)      (2,233,000)      (3,595,000)
  Principal extensions under long-term
     borrowings.................................                                          8,018,000
  Purchases of treasury stock...................      (10,204,000)      (6,275,000)      (4,130,000)
  Cash dividends paid to shareholders...........      (29,307,000)     (25,487,000)     (21,767,000)
  Other, net....................................          529,000        1,030,000          389,000
                                                    -------------    -------------    -------------
          Net cash provided by (used for)
            financing activities................      (27,545,000)      (4,073,000)      29,885,000
                                                    -------------    -------------    -------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
  equivalents...................................       (1,745,000)       3,081,000        4,745,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
  year..........................................       12,431,000        9,350,000        4,605,000
                                                    -------------    -------------    -------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year........    $  10,686,000    $  12,431,000    $   9,350,000
                                                    =============    =============    =============
</TABLE>
 
                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   17
 
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE A--SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
     PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION: The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of Federal Signal Corporation and all of its subsidiaries. All
significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
 
     CASH EQUIVALENTS: The company considers all highly liquid investments with
a maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents.
 
     INVENTORIES: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. At
December 31, 1997 and 1996, approximately 56% and 51%, respectively, of the
company's inventories are costed using the LIFO (last-in, first-out) method. The
remaining portion of the company's inventories are costed using the FIFO
(first-in, first-out) method.
 
     PROPERTIES AND DEPRECIATION: Properties and equipment are stated at cost.
Depreciation, for financial reporting purposes, is computed principally on the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
 
     INTANGIBLE ASSETS: Intangible assets principally consist of costs in excess
of fair values of net assets acquired in purchase transactions and are generally
being amortized over forty years. Accumulated amortization aggregated
$21,505,000 and $16,995,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The
company makes regular periodic assessments to determine if factors are present
which indicate that an impairment of intangibles may exist. If factors indicate
that an impairment may exist, the company makes an estimate of the related
future cash flows. The undiscounted cash flows, excluding interest, are compared
to the related book value including the intangibles. If such cash flows are less
than the book value, the company makes an estimate of the fair value of the
related business to determine the amount of impairment loss, if any, to be
recorded as a reduction of the recorded intangibles.
 
     USE OF ESTIMATES: The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during
the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
     REVENUE RECOGNITION: Substantially all of the company's sales are recorded
as products are shipped or services are rendered. The percentage-of-completion
method of accounting is used in certain instances for custom-manufactured
products where, due to the nature of specific orders, production and delivery
schedules exceed normal schedules.
 
     INCOME PER SHARE: In February 1997, Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 128, "Earnings per Share", modified the calculations of
income per share. This statement requires the calculation and disclosure of
basic and diluted income per share. (See Note N.) All income per share and
weighted average outstanding share amounts have been restated to conform to the
requirements of SFAS No. 128.
 
NOTE B--INVENTORIES
 
     Inventories at December 31 are summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1997            1996
                                                          ----            ----
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>
Finished goods....................................    $ 28,816,000    $ 23,154,000
Work in process...................................      25,043,000      29,088,000
Raw materials.....................................      55,524,000      56,051,000
                                                      ------------    ------------
Total inventories.................................    $109,383,000    $108,293,000
                                                      ============    ============
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   18
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
     If the first-in, first-out cost method, which approximates replacement
cost, had been used by the company, inventories would have aggregated
$118,351,000 and $117,258,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
 
NOTE C--PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT
 
     A comparative summary of properties and equipment at December 31 is as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         1997             1996
                                                         ----             ----
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>
Land.............................................    $   5,134,000    $  5,250,000
Buildings and improvements.......................       40,190,000      40,044,000
Machinery and equipment..........................      142,043,000     132,099,000
Accumulated depreciation.........................     (102,658,000)    (94,568,000)
                                                     -------------    ------------
Total properties and equipment...................    $  84,709,000    $ 82,825,000
                                                     =============    ============
</TABLE>
 
NOTE D--LEASE FINANCING AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
 
     As an added service to its customers, the company is engaged in financial
services activities. These activities primarily consist of providing long-term
financing for certain customers of the company's sign and vehicle operations. A
substantial portion of the lease financing receivables of the Vehicle Group is
due from municipalities. Financing is provided through sales-type lease
contracts with terms that range typically as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
Sign-related leases.........................................     3-5 years
Vehicle-related leases......................................    2-10 years
</TABLE>
 
     At the inception of the lease, the company records the product sales price
and related costs and expenses of the sale. Financing revenues are included in
income over the life of the lease. The amounts recorded as lease financing
receivables represent amounts equivalent to normal selling prices less
subsequent customer payments.
 
     Lease financing and other receivables will become due as follows:
$52,979,000 in 1998, $31,584,000 in 1999, $24,155,000 in 2000, $18,688,000 in
2001, $13,062,000 in 2002 and $28,394,000 thereafter. At December 31, 1997 and
1996, unearned finance revenue on these leases aggregated $29,219,000 and
$30,408,000, respectively.
 
NOTE E--DEBT
 
     Short-term borrowings at December 31 consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1997            1996
                                                          ----            ----
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>
Commercial paper..................................    $ 37,966,000    $ 13,987,000
Notes payable.....................................     191,581,000     198,807,000
Current maturities of long-term debt..............       2,024,000       5,398,000
                                                      ------------    ------------
Total short-term borrowings.......................    $231,571,000    $218,192,000
                                                      ============    ============
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   19
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
     Long-term borrowings at December 31 consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1997           1996
                                                                   ----           ----
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>
4.25% unsecured note payable in quarterly installments
  ending in 2001............................................    $ 3,527,000    $ 5,057,000
7.59% unsecured note payable in 2001 ($4,000,000) and 2002
  ($8,000,000)..............................................     12,000,000     12,000,000
7.99% unsecured note payable in 2004........................     15,000,000     15,000,000
6.58% unsecured discounted notes payable in annual
  installments of $1,000,000 ending in 2001.................      3,607,000      4,374,000
Other.......................................................             --      3,278,000
                                                                -----------    -----------
                                                                 34,134,000     39,709,000
Less current maturities.....................................      2,024,000      5,398,000
                                                                -----------    -----------
Total long-term borrowings..................................    $32,110,000    $34,311,000
                                                                ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
     Aggregate maturities of long-term debt amount to approximately $2,024,000
in 1998, $2,014,000 in 1999, $1,991,000 in 2000, $5,105,000 in 2001, $8,000,000
in 2002 and $15,000,000 thereafter. The company believes that the fair values of
borrowings are not substantially different from recorded amounts.
 
     The 7.59% and 7.99% notes contain various restrictions relating to
maintenance of minimum working capital, payments of cash dividends, purchases of
the company's stock, and principal and interest of any subordinated debt. At
December 31, 1997, all of the company's retained earnings were free of any
restrictions and the company was in compliance with the financial covenants of
its debt agreements.
 
     The company paid interest of $16,800,000 in 1997, $15,350,000 in 1996 and
$13,411,000 in 1995. Weighted average interest rates on short-term borrowings
were 5.8% and 5.5% at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. See Note H
regarding the company's utilization of derivative financial instruments relating
to outstanding debt.
 
     At December 31, 1997, the company had unused credit lines of $100,000,000,
which expire on January 15, 2000. Commitment fees, paid in lieu of compensating
balances, were insignificant.
 
NOTE F--INCOME TAXES
 
     The provisions for income taxes consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1997          1996          1995
                                                             ----          ----          ----
         <S>                                              <C>           <C>           <C>
         CURRENT:
           Federal......................................  $17,034,000   $23,452,000   $20,582,000
           Foreign......................................    2,138,000       362,000       340,000
           State and local..............................    2,626,000     3,139,000     2,293,000
                                                          -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                           21,798,000    26,953,000    23,215,000
         DEFERRED:
           Federal......................................    1,712,000     3,254,000     1,293,000
           Foreign......................................    1,994,000       863,000       908,000
           State and local..............................      374,000       312,000       253,000
                                                          -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                            4,080,000     4,429,000     2,454,000
                                                          -----------   -----------   -----------
         Total income taxes.............................  $25,878,000   $31,382,000   $25,669,000
                                                          ===========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   20
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
     Differences between the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective
income tax rate are summarized below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1997   1996   1995
                                                              ----   ----   ----
<S>                                                           <C>    <C>    <C>
Statutory federal income tax rate...........................  35.0%  35.0%  35.0%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit..............   2.3    2.4    2.1
Tax-exempt interest.........................................  (3.1)  (2.5)  (2.8)
Foreign sales corporation tax benefits......................  (1.7)  (0.7)  (0.8)
Other, net..................................................  (2.0)  (0.6)  (0.3)
                                                              ----   ----   ----
Effective income tax rate...................................  30.5%  33.6%  33.2%
                                                              ====   ====   ====
</TABLE>
 
     The company had net current deferred income tax benefits of $201,000 and
$2,883,000 recorded in the balance sheet at December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The company paid income taxes of $23,354,000 in 1997, $20,509,000
in 1996 and $24,940,000 in 1995.
 
     Net deferred tax liabilities (assets) comprised the following at December
31, 1997: Depreciation and amortization--$23,739,000; revenue recognized on
lease financing receivables and custom manufacturing contracts--$6,681,000;
accrued pension benefits--$2,001,000; accrued expenses deductible in future
periods--$(6,892,000); and other--$(2,149,000).
 
     Net deferred tax liabilities (assets) comprised the following at December
31, 1996: Depreciation and amortization--$20,205,000; revenue recognized on
lease financing receivables and custom manufacturing contracts--$4,750,000;
accrued expenses deductible in future periods--$(4,910,000); and
other--$(745,000).
 
     Income before income taxes consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1997          1996          1995
                                                           ----          ----          ----
<S>                                                     <C>           <C>           <C>
United States.........................................  $72,165,000   $90,678,000   $73,932,000
Non-U.S...............................................   12,682,000     2,737,000     3,347,000
                                                        -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                        $84,847,000   $93,415,000   $77,279,000
                                                        ===========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>
 
NOTE G--POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
 
     The company and its subsidiaries sponsor a number of defined benefit
retirement plans covering certain of its salaried employees and hourly employees
not covered by plans under collective bargaining agreements. Benefits under
these plans are primarily based on final average compensation and years of
service as defined within the provisions of the individual plans. The company's
policy is to contribute amounts sufficient to meet the minimum funding
requirements of applicable laws and regulations. The company also participates
in several multiemployer retirement plans that provide defined benefits to
employees under certain collective bargaining agreements.
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   21
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
U.S. BENEFIT PLANS
 
     Pension expense (credit) is summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1997          1996          1995
                                                           ----          ----          ----
<S>                                                     <C>           <C>           <C>
Company-sponsored plans
  Service cost........................................  $ 2,103,000   $ 2,208,000   $ 1,452,000
  Interest cost.......................................    3,536,000     3,304,000     2,864,000
  Return on plan assets...............................   (6,537,000)   (6,769,000)   (9,054,000)
  Other amortization and deferral.....................     (303,000)      551,000     3,664,000
                                                        -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                         (1,201,000)     (706,000)   (1,074,000)
Multiemployer plans...................................      618,000       550,000       465,000
                                                        -----------   -----------   -----------
Total pension expense (credit)........................  $  (583,000)  $  (156,000)  $  (609,000)
                                                        ===========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>
 
     The following summarizes the funded status of the company-sponsored plans
at December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the major assumptions used to determine these
amounts.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   PLANS IN WHICH
                                                                   --------------
                                                              PLAN ASSETS   ABO EXCEEDS
                                                              EXCEED ABO    PLAN ASSETS
                                                              -----------   -----------
                                                                        1997
                                                              -------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Actuarial present value of:
  Vested benefit obligation.................................  $34,410,000   $5,819,000
  Nonvested benefits........................................    1,602,000      152,000
                                                              -----------   ----------
Accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)........................  $36,012,000   $5,971,000
                                                              ===========   ==========
Actuarial present value of projected benefit obligation.....  $47,166,000   $5,971,000
Plan assets at market value.................................   55,403,000    5,487,000
                                                              -----------   ----------
Plan assets in excess of (less than) projected benefit
  obligation................................................    8,237,000     (484,000)
Unrecognized net (asset) obligation at January 1, 1997......   (2,100,000)     253,000
Unrecognized net experience (gain) loss.....................   (2,657,000)     640,000
                                                              -----------   ----------
Net pension asset...........................................  $ 3,480,000   $  409,000
                                                              ===========   ==========
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1996
                                                              -------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Actuarial present value of:
  Vested benefit obligation.................................  $27,873,000   $5,180,000
  Nonvested benefits........................................    1,446,000      136,000
                                                              -----------   ----------
Accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)........................  $29,319,000   $5,316,000
                                                              ===========   ==========
Actuarial present value of projected benefit obligation.....  $38,645,000   $5,316,000
Plan assets at market value.................................   50,644,000    5,122,000
                                                              -----------   ----------
Plan assets in excess of (less than) projected benefit
  obligation................................................   11,999,000     (194,000)
Unrecognized net (asset) obligation at January 1, 1996......   (2,363,000)     316,000
Unrecognized net experience (gain) loss.....................   (7,634,000)     112,000
                                                              -----------   ----------
Net pension asset...........................................  $ 2,002,000   $  234,000
                                                              ===========   ==========
</TABLE>
 
     Plan assets consist principally of a broadly diversified portfolio of
equity securities, corporate and U.S. government obligations and
guaranteed-return insurance contracts. Included in plan assets at December 31,
1997 and 1996 were 653,400 shares of the company's common stock valued at
$14,130,000 and $16,907,000, respectively. Dividends paid on the company's
common stock to the pension trusts aggregated $423,000 and $366,000,
respectively, for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996.
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   22
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
     The following significant assumptions were used in determining pension
costs for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1997    1996    1995
                                                              ----    ----    ----
<S>                                                           <C>     <C>     <C>
Discount rate.............................................    7.8%    7.2%    8.9%
Rate of increase in compensation levels...................      4%      4%      5%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets..........     12%     12%     11%
</TABLE>
 
     The weighted average discount rates used in determining the actuarial
present value of all pension obligations at December 31, 1997 and 1996 were 7.2%
and 7.8%, respectively.
 
     The company also sponsors a number of defined contribution pension plans
covering a majority of its employees. Participation in the plans is at each
employee's election. Company contributions to these plans are based on a
percentage of employee contributions. The cost of these plans, including the
plans of companies acquired during the three-year period ended December 31,
1997, was $3,768,000 in 1997, $3,711,000 in 1996 and $2,975,000 in 1995.
 
     The company also provides certain medical, dental and life benefits to
certain eligible retired employees. These benefits are funded when the claims
are incurred. Participants generally become eligible for these benefits at age
60 after completing at least fifteen years of service. The plan provides for the
payment of specified percentages of medical and dental expenses reduced by any
deductible and payments made by other primary group coverage and government
programs. The corporation will continue to reduce the percentage of the cost of
benefits that it will pay since the company's future costs are limited to 150%
of the 1992 cost. Accumulated postretirement benefit liabilities of $2,975,000
and $2,688,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, were fully accrued.
The net periodic postretirement benefit costs have not been significant during
the three-year period ended December 31, 1997.
 
NON-U.S. BENEFIT PLAN
 
     The company acquired Victor Products in June 1996. Victor Products sponsors
a defined benefit plan for substantially all of its employees in the United
Kingdom. Benefits under this plan are based on final compensation and years of
service as defined within the provisions of the plan.
 
     Net periodic pension expense under the plan is not significant. The
following table presents the funded status of the plan at September 30, 1997 and
1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1997           1996
                                                           ----           ----
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>
Actuarial present value:
  Vested benefit obligation.........................    $30,934,000    $25,441,000
  Nonvested benefits................................             --             --
                                                        -----------    -----------
Accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)................    $30,934,000    $25,441,000
                                                        ===========    ===========
Actuarial present value of projected benefit
  obligation........................................    $32,026,000    $26,067,000
Plan assets at market value.........................     36,397,000     32,014,000
                                                        -----------    -----------
Plan assets in excess of projected benefit
  obligation........................................      4,371,000      5,947,000
Unrecognized net experience loss (gain).............        733,000     (1,579,000)
                                                        -----------    -----------
Net pension asset...................................    $ 5,104,000    $ 4,368,000
                                                        ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
     Plan assets consist principally of a broadly diversified portfolio of
equity securities, U.K. government obligations and fixed interest securities.
The discount rates used to determine the actuarial present value of the pension
obligation at September 30, 1997 and 1996 were 7.5% and 8.5%, respectively.
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   23
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
NOTE H--DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
     The company enters into agreements (derivative financial instruments) to
manage the risks associated with certain aspects of its business. The company
does not actively trade such instruments nor enter into such agreements for
speculative purposes. The company principally utilizes two types of derivative
financial instruments: 1) interest rate swaps to manage its interest rate risk,
and 2) foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage risks associated
with sales and purchase commitments denominated in foreign currencies.
 
     At December 31, 1997, the company had three agreements with financial
institutions to swap interest rates.
 
     The first agreement is based on a notional amount of $25,000,000. This
agreement commenced in January 1997 and expires in January 1999, at which time
the counterparty has the one-time right to extend the swap through January 2001.
The company will pay interest at a fixed rate of 5.99% and receive interest at
the three-month LIBOR rate.
 
     The second agreement is also based on a notional amount of $25,000,000.
This agreement commenced in January 1997 and expires in January 2000. The
company will pay interest at a fixed rate of interest of 5.92% and will receive
interest at the three-month LIBOR rate, with a cap on the LIBOR rate of 7.50%
throughout the entire term of the swap.
 
     The third agreement is based on a notional amount of $50,000,000. This
agreement commenced in October 1997 and expires in October 1999. The company
pays interest at a fixed rate of 5.25% and receives interest at the three-month
LIBOR rate. The agreement allows the counterparty to extend the swap at the same
interest rate terms for successive three-month periods beginning in October 1999
and ending in October 2007. If at any three-month extension date the
counterparty decides not to extend the swap, it is terminated and no further
obligations are due by either party.
 
     At December 31, 1996, the company had similar swap agreements on notional
amounts totalling $185 million. The differential between the amount received and
the amount paid is accrued as interest rates change and recognized as an
adjustment to interest expense; the related amount payable to or receivable from
the counterparties is included in accrued liabilities or other assets. The
estimated cost to terminate these agreements was $735,000 and $231,000 at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
 
     At December 31, 1997, the company had foreign currency forward exchange
contracts designated and effective as hedges which become due in various amounts
and at various dates through 1998 totaling $9,073,000. At December 31, 1996 such
contracts totalled $13,206,000. All such contracts at December 31, 1997 and 1996
were for the purpose of hedging purchase or sales commitments. Unrealized gains
and losses on the forward exchange contracts are deferred and will be recognized
in income in the same period as the hedged transaction. The differences between
the contract values and the fair values were insignificant at December 31, 1997
and 1996.
 
NOTE I--STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
 
     The company's stock benefit plans, approved by the company's shareholders,
authorize the grant of benefit shares or units to key employees and directors.
The plan approved in 1988 authorizes, until May 1998, the grant of up to
2,737,500 benefit shares or units (as adjusted for subsequent stock splits and
dividends). The plan approved in 1996 authorizes the grant of up to 1,000,000
benefit shares or units until April 2006. These share or unit amounts exclude
amounts that were issued under predecessor plans. Benefit shares or units
include stock options, both incentive and non-incentive, stock awards and other
stock units.
 
     Stock options are primarily granted at the fair market value of the shares
on the date of grant and become exercisable one year after grant at a rate of
one-half annually and are exercisable in full on the second anniversary date.
All options and rights must be exercised within ten years from date of grant. At
the
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   24
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
company's discretion, vested stock option holders are permitted to elect an
alternative settlement method in lieu of purchasing common stock at the option
price. The alternative settlement method permits the employee to receive,
without payment to the company, cash, shares of common stock or a combination
thereof equal to the excess of market value of common stock over the option
purchase price.
 
     The company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No.
25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" (APB 25). Under APB 25, no
compensation expense is recognized when the exercise price of stock options
equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant.
 
     Stock option activity for the three-year period ended December 31, 1997
follows (number of shares in 000's, prices in dollars per share):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       OPTION SHARES        WEIGHTED-AVERAGE PRICE
                                   ---------------------   ------------------------
                                   1997    1996    1995     1997     1996     1995
                                   ----    ----    ----     ----     ----     ----
<S>                                <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>
Outstanding at beginning of
  year...........................  2,185   1,792   1,815   $14.49   $11.54   $11.22
Granted..........................    411     519      41   $20.80   $24.13   $21.06
Canceled or expired..............    (36)    (16)     (9)  $23.47   $21.24   $18.25
Exercised........................   (524)   (110)    (55)  $ 5.27   $10.93   $ 7.32
                                   -----   -----   -----
Outstanding at end of year.......  2,036   2,185   1,792   $17.98   $14.49   $11.54
                                   =====   =====   =====
Exercisable at end of year.......  1,332   1,609   1,615   $16.09   $11.43   $10.81
                                   =====   =====   =====
</TABLE>
 
     For options outstanding at December 31, 1997, the number (in thousands),
weighted-average exercise prices in dollars per share, and weighted-average
remaining terms were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         PERIOD IN WHICH OPTIONS WERE GRANTED
                                 -----------------------------------------------------
                                 97-96    95-94    93-92    91-90    89-88   AGGREGATE
                                 -----    -----    -----    -----    -----   ---------
<S>                              <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>
Number.........................     889      220      348      452     127     2,036
Exercise price range:
  High.........................  $25.38   $24.38   $20.62   $13.69   $6.92    $25.38
  Low..........................  $20.44   $16.00   $12.09   $ 6.61   $3.70    $ 3.70
Weighted-average:
  Exercise price...............  $22.61   $19.76   $17.80   $11.63   $5.62    $17.98
  Remaining term (years).......       9        7        5        3       2         7
</TABLE>
 
     The weighted average fair value of options granted was $5.06 and $6.13 per
share during 1997 and 1996, respectively. The fair value of those options was
estimated at the grant date using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the
following weighted average assumptions used for grants in 1997 and 1996; risk
free interest rates of 5.6% and 6.2%, respectively; dividend yield of 2.3%;
market volatility of the company's common stock of .18; and a weighted average
expected life of the options of approximately 7 years. The aggregate number and
fair value of shares granted in 1995 were insignificant. For purposes of pro
forma disclosure, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to
expense over the option's vesting period. On a pro forma basis, the company's
net income would have been $57,930,000 or $1.26 per share for the year ended
December 31, 1997, and $61,569,000 or $1.34 per share for the year ended
December 31, 1996. The pro forma impact of options granted in 1995 on net income
and net income per share for the year ended December 31, 1995, was
insignificant. The calculated pro forma impact on 1997, 1996 and 1995 net income
and net income per share are not necessarily indicative of future amounts until
application of the disclosure rules are applied to all outstanding, nonvested
awards.
 
     The intent of the Black-Scholes option valuation model is to provide
estimates of fair values of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and
are fully transferable. Option valuation models require the use of highly
subjective assumptions including expected stock price volatility. The company
has utilized the
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   25
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
Black-Scholes method to produce the pro forma disclosures required under
Financial Accounting Standard No. 123, "Accounting and Disclosure of Stock-Based
Compensation". In management's opinion, existing valuation models do not
necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee
stock options because the company's employee stock options have significantly
different characteristics from those of traded options and the assumptions used
in applying option valuation methodologies, including the Black-Scholes model,
are highly subjective.
 
     Stock award shares are granted to employees at no cost. Awards primarily
vest at the rate of 25% annually commencing one year from the date of award,
provided the recipient is still employed by the company on the vesting date. The
cost of stock awards, based on the fair market value at the date of grant, is
being charged to expense over the four-year vesting period. The company granted
stock award shares of 45,000 in 1997, 56,000 in 1996 and 10,000 in 1995. The
fair values of these shares were $1,181,000, $1,385,000 and $202,000,
respectively. Compensation expense related to stock award shares recorded during
these periods was $971,000, $932,000 and $844,000, respectively.
 
     Under the 1988 plan, 383,000 benefit shares or units were available for
future grant at December 31, 1995 with none available for future grant at
December 31, 1996 and 1997. Under the 1996 plan, 697,000 benefit shares or units
were available for future grant at December 31, 1996 with 258,000 available for
future grant at December 31, 1997.
 
NOTE J--SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
     The company has 90,000,000 authorized shares of common stock, $1 par value
and 800,000 authorized and unissued shares of preference stock, $1 par value.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   26
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
     The changes in shareholders' equity for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1997 were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                      FOREIGN
                                              COMMON      CAPITAL IN                                   DEFERRED       CURRENCY
                                               STOCK       EXCESS OF      RETAINED       TREASURY        STOCK      TRANSLATION
                                             PAR VALUE     PAR VALUE      EARNINGS        STOCK         AWARDS       ADJUSTMENT
                                             ---------    ----------      --------       --------      --------     -----------
<S>                                         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>
Balance at December 31, 1994--
  45,767,000 shares issued................  $45,767,000   $53,756,000   $133,138,000   $ (7,880,000)  $(1,688,000)  $ (2,779,000)
Net income................................                                51,610,000
Cash dividends declared...................                               (22,653,000)
Exercise of stock options:
  Cash proceeds...........................       42,000       312,000
  Exchange of shares......................       14,000        38,000                       (52,000)
Stock awards granted......................       10,000       192,000                                    (202,000)
Tax benefits related to stock compensation
  plans...................................                    247,000
Retirement of treasury stock..............      (19,000)     (437,000)                      456,000
Purchases of 147,000 shares of treasury
  stock...................................                                               (3,068,000)
Amortization of deferred stock awards.....                                                                844,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment...                                                                               464,000
Other.....................................       18,000       356,000                      (405,000)
                                            -----------   -----------   ------------   ------------   -----------   ------------
Balance at December 31, 1995--
  45,832,000 shares issued................   45,832,000    54,464,000    162,095,000    (10,949,000)   (1,046,000)    (2,315,000)
Net income................................                                62,033,000
Cash dividends declared...................                               (33,947,000)
Exercise of stock options:
  Cash proceeds...........................       97,000     1,053,000
  Exchange of shares......................       13,000        39,000                       (52,000)
Stock awards granted......................       56,000     1,329,000                                  (1,385,000)
Tax benefits related to stock compensation
  plans...................................                    541,000
Retirement of treasury stock..............      (12,000)     (276,000)                      288,000
Purchases of 126,000 shares of treasury
  stock...................................                                               (3,455,000)
Amortization of deferred stock awards.....                                                                932,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment...                                                                            (2,289,000)
Other.....................................                    (12,000)                     (236,000)       (9,000)
                                            -----------   -----------   ------------   ------------   -----------   ------------
Balance at December 31, 1996--
  45,986,000 shares issued................   45,986,000    57,138,000    190,181,000    (14,404,000)   (1,508,000)    (4,604,000)
Net income................................                                58,969,000
Cash dividends declared...................                               (22,718,000)
Exercise of stock options:
  Cash proceeds...........................      294,000     1,571,000
  Exchange of shares......................      230,000       672,000                      (902,000)
Stock awards granted......................       45,000     1,136,000                                  (1,181,000)
Tax benefits related to stock compensation
  plans...................................                  1,805,000
Retirement of treasury stock..............      (54,000)   (1,293,000)                    1,347,000
Purchases of 227,000 shares of treasury
  stock...................................                                               (5,291,000)
Amortization of deferred stock awards.....                                                                971,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment...                                                                            (8,173,000)
Other.....................................                                                 (445,000)
                                            -----------   -----------   ------------   ------------   -----------   ------------
Balance at December 31, 1997--
  46,501,000 shares issued................  $46,501,000   $61,029,000   $226,432,000   $(19,695,000)  $(1,718,000)  $(12,777,000)
                                            ===========   ===========   ============   ============   ===========   ============
</TABLE>
 
     In June 1988, the company declared a dividend distribution of one preferred
share purchase right on each share of common stock outstanding on and after July
5, 1988. The rights are not exercisable until the rights distribution date,
defined as the earlier of: 1) the tenth day following a public announcement that
a person or group of affiliated or associated persons acquired or obtained the
right to acquire beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding common
stock or 2) the tenth day following the commencement or announcement of an
intention to make a tender offer or exchange offer, the consummation of which
would result in the beneficial ownership by a person or group of 30% or more of
such outstanding common shares. Each right, when exercisable, entitles the
holder to purchase from the company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A
Preferred stock of the company at a price of $90 per one one-hundredth of a
preferred share, subject to
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   27
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
adjustment. The company is entitled to redeem the rights at $.10 per right,
payable in cash or common shares, at any time prior to the expiration of twenty
days following the public announcement that a 20% position has been acquired. In
the event that the company is acquired in a merger or other business combination
transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power is sold,
proper provision will be made so that each holder of a right will thereafter
have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then current
exercise price of a right, that number of shares of common stock of the
acquiring company which at the time of such transaction would have a market
value of two times the exercise price of the right. The rights expire on July 5,
1998 unless earlier redeemed by the company. Until exercised, the holder of a
right, as such, will have no rights as a shareholder, including, without
limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.
 
NOTE K--ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURE
 
     During the three-year period ended December 31, 1997, the company made the
following acquisitions, principally all for cash. In July 1997, the company
acquired the equity of Pauluhn Electric Mfg. Co. ("Pauluhn"). Pauluhn, based
near Houston, Texas, is a manufacturer and marketer of hazardous area and
explosion proof electrical products. In October 1997, the company also acquired
the equity of Akusta IFE, Ltd. ("Akusta"). Akusta, based in the United Kingdom,
is a supplier of microprocessor based public address, general alarm, paging and
intercom systems for use in hazardous environments. As a result of the 1997
acquisitions, the company recorded approximately $6.6 million of working
capital, $.8 million of fixed and other assets and $29.2 million of costs in
excess of fair value. The assigned values of these acquisitions are based on
preliminary estimates. In June 1996, the company acquired the equity of Victor
Industries Limited ("Victor Products"). Victor Products, headquartered in
Newcastle, England, is a manufacturer of hazardous area industrial lighting
products. The company also made two small Tool Group acquisitions during the
year. As a result of the 1996 acquisitions, the company recorded approximately
$3.6 million of working capital, $10.2 million of fixed and other assets and
$19.0 million of costs in excess of fair values. In August 1995, the company
acquired the net operating assets of Bronto Skylift Oy Ab ("Bronto"), a
Finland-based manufacturer of truck-mounted aerial access platforms for the fire
rescue and industrial markets. In December 1995, the company acquired the assets
of the Target Tech brand of warning lights from Dominion Automotive Industries.
Target Tech, now located in Illinois, manufactures amber signaling products for
construction and access vehicles. In addition to Bronto and Target Tech, the
company also made some small Safety Products Group acquisitions during 1995. As
a result of the 1995 acquisitions, the company recorded approximately $12.7
million of working capital, $12.8 million of fixed and other assets and $36.6
million of costs in excess of fair values.
 
     All of the acquisitions in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997
have been accounted for as purchases. Accordingly, the results of operations of
the acquired companies have been included in the consolidated statements of
income from the effective dates of the acquisitions. Assuming the 1997 and 1996
acquisitions occurred January 1, 1996, the company estimates that consolidated
net sales would have increased 2% and 4% in 1997 and 1996, respectively, while
net income would have increased 1% in 1997 and 2% in 1996.
 
     In December 1996, the company sold Bassett Rotary Tool ("Bassett"), its
rotary carbide cutting tool subsidiary for cash. Sales and operating income of
the divested subsidiary in 1996 were $9.4 million and $1.6 million,
respectively. This transaction did not have a material effect on the results of
operations of any of the years presented and the consolidated statements of
income have not been restated.
 
NOTE L--LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     On December 29, 1995, the company settled a lawsuit with Duravision, Inc.
and Manufacturers Product Research Group of North America, Inc. for $6.7
million. As a result of the settlement, the company recorded a pre-tax charge
included in other income and expense, the after-tax effect of which was $4.2
million, or
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   28
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
$0.09 per share. The resolution of this case will have no effect on the
company's future operating performance as it involved a discontinued product
line. The company is actively seeking recoveries from its original trial
counsel.
 
     The company is subject to various claims, other pending and possible legal
actions for product liability and other damages and other matters arising out of
the conduct of the company's business. The company believes, based on current
knowledge and after consultation with counsel, that the outcome of such claims
and actions will not have a material adverse effect on the company's
consolidated financial position or the results of operations.
 
NOTE M--SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
     The principal activities of the company's primary industry segments are as
follows:
 
     SAFETY PRODUCTS GROUP: The Safety Products Group produces a variety of
visual and audible warning and signal devices; paging, local signaling, and
building security, parking and access control systems; hazardous area lighting;
and equipment for storage, transfer, use and disposal of flammable and hazardous
materials. The group's products are sold primarily to industrial, municipal and
government customers.
 
     SIGN GROUP: The Sign Group manufactures for sale or lease illuminated,
non-illuminated and electronic advertising sign displays primarily for
commercial and industrial markets. It also enters into contracts to provide
maintenance service for the signs it manufactures as well as for signs
manufactured by others.
 
     TOOL GROUP: The Tool Group manufactures a variety of perishable tools which
include die components for the metal stamping industry, a large selection of
precision metal products for nonstamping needs and a line of precision cutting
and deep grooving tools. The group's products are sold predominately to
industrial markets.
 
     VEHICLE GROUP: The Vehicle Group manufactures chassis; fire trucks
including Class A pumpers, mini-pumpers and tankers; airport and other rescue
vehicles, aerial access platforms and aerial ladder trucks; a variety of
self-propelled street cleaning vehicles; vacuum loader vehicles and municipal
catch basin/sewer cleaning vacuum trucks. The Vehicle Group sells primarily to
municipal customers, volunteer fire departments and government customers.
 
     Total revenue by business segment reflects sales to unaffiliated customers,
as reported in the company's consolidated statements of income. Operating income
includes all costs and expenses directly related to the segment involved. In
determining operating income, neither corporate nor interest expenses were
included. Business segment depreciation expense, identifiable assets and capital
expenditures relate to those assets that are utilized by the respective business
segment. Corporate assets consist principally of cash and cash equivalents,
notes and other receivables and fixed assets. See Note K for a discussion of the
company's acquisition and divestiture activity during the three-year period
ended December 31, 1997.
 
     Non-U.S. sales, including export and non-U.S. operations, aggregated
$261,218,000 in 1997, $223,870,000 in 1996 and $188,094,000 in 1995. Export
sales aggregated $89,163,000 in 1997, $95,488,000 in 1996 and $85,241,000 in
1995.
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   29
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
     A summary of the company's operations by segment for the three-year period
ended December 31, 1997 is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1997            1996            1995
                                                           ----            ----            ----
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>             <C>
Net sales
  Safety Products..................................    $221,624,000    $196,567,000    $160,669,000
  Sign.............................................      66,349,000      82,342,000      71,170,000
  Tool.............................................     139,431,000     140,911,000     131,776,000
  Vehicle..........................................     497,508,000     476,537,000     452,512,000
                                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
     Total net sales...............................    $924,912,000    $896,357,000    $816,127,000
                                                       ============    ============    ============
Operating income
  Safety Products..................................    $ 29,779,000    $ 30,467,000    $ 28,931,000
  Sign.............................................       3,306,000       6,743,000       6,131,000
  Tool.............................................      30,841,000      31,693,000      28,454,000
  Vehicle..........................................      42,771,000      40,681,000      39,191,000
  Corporate expense................................      (7,023,000)     (6,692,000)     (6,808,000)
                                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
     Total operating income........................      99,674,000     102,892,000      95,899,000
Interest expense...................................     (17,163,000)    (15,359,000)    (13,359,000)
Other income (expense).............................       2,336,000       5,882,000      (5,261,000)
                                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
Income before income taxes.........................    $ 84,847,000    $ 93,415,000    $ 77,279,000
                                                       ============    ============    ============
Depreciation
  Safety Products..................................    $  5,123,000    $  3,983,000    $  3,348,000
  Sign.............................................       1,468,000       1,368,000       1,341,000
  Tool.............................................       3,272,000       3,068,000       2,740,000
  Vehicle..........................................       4,889,000       4,711,000       4,336,000
  Corporate........................................          37,000          71,000          41,000
                                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
     Total depreciation............................    $ 14,789,000    $ 13,201,000    $ 11,806,000
                                                       ============    ============    ============
Identifiable assets
  Manufacturing activities
     Safety Products...............................    $199,113,000    $164,296,000    $124,765,000
     Sign..........................................      21,485,000      25,510,000      22,303,000
     Tool..........................................      80,554,000      81,368,000      71,312,000
     Vehicle.......................................     248,470,000     251,949,000     244,581,000
     Corporate.....................................      11,193,000       9,790,000       9,463,000
                                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
       Total manufacturing activities..............     560,815,000     532,913,000     472,424,000
                                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
  Financial services activities
     Sign..........................................      10,547,000      18,790,000      18,715,000
     Vehicle.......................................     156,543,000     152,198,000     128,820,000
                                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
     Total financial services activities...........     167,090,000     170,988,000     147,535,000
                                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
  Total identifiable assets........................    $727,905,000    $703,901,000    $619,959,000
                                                       ============    ============    ============
Capital expenditures
  Safety Products..................................    $  8,232,000    $  5,445,000    $  3,173,000
  Sign.............................................       1,430,000       1,696,000       1,454,000
  Tool.............................................       5,127,000       4,423,000       7,104,000
  Vehicle..........................................       4,739,000       5,249,000       3,958,000
  Corporate........................................          83,000          76,000          12,000
                                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
     Total capital expenditures....................    $ 19,611,000    $ 16,889,000    $ 15,701,000
                                                       ============    ============    ============
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   30
                  FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
     A summary of the company's operations by geographic area for the three-year
period ended December 31, 1997 is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         1997           1996           1995
                                                         ----           ----           ----
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>            <C>
UNITED STATES
  Net sales........................................  $752,857,000   $767,975,000   $713,274,000
  Operating income.................................    85,849,000     99,547,000     92,929,000
  Identifiable assets..............................   576,972,000    562,595,000    515,725,000
ALL NON-U.S. (principally Europe)
  Net sales........................................  $172,055,000   $128,382,000   $102,853,000
  Operating income.................................    13,825,000      3,345,000      2,970,000
  Identifiable assets..............................   150,933,000    141,306,000    104,234,000
</TABLE>
 
NOTE N--EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
     The following table summarizes the information used in computing basic and
diluted income per share:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
                                                        ---------------------------------------
                                                           1997          1996          1995
                                                           ----          ----          ----
<S>                                                     <C>           <C>           <C>
Numerator for both basic and diluted income per share
  computations--net income............................  $58,969,000   $62,033,000   $51,610,000
                                                        ===========   ===========   ===========
Denominator for basic income per share--weighted
  average shares outstanding..........................   45,332,000    45,362,000    45,313,000
Effect of employee stock options (dilutive potential
  common shares)......................................      508,000       523,000       463,000
                                                        -----------   -----------   -----------
Denominator for diluted income per share--adjusted
  shares..............................................   45,840,000    45,885,000    45,776,000
                                                        ===========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>
 
NOTE O--COMMITMENTS
 
     The company leases certain facilities and equipment under operating leases,
some of which contain options to renew. Total rental expense on all operating
leases was $7,613,000 in 1997, $7,671,000 in 1996 and $6,717,000 in 1995.
Sublease income and contingent rentals relating to operating leases were
insignificant. At December 31, 1997, minimum future rental commitments under
operating leases having noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year
aggregated $31,873,000 payable as follows: $6,779,000 in 1998, $5,460,000 in
1999, $3,862,000 in 2000, $2,677,000 in 2001, $1,873,000 in 2002 and $11,222,000
thereafter.
 
NOTE P--SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             1997                                         1996
                          ------------------------------------------   ------------------------------------------
                           MARCH       JUNE     SEPTEMBER   DECEMBER    MARCH       JUNE     SEPTEMBER   DECEMBER
                             31         30         30          31         31         30         30          31
                           -----       ----     ---------   --------    -----       ----     ---------   --------
                                            (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
Net sales...............  $224,485   $236,156   $229,318    $234,953   $210,793   $232,272   $230,348    $222,944
Gross margin............    70,424     77,263     71,764     71,393      63,130     70,421     70,676      72,179
Net income..............    13,616     16,059     15,970     13,324      11,851     15,978     15,887      18,317(a)
Per share data:
  Net income--diluted...       .30        .35        .35        .29         .26        .35        .35         .40(a)
  Dividends paid........     .1675      .1675      .1675      .1675        .145       .145       .145        .145
  Market price range
    High................    26 3/4     26 3/8    26 7/16     25 1/2      27 5/8     27 1/4     24 5/8      28 1/4
    Low.................    23 1/4     23 5/8    24 3/16     19 7/8      23 3/4     22 1/2     20 7/8      23 1/8
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(a) includes after-tax gain on sale of subsidiary of $2.8 million or $.06 per
    share (see Note K)
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   31
 
REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
  of Federal Signal Corporation
 
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Federal
Signal Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the
related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Federal Signal
Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
                                                             Ernst & Young LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
January 26, 1998
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   32
 
                           FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
 
                                FINANCIAL REVIEW
 
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     In 1997, Federal Signal Corporation's net sales increased to $924.9
million, 3% higher than 1996's $896.4 million. Net income in 1997 was $59.0
million, or $1.29 per share on a diluted basis. This compares to 1996's net
income of $62.0 million, or $1.35 per share, which included a $2.8 million, or
$.06 per share, after-tax gain on the sale of a small tool business. Excluding
this item in 1996, income and diluted income per share were essentially even
with 1996's results. Sales in 1996 increased 10% above the $816.1 million
recorded in 1995 while net income increased 20% in 1996 over the $51.6 million
achieved in 1995. Net income in 1995 included a nonrecurring after-tax charge of
$4.2 million, or $.09 per share, related to a litigation settlement. Excluding
this charge in 1995 and the after-tax gain in 1996 from the sale of the small
tool subsidiary, 1996 earnings increased 6% to $59.2 million, or $1.29 per
share, in 1996 from $55.8 million, or $1.22 per share, in 1995.
 
     The 1997 sales increase of 3% resulted from price increases of 2%, a 2%
increase resulting from acquisitions of businesses and a 1% decline in volume.
Sales to customers in the United States declined 1% in 1997 while sales to
non-U.S. customers increased 17%.
 
     Sales increased 10% in 1996 from volume increases of 8% (including 4%
resulting from the acquisition of Victor Products in June 1996 and Bronto in
August 1995) and price increases of 2%. Sales to U.S. customers increased 7% in
1996 while non-U.S. sales increased 19%. Excluding Bronto and Victor Products,
non-U.S. sales increased 10% in 1996.
 
     Over the last ten years, the company has seen operating margins generally
increase from 8.6% in 1987 to 10.8% in 1997. Operating margins continued to
generally increase in 1993 through 1995 but declined in 1996 and 1997 as the
following table illustrates. During the same ten-year period, gross profit
margins have generally declined as a result of increasing growth in the Vehicle
Group sales outpacing the growth in sales of the other groups. The Vehicle Group
normally experiences higher cost of sales percentages but lower operating
expense percentages than the other groups.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1997     1996     1995     1994     1993
                                                        ----     ----     ----     ----     ----
                                                                   (PERCENT OF SALES)
<S>                                                     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Net sales.............................................  100.0%   100.0%   100.0%   100.0%   100.0%
Cost of sales.........................................   68.6     69.2     69.6     69.0     67.8
                                                        -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
Gross profit margin...................................   31.4     30.8     30.4     31.0     32.2
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A)expenses....   20.6     19.3     18.6     19.4     20.9
                                                        -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
Operating margin......................................   10.8%    11.5%    11.8%    11.6%    11.3%
                                                        =====    =====    =====    =====    =====
</TABLE>
 
     The company emphasizes gross margin ratios and ratios of SG&A expenses to
sales in managing its respective businesses. The distinct differences in the
cost structures of the company's businesses and varying growth rates, including
those caused by acquisitions, can affect the comparisons between years in the
gross margin and SG&A ratios. Accordingly, the company will continue to focus
primarily on improving operating margins when reviewing its total company
performance. Gross margins and the percentage of SG&A expenses declined during
the period 1993-1995 largely as a result of the growth in Vehicle Group sales.
The company's operating margin improved during this three-year period as a
result of operational improvements made, particularly in the Sign Group, as well
as the effect of higher total company sales volumes. Gross margins improved in
1996 as the Vehicle and Tool groups experienced much improved productivity.
Though gross margins improved, the increase in new product development expenses
combined with the acquisition of Victor Products increased the percentage of
SG&A expenses and reduced the company's overall operating margin in 1996. In
1997, gross margins and the ratio of SG&A expenses both increased again largely
as a result of: 1) the effects of the acquisitions of Victor Products and
Pauluhn and 2) the additive effect on gross margin and SG&A expenses from
significant commissions relating to certain large fire rescue vehicle sales. New
product development expenses in 1997 continued at a level similar to that
incurred in 1996. In 1997,
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>   33
                           FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
 
                         FINANCIAL REVIEW--(CONTINUED)
 
significant operational issues in the Vehicle Group adversely affected the
company's gross margins and operating margins. These issues are discussed in the
"Group Operations" section of this report. In 1997, operating margins of the
company's non-U.S. operations improved significantly while those of the U.S.
operations declined (see "Group Operations" section). In looking at total
profitability of the company's U.S. and non-U.S. operations, the company
recognizes that some of its U.S. operations have benefited from selling their
products through distribution channels of non-U.S. operations.
 
     Interest expense increased $1.8 million in 1997 following an increase of
$2.0 million in 1996. These increases were largely the result of increased
borrowings caused by: 1) approximately $30 million incurred in 1997 and $28
million incurred in 1996 for the acquisition of companies for cash and 2) a
$23.5 million increase in financial services assets during 1996. Weighted
average interest rates on short-term borrowings were 5.8% in 1997 and 5.5% in
1996.
 
     The company's effective tax rate of 30.5% in 1997 declined from the 33.6%
in 1996 and 33.2% in 1995. The 1997 effective rate declined for several reasons.
Chief among them were the following: 1) 1997 foreign sales and profits and
certain of its tax-exempt revenues increased at rates much higher than its other
taxable income; and 2) in 1997, the company recorded benefits relating to its
amendment of certain previously filed federal income tax returns based upon a
refined method of determining income on its export sales. The increase in the
effective tax rate in 1996 was due to an increase in state income taxes
resulting from a change in earnings mix and a lower percentage of tax-exempt
interest income.
 
     At the end of 1997, the company changed its assumptions for discount rates
used in determining the actuarial present values of accumulated and projected
benefit obligations for its United States postretirement plans. The company
reduced the discount rate to 7.2% from the 7.8% used at the end of 1996 because
of the lower interest rate environment experienced at the end of 1997. The
company expects that the change in assumptions will not have a significant
impact on 1998 results of operations.
 
     Certain of the company's businesses are susceptible to the influences of
seasonal buying or delivery patterns. The company's businesses which tend to
have lower sales in the first calendar quarter compared to other quarters as a
result of these influences are signage, street sweeping, outdoor warning,
municipal emergency signal products, parking systems and fire rescue products.
 
GROUP OPERATIONS
 
     Safety Products and Vehicle group sales increased in 1997 while Sign and
Tool group sales declined. Vehicle Group earnings increased with the other
groups experiencing lower income in 1997. Earnings and operating margins of the
company's non-U.S. operations increased significantly in 1997 largely on the
strength of the Vehicle Group's improved sales and productivity. Sales and
operating income of the company's U.S. operations declined 3% and 14% in 1997,
due in large part to the effects of supplier- and labor-related problems
experienced by the company's U.S. manufacturer of fire rescue products
(discussed below).
 
  Safety Products
 
     Safety Products Group sales increased 13% while operating income declined
2%. About half of the sales increase was attributable to the acquisitions of
Pauluhn Electric Mfg. Co. and Akusta IFE, Ltd. made in the second half of 1997.
The group's earnings declined as a result of: 1) lower profitability of
hazardous material container unit sales which experienced heavy price pressure
and 2) substantial one-time costs incurred by Victor Products, the group's
United Kingdom-based industrial lighting products unit, which consolidated its
two manufacturing operations during the year. While hazardous material container
prices are not expected to rebound in the near term, the group has taken actions
to moderate the impact of reduced prices on its profitability by aggressively
reducing its costs, broadening its product line and offering new services to its
customers. In 1996, the group significantly increased its investment in the
development of new products and
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>   34
                           FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
 
                         FINANCIAL REVIEW--(CONTINUED)
 
continued with a similarly high level of investment in 1997. Police warning
light bar sales, which were weak in 1996, rebounded in 1997. The group's sales
to U.S. customers increased 11% in 1997 and 14% in 1996; about half of the 1997
increase resulted from the acquisition of Pauluhn. Sales to non-U.S. customers
increased 17% in 1997 and 55% in 1996; both of these results were largely driven
by the group's acquisition of Victor Products.
 
  Sign
 
     In 1997, the Sign Group's sales declined 19% and earnings fell 51%. The
group's margins declined largely because of the lower sales volume. These
results followed the group's record 1996 results, which saw sales increase 16%
and operating income increase 10% over 1995. While the group's markets generally
remained active, the Sign Group's 1996 success in obtaining significant orders
was followed in 1997 by order cancellations and order deferrals into 1998. The
group's strategic focus on large projects is expected to cause higher
variability in its sales and earnings levels from year to year and quarter to
quarter.
 
  Tool
 
     Tool Group sales declined 1% and earnings declined 3% in 1997. Sales and
earnings comparisons to 1996 were affected by the reduction caused by the
disposition of a small tool business at the end of 1996 and the addition of two
smaller businesses during the latter half of 1996. Excluding the effects of the
acquisitions and disposal, the group's sales and earnings both increased
modestly in 1997. These results follow the 7% increase in sales and 11% increase
in income achieved by the group in 1996, which were driven by strong growth in
international markets and moderate sales gains in domestic catalog products.
 
  Vehicle
 
     Vehicle Group sales increased 4% in 1997 and operating income increased 5%.
These increases are comparable to the 1996 increase of 5% in sales and 4% in
income over 1995's results. The group's 1997 sales to U.S. customers were about
even with the prior year while sales outside the U.S. increased 17%. Fire Rescue
sales increased 4% in 1997 reflecting a 5% decline in sales to U.S. customers
and a 25% increase in sales to non-U.S. customers. The high percentage increase
in non-U.S. sales was a result of an unusually high mix of foreign orders in the
group's 1997 beginning backlog. Environmental Products sales increased 5% in
1997 with both U.S. and non-U.S. sales increasing at about the same rate over
1996. The group's U.S.-based fire rescue operations saw earnings decline sharply
as productivity suffered due to critical shortages of long-lead time components
and a union-organizing campaign. The issues surrounding critical component
shortages stemmed from supplier-based decisions affecting chassis and related
parts availability and are expected to abate considerably in the first half of
1998. No significant disruptions are expected from union-organizing activities
in 1998. Offsetting the decline in domestic fire rescue earnings in 1997 were
significantly improved results of the group's European fire rescue and street
sweeper operations. Each saw sales and earnings improve dramatically due to
improved market conditions and significantly improved productivity.
 
FINANCIAL SERVICES ACTIVITIES
 
     The company maintains a large investment ($167.1 million and $171.0 million
at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively) in lease financing and other
receivables which are generated principally by its vehicle operations with the
balance generated by its sign operations. These assets continued to be
conservatively leveraged in accordance with the company's stated financial
objectives for these assets for the five-year period ending December 31, 1997
(see further discussion in Financial Position and Cash Flow).
 
     Financial services assets have repayment terms generally ranging from two
to ten years. The increases in these assets resulted from increasing sales of
the Vehicle Group as well as continuing greater acceptance by customers of the
benefits of using the company as their source of financing vehicle purchases.
                                      F-22
<PAGE>   35
                           FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
 
                         FINANCIAL REVIEW--(CONTINUED)
 
FINANCIAL POSITION AND CASH FLOW
 
     The company emphasizes generating strong cash flows from operations. During
1997, cash flow from operations reached a record $64.2 million compared to $61.4
million in 1996 and $62.9 million in 1995. As expected, the company's primary
working capital (accounts receivable and inventory less accounts payable) as a
percent of sales did not change significantly during the three-year period
ending 1997. Nevertheless, the company expects further improvement in its
operating cash flow as it continues to focus aggressively on its efficiencies
and costs as well as its working capital management.
 
     During the 1993-1997 period, the company has utilized its strong cash flows
from operations to: 1) fund in whole or in part strategic acquisitions of
companies operating in markets related to those already served by the company;
2) purchase increasing amounts of equipment principally to provide for further
cost reductions and increased productive capacity for the future as well as
tooling for new products; 3) increase its investment in financial services
activities; 4) pay increasing amounts in cash dividends to shareholders; and 5)
repurchase a small percentage of its outstanding common stock each year.
 
     Cash flows for the five-year period ending December 31, 1997 are summarized
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           1997      1996      1995      1994      1993
                                           ----      ----      ----      ----      ----
                                                          (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Cash provided by (used for):
  Operating activities................    $ 64.2    $ 61.4    $ 62.9    $ 53.8    $ 48.8
  Investing activities................     (38.4)    (54.2)    (88.1)    (96.9)    (38.1)
  Financing activities................     (27.5)     (4.1)     29.9      45.1     (10.3)
</TABLE>
 
     In order to show the distinct characteristics of the company's investment
in its manufacturing activities and its investment in its financial services
activities, the company has presented separately these investments and their
related liabilities. Each of these two types of activities is supported by
different percentages of debt and equity.
 
     One of the company's financial objectives is to maintain a strong financial
position. At both December 31, 1997 and 1996, the company's debt to
capitalization ratio of its manufacturing operations was 28%. The company also
believes that its financial assets, due to their overall quality, are capable of
sustaining a leverage ratio of 87%. At both December 31, 1997 and 1996, the
company's debt to capitalization ratio for its financial services activities was
87%. The company intends to maintain this leverage for its financial activities
in the future and at the same time fulfill its financial objective with respect
to its manufacturing debt to capitalization ratio. These intentions are
consistent with its investment grade credit rating obtained in connection with
its commercial paper program.
 
     As indicated earlier, substantial effort is focused on improving the
utilization of the company's working capital. The company's current ratio for
its manufacturing operations was 1.2 at both December 31, 1997 and 1996. These
ratios are slightly lower than those in prior years as a result of increased
short-term debt. The company anticipates that its financial resources and major
sources of liquidity, including cash flow from operations, will continue to be
adequate to meet its operating and capital needs in addition to its financial
commitments.
 
OTHER MATTERS
 
     The company has observed that recent events in the financial markets
relating to the Asia/Pacific Rim region have generated interest in the potential
impact on the company's future sales and earnings. In 1997, sales made by the
company to customers in this region approximated 6% of total company sales. The
company believes that the effect on the company's 1998 sales and earnings
resulting from economic uncertainty in the Asia/Pacific Rim region will not be
significant.
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>   36
                           FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
 
                         FINANCIAL REVIEW--(CONTINUED)
 
     In early January 1998, the company completed two acquisitions in its
Vehicle Group: Five Star Manufacturing and Saulsbury Manufacturing. The company
acquired both of these businesses for cash totaling approximately $23.5 million.
Preliminary asset values have not yet been determined. Combined sales of these
businesses for the year ended December 31, 1997 were approximately $40 million.
Five Star manufactures street sweepers. Saulsbury manufactures stainless steel
fire apparatus. Sales and earnings from these businesses will be included in the
company's results beginning in January 1998.
 
     In the normal course of business, the company has made and will continue to
make investments to improve the effectiveness of computer software and hardware
utilized in operating its businesses. The company has determined that some of
the software and hardware utilized in its businesses are not capable of
supporting transactions requiring designation with the year 2000 in a date field
("Year-2000 problem"). The company is continuing its process of making
modifications to its systems, including replacement of certain hardware and
software. Nearly all completed and planned expenditures for replacement hardware
and software, while rectifying the Year-2000 problem, have been or will be made
to provide substantial operating benefits to the company. The company has also
made modifications to internally developed or maintained software to rectify the
Year-2000 problem, the costs of which have been insignificant. Based upon its
progress to date and planned actions yet to be taken, the company believes that
no significant disruption will occur in its businesses relating to the year
2000. The company expects that the aggregate of past and planned expenditures
incurred primarily to rectify year-2000 deficiencies will be insignificant.
 
     In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" and No.
131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information".
 
     Comprehensive income is defined as "the change in equity (net assets) of a
business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and
circumstances from nonowner sources. It includes all changes in equity during a
period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to
owners." The company is required to adopt the provisions of Statement No. 130 at
the beginning of 1998. At this time, the company anticipates that the items
included in comprehensive income will be those items included in net income and
foreign currency translation adjustments currently reported in the company's
changes in shareholders' equity.
 
     The company has not fully evaluated the provisions of Statement No. 131
with regard to determining reportable segments under that statement. The company
is required to adopt the provisions of Statement No. 131 for the year ending
December 31, 1998 but has not yet determined if it will apply such provisions to
interim financial statements issued during the year then ending.
 
     The Securities and Exchange Commission issued new regulations that require
public companies to expand disclosures regarding the market risk associated with
financial instruments, which include derivatives. The company makes limited use
of derivative financial instruments. These uses are intended to manage the
company's exposures to unfavorable changes in receivables or payables
denominated in non-functional currencies and to increases in rates of interest
paid on the company's variable-rate debt. The company does not actively trade
derivative financial instruments nor enter such instruments for speculative
purposes. The company will be required to expand its disclosures relating to
financial instruments in its 1998 annual report.
 
                                      F-24

<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 21




                          FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
                        Subsidiaries of the Registrant


The following table sets forth information concerning significant subsidiaries
of the Registrant.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Jurisdiction
                                                                in which
             Name                                               Organized
   -----------------------------------------                  ------------
   <S>                                                        <C>
   Akusta IFE, Ltd.                                           United Kingdom
   Aplicaciones Tecnologicas VAMA S.A.                        Spain
   Bronto Skylift Oy Ab                                       Finland
   Dayton Progress Canada, Ltd.                               Ontario, Canada
   Dayton Progress Corporation                                Ohio
   Dayton Progress International Corporation                  Ohio
   Dayton Progress (U.K.), Ltd.                               United Kingdom
   Dico Corporation                                           Michigan
   Dunbar-Nunn Corporation                                    California
   Elgin Sweeper Company                                      Delaware
   Emergency One, Inc.                                        Delaware
   Federal APD, Inc.                                          Michigan
   Federal Signal Credit Corporation                          Delaware
   Federal Signal International (FSC), Ltd.                   Jamaica, W.I.
   Guzzler Manufacturing, Inc.                                Alabama
   Jamestown Punch and Tooling, Inc.                          New York
   Justrite Manufacturing Company, L.L.C.                     Delaware
   Manchester Tool Company                                    Delaware
   M.J. Industries, S.A.                                      France
   Nippon Dayton Progress K.K.                                Japan
   Pauluhn Electric Manufacturing Company                     New York
   Ravo International (Van Raaij Holdings BV         
    and its subsidiaries)                                     Netherlands
   Schneider Stanznormalien GmbH                              Germany
   Superior Emergency Vehicles, Ltd.                          Alberta, Canada
   Technical Tooling, Inc.                                    Minnesota
   Vactor Manufacturing, Inc.                                 Illinois
   Victor Industrial Equipment Ltd.                           South Africa
   Victor Industries, Ltd.                                    United Kingdom
   Victor Products USA Inc.                                   Delaware
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 23



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

                                       
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
of Federal Signal Corporation of our report dated January 26, 1998, included in
the Federal Signal Corporation Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held April 15, 1998.

Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of Federal Signal
Corporation listed in Item 14(a)2.  This schedule is the responsibility of the
Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on
our audits.  In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to
above, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial
statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the
information set forth therein.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements (Form S-8   Nos. 33-12876, 33-22311, 33-38494, 33-41721, 33-49476
and 33-14251) pertaining to the Stock Option Plan and Employee Savings and
Investment Plans of our report dated January 26, 1998, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements incorporated herein by reference, and our
report included in the preceding paragraph with respect to the financial
statement schedule included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Federal Signal
Corporation.




                                                 Ernst & Young LLP



Chicago, Illinois
March 27, 1998


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
registrant's consolidated condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 1997 and
consolidated condensed statement of income for the twelve months ended December
31, 1997, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           10686
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   145500
<ALLOWANCES>                                      2527
<INVENTORY>                                     109383
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                268622<F1>
<PP&E>                                          187367
<DEPRECIATION>                                  102658
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  727905
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           227029<F1>
<BONDS>                                          32110
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         46501
<OTHER-SE>                                      253271
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    727905
<SALES>                                         924912
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                924912
<CGS>                                           634068
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   634068
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               17163
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  84847
<INCOME-TAX>                                     25878
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              58969
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     58969
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.29
<FN>
<F1>MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS ONLY
</FN>
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
registrant's consolidated condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 1996 and
consolidated condensed statement of income for the twelve months ended December
31, 1996, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           12431
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   143805
<ALLOWANCES>                                      2602
<INVENTORY>                                     108293
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                267006<F1>
<PP&E>                                          177393
<DEPRECIATION>                                   94568
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  703901
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           226413<F1>
<BONDS>                                          34311
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         45986
<OTHER-SE>                                      226803
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    703901
<SALES>                                         896357
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                896357
<CGS>                                           619951
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   619951
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               15359
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  93415
<INCOME-TAX>                                     31382
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              62033
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     62033
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.37<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.35
<FN>
<F1>MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS ONLY
<F2>RESTATED FROM PRIOR SUBMISSION
</FN>
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
registrant's consolidated condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 1995 and
consolidated condensed statement of income for the twelve months ended December
31, 1995, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                            9350
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   125971
<ALLOWANCES>                                      3058
<INVENTORY>                                      97448
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                235474<F1>
<PP&E>                                          164750
<DEPRECIATION>                                   86296
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  619959
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           186660<F1>
<BONDS>                                          39702
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         45832
<OTHER-SE>                                      202249
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    619959
<SALES>                                         816127
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                816127
<CGS>                                           567772
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   567772
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  5261   
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               13359
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  77279
<INCOME-TAX>                                     25669
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              51610
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     51610
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.14<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.13<F2>
<FN>
<F1>MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS ONLY
<F2>RESTATED FROM PRIOR SUBMISSION
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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