LILLY INDUSTRIES INC
DEF 14A, 1997-03-20
PAINTS, VARNISHES, LACQUERS, ENAMELS & ALLIED PRODS
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                            SCHEDULE 14A
               Information Required in Proxy Statement
                      SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
              Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
                of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                          (AMENDMENT NO. )

Filed by the Registrant:                             [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant:  [ ]

Check the appropriate box:
[ ]      Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ]      Confidential, For use of the Commission Only (as permitted
         by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X]      Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ]      Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]      Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or
         Section 240.14a-12

                        LILLY INDUSTRIES, INC.
          (Name Of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

             (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X]      No Fee Required
[ ]      Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-
         6(i)(4) and 0-11.
         (1)     Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

                 --------------------------------------------------------------
         (2)     Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

                 --------------------------------------------------------------
         (3)     Per  unit  price  or other  underlying  value  of  transaction
                 computed  pursuant  to  Exchange  Act Rule 0-11 [set forth the
                 amount on which the filing fee is calculated  and state how it
                 was  determined]:  

                 --------------------------------------------------------------
         (4)     Proposed  maximum  aggregate  value of transactions:

                 --------------------------------------------------------------
         (5)     Total fee paid:

                 --------------------------------------------------------------
[ ]      Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ]      Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
         Exchange  Act Rule  0-11(a)(2)  and  identify  the filing for which
         the offsetting  fee was paid  previously.  Identify the previous
         filing by registration  statement number, or the Form or Schedule and
         the date of its filing.
         (1)      Amount Previously Paid: ___________
         (2)      Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: _________
         (3)      Filing Party: _________
         (4)      Date Filed: ___________
<PAGE>


                                                                  March 20, 1997




Dear Shareholder:

         On behalf of the Board of Directors and management,  I cordially invite
you to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Lilly Industries, Inc. to be
held on Thursday,  April 24, 1997 at 10:00 A.M., local time. The meeting will be
at the  Indiana  Convention  Center & RCA  Dome,  Rooms  101 and 102,  100 South
Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana.

         This letter is accompanied  by a notice of meeting and proxy  statement
which describe the business to be acted upon. In addition to the business items,
there will be a report on the  progress of the Company  and an  opportunity  for
questions.

         It is important that your shares be represented at the meeting. Whether
or not you plan to attend in person,  you are requested to vote, sign, date, and
promptly return the enclosed proxy in the envelope provided.

                                                      Sincerely,



                                                      /s/ Douglas W. Huemme
                                                      Douglas W. Huemme
                                                      Chairman, President and
                                                        Chief Executive Officer


<PAGE>


                             LILLY INDUSTRIES, INC.



                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS


                            To Be Held April 24, 1997



         The Annual  Meeting  of  Shareholders  of Lilly  Industries,  Inc.,  an
Indiana  corporation  (the  "Company"),  will be held at the Indiana  Convention
Center & RCA Dome, 100 South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis,  Indiana in Rooms 101
and 102 on Thursday, April 24, 1997 at 10:00 A.M., local time, for the following
purposes:

         1.       To elect ten directors.

         2.       To approve a proposed amendment of the Company's 1992
                  Stock Option Plan to increase the shares reserved by
                  one million.

         3.       To transact such other business as may properly come
                  before the meeting.

         The  Board of  Directors  has  established  the  close of  business  on
February 24, 1997 as the record date for  determining  shareholders  entitled to
notice of and to vote at the meeting.




                                              BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS



                                              Kenneth L. Mills, Asst. Secretary

March 20, 1997




                             YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
                     Even if you plan to attend the meeting,
                 we urge you to mark, sign and date the enclosed
             proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope.




<PAGE>

                                 PROXY STATEMENT

         The  enclosed  proxy is  solicited  by the Board of  Directors of Lilly
Industries, Inc., an Indiana corporation (the "Company"), 733 South West Street,
Indianapolis, Indiana 46225, for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held on April 24, 1997 and at any adjournment thereof.  This Proxy Statement and
the enclosed proxy were mailed on or about March 20, 1997.

         All  shares  represented  by the  enclosed  proxy  will be voted at the
meeting in accordance  with the  instructions  given by the  shareholder.  If no
instruction  is given,  the shares  will be voted for the  election  of director
nominees as listed in this Proxy  Statement and for adoption of the amendment of
the 1992 Stock  Option Plan as described  in the Proxy  Statement.  If any other
business  comes  before the  meeting,  the shares  will be voted in favor of the
action  recommended  by  the  Board  of  Directors  and in  the  absence  of any
recommendation,  in accordance  with the best judgment of the proxy  holders.  A
shareholder  executing  and  delivering  the enclosed  proxy may revoke it, by a
written  notice  delivered  to the  Secretary of the Company or in person at the
meeting, at any time before it is exercised.

         The Company will bear the cost of soliciting  the proxies.  In addition
to being  solicited by mail,  proxies may be  solicited  by personal  interview,
telephone and telegram by directors,  officers and employees of the Company. The
Company  expects to  reimburse  brokers or other  persons  for their  reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses in forwarding proxy material to the beneficial owners.

                               PROPOSAL NUMBER ONE

                              ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

         Ten  directors  will be elected at the meeting.  The holders of Class A
Stock will elect four  directors and the holders of Class B Stock will elect six
directors.  Each director will serve until the next annual  meeting or until his
successor is elected and qualified.  All of the nominees listed below, excluding
Norma J. Oman and Robert A. Taylor, are current directors whose present terms of
office will expire upon completion of the election at the meeting. Norma J. Oman
and Robert A.  Taylor  have been  nominated  to replace H. J.  (Jack)  Baker and
Richard A. Steele who are retiring  from the Board of Directors  effective  with
the annual  meeting on April 24, 1997.  Unless  authorization  is withheld,  the
enclosed  proxy will be voted in favor of electing  as  directors  the  nominees
listed below. If any nominee should be unable to serve,  the proxy will be voted
for a substitute nominee selected by the Board of Directors.

         Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast for nominees
by the  holders  of Class A Stock and  Class B Stock at the  Annual  Meeting  of
Shareholders at which a quorum is present.  "Plurality"  means that the director
nominees who receive the

                                                         1

<PAGE>



largest  number of votes cast are elected as directors up to the maximum  number
of directors to be chosen at the meeting.  Abstentions,  broker  non-votes,  and
instructions on the  accompanying  proxy card to vote against one or more of the
nominees will be considered as not voted.

         James M. Cornelius,  John D. Peterson, Thomas E. Reilly, Jr. and Van P.
Smith are  nominees  for  election as directors by holders of the Class A Stock;
and William C. Dorris, Paul K. Gaston, Douglas W. Huemme, Harry Morrison, Ph.D.,
Norma J. Oman and Robert A. Taylor are  nominees  for  election as  directors by
holders of the Class B Stock.

         The name, principal occupation and certain other information concerning
each nominee for election as a director are set forth below.

                                                         2

<PAGE>
Name and Principal Occupation                     Certain Other Information
- -----------------------------                -----------------------------------
JAMES M. CORNELIUS                           Mr.  Cornelius,   53,  has  been  a
  Chairman of the Board of                   director of the Company since 1996.
  Directors,                                 He has been  Chairman  of the Board
  Guidant Corporation                        of Directors of Guidant Corporation
                                             since 1994.  He was Vice  President
                                             of  Finance  and  Chief   Financial
                                             Officer  of Eli Lilly  and  Company
                                             from  prior to 1992 to 1995.  He is
                                             also   a   director    of   Guidant
                                             Corporation,  American  United Life
                                             Insurance  Company and the National
                                             Bank of Indianapolis.

WILLIAM C. DORRIS                            Mr. Dorris, 54, has been a director
  Vice President,                            of the Company  since 1989.  He has
  Corporate Development,                     been  Vice   President,   Corporate
  Lilly Industries, Inc.                     Development  of the  Company  since
                                             1994. He was General Manager of the
                                             Company's  High Point Division from
                                             prior  to  1992  to  1994,  of  the
                                             Company's  Templeton  Division from
                                             prior  to 1992  to 1994  and of the
                                             Company's Dallas Division from 1993
                                             to 1994.

PAUL K. GASTON                               Mr. Gaston, 63, has been a director
  Retired Chairman of                        of the Company  since 1996.  He has
Guardsman Products, Inc.                     been a  consultant  since 1996.  He
and Partner of Warner,                       was Chairman of Guardsman Products,
Norcross and Judd LLP                        Inc.  from  1994 to 1996.  He was a
                                             partner  of  Warner,  Norcross  and
                                             Judd LLP, attorneys,  from prior to
                                             1992 to 1993 and  Managing  Partner
                                             from  prior to 1992 to 1992.  He is
                                             also a director of Kysor Industrial
                                             Corporation.

DOUGLAS W. HUEMME                            Mr. Huemme, 55, has been a director
  Chairman, President and                    of  the  Company  since  1990.  Mr.
  Chief Executive Officer,                   Huemme has been Chairman, President
  Lilly Industries, Inc.                     and Chief Executive  Officer of the
                                             Company  since  1991.  He is also a
                                             director    of    First     Indiana
                                             Corporation and The Somerset Group,
                                             Inc.

HARRY MORRISON, Ph.D.                        Dr.   Morrison,   59,  has  been  a
  Dean of the School                         director of the Company since 1995.
  of Science,                                He has been  Dean of the  School of
  Purdue University                          Science of Purdue  University since
                                             1992.  He was Head of the Chemistry
                                             Department  of  Purdue   University
                                             from  prior  to 1992 to 1992  and a
                                             chemical   consultant   for:  Great
                                             Lakes Chemical Corporation (1991 to
                                             1993) and American Cyanamid (1993).

NORMA J. OMAN                                Mrs. Oman, 49, is a new nominee for
  President and Chief                        director  of the  Company.  She has
  Executive Officer,                         been President and Chief  Executive
  Meridian Mutual Insurance                  Officer    of    Meridian    Mutual
  Company and Meridian                       Insurance   Company  and   Meridian
  Insurance Group, Inc.                      Insurance  Group,  Inc. since prior
                                             to 1992.  She is also a director of
                                             Meridian Mutual Insurance  Company,
                                             Meridian  Insurance Group, Inc. and
                                             Bank One, Indianapolis.



                                                         3

<PAGE>
Name and Principal Occupation                     Certain Other Information
- -----------------------------                -----------------------------------
JOHN D. PETERSON                             Mr.   Peterson,   63,  has  been  a
  Chairman,                                  director of the Company since 1964.
  City Securities Corporation                He  has  been   Chairman   of  City
                                             Securities Corporation,  securities
                                             dealer,  since prior to 1992. He is
                                             also  a  director  of  Duke  Realty
                                             Investments,   Inc.   and   Capital
                                             Industries, Inc.

THOMAS E. REILLY, JR.    
  Chairman and Chief                         Mr. Reilly, 57, has been a director
  Executive Officer,                         of the Company  since 1981.  He has
  Reilly Industries, Inc.                    been  Chairman and Chief  Executive
                                             Officer of Reilly Industries, Inc.,
                                             diversified chemical  manufacturing
                                             firm,  since  prior to 1992.  He is
                                             also a  director  of First  Chicago
                                             NBD Corporation.

VAN P. SMITH                                 Mr. Smith,  68, has been a director
  Chairman,                                  of the Company  since 1985.  He has
  Ontario Corporation                        been     Chairman     of    Ontario
                                             Corporation,   Muncie,  Indiana,  a
                                             manufacturing  and service  company
                                             providing a variety of products and
                                             services   to  the   semiconductor,
                                             testing   laboratory  and  computer
                                             software industries, since prior to
                                             1992.  He is  also  a  director  of
                                             CINergy  Corporation,  PSI  Energy,
                                             Inc.,   Meridian  Mutual  Insurance
                                             Company  and   Meridian   Insurance
                                             Group, Inc.

ROBERT A. TAYLOR                             Mr.  Taylor,  43, is a new  nominee
  Executive Vice President                   for director of the Company. He has
  and Chief Operating                        been  Executive  Vice President and
  Officer,                                   Chief  Operating   Officer  of  the
  Lilly Industries, Inc.                     Company  since  February,  1997. He
                                             was  Vice   President  and  General
                                             Manager,   Wood   Coatings  of  the
                                             Company  from 1994 to 1997.  He was
                                             Vice   President,   Specialty   and
                                             Container    Coatings    of    AKZO
                                             Coatings,  Inc.  from 1992 to 1994.
                                             He was Managing Director, Southeast
                                             Asia of AKZO  Coatings,  Inc.  from
                                             prior to 1992 to 1992.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR ELECTION OF EACH
OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.  YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.




                                                         4

<PAGE>



Committees of the Board of Directors and Compensation of
Directors

         Among other  committees,  the Board of  Directors  of the Company has a
Compensation  Committee,  a Policy and Nominating Committee,  an Audit Committee
and a Technology Committee.

         The  Compensation  Committee,   which  held  two  meetings  during  the
Company's  fiscal year ended  November 30, 1996,  formulates and presents to the
Board of Directors for its  consideration  recommendations  as to the Chairman's
compensation,  determines the aggregate amount to be paid as employee bonuses by
the Company and its  subsidiaries,  and  determines the aggregate and individual
base  salaries and bonuses to be paid to officers of the  Company.  Van P. Smith
(Chairman),  H. J. Baker,  and Thomas E. Reilly,  Jr. are the current members of
the Compensation Committee.

         The Policy and Nominating  Committee,  which held three meetings during
the Company's fiscal year ended November 30, 1996,  determines various policies,
and  identifies  and presents  candidates as potential  members of the Company's
Board of Directors.  Richard A. Steele (Chairman),  John D. Peterson,  Thomas E.
Reilly,  Jr.,  and Van P.  Smith  are the  current  members  of the  Policy  and
Nominating Committee.

         The Audit  Committee,  which held two  meetings  during  the  Company's
fiscal year ended  November 30, 1996, is  responsible  for  recommending  to the
Board the independent  auditors,  for reviewing the scope and the results of the
audits made by the independent auditors, for overseeing the adequacy of internal
controls, and for reviewing and approving fees paid to the independent auditors.
Richard A. Steele (Chairman),  James M. Cornelius,  John D. Peterson, and Thomas
E. Reilly, Jr. are the current members of the Audit Committee.

         The Technology Committee,  which held two meetings during the Company's
fiscal  year ended  November  30,  1996,  reviews  and  evaluates  existing  and
potential technologies of the Company. Harry Morrison, Ph.D. (Chairman), William
C. Dorris,  and Thomas E. Reilly,  Jr. are the current members of the Technology
Committee.

         The Board of Directors held seven meetings during the Company's  fiscal
year ended November 30, 1996. No incumbent  director  attended fewer than 75% of
the  aggregate of such meetings of the Board and meetings of committees of which
he was a member at the time of the meeting.

         Directors  who are also  employees  of the Company  receive no director
fees.  Non-employee  directors  received for the fiscal year ended  November 30,
1996 an  annual  retainer  of  $10,000  (except  for the  chairman  of the Audit
Committee,   Policy  and  Nominating  Committee,   Technology   Committee,   and
Compensation Committee who each received an additional annual retainer of

                                                         5

<PAGE>



$1,000) and $1,000 for each meeting of the Board or Board committee attended.

         The  Lilly  Industries,  Inc.  1991  Director  Stock  Option  Plan (the
"Directors Plan") provides for the granting of non-qualified options for up to a
maximum  of  23,625  shares  of Class A Stock  per  calendar  year and  provides
automatically for the grant of options for 2,363 shares of Class A Stock to each
non-employee  director on the date of each annual  meeting of the  shareholders,
beginning  with the 1992 Annual  Meeting.  The Directors  Plan is intended to be
substantially self-administering.

         The Company has reserved  198,442  shares of Class A Stock for issuance
upon exercise of options to be granted under the Directors  Plan. As of February
24, 1997 there were options for an  aggregate of 53,954  shares of Class A Stock
outstanding.

         Options for 16,538  shares,  at an  exercise  price of $5.19 per share,
were granted in 1991.  Options for 14,178 shares,  at an exercise price of $8.68
per share, were granted in 1992. Options for 14,178 shares, at an exercise price
of $10.83 per share,  were  granted in 1993.  Options for 14,178  shares,  at an
exercise  price of $17.17 per share,  were  granted in 1994.  Options for 16,541
shares, at an exercise price of $14.06 per share, were granted in 1995.  Options
for 16,541  shares,  at an exercise  price of $14.69 per share,  and options for
1,968 shares,  at an exercise  price of $15.13 per share,  were granted in 1996.
Options  granted under the Directors Plan will generally  become  exercisable on
the first  anniversary  of the date upon which they were  granted.  Each  option
terminates five years after its grant date.

         Options for 18,904  shares under the Directors  Plan were  exercised in
fiscal year 1996 at prices per share ranging from $5.19 to $14.06.


                  SHARE OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

         The following  table lists,  as of February 24, 1997 (unless  otherwise
noted),  the  beneficial  ownership of shares of Class A Stock and Class B Stock
for each current  director,  each nominee for director,  each executive  officer
named in the Summary  Compensation  Table,  all current  directors and executive
officers as a group, and each  shareholder  known by the Company to be the owner
of more than five percent of the outstanding  shares of Class A Stock or Class B
Stock.  Unless  otherwise  indicated each  shareholder  has sole  investment and
voting power with respect to the shares indicated.




                                                         6

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Class A Stock                          Class B Stock
                                      ------------------------------------       -------------------------------
                                           Shares                                   Shares
                                        Beneficially               Percent       Beneficially          Percent
Name of Beneficial Owner                    Owned                 of Class           Owned             Of Class
- ------------------------              ---------------             --------       ------------          ---------
<S>                                     <C>                          <C>            <C>                   <C>  
H. J. (Jack) Baker                       13,468   (1)                 *                   0                 *
James M. Cornelius                        4,000                       *                   0                 *
William C. Dorris                        39,041   (2)                 *              17,025                4.7%
Paul K. Gaston                           10,000                       *                   0                 *
Douglas W. Huemme                       216,340   (3)                 *              36,000                9.9%
Harry Morrison, Ph.D                      2,363   (4)                 *                   0                 *
Norma J. Oman                                 0                       *                   0                 *
John D. Peterson                        163,271   (5)                 *                   0                 *
Thomas E. Reilly, Jr                     38,935   (6)                 *                   0                 *
Van P. Smith                             13,468   (7)                 *                   0                 *
Richard A. Steele                        27,187   (8)                 *                   0                 *
Robert A. Taylor                         16,646   (9)                 *               6,038                1.7%
Larry H. Dalton                          22,656  (10)                 *              27,855                7.7%
A. Barry Melnkovic                          420                       *                   0                 *
Kenneth L. Mills                         15,967  (11)                 *              21,376                5.9%
All current directors                   583,762                      2.6%           108,294               29.8%
  and executive officers                                                                            
  as a group (14 persons)                                                                           
Neuberger & Berman, LLC               1,341,650  (12)                6.0%                 0                 *
  605 Third Avenue                                                                                  
  New York, NY  10158                                                                               
Quest Advisory Corp.                  1,324,642  (12)                5.9%                 0                 *
  1414 Avenue of the Americas                                                                       
  New York, NY   10019                                                                              
Ned L. Fox                               25,259  (13)                 *              27,283                7.5%
Bill D. Hawkins                          21,427  (14)                 *              21,775                6.0%
Gary D. Missildine                       24,609  (15)                 *              21,498                5.9%
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------------           

*        Represents less than one percent of class of outstanding shares.

(1)      Includes 2,363 shares of Class A Stock which Mr. Baker has the right to
         acquire pursuant to currently exercisable stock options.

(2)      Does not  include 834 shares of Class A Stock  which Mr.  Dorris'  wife
         holds  as  custodian  for  their  minor  child.  Mr.  Dorris  disclaims
         beneficial  ownership of those 834 Shares.  Includes  30,291  shares of
         Class A Stock  which Mr.  Dorris has the right to acquire  pursuant  to
         currently exercisable stock options.

(3)      Includes 203,814 shares of Class A Stock which Mr. Huemme has the right
         to acquire pursuant to currently exercisable stock options.

(4)      Includes 2,363 shares of Class A Stock which Dr. Morrison has the right
         to acquire pursuant to currently exercisable stock options.

(5)      Includes 54,018 shares held in an investment account at City Securities
         Corporation.  Mr.  Peterson  owns more  than 10% of the  equity of City
         Securities Corporation. Does not include 34,548 shares of Class A Stock
         owned of record and  beneficially by Mr.  Peterson's wife. Mr. Peterson
         disclaims beneficial ownership of those 34,548 shares.  Includes 14,449
         shares of Class A Stock owned  beneficially  by Mr. Peterson as trustee
         of a GST Investment  Share Trust for benefit of Mr. Peterson and 34,298
         shares of Class A Stock owned  beneficially  by Mr. Peterson as trustee
         of two GST  Investment  Share Trusts for benefit of Mr.  Peterson's two
         sisters.  Includes 7,089 shares of Class A Stock which Mr. Peterson has
         the right to acquire pursuant to currently exercisable stock options.

                                       7
<PAGE>

(6)      Does not include 5,071 shares of Class A Stock which Mr.  Reilly's wife
         holds as custodian  for one of their  children.  Mr.  Reilly  disclaims
         beneficial  ownership of those 5,071 shares.  Includes  7,089 shares of
         Class A Stock  which Mr.  Reilly has the right to acquire  pursuant  to
         currently exercisable stock options.

(7)      Includes 4,726 shares of Class A Stock which Mr. Smith has the right to
         acquire pursuant to currently exercisable stock options.

(8)      Includes  7,089 shares of Class A Stock which Mr.  Steele has the right
         to acquire pursuant to currently exercisable stock options.

(9)      Includes  4,000 shares of Class A Stock which Mr.  Taylor has the right
         to acquire pursuant to currently exercisable stock options.

(10)     Includes  18,125 shares of Class A Stock which Mr. Dalton has the right
         to acquire pursuant to currently exercisable stock options.

(11)     Includes  15,580  shares of Class A Stock which Mr. Mills has the right
         to acquire pursuant to currently exercisable stock options.

(12)     Based on SEC Schedule 13G as of December 31, 1996.

(13)     Includes  14,375 shares of Class A Stock which Mr. Fox has the right to
         acquire pursuant to currently exercisable stock options.

(14)     Includes  1,500 shares of Class A Stock which Mr. Hawkins has the right
         to acquire pursuant to currently exercisable stock options.

(15)     Includes  11,125 shares of Class A Stock which Mr.  Missildine  has the
         right to acquire pursuant to currently exercisable stock options.



                               PROPOSAL NUMBER TWO

                     AMENDMENT OF THE 1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                           TO INCREASE SHARES RESERVED


         On January 10, 1997, the Board of Directors authorized the amendment of
the Lilly  Industries,  Inc.  1992 Stock  Option Plan (the  "Plan"),  subject to
approval by the  shareholders,  to permit the  reservation  of an additional one
million  shares of Class A Common  Stock  upon the  exercise  of  options  to be
granted under the Plan between the date of shareholder  approval and January 31,
2002. A total of 1,549,399  option shares have been granted under the Plan as of
February 24, 1997.  The maximum  number of shares  currently  reserved for stock
grants under the Plan is 1,771,875.  The  amendment  will increase the number of
shares  reserved or available for stock option  grants by 1,000,000  shares to a
total of 2,771,875 shares.

Summary of the Plan

         On January 31, 1992, the Board of Directors of the Company  adopted the
Plan to replace the Company's 1982 Stock Option Plan

                                        8

<PAGE>



which  expired for purposes of granting new stock  options on December 31, 1991.
The Company  reserved up to 1,771,875  shares,  adjusted for stock dividends and
stock splits,  of Class A Stock for option  grants under the Plan.  Shareholders
approved  adoption of the Plan on April 23, 1992.  The Plan is  effective  until
January 31, 2002 for purposes of granting options.  The closing price of a share
of Class A Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on February 24, 1997 was $19.88.

         The  purpose  of the Plan is to  provide  to  officers  and  other  key
employees  a  favorable  opportunity  to  acquire  shares of Class A Stock,  and
thereby  increase  their  incentive  to work for the  success of the Company and
better enable the Company to attract and retain capable executive personnel. The
Plan provides for the grant of both incentive stock options (options that afford
favorable tax treatment to recipients upon compliance with certain  restrictions
and that do not normally  result in tax  deductions  to the Company) and options
that do not so qualify (non-qualified stock options).

         The Plan is  administered,  construed  and  interpreted  by a committee
consisting  of at least  three  members of the Board of  Directors  (the  "Stock
Option  Committee").  The Stock Option Committee selects the individuals to whom
options will be granted and determines (a) the time of grant,  (b) the number of
shares of Class A Stock to be  covered  by each  option,  (c) the  exercise  (or
option)  price,  (d) the period  within which the option may be  exercised,  (e)
whether  the  options  will carry  reload  options,  (f) the extent to which the
option (or related reload option) is an incentive stock option or  non-qualified
stock option, (g) the extent to which stock appreciation rights are awarded with
an option, and (h) any other terms and conditions of the options granted.

         Shares issued under the Plan are authorized but unissued  shares of the
Company.  In the event of corporate changes affecting the Company's  outstanding
shares of stock, such as reorganizations, recapitalizations, stock splits, stock
dividends, mergers,  consolidations and liquidations, the Stock Option Committee
will make  appropriate  adjustments  in the number  and kind of shares  reserved
under the Plan and in the  exercise  price  under,  and the  number  and kind of
shares  covered  by,  outstanding  options  granted  under the Plan.  Any shares
subject to an option which expires or is terminated  before  exercise will again
be available for issuance under the Plan.

         One or more options may be granted to officers  (including officers who
are members of the Board of  Directors)  and other key  employees of the Company
and its  subsidiaries  who are  materially  responsible  for the  management  or
operation  of the  business of the  Company.  The Stock  Option  Committee  will
determine the exercise  price of each option granted under the 1992 Option Plan,
provided  that the exercise  price of an incentive  stock option may not be less
than the fair market value of the  Company's  Class A Stock on the date on which
the option is granted. Incentive

                                        9

<PAGE>



stock  options  granted  to any holder of more than 10% of the  combined  voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company must have an exercise price no less
than 110% of fair market value of the stock at date of grant. No option may have
a term longer than ten years and one day from the date of grant. However,  under
the  Internal  Revenue Code (the "IRC"),  incentive  stock  options may not have
terms in excess of ten years.  Incentive  stock options granted to any holder of
more  than  10% of the  combined  voting  power of all  classes  of stock of the
Company may not have terms in excess of five years.

         The  exercise  price must be paid at the time of exercise in cash or by
tendering  whole shares of Class A Stock owned by the Optionee and cash having a
fair market value equal to the cash exercise price. Under certain circumstances,
the  Plan  permits  optionees  to  effect a  so-called  "cashless  exercise"  by
delivering  a notice of  exercise  to their  broker  together  with  irrevocable
instructions  to deliver to the Company the total exercise price in cash and, if
desired, the amount of any taxes to be withheld from the optionee's compensation
as a result of any  withholding  tax  obligation of the Company.  Options may be
exercisable in full at any time during their term or in installments of at least
100 shares,  on a cumulative basis, as the Stock Option Committee may determine.
No option may be exercised during the first six months after its grant date.

         If an  Optionee  ceases to be an employee  of the  Company,  any option
granted to him will generally terminate,  except as specifically provided in his
stock option agreement.  The Stock Option Committee will determine,  and provide
in an optionee's stock option agreement,  appropriate exercise periods following
the retirement, death or permanent and total disability of the optionee. Options
may not be transferred  except by will or the laws of descent and  distribution.
During the lifetime of an optionee,  options may be exercised only by him or his
guardian or legal representative.

         The  aggregate  fair  market  value  of  stock  with  respect  to which
incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by an optionee during
any  calendar  year under the 1992  Option  Plan may not exceed  $100,000.  This
limitation  does not apply to  non-qualified  stock  options.  To the extent any
incentive stock options becoming  exercisable during a calendar year exceed this
limitation, they will be automatically converted to non-qualified stock options.

         In the  discretion  of the Stock  Option  Committee,  any option may be
accompanied by a "Reload Option". If an optionee's option agreement so provides,
a Reload  Option will be granted to an optionee  who pays for exercise of all or
part of an option with shares of Class A Stock. The Reload Option  represents an
additional  option to acquire the same number of shares of Class A Stock as used
by the optionee to exercise the original option. The Stock Option Committee will
determine  whether  the  Reload  Option  is  an  incentive  stock  option  or  a
non-qualified stock

                                       10

<PAGE>



option.  If the original  option was  non-qualified,  the Reload  Option must be
also. The exercise price per share of a Reload Option will generally be the fair
market  value of a share of  Class A Stock  as of the  date of  exercise  of the
original  option.  The  Committee  may grant  more than one Reload  Option  with
respect to any one option.

         The  Stock  Option  Committee  may  grant  stock  appreciation   rights
("SAR's") in tandem with the grant of any option under the Plan. An SAR entitles
the holder  thereof to receive,  upon the  surrender  of the  related  option(or
portion thereof),  an amount payable in Class A Stock and/or cash, as determined
by the Stock Option  Committee,  equal to the excess of the fair market value of
the shares of Class A Stock subject to such option (or portion thereof) over the
exercise price of such shares.  The Stock Option Committee may limit the payment
upon  exercise  of an SAR to less than the amount of such  excess.  If an SAR is
exercised, its related stock option automatically terminates.

         The  Stock   Option   Committee   may  provide  that  a  grantee  of  a
non-qualified stock option,  following exercise thereof,  will be paid a portion
of the tax benefit to be realized  by the  Company  attributable  to the federal
income tax deduction  resulting from such exercise.  The Committee may decide to
do this to  offset  the  disadvantages  for tax  purposes  to the  grantee  of a
non-qualified option relative to an incentive stock option.

         The Stock Option Committee may determine,  and provide in an optionee's
stock  option  agreement,  that,  in the  event of a change  of  control  of the
Company, and subject to the provisions of the Plan, outstanding options that are
not otherwise  exercisable will become  immediately  exercisable.  The effect of
such change of control  provisions  which,  under certain  circumstances,  could
accelerate  benefits to optionholders may be to increase the cost of a potential
business  combination or  acquisition  of control of the Company.  To the extent
that this increased  cost is  significant,  potential  acquirors may be deterred
from pursuing a transaction  involving the Company, and shareholders may thus be
deprived  of an  opportunity  to sell  their  shares at a  favorable  price.  In
determining  whether to grant options that become  exercisable  upon a change of
control,  the Stock Option  Committee  will consider (a) whether this  deterrent
effect could be significant,  and (b) to the extent this provision could operate
to accelerate  benefits under stock options  awarded in the future,  whether the
expected  benefits of these  provisions  in attracting  and retaining  qualified
management personnel outweigh the possible disadvantages.

         The Board of Directors may amend the Plan from time to time,  and, with
the consent of the optionee,  the terms and provisions of his option;  provided,
however, that (a) no amendment may, without the consent of an optionee, make any
changes in any outstanding  option that would adversely affect the rights of the
optionee,  and (b) without approval of the holders of at least a majority of the
shares of the Company entitled to vote thereon,

                                       11

<PAGE>



no amendment  may  materially  (i) increase the benefits  accruing to optionees,
(ii)  increase the number of  securities  that are issuable  under the Plan,  or
(iii) modify requirements as to eligibility for Plan participation. The Board of
Directors of the Company may terminate  the Plan at any time.  In any event,  no
options may be granted under the Stock Option Plan after January 31, 2002.

         Under current tax laws, the grant of incentive and non-qualified  stock
options will have no federal tax  consequences  to the Company or the  optionee.
Moreover,  if an incentive  stock option is exercised  (a) while the employee is
employed by the Company or its  subsidiaries,  (b) within three months after the
optionee ceases to be an employee of the Company or its subsidiaries,  (c) after
the optionee's  death, or (d) within one year after the optionee ceases to be an
employee of the Company or its  subsidiaries  if the  optionee's  employment  is
terminated  because of  permanent  and total  disability,  the  exercise  of the
incentive stock option will  ordinarily have no federal income tax  consequences
to the Company or the optionee.

         The recipient of a  non-qualified  stock option  generally will realize
taxable ordinary income at the time of exercise of the option in an amount equal
to the excess of the fair  market  value of the shares  acquired  at the time of
such exercise over the exercise price. A like amount is generally  deductible by
the  Company  for federal  income tax  proposes as of that date,  as long as the
Company withholds federal income tax with respect to that taxable amount.

         At the time an SAR is granted,  an optionee  will  recognize no taxable
income and there will be no tax  consequences to the Company.  The optionee will
recognize  taxable income at the time the SAR is exercised in an amount equal to
the  amount  of cash and the fair  market  value of the  shares of Class A Stock
received upon such exercise. The income recognized on exercise of an SAR will be
taxable at ordinary income tax rates. The Company  generally will be entitled to
a deduction  with  respect to the  exercise of an SAR in an amount  equal to the
amount of ordinary income recognized by the optionee upon such exercise.

Shares Granted and Reserved

         A total of 1,549,399  option shares have been granted under the Plan as
of February 24, 1997. The maximum number of shares currently  reserved for stock
grants under the Plan is 1,771,875. With adoption of the proposed amendment, the
maximum number of shares  reserved or available for issuance under the Plan will
be increased to 2,771,875.

Required Vote

         The  proposed  amendment  of the  Company's  1992 Stock  Option Plan to
increase the shares  reserved by one million  requires the  affirmative  vote of
holders of a majority of the outstanding

                                       12

<PAGE>

shares of Class A Stock and Class B Stock,  voting as  separate  voting  groups.
Abstentions  from voting and broker  non-votes will have the practical effect of
voting against the proposed amendment.

         THE  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS  RECOMMENDS  THAT  SHAREHOLDERS  VOTE FOR THE
PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE 1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.





                                       13

<PAGE>

             COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Overview and Philosophy

         The Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company is
composed  entirely of  non-employee  directors.  The  Committee  formulates  and
presents  to  the  Board  of  Directors  recommendations  as to  the  Chairman's
compensation  and base  salaries for all officers of the Company,  the aggregate
amount to be paid as  employee  bonuses by the  Company  and the  aggregate  and
individual  bonuses to be paid to  officers  of the  Company.  The  Compensation
Committee also serves as the Stock Option Committee for the Company's 1992 Stock
Option Plan. The following  report of the Compensation  Committee  discusses the
application of the Compensation Committee's policies to the annual and long-term
compensation of the Company's executive officers for fiscal 1996.

         The objective of the  Company's  executive  compensation  program is to
enhance the Company's  long-term  profitability by providing  compensation  that
will  attract  and retain  superior  talent,  reward  performance  and align the
interests  of  the  executive  officers  with  the  long-term  interests  of the
shareholders of the Company.

Executive Officers' Compensation

         For fiscal  1996  compensation  for the  Company's  executive  officers
consisted of base  salary,  annual cash  bonuses,  stock  options,  supplemental
executive retirement plans, and various broad based employee benefits, including
pension plans and contributions under employee stock purchase and 401(k) plans.

         Base  salary   levels  for  the   Company's   executive   officers  are
competitively  set  relative to  companies in peer  businesses.  In  determining
salaries,  the  Committee  also takes into  account  individual  experience  and
performance.

         The  Company's  annual  bonus plan is intended to provide a direct cash
incentive  to  executive  officers  and  other key  employees  to  maximize  the
Company's  profitability.  At the  beginning  of  each  fiscal  year,  financial
performance  objectives  are  targeted for the Company and  individual  business
units which  become the basis for  determining  annual  bonuses.  If the Company
and/or  business  units  achieve  their target  performance,  then  participants
receive an  established  target  bonus.  The amount of bonus  will  increase  or
decrease by specified  percentage  within an established range based upon actual
performance  compared to target performance.  In the case of the Chief Executive
Officer the performance factor most heavily weighted in determining the bonus is
earnings per share. The bonuses for 1996 were determined in December, 1996 based
upon fiscal year-end financial results.



                                       14

<PAGE>



Stock Options

         Through  its stock  option  program,  the  Company  seeks to enable its
executive  officers and other key  employees to develop and maintain a long-term
ownership position in the Company's common stock,  thereby creating a direct and
strong  link  between  executive  pay  and  shareholder  return.  The  Committee
considers  stock  options to be an  important  portion of  compensation  tied to
performance  and a strong  incentive for increasing  shareholder  value over the
long term.  In granting  stock  options,  the Stock Option  Committee  took into
account the number of options  granted in prior  years,  the  practices of other
peer  companies,  reviewed  surveys,  and  considered the  executives'  level of
compensation  and past  contributions  to the  Company.  On January 12, 1996 and
April 18, 1996 the Stock Option  Committee  granted the incentive  stock options
reflected in the tables that follow.

Compensation Committee and
Stock Option Committee

Van P. Smith, Chairman
H. J. Baker
Thomas E. Reilly, Jr.



                             COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
                      INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION


         Douglas  W.  Huemme,  the  Company's  Chairman,   President  and  Chief
Executive Officer serves as a director of The Somerset Group, Inc. Mr. Robert H.
McKinney,  who  retired as a director  of the  Company  in April,  1996,  is the
Chairman  of The  Somerset  Group,  Inc.  Mr.  Huemme  became  a  member  of the
Compensation Committee of The Somerset Group, Inc. in 1994.



                                       15

<PAGE>

                       COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

         Shown  below  is  information   concerning  the  annual  and  long-term
compensation  for  services to the  Company  performed  during the fiscal  years
indicated  of those  persons who were at November  30, 1996 the chief  executive
officer and the other four most highly compensated executive officers.



                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Long-Term
                                                                                       Compensation:
                                                                                     Shares Underlying
                                            Fiscal     Annual Compensation             Stock Options                 All Other
Name and Principal Position                 Year       Salary         Bonus              Granted                  Compensation (1)
- ------------------------                    -----      --------------------          -----------------         -------------------
<S>                                         <C>         <C>             <C>                     <C>                   <C>     
Douglas W. Huemme                           1996        $375,000        $400,000                15,000                $115,322
  Chairman, President and                   1995         372,083         280,000                     0                  90,549
  Chief Executive Officer                   1994         335,385         310,000               161,250                   7,290

William C. Dorris                           1996         156,923         200,000                15,000                  17,115
  Vice President, Corporate                 1995         144,167          85,000                 5,000                  10,185
  Development                               1994         122,769          75,000                 4,500                   4,095

Larry H. Dalton                             1996         142,788         170,000                15,000                  15,967
  Vice President, Operations                1995(2)      120,000          85,000                 4,500                  11,146
  and Manufacturing

Kenneth L. Mills                            1996         111,346         125,000                10,000                  10,800
  Corporate Accounting                      1995         104,875           32,00                 3,500                  10,521
  Director and Assistant Secretary          1994          98,385          40,000                 3,000                   3,441

A. Barry Melnkovic                          1996(3)       71,539          75,000                 2,000                   1,900
  Vice President, Human
  Resources
- -------------------------
</TABLE>
1        All Other  Compensation is comprised of matching Company  contributions
         on behalf of the employees to the Employees  Stock  Purchase  Plan, the
         401(k)  Plan,  the 401(k)  Replacement  Plan,  and a portion of Company
         payments for group term life  insurance  premiums.  These four types of
         All Other  Compensation for fiscal year 1996 are respectively  detailed
         by employee as follows: Douglas W. Huemme--$2,000,  $9,000, $37,500 and
         $1,900;  William C. Dorris--$2,000,  $9,000,  $5,515 and $600; Larry H.
         Dalton--$2,000,$9,000,  $4,667  and  $300;  Kenneth  L.  Mills--$2,000,
         $8,600, $0 and $200; and A. Barry Melnkovic--$692,$1,108,  $0 and $100.
         Additionally, for Mr. Huemme only, All Other Compensation also includes
         $64,922 as reimbursement of split-dollar life insurance premiums.

2        Mr. Dalton was appointed as an executive officer in 1995.

3        Mr. Melnkovic was appointed as an executive officer in April, 1996.







                                       16

<PAGE>

                               STOCK OPTION GRANTS

         The following table provides details regarding stock options granted to
the named  executive  officers in fiscal 1996.  In addition  there are shown the
hypothetical  gains or  "option  spreads"  that would  exist for the  respective
options.  These gains are based on assumed rates of annual  compound stock price
appreciation  of 5% and 10% from the date the options were granted over the full
option term. These amounts represent certain assumed rates of appreciation only.
Actual gains,  if any, on stock option  exercises and common stock  holdings are
dependent  on the  future  performance  of the  Company's  common  stock and the
overall  stock market  conditions.  There can be no  assurance  that the amounts
reflected on this table will be achieved.


                         FISCAL 1996 STOCK OPTION GRANTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                                Potential
                                      Percent of                                             Realizable Value
                         Number       Total Options                                           Assuming Annual
                         of Shares    Granted to                                              Rates of Stock
                         Underlying   Employees        Exercise                             Price Appreciation
                         Options      in Fiscal        Price Per       Expiration            for Option Term
Name                     Granted (1)  1996              Share            Date                5%             10%
- ----------------         -----------  ---------       ---------        ---------          -------        ----------
<S>                       <C>           <C>             <C>              <C>   <C>          <C>            <C>     
Douglas W. Huemme         15,000        5.2%            $12.56           01/12/01           $52,055        $115,018
William C. Dorris         15,000        5.2%             12.56           01/12/01            52,055         115,018
Larry H. Dalton           15,000        5.2%             12.56           01/12/01            52,055         115,018
Kenneth L. Mills          10,000        3.5%             12.56           01/12/01            34,703          76,679
A. Barry Melnkovic         2,000         .7%             14.69           04/18/01             8,118          17,936
</TABLE>
(1)      Stock options  granted to the named  executive  officers  during fiscal
         1996 consisted of both qualified and non-qualified options. For options
         granted to D. W.  Huemme,  W. C.  Dorris,  L. H. Dalton and K. L. Mills
         one-third of these options  become  exercisable  on each of January 12,
         1998, 1999 and 2000. For options  granted to A. B. Melnkovic  one-third
         of these options become exercisable on each of April 18, 1998, 1999 and
         2000. The purchase price of shares subject to these options may be paid
         in cash or by exchanging shares at fair market value. For non-qualified
         stock  options  granted,  the grantee  will be  reimbursed  for federal
         income  taxes  resulting  from  exercise  in an  amount  equal  to  the
         Company's federal tax benefit.





                                       17

<PAGE>




                   OPTION EXERCISES AND FISCAL YEAR-END VALUES

         The  following  table shows stock option  exercises by named  executive
officers  during fiscal 1996,  including the  aggregate  value  realized by such
officers on the date of exercise. In addition, this table includes the number of
shares  covered by both  exercisable  and  non-exercisable  stock  options as of
November  30, 1996.  Also  reported  are the values for  "in-the-money"  options
(options  whose  exercise  price is lower than the market value of the shares at
fiscal year end) which  represent the spread  between the exercise  price of any
such existing stock options and the fiscal year-end market price of the stock.



                          1996 STOCK OPTION EXERCISES,
              OUTSTANDING GRANTS AND VALUE AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Number of
                                                         shares Underlying                 Value of
                                                            Unexercised                   Unexercised
                                             Value           Options at                   In-the-Money
                                             Realized         11/30/96                     Options at
                       Shares                at                       Unexer-              11/30/96 (3)
                       Acquired on           Exercise      Exer-      cisable          Exer-         Unexer-
Name                   Exercise              Date (1)     cisable      (2)             cisable       cisable (2)
- ----------------       ----------            --------    --------    -------        ----------      ------------  
<S>                      <C>                <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>               <C>     
Douglas W. Huemme        12,326             $106,723      203,814      78,750       $1,762,166        $479,738
William C. Dorris             0                    0       30,291      20,834          297,232         121,802
Larry H. Dalton          12,000               61,440       18,125      20,500          164,429         119,945
Kenneth L. Mills            412                3,988       15,580      14,333          145,087          84,451
A. Barry Melnkovic            0                    0            0       2,000                0           7,620
</TABLE>

(1)      Aggregate market value of shares acquired less the aggregate price paid
         by executive.

(2)      The  shares  represented  could  not  be  acquired  by  the  respective
         executive as of November 30, 1996.

(3)      Amount  reflecting  gains  on  outstanding  options  are  based  on the
         November 30, 1996 closing NYSE stock price which was $18.50 per share.





                                       18

<PAGE>

                   SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION

         The line graph below compares annual changes in cumulative total return
to  shareholders  on the  Company's  Common Stock against the  cumulative  total
return as measured by the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index and the Standard
& Poor's  Chemical  Composite  Index.  The  comparisons are for a period of five
fiscal years ended November 30, 1996.

[Graph omitted]

               Comparison of Five-year Cumulative Total Return*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dollar Value November 30      1991      1992      1993      1994      1995      1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C> 
Lilly Common                  $100      $184      $289      $263      $264      $384
S&P 500                       $100      $115      $123      $121      $161      $202
S&P Chemical                  $100      $113      $121      $134      $171      $232
</TABLE>

*        Assumes  $100 was  invested on November  30, 1991 in Lilly  Industries,
         Inc.  Common Stock and each index.  Also,  assumes  reinvestment of all
         dividends.


                                       19

<PAGE>



                                  PENSION PLANS

         Retirement  benefits are  provided by the Company and its  subsidiaries
under non-contributory defined benefit pension plans, all of which are qualified
under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code").  Effective  December 1,
1994, the defined benefit pension plan in which executive officers (including D.
W.  Huemme,  W.  C.  Dorris,  L.  H.  Dalton  and K. L.  Mills)  of the  Company
participate was amended to freeze years of service at November 30, 1994. Monthly
pension  benefits under this plan are based on length of service at November 30,
1994 and average monthly  earnings for the 60 consecutive  months  producing the
highest average during employment. The earnings covered by the Company's pension
plans  include  cash  salary,  wages and bonuses  actually  paid,  plus  Company
contributions made on behalf of the participants pursuant to the Employees Stock
Purchase  Plan  of the  Company  and  any  amounts  deferred  or  redirected  by
participants  under any cash or deferred  arrangement and salary reduction plans
maintained by the Company under Section 401(k) and Section 125 of the Code. Such
compensation for executive  officers does not vary  substantially  from the cash
compensation reported in the summary compensation table.

         The Code  limits  compensation  amounts  used to  calculate  retirement
benefits to $160,000 and also limits the annual  benefits  that may be paid from
the Company's tax qualified plans (Section 415 limit) to $125,000. The Code also
places a $9,500 limit on annual  contributions  by an employee to the  Company's
401(k) plans, and in addition imposes a combined  limitation when an employee is
covered by both types of plans.  However,  effective January 1, 1996 the Company
adopted a  supplemental  replacement  plan that will make  payments  to  certain
executive officers (including D. W. Huemme, W. C. Dorris, L. H. Dalton and K. L.
Mills) in an amount equal to the difference,  if any,  between the benefits that
would have been payable under the defined  benefit pension plan and 401(k) plans
without regard to the  limitations  imposed by the Code and the actual  benefits
payable under such plans as so limited.

         The estimated annual retirement  benefits  presented on a straight-life
annuity  basis  payable at the  normal  retirement  age of 65 under the  defined
benefit pension plan to persons in specified  remuneration and  years-of-service
classifications  are as follows (benefits listed in the table are not subject to
any further offset):


                                                        20

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Assumed Average
Earnings During Five                            Years of Service at November 30, 1994
Consecutive Years
Producing Highest Average                 5             10               15           20              25
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                   <C>            <C>              <C>           <C>             <C>    
           $100,000                    $ 6,250        $12,500          $18,750       $25,000         $31,250
            200,000                     12,500         25,000           37,500        50,000          62,500
            300,000                     18,750         37,500           56,250        75,000          93,750
            400,000                     25,000         50,000           75,000       100,000         125,000
            500,000                     31,250         62,500           93,750       125,000         156,250
            600,000                     37,500         75,000          112,500       150,000         187,500
            700,000                     43,750         87,500          131,250       175,000         218,750
            800,000                     50,000        100,000          150,000       200,000         250,000
</TABLE>



           The years of service credited to the following  executive officers of
the  Company  on  November  30,  1994  under  the  pension  plan in  which  they
participate are as follows:  Douglas W.  Huemme--4.5;  William C.  Dorris--23.8;
Larry H. Dalton--11.5; and Kenneth L. Mills--17.0.


                     SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLANS

           The  Company  maintains  two  executive  retirement  plans  providing
supplemental  benefits in the event of  disability,  retirement,  or death.  The
Board of Directors  has retained  the right to  terminate,  modify or reduce any
benefits  payable  under the plans with the  exception  that it may not amend or
terminate the plans to affect vested benefits.

         Executive  Retirement Plan Adopted 1989: Under the executive retirement
plan  adopted in 1989,  supplemental  retirement  benefits  are provided for key
employees in senior management  positions (including D. W. Huemme, W. C. Dorris,
L. H. Dalton, and K. L. Mills). Annual retirement benefits are $15,000, $20,000,
$25,000  or  $50,000  (depending  upon the  responsibilities  and  duties of the
position held by the participant) for a period of 15 years after retirement. The
participant  must remain  continuously  employed by the Company in their current
position or in a more senior management position until retirement.  Benefits are
payable monthly.

           If a participant becomes disabled prior to retiring from the Company,
it is anticipated that the participant will receive monthly disability  payments
equal to the monthly  retirement  benefits the  participant  would have received
under the retirement  provisions of the plan for 15 years after the  participant
is determined to be disabled.  If a participant  dies prior to retiring from the
Company,  the  participant's  estate or designated  beneficiary  receives  death
benefit  payments for 15 years. If a participant who is receiving  disability or
retirement benefits dies, the participant's  estate or designated  beneficiaries
are entitled to receive the balance of the participant's benefits monthly.


                                                        21

<PAGE>



         Estimated  annual  benefits  payable  upon  normal  retirement  for the
following  executive officers of the Company are: D. W.  Huemme--$50,000;  W. C.
Dorris--$25,000;  L. H.  Dalton--$20,000;  and K. L.  Mills--$15,000.  Estimated
annual  benefits  payable  upon  normal  retirement  for  all  current  employee
participants (excluding executive officers) as a group are $65,000.

         Executive  Retirement  Plan  Adopted  January  1,  1996:  An  executive
retirement  plan  adopted  on  January 1, 1996  provides  for annual  retirement
benefits  for certain  officers  (including  D. W. Huemme,  W. C. Dorris,  L. H.
Dalton and K. L. Mills) of the Company payable at age 65 over the remaining life
of the  participant.  Retirement  benefits are based on years of service and pay
which is defined as average annual base salary and incentive bonus for the three
consecutive years producing the highest average.  A participant  reaching age 62
with 22 years of service is fully vested and will  receive an annual  retirement
benefit equal to 55% of his pay reduced by other retirement benefits provided by
the Company (i.e., benefits from the defined benefit pension plan, the executive
retirement plan adopted in 1989, the  supplemental  replacement plan and certain
Company  contributions to 401(k) plans). Mr. Huemme's  retirement benefits under
the plan are also reduced by any  benefits  received  from his former  employer,
Whittaker Corporation.

         The vesting schedule for the plan is as follows:


                             Years of              Vesting
              Age             Service             Percentage
              ---            --------             ----------

              53                13                   10%
              54                14                   20%
              55                15                   30%
              56                16                   40%
              57                17                   50%
              58                18                   60%
              59                19                   70%
              60                20                   80%
              61                21                   90%
              62                22                  100%


         Years  of  service  as of  November  30,  1996 for  executive  officers
participating  in this plan  are:  D. W.  Huemme--20;  W. C.  Dorris--25;  L. H.
Dalton--13;  K.  L.  Mills--19.  Mr.  Huemme's  years  of  service  include  his
employment tenure with Whittaker Corporation.

           If a participant becomes disabled prior to retiring from the Company,
that  participant  will receive  benefits based on pay at the date of disability
and years of service had the participant's  employment continued to age 65. If a
participant

                                       22

<PAGE>



dies before retiring from the Company, but after age 55, a benefit is payable to
the participant's spouse equal to 50% of normal retirement benefits based on pay
at date of death and years of service assuming  employment  continued to age 65,
or date of death if later.

           If a  participant  competes  with the  Company,  violates  any  trade
secrets or  breaches  any  confidence  of the  Company,  either  before or after
termination or after retirement,  the participant will forfeit all rights to any
benefits under this plan.


                                       23

<PAGE>



                        EMPLOYMENT TERMINATION AGREEMENTS

           Two executive officers, William C. Dorris, and Kenneth L. Mills, have
Termination  Benefits  Agreements  providing  for payment of severance  benefits
equal to one year's  salary and  benefits if the  Company  undergoes a change in
control within the ten-year term of the Agreement  (commencing December 1, 1990)
and if, within three years after such change in control,  any such  executive is
terminated  without  "cause" or resigns  for "good  reason",  as those terms are
defined in the Agreement.


                      OUTSTANDING SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS

           Shareholders  of record on February  24, 1997 are  entitled to notice
of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting of  Shareholders,  and at any adjournment
thereof.  On that  date  22,436,059  shares of the  Company's  Class A Stock and
363,527  shares of the  Company's  Class B Stock  were  outstanding,  each share
(except the 16,589 shares of Class A Stock held by the Employees  Stock Purchase
Plan) being  entitled to one vote with  respect to every  matter  submitted to a
vote of the shares of that class.


                     RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

           The Company  has  selected  the firm of Ernst & Young LLP,  certified
public  accountants,  as  independent  auditors  to make an  examination  of the
accounts of the Company for its fiscal year ending  November 30,  1997.  Ernst &
Young LLP has served in that  capacity  since 1956.  Representatives  of Ernst &
Young LLP will be present at the Annual  Meeting with the  opportunity to make a
statement, if they desire to do so, and will respond to appropriate questions.


                              SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

           Proposals  of  shareholders  intended to be  presented  at the Annual
Meeting  to be held in  April,  1998  must be  received  by the  Company  at its
principal  executive  offices for  inclusion in the proxy  statement and form of
proxy relating to that meeting no later than November 18, 1997.


                                  ANNUAL REPORT

           The Annual  Report for the Company's  fiscal year ended  November 30,
1996 was  separately  mailed to  shareholders  on February 26, 1997.  The Annual
Report is not a part of the proxy  soliciting  material.  Insofar  as any of the
information in this Proxy Statement has been furnished by persons other than the
Company,  the  Company  relies  upon  information  furnished  by others  for the
accuracy and completeness thereof.


                                       24

<PAGE>


                                        P
                                        R
                                        O
                                        X
                                        Y

                      LILLY INDUSTRIES, INC. CLASS A STOCK

         Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors for Annual
                             Meeting April 24, 1997

The undersigned  appoints  Thomas E. Reilly,  Jr. and Van P. Smith, or either of
them, with full power of substitution,  as proxies to vote all shares of Class A
Stock held by the  undersigned  at the Annual Meeting of  Shareholders  of Lilly
Industries,  Inc. to be held at the Indiana  Convention  Center & RCA Dome,  100
South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana in Rooms 101 and 102, at 10:00 a.m.,
local time, and at any adjournment of the meeting, on the following matters:

1.       Election of Directors:

         James M. Cornelius, John D. Peterson, Thomas E. Reilly, Jr., 
         Van P. Smith.

2.       Proposal  to amend the 1992 Stock  Option Plan as provided in the Proxy
         Statement.

3.       In their  discretion  upon such other  business  as may come before the
         meeting.

You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes, SEE
REVERSE  SIDE,  but if you do not  specify a choice the shares will be voted for
all  proposals.  The Proxies  cannot vote your shares unless you sign and return
this Card.
                                                            SEE REVERSE
                                                               SIDE






                                   DETACH CARD




                                       25

<PAGE>



[X] Please mark your         SHARES IN YOUR NAME REINVESTMENT SHARES
    votes as in this
    example.


                   FOR  WITHHELD                        FOR   AGAINST    ABSTAIN
1.  Election of                     2. Amend 1992 Stock
    Directors                          Option Plan
    (see reverse)                     (see reverse)


For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s):


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







SIGNATURE(S) __________________________________________         DATE ___________


SIGNATURE(S) __________________________________________         DATE ___________

NOTE:    Please sign exactly as name appears  hereon.  Joint owners  should each
         sign.  When signing as attorney,  executor,  administrator,  trustee or
         guardian, please give full title as such.

                                                        26

<PAGE>



                                        P
                                        R
                                        O
                                        X
                                        Y

                      LILLY INDUSTRIES, INC. CLASS B STOCK

         Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors for Annual
                             Meeting April 24, 1997

The undersigned  appoints Douglas W. Huemme and William C. Dorris,  or either of
them, with full power of substitution,  as proxies to vote all shares of Class B
Stock held by the  undersigned  at the Annual Meeting of  Shareholders  of Lilly
Industries,  Inc. to be held at the Indiana  Convention  Center & RCA Dome,  100
South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana in Rooms 101 and 102, at 10:00 a.m.,
local time, and at any adjournment of the meeting, on the following matters:

1.       Election of Directors:

         William C. Dorris, Paul K. Gaston, Douglas W. Huemme, 
         Harry Morrison, Ph.D., Norma J.  Oman, Robert A. Taylor.

2.       Proposal  to amend the 1992 Stock  Option Plan as provided in the Proxy
         Statement.

3.       In their  discretion  upon such other  business  as may come before the
         meeting.

You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes, SEE
REVERSE  SIDE,  but if you do not  specify a choice the shares will be voted for
all  proposals.  The Proxies  cannot vote your shares unless you sign and return
this Card.

                                                             SEE REVERSE
                                                                 SIDE







                                   DETACH CARD




                                       27

<PAGE>

[X] Please mark your         SHARES IN YOUR NAME REINVESTMENT SHARES
    votes as in this
    example.


                   FOR  WITHHELD                        FOR   AGAINST    ABSTAIN
1.  Election of                     2. Amend 1992 Stock
    Directors                          Option Plan
    (see reverse)                     (see reverse)


For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s):


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






SIGNATURE(S) __________________________________________         DATE ___________


SIGNATURE(S) __________________________________________         DATE ___________

NOTE:    Please sign exactly as name appears  hereon.  Joint owners  should each
         sign.  When signing as attorney,  executor,  administrator,  trustee or
         guardian, please give full title as such.
          

                                       28



                                      -25-
<PAGE>
                                                                        APPENDIX

                               First Amendment to
                             Lilly Industries, Inc.
                             1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN


         1.  Paragraph  4 of the Lilly  Industries,  Inc.  ("Lilly")  1992 Stock
Option Plan (the "Stock Option Plan") is amended and restated in its entirety to
read as follows:

                  4. Stock  Subject to the Plan.  There  shall be  reserved  for
         issuance  upon the  exercise  of  options  granted  under  the Plan two
         million seven hundred  seventy one thousand eight hundred  seventy five
         (2,771,875)  shares  of  Class  A  Stock,  without  par  value,  of the
         Corporation,  which  may  be  authorized  but  unissued  shares  of the
         Corporation.  Subject to Section 7 hereof, the shares for which options
         may be  granted  under the Plan shall not exceed  that  number.  If any
         option  shall  expire  or  terminate  for  any  reason  without  having
         exercised in full, the unpurchased shares subject thereto shall (unless
         the Plan shall have  terminated)  become  available  for other  options
         under the Plan.

         2. This First Amendment to the Stock Option Plan shall become effective
when it shall have been  approved  by the  requisite  vote of the holders of the
Class A Stock and Class B Stock as set forth in the Proxy Statement of Lilly for
its annual meeting of shareholders to be held on April 24, 1997.

         3. All other  terms and  provisions  of the Plan  shall  remain in full
force and effect.



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