JUSTIN INDUSTRIES INC, SC 14D9, 2000-06-27

JUSTIN INDUSTRIES INC
SC 14D9, 2000-06-27
FOOTWEAR, (NO RUBBER)

Previous: JUSTIN INDUSTRIES INC, SC 13D, 2000-06-27

Next: JUSTIN INDUSTRIES INC, SC 14D9, EX-3, 2000-06-27

<PAGE>

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

----------------

SCHEDULE 14D-9
(Rule 14d-101)

----------------

SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT UNDER SECTION 14(d)(4)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Justin Industries, Inc.
(Name of Subject Company)

Justin Industries, Inc.
(Name of Person(s) Filing Statement)

Common Stock, Par Value $2.50 Per Share
(Title of Class of Securities)

482171105
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)

Richard J. Savitz
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Justin Industries, Inc.
2821 West Seventh Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
(817) 390-2412
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notice and
Communication on Behalf of the Person(s) Filing Statement)

[_]Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications
made before the commencement of a tender offer.

With a Copy to:

Thomas W. Briggs, Esq.
Kelly, Hart & Hallman, P.C.
201 Main Street, Suite 2500
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
(817) 332-2500

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

ITEM 1. Subject Company Information.

The name of the subject Company is Justin Industries, Inc., a Texas
corporation (the "Company"). The address of the principal executive offices of
the Company is 2821 West Seventh Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76107. The
telephone number of the Company at its principal executive offices is (817)
336-5125.

The title of the class of equity securities to which this
Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (together with any
Exhibits or Annexes hereto, this "Statement") relates is the Common Stock, par
value $2.50 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock"), including the
associated common stock purchase rights (the "Rights" and, together with the
Common Stock, the "Shares") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as
of October 6, 1989, as amended from time to time, between the Company and The
Bank of New York, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agreement"). As of June 19,
2000, there were 25,775,603 Shares outstanding.

ITEM 2. Identity and Background of Filing Person.

The filing person is the subject Company. The Company's name, business
address and business telephone number are set forth in Item 1 above.

This Statement relates to the tender offer by J Acquisition Corp. (the
"Purchaser"), a Texas corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire
Hathaway Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Berkshire"), to purchase all the
outstanding Shares at a purchase price of $22 per Share, net to the seller in
cash (the "Offer Price"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in the Purchaser's Offer to Purchase, dated June 27, 2000, and in the
related Letter of Transmittal (which, together with any amendments or
supplements thereto, collectively constitute the "Offer"). The Offer is
described in a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (as amended or
supplemented from time to time, the "Schedule TO"), filed by the Purchaser and
Berkshire with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 27, 2000.

The Offer is being made in accordance with the Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated as of June 19, 2000, among Berkshire, the Purchaser and the Company (the
"Merger Agreement"). The Merger Agreement provides that, subject to the
satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, following completion of the
Offer, and in accordance with the Texas Business Corporation Act (the "TBCA"),
the Purchaser will be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger").
Following the consummation of the Merger, the Company will continue as the
surviving corporation and will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire. At
the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), each issued and
outstanding Share (other than Shares owned by Berkshire, the Purchaser, the
Company and Shares held by shareholders who did not vote in favor of the
Merger Agreement and who comply with all the relevant provisions of Article
5.12 of the TBCA relating to dissenters' rights of appraisal) will be
converted into the right to receive the same amount in cash per Share that is
paid pursuant to the Offer (the "Merger Consideration"). The Merger Agreement
is filed herewith as Exhibit 7 and is incorporated herein by reference.

In connection with the Merger Agreement, Berkshire, the Purchaser and three
of the Company's principal shareholders, John S. Justin, Jr., the John and
Jane Justin Charitable Remainder Unitrust and the John S. Justin Charitable
Remainder Trust (the "Stockholders"), entered into a Stockholders Agreement
dated as of June 19, 2000 (the "Stockholders Agreement") pursuant to which the
Stockholders have agreed, among other things, to tender all their Shares
pursuant to the Offer. The Stockholders currently hold, in the aggregate,
5,104,780 Shares, or approximately 19.8% of the Company's Shares currently
outstanding. In addition, Mr. Justin owns all 100 outstanding shares of the
Company's Series Two Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, which, under the
Stockholders Agreement, he has agreed to convert into Common Stock and tender
prior to the Expiration Date of the Offer. The Stockholders Agreement is filed
herewith as Exhibit 8 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Schedule TO states that the principal offices of Berkshire and the
Purchaser are located at 1440 Kiewit Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68131.

2
<PAGE>

ITEM 3. Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements.

Certain contracts, agreements, arrangements or understandings between the
Company or its affiliates and certain of its directors and executive officers
are, except as noted below, described in the Information Statement pursuant to
Rule 14f-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Information Statement"), that is attached as Annex B to this Statement and is
incorporated herein by reference. Except as described in this Statement
(including in the Exhibits hereto and in Annex B hereto) or incorporated
herein by reference, to the knowledge of the Company, as of the date of this
Statement there exists no material agreement, arrangement or understanding or
any actual or potential conflict of interest between the Company or its
affiliates and (1) the Company's executive officers, directors or affiliates
or (2) Berkshire, the Purchaser or their respective executive officers,
directors or affiliates.

The Merger Agreement. The summary of the Merger Agreement, the Stockholders
Agreement and the statement of the conditions of the Offer contained in
Sections 11 and 14 of the Offer to Purchase, dated June 27, 2000, which is
filed as Exhibit (a)(1) to the Schedule TO and which is being mailed to
shareholders together with this Statement, are incorporated herein by
reference. The summary of the Merger Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement
are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement and the
Stockholders Agreement, as applicable, which have been filed as Exhibits 7 and
8 hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.

Effects of the Offer and the Merger Under Company Stock Plans and Agreements
Between the Company and its Executive Officers. Certain members of the Board
of Directors of the Company (the "Board") and the Company's management have
interests in the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement that are in
addition to their interests as Company shareholders generally, as described
below. The Board was aware of these interests and considered them, among other
matters, in approving the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby.

Stock-Based Rights. The Merger Agreement provides that, prior to the closing
of the Merger Agreement, the Board (or, if appropriate, any committee
administering the Options Plans (as defined below)) shall adopt such
resolutions or take such other actions as may be required to adjust the terms
of all outstanding stock options to purchase shares of the Company's Common
Stock (the "Company Stock Options") granted under the Company's 1981 Stock
Option Plan, 1984 Incentive Stock Option Plan, 1992 Stock Option Plan, 1996
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan or 1999 Performance Incentive Plan,
each as amended (the "Option Plans"), to provide that, at the Effective Time,
each Company Stock Option outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall (except to the extent that Berkshire and the holder of a Company Stock
Option otherwise agree in writing prior to the Effective Time): (i) vest as of
the Effective Time; (ii) if such Company Stock Option has an exercise price of
less than the Offer Price, unless the holder of such Company Stock Option
shall have elected by written notice to Berkshire prior to the date 15
business days prior to the Effective Time to receive the consideration
contemplated by clause (iii), be cancelled in exchange for a payment from the
Company (subject to any applicable withholding taxes) equal to the product of
(1) the total number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company
Stock Option and (2) the excess of the Offer Price over the exercise price per
share of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Stock Option, payable in
cash immediately following the Effective Time; or (iii) with respect to any
Company Stock Option not cancelled pursuant to clause (ii) above, be assumed
by Berkshire, or substituted with a new option issued by Berkshire, so that
such Company Stock Option shall be deemed to constitute an option to acquire,
on the terms and conditions of Berkshire's 1996 Stock Option Plan, as amended,
(x) the number of shares of Berkshire Class B common stock, par value $.1667
per share ("Berkshire Class B Stock"), equal to the product of (1) the number
of shares of Company Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Company Stock
Option and (2) 0.0113519 (the "Berkshire Class B Exchange Ratio"), provided
that any fractional shares of Berkshire Class B Stock resulting from such
multiplication shall be rounded up or down to the nearest whole share, at (y)
a price per share equal to (1) the exercise price for the shares of Company
Common Stock otherwise purchasable pursuant to such Company Stock Option
divided by (2) the Berkshire Class B Exchange Ratio, provided that such
exercise price shall be rounded up or down to the nearest cent. The purchase
of Shares by the Purchaser will also constitute a change in control

3
<PAGE>

for purposes of Company Stock Options and shares of restricted stock granted
under the 1999 Performance Incentive Plan, resulting in the vesting of those
options and the lapse of restrictions and other conditions (including vesting
requirements) applicable to any shares of restricted stock.

Employment/Severance Agreements. Any employee of the Company employed at the
time of the closing of the Merger at the Company's corporate offices in Fort
Worth, Texas ("Corporate Employee") who is terminated by the Company without
cause during the 12 months following the closing date of the Merger, will be
paid by the Company, in cash (i) with respect to Company Employees who are
officers of the Company at the time of the closing of the Merger ("Corporate
Officers"), 12 months' base pay and (ii) with respect to Company Employees who
are not Corporate Officers, the greater of (x) two months' base pay or (y)
one-half of one week's pay for each year of service. In addition, each
Corporate Officer who is an employee of the Company at the time annual bonuses
are paid by the Company in the ordinary course of business (or any such
Officer who is terminated without cause by the Company) will receive a cash
bonus for fiscal year 2000 that is equal to or greater than the cash bonus
paid to such Corporate Officer for fiscal year 1999.

The purchase of the Shares pursuant to the Offer will constitute a "change
in control" for purposes of the agreements the Company has entered into with
John V. Roach, Chairman of the Board of the Company, J.T. Dickenson, President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Richard J. Savitz, Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. As a result of the
"change in control," (i) all unvested Company Stock Options held by each of
Mr. Roach, Mr. Dickenson and Mr. Savitz will vest and (ii) restrictions and
other conditions (including vesting requirements) applicable to all shares of
restricted stock held by each of Mr. Roach, Mr. Dickenson and Mr. Savitz will
lapse.

Benefit Plans. The Merger Agreement provides that Berkshire shall, and shall
cause the Company to, maintain the Company's benefits plans and shall not
cause the Company to (i) reduce any benefits to employees pursuant to such
plans for a period of 12 months following the Effective Time, (ii) reduce any
benefit accruals to employees pursuant to any such plans that are defined
benefit pension plans, or (iii) reduce the employer contribution pursuant to
any such plans that are defined contribution pension plans. In addition, to
the extent that an employee's benefit pursuant to any such plan depends on
length of service, credit will be given to current employees of the Company
for service with the Company prior to the Effective Time, provided that such
crediting of service does not result in duplication of benefits.

Other Plans. In the Merger Agreement, the Company has reserved the right to
amend the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans as described in this
paragraph, and the Board will be asked to approve such amendments at its next
meeting prior to the completion of the Offer. The permitted amendments would
provide that, effective as of the closing of the Merger, participants who have
been (or would have been) employed by the Company for 10 years or more as of
the later of the closing date of the Merger or December 31, 2000, shall be
entitled to benefits under such plan upon termination of employment, if
terminated within 12 months after the Effective Time, as if such participant
were 55 years old at the date of such termination, subject to the other
provisions of such plan.

Indemnification of Officers and Directors. The Merger Agreement provides
that from and after the Effective Time, Berkshire shall, and shall cause the
Company to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless each person who is now, or has
been at any time prior to the date of the Merger Agreement or who becomes such
prior to the Effective Time, an officer, director, agent, fiduciary or
employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (the "Indemnified Parties")
against (i) any and all losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses, fines,
liabilities or judgments or amounts that are paid in settlement with the
approval of the indemnifying party (which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld) of or in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation based in whole or in part on or arising in whole or in part out
of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, agent, fiduciary
or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, whether pertaining to
any matter existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time
("Indemnified Liabilities"), and (ii) all Indemnified Liabilities based in
whole or in part on, or arising in whole or in part out of, or pertaining to
the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby. In the case of
the Purchaser and the Company such indemnification shall only be to the
fullest extent a corporation is permitted under the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the "DGCL") or the TBCA, as applicable, to indemnify its own
directors, officers, agents,

4
<PAGE>

fiduciaries and employees, and in the case of Berkshire, such indemnification
shall not be limited by the DGCL but such indemnification shall not be
applicable to any claims made against the Indemnified Parties if a judgment or
other final adjudication established that (A) their acts or omissions were
committed in bad faith or were the result of active and deliberate dishonesty
and were material to the cause of action so deliberated or (B) arising out of,
based upon or attributable to the gaining in fact of any financial profit or
other advantage to which they were not legally entitled. Berkshire, Purchaser,
and the Company, as the case may be, will pay all expenses of each Indemnified
Party in advance of the final disposition of any such action or proceeding to
the fullest extent permitted by law upon receipt of any undertaking
contemplated by Section 145 of the DGCL or Article 2.02-1 of the TBCA, as
applicable.

ITEM 4. The Solicitation or Recommendation.

(a) Recommendation of the Board of Directors.

At a meeting held on June 19, 2000, the Board determined that the terms of
the Offer and the Merger are fair to, and in the best interests of, the
shareholders of the Company. At this meeting, the Board approved the Merger
Agreement, the Offer, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement. THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS
ACCEPT THE OFFER AND TENDER THEIR SHARES IN THE OFFER.

(b)(I) Background of the Offer; Contacts with Berkshire.

In May 1998, the Board first authorized the Company to engage Donaldson,
Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation ("DLJ") as the Company's financial
advisor to assist the Board in evaluating the Company's strategic
alternatives, including the following: (i) remaining as a stand-alone,
independent entity, (ii) conducting a sale of the entire Company, (iii)
pursuing a sale of Acme Building Brands, Inc. ("Acme Building Brands") and
Justin Brands, Inc. ("Justin Brands") in separate transactions, and (iv)
considering other extraordinary corporate transactions. After considering the
various alternatives, the Board authorized DLJ and senior management to embark
upon a process of contacting companies that might be interested in a business
combination with the Company. The Company's management, with the assistance of
DLJ, then identified a number of third parties that might have an interest in
a business combination with the Company.

During the period from May 1998 through August 1998, the Company and DLJ
contacted various potential strategic buyers of both Justin Brands and Acme
Building Brands, as well as a number of potential financial buyers. The
Company and DLJ also furnished written information to certain of these
potential buyers. At a meeting in August 1998, DLJ reviewed with the Board the
preliminary indications of interest in acquiring the Company. After an
evaluation of the Company's current and prospective situation and its various
strategic options, the Board determined not to pursue discussions with any
particular prospective buyer at that time due to the Board's determination
that the preliminary indications of interest did not adequately reflect the
Company's value. The Board then terminated any active pursuit of strategic
alternatives.

Representatives of the Company made oral presentations to various
prospective purchasers during the period from September 1999 through June
2000. In September 1999, the Company was contacted by a representative of a
publicly held European brick manufacturing corporation (the "Brick Industry
Buyer") who indicated that the Brick Industry Buyer was interested in
exploring a business combination with Acme Building Brands. After continued
discussions between management of the Company and the Brick Industry Buyer,
the Brick Industry Buyer proposed an acquisition of Acme Building Brands for a
combination of cash and securities at a price per share of $20 (with not more
than $10 per share to be paid in cash). In addition, the Brick Industry Buyer
indicated that it would require up to six months to close an acquisition
transaction. After careful deliberation, the Board rejected the offer as
inadequate given the partly non-cash nature of the offer and its proposed
timing.

In December 1999, a representative of a leveraged buyout firm contacted the
Company and indicated a preliminary interest in pursuing a transaction
involving a purchase of the entire Company for a price in the range

5
<PAGE>

of $20 to $24. These preliminary discussions, however, ended when this
potential purchaser proved unable to secure financing.

In January 2000, a venture capital group (the "Venture Capital Group") and
an individual (the "Individual Buyer") both contacted the Company regarding
their interest in a possible combination with the Company. Both the Venture
Capital Group and the Individual Buyer conducted extensive due diligence of
the Company's business and operations. In March 2000, the Individual Buyer
orally indicated to the Company a preliminary interest in a business
combination with Justin Brands. After careful deliberation, the Board rejected
the preliminary oral proposal based on the inadequacy of the consideration and
the fact that the proposal was not fully financed. The Company also received
an oral preliminary proposal from the Venture Capital Group shortly
thereafter, which contemplated a transaction in which the Venture Capital
Group would acquire all the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock
for $19 per share in cash and $4 per share in subordinated debt. Following a
Board meeting on March 17, 2000, the Company decided not to consider the
proposal due to the highly conditional nature of the offer, the uncertainties
involved in valuing the subordinated debt component and the fact that the
offer was not fully financed.

In April 2000, the Individual Buyer teamed with a financial partner (the
"Financial Buyer"). The Individual Buyer and the Financial Buyer notified the
Company of their combined interest in pursuing an acquisition of Justin
Brands. The Individual Buyer and the Financial Buyer also informed the Company
that they were in the process of initiating a search for a partner to purchase
Acme Building Brands. The Individual Buyer and the Financial Buyer eventually
located a building materials company (the "Building Materials Company")
interested in pursuing a possible acquisition of Acme Building Brands. The
Building Materials Company, the Individual Buyer and the Financial Buyer
(together, the "Bidders") conducted extensive due diligence of the Company's
business and operations, but did not contact the Company with a proposal at
that time.

In mid-May 2000, a former employee of the Company contacted Warren E.
Buffet, Chairman of Berkshire, and provided him with information about the
Company. On or about May 24, 2000, Mr. Buffett contacted John V. Roach,
Chairman of the Board of the Company. Mr. Roach and Mr. Buffett arranged a
meeting to be held at the offices of Mr. Roach on June 7, 2000. The Company
then notified the Brick Industry Buyer and the Bidders that discussions
regarding the possible sale of the Company had progressed and were moving
forward.

On June 7, 2000, Mr. Buffett met with Mr. Roach, Mr. Justin, the senior
managers of Acme Building Brands and Justin Brands, and other senior Company
officers, to discuss the Company's businesses. At the conclusion of those
meetings, Mr. Buffett verbally indicated to Mr. Roach Berkshire's interest in
pursuing a $22 per share, all cash offer for the Company with no financing or
due diligence requirements. Thereafter, the Company contacted the Venture
Capital Group, the Brick Industry Buyer and the Bidders and indicated that the
Company had received an indication of interest for an acquisition of the
Company that could result in a transaction. Accordingly, the Company indicated
that the Venture Capital Group, the Brick Industry Buyer and the Bidders
should prepare to act decisively if they remained interested in a possible
acquisition of the Company. The Company suggested to each of the Venture
Capital Group, Berkshire, the Brick Industry Buyer and the Bidders that it
prepare a proposal, including price, and submit such proposal to the Company
by noon on June 14, 2000. Berkshire and the Bidders submitted proposals.

On June 14, 2000, the Board met and received a detailed presentation from
its legal counsel on the duties of the directors in considering a potential
acquisition of the Company. The Board also received oral presentations from
representatives of the Bidders and representatives of Berkshire. The Bidders
proposed an acquisition of the Company structured as a cash tender offer at a
price below $22. The Bidders' offer was conditioned on, among other things,
the completion of due diligence by the Bidders. Representatives of Berkshire
then definitively proposed an all cash acquisition of the Company at $22 per
Share through a first-step tender offer for all outstanding Shares followed by
a second-step merger in which all remaining Shares would be converted into the
right to receive the same per share consideration paid in the tender offer.
The proposal was subject to customary conditions but was not subject to due
diligence or financing conditions. Berkshire's representatives stated that

6
<PAGE>

Berkshire was prepared to negotiate definitive acquisition agreements and
announce a transaction within three business days. The Board then discussed
the two proposals extensively. The Board considered a number of factors
relating to the two proposals, including the amount of the consideration
offered, the fact that the Bidders' financing was not yet fully committed and
the fact that a transaction with the Bidders would require more time to
consummate and was subject to more conditions than a transaction with
Berkshire. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Board unanimously
determined that it would be in the best interests of the shareholders to
proceed with the Berkshire proposal. This conclusion was based principally on
the Board's belief that the Bidders' price per share did not adequately
reflect the Company's value and the possibility that the transaction would not
be consummated, while the Berkshire proposal, in the Board's judgment,
reflected a fair price and was more likely to be consummated as it was subject
to few conditions. The Board instructed management to attempt to negotiate
satisfactory definitive agreements that could be presented to the Board at its
next meeting on June 19, 2000.

Berkshire's representatives provided a draft merger agreement and
stockholders agreement to the Company and the Stockholders at the conclusion
of the Board meeting on June 14, 2000. Between then and June 19, 2000,
Berkshire's counsel and counsel for the Company and the Stockholders
negotiated the definitive agreements.

On Monday afternoon, June 19, 2000, the Board met to receive presentations
from the Company's legal and financial advisors and to consider the Offer, the
Merger, the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. At the
meeting, DLJ delivered both its oral and written opinion to the effect that,
as of such date and based on and subject to the assumptions, limitations and
qualifications set forth in its written opinion, the consideration to be
received by the holders of Shares pursuant to the Offer and the Merger was
fair to such holders, from a financial point of view. Following such
presentations and receipt of DLJ's written opinion, the Board determined that
the terms of the Offer and the Merger were fair to, and in the best interests
of, the shareholders of the Company, approved the Offer, the Merger, the
Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, and determined to
recommend that the Company's shareholders accept the Offer and tender their
Shares pursuant to the Offer and approve and adopt the Merger Agreement. Also
on June 19, 2000, the Board of Directors of Berkshire met telephonically to
review the terms of the proposed transaction. After full discussion, the
Berkshire Board determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, were in the best
interests of Berkshire and its stockholders, and approved the Merger
Agreement.

Following the two Board meetings, Berkshire, the Purchaser and the Company
executed the Merger Agreement and Berkshire, the Purchaser and the
Stockholders executed the Stockholders Agreement, as contemplated by the
Merger Agreement.

On the morning of June 20, 2000, Berkshire and the Company issued a joint
press release announcing the execution of the Merger Agreement and the
Stockholders Agreement.

On June 27, 2000, in accordance with the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser
commenced the Offer.

(II) Reasons for the Recommendation of the Board of Directors.

In reaching its recommendations described above in paragraph (a) of this
Item 4, the Board considered a number of factors, including the following:

1. Company Operating and Financial Condition: The Board considered the
current and historical financial condition and results of the operations of
the Company, as well as the prospects and strategic objectives of the Company,
including the risks involved in achieving those prospects and objectives, and
the current and expected conditions in the industries in which the Company
operates.

2. Transaction Financial Terms/Premium to Market Price. The Board reviewed
the relationship of the Offer Price to the historical market prices of the
Shares. The $22.00 per Share Offer Price represents a 27.5% premium over the
$17.25 closing price of the Shares on Nasdaq on June 16, 2000 and a 30.3%
premium over

7
<PAGE>

the $16.88 average closing price for the 30-day trading period ending on June
16, 2000. The Board also considered the form of consideration to be paid to
holders of Shares in the Offer and the Merger, and the certainty of value of
such cash consideration compared to non-cash consideration. The Board was
aware that the consideration to be received by holders of Shares in the Offer
and Merger would be taxable to such holders for federal income tax purposes.

3. Strategic Alternatives. The Board considered presentations of DLJ and
reviewed trends in the industries in which the Company operates. The Board
also considered the strategic alternatives available to the Company, including
the Company's alternative to remain an independent public company and the
possibility of acquisitions or mergers with other companies in its industries,
a recapitalization of the Company and other extraordinary corporate
transactions, as well as the risks and uncertainties associated with such
alternatives. The Board discussed possible alternatives to the Offer and the
Merger and the risks associated therewith. The Board also considered the
information provided by DLJ relating to the process that had been conducted on
behalf of the Company by DLJ since May 1998 relating to the Company's
exploration of strategic alternatives available to it, including information
regarding discussions and meetings held by DLJ and the Company's management
with other potential acquirors of the Company. The Board discussed the
negotiations between the Company and Berkshire that resulted in the Merger
Agreement and the process described above that led to the $22 per Share Offer
Price. The Board noted that none of these discussions with other potential
buyers resulted in definitive proposals that were as favorable to the Company
and its shareholders as the Offer and the Merger.

4. DLJ Fairness Opinion. The Board took into account the presentations and
advice from DLJ and the written opinion of DLJ, dated June 19, 2000, to the
effect that as of that date, based upon and subject to the assumptions,
limitations and qualifications set forth in the opinion, the consideration to
be received by the shareholders of the Company in the Offer and the Merger was
fair to such shareholders from a financial point of view. A copy of the
opinion rendered by DLJ to the Board, setting forth the procedures followed,
the matters considered, the assumptions and qualifications made and the
limitations on the review undertaken by DLJ in arriving at its opinion, is
attached hereto as Annex A and incorporated herein by reference. Shareholders
are urged to read this opinion in its entirety.

5. Timing of Completion. The Board considered the anticipated timing of
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement,
including the structure of the transactions as a tender offer for all the
Shares, which should allow shareholders to receive the transaction
consideration earlier than in an alternative form of transaction, followed by
the Merger in which shareholders will receive the same consideration as
received by shareholders who tender their Shares in the Offer. The Board also
considered the financial condition and business reputation of Berkshire and
Mr. Buffett, and the ability of Berkshire and the Purchaser to complete the
Offer and Merger in a timely manner.

6. Limited Conditions to Consummation. The Board discussed how Berkshire and
the Purchaser's obligations to consummate the Offer and the Merger are each
subject to a limited number of conditions, with no financing condition. The
Board also considered the likelihood of obtaining required regulatory
approvals and the terms of the Merger Agreement regarding the obligations of
both companies to pursue such regulatory approvals.

7. Mr. Justin's Commitment. The Board took into consideration the fact that
Mr. John Justin, the Company's largest shareholder who controls (together with
two trusts) approximately 19.8% of the outstanding Shares, supported the Offer
and Merger and had indicated an intention to agree to tender all such Shares
in the Offer pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement.

8. Alternative Transactions. The Board considered that under the terms of
the Merger Agreement, while the Company is prohibited from soliciting,
initiating or encouraging the making of acquisition proposals from third
parties, the Company may engage in any negotiations or discussions with, or
provide any information to, a third party in response to an unsolicited
written acquisition proposal by such third party if, among other things, the
Board concludes in good faith (x) after consulting with its independent
financial advisors and outside legal counsel that such acquisition proposal
could be reasonably expected to lead to a superior proposal (defined as a

8
<PAGE>

proposal (A) which provides for consideration on a per share basis to the
shareholders of the Company with a value (taking into account, among other
things, the likelihood of such offer resulting in a consummated transaction)
exceeding the Offer Price, (B) which, considering all relevant factors, is
more favorable to the Company and its shareholders than the Offer and the
Merger, and (C) for which the third party has demonstrated that financing is
reasonably likely to be obtained) and, (y) after consultation with its outside
legal counsel, that the failure to take such action would constitute a breach
of its fiduciary duties to shareholders under applicable law. The Board
further considered that the terms of the Merger Agreement permit the Company
to terminate the Merger Agreement to enter into an alternative unsolicited
acquisition proposal (1) if, prior to or concurrently with terminating the
Merger Agreement, the Company pays a $10 million termination fee plus
Berkshire's out-of-pocket expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and (2)
if the Board determines, after consultation with its outside legal counsel,
that the failure to approve or recommend such an acquisition proposal that is
a superior proposal as described above would constitute a breach of the
Board's fiduciary duties to shareholders under applicable law. The Board
considered the possible effect of these provisions of the Merger Agreement on
third parties who might be interested in acquiring the Company. In this
regard, the Board recognized that the provisions of the Merger Agreement
relating to termination fees and solicitation of acquisition proposals were
insisted upon by Berkshire and the Purchaser as a condition to entering into
the Merger Agreement. The Board also considered the contacts that the Company
had had with third parties (as described above) regarding a potential
transaction involving the Company, and took into account the views of
management and DLJ as to the likelihood that a third party would be prepared
to pay a higher price for the Shares than the consideration offered in the
Offer and the Merger in a transaction that could be completed on a timely
basis.

The foregoing includes the material factors considered by the Board. In view
of its many considerations, the Board did not find it practical to, and did
not, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors
considered. In addition, individual members of the Board may have given
different weights to the various factors considered. After weighing all of
these considerations, the Board determined to approve the Merger Agreement and
recommend that holders of Shares tender their Shares in the Offer.

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of the Company's knowledge, each
executive officer and director of the Company currently intends to tender all
Shares held of record or beneficially owned by such person to the Purchaser in
the Offer. In addition, the Stockholders Agreement requires the Stockholders
to tender all their Shares pursuant to the Offer.

ITEM 5. Persons/Assets Retained, Employed, Compensated or Used.

Pursuant to a letter agreement dated August 25, 1999, the Company formally
retained DLJ to act as its financial advisor in connection with an
extraordinary transaction (as described in the engagement letter), including a
possible sale of the Company. The Board retained DLJ based upon DLJ's
qualifications, experience, reputation, and familiarity with the Company's
business. DLJ is an internationally recognized investment banking and advisory
firm. As part of its investment banking and financial advisory business, DLJ
is continuously engaged in the valuation of businesses and securities in
connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings,
competitive biddings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted
securities, private placements and valuations for corporate and other
purposes. In addition, DLJ is a full-service securities firm engaged in
securities trading, brokerage and financing activities. In the ordinary course
of DLJ's trading and brokerage activities, DLJ or its affiliates may at any
time hold long or short positions, and may trade or otherwise effect
transactions, for its own account or the accounts of customers, in equity
securities of the Company.

Pursuant to the August 25, 1999 engagement letter, the Company has agreed to
pay to DLJ a total fee of approximately $3,700,000 less the amount of fees
previously paid to DLJ (approximately $100,000). Of this amount, the Company
paid DLJ $500,000 upon delivery of DLJ's opinion that the consideration to be
received by the holders of Shares pursuant to the Offer and the Merger was
fair to such holders, from a financial

9
<PAGE>

point of view. The balance of the fee is payable in cash at the consummation
of a an extraordinary transaction, such as the Offer and the Merger. The
Company has also agreed to reimburse DLJ for its reasonable expenses as
incurred. The Company has agreed to indemnify DLJ, its directors, officers,
agents and employees and each person, if any, controlling DLJ against certain
liabilities and expenses, including certain liabilities under the federal
securities laws, arising out of DLJ's engagement. DLJ and the Company
negotiated the terms of the fee arrangement.

Except as described above, neither the Company nor any person acting on its
behalf currently intends to employ, retain or compensate any person to make
solicitations or recommendations to shareholders on its behalf concerning the
Offer or the Merger.

ITEM 6. Interest in Securities of the Subject Company.

Except as noted below, no transactions in Shares have been effected during
the past 60 days by the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, by any
executive officer, director, affiliate or subsidiary of the Company.

On June 9, 2000, John S. Justin, Jr. donated 1,000 Shares to Texas Christian
University. On May 26, 2000, the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the
"ESOP") effected non-discretionary sales, in the amount of 113 shares of
Common Stock, in respect of the interest in such ESOP held by each of the
Company's executive officers, the proceeds of which, in each case, were
$1,834.56.

ITEM 7. Purposes of the Transaction and Plans or Proposals.

Except as set forth in this Statement, the Company is not currently
undertaking or engaged in any negotiations in response to the Offer that
relate to (1) a tender offer for or other acquisition of the Company's
securities by the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or any other person;
(2) an extraordinary transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or
liquidation, involving the Company or any subsidiary of the Company; (3) a
purchase, sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of the Company or
any subsidiary of the Company; or (4) any material change in the present
dividend rate or policy, or indebtedness or capitalization of the Company.

Except as described in Items 3 or 4 above, there are no transactions,
resolutions of the Board, agreements in principle, or signed contracts in
response to the Offer that relate to one or more of the events referred to in
the preceding paragraph except that the Board has adopted resolutions
unanimously approving the Offer, the Merger and the Merger Agreement
(including all terms and conditions set forth therein) and the transactions
contemplated thereby, determining that the Merger is advisable and that the
terms of the Offer and the Merger are fair to and in the best interests of the
Company's shareholders and unanimously recommending that the Company's
shareholders accept the Offer, tender their Shares thereunder to the Purchaser
and approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the Merger. Subject to the
terms of the Merger Agreement, the Company may engage in discussions or
negotiations with respect to transactions or proposals of the type referred to
above in this Item 7.

ITEM 8. Additional Information.

(a) Texas Business Corporation Act.

Under the TBCA, if the Purchaser acquires, pursuant to the Offer or
otherwise, at least 90% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the
Purchaser will be able to effect the Merger after consummation of the Offer
without a vote of the Company's shareholders. However, if the Purchaser does
not acquire at least 90% of the Shares pursuant to the Offer or otherwise and
a vote of the Company's shareholders is required under Texas law, a
significantly longer period of time will be required to effect the Merger. The
Purchaser and Berkshire have each agreed to cause all of the Shares owned by
them to be voted in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, so
shareholder approval of the Merger is assured if the Offer is completed.

Article 13 of the TBCA (the "Business Combination Statute") purports to
regulate certain business combinations of a corporation, like the Company,
organized under Texas law, with a shareholder owning

10
<PAGE>

beneficially 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of such corporation
(an "Affiliated Shareholder"). The Company has not opted out of the Business
Combination Statute in either its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws. The
Business Combination Statute provides, in relevant part, that the Company
shall not engage in any business combination with an Affiliated Shareholder
for a period of three years following the date such person first becomes an
Affiliated Shareholder unless: (i) prior to the date such person first becomes
an Affiliated Shareholder, the board of directors of the corporation approved
either the business combination or the purchase or acquisition of shares by
the Affiliated Shareholder which resulted in such person's becoming an
Affiliated Shareholder, or (ii) on or within six months of the date such
person becomes an Affiliated Shareholder, the business combination is approved
at an annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Company by the
affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of the
Company which is not owned by the Affiliated Shareholder.

On June 19, 2000, the Company's Board approved of the Purchaser and
Berkshire becoming Affiliated Shareholders and approved the Offer and the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby (including the
acquisition of Shares pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement). Therefore, the
Business Combination Statute is inapplicable to the Offer, the Merger and the
transactions contemplated thereby.

(b) Regulatory Approvals.

United States Antitrust Compliance. Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), and the rules that have
been promulgated thereunder by the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC"),
certain acquisition transactions may not be consummated unless certain
information has been furnished to the Antitrust Division of the Department of
Justice (the "Antitrust Division") and the FTC and certain waiting period
requirements have been satisfied. The purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer
is subject to such requirements.

Pursuant to the requirements of the HSR Act, the Company expects that
Berkshire and the Company each will file a Notification and Report Form with
respect to the Offer and Merger with the Antitrust Division and the FTC on
June 27, 2000 or as soon as practicable thereafter. As a result, the waiting
period applicable to the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer would be
scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, 15 days after such
filing. However, prior to such time, the Antitrust Division or the FTC may
extend the waiting period by requesting additional information or documentary
material relevant to the Offer from the Company and/or the Purchaser or
Berkshire. If such request is made, the waiting period will be extended until
11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the tenth day after substantial compliance
by the Purchaser with such request. Thereafter, such waiting period can be
extended only by court order or by agreement of the parties.

The Antitrust Division and the FTC scrutinize the legality under the
antitrust laws of transactions such as the acquisition of Shares by the
Purchaser pursuant to the Offer. At any time before or after the consummation
of any such transactions, the Antitrust Division or the FTC could take such
action under the antitrust laws of the United States as it deems necessary or
desirable in the public interest, including seeking to enjoin the purchase of
Shares pursuant to the Offer or seeking divestiture of the Shares so acquired
or divestiture of substantial assets of Berkshire or the Company. Private
parties (including individual States) may also bring legal actions under the
antitrust laws of the United States. The Company does not, and the Purchaser
and Berkshire have advised the Company that they do not, believe that the
consummation of the Offer will result in a violation of any applicable
antitrust laws. However there can be no assurance that a challenge to the
Offer on antitrust grounds will not be made, or if such a challenge is made,
what the result will be.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser is not required to purchase
any Shares in the Offer if a statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or
injunction is enacted, entered, enforced, promulgated or deemed applicable to
the Offer or the Merger that, among other things, (i) prohibits, or makes
illegal, the making or consummation of the Offer or the Merger, (ii)
prohibits, or makes illegal, the acceptance for payment, payment for or
purchase of any Shares pursuant to the Offer and the Merger, (iii) renders the
Purchaser unable to accept for payment, pay for or purchase some or all of the
Shares, (iv) prohibits or imposes any material limitations on

11
<PAGE>

Berkshire's, Purchaser's or the Company's and its subsidiaries ownership or
operation of all or a material portion of the Company's and its subsidiaries
businesses and assets taken as a whole, or (v) imposes material limitations on
the ability of Berkshire or the Purchaser effectively to exercise full rights
of ownership of the Shares.

The Information Statement attached as Annex B to this Statement is being
furnished in connection with the possible designation by the Purchaser,
pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, of certain persons to be
elected to the Board other than at a meeting of the Company's shareholders.

(d) Amendment to Rights Agreement.

On June 19, 2000, prior to the execution and delivery of the Merger
Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement, the Company amended the Rights
Agreement such that the execution and delivery of, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by, the Merger Agreement, including, without
limitation, the Stockholders Agreement, would not result in (i) Berkshire, the
Purchaser, or their respective affiliates and associates being an Acquiring
Person, (ii) the occurrence of a Shares Acquisition Date, a Distribution Date,
a "flip over" event under Section 13 of the Rights Agreement, or (iii) the
Company having any obligation or the holders having any rights with respect to
the Rights or the Rights Agreement, including, without limitation, the Rights
becoming exercisable. For purposes hereof, the terms "Acquiring Person,"
"Shares Acquisition Date" and "Distribution Date" shall have the respective
meanings ascribed thereto in the Rights Agreement. The term " "flip over'
event" shall mean any merger, sale, transfer or other transaction or event
specified in Section 13 of the Rights Agreement. A copy of the Rights
Agreement, together with all prior amendments thereto, is included as Exhibits
10, 11 and 12 to this Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. A
copy of Amendment No. 3 to the Rights Agreement is included as Exhibit 13 to
this Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

The following Exhibits are filed herewith:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Description
---------- -----------
<C> <S>
Exhibit 1 Offer to Purchase, dated June 27, 2000 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit (a)(1) to the Schedule TO of the Purchaser filed on June
27, 2000).

Exhibit 2 Form of Letter of Transmittal (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
(a)(2) to the Schedule TO of the Purchaser filed on June 27, 2000).

Exhibit 3 Letter to Shareholders of the Company, dated June 27, 2000.*

Exhibit 4 Opinion of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation,
dated June 19, 2000 (included as Annex A hereto).*

Exhibit 5 Joint Press Release issued by Berkshire and the Company on June 20,
2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Schedule TO
of the Purchaser filed on June 20, 2000).

Exhibit 6 Sections 11 and 14 of the Offer to Purchase, dated June 27, 2000
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1) to the Schedule TO of
the Purchaser filed on June 27, 2000).

Exhibit 7 Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 19, 2000, among
Berkshire, the Purchaser and the Company (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed by
Berkshire on June 27, 2000).

Exhibit 8 Stockholders Agreement dated June 19, 2000, among Berkshire, the
Purchaser and the stockholders named therein (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report of Form 8-K filed
by Berkshire on June 20, 2000).

Exhibit 9 The Information Statement of the Company dated June 27, 2000
(included as Annex B hereto).*
</TABLE>

12
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Description
---------- -----------
<C> <S>
Exhibit 10 Rights Agreement, dated October 6, 1989, between the Company and
Team Bank, as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated October 10,
1989).

Exhibit 11 First Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated October 4, 1990, between
the Company and Ameritrust Texas, N.A., as successor Rights Agent
(incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 on Form 8 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated October 4,
1990).

Exhibit 12 Amendment No. 2 to Rights Agreement, dated as of October 6, 1999,
between the Company and The Bank of New York, as successor Rights
Agent (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 2 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated October 6,
1999).

Exhibit 13 Amendment No. 3, dated June 19, 2000, to Rights Agreement between
the Company and The Bank of New York, as successor Rights Agent
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on
Form 8-K of the Company filed on June 20, 2000).
</TABLE>
--------
* Included with copies of the Statement mailed to shareholders.

13
<PAGE>

SIGNATURE

After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and believe, I certify that
the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Justin Industries, Inc.

By: /s/ RICHARD J. SAVITZ
-------------------------------------
Name: Richard J. Savitz
Title: Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer

Dated: June 27, 2000

14
<PAGE>

Annex A

[LETTERHEAD OF DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE]

June 19, 2000

Board of Directors
Justin Industries, Inc.
2821 West Seventh Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76101

Dear Sirs:

You have requested our opinion as to the fairness from a financial point of
view to the shareholders of Justin Industries, Inc. (the "Company") of the
consideration to be received by such shareholders pursuant to the terms of the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 19, 2000 (the "Agreement"), by
and among Berkshire Hathaway Inc. ("Berkshire"), J Acquisition Corp., a wholly
owned subsidiary of Berkshire ("Purchaser"), and the Company, pursuant to
which Purchaser will commence a Tender Offer (the "Tender Offer") for any and
all outstanding shares of the Company's common stock at a price of $22.00 per
share in cash. The Tender Offer is to be followed by a merger of Purchaser
with and into the Company (the "Merger" and, collectively with the Tender
Offer, the "Transaction") in which the shares of all shareholders who did not
tender would be converted into the right to receive $22.00 per share in cash.

In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed the drafts dated June 19, 2000
of the Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement to be entered into between
Berkshire, Purchaser and the shareholders party thereto. We also have reviewed
financial and other information that was publicly available or furnished to us
by the Company including information provided during discussions with
management. Included in the information provided during discussions with
management were certain financial projections of the Company for the period
beginning January 1, 2000 and ending December 31, 2005 prepared by the
management of the Company. In addition, we have compared certain financial and
securities data of the Company with various other companies whose securities
are traded in public markets, reviewed the historical stock prices and trading
volumes of the common stock of the Company, reviewed prices paid in certain
other business combinations and conducted such other financial studies,
analyses and investigations as we deemed appropriate for purposes of this
opinion.

In rendering our opinion, we have relied upon and assumed the accuracy and
completeness of all of the financial and other information that was available
to us from public sources, that was provided to us by the Company or its
representatives, or that was otherwise reviewed by us. With respect to the
financial projections supplied to us, we have relied on representations that
they have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently
available estimates and judgments of the management of the Company as to the
future operating and financial performance of the Company. We have not assumed
any responsibility for making an independent evaluation of any assets or
liabilities or for making any independent verification of any of the
information reviewed by us.

Our opinion is necessarily based on economic, market, financial and other
conditions as they exist on, and on the information made available to us as
of, the date of this letter. It should be understood that, although subsequent
developments may affect the conclusion reached in this opinion, we do not have
any obligation to update, revise or reaffirm this opinion. Our opinion does
not address the relative merits of the Transaction and the other business
strategies being considered by the Company's Board of Directors, nor does it
address the Board's decision to proceed with the Transaction. Our opinion does
not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder as to whether to tender his
shares of Company common stock in the Tender Offer or how such shareholder
should vote on the Merger.

A-1
<PAGE>

Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation ("DLJ"), as part of its
investment banking services, is regularly engaged in the valuation of
businesses and securities in connection with mergers, acquisitions,
underwritings, sales and distributions of listed and unlisted securities,
private placements and valuations for corporate and other purposes. DLJ has
performed investment banking and other services for the Company in the past
and has been compensated for such services. DLJ has been engaged by the
Company to act as its exclusive financial advisor since March 9, 1995 and has
received a quarterly retainer of $25,000 for such services.

Based upon the foregoing and such other factors as we deem relevant, we are
of the opinion that the consideration to be received by the shareholders of
the Company in the Transaction is fair to such shareholders from a financial
point of view.

Very truly yours,

/s/ ROBERT J. MCMULLAN

Robert J. McMullan
Managing Director

A-2
<PAGE>

Annex B

JUSTIN INDUSTRIES, INC.
2821 WEST SEVENTH STREET
FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76107

INFORMATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 14(F) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934 AND RULE 14F-1 THEREUNDER

This Information Statement is being mailed on or about June 27, 2000 as part
of the Solicitation/ Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (the
"Statement") of Justin Industries, Inc. (the "Company"). You are receiving
this Information Statement in connection with the possible election of persons
designated by J Acquisition Corp. ("Purchaser"), a Texas corporation and
wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. ("Berkshire"), to a
majority of seats on the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Company. On
June 19, 2000, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the
"Merger Agreement") with Berkshire and the Purchaser pursuant to which the
Purchaser is required to commence a tender offer to purchase all outstanding
shares of Common Stock, par value $2.50 per share, including the associated
common stock purchase rights, of the Company (collectively, the "Shares"), at
a price per Share of $22.00, net to the seller in cash (the "Offer Price"),
upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Purchaser's Offer to Purchase,
dated June 27, 2000, and in the related Letter of Transmittal (which, together
with any amendments and supplements thereto, collectively constitute the
"Offer"). Copies of the Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal have
been mailed to shareholders of the Company and are filed as Exhibits (a)(1)and
(a)(2) respectively, to the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (as amended
from time to time, the "Schedule TO") filed by Berkshire and the Purchaser
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on June 27,
2000. The Merger Agreement provides that, subject to the satisfaction or
waiver of certain conditions, following completion of the Offer, and in
accordance with the Texas Business Corporation Act (the "TBCA"), the Purchaser
will be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger"). Following
consummation of the Merger, the Company will continue as the surviving
corporation and will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire. At the
effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), each issued and
outstanding Share (other than Shares that are owned by the Company and Shares
held by shareholders of the Company who did not vote in favor of the Merger
Agreement and who comply with all of the relevant provisions of Article 5.12
of the TBCA) will be converted into the right to receive the amount in cash
per Share paid pursuant to the Offer.

The Offer, the Merger, and the Merger Agreement are more fully described in
the Statement to which this Information Statement is attached as Annex B,
which was filed by the Company with the Commission on June 27, 2000 and which
is being mailed to shareholders of the Company along with this Information
Statement.

This Information Statement is being mailed to you in accordance with Section
14(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and Rule 14f-1
promulgated thereunder. The information set forth herein supplements certain
information set forth in the Statement. Information set forth herein related
to Berkshire, the Purchaser or the Purchaser Designees (as defined below) has
been provided by Berkshire. You are urged to read this Information Statement
carefully. You are not, however, required to take any action in connection
with the matters set forth herein.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser commenced the Offer on June
27, 2000. The Offer is currently scheduled to expire at 12:00 midnight, New
York City time, on Tuesday, July 25, 2000, unless the Purchaser extends it.

B-1
<PAGE>

GENERAL

The Common Stock and the Series Two Convertible Voting Preferred Stock, par
value $2.50 per share (the "Preferred Stock"), vote together as a single class
on all business, including the election of directors, that properly comes
before a meeting of the shareholders of the Company, with each outstanding
share of Common Stock and each outstanding share of Preferred Stock entitled
to one vote. As of the close of business on June 19, 2000, there were
25,775,603 outstanding shares of Common Stock and 100 outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock, of which Berkshire and the Purchaser own no shares as of the
date hereof.

RIGHTS TO DESIGNATE DIRECTORS AND PURCHASER DESIGNEES

The information contained herein concerning Purchaser Designees (as
described below) has been furnished to the Company by Berkshire and the
Purchaser and their designees. Accordingly, the Company assumes no
responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of this information.

The Merger Agreement provides that, promptly upon the purchase of and
payment for Shares by the Purchaser, Berkshire or their affiliates pursuant to
the Offer, the Purchaser will be entitled to designate such number of
directors (the "Purchaser Designees") on the Board, rounded up to the next
whole number, as is equal to the product obtained by multiplying the total
number of directors on the Board by the percentage that the number of Shares
so purchased and paid for bears to the total number of Shares then
outstanding.

The Merger Agreement provides that the Company will, upon request of the
Purchaser, promptly increase the size of the Board to enable the Purchaser
Designees to be elected to the Board and, subject to Section 14(f) of the
Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1 promulgated thereunder, will cause the Purchaser
Designees to be so elected.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Shares are purchased pursuant to the
Offer, there will be until the Effective Time at least two members of the
Board who were directors on the date of the Merger Agreement and who are not
officers of the Company or designees, stockholders, affiliates or associates
of Berkshire.

As of the date of this Information Statement, the Purchaser has not
determined who will be the Purchaser Designees. However, such Purchaser
Designees will be selected from the following list of directors and executive
officers of Berkshire or its affiliates promptly upon the purchase by the
Purchaser of a majority of the outstanding Shares on a fully diluted basis
pursuant to the terms of the Offer, which purchase cannot be earlier than July
25, 2000, and that, upon assuming office, the Purchaser Designees together
with the continuing directors of the Company will thereafter constitute the
entire Board. The information contained herein concerning Berkshire and its
directors and executive officers and those of its affiliates has been
furnished by Berkshire and the Purchaser. The Company assumes no
responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information.

The name, age, present principal occupation or employment and five-year
employment history of each of the persons is set forth below. Except as noted,
none of the persons listed below owns any Shares or has engaged in any
transactions with respect to the Shares during the past 60 days. During the
last five years, none of the persons listed below has been convicted in a
criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) nor
was such person a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative
body of competent jurisdiction, and as a result of such proceeding was or is
on subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations
of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or
finding any violation of such laws. None of the persons listed below (i) is
currently a director of, or holds any position with, the Company, (ii) has a
familial relationship with any of the directors or executive officers of the
Company or (iii) based on information provided to the Company by Berkshire, to
the best of Berkshire's knowledge, beneficially owns any securities (or rights
to acquire any securities) of the Company. The Company has been advised by
Berkshire that, to the best of Berkshire's knowledge, none of the persons
listed below has been involved in any transaction with the Company or any of
its directors, executive officers or affiliates which are required to be
disclosed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission, except as
may be disclosed

B-2
<PAGE>

herein or in the Schedule 14D-9. All of the individuals listed below are
citizens of the United States of America. The business address of each person
is 1440 Kiewit Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, telephone 402-346-1400, unless
otherwise indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Present Principal Occupation or Employment
Name and Age Material Positions Held During the Past Five Years
------------ --------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
Warren E. Buffett (69) Mr. Buffett has been Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Berkshire since 1970. He is also a director
of The Coca-Cola Company, The Gillette Company and The
Washington Post Company.
Charles T. Munger (76) Mr. Munger has been a director and Vice Chairman of
Berkshire's Board of Directors since 1978. He is
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive
Officer of Wesco Financial Corporation, Chairman of the
Board of Directors of Daily Journal Corporation and a
director of Costco Wholesale Corporation. His business
address is 355 S. Grand Avenue, 34th Floor, Los
Angeles, California 90071.
Howard G. Buffett (45) Mr. Buffett is Chairman of the Board of Directors of
The GSI Group, a company primarily engaged in the
manufacture of agricultural equipment. From 1992 until
June 5, 1995, Mr. Buffett had been Vice President,
Assistant to the Chairman and a Director of Archer
Daniels Midland Company, a company engaged principally
in the business of processing and merchandising
agricultural commodities. He is also a director of
Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc., Lindsay Manufacturing Co.
and Mond Industries Inc. His business address is 1004
East Illinois Street, Assumption, Illinois 62510.
Susan T. Buffett (68) Mrs. Buffett has been a director of Berkshire since
1991. Mrs. Buffett has not been employed in the past
five years.
Malcolm G. Chace (65) In 1996, Mr. Chace was named Chairman of the Board of
Directors of BankRI, a community bank located in the
state of Rhode Island. Prior to 1996, Mr. Chace had
been a private investor. Mr. Chace's business address
is One Providence Washington Plaza, Providence, Rhode
Island 02903.
Marc D. Hamburg (50) Mr. Hamburg has been the Vice President and Treasurer
of Berkshire for more than the past five years.
Ronald L. Olson (58) Mr. Olson has, for more than the past five years, been
a partner in the law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson
LLP. He is also a director of Edison International,
Western Asset Trust, Inc. and Pacific American Income
Shares Inc. His business address is 355 S. Grand
Avenue, 35th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071.
Walter Scott, Jr. (69) Mr. Scott has been Chairman of the Board of Level 3
Communications, Inc., a communications and information
services company, since 1979. Level 3 Communications
was formerly known as Peter Kiewit Sons', Inc., for
which, until the spin-off of its construction
operations in March 1998, Mr. Scott also served as
Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Scott is also a director
of Burlington Resources, Inc., ConAgra, Inc., Valmont
Industries, Inc., Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises,
Inc. and RCN Corporation.
</TABLE>

B-3
<PAGE>

OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK BY THE
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information as of June 19, 2000, with respect
to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock by (i) each director
of the Company, (ii) each of the Chief Executive Officer and the other four
most highly compensated executive officers of the Company ("Named Executive
Officers"), (iii) executive officers retiring in 1999, (iv) all directors and
executive officers of the Company as a group, and (v) each person who, to the
best of the Company's knowledge, beneficially owns more than five percent of
any class of the Company's voting securities. In addition, John S. Justin, Jr.
owns all 100 shares outstanding of the Company's Preferred Stock. Except as
otherwise indicated, persons listed below have sole voting and investment
power with respect to all shares held by them.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares of
Name and Address Common Stock Percent of
of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned Common Stock
------------------- ------------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
John V. Roach.................................. 84,000 (1) .33%
John Justin.................................... 5,249,408 (2) 20.45
J. T. Dickenson................................ 193,922 (3) .76
Marvin Gearhart................................ 16,374 (4) .06
Robert E. Glaze................................ 23,532 (4) .09
Dee J. Kelly................................... 254,046 (5) .99
Joseph R. Musolino............................. 14,250 (4) .06
Dr. William E. Tucker.......................... 30,450 (4) .12
Richard J. Savitz.............................. 214,630 (6) .84
Harrold E. Melton.............................. 81,071 (7) .32
J. Randy Watson................................ 18,331 (8) .07
Judy B. Hunter................................. 49,904 (9) .19
Edward L. Stout, Jr............................ 342,070 (10) 1.33
c/o Justin Industries, Inc.
2821 West Seventh Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76107

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group
(13 persons).................................. 6,571,988 (11) 25.6

Holders of more than 5% of the Common Stock:
John Justin................................... 5,249,408 (2) 20.45
Justin Industries, Inc.
2821 West Seventh Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76107

Justin Industries, Inc. Employee Stock
Owner-ship Plan.............................. 2,743,495 (12) 10.69
c/o Merrill Lynch, as Trustee
265 Davidson Avenue, Fourth Floor
Somerset, New Jersey 08873

Luther King Capital Management, Inc........... 1,594,092 (13) 6.21
301 Commerce Street, Suite 1600
Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. .............. 1,364,150 (14) 5.31
1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor
Santa Monica, California 90401
</TABLE>
--------
(1) Includes 64,000 shares of which Mr. Roach is owner of record and
beneficially; and 20,000 unvested restricted shares with respect to which
Mr. Roach has voting control.

B-4
<PAGE>

(2) Includes 49,812 shares of which Mr. Justin is owner of record and
beneficially; 802 shares of which Mr. Justin has a vested interest
pursuant to the Justin Industries, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan
(the "ESOP"); 138,000 shares with respect to which Mr. Justin holds
currently exercisable employee stock options; 3,000 shares of presently
exercisable non-employee director stock options; 2,826 shares which Mr.
Justin may acquire upon conversion of the 100 shares of Preferred Stock
held by him; 4,655,067 shares owned beneficially by reason of Mr.
Justin's position as Trustee of the John and Jane Justin Charitable
Remainder Unitrust; and 399,901 shares owned beneficially by reason of
Mr. Justin's position as Trustee of the John S. Justin Charitable
Remainder Trust.
(3) Includes 108,418 shares of which Mr. Dickenson is owner of record and
beneficially; 4,214 shares of which Mr. Dickenson's wife is owner of
record and beneficially to which Mr. Dickenson disclaims beneficial
ownership; 29,490 shares of which Mr. Dickenson has a vested interest
pursuant to the Company's ESOP; 5,000 unvested restricted shares with
respect to which Mr. Dickenson has voting control; and 46,800 shares with
respect to which Mr. Dickenson holds presently exercisable stock options.
The shares of stock included in the table do not include 399,901 shares
of stock that may be considered beneficially owned by reason of Mr.
Dickenson's position as Trustee of the John S. Justin Charitable
Remainder Trust.
(4) Includes 12,000 shares of presently exercisable non-employee, director
stock options.
(5) Includes 150,132 shares of which Mr. Kelly is owner of record and
beneficially; 91,914 shares owned by the Dee Kelly Corporation with
respect to which Mr. Kelly disclaims beneficial ownership of 30% or
27,574 shares by virtue of the equity interest of Mr. Kelly's three
children in this corporation; and 12,000 shares with respect to which Mr.
Kelly holds presently exercisable stock options.
(6) Includes 113,860 shares of which Mr. Savitz is owner of record and
beneficially; 37,570 shares of which Mr. Savitz has a vested interest
pursuant to the Company's ESOP; 5,000 unvested restricted shares with
respect to which Mr. Savitz has voting control; and 58,200 shares with
respect to which Mr. Savitz holds presently exercisable stock options.
(7) Includes 13,074 shares of which Mr. Melton is owner of record and
beneficially; 18,547 shares of which Mr. Melton has a vested interest
pursuant to the Company's ESOP; 5,000 unvested restricted shares with
respect to which Mr. Melton has voting control; and 39,450 shares with
respect to which Mr. Melton holds presently exercisable stock options.
(8) Includes 1,000 shares of which Mr. Watson is owner of record and
beneficially; 4,431 shares of which Mr. Watson has a vested interest
pursuant to the Company's ESOP; and 12,900 shares with respect to which
Mr. Watson holds presently exercisable stock options.
(9) Includes 7,500 shares of which Ms. Hunter is owner of record and
beneficially; 6,704 shares of which Ms. Hunter has a vested interest
pursuant to the Company's ESOP; and 35,700 shares with respect to which
Ms. Hunter holds presently exercisable stock options.
(10) Includes 217,735 shares of which Mr. Stout is owner of record and
beneficially; 20,000 shares of which Mr. Stout's wife is owner of record
and beneficially to which Mr. Stout disclaims beneficial ownership;
39,335 shares of which Mr. Stout has a vested interest pursuant to the
Company's ESOP; and 65,000 shares with respect to which Mr. Stout holds
presently exercisable stock options.
(11) Includes 136,879 shares in which a vested interest is owned pursuant to
the Company's ESOP; 35,000 unvested restricted shares with respect to
which officers and directors have voting control; 459,050 shares with
respect to which currently exercisable stock options are held. Directors
and executive officers disclaim any beneficial ownership of shares that
are beneficially owned by family members.
(12) The shares of Common Stock held by the Company's ESOP will be voted by
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, as Trustee of the ESOP, which will
exercise its independent fiduciary judgment as Trustee to act solely in
the interests of the ESOP's participants, taking into account, among
other facts, the provisions of the ESOP to the effect that shares as to
which no voting instructions are received from ESOP participants are to
be voted in the same proportion as are shares for which voting
instructions are received.
(13) Based on a Schedule 13G filed by Luther King Capital Management
Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11,
2000.
(14) Based on a Schedule 13G filed by Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on February 3, 2000.

B-5
<PAGE>

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board currently consists of eight directors. The name, age, principal
occupation and the year each director first became a director of the Company is
set forth as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
First
Name, Age and Principal Occupation Elected
Business Address During the Last Five Years Director
---------------- -------------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
John V. Roach (61) Chairman of the Board; prior to May 20, 1999, 1982
100 Throckmorton Chairman, Tandy Corporation; prior to January 1,
Suite 480 1999, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Fort Worth, Texas 76102 RadioShack Corporation (a consumer electronics
company); Director, e-SIM Ltd. (an electronic
simulation company)

John Justin (83) Chairman Emeritus of the Company; personal 1968
Justin Industries, Inc. investments; prior to April 16, 1999, Chief
2821 West Seventh Street Executive Officer of the Company
Fort Worth, Texas 76107

J.T. Dickenson (70) President and Chief Executive Officer of the 1991
Justin Industries, Inc. Company; prior to April 16, 1999, President and
2821 West Seventh Street Chief Operating Officer of the Company
Fort Worth, Texas 76107

Marvin Gearhart (72) Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of 1981
7601 Will Rogers Blvd. Rock Bit International, Inc. (a manufacturer of
Fort Worth, Texas 76140 drilling bits); a director of Dailey International,
Inc. (an oil and gas services company)

Robert E. Glaze (80) Personal investments; also a director of Calloway's 1969
8111 Preston Road Nursery, Inc. (a retail nursery)
Suite 707
Dallas, Texas 75225

Dee J. Kelly (71) Shareholder and director of the law firm of Kelly, 1986
201 Main Street, Suite Hart & Hallman (a professional corporation); a
2500 director of AMR Corp. (an airline holding company);
Fort Worth, Texas 76102 and a director of The SABRE Group Holdings, Inc. (a
software company)

Joseph R. Musolino (62) Personal investments; prior to November 30, 1999, 1986
4265 San Felipe, Suite Vice Chairman, Texas, Bank of America, N.A. (a
1100 commercial bank); also a director of Pool Energy
Houston, Texas 77027 Services, Inc. (an energy services company)

Dr. William E. Tucker Personal investments; Director of RadioShack 1981
(67) Corporation; prior to July 1, 1998, Chancellor,
100 Throckmorton Texas Christian University
Suite 416
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
</TABLE>

There are no family relationships among any of the Company's directors or
executive officers.

B-6
<PAGE>

Director Compensation

The following table provides information related to 1999 retainer and
meeting fees as well as mandatory security grants for non-employee directors.
As further described below, Mr. Roach became an employee of the Company on
April 16, 1999 while at the same time Mr. Justin retired as an employee. The
amounts included in the table below for Mr. Roach and Mr. Justin represent
fees paid during the periods they were non-employee directors.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Cash Compensation Security Grants
------------------------ --------------------
Number of
Annual Securities
Retainer Meeting Total Number of Underlying
Name Fees Fees Fees Shares Options
---- -------- ------- ------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John V. Roach..................... $ 5,000 $3,000 $ 8,000 -- --
John Justin....................... 10,000 2,000 12,000 3,000 3,000
Marvin Gearhart................... 15,000 3,000 18,000 3,000 3,000
Robert E. Glaze................... 15,000 3,000 18,000 3,000 3,000
Dee J. Kelly...................... 15,000 4,500 19,500 3,000 3,000
Joseph R. Musolino................ 15,000 3,000 18,000 3,000 3,000
Dr. William E. Tucker............. 15,000 7,000 22,000 3,000 3,000
</TABLE>

The stock options awarded to non-employee directors vest after one year and
are granted at the current market price on date of grant.

On April 16, 1999, the Company entered into a two-year agreement with Mr.
Roach whereby he became employed on a part-time basis as a non-executive
Chairman of the Board. The two-year agreement provides an annual base salary
of $18,000; one-time awards of 100,000 stock options and 40,000 restricted
shares of Common Stock; use of the Company airplanes; and reimbursement of
certain expenses. During 1999, Mr. Roach was paid a salary of $12,531. The
value of Company-provided airplane usage in 1999 was $17,336. The stock
options granted to Mr. Roach were granted at the market price on date of grant
of $13.06 per share and are for a term of 5 years with 100% vesting on the
second anniversary of the date of the grant. In the event of a change in
control of the Company, Mr. Roach has the right to exercise all options
granted, whether or not vested. Using a binomial option pricing model and the
assumptions described in the notes to the Option Grant Table, the stock
options were valued at $376,000 at date of grant. The restricted shares
awarded to Mr. Roach vest in accordance with the following schedule:

-- 20,000 shares vest after the Common Stock closes at or above $16 per
share for 10 consecutive trading days (such 20,000 shares vested in
March 2000);

-- 10,000 shares vest after the Common Stock closes at or above $18 per
share for 10 consecutive trading days;

-- 10,000 shares vest after the Common Stock closes at or above $20 per
share for 10 consecutive trading days;

Restricted shares that are unvested prior to April 15, 2004 are forfeited.
Restrictions on all restricted shares will lapse upon a change in control of
the Company. Dividends accrue currently and are payable upon vesting of the
underlying shares. The value of the restricted shares, calculated based on the
number of shares awarded times the market price of the stock at the end of
1999, was $595,000.

1999 Board Meetings

During 1999, the Board held a total of six meetings. In 1999, all directors
attended 100% of the meetings of the Board and of the Board committees on
which they served.

B-7
<PAGE>

Board Committees

The Board has three standing committees, which are described below.

Audit Committee. The Board has appointed an Audit Committee consisting of
three non-employee directors, Messrs. Gearhart, Glaze, and Musolino. This
Committee is responsible for matters relating to accounting policies and
practices, financial reporting and internal controls. Each year it recommends
to the Board the appointment of a firm of independent accountants to examine
the financial statements of the Company. The Committee reviews with
representatives of the independent accountants the scope of the examination of
the Company's financial statements, results of that examination and any
recommendations with respect to internal controls and financial matters. In
fulfilling its responsibility, it periodically meets with and receives reports
from the Company's management. The Audit Committee met twice in 1999.

Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee of the Board consists of
two non-employee directors, Messrs. Kelly and Tucker. This Committee sets the
compensation of all elected officers, administers the Company's stock option
plans, including the granting of awards under the plans (except for the 1996
Non-Employee Director Plan), and recommends awards of discretionary bonuses,
based on earnings or other performance criteria, for approval by the full
Board. The Compensation Committee met three times in 1999.

Strategic Planning Committee. The Board also has a Strategic Planning
Committee consisting of three directors, Messrs. Roach, Tucker, and Dickenson.
This Committee is responsible for oversight of long-range strategic planning
for the Company. The committee meets periodically and receives reports from
the Company's management. The Strategic Planning Committee met four times
during 1999.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The names, ages and experience of the executive officers of the Company as
of June 19, 2000 are set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Date First
Employed by Appointed an
Name Age Company In Officer Title
---- --- ----------- -------------- ------------------------
<C> <C> <C> <C> <S>
Current Executive
Officers
J. T. Dickenson......... 70 1974 September 1983 President and Chief
Executive Officer

Richard J. Savitz....... 53 1979 March 1982 Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary

Harrold E. Melton....... 64 1975 December 1999 Vice President--Building
Materials

J. Randy Watson......... 42 1993 December 1999 Vice President--Footwear

Judy B. Hunter.......... 41 1990 October 1990 Vice President,
Controller and Treasurer

Executives Retiring in
1999
John Justin(1).......... 83 1936 December 1969 Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive
Officer

Edward L. Stout,
Jr.(2)................. 74 1949 March 1974 Vice President--Brick
Operations
</TABLE>
--------
(1) Mr. Justin retired from the Company in April 1999.

(2) Mr. Stout retired from the Company in December 1999.

B-8
<PAGE>

There are no family relationships among any of the executive officers, and
there are no known arrangements or understandings between any executive
officer and any other person pursuant to which any of the above-named persons
was selected as an officer.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires directors and
executive officers of the Company and persons who own more than ten percent of
the Common Stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of
Common Stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These persons are
also required to furnish to the Company copies of all such reports.

To the Company's knowledge, based solely on its review of the copies of such
reports received by the Company, and written representations from certain
reporting persons, directors and executive officers of the Company and all
other reporting persons complied with all applicable filing requirements.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation of Executive Officers

The following table sets forth the compensation for the last three years of
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the four other most highly
compensation executive officers of the Company serving at the end of 1999. In
addition, the former Chief Executive Officer and another executive officer
retiring in 1999 are included.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long-Term Compensation
Annual Compensation Awards
---------------------- ------------------------------
Restricted No. of Securities
Name and Stock Underlying All Other
Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Awards Options Compensation(f)
------------------ ---- -------- -------- ---------- ----------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current Executive
Officers
J.T. Dickenson 1999 $412,000 $218,360 $148,750(d) 43,000 $ 5,011
President & 1998 365,000 146,000 -- 18,000 4,660
Chief Executive Officer 1997 350,000 168,000 -- 18,000 4,410

Richard J. Savitz 1999 263,000 139,390 148,750(d) 35,000 4,213
Senior Vice President & 1998 225,000 90,000 -- 15,000 4,660
Chief Financial Officer 1997 213,000 102,240 -- 15,000 4,410

Harrold E. Melton(a) 1999 251,000 266,245 148,750(e) 30,000 4,537
Vice President-- 1998 182,000 151,060 -- 7,500 4,410
Building Materials 1997 165,000 70,959 -- 7,500 4,410

J. Randy Watson(a) 1999 200,000 75,000 -- 15,000 4,081
Vice President-- 1998 168,000 75,000 -- 12,000 4,410
Footwear 1997 130,000 50,000 -- 8,000 4,410

Judy B. Hunter 1999 125,000 66,250 -- 21,000 4,081
Vice President-- 1998 120,000 48,000 -- 12,000 4,426
Treasurer 1997 105,000 50,400 -- 12,000 3,730
& Controller

Executives Retiring in
1999
John Justin(b) 1999 185,853 -- -- -- 434,613(b)
Chairman of the Board & 1998 620,000 248,000 -- 22,500 4,660
Chief Executive 1997 600,000 288,000 -- 22,500 4,410
Officer

Edward L. Stout, Jr.(c) 1999 312,000 -- -- -- 28,109(c)
Vice President-- Brick 1998 300,000 213,000 -- 15,000 4,660
1997 261,000 164,840 -- 15,000 4,410
</TABLE>

B-9
<PAGE>

--------
(a) Elected to executive officer position on December 15, 1999.
(b) The salary amount in the Annual Compensation section above represents
salary paid through the date of retirement--April 16, 1999. The amount
shown under the All Other Compensation column includes a lump sum payment
of $404,366, an amount equal to the balance of Mr. Justin's salary that
would have been paid under his employment contract through the end of its
term, and the value of other benefits provided under the terms of his
retirement agreement dated April 16, 1999. The other benefits will
continue indefinitely into the future and include reimbursement for
certain expenses and use of the Company planes. Such benefits are
estimated to have an annual fair market value of $15,000.
(c) The salary amount in the Annual Compensation section above represents
salary paid through the date of retirement--December 31, 1999. The amount
shown under the All Other Compensation column includes the value of a
retirement gift and related federal tax gross-up payment.
(d) Restricted shares were awarded to Mr. Dickenson and Mr. Savitz on April
16, 1999 in accordance with their employment agreements and vest in
accordance with the following schedule:

-- 5,000 shares vest after the Common Stock closes at or above $16 per
share for 10 consecutive trading days (such shares vested in March
2000);
-- 2,500 shares vest after the Common Stock closes at or above $18 per
share for 10 consecutive trading days;
-- 2,500 shares vest after the Common Stock closes at or above $20 per
share for 10 consecutive trading days;

Shares that are unvested prior to April 15, 2004 are forfeited.
Restrictions on all shares will lapse upon a change in control of the
Company. Dividends accrue currently and are payable upon vesting of the
underlying shares. The amount listed in the table is calculated based on
the number of shares awarded times the market price of the stock at the
end of 1999.
(e) Mr. Melton's restricted shares vest at 50% per year on the first and
second anniversary dates of the grant. Dividends accrue currently and are
payable upon vesting of the underlying shares. The amount listed in the
table is calculated based on the number of shares awarded times the market
price of the stock at the end of 1999.
(f) In addition to amounts specifically identified in items (b) and (c), these
amounts include Company ESOP matching contributions paid or accrued on
behalf of each officer as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
J. T. Dickenson....................................... $4,000 $4,000 $3,750
Richard J. Savitz..................................... 4,000 4,000 3,750
Harrold E. Melton..................................... 4,000 4,000 3,493
J. Randy Watson....................................... 4,000 4,000 3,493
Judy B. Hunter........................................ 4,000 3,766 3,070
John Justin........................................... 4,000 4,000 3,750
Edward L. Stout, Jr................................... 4,000 4,000 3,750
</TABLE>

In addition, Company-paid premiums for $100,000 of term life insurance
coverage are reflected in each year.

On June 19, 2000, the closing price of the Common Stock as reported on the
Nasdaq National Market System was $17.875.

B-10
<PAGE>

Option Grants in 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Individual Grants
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. of % of Total
Securities Options Exercise
Underlying Granted to or Base Grant
Options Employees Price Per Expiration Date
Name Granted in Fiscal Year Share(c) Date Value(d)
---- ---------- -------------- --------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. T. Dickenson...... 25,000 (a) 8.33% $15.00 12/14/09 $147,250
18,000 (b) 6.00 13.06 04/15/04 67,680

Richard J. Savitz.... 20,000 (a) 6.66 15.00 12/14/09 117,800
15,000 (b) 5.00 13.06 04/15/04 56,400

Harrold E. Melton.... 15,000 (a) 5.00 15.00 12/14/09 88,350
15,000 (a) 5.00 10.63 03/01/09 61,350

J. Randy Watson...... 15,000 (a) 5.00 15.00 12/14/09 88,350

Judy B. Hunter....... 15,000 (a) 5.00 15.00 12/14/09 88,350
6,000 (b) 2.00 13.06 04/15/04 22,560
</TABLE>
--------
(a) Options are granted for a term of 10 years, subject to earlier termination
in certain events related to termination of employment, and vest at 20%
per year on the first through the fifth anniversary dates of the grant. If
the optionee dies or retires from the Company for reasons of age or
disability, the Compensation Committee may approve the exercise of all
options, whether or not currently vested. In addition, in the event of a
change in control of the company each optionee has the right to exercise
all options granted, whether or not vested.
(b) The stock options granted are for a term of 5 years and vest 100% at the
second anniversary date of the grant. In the event of a change in control
of the company, each optionee has the right to exercise all options
granted, whether or not vested.
(c) All options above were granted at market value at date of grant. The
exercise price and tax withholding obligations related to exercise may be
paid by cash, delivery of already owned shares, offset of the underlying
shares, or a combination of any of the foregoing, subject to certain
conditions in the case of current stock holdings.
(d) Grant date value for these options was estimated at the date of grant
using a binomial option pricing model with the following assumptions:
risk-free interest rate of 6.4% to 6.8%; dividend yield of 1.5%;
volatility factors of the expected market price of the Common Stock of
.358; and a weighted-average expected life of the option of five and one
half years on ten year options and three years on five year options.

Binomial option valuation models are used in estimating the fair value of
traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of
highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price
volatility. Because the Company's employee stock options have
characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and
because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect
the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do
not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its
employee stock options. In addition, gains are reported net of the option
exercise price, but before taxes associated with the exercise. Actual
gains, if any, on stock option exercises are dependent on the future
performance of the Common Stock, overall stock market conditions, as well
as the optionholders' continued employment through the vesting period. The
amounts reflected in this table may not be necessarily achieved.

B-11
<PAGE>

Option Exercises in 1999 and Year-End Option Values

The following table sets forth information with respect to the executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table regarding the exercise of
options to purchase Common Stock during 1999 and unexercised options held as
of December 31, 1999.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
No. of Securities
Underlying Unexercised Value of Unexercised
Options at Fiscal Year- In-the-Money Options
Shares End at Fiscal Year-End
Acquired on Value ------------------------- -------------------------
Name Exercise Realized(a) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
---- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current Executive
Officers
J. T. Dickenson......... 38,100 $391,647 46,800 74,200 $ 98,550 $103,200
Richard J. Savitz....... 8,860 67,710 58,200 61,000 269,724 86,000
Harrold E. Melton....... 6,750 59,812 36,450 43,300 188,931 94,319
J. Randy Watson......... -- -- 12,900 31,500 35,088 39,538
Judy B. Hunter.......... -- -- 35,700 41,800 138,887 57,925
Executives Retiring in
1999
John Justin............. 18,552 165,979 138,000 -- 601,217 --
Edward L. Stout, Jr..... 38,100 371,116 65,000 -- 140,938 --
</TABLE>
--------
(a) Market value of underlying securities at exercise date minus the exercise
price, not reduced for taxes payable upon exercise.

Pension Plans

The following table provides information related to the Company's defined
benefit pension plan in which the named executive officers participate.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years of Service
Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compensation 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 50
------------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$125,000................ $7,813 $15,625 $23,438 $31,250 $39,063 $46,875 $54,688 $ 62,500 $ 78,125
150,000................ 9,375 18,750 28,125 37,500 46,875 56,250 65,625 75,000 93,750
175,000................ 9,750 20,450 31,388 42,325 53,263 64,200 75,138 86,075 107,950
200,000................ 9,750 22,950 34,200 46,700 59,200 71,700 84,200 96,700 121,700
225,000................ 9,750 23,492 37,013 51,075 65,138 79,200 93,263 107,325 126,100
250,000 and up......... 9,750 23,492 38,232 52,972 67,712 82,452 97,192 111,932 126,100
</TABLE>

Compensation covered by the plan includes salary, bonus and deferred
compensation payments up to $160,000 for 1997 through 1999 and $150,000 for
1995 and 1996. Gains realized upon exercise of stock options are not covered.
The estimated credited years of service for each of the named executive
officers is as follows: Mr. Dickenson--25; Mr. Savitz--20; Mr. Melton--24; Mr.
Watson--6; Ms. Hunter--9; Mr. Justin--62; and Mr. Stout--50. Mr. Justin and
Mr. Stout retired during 1999.

The normal retirement benefit, at age 65, is calculated based upon each
employee's years of service and final average compensation, reduced by
anticipated social security benefits. Benefit payments are computed using the
straight life annuity method. Certain reductions are made for employees
electing alternative payment options or early retirement. Generally, the
maximum annual benefit payable by the Pension Plan to any one employee upon
retirement is limited to $126,100 in 1999. However, since Mr. Stout and Mr.
Dickenson have exceeded normal retirement age, their benefit will be slightly
higher than the tables indicate above due to delayed receipt of benefits. Mr.
Justin's benefit was determined under special phase-in rules of the Tax Reform
Act of 1986. Payments to Mr. Justin began in April 1988 under minimum
distribution requirements in the annual amount of $114,600. Payments will
continue until the death of either Mr. or Mrs. Justin, with 66.67% thereof
payable for the life of the survivor.

B-12
<PAGE>

Executive Supplemental Retirement, Death and Disability Income Benefit Program
and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of 1992

The Executive Supplemental Retirement, Death and Disability Income Benefit
Program and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of 1992 (the "Supplemental
Programs") are applicable to selected key employees of the Company and its
divisions or subsidiaries, including all named executives. Under the
Supplemental Programs, the Company will pay to each named executive upon
retirement, death or disability an estimated $25,000 per year for a period of
ten years. The Supplemental Programs are partially funded by life insurance
policies covering certain participants, with the Company paying all costs of
the policies. Insurance policies cover three of the five current named
executives and both of the retired named executives. The policies are designed
so that if assumptions made as to mortality, policy dividends and certain
other factors are realized, the Company will recover substantially all premium
payments plus a factor for the use of the Company's money. The Company is the
owner of all such policies.

Employment Agreements

The Company entered into employment agreements with Mr. Dickenson and Mr.
Savitz on April 16, 1999. The agreements provide an annual base salary of
$425,000 for Mr. Dickenson and $275,000 for Mr. Savitz. If their employment is
terminated for any reason, other than cause, they are entitled to receive
payment of the unpaid portion of the annual base salary through the expiration
date of the agreement or date of termination. In addition, the agreements
awarded stock options and performance-based restricted stock as further
described in the footnotes to the Summary Compensation Table and the table
describing stock option grants in 1999. The agreements expire on December 31,
2000.

Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation

The Compensation Committee of the Board has furnished the following report
on executive compensation:

Under the direction of the Compensation Committee of the Board, the Company
has developed and administers compensation policies and plans that are
intended to enhance the profitability of the Company, and thus shareholder
value, by aligning closely the financial interests of its officers and key
executives with those of its shareholders. Remuneration in 1999 for each of
the Company's officers consisted of a base salary, annual incentive bonus, and
awards of options to purchase company stock. In addition, 10,000 shares of
restricted stock were awarded to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial
Officer, and Vice President-Building Materials. The awards for the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are performance based, while the
restricted stock for the Vice President-Building Materials vests over a two-
year period. The incentive bonus component was determined in accordance with
the terms of the Company's Target Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and in light of
the Company's operating results compared to its financial performance goals.
The Committee, however, had complete discretion in determining certain
remuneration amounts (including whether any annual discretionary bonus
component under the Plan or stock option awards are made and, if so, the
amounts thereof) regardless of whether corporate or individual performance
goals are achieved. The Committee exercised its complete discretion in setting
base salary amounts, stock option and restricted stock awards, as well as
corporate and individual performance goals under the Plan.

In evaluating the Company's performance for purposes of setting the salary
and incentive compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Company's
other officers, the Committee gave first consideration to company-wide
performance in terms of sales and earnings. In addition, the Committee has
taken note of management's continued success in achieving record levels of
earnings in the Building Materials segment and maintaining its strengths in
market share through new product development and other strategic initiatives
in the footwear segment. The Committee viewed all the foregoing items as
elements of company, and not individual, performance. Salary and other
compensation decisions for each officer were based primarily on overall
Company performance, except in the case of the Vice President-Building
Materials, whose compensation is based primarily on the performance of Acme
Building Brands and the Vice President-Footwear whose compensation if based
primarily on the performance of Justin Brands.

B-13
<PAGE>

Although, as stated above, the Committee considered Company performance as
the primary factor in its compensation decisions, the Committee also
considered individual performance. However, the Committee does not apply any
specific weighting to elements of individual performance in relation to total
compensation, nor in relation to determining the discretionary bonus amount,
if any, under the Plan.

Immediately prior to the end of each year, the Committee reviews with the
Chief Executive Officer and the Company's human resources executive and
approves an annual salary plan for the ensuing year. The Committee considers
an officer's total compensation in establishing each element of compensation.

Annual base salaries are based primarily upon a review of past and present
corporate and individual performance, with reference to salary data in
similar-sized corporations in all industries and in manufacturing industries,
so that such salaries are generally competitive. The survey data used by the
Committee was selected due to its consistent inclusion of a large number of
companies of comparable size. The Committee also reviewed subsets of these
data including All Industry and All Manufacturing summaries. In addition,
employment agreements with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer establish their annual base salaries at $425,000 and $275,000,
respectively. The Committee has complete discretion in setting the
compensation of the other three named executive officers (none of whom has
employment agreements with the Company).

For all officers (including the CEO) except the Vice President-Footwear,
annual incentive bonus payments for 1999 were based on the Company's year-end
operating results versus the financial performance goals established under the
Plan at the beginning of the year, and consisted primarily of earnings and
sales targets. Strategic and management performance is also considered, and is
included as a discretionary component under the Plan, but to a far lesser
degree than earnings and sales targets. Strategic performance consists
principally of such factors as new product development, new business
initiatives and increasing market share. Management performance criteria
include productivity and quality improvement, management development,
environmental management, and control of casualty losses. In exercising its
discretion with respect to the annual discretionary incentive component
amounts, the Committee reviewed achievement of these performance goals and
determined the amount of bonus awards, if any. The Committee did not, however,
use any predetermined formula or assign any specific weight to the various
factors in awarding such bonuses. The Vice President-Building Materials was
awarded an additional $45,000 discretionary bonus for assuming additional
responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer of the Building Materials group
pursuant to consolidation of this business segment during 1999. For the Vice
President-Footwear, the 1999 incentive bonus was entirely discretionary and
was based on strategic and management performance. The bonuses awarded each
year to the Company's officers appear as "Bonus" compensation in the Summary
Compensation Table.

With respect to stock option awards, it is the Company's belief that grants
of options to purchase common stock of the Company, at the market price in
effect on the day prior to the date of such grant, has successfully focused
the Company's officers and other key executives on building profitability and
shareholder value. In determining the grants of stock options to the officers,
including the Chief Executive Officer, the Committee reviewed and approved
individual awards, taking into account the same qualitative and quantitative
factors discussed above in connection with awarding discretionary incentive
compensation. The Committee does not consider the number of options already
outstanding in determining option awards.

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally imposes a $1,000,000
limit on the amount of compensation that is deductible by the Company with
respect to the Chief Executive Officer and each of the four named executive
officers. It is anticipated that all such compensation will be fully
deductible by the Company under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The foregoing has been furnished by the members of the Board's Compensation
Committee.

Dee J. Kelly
William E. Tucker

B-14
<PAGE>

Stock Performance Chart

The following chart compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative
total shareholder return on the Company's Common Stock during the five years
ended December 31, 1999 with the cumulative total return on the NASDAQ Index
and a derived peer group index comprised of companies in the footwear and
building materials industries. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on
December 31, 1994 in the Company's Common Stock and in each of the foregoing
indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends.

COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN

JUSTIN, SELECTED PEER GROUP, AND NASDAQ INDEX

[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
NASDAQ
Justin Peer Group US Index
------ ---------- --------
1994 100 100 100
1995 94 109 362
1996 100 154 446
1997 120 255 546
1998 117 202 767
1999 135 326 1,389

The broad market index selected for comparison is the CRSP Total Return
Index for the NASDAQ Stock Market (U.S. Companies). The peer group used in the
performance graph above consists of six companies--three in the footwear
industry and three in the building materials industry. This index is based on
the cumulative total return of each company, assuming reinvestment of
dividends, weighted according to the respective issuer's stock market
capitalization at the beginning of each year and weighted by industry to the
Company's actual ratio of footwear to building materials sales each year.
Management believes weighting by industry is relevant since the ratio of sales
by industry within the Company from year-to-year is subject to the cyclical
nature of the building materials business. The companies used in the peer
group index are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Footwear Building Materials
-------- ------------------
<S> <C>
Genesco, Inc. Elcor Corporation
Timberland Company Texas Industries, Inc.
Brown Group, Inc. Republic Group, Inc.
</TABLE>

One peer group company was changed from the previously reported group. Texas
Industries, Inc. was substituted for Morgan Products, Ltd. for all years.
Morgan Products, Ltd. was acquired by Andersen Windows, Inc. in March 1999 and
is no longer a publicly held company.

B-15
<PAGE>

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Bank of America, N.A. participates with three other banks in a $52,000,000
revolving credit agreement with the Company. Mr. Joseph R. Musolino, a
director of the Company, was Vice Chairman, Texas, Bank of America, N.A.
during 1999. At December 31, 1999, $23,000,000 was outstanding to the Company
under the credit agreement, of which Bank of America, N.A. provided
$10,613,000. In addition, the Company had a $4,000,000 short-term note payable
to Bank of America, N.A. pursuant to a non-committed line of credit at
December 31, 1999. During 1999, the Company paid or accrued approximately
$1,064,000 in interest and fees to Bank of America, N.A.

The law firm of Kelly, Hart & Hallman, a professional corporation, of which
Mr. Dee J. Kelly, a director of the Company, is a shareholder and director,
acted as the Company's principal outside legal counsel in 1999 and is
continuing to do so in 2000.

B-16