PARKER HANNIFIN CORP
S-4/A, 2000-02-24
MISCELLANEOUS FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS
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<PAGE>   1


   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 24, 2000



                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-96453

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

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------


                                 PRE-EFFECTIVE


                                AMENDMENT NO. 1


                                       TO


                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------

                          PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
                            ------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   OHIO                                       3490                                    34-0451060
<S>                                        <C>                                        <C>
     (State or Other Jurisdiction of              (Primary Standard Industrial                     (I.R.S. Employer
      Incorporation or Organization)              Classification Code Number)                   Identification Number)
</TABLE>

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

                            6035 PARKLAND BOULEVARD
                             CLEVELAND, OHIO 44124
                                 (216) 896-3000
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   Registrant's principal executive offices)
                            ------------------------

                          THOMAS A. PIRAINO, JR., ESQ.
                 VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                          PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION
                            6035 PARKLAND BOULEVARD
                      CLEVELAND, OHIO 44124/(216) 896-3000
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                            ------------------------

                                   COPIES TO:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
PATRICK J. LEDDY, ESQ.                             HERBERT S. WANDER, ESQ.
JONES, DAY, REAVIS & POGUE                         DAVID J. KAUFMAN, ESQ.
NORTH POINT, 901 LAKESIDE AVENUE                   KATTEN MUCHIN ZAVIS
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44114                              525 WEST MONROE STREET SUITE 1600
(216) 586-3939                                     CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60661
                                                   (312) 902-5200
</TABLE>

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

    APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable following the effective date of this Registration Statement.

    If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box.  [ ]

    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]


    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]



     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2


<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>

           Commercial Intertech Logo                               Parker Logo
                PROXY STATEMENT                                     PROSPECTUS
</TABLE>


Dear Fellow Commercial Intertech Shareholder:


     You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of the shareholders
of Commercial Intertech Corp. at The Butler Institute of American Art, 524 Wick
Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44502 on April 11, 2000 at 10:00 a.m., local time. At
this special meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon an Agreement
and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 14, 2000, between Commercial Intertech
and Parker-Hannifin Corporation. If the merger is completed, you will receive
$20.00 in Parker common stock, subject to a collar for each share of Commercial
Intertech common stock you own or, if you prefer, and subject to certain
limitations described in this document, $20.00 in cash. You also may elect to
exchange some of your Commercial Intertech shares for cash and some for Parker
common stock. The exchange ratio used to determine the number of shares of
Parker common stock that will be issued as part of the merger consideration will
be determined by dividing $20.00 by the average closing price of Parker common
stock for the 20 trading days ending five trading days prior to the merger's
closing date; however: (a) if the average closing price is above $53.375, the
exchange ratio will be fixed at .3747 shares of Parker common stock for each
share of Commercial Intertech common stock; and (b) if the average closing price
is less than $43.375, the exchange ratio will be fixed at .4611 shares of Parker
common stock for each share of Commercial Intertech common stock.



     Parker's shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol "PH." As of
February 23, 2000, Parker's stock price was $41.2500.



     IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE CASH INSTEAD OF PARKER COMMON STOCK, YOU MUST
COMPLETE THE ENCLOSED ELECTION AND TRANSMITTAL FORM AND RETURN IT TO THE
EXCHANGE AGENT BY THE FOURTH TRADING DAY PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE OF THE
MERGER. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE SPECIFIC DATE OF THIS ELECTION DEADLINE AS
SOON AS THE CLOSING DATE OF THE MERGER IS DETERMINED. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR
ELECTION AND TRANSMITTAL FORM TO US WITH YOUR PROXY CARD.



     The merger cannot be completed unless Commercial Intertech's shareholders
adopt the merger agreement and approve an amendment to Commercial Intertech's
Code of Regulations to "opt-out" of the application of Section 1701.831 of the
Ohio Revised Code (pertaining to control share acquisitions). We have scheduled
a special meeting of Commercial Intertech shareholders to vote on the merger
agreement and the "opt-out" amendment. If you were a shareholder of record on
February 25, 2000, you may vote at the meeting. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO
ATTEND, PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO VOTE BY COMPLETING AND MAILING THE ENCLOSED
PROXY CARD TO US.


     This proxy statement/prospectus provides you with detailed information
about the merger and the "opt-out" amendment. This document is also the
prospectus of Parker for any Parker common stock that will be issued to you in
the merger. We encourage you to read this entire document carefully.

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF COMMERCIAL INTERTECH BELIEVES THAT THE MERGER IS
IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF COMMERCIAL INTERTECH'S SHAREHOLDERS AND HAS NEGOTIATED
THE MERGER AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE THAT THE MERGER WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO THE
MAHONING VALLEY COMMUNITY. THE BOARD STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE MERGER WITH PARKER
AND RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSALS TO ADOPT THE MERGER
AGREEMENT AND TO APPROVE THE "OPT-OUT" AMENDMENT.
                                       Sincerely yours,

                                       /s/ Paul J. Powers
                                       Paul J. Powers
                                       Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
                                       Officer
                                       Commercial Intertech Corp.


     PLEASE SEE THE SECTION ENTITLED "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 14 FOR A DISCUSSION
OF POTENTIAL RISKS INVOLVED IN THE MERGER.


     NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE PARKER COMMON STOCK TO BE ISSUED IN
THE MERGER OR DETERMINED THAT THIS DOCUMENT IS ACCURATE OR ADEQUATE. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.


     PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS DATED FEBRUARY 28, 2000, AND FIRST MAILED TO
SHAREHOLDERS ON OR ABOUT MARCH 2, 2000.

<PAGE>   3

                   NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

                           TO BE HELD APRIL 11, 2000

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

To the Shareholders of COMMERCIAL INTERTECH CORP.:


     A special meeting of the shareholders of Commercial Intertech Corp. will be
held at The Butler Institute of American Art, 524 Wick Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio
44502, on April 11, 2000 at 10:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:


          1. To consider and vote on a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan
             of Merger, dated as of January 14, 2000, between Commercial
             Intertech Corp. and Parker-Hannifin Corporation, under which
             Commercial Intertech will merge into Parker, with Parker as the
             surviving corporation. A copy of the merger agreement is attached
             to the proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A.

          2. To consider and vote on a proposal to approve an amendment to
             Commercial Intertech's code of regulations to "opt-out" of the
             application of Section 1701.831 of the Ohio Revised Code pertaining
             to control share acquisitions. A copy of the proposed "opt-out"
             amendment is attached to the proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B.

          3. To act on any other matters that may properly come before the
             special meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the special
             meeting.

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF COMMERCIAL INTERTECH UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT
COMMERCIAL INTERTECH SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND
APPROVAL OF THE "OPT-OUT" AMENDMENT.


     Shareholders of record at the close of business on February 25, 2000 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting and any adjournment or
postponement of the special meeting. A list of such shareholders will be
available at the special meeting and will also be available for inspection by
shareholders of record during normal business hours at our corporate
headquarters for 10 days prior to the special meeting.


     Adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the "opt-out" amendment
are conditions of the merger. We will not complete the merger unless the merger
agreement is adopted and the "opt-out" amendment is approved by Commercial
Intertech's shareholders.

     All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the special meeting. It is
important that your shares be represented at the special meeting, whether or not
you plan to attend in person. Accordingly, please complete, sign, date and
return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed envelope, which requires no
postage if mailed in the United States. You may revoke your proxy in the manner
described in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus at any time before the
proxy has been voted at the special meeting. Failure to return a properly
executed proxy card or to vote at the special meeting will have the same effect
as a vote against the adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the
"opt-out" amendment.

                                          By order of the Board of Directors,

                                          /s/ Shirley M. Shields
                                          Shirley M. Shields
                                          Vice President and Corporate Secretary
Youngstown, Ohio

February 28, 2000


                         VOTING YOUR PROXY IS IMPORTANT

     Prompt action in sending in your proxy will eliminate the expense of
further solicitation. An envelope is provided for your use which requires no
postage if mailed in the United States. You are receiving a proxy for each
account in your household. Please vote, sign and mail all proxies you receive.
<PAGE>   4

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER......................    1
WHO CAN HELP ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS..........................    3
SUMMARY.....................................................    4
     The Companies..........................................    4
     What You Will Receive in the Merger....................    4
     You May Elect to Receive Stock or Cash.................    4
     Limit on the Amount of Cash Payable....................    4
     Recommendation of the Board............................    5
     Opinions of Financial Advisors.........................    5
     Our Reasons for the Merger.............................    5
     The Special Meeting....................................    5
     The "Opt-Out" Amendment................................    5
     Voting Rights; Votes Required for Approval.............    5
     Share Ownership of Management..........................    6
     Interests of Directors and Officers in the Merger......    6
     Appraisal Rights.......................................    6
     Federal Income Tax Considerations......................    6
     Dividends..............................................    7
     Accounting Treatment...................................    7
     Comparison of Shareholder Rights.......................    7
     Conditions to the Completion of the Merger.............    7
     Regulatory Approvals...................................    7
     Termination of the Merger..............................    7
     Termination Fees.......................................    8
     Conversion of Commercial Intertech Stock Options.......    8
     Management of the Surviving Company....................    8
     Comparative Market Prices..............................    9
     Selected Historical Financial Data of Parker...........   10
     Selected Historical Financial Data of Commercial
      Intertech.............................................   11
     Historical and Pro Forma Per Share Data................   12
RISK FACTORS................................................   14
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS..................................   17
THE MERGER..................................................   18
     Background of the Merger...............................   18
     Recommendation of the Commercial Intertech Board of
      Directors; Reasons for the Merger.....................   20
     Opinion of Financial Advisor to Commercial Intertech...   23
     Opinion of Financial Advisor to Parker.................   30
     Accounting Treatment...................................   35
     Material Federal Income Tax Consequences...............   35
     Regulatory Matters.....................................   37
     Appraisal and Dissenters' Rights.......................   38
     Federal Securities Laws Consequences; Stock Transfer
      Restriction Agreements................................   40
CERTAIN PROJECTIONS.........................................   41
MATERIAL PROVISIONS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.................   42
     Structure of Merger....................................   42
     The Merger Consideration...............................   42
     Election Procedures....................................   42
     Allocation and Proration...............................   43
     Closing; Effective Time................................   43
</TABLE>


                                        i
<PAGE>   5


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
     Directors and Officers of Commercial Intertech after
      the Merger............................................   44
     Representations and Warranties.........................   44
     Covenants..............................................   45
     Additional Agreements..................................   47
     Conditions to the Merger...............................   50
     Termination, Fees, Amendment and Waiver................   51
PROPOSAL FOR COMMERCIAL INTERTECH TO "OPT-OUT" OF THE OHIO
  CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT.............................   54
THE SPECIAL MEETING.........................................   55
     Time and Place of the Special Meeting..................   55
     Purpose of the Special Meeting.........................   55
     Record Date............................................   55
     Required Vote..........................................   55
     Proxies; Voting and Revocation.........................   56
     Solicitation of Proxies................................   56
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR COMPANIES.............................   57
     Parker.................................................   57
     Commercial Intertech...................................   57
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND
  INFORMATION...............................................   59
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER..................   61
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS............................   64
     Special Meetings.......................................   64
     Certain Business Combinations..........................   64
     Shareholder Rights Plans...............................   66
     Amendment to Charter Documents.........................   68
     Number; Classification of Directors....................   68
     Committees of the Board of Directors...................   69
     Indemnification, Insurance and Limitation of Director
      Liability.............................................   69
     Authorized Capital.....................................   70
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION.........................   71
EXPERTS.....................................................   72
LEGAL MATTERS...............................................   73
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS..............................   73
FUTURE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS................................   73
LIST OF ANNEXES
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<C>                     <S>
         Annex A        Agreement and Plan of Merger
         Annex B        Form of Amendment to Commercial Intertech's Code of
                        Regulations
         Annex C        Opinion of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
         Annex D        Opinion of Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
         Annex E        Section 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code
</TABLE>

                                       ii
<PAGE>   6

     THIS DOCUMENT INCORPORATES IMPORTANT BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ABOUT PARKER AND COMMERCIAL INTERTECH THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN OR DELIVERED WITH
THIS DOCUMENT. PARKER WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH COPIES OF THIS INFORMATION RELATING
TO PARKER, WITHOUT CHARGE, UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST TO:

                       PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION
                       6035 PARKLAND BOULEVARD
                       CLEVELAND, OHIO 44124

                       ATTENTION: OFFICE OF CORPORATE SECRETARY

                       TELEPHONE NUMBER: 216-896-3000

     COMMERCIAL INTERTECH WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH COPIES OF THIS INFORMATION
RELATING TO COMMERCIAL INTERTECH, WITHOUT CHARGE, UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST
TO:

                       COMMERCIAL INTERTECH CORP.
                       1775 LOGAN AVENUE
                       YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO 44505
                       ATTENTION: OFFICE OF CORPORATE SECRETARY
                       TELEPHONE NUMBER: 330-746-8011


     IN ORDER TO RECEIVE TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE DOCUMENTS IN ADVANCE OF THE
SPECIAL MEETING, YOU SHOULD MAKE YOUR REQUEST NO LATER THAN APRIL 4, 2000.


                                       iii
<PAGE>   7

                     QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER

Q1: WHY IS COMMERCIAL INTERTECH AGREEING TO MERGE WITH PARKER?


Al: The Commercial Intertech board of directors believes that the merger is in
    the best interests of Commercial Intertech and its shareholders. To review
    the reasons for the merger, see pages 5 and 20 to 23.


Q2: WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY COMMERCIAL INTERTECH STOCK IN THE MERGER?


A2: For each share of Commercial Intertech common stock you own, you will
    receive shares of Parker common stock worth $20.00, subject to a collar
    described in this document (see pages 4 and 42). If you prefer, you may
    choose to receive $20.00 in cash for all or a portion of your Commercial
    Intertech shares, subject to the proration and allocation provisions
    described in this document (see pages 4 and 43). As a result of these
    allocations and proration provisions, you may receive Parker common stock
    and cash for the Commercial Intertech shares for which you made a cash
    election.


    Parker will not issue any fractional shares in the merger. You will receive
    cash instead of any fractional shares that you would otherwise receive.

Q3: WHEN WILL THE MERGER TAKE EFFECT?


A3: We are working toward completing the merger as quickly as possible. In
    addition to your approval, we must also obtain regulatory approvals. Also,
    in order to preserve certain benefits under a contract to which Commercial
    Intertech's German subsidiary is a party in Germany, the closing may not
    occur prior to May 4, 2000 unless Commercial Intertech and Parker obtain a
    consent or waiver from a German regulatory authority. Commercial Intertech
    and Parker are in the process of requesting this consent or waiver. If the
    consent or waiver is obtained prior to May 4, 2000, then Commercial
    Intertech and Parker will complete the merger as promptly as practicable
    after receipt of the consent or waiver. If the consent or waiver is not
    obtained by May 4, 2000 then the merger is expected to be completed on May
    4, 2000.


Q4: WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW IN ORDER TO VOTE ON THE MERGER?

A4: You should mail your completed and signed proxy card to Commercial Intertech
    in the enclosed postage paid envelope as soon as possible so that your
    shares will be represented at the special meeting.

Q5: CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE AFTER I HAVE MAILED IN A SIGNED PROXY CARD?

A5: Yes. You can change your vote in one of the following ways at any time
    before your proxy is voted at the special meeting. First, you can revoke
    your proxy by written notice. Second, you can submit a new, later dated
    proxy card. Third, you can attend the special meeting and vote in person.
    Finally, you may alter the instructions as to how your proxy is to be voted
    by giving notice of the alteration to the corporate secretary of Commercial
    Intertech before the vote is taken.

Q6: IF MY SHARES ARE HELD IN "STREET NAME" BY MY BROKER, WILL MY BROKER VOTE MY
    SHARES FOR ME?

A6: Your broker will vote your shares only if you provide instructions on how to
    vote. You should follow the directions provided by your broker regarding how
    to instruct your broker to vote your shares. If you do not return your proxy
    or if your broker does not properly vote your shares, your shares will not
    be voted on the proposed merger, which will have the same effect as voting
    against the proposed merger.

Q7: WHAT OTHER MATTERS WILL BE VOTED ON AT THE SPECIAL MEETING?


A7: You will also be asked to vote on the approval of an amendment to Commercial
    Intertech's code of regulations to "opt-out" of the application of Section
    1701.831 of the Ohio Revised Code pertaining to control share acquisitions.
    Approval of this amendment is a condition to the merger. Except for this
    approval and adoption of the merger agreement and to vote on a possible
    adjournment or postponement of the meeting, we do not expect to ask you to
    vote on any other matter at the special meeting. To review the proposal for
    the "opt-out" amendment, see pages 5 and 54.


                                        1
<PAGE>   8

Q8: SHOULD I SEND IN MY SHARE CERTIFICATES NOW?


A8: If you elect to receive cash in the merger, you should complete the enclosed
    election and transmittal form and send your Commercial Intertech
    certificates now. If you want to receive Parker common stock, we would
    prefer that you complete the election and transmittal form and send in your
    share certificates now. However, if you do not complete the election and
    transmittal form and send your share certificates now, you will be sent
    written instructions after the merger is completed for sending in your
    Commercial Intertech share certificates.


Q9: HOW DO I ELECT TO RECEIVE CASH INSTEAD OF PARKER COMMON STOCK?


A9: By signing, dating and completing the enclosed election and transmittal form
    and mailing it with your stock certificates or a guarantee of delivery or
    faxing the form with a guarantee of delivery for receipt by 4:00 p.m.,
    Cleveland, Ohio time on the fourth trading day prior to the merger's closing
    date to the Exchange Agent. You will be notified of the specific date of the
    cash election deadline as soon as the closing date of the merger is
    determined. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR ELECTION AND TRANSMITTAL FORM WITH YOUR
    PROXY CARD. If your stock is held in street name, you will need to contact
    your broker and follow the procedures described by your broker to elect to
    receive cash for your shares.


Q10: CAN I CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT RECEIVING CASH?


A10: Yes. You have the right to change or revoke your cash election at any time,
     provided that the Exchange Agent receives notice of your revocation before
     4:00 p.m. Cleveland, Ohio time on the fourth trading day prior to the
     merger's closing date. You will be notified of the specific date of the
     cash election deadline as soon as the closing date of the merger is
     determined. If an election and transmittal form is revoked, it will be
     treated as if no cash election had been made, and you will receive solely
     Parker common stock.


Q11: DO I HAVE TO RETURN THE CASH ELECTION AND TRANSMITTAL FORM?

A11: No, but if you do not, your Commercial Intertech shares will be exchanged
     solely for Parker common stock in the merger.

Q12: DO I HAVE DISSENTERS' APPRAISAL RIGHTS?


A12: Yes. To review your dissenters' rights of appraisal under Ohio law, see
     pages 38 to 40.


Q13: WHAT ARE THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER?


A13: The exchange of shares by Commercial Intertech shareholders will be
     tax-free to Commercial Intertech shareholders for federal income tax
     purposes, except for taxes on cash received. The exchange of shares of
     Commercial Intertech for cash will generally be taxable. For more
     information, see pages 35 to 37.


Q14: HOW WILL THE MERGER AFFECT THE TREATMENT OF THE MAHONING VALLEY COMMUNITY?


A14: Parker has agreed to continue to make charitable contributions to the
     Mahoning Valley community and the other service areas of Commercial
     Intertech for at least five years. Additionally, Duane E. Collins, Chairman
     and Chief Executive Officer of Parker, addressed a letter on January 13,
     2000 to the Commercial Intertech board of directors affirming Parker's
     commitments. For the text of this letter, see page 20.


                                        2
<PAGE>   9

                       WHO CAN HELP ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS

 If you would like additional copies of this proxy statement/prospectus, or if
  you have questions about the merger, the cash election, the special meeting,
  where to send your proxy or any other aspect of the merger or your vote, you
                                should contact:

                               Morrow & Co., Inc.
                           445 Park Avenue, 5th Floor
                            New York, New York 10022
                          Phone Number: 1-800-566-9061

     If you have additional questions about the merger you should contact:

                           Commercial Intertech Corp.
                               1775 Logan Avenue
                             Youngstown, Ohio 44505
                      Attention: Office of General Counsel
                           Phone Number: 330-746-8011

                                        3
<PAGE>   10

                                    SUMMARY


     This summary highlights selected information from this proxy
statement/prospectus and does not contain all of the information that is
important to you. To understand the merger fully and for a more complete
description of the legal terms of the merger, you should read carefully this
entire document and the documents to which we have referred you. See "Where You
Can Find More Information" (page 69). We have included page references
parenthetically to direct you to a more complete description of each topic
presented in this Summary.



THE COMPANIES (PAGE 57)


PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION
6035 Parkland Boulevard
Cleveland, Ohio 44124
1-216-896-3000

Parker is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control
technologies, providing systematic, precision-engineered solutions for a wide
variety of commercial, mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. Parker employs
nearly 40,000 people in 39 countries around the world. Parker had consolidated
revenues for fiscal 1999 of $4.9 billion.

COMMERCIAL INTERTECH CORP.
1775 Logan Avenue
Youngstown, Ohio 44505
1-330-746-8011

Commercial Intertech is an international manufacturer comprising three business
groups -- Commercial Hydraulics, Astron Building Systems and Commercial Metal
Forming. Headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio, where it was founded in 1920,
Commercial Intertech operates 27 facilities in seven countries and employs
nearly 4,000 people. Commercial Intertech had consolidated revenues for fiscal
1999 of $535.0 million.


WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE IN THE MERGER (PAGE 42)


As a result of the merger, subject to the election and allocation provisions of
the merger agreement described in this proxy statement/prospectus, each
outstanding share of Commercial Intertech common stock will convert into the
right to receive:

 --  a number of shares of Parker common stock determined by dividing $20.00 by
     the average of the daily closing prices for Parker common stock on the New
     York Stock Exchange for the 20 trading days ending on the fifth trading day
     before the closing date of the merger; however:

     - if the average closing price is above $53.375, the exchange ratio will be
       fixed at .3747 shares of Parker common stock for each share of Commercial
       Intertech common stock; and
     - if the average closing price is less than $43.375, the exchange ratio
       will be fixed at .4611 shares of Parker common stock for each share of
       Commercial Intertech common stock; or

 --  cash in the amount of $20.00.


YOU MAY ELECT TO RECEIVE STOCK OR CASH (PAGE 42)



You may indicate a preference to receive either cash, stock or a combination of
cash and Parker common stock in the merger by completing the enclosed election
and transmittal form. If you do not select a preference to receive cash, you
will receive Parker common stock. In order to receive cash, the election and
transmittal form enclosed with this proxy statement/prospectus must be returned
with your stock certificate or a guarantee of delivery to the Exchange Agent by
4:00 p.m. Cleveland, Ohio time on the fourth trading day prior to the merger's
closing date. You will be notified of the specific date of the cash election
deadline as soon as the closing date of the merger is determined.



LIMIT ON THE AMOUNT OF CASH PAYABLE (PAGE 43)


The merger agreement requires that at least 51% of the total merger
consideration be paid in Parker common stock. Therefore, if so many Commercial
Intertech shareholders elect to receive cash that the value of the Parker common
stock that would be issued in the merger is less than 51% of the total merger
consideration, each share for which a cash election has been made will be
converted, on a pro rata basis, into the right to receive a combination of cash
and Parker common stock to the extent necessary to ensure that no more than 49%
of the total merger consideration is paid in cash.

                                        4
<PAGE>   11


RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD (PAGE 20)


Your Commercial Intertech board of directors has unanimously determined that the
merger agreement and the merger are fair to you and in your best interests. The
board of directors recommends that you vote "FOR" adoption of the merger
agreement and approval of the "opt-out" amendment.


OPINIONS OF FINANCIAL ADVISORS (PAGE 23)



Goldman, Sachs & Co., as financial advisor to the Commercial Intertech board of
directors, has delivered its written opinion to the Commercial Intertech board
of directors that, as of January 14, 2000 and based upon and subject to the
various qualifications and assumptions described therein, the consideration to
be received by Commercial Intertech shareholders in the merger was fair from a
financial point of view to the Commercial Intertech shareholders. The full text
of the opinion of Goldman Sachs is attached as Annex C. We encourage you to read
the Goldman Sachs opinion carefully in its entirety. Goldman Sachs' opinion is
directed to the Commercial Intertech board of directors and does not constitute
a recommendation to any shareholder as to how to vote in connection with the
merger or whether any shareholder should elect to receive the stock
consideration or the cash consideration.


Salomon Smith Barney, as financial advisor to the Parker board of directors, has
delivered its written opinion to the Parker board of directors that, as of
January 14, 2000, the consideration to be paid by Parker in the merger was fair
from a financial point of view to Parker. The full text of the opinion of
Salomon Smith Barney is attached as Annex D to this proxy statement/prospectus.
We encourage you to read the Salomon Smith Barney opinion carefully in its
entirety.


OUR REASONS FOR THE MERGER (PAGE 20)


The merger presents an opportunity for Commercial Intertech shareholders to
realize a significant premium over recent market prices for their shares. In
addition, the merger allows Commercial Intertech an opportunity to better
compete in the hydraulics market and allows the shareholders of Commercial
Intertech to benefit from owning part of a larger and financially stronger
enterprise with greater geographical coverage and additional management talent.

From Parker's perspective, the merger furthers its strategy to offer the most
complete range of motion control systems to customers in its industrial, mobile,
commercial and aerospace markets. Parker expects the merger to enhance the
competitive position of its hydraulics business and Parker's overall strength in
motion and control technologies.


THE SPECIAL MEETING (PAGE 55)



The special meeting will be held at The Butler Institute of American Art, 524
Wick Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44502, on April 11, 2000, at 10:00 a.m., local
time. At the special meeting, shareholders will be asked to adopt the merger
agreement and to approve the "opt-out" amendment.



THE "OPT-OUT" AMENDMENT (PAGE 54)


The Commercial Intertech board of directors has approved a resolution to amend
the code of regulations of Commercial Intertech which, if approved by its
shareholders, would make Section 1701.831 of the Ohio Revised Code (the "Ohio
Control Share Acquisition Act") inapplicable to Commercial Intertech. Approval
of this "opt-out" amendment is a condition to the merger and is recommended by
the Commercial Intertech board of directors in order to avoid, among other
things, the cost and expense of complying with the procedural requirements of
the Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act.


VOTING RIGHTS; VOTES REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL (PAGE 55)



You are entitled to vote at the special meeting if you owned Commercial
Intertech shares as of the close of business on the record date of February 25,
2000. On the record date, there were approximately 17,328,045 Commercial
Intertech common shares entitled to vote at the special meeting. Shareholders
will have one vote at the special meeting for each Commercial Intertech common
share they owned on the record date.


The affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Commercial
Intertech common shares is required to adopt the merger agreement. The
affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding Commercial Intertech
common shares is required to approve the "opt-out" amendment.

                                        5
<PAGE>   12

SHARE OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT


As of February 23, 2000, directors and executive officers owned and were
entitled to vote 1,995,567 (approximately 10.9%) outstanding Commercial
Intertech common shares. These directors and officers have expressed an
intention to vote in favor of the merger agreement and the "opt-out" amendment.



INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN THE MERGER (PAGE 61)


When you consider the Commercial Intertech board of directors recommendation
that you vote in favor of the merger, you should be aware that a number of
Commercial Intertech officers and directors may have interests in the merger
that may be different from, or in addition to, yours. These interests include:


 --  Paul J. Powers, Commercial Intertech's Chairman and Chief Executive
     Officer, is scheduled to retire from Commercial Intertech upon completion
     of the merger. Mr. Powers has agreed to enter into a consulting agreement
     with Parker effective upon completion of the merger whereby he will act as
     a consultant to Parker for two years and will receive a consulting fee of
     $400,000 per year;



 --  Stephen J. Perkins, Commercial Intertech's President and Chief Operating
     Officer, was scheduled to become Commercial Intertech's Chief Executive
     Officer upon Mr. Powers' retirement under the terms of his employment
     agreement. Parker is currently in discussions with Mr. Perkins to modify
     his employment arrangements as a result of the merger;


 --  Parker will indemnify and maintain insurance for Commercial Intertech's
     directors and officers;


 --  Many key executives and board members of Commercial Intertech who are
     recommending that you vote in favor of the merger are holders of stock
     options, restricted stock and performance shares. Upon the signing of the
     merger agreement, those options became vested, and upon consummation of the
     merger, restrictions placed upon restricted stock will lapse and goals will
     be deemed to have been met for performance shares, and the stock options
     and shares will be converted into Parker stock options or common stock, as
     the case may be; and


 --  In addition, Commercial Intertech has change of control agreements with
     several of its executive officers and key employees. As a result of the
     merger, Parker may be obligated to pay those officers and employees cash
     payments and provide them with other benefits if they or Parker terminate
     their employment with Parker after the merger.


APPRAISAL RIGHTS (PAGE 38)



Commercial Intertech is organized under Ohio law. Under Ohio law, any Commercial
Intertech shareholder who does not vote in favor of the approval of the merger
agreement will be entitled to dissent and receive from Commercial Intertech the
fair cash value of his or her shares of Commercial Intertech common stock. In
order to receive the fair cash value for their stock, dissenting Commercial
Intertech shareholders must deliver a written demand for a cash payment no later
than 10 days after the special meeting and in the manner provided under Section
1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code, a copy of which is attached as Annex E to this
proxy statement/prospectus. Any Commercial Intertech shareholder who wishes to
follow this procedure should deliver a written demand to: Parker-Hannifin
Corporation, 6035 Parkland Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44124, Attention: General
Counsel.



FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS (PAGE 35)


The merger is intended to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Accordingly, no gain or loss
will be recognized by Commercial Intertech shareholders who receive only Parker
common stock in exchange for Commercial Intertech common stock, except with
respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares of Parker common
stock.

Commercial Intertech shareholders who receive at least some cash in exchange for
their shares of Commercial Intertech common stock will generally be taxed on the
amount of gain realized, but not in excess of the amount of cash received.

Tax matters are very complicated, and the tax consequences of the merger to you
will depend on the facts of your particular situation. You are urged to consult
your own tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences to you of the merger,
including the applicable federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences.

                                        6
<PAGE>   13


DIVIDENDS (PAGE 59)


Parker expects (but is not obligated) to continue to pay quarterly dividends on
its shares, consistent with its current dividend policy.

Commercial Intertech expects (but is not obligated) to continue to pay quarterly
dividends on its shares consistent with its current dividend policy until the
completion of the merger.


ACCOUNTING TREATMENT (PAGE 35)


The merger will be treated as a "purchase" for accounting purposes.


COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS (PAGE 64)


When the merger is completed, you will become a shareholder of Parker (unless
you receive solely cash in the merger). Like Commercial Intertech, Parker is an
Ohio corporation. However, the articles of incorporation and code of regulations
of Parker differ from those of Commercial Intertech. As a result, you will have
different rights as a Parker shareholder than you currently have as a Commercial
Intertech shareholder.


CONDITIONS TO THE COMPLETION OF THE MERGER (PAGE 50)


The merger will be completed if a number of conditions are met (or, where
permitted, waived), including the following (which are more completely set forth
in the merger agreement):

 --  the shareholders of Commercial Intertech adopt the merger agreement and
     approve the "opt-out" amendment;

 --  all necessary governmental approvals are obtained;

 --  no law, injunction or order prohibits the merger;

 --  the Parker common stock to be issued in the merger is approved for listing
     on the New York Stock Exchange;

 --  the Form S-4 registration statement of Parker, of which this proxy
     statement/prospectus is a part, becomes effective and is not the subject of
     any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop order; and

 --  the relevant waiting periods imposed under the antitrust laws expire.

In addition, Parker has the right not to consummate the merger if:

 --  a legal opinion to the effect that the merger will constitute a
     reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue
     Code and that Parker and Commercial Intertech will be parties to the
     reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Internal Revenue
     Code is not received by Parker;

 --  a material adverse change relating to Commercial Intertech has occurred
     since January 14, 2000;

 --  all outstanding ESOP Series B Preferred Shares of Commercial Intertech are
     not redeemed or converted into shares of Commercial Intertech common stock;
     or

 --  all outstanding 7.61% Senior Unsecured Notes of Commercial Intertech are
     not redeemed.


REGULATORY APPROVALS (PAGE 37)



Parker and Commercial Intertech have made filings and taken other actions, and
will continue to take actions, necessary to obtain approvals from the United
States and non-U.S. governmental authorities in connection with the proposed
transactions, including the United States and non-U.S. antitrust authorities. We
expect to obtain all material and required governmental approvals on or about
March 15, 2000. We cannot be certain, however, that Parker and Commercial
Intertech will obtain all required governmental approvals, or that we will
obtain these approvals without conditions that would be detrimental to Parker or
Commercial Intertech.



TERMINATION OF THE MERGER (PAGE 51)


Parker and Commercial Intertech may agree to terminate the merger agreement at
any time. In addition, either party may terminate the merger agreement if:

 --  the parties do not complete the merger by October 31, 2000;

 --  Commercial Intertech shareholders do not adopt the merger agreement or
     approve the "opt-out" amendment;

 --  a law or regulation makes the transaction illegal or any order or
     injunction permanently prohibits the transaction; or

 --  the other party breaches its representations, warranties or obligations
     under the merger

                                        7
<PAGE>   14

     agreement in any material respect and does not or cannot cure the breach.

In addition, Parker may terminate the merger agreement if:

 --  Commercial Intertech's board of directors changes, in a manner adverse to
     Parker, its recommendation that you vote in favor of the merger agreement
     or the "opt-out" amendment;

 --  Commercial Intertech's board of directors recommends another transaction to
     you;

 --  a third party acquires 20% or more of Commercial Intertech's common stock;

 --  Commercial Intertech's board of directors announces an intention to enter
     into an agreement with another person; or

 --  Commercial Intertech willfully breaches the no solicitation or shareholder
     recommendation provisions of the merger agreement.


TERMINATION FEES (PAGE 51)


Commercial Intertech must pay Parker a fee of $18.0 million if:

 --  Parker terminates the merger agreement because:

     - Commercial Intertech's board of directors changes, in a manner adverse to
       Parker, its recommendation that you vote in favor of the merger
       agreement;

     - Commercial Intertech's board of directors recommends another transaction
       to you;

     - a third party acquires 20% or more of Commercial Intertech's shares;

     - Commercial Intertech's board of directors announces an intention to enter
       into an agreement with another person;

     - Commercial Intertech willfully breaches the no solicitation or
       shareholder recommendation provisions of the merger agreement; or

 --  before the special meeting a competing transaction is proposed, the
     shareholders of Commercial Intertech do not adopt the merger agreement or
     the "opt-out" amendment, Parker or Commercial Intertech terminates the
     merger agreement and within 12 months of the termination Commercial
     Intertech or any subsidiary enters into an agreement with respect to, or
     consummates, any company takeover proposal.

Commercial Intertech does not have the right to terminate the merger agreement
or enter into an agreement with respect to a competing transaction before the
special meeting. Commercial Intertech, however, may furnish information to and
negotiate with a third party after receiving from that party a written,
unsolicited proposal for a business combination that the board of directors
determines in good faith to be more favorable to you than the transaction with
Parker.


CONVERSION OF COMMERCIAL INTERTECH STOCK OPTIONS (PAGE 61)



All outstanding Commercial Intertech stock options vested immediately upon the
signing of the merger agreement and are exercisable in accordance with their
terms.



MANAGEMENT OF THE SURVIVING COMPANY (PAGE 44)


Following the merger, the board of directors of the surviving corporation will
initially consist of those individuals who presently serve on the Parker board
of directors.

                                        8
<PAGE>   15

                           COMPARATIVE MARKET PRICES


     The following table presents the closing market prices for Parker common
stock and Commercial Intertech common stock on January 14, 2000 and February 23,
2000. January 14, 2000 was the last full trading day prior to the announcement
of the signing of the merger agreement. February 23, 2000 was the last
practicable trading day for which information was available prior to the date of
this proxy statement/prospectus. The table also presents the equivalent price
per share of Commercial Intertech as of such dates. You should read the
information presented below in conjunction with "Comparative Per Share Market
Price and Dividend Information" on page 59.


     The market prices of shares of Parker common stock and Commercial Intertech
common stock fluctuate from day to day. As a result, you should obtain current
market quotations.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  COMMERCIAL INTERTECH
                                                                                     EQUIVALENT PER
                                               PARKER     COMMERCIAL INTERTECH        SHARE PRICE
                                              --------    --------------------    --------------------
<S>                                           <C>         <C>                     <C>
January 14, 2000............................  $49.6250          $16.6250                 $20.00
February 23, 2000...........................  $41.2500          $18.3750                 $19.02
Average closing price for the 20 trading
  days immediately prior to execution of
  merger agreement..........................   48.4438           12.8875                  20.00
</TABLE>



     For the calculation of the January 14, 2000 equivalent per share price of
Commercial Intertech, we multiplied the closing market price per share of Parker
on January 14, 2000 by the assumed exchange ratio of .40303. The assumed
exchange ratio was calculated by dividing $20.00 by the closing market price per
share of Parker on January 14, 2000. For calculation of the February 23, 2000
equivalent per share price of Commercial Intertech, we multiplied the closing
market price per share of Parker on February 23, 2000 by the assumed exchange
ratio of .4611. The assumed exchange ratio was the low end of the collar because
the closing market price per share of Parker was less than $43.375. For the
calculation of 20 trading day average closing price immediately prior to the
execution of the merger agreement, we multiplied the average closing market
price per share of Parker over that period by the assumed exchange ratio of
 .41285. The assumed exchange ratio was calculated by dividing $20.00 by the 20
trading day average closing price per share of Parker immediately prior to the
execution of the merger agreement. The exchange ratio in the merger agreement
will be determined by dividing $20.00 by the average closing price of Parker
common stock for the 20 trading days ending five trading days prior to the
merger's closing date but is subject to a collar of .4611, if the average
closing price falls below $43.375, and .3747, if the average closing price is
greater than $53.375. No assurance can be given as to what the market price of
Parker's common stock will be if and when the merger is consummated.


                                        9
<PAGE>   16

                  SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF PARKER
                    (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)


     The following table shows Parker's selected consolidated financial data as
of and for each of the periods indicated. We derived the consolidated financial
data for each of the years in the five-year period ended June 30, 1999 from
Parker's audited consolidated financial statements. We derived the consolidated
financial data for the six-month periods ended December 31, 1999 and 1998 from
Parker's unaudited consolidated financial statements. The unaudited consolidated
financial data reflect, in the opinion of Parker's management, all normal
recurring adjustments considered necessary by Parker for a fair presentation of
these results. Parker's results of operations for the six-month period ended
December 31, 1999 are not necessarily indicative of the results which may be
expected for the full fiscal year 2000. We incorporate into this proxy
statement/prospectus by reference the audited consolidated financial statements
of Parker included in Parker's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1999 and the unaudited consolidated financial statements of
Parker included in Parker's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December
31, 1999. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on page 71.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                 DECEMBER 31,                          YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
                             --------------------    --------------------------------------------------------
                               1999        1998        1999        1998        1997        1996        1995
                             --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                 (UNAUDITED)
<S>                          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Net sales..................  $2,481.5    $2,417.7    $4,958.8    $4,633.0    $4,091.1    $3,586.4    $3,214.4
Net income.................     148.6       141.6       310.5       319.6       274.0       239.7       218.2
Earnings per share:
  Basic:...................      1.36        1.30        2.85        2.88        2.46        2.15        1.97
  Diluted:.................      1.35        1.29        2.83        2.85        2.44        2.14        1.96
Total assets...............   3,722.4          --     3,705.9     3,524.8     2,998.9     2,887.1     2,302.2
Long-term debt.............     713.6          --       724.8       512.9       432.9       439.8       237.2
Cash dividends per share...     0.340       0.300       0.640       0.600       0.506       0.480       0.453
</TABLE>

                                       10
<PAGE>   17

           SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF COMMERCIAL INTERTECH
                    (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)


     The following table shows Commercial Intertech's selected consolidated
financial data as of and for each of the periods indicated. We derived the
consolidated financial data for each of the years in the five year period ended
October 31, 1999 from Commercial Intertech's audited consolidated financial
statements. We incorporate into this proxy statement/prospectus by reference the
audited consolidated financial statements of Commercial Intertech included in
Commercial Intertech's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1999. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on page 71.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,
                                           ---------------------------------------------------
                                            1999       1998       1997       1996       1995
                                           -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net sales................................  $ 535.0    $ 576.4    $ 526.6    $ 465.2    $ 459.1
Income from continuing operations........     19.8       32.8       26.8       15.4       24.2
Income from continuing operations per
  share:
  Basic..................................     1.28       2.23       1.83        .91       1.48
  Diluted................................     1.14       1.90       1.56        .86       1.37
Total assets.............................    402.0      409.2      384.8      337.1      402.7
Long-term debt...........................    100.2      108.5      111.3       93.4       69.9
Cash dividends per share.................    0.600      0.585      0.540      0.540      0.510
</TABLE>

                                       11
<PAGE>   18

                    HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA PER SHARE DATA

     The following table sets forth selected unaudited comparative per share
data for Parker common shares and Commercial Intertech common shares on a
historical basis, per share data for Parker on a pro forma basis and Commercial
Intertech on an equivalent pro forma basis. The pro forma earnings per share
data for the six months ended December 31, 1999 and the year ended June 30, 1999
reflect the assumption that the merger was effective as of July 1, 1999 and July
1, 1998, respectively. The pro forma book value per share data assumes that the
merger was effective as of December 31, 1999 and June 30, 1999, respectively.
The unaudited pro forma per share data gives effect to the merger as a purchase
under generally accepted accounting principles.

     The unaudited pro forma Parker income per share data is based upon the
historical weighted average number of shares of Parker common stock outstanding,
adjusted to include the number of shares of Parker common stock that would be
issued in the merger based upon an estimated exchange ratio. This ratio was
calculated using the market price of Parker on January 31, 2000, of $43.375, and
assuming that 51% of the shares of Commercial Intertech common stock had been
converted into shares of Parker common stock. We have based the unaudited
equivalent pro forma per share data for Commercial Intertech on the unaudited
pro forma Parker amounts per share, multiplied by the ratio of the purchase
price per share of Commercial Intertech ($20.00) to the market price per share
of Parker ($43.375) or .4611.

     The data presented should be read in conjunction with the historical
consolidated financial statements of Parker and Commercial Intertech and the
related notes thereto in Parker's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1999 and in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended December 31, 1999 and in Commercial Intertech's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1999.

     The merger is not a significant business combination for Parker under the
Securities and Exchange Commission's reporting rules. Therefore, no pro forma
financial information has been included in this proxy statement/prospectus,
except as provided below.

     The following data is not necessarily indicative of the results that
actually would have occurred if the merger had been in effect for the period
presented or which may be attained in the future.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        PARKER                      COMMERCIAL INTERTECH
                                      ------------------------------------------    --------------------
                                       SIX MONTHS ENDED          YEAR ENDED              YEAR ENDED
                                         DECEMBER 31,             JUNE 30,              OCTOBER 31,
                                      1999(1)(2)(4)(5)(6)    1999(1)(2)(4)(5)(6)         1999(3)(4)
                                      -------------------    -------------------    --------------------
<S>                                   <C>                    <C>                    <C>
Earnings per share-diluted:
  Historical......................          $ 1.35                 $ 2.83                  $ 1.14
  Pro forma.......................            1.37                   2.87                     N/A
  Pro forma equivalent............             N/A                    N/A                    1.32
Earnings per share-basic:
  Historical......................            1.36                   2.85                    1.28
  Pro forma.......................            1.39                   2.89                     N/A
  Pro forma equivalent............             N/A                    N/A                    1.33
Cash dividends declared per share:
  Historical......................           0.340                   0.64                    0.60
  Pro forma.......................           0.340                   0.64                     N/A
  Pro forma equivalent............             N/A                    N/A                   0.295
Book value per share:
  Historical......................           18.03                  17.03                    8.78
  Pro forma.......................           17.41                  16.51                     N/A
  Pro forma equivalent............             N/A                    N/A                    7.61
</TABLE>

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


(1) The pro forma per share data for Parker were prepared based on the
    assumptions that the purchase price is approximately $478.0 million, the
    Parker share price is $43.375, and the consideration paid by Parker in the
    merger is comprised of 51% Parker shares and 49% cash. For purposes of
    computing


                                       12
<PAGE>   19

    unaudited per share data for Parker on a pro forma basis, the purchase price
    in excess of the fair value of net assets of Commercial Intertech was
    allocated to goodwill and debt was assumed to have been incurred to finance
    the cash portion of the purchase price. The purchase price allocation is
    preliminary since the fair value of net assets was based on an estimate and
    the actual adjustments will be made on the basis of valuations as of the
    closing date.


(2) The pro forma per share data for Parker were determined assuming that the
    purchase price is comprised of 51% Parker shares and 49% cash. Changing this
    assumption to contemplate a purchase comprised entirely of Parker shares
    would decrease Parker's pro forma diluted earnings per share by $.02 and
    $.06 and pro forma basic earnings per share by $.02 and $.06 for the interim
    period ending December 31, 1999 and the year ended June 30, 1999,
    respectively. Pro forma book value per share would decrease by $.60 and $.57
    as of December 31, 1999 and the year ended June 30, 1999, respectively.



(3) The equivalent pro forma per share data for Commercial Intertech assume an
    exchange ratio of .4611 of a Parker share for each Commercial Intertech
    share converted into Parker shares, based upon an assumed Parker share price
    of $43.375 and Commercial Intertech purchase price of approximately $478.0
    million. No equivalent pro forma per share data is provided with respect to
    Commercial Intertech shares converted into the right to receive cash.



(4) The pro forma earnings per share data for Parker and the equivalent pro
    forma earnings per share data for Commercial Intertech reflect amortization
    of the purchase price in excess of the fair value of the net assets of
    Commercial Intertech (assuming a 20-year life) and the incremental interest
    expense on debt assumed to have been incurred to finance the cash portion of
    the purchase price.



(5) Parker pro forma combined dividends per share represent historical dividends
    per share paid by Parker.



(6) The unaudited pro forma comparative per share data reflect the merger based
    upon preliminary purchase accounting adjustments. Actual adjustments, which
    may include adjustments to additional assets, liabilities and other items,
    will be made on the basis of appraisal and evaluations as of the closing
    date and, therefore, are likely to differ from those reflected in the
    historical and pro forma per share data.


                                       13
<PAGE>   20

                                  RISK FACTORS

     In determining whether you should vote in favor of the merger you should
consider carefully the risks associated with the merger and with ownership of
Parker common stock following the merger, including the following factors:

     THE EXCHANGE RATIO IS SUBJECT TO A COLLAR. SHAREHOLDERS MAY RECEIVE
DIFFERENT VALUE DEPENDING ON WHETHER THEY RECEIVE CASH, STOCK OR A COMBINATION
OF CASH AND STOCK.


     The precise value of the merger consideration to be paid to Commercial
Intertech's shareholders will not be known at the time of the special meeting.
The exchange ratio will be between .3747 and .4611 depending on the average
closing price per share of Parker common stock for the 20 trading days ending
five trading days prior to the merger's closing date, subject to certain
adjustments. The exchange ratio will be .3747 if the average closing price
(determined pursuant to the formula in the merger agreement) of Parker common
stock is $53.375 or higher. It will be adjusted as the price of Parker common
stock falls below $53.375, but will not increase above .4611 for any decline in
the average closing price below $43.375. If the average closing price per share
is less than $43.375, then Commercial Intertech's shareholders receiving Parker
common stock may receive less than $20.00 in value. If the average closing price
per share is more than $53.375, then Commercial Intertech's shareholders
receiving cash may receive less value than those shareholders receiving Parker
common stock. Because the closing of the merger cannot occur until May 4, 2000,
unless Commercial Intertech and Parker obtain the consent or waiver of the
relevant German regulatory authority with respect to the contract to which
Commercial Intertech's German subsidiary is a party in Germany, the exchange
ratio, and therefore the number of shares of Parker common stock to which
Commercial Intertech shareholders are entitled to in the merger, may not be
known at the time of the special meeting.


     In addition, the value of Parker common stock will fluctuate after the
exchange ratio is determined but prior to the effective time of the merger and
may be higher or lower than on the date of the merger agreement, the date of the
special meeting or the date on which the exchange ratio is determined. The price
of Parker common stock may vary because of several factors, including:

      --  general market, industry and economic conditions and market
          assessments of those conditions;

      --  changes in the business, operations or prospects of Parker and market
          assessments of those changes;

      --  market assessments of the likelihood the merger will be completed; and

      --  market assessments of the timing and amount of integration savings to
          be achieved after the merger.

     If the value of the stock consideration on the closing date is less than
the average closing price, the value of the merger consideration (based solely
on the market price of Parker common stock and without taking into account any
tax effects) to be received by Commercial Intertech shareholders who receive all
stock consideration in the merger will be less than the value of the merger
consideration to be received by those holders who receive $20.00 per share in
cash consideration or a mixture of stock and cash consideration, and the value
of the merger consideration to be received by holders receiving any stock in the
merger will be less than the value of the merger consideration to be received by
holders receiving all cash in the merger. Conversely, if the value of the stock
consideration on the closing date is greater than the average closing price, the
value of the merger consideration (based solely on the market price of Parker
common stock and without taking into account any tax effect) to be received by
Commercial Intertech shareholders receiving all stock consideration in the
merger will be greater than the value of the merger consideration received by
those holders who receive $20.00 per share in cash consideration in the merger
or a combination of cash and stock and the value of the merger consideration to
be received by holders receiving a combination of stock and cash consideration
will be greater than the value of the merger consideration to be received by
those holders receiving all cash in the merger. Accordingly, there can be no
assurance that all of Commercial Intertech's shareholders will receive the same
value of consideration in the merger.

                                       14
<PAGE>   21

YOU MAY NOT RECEIVE ALL CASH IN THE MERGER EVEN IF YOU MAKE AN ALL-CASH
ELECTION.

     The number of Commercial Intertech common shares that can be converted into
the right to receive cash is limited. The merger agreement requires that at
least 51% of the total merger consideration be paid in Parker common stock.
Therefore, if so many shareholders elect to receive cash that the value of the
Parker common stock that would be issued in the merger is less than 51% of the
total merger consideration, each share for which a cash election has been made
will be converted, on a pro rata basis, into the right to receive a combination
of cash and Parker common stock to the extent necessary to ensure that no more
than 49% of the total merger consideration is paid in cash.

COMMERCIAL INTERTECH SHAREHOLDERS WILL HAVE NO CONTROL OVER PARKER'S FUTURE
OPERATIONS.

     Commercial Intertech's shareholders presently have the power to approve or
reject any matter requiring the approval of shareholders under Ohio law and
Commercial Intertech's articles of incorporation. After the merger, Commercial
Intertech's shareholders, in the aggregate, will hold less than 7% of the
outstanding shares of Parker common stock. Even if all of the former Commercial
Intertech shareholders voted in concert on all matters presented to Parker's
shareholders from time to time, this number of Parker shares, without a
substantial number of other holders voting the same way, will not affect the
outcome of proposals voted upon by the shareholders of Parker.

TERMINATION FEES COULD MAKE A COMPETING TAKEOVER PROPOSAL MORE DIFFICULT AND
EXPENSIVE.

     Commercial Intertech must pay Parker a termination fee of $18.0 million if
the merger agreement terminates under specified circumstances. The termination
fee could discourage another company from making a competing takeover proposal
that could be more advantageous to Commercial Intertech's shareholders because
this fee may make the competing proposal more difficult or expensive and could
deter Commercial Intertech from entering into an alternative transaction.
Commercial Intertech is not presently aware of any competing proposal.

PARKER COMMON STOCK MAY BE AFFECTED BY FACTORS DIFFERENT FROM THOSE AFFECTING
COMMERCIAL INTERTECH.


     Upon the completion of the merger, holders of Commercial Intertech common
stock (other than those receiving solely cash) will become holders of Parker
common stock. Parker's business differs significantly from that of Commercial
Intertech, and Parker's results of operations, as well as the price of Parker's
common stock, may be affected by factors different from those affecting
Commercial Intertech's results of operations and the price of Commercial
Intertech stock. For a discussion of Parker's and Commercial Intertech's
respective businesses, see Parker's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1999 and Commercial Intertech's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1999, which are incorporated by reference
in this proxy statement/prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on
page 71.


INTEGRATING COMMERCIAL INTERTECH AND PARKER MAY BE DIFFICULT.

     After the merger, Parker will need to efficiently and promptly integrate
Commercial Intertech's operations to achieve the anticipated benefits of the
merger. Failure to successfully integrate Commercial Intertech's operations
could have a negative effect on Parker and prevent Parker, as the surviving
corporation, from achieving the anticipated benefits of the merger.

     Certain key elements of Commercial Intertech's businesses that need to be
integrated include:

      --  operational management and other professional personnel;

      --  technical and research and development operations;

      --  sales and marketing efforts; and

      --  financial, accounting and other operational controls, procedures,
          information systems and policies.

The integration process will be further complicated by the need to integrate
widely dispersed operations, multiple offices and different corporate cultures.
This integration may not be accomplished in an efficient or effective manner, if
it is accomplished at all. The integration process will require the dedication
of

                                       15
<PAGE>   22

management and other personnel, which may distract these individuals attention
from the conduct of day-to-day business activities. Expenses associated with
ongoing integration of Commercial Intertech into Parker are likely to have a
negative effect on operating results of Parker at least through Parker's fiscal
year ending June 30, 2001.

THE VALUE OF COMMERCIAL INTERTECH COMMON STOCK MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IF THE
MERGER IS NOT COMPLETED.

     If the merger is not completed for any reason, the price of Commercial
Intertech's common stock may fall significantly. Since January 17, 2000, when
the transaction was announced, the stock of Commercial Intertech has risen
approximately 10%, gains that are likely based in part on the expectation of an
exchange for the merger consideration as described in the merger agreement. If
the merger fails to be consummated, those gains may be lost.

WE MUST RETAIN KEY PERSONNEL AND THEY MUST WORK TOGETHER EFFECTIVELY.

     The success of combining Commercial Intertech with Parker will depend upon
the retention of certain key employees who are critical to the continued
advancement, development and support of Commercial Intertech's products,
services, ongoing sales and marketing efforts. The loss of the services of any
key personnel or of any significant group of employees of Commercial Intertech
could negatively affect Parker's ability to successfully integrate Commercial
Intertech's operations. As often occurs with mergers, during the pre-merger and
integration phases, competitors may intensify their efforts to recruit key
employees. Employee uncertainty regarding the effects of the merger could also
cause increased turnover. Parker may not be able to retain key technical, sales
or marketing personnel of Commercial Intertech before or after the merger.

WE COULD LOSE CUSTOMERS AS A RESULT OF UNCERTAINTY REGARDING THE MERGER.

     Uncertainty regarding the merger and the ability of Commercial Intertech
and Parker to effectively integrate their operations without significant
reduction in quality of service could lead some customers to select other
vendors. The loss of business from significant customers could have a negative
effect on Parker's business.

                                       16
<PAGE>   23

                           FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     This proxy statement/prospectus (including information included or
incorporated by reference herein) contains certain forward-looking statements
with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans,
objectives, future performance and business of each of Parker and Commercial
Intertech, as well as certain information relating to the merger, including,
without limitation:

      --  statements relating to the cost savings estimated to result from the
          merger;

      --  statements relating to revenues estimated to be generated following
          the merger;


      --  statements relating to the restructuring charges estimated to be
          incurred in connection with the merger or otherwise;



      --  statements relating to the future projections of Commercial Intertech;
          and


      --  statements preceded or followed by or that include the words
          "believes," "intends," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" or
          similar expressions.

     These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties.
Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such
forward-looking statements because of, among others, the following factors:

      --  expected cost savings from the merger may not be fully realized or
          realized within the expected time frame;

      --  revenues following the merger may be lower than expected or operating
          costs, customer loss and business disruption following the merger may
          be greater than expected;

      --  competitive pressures in Parker's industries may increase
          significantly;

      --  costs or operational difficulties related to the integration of the
          businesses of Commercial Intertech into Parker may be greater than
          expected;

      --  general economic or business conditions may be less favorable than
          expected;

      --  legislative or regulatory changes may adversely affect the businesses
          in which Parker is engaged;

      --  difficulties in retaining or attracting key personnel;

      --  changes may occur in the securities markets; and


      --  the factors discussed in "Risk Factors" beginning on page 14.


                                       17
<PAGE>   24

                                   THE MERGER

BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER

     In September 1999, Duane E. Collins, the President and Chief Executive
Officer of Parker, contacted Paul J. Powers, the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Commercial Intertech, to discuss the possibility of a business
combination between Commercial Intertech and Parker. Mr. Collins noted that he
was interested in discussing this possibility in light of recent consolidations
in the industry.


     On October 4, 1999, Mr. Collins, Mr. Powers and Stephen J. Perkins,
Commercial Intertech's President and Chief Operating Officer, met to discuss
generally the possibility of a business combination involving the two companies.
Following that meeting, Mr. Collins contacted Mr. Powers to express his
increased interest in pursuing a business combination. On October 24, 1999,
Messrs. Collins, Powers, Perkins and Gerald C. McDonough, a non-employee
director of Commercial Intertech, met to discuss the fit and potential benefits
of a merger between Parker and Commercial Intertech. During this meeting, Mr.
Collins indicated that while he was not in a position to make an offer to
Commercial Intertech, based on Parker's internal financial analyses, Parker
considered the value of Commercial Intertech's common stock to be in the range
of $15.00 to $20.00 per share. Mr. Powers responded that he did not believe that
Commercial Intertech's board would support a transaction at the low end or
middle of that range but that he would discuss the proposed business combination
and Parker's valuation range with the Commercial Intertech board of directors.



     The board of directors of Commercial Intertech met on November 17, 1999. At
that meeting, Mr. Powers informed the board of his discussions with Mr. Collins,
now also serving as Chairman of Parker. Goldman Sachs, Commercial Intertech's
financial advisor, made a presentation to the board concerning a possible
business combination involving Parker and Commercial Intertech, and Katten
Muchin Zavis, Commercial Intertech's legal counsel, made a presentation
regarding the board's fiduciary responsibilities. No decision regarding a
business combination with Parker was reached, but the board of directors
authorized Commercial Intertech's management and advisors to continue their
discussions with Parker.


     On December 3, 1999, a confidentiality agreement between Parker and
Commercial Intertech was signed.


     During early December 1999, Messrs. Powers and Collins continued their
discussions regarding a possible business combination involving Parker and
Commercial Intertech, including discussions regarding Parker's valuation of
Commercial Intertech. During these discussions, Mr. Collins eventually agreed to
a valuation, subject to due diligence, for Commercial Intertech of $20.00 per
share, which was at the top of the range Parker initially proposed to Commercial
Intertech.



     On December 14, 1999, both parties participated in a meeting held in
Cleveland, Ohio at which comprehensive presentations were made by Commercial
Intertech personnel covering Commercial Intertech's business, prospects,
technology, products and financial projections. Messrs. Powers, Perkins, Steven
J. Hewitt, Commercial Intertech's Chief Financial Officer, John Gilchrist,
Commercial Intertech's Vice President of Corporate Business Development, and
representatives of Goldman Sachs and Katten Muchin attended the meeting on
behalf of Commercial Intertech. Mr. Collins, Michael J. Hiemstra, Parker's Vice
President -- Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer, Thomas A.
Piraino, Jr., Parker's Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Timothy K.
Pistell, Parker's Treasurer, and Donald E. Washkewicz, formerly Parker's
Hydraulics Group President and now Parker's President and Chief Operating
Officer, attended the meeting on behalf of Parker. After the meeting, both
parties decided to continue discussions regarding a possible business
combination, and each began an investigation of the other party's business,
including financial and legal due diligence.


     On December 21, 1999, members of senior management of Commercial Intertech
and Parker met in Cleveland, Ohio. During this meeting, representatives of
Commercial Intertech provided further information regarding Commercial
Intertech's business.

                                       18
<PAGE>   25

     In late December 1999, Parker and Commercial Intertech began negotiating
the terms of the merger agreement. On December 30, 1999, the Commercial
Intertech board of directors held a meeting via conference call during which Mr.
Powers and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Katten Muchin provided the board
of directors with an update on the negotiations.

     On January 4, 2000, Messrs. Collins and Powers and a representative of
Goldman Sachs met in Cleveland, Ohio. During this meeting, Mr. Collins confirmed
his willingness to recommend to Parker's board of directors a transaction in
which Commercial Intertech would merge into Parker with Commercial Intertech
shareholders receiving Parker common stock valued at $20.00 per share for each
share of Commercial Intertech stock owned.

     On January 5, 2000, representatives of Commercial Intertech and Goldman
Sachs met with representatives from Parker and Salomon Smith Barney in
Cleveland, Ohio as part of Commercial Intertech's financial review of Parker.
Through early January 2000, each party continued their respective due diligence
investigations.

     On January 7, 2000, the Commercial Intertech board of directors met to
consider the potential merger of Commercial Intertech into Parker. Presentations
were made by representatives of Goldman Sachs and Katten Muchin and the
management of Commercial Intertech, and the board of directors discussed the
current status of the negotiations, the terms of the proposed merger agreement,
an analysis of the strategic alternatives available to Commercial Intertech and
an analysis of the potential financial effects of the proposed merger. At this
meeting, representatives of Katten Muchin again reviewed the board of directors'
fiduciary responsibilities. During this meeting, the Commercial Intertech board
of directors raised a concern regarding the commitment Parker would make to the
Mahoning Valley community and to the employees of Commercial Intertech.

     During the January 7, 2000 meeting, the Commercial Intertech board of
directors also discussed the economic terms of the merger. Mr. Powers indicated
that the parties had discussed using a floating exchange ratio within a collar
of approximately 10% below and above the average closing price of Parker common
stock for the 20 day trading period ending immediately prior to the signing of
the merger agreement. The board of directors discussed the risks and benefits
associated with this type of pricing structure, including the fixed nature of
the exchange ratio outside the collar.

     On January 7, 2000, the Parker board of directors also met to consider the
potential merger of Commercial Intertech into Parker.


     After the meetings, representatives of Commercial Intertech and Parker
continued to discuss the economic terms of the proposed merger. Thereafter,
Parker proposed including a cash election feature in the merger that would allow
Commercial Intertech shareholders to elect to exchange some or all of their
Commercial Intertech common stock for $20.00 in cash, subject to certain
limitations to preserve the tax-free reorganization nature of the merger. After
reviewing this cash election feature with its advisors, Commercial Intertech's
management discussed this cash election feature with the Commercial Intertech
board of directors.


     Between January 7, 2000 and January 14, 2000, the parties negotiated the
terms of the merger agreement and finalized their respective due diligence
investigations.

     On January 13, 2000, after discussions with Mr. Powers and Commercial
Intertech representatives, Mr. Collins issued a letter on behalf of Parker to
the board of directors of Commercial Intertech detailing Parker's commitment to
the Mahoning Valley community and to Commercial Intertech employees. The text of
Mr. Collins' letter is as follows:

                                       19
<PAGE>   26

                                                                     Parker Logo

Duane E. Collins


Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer


To Board of Directors of Commercial Intertech Corp.
January 13, 2000

Gentlemen:

     We at Parker Hannifin are extremely pleased that our two well respected
Ohio companies have agreed to join forces. We genuinely believe that the
combined company will provide superior value for our shareholders, increased
opportunities for our employees and strengthen the Mahoning Valley community.

     We have a long and rich history of strongly supporting the local
communities in which we conduct our operations. We firmly commit to continue
this policy with respect to the Mahoning Valley. We see the following benefits
for the Commercial Intertech family and community:

      --  we have expressly committed in the Merger Agreement to continue the
          level and type of Commercial Intertech's charitable giving for at
          least five years;

      --  as part of our overall corporate philosophy, we will encourage all of
          our employees to take leadership roles in the Mahoning Valley
          community;

      --  we will provide enhanced opportunities for career development to our
          new employees from Commercial Intertech;

      --  we are committed to promoting employment opportunities in the Mahoning
          Valley community; and

      --  we will continue to invest locally in the Mahoning Valley.

We look forward to our future as a combined company.

                                  Sincerely,
                                  Duane Collins

     The Commercial Intertech board of directors met again on January 14, 2000
to discuss the proposed merger. At that meeting, Commercial Intertech's advisors
described the status of the negotiations and the cash election feature. Goldman
Sachs made a presentation and provided its oral opinion (that was subsequently
confirmed in writing) that the merger consideration was fair from a financial
point of view to Commercial Intertech's shareholders. Representatives of Katten
Muchin reviewed the terms of the transaction and the merger agreement. After
extensive review and discussion, the Commercial Intertech board of directors
unanimously determined that the merger was fair to, and in the best interests
of, the shareholders of Commercial Intertech and approved the merger agreement
and the "opt-out" amendment. The Commercial Intertech board of directors also
unanimously resolved to recommend that the shareholders of Commercial Intertech
vote for the adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the "opt-out"
amendment and authorized its officers to sign the merger agreement.


     On the evening of January 14, 2000, after the approval of the Commercial
Intertech and Parker boards of directors, the parties signed the merger
agreement. A joint press release announcing the signing of the merger agreement
was issued on January 17, 2000. See page 42 for a complete description of the
merger agreement.


RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMERCIAL INTERTECH BOARD OF DIRECTORS; REASONS FOR THE
MERGER

     THE COMMERCIAL INTERTECH BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT THE MERGER
IS FAIR TO, AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF, THE SHAREHOLDERS OF COMMERCIAL
INTERTECH, HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS OF COMMERCIAL INTERTECH VOTE FOR ADOPTION OF
THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND APPROVAL OF THE "OPT-OUT" AMENDMENT.

                                       20
<PAGE>   27

     In reaching its decision to unanimously approve the merger agreement and
the "opt-out" amendment, the Commercial Intertech board of directors consulted
with its senior management, as well as its legal and financial advisors, and
considered a number of factors, including the following:

      --  the consideration to be received by Commercial Intertech's
          shareholders, which as of January 17, 2000 when the merger was
          announced, represented a 55% premium over the average closing price
          for Commercial Intertech common stock for the 20 trading days
          immediately prior to the announcement of the merger;

      --  the results of an examination of strategic alternatives, including
          remaining independent, a leveraged buy-out and a sale to another third
          party, and the determination that a merger with Parker, a company with
          an excellent reputation and a significant presence in the hydraulics
          field, as well as a company with a history of strong community
          sponsorship, would benefit Commercial Intertech, its shareholders,
          employees and customers in more ways than remaining independent or as
          a potential target of a hostile third party or a leveraged buy out
          fund. In considering other strategic alternatives in light of Parker's
          offer for Commercial Intertech, the Commercial Intertech board of
          directors examined the following factors:

          - remaining independent was not a desirable option for Commercial
            Intertech because:

               - a significant number of Commercial Intertech's customers and
                 competitors have consolidated in recent months which has had,
                 and is likely to have in the future, a negative impact on
                 Commercial Intertech;

               - Commercial Intertech's ability to commit substantial funds to
                 research and development is more limited than Parker's;

               - Commercial Intertech's price earnings multiple is not as high
                 as those of large-capitalization companies including Parker and
                 is not likely to trade like a large capitalization company;

               - the limited coverage of Commercial Intertech's common stock by
                 institutional analysts as compared to the analysts' coverage of
                 Parker's common stock;

               - the market for Commercial Intertech's shares is less liquid
                 than the market for Parker's shares, a large-capitalization
                 company;

               - Commercial Intertech is presently involved in a number of
                 projects, the benefits of which will not be realized in the
                 current fiscal year; and

          - if Commercial Intertech becomes subject again to a hostile takeover,
            it may not have the opportunity to choose the timing and identity of
            its potential merger partner.

      --  the ability to consummate the merger as a tax-free reorganization for
          federal income tax purposes;

      --  the ability of Commercial Intertech shareholders to elect to exchange
          their shares for $20.00 cash per share, subject to the limitations
          described in this proxy statement/prospectus;

      --  the expected benefits to Commercial Intertech's shareholders from
          owning an interest in a larger and financially stronger enterprise
          with greater geographic coverage and additional management talent;

      --  Parker's commitment in the merger agreement to continue for at least a
          five year period the contributions to the communities constituting
          Commercial Intertech's service areas that have become a tradition at
          Commercial Intertech, which commitment is further evidenced by a
          letter from Duane Collins, dated January 13, 2000, discussed in
          further detail in "Background of the Merger;"

      --  the determination that Parker is in a better position to serve
          Commercial Intertech's customers over the long term because it is a
          broader based company (both on a products and geographic basis) with a
          greater ability to provide appropriate service and assistance;

                                       21
<PAGE>   28

      --  Parker's excellent reputation in the hydraulics field, and its ability
          to continue to provide Commercial Intertech's customers with premium
          quality and service, and to provide Commercial Intertech's hydraulics
          employees with excellent career opportunities;

      --  the loyalty Parker has shown to its own employees, and the expectation
          that Commercial Intertech's employees will be afforded the same
          treatment, and given the same career opportunities Parker is known for
          offering its employees;

      --  the hydraulics industry's movement towards systems, instead of parts,
          and Parker's ability, when combined with Commercial Intertech, to
          offer systems and maintain its competitive edge; and

      --  the presentations given by Goldman Sachs to the Commercial Intertech
          board of directors on several occasions, including the opinion of
          Goldman Sachs, dated January 14, 2000, to the effect that, based upon
          and subject to the matters discussed therein, the merger consideration
          was fair from a financial point of view to the holders of Commercial
          Intertech common stock as of the date of the opinion.

     In addition to the factors set forth above, in the course of its meetings,
the Commercial Intertech board of directors reviewed and considered a wide
variety of information relevant to the merger including:

      --  information concerning Commercial Intertech's and Parker's businesses,
          historical financial performance and condition, operations, customers,
          competitive positions, prospects and management;

      --  current financial market conditions and historical market prices,
          volatility and trading information with respect to the Commercial
          Intertech common stock and Parker common stock;

      --  the consideration to be paid to the Commercial Intertech shareholders
          in the merger and a comparison of comparable merger transactions;

      --  the terms of the merger agreement, including the parties'
          representations, warranties, covenants and conditions to their
          respective obligations;

      --  reports from Commercial Intertech's management, legal advisors and
          financial advisors as to the results of their due diligence
          investigations of Parker;

      --  the potential impact of the merger on customers, employees and other
          constituencies of Commercial Intertech;

      --  the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, including:

          - the ability of Commercial Intertech's board of directors to consider
            unsolicited, superior acquisition proposals from third parties where
            the failure to do so would constitute a breach of their fiduciary
            duties under Ohio law; and

          - the size of the termination fee provided in the merger agreement and
            the circumstances in which it is payable, which the Commercial
            Intertech board of directors believes would not reasonably be
            expected to discourage competing business combination proposals from
            third parties;

      --  the fact that the EBITDA multiple being paid by Parker in the merger
          is at the lower end of the range of EBITDA multiples being paid in
          other transactions in the diversified industrials manufacturers
          market;

      --  the fact that, based on a historical analysis, the dividend yield on
          Parker common stock is lower than the dividend yield historically
          received on Commercial Intertech common stock; and

      --  the fact that if Parker common stock trades at an average closing
          price lower than $43.375 for the 20 trading days ending five trading
          days prior to the closing of the merger and the merger is consummated,
          the aggregate consideration payable to the Commercial Intertech
          shareholders will be less than $20 per share.

     The Commercial Intertech board of directors considered all of the above
factors, in addition to many others. All of the factors described above, with
the exception of the final four, were viewed as positive and

                                       22
<PAGE>   29

beneficial for Commercial Intertech and its shareholders. In evaluating these
factors as a whole, the final four factors were outweighed by the reasons stated
above, and because each of the four negative factors were mitigated in whole or
in part by the following:

      --  the board of directors of Commercial Intertech does not believe that
          the termination fee would discourage competing business combination
          proposals from third parties because it is well within the range of
          termination fees for other similar transactions;

      --  although the exchange ratio represents an EBITDA multiple at the lower
          end of the range when compared to other transactions in the
          diversified industrials manufacturers industry, Commercial Intertech's
          EBITDA consists of contributions from its two non-hydraulics
          businesses, making comparisons between transactions difficult;

      --  the Commercial Intertech board of directors believes that the dividend
          yield reduction is more than compensated for by the premium that is to
          be received pursuant to the merger, and the ability of Commercial
          Intertech shareholders to sell some of their Parker common stock (or
          elect to receive cash in the merger) which would mitigate the
          reduction in dividend yield; and

      --  the ability of Commercial Intertech shareholders to elect to exchange
          their Commercial Intertech shares for cash for up to 49% of the total
          merger consideration allows the shareholders to mitigate to some
          extent the potential risk that the average closing price of Parker
          common stock for the valuation period will be less than $43.375 per
          share.

     The foregoing discussion of the material information and factors considered
and given weight by the Commercial Intertech board of directors is not intended
to be exhaustive. It should be noted that the potential benefits of the merger,
as discussed above, may not be realized. See "Risk Factors." In view of the
variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the merger,
the Commercial Intertech board of directors did not find it practicable to and
did not quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors
considered in reaching its determination. In addition, individual members of the
board may have given different weights to different factors. For a discussion of
the interests of certain members of Commercial Intertech's management and board
of directors in the merger, see "The Merger--Interests of Certain Persons in the
Merger."

OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO COMMERCIAL INTERTECH

     On January 14, 2000, Goldman Sachs delivered its oral opinion to the board
of directors of Commercial Intertech, which was subsequently confirmed by the
written opinion of Goldman Sachs, that as of the date of its opinion, and based
upon and subject to the various qualifications and assumptions described
therein, the consideration to be received by the holders of outstanding shares
of Commercial Intertech common stock pursuant to the merger agreement was fair
from a financial point of view to those holders.

     THE FULL TEXT OF THE WRITTEN OPINION OF GOLDMAN SACHS DATED JANUARY 14,
2000, WHICH SETS FORTH ASSUMPTIONS MADE, PROCEDURES FOLLOWED, MATTERS CONSIDERED
AND LIMITATIONS ON THE REVIEW UNDERTAKEN IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPINION IS
ATTACHED AS ANNEX C TO THIS PROXY/PROSPECTUS STATEMENT AND IS INCORPORATED
HEREIN BY REFERENCE. HOLDERS OF COMMERCIAL INTERTECH COMMON STOCK SHOULD READ
THIS OPINION IN ITS ENTIRETY.

     In connection with its opinion, Goldman Sachs reviewed, among other things:

      --  the merger agreement;

      --  the annual reports to shareholders and annual reports on Form 10-K of
          Commercial Intertech for the five fiscal years ended October 31, 1999;

      --  the annual reports to shareholders and annual reports on Form 10-K of
          Parker for the five fiscal years ended June 30, 1999;

      --  interim reports to shareholders, if any, and quarterly reports on Form
          10-Q of Commercial Intertech and Parker;

                                       23
<PAGE>   30

      --  other communications from Commercial Intertech and Parker to their
          respective shareholders; and

      --  internal financial analyses and forecasts for Commercial Intertech and
          Parker prepared by their respective managements.

     Goldman Sachs also held discussions with members of the senior management
of Commercial Intertech and Parker regarding the strategic rationale for, and
the potential benefits of, the merger and the past and current business
operations, financial condition and future prospects of their respective
companies. In addition, Goldman Sachs reviewed the reported price and trading
activity for Commercial Intertech common stock and Parker common stock, compared
financial and stock market information for Commercial Intertech and Parker with
similar information for other companies, the securities of which are publicly
traded, reviewed the financial terms of recent business combinations in the
hydraulic manufacturing industry specifically and in other industries generally
and performed other studies and analyses as it considered appropriate.

     Goldman Sachs relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all of the
financial and other information reviewed by it and assumed such accuracy and
completeness for purposes of rendering its opinion. In addition, Goldman Sachs
did not make an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets and
liabilities of Commercial Intertech or Parker or any of their respective
subsidiaries and Goldman Sachs was not furnished with any such evaluation or
appraisal. The opinion referred to in this document was provided for the
information and assistance of Commercial Intertech's board of directors in
connection with its consideration of the merger. The Goldman Sachs opinion does
not constitute a recommendation as to how any holder of Commercial Intertech
common stock should vote with respect to the proposed transaction or as to
whether any holder of Commercial Intertech common stock should elect to receive
the stock consideration or the cash consideration, nor does Goldman Sachs
express an opinion with respect to the procedures and limitations applicable to
the cash election.

     The following is a summary of the principal financial analyses presented to
the Commercial Intertech board of directors by Goldman Sachs in connection with
providing its oral opinion, and does not purport to be a complete description of
the analyses performed by Goldman Sachs.

     Hypothetical Transaction Price Trading Multiples. Goldman Sachs calculated
various financial multiples and ratios for Commercial Intertech based on the
merger consideration of $20 per share, subject to the operation of the collar.
The future operating and financial information was based on Commercial Intertech
management forecasts. Equity consideration is the value of common equity based
on the $20 per share merger consideration and assumed approximately 17.5 million
fully diluted shares outstanding. Levered consideration is equity consideration
plus net debt assumed. The results of these analyses are summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                HYPOTHETICAL
                                                                TRANSACTION
                       RATIO/MULTIPLE                             MULTIPLE
                       --------------                           ------------
<S>                                                             <C>
Premium to market (1).......................................          52%
Ratio of levered consideration to actual 1999 sales.........        0.81x
Ratio of levered consideration to estimated 2000 sales......        0.78x
Ratio of levered consideration to actual 1999 EBITDA........         6.8x
Ratio of levered consideration to estimated 2000 EBITDA.....         6.2x
Ratio of levered consideration to actual 1999 EBIT..........         9.4x
Ratio of levered consideration to estimated 2000 EBIT.......         8.6x
Ratio of equity consideration to actual 1999 net income.....        15.3x
Ratio of equity consideration to estimated 2000 net
  income....................................................        14.3x
Premium to book value(2)....................................         2.6x
</TABLE>

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

(1) Based on the closing market price of Commercial Intertech common stock on
    January 6, 2000, the day before both parties held board meetings to
    preliminarily review the proposed transaction, of $13.1250 per share. On
    January 13, 2000, the day before the Commercial Intertech board of directors
                                       24
<PAGE>   31

    approved the merger and the merger agreement was entered into, the closing
    market price of Commercial Intertech common stock was $15.2500 per share.

(2) Equity consideration over book value as of October 31, 1999.

     Selected Companies Analysis. Goldman Sachs reviewed and compared selected
financial information for Commercial Intertech to corresponding financial
information, ratios and public market multiples for the following five
publicly-traded hydraulic systems companies:

      --  Eaton Corp.;

      --  Parker;

      --  Pentair Inc.;

      --  Sauer Inc.; and

      --  Sun Hydraulics Corp.;

and for the following three publicly-traded building systems companies:

      --  Butler Manufacturing Co.;

      --  NCI Building Systems Inc.; and

      --  Robertson Ceco Corp.;

and for the following two other publicly-traded U.S. metals companies:

      --  Harsco Corp.; and

      --  Trinity Industries Inc.

     Goldman Sachs calculated and compared various financial multiples and
ratios for the selected companies. The multiples and ratios were calculated, as
applicable, using the closing price for the common stock of Commercial Intertech
and each of the selected companies on January 6, 2000 and were based on the most
recent publicly available information and consensus estimates provided by
Institutional Brokers Estimate System, or IBES. Goldman Sachs' analyses of the
selected companies compared the median values of each of these industry sectors
to the results for Commercial Intertech:

      --  ratio of enterprise value (which is equity market capitalization based
          on basic shares outstanding, or equity market capitalization, plus net
          debt), to latest twelve months sales;

      --  ratio of enterprise value to latest twelve months earnings before
          interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA;

      --  ratio of enterprise value to latest twelve months earnings before
          interest and taxes, or EBIT;

      --  estimated price to earnings ratios, or P/E ratios, for calendar years
          1999 and 2000, based on IBES consensus estimates;

      --  ratio of estimated 2000 P/E ratio to estimated annualized five-year
          earnings per share growth rate; and

      --  dividend yield.

                                       25
<PAGE>   32

     The results of these analyses are summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        HYDRAULIC    BUILDING     U.S.
                                         SYSTEMS     SYSTEMS     METALS                    COMMERCIAL
            RATIO/MULTIPLE               MEDIAN       MEDIAN     MEDIAN    COMPOSITE(1)    INTERTECH
            --------------              ---------    --------    ------    ------------    ----------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>         <C>       <C>             <C>
Ratio of enterprise value to latest
  twelve months sales.................     1.1x        0.4x        0.7x         0.8x          0.6x
Ratio of enterprise value to latest
  twelve months EBITDA................     7.9x        3.4x        4.6x         6.1x          4.8x
Ratio of enterprise value to latest
  twelve months EBIT..................    12.8x        4.8x        7.3x         9.6x          6.7x
Estimated calendarized P/E ratio for
  year 1999...........................    15.6x        7.3x       10.2x        12.3x          9.7x
Estimated calendarized P/E ratio for
  year 2000...........................    10.0x        6.8x        9.2x         9.0x          9.1x
Estimated 2000 P/E ratio to estimated
  5-year earnings per share growth
  rate................................     1.0x        0.7x        0.9x          --           0.9x
Dividend yield........................     2.3%        0.0%        2.8%          --           4.6%
</TABLE>

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

(1) Sector median multiples weighted by the contribution of each business
    segment to Commercial Intertech's total 1999 EBIT (54% Hydraulics, 28%
    Building Systems and 18% U.S. Metals).

     Based on a range of estimated 2000 P/E ratios of the selected companies, as
adjusted by Goldman Sachs, of 9.0x to 14.0x, Goldman Sachs calculated a
hypothetical public company valuation for Commercial Intertech ranging from
$12.70 to $19.75 per share.

     Analysis of Present Value of Hypothetical Future Stock Prices. Using a
range of P/E ratios of 8.0x to 14.0x, Commercial Intertech management estimates
of forward year earnings per share, a discount rate of 11%, and including future
dividends at a constant payment ratio of 45% of earnings per share, Goldman
Sachs calculated a range of potential present values of hypothetical future
stock prices for Commercial Intertech on a stand-alone basis for the period 1999
through 2003, which ranged from $11.91 to $25.13 per share.

     Based on a range of P/E ratios of 8.0x to 11.0x for the period 2000 through
2003, Goldman Sachs calculated a hypothetical present value of future stock
prices for Commercial Intertech ranging from $13.30 to $19.90 per share. As of
January 6, 2000, Commercial Intertech was trading at 9.3x Commercial Intertech
management's projected fiscal year 2000 earnings.

     Leveraged Buyout Summary. Goldman Sachs calculated the equity return in a
hypothetical leveraged buyout assuming a hypothetical deal price of $20 per
share which would be financed with 49% senior debt, 14% subordinated debt and
37% equity. Goldman Sachs performed the calculation using both Commercial
Intertech management forecasts and Commercial Intertech management forecasts
revised to reflect the average sales growth and EBIT margins that Commercial
Intertech had realized over the previous three fiscal years. The results of
these analyses are summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            EQUITY RETURNS IN YEAR 5              MANAGEMENT CASE    REVISED CASE
            ------------------------              ---------------    ------------
<S>                                               <C>                <C>
6.0x EBITDA exit multiple.......................       20.7%              4.4%
7.0x EBITDA exit multiple.......................       25.9%             10.9%
</TABLE>

     Based on Goldman Sachs' estimates of the returns a leveraged buyout sponsor
might require, Commercial Intertech management estimates and a sensitivity
analysis on EBITDA exit multiples, Goldman Sachs calculated a hypothetical
leveraged buyout valuation for Commercial Intertech ranging from $14.00 to
$18.00 per share.

     Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Based on the Commercial Intertech management
estimates, Goldman Sachs performed a discounted cash flow analysis of Commercial
Intertech on a stand-alone basis. Using a range of discount rates of 9.0% to
13.0%, and terminal multiples of 2004 EBITDA of 4.0x

                                       26
<PAGE>   33

to 6.0x, Goldman Sachs calculated the net present value of the estimated future
cash flows of Commercial Intertech as of March 2000. Based on these parameters,
Goldman Sachs calculated Commercial Intertech's per share equity value to range
from $17.05 to $28.74.

     Goldman Sachs also performed a sensitivity analysis to illustrate the
effects of changes in sales growth and/or EBIT margin on the estimated present
value of future cash flows of Commercial Intertech. In this analysis, Goldman
Sachs used a discount rate of 11.0% and a terminal value EBITDA multiple of 5.0x
and changes in sales growth and EBIT margin of +/- 2.0% from the Commercial
Intertech management estimates. This analysis resulted in per share equity
values ranging from $16.60 to $29.17.

     Based on a discount rate of 11.0%, a terminal value EBITDA multiple of 5.0x
and Commercial Intertech management estimates, and changes in EBIT margin of -2%
to 0% from Commercial Intertech management estimates, Goldman Sachs calculated a
hypothetical discounted cash flow valuation for Commercial Intertech ranging
from $18.60 to $22.50 per share.

     Selected Transactions. Goldman Sachs compared certain information for 61
selected transactions involving diversified industrial manufacturing companies
that were announced since October 1992. Goldman Sachs analyses of the selected
transactions included a review of:

      --  aggregate levered consideration as a multiple of latest twelve months
          EBITDA; and

      --  aggregate levered consideration as a multiple of latest twelve months
          EBIT.

     The results of these analyses are summarized below:

<TABLE>
                                                             RANGE       MEAN    MEDIAN
                                                          ------------   -----   -----
<S>                                                       <C>            <C>     <C>
Aggregate levered consideration as a multiple of latest
  12 months EBITDA.....................................   4.5x - 15.0x    9.5x    9.1x
Aggregate levered consideration as a multiple of latest
  12 months EBIT.......................................   6.6x - 26.2x   13.3x   12.7x
</TABLE>

     Based on a range of levered consideration as a multiple of latest 12 months
EBITDA for the selected transactions, as adjusted by Goldman Sachs, of 6.5x to
9.1x, Goldman Sachs calculated a hypothetical merger transaction price for
Commercial Intertech ranging from $19.15 to $28.65 per share.

     Contribution Analysis. A contribution analysis demonstrates the parties'
respective historical and projected contributions, on a percentage basis, to
income statement and public market valuation items of the pro forma combined
entity, not including estimated synergies or incremental transaction related
expenses, and compares these contributions to the parties' shareholders'
relative equity interests in the pro forma combined entity following the merger.

     Goldman Sachs reviewed the respective contributions of Parker and
Commercial Intertech to the combined company based upon selected historical and
estimated future operating and financial information, including sales, EBITDA
and net income for Commercial Intertech, Parker and the pro forma combined
entity resulting from the merger, not including estimated synergies or
incremental transaction related expenses. The historical and future operating
and financial information for Commercial Intertech was based on Commercial
Intertech management forecasts and this information was adjusted to coincide
with Parker's fiscal year-end of June, and historical and future operating and
financial information for Parker was based on analyst estimates. Equity market
capitalization is the value of the common equity based on the stock price.
Enterprise value is the equity market capitalization plus net debt.

                                       27
<PAGE>   34

     The results of this analysis are summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               % CONTRIBUTED TO PRO
                                                              FORMA COMBINED ENTITY
                                                              ----------------------
                                                                         COMMERCIAL
                                                              PARKER      INTERTECH
                                                              -------    -----------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Equity market capitalization (as of January 6, 2000)........   95.9%         4.1%
Enterprise value (as of January 6, 2000)....................   95.2%         4.8%
1999 sales..................................................   90.3%         9.7%
2000 estimated sales........................................   90.3%         9.7%
2001 estimated sales........................................   90.3%         9.7%
1999 EBITDA.................................................   92.0%         8.0%
2000 estimated EBITDA.......................................   92.8%         7.2%
2001 estimated EBITDA.......................................   92.2%         7.8%
1999 net income.............................................   93.0%         7.0%
2000 estimated net income...................................   93.5%         6.5%
2001 estimated net income...................................   92.9%         7.1%
</TABLE>

     By way of comparison immediately after the merger, Commercial Intertech's
shareholders will own between 5.6% and 6.8% of the outstanding shares of common
stock of the combined company, assuming that no cash elections are made.

     Pro Forma Merger Analysis. Goldman Sachs analyzed the effect of the merger
on earnings per share from the perspective of Parker's shareholders. The
analysis was based on the following:

      --  analyst estimates for Parker;

      --  Commercial Intertech management estimates for Commercial Intertech,
          adjusted to Parker's fiscal year;

      --  Commercial Intertech management estimates of $38.0 million of pre-tax
          synergies for the fiscal year ending June 2001; and

      --  transaction goodwill amortization of approximately $11.0 million.

     Based on these assumptions, Goldman Sachs estimated that the merger would
be accretive to earnings per share for Parker's shareholders in 2001 by 4.1%.

     Comparative Hypothetical Future Stock Prices. Goldman Sachs calculated and
compared hypothetical future stock prices for Commercial Intertech, Commercial
Intertech's share of Parker's hypothetical future stock price and Commercial
Intertech's share of pro forma Parker's hypothetical future stock price. The
stock prices were calculated, as applicable, using the following:

      --  the closing price for the common stock of Commercial Intertech and
          Parker on January 6, 2000;

      --  Commercial Intertech management estimates for Commercial Intertech;

      --  IBES estimates for Parker; and

      --  Commercial Intertech management estimates of potential synergies;

                                       28
<PAGE>   35

and using multiples of earnings per share for Commercial Intertech of 9.3x and
for Parker and the combined company of 14.9x. The results of this analysis are
summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    ENTITY                      1999E     2000E     2001E     2002E     2003E
                    ------                      ------    ------    ------    ------    ------
<S>                                             <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Commercial Intertech's Stock Price (assuming
  9.3x EPS)...................................  $13.11    $16.28    $19.25    $21.76    $24.55
Commercial Intertech's share of Parker's
  Hypothetical Future Stock Price (assuming
  14.9x EPS)..................................  $19.72    $21.56    $24.15    $27.04    $30.29
Commercial Intertech's Share of Pro Forma
  Parker's Hypothetical Future Stock Price
  (assuming 14.9x EPS(1)).....................  $19.74    $22.38    $25.09    $28.03    $31.93
</TABLE>

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

(1) Assumes annual pre-tax synergies of $38.0 million based on Commercial
    Intertech estimates and annual goodwill amortization of approximately $11.0
    million relating to this combination. Neither Parker nor Commercial
    Intertech can assure any shareholder that these synergies will be realized.

     The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not
necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Selecting
portions of the analyses or of the summary set forth above, without considering
the analyses as a whole, could create an incomplete view of the processes
underlying Goldman Sachs' opinion. In arriving at its fairness determination,
Goldman Sachs considered the results of all the analyses, and did not attribute
any particular weight to any analysis or factor considered by it, nor, except as
set forth above, did it derive any value from, or draw any conclusion with
respect to fairness based on, any particular analysis. Rather, Goldman Sachs
made its determination as to fairness on the basis of its experience and
professional judgment, after considering the results of all such analyses. No
company or transaction used in the above analyses as a comparison is directly
comparable to Commercial Intertech or Parker or the merger. The analyses were
prepared solely for purposes of Goldman Sachs' providing its opinion to the
Commercial Intertech board of directors as to the fairness from a financial
point of view to Commercial Intertech shareholders of the merger consideration
and do not purport to be appraisals or necessarily reflect the prices at which
businesses or securities actually may be sold. Analyses based upon forecasts or
future results are not necessarily indicative of actual future results, which
may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by such analyses.
Because such analyses are inherently subject to uncertainty, being based upon
numerous factors or events beyond the control of the parties or their respective
advisors, none of Commercial Intertech, Parker, Goldman Sachs or any other
person assumes responsibility if future results are materially different from
those forecast. As described above, Goldman Sachs' opinion to the Commercial
Intertech board of directors was one of many factors taken into consideration by
the Commercial Intertech board of directors in making its determination to
approve the merger agreement and the merger.

     Goldman Sachs, as part of its investment banking business, is continually
engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with
mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings,
secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements
and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes. The Commercial
Intertech board of directors selected Goldman Sachs as its financial advisor
because it is a nationally recognized investment banking firm that has
substantial experience in transactions similar to the merger. Goldman Sachs is
familiar with Commercial Intertech, having provided to Commercial Intertech
certain investment banking services from time to time, including having acted as
its financial advisor in connection with, and having participated in some of the
negotiations leading to, the merger agreement.

     Goldman Sachs provides a full range of financial advisory and securities
services and in the course of its normal trading activities may, from time to
time, effect transactions and hold securities, including derivative securities,
of Commercial Intertech and Parker for its account and for the accounts of
customers.

     By a letter agreement, dated December 12, 1999, the Commercial Intertech
board of directors engaged Goldman Sachs as its financial advisor and to render
an opinion with respect to the fairness of the

                                       29
<PAGE>   36

financial consideration to be received by the shareholders of Commercial
Intertech in connection with the sale of 50% or more of the outstanding shares
of Commercial Intertech common stock. Pursuant to the terms of the Goldman Sachs
engagement letter, Commercial Intertech has agreed to pay Goldman Sachs a fee of
1.4% of the aggregate consideration paid for Commercial Intertech's equity
securities, including amounts paid to holders of options, warrants and
convertible securities, plus the principal amount of all indebtedness for
borrowed money as set forth on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of
Commercial Intertech prior to the consummation of the merger. Commercial
Intertech has agreed to reimburse Goldman Sachs for its reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses, including attorney's fees, and to indemnify Goldman Sachs against
liabilities it incurs, including liabilities under the federal securities laws.

OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO PARKER

     At the meeting of the Parker board of directors held on January 14, 2000,
Salomon Smith Barney delivered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed in
writing, that, as of that date, the stock and cash consideration to be paid by
Parker pursuant to the merger agreement is fair, from a financial point of view,
to Parker.

     THE FULL TEXT OF THE WRITTEN OPINION OF SALOMON SMITH BARNEY TO THE PARKER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS SET FORTH AS ANNEX D TO THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
AND SETS FORTH THE ASSUMPTIONS MADE, PROCEDURES FOLLOWED AND MATTERS CONSIDERED
BY SALOMON SMITH BARNEY. SALOMON SMITH BARNEY'S OPINION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A
RECOMMENDATION TO SHAREHOLDERS TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE MERGER, AND SHAREHOLDERS
SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS OPINION AS A RECOMMENDATION.

     In arriving at its opinion, Salomon Smith Barney reviewed the merger
agreement dated January 14, 2000 and held discussions with certain senior
officers, directors and other representatives and advisors of Parker and certain
senior officers and other representatives and advisors of Commercial Intertech
concerning the business, operations and prospects of Parker and Commercial
Intertech, as the case may be. Salomon Smith Barney examined

     - certain publicly available business and financial information relating to
       Parker, including its

          - annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999,

          - quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
            1999, and

          - definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, dated October 27, 1999;

     - certain publicly available business and financial information relating to
       Commercial Intertech, including its

          - annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31,
            1998,

          - quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 1999,
            and

          - definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, dated March 24, 1999;
            and

     - certain financial forecasts and other information and data for Parker and
       Commercial Intertech which were provided to or otherwise discussed with
       Salomon Smith Barney by the management of Parker or Commercial Intertech,
       as the case may be, including information relating to certain strategic
       implications and operational benefits anticipated from the merger, as
       well as the potential pro forma impact of the merger.

     Salomon Smith Barney reviewed the financial terms of the merger as set
forth in the merger agreement in relation to, among other things:

     - current and historical market prices and trading volumes of Parker common
       stock and Commercial Intertech common stock;

     - the historical and projected earnings and other operating data of Parker
       and Commercial Intertech; and

     - the capitalization and financial condition of Parker and Commercial
       Intertech.

                                       30
<PAGE>   37

     Salomon Smith Barney considered, to the extent publicly available, the
financial terms of certain other similar transactions recently effected which it
considered relevant in evaluating the merger and analyzed certain financial,
stock market and other publicly available information relating to the businesses
of other companies whose operations Salomon Smith Barney considered relevant in
evaluating those of Parker and Commercial Intertech. In addition to the
foregoing, Salomon Smith Barney conducted such other analyses and examinations
and considered such other information and financial, economic and market
criteria as it deemed appropriate in arriving at its opinion.

     In rendering its opinion, Salomon Smith Barney assumed and relied, without
independent verification, upon the accuracy and completeness of all financial
and other information and data publicly available or furnished to or otherwise
reviewed by or discussed with it. With respect to financial forecasts and other
information and data provided to or otherwise reviewed by or discussed with it,
Salomon Smith Barney has been advised by the management of Parker and Commercial
Intertech, as the case may be, that such forecasts and other information and
data were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available
estimates and judgments of the management of Parker and Commercial Intertech, as
the case may be, as to the future financial performance of Parker and Commercial
Intertech, as the case may be, and the strategic implications and operational
benefits anticipated from the proposed merger. Salomon Smith Barney has not made
or been provided with an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or
liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Parker or Commercial Intertech nor has
it made any physical inspection of the properties or assets of Parker or
Commercial Intertech.

     Salomon Smith Barney also assumed that the proposed merger will be
consummated in a timely manner and in accordance with the terms of the merger
agreement, without waiver of any of the conditions precedent to the proposed
merger contained in the merger agreement. Salomon Smith Barney was advised, and
assumed, that the proposed merger will qualify as a tax-free reorganization
under the provisions of Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code.

     Salomon Smith Barney was not requested to consider, and its opinion does
not address, the relative merits of the proposed merger as compared to any
alternative business strategies that might exist for Parker or the effect of any
other transaction in which Parker might engage. Salomon Smith Barney's opinion
is necessarily based upon information available to it, and financial, stock
market and other conditions and circumstances existing and disclosed to it, as
of the date of its opinion. Salomon Smith Barney assumes no responsibility to
update or review its opinion based on circumstances or events occurring after
the date of its opinion.

     Salomon Smith Barney's opinion is, in any event, limited to the fairness,
from a financial point of view, to Parker of the stock and cash consideration to
be paid by Parker pursuant to the merger agreement and does not address Parker's
underlying business decision to effect the proposed merger. Furthermore, Salomon
Smith Barney's opinion does not constitute an opinion or imply any conclusion as
to the likely trading range for Parker common stock following consummation of
the proposed merger.

     In connection with its opinion, Salomon Smith Barney performed certain
financial analyses, which it discussed with the Parker board of directors on
January 14, 2000. The material portions of the analyses performed by Salomon
Smith Barney in connection with the rendering of its opinion dated January 14,
2000, are summarized below.

     Salomon Smith Barney arrived at a range of values for Commercial Intertech
by utilizing the following four principal valuation methodologies:

     Public Comparable Valuation. A public comparable valuation reviews a
company's operating performance and outlook relative to a group of
publicly-traded peer companies to determine an implied unaffected market trading
valuation range. However, no company used in the public comparable valuation
described below is identical to Commercial Intertech. Using publicly available
information, Salomon Smith Barney analyzed the market values and trading
multiples of the following comparable publicly-traded companies in (1) the
hydraulics industry, (2) the building system industry and (3) the metal stamping
industry:

                                       31
<PAGE>   38

Hydraulics Companies


     - Eaton Corp.


     - IMI plc

     - Sauer Inc.

     - Moog Inc.


     - Denison International plc



     - Sun Hydraulics Corp.


Building Systems Companies


     - NCI Building Systems Inc.


     - Robertson-Ceco Corporation


     - Butler Manufacturing Co.



     - Miller Building Systems Inc.


Metal Stamping Companies

     - ABC-NACO Inc.

     - Transportation Technologies Industries, Inc.

     - Trinity Industries, Inc.

     - L.B. Foster Company

     - Huntco Inc.

     - Intermet Corp.

     - Simpson Industries, Inc.


     - Shiloh Industries, Inc.



     - Gibraltar Steel Corp.


     Salomon Smith Barney compared, among other things, (1) equity values as a
multiple of estimated calendar years 1999 and 2000 earnings per share, or "EPS,"
and (2) firm values, calculated as equity value, plus total debt and minority
interests, less cash, as multiples of the last twelve month's, or "LTM," (a)
revenues, (b) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
("EBITDA") and (c) earnings before interest and taxes ("EBIT"). All multiples
were based on closing stock prices on January 12, 2000. Estimated financial data
for the selected comparable companies were based on publicly available research
analysts' estimates and estimated financial data for Commercial Intertech were
based on internal estimates of Commercial Intertech's management.

     Applying a range of these multiples to corresponding financial data of
Commercial Intertech resulted in an implied equity reference value range for
Commercial Intertech common stock of approximately $15.00 to $20.00 per share.

     Precedent Transaction Value. A precedent transaction valuation provides a
valuation range based upon financial information of companies that have been
acquired in transactions that have been publicly announced and that are in the
same or similar industries as the business being valued. However, no transaction
used in the precedent transaction valuation described below is identical to the
merger. Using publicly available information, Salomon Smith Barney reviewed the
purchase price and implied transaction value multiples paid or proposed to be
paid in the following selected transactions for each of the (1) hydraulics, (2)
building systems and (3) metal stamping industries:

Hydraulics Transactions

     - Sauer Inc./Danfoss Fluid Power A/S

     - Eaton Corp./Aeroquip-Vickers Inc.


     - Parker/Fluid Power Systems


                                       32
<PAGE>   39

     - Tomkins plc/Schrader-Bridgeport

     - IMI plc/Herion Werke GmbH


     - Parker/Solenoid Valve Business


     - BTR plc/Limitorque Corp.

     - Constellation Capital Partners LLC/Imo Industries

     - IMI plc/Tour and Anderson Hydraulics

     - IMI plc/ISI Automation, Inc.

     - Daniel Industries, Inc./Bettis Corp.


     - Parker/Abex-NWL (Pneumo Abex Corp.)


Building Systems Transactions

     - Onex Corp./American Buildings Co.

     - NCI Building Systems/Metal Building Components Inc.

     - LTV Corp./Varco-Pruden (United Dominion)

     - Worthington Industries/Dietrich Industries

Metal Stamping Transactions

     - Management/Transportation Technologies Industries, Inc.

     - Trianon/Zenith Industrial

     - Kelso & Company/Citation Corporation

     - TI Group PLC/Walbro Corporation

     - Hidden Creek Industries/J.L. French

     - Kohlberg Kravis & Roberts Co./Accuride Corporation

     - Tower Automotive/Societa Industria Meccanica e Stampagio SpA

     - Mayflower Corp./South Charleston Stamping & Manufacturing Co.

     - Tower Automotive/MascoTech Stamping Technologies

     - Citation Corp./Interstate Forging Industries Inc.

     Salomon Smith Barney compared purchase prices on the selected transactions
as a multiple of (1) LTM revenue, (2) LTM EBITDA and (3) LTM EBIT. All multiples
were based on publicly-available financial information for the relevant
transaction. Applying a range of multiples derived from the selected
transactions to Commercial Intertech's estimated calendar years 1999 and 2000
(a) revenues, (b) EBITDA and (c) EBIT resulted in an implied equity reference
value range for Commercial Intertech common stock of approximately $20.00 to
$25.00 per share.

     Discounted Cash Flow Valuation. A discounted cash flow analysis provides
insight into the intrinsic value of a business based on the projected financial
results, including capital requirements, and the net present value of the free
cash flow anticipated to be generated by the assets of the business. Salomon
Smith Barney performed a discounted cash flow ("DCF") analysis of Commercial
Intertech to estimate a range of values for the Commercial Intertech common
stock. The DCF analysis for Commercial Intertech was based upon certain
financial forecasts for the years 2000 through 2004 prepared by the management
of Commercial Intertech. Salomon Smith Barney performed a DCF analysis of
Commercial Intertech in order to determine the aggregate net present value of
the unlevered free cash flows of Commercial Intertech's business, net of its
outstanding debt balances.


     Salomon Smith Barney applied a terminal value multiple range of 5.0x to
7.0x to projected EBITDA in year 2004. The unlevered free cash flows were then
discounted to present value using discount rates ranging from 9.5% to 11.5%
based upon an analysis of the weighted average cost of capital of Commercial
Intertech. This analysis of the forecasts for Commercial Intertech, which
assumed Commercial Intertech could achieve its forecasted results, indicated an
implied equity value range per share of Commercial Intertech common stock of
approximately $22.00 to $27.00 on a fully diluted basis.


                                       33
<PAGE>   40

     Premiums Analysis. A premiums analysis reviews the premiums paid for a
target company's stock in other transactions involving cash or cash/stock
consideration. However, no company used in the premiums analysis described below
is identical to Commercial Intertech. Salomon Smith Barney analyzed the premiums
paid in 42 industrial transactions completed or announced since February 1,
1999, having transaction values of $9.0 million to $9.1 billion and involving
cash or cash/stock consideration. Salomon Smith Barney analyzed the premiums in
these transactions based on the target company's stock price one day, one week
and four weeks prior to public announcement of the transaction.

     This analysis indicated the following premiums in the selected
transactions:

     - One day prior to public announcement, the mean was 34.4% and the median
       was 28.4%;

     - One week prior to public announcement, the mean was 41.0% and the median
       was 37.7%; and

     - Four weeks prior to public announcement, the mean was 46.3% and the
       median was 39.0%.

     No company used in the public comparable valuation or the premiums analysis
described above is identical to Commercial Intertech. No transaction used in the
precedent transaction valuation described above is identical to the merger.
Accordingly, an examination of the results of the analyses described above
necessarily involves complex considerations and judgments concerning differences
in financial and operating characteristics of the businesses and other facts
that could affect the public trading value or the acquisition value of the
companies to which they are being compared.

     The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process not susceptible
to partial analysis or summary descriptions. The summary set forth above is not
a complete description of the analyses underlying Salomon Smith Barney's opinion
or its presentation to the Parker board of directors. Salomon Smith Barney
believes that its analyses and the summary set forth above must be considered as
a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses and the factors considered
by it, without considering all such analyses and factors, could create an
incomplete view of the processes underlying the analyses set forth in its
opinion.

     In performing its analyses, Salomon Smith Barney made numerous assumptions
with respect to industry performance, general business, financial, market and
economic conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of
Parker or Commercial Intertech. The analyses which Salomon Smith Barney
performed are not necessarily indicative of actual values or actual future
results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by the
analyses. The analyses were prepared solely as part of Salomon Smith Barney's
analysis of the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the merger
consideration to be paid by Parker pursuant to the merger agreement. The
analyses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which a
company might actually be sold or the prices at which any securities may trade
at the present time or at any time in the future.

     Salomon Smith Barney has acted as financial advisor to Parker in connection
with the proposed merger and will receive a fee of $2.5 million for such
services, a significant portion of which is contingent upon the consummation of
the transaction. Parker has also agreed to reimburse Salomon Smith Barney for
all reasonable fees and disbursements of Salomon Smith Barney's counsel and all
of Salomon Smith Barney's reasonable travel and other expenses incurred in
connection with the merger, or otherwise from Salomon Smith Barney's engagement.
Parker further agreed to indemnify Salomon Smith Barney and certain related
persons against various liabilities, including liabilities under the federal
securities laws, relating to or arising out of its engagement.

     Salomon Smith Barney has in the past provided and is currently providing
investment banking services to Parker unrelated to the proposed merger, for
which services Salomon Smith Barney has received and will receive compensation.
In the ordinary course of its business, Salomon Smith Barney and its affiliates
may actively trade or hold the securities of Parker and Commercial Intertech for
its own account or for the account of its customers and, accordingly, may at any
time hold a long or short position in such securities In addition, Salomon Smith
Barney and its affiliates (including Citigroup Inc. and its affiliates) may
maintain relationships with Parker, Commercial Intertech and their respective
affiliates.

     Salomon Smith Barney is an internationally recognized investment banking
firm that provides financial services in connection with a wide range of
business transactions. As part of its business, Salomon
                                       34
<PAGE>   41

Smith Barney regularly engages in the valuation of companies and their
securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated
underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary distributions of listed and
unlisted securities, private placements and other purposes. The Parker board
retained Salomon Smith Barney based on Salomon Smith Barney's expertise in the
valuation of companies as well as its substantial experience in transactions
similar to the merger.

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

     The merger will be accounted for by Parker as a "purchase" in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles. Consequently, the aggregate
consideration paid by Parker in connection with the merger will be allocated to
the surviving corporation's assets and liabilities based upon their fair values,
with any excess being treated as goodwill. The revenues and expenses of
Commercial Intertech will be included in Parker's consolidated financial
statements from the date of consummation of the merger.

MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

     The following summary discusses the material U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the merger to (a) Parker and (b) Commercial Intertech's
shareholders. This discussion is based upon the United States Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and judicial
decisions currently in effect, all of which are subject to change, possibly with
retroactive effect. The discussion assumes that the Commercial Intertech
shareholders currently hold their Commercial Intertech stock and will continue
to hold that stock as a capital asset within the meaning of section 1221 of the
Internal Revenue Code. Further, the discussion does not address all aspects of
U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular shareholder in
light of his, her or its personal investment circumstances or to shareholders
subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including:

     - insurance companies;

     - financial institutions or trusts;

     - dealers in securities or foreign currency;

     - traders that mark to market;

     - tax-exempt organizations;

     - shareholders who hold their shares as part of a hedge, appreciated
       financial position, straddle or conversion transaction;

     - shareholders who acquired the Commercial Intertech common stock through
       the exercise of options or otherwise as compensation or through a
       tax-qualified retirement plan; and

     - foreign corporations, foreign partnerships or other foreign entities and
       individuals who are not citizens or residents of the United States.

     Furthermore, this discussion does not consider the potential effects of any
state, local or foreign tax laws.

     Neither Parker nor Commercial Intertech has requested a ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service with respect to any of the U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the merger and, as a result, there can be no assurance that the
Internal Revenue Service will not disagree with or challenge any of the
conclusions described below.

     Holders of Commercial Intertech common stock are urged to consult their own
tax advisors regarding the specific tax consequences to them of the merger,
including the applicability and effect of federal, state, local and foreign
income or other tax laws in their particular circumstances.

     Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue, counsel to Parker, will deliver an opinion to
Parker that the merger will constitute a "reorganization" within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. Katten Muchin Zavis will provide an
opinion for the benefit of the shareholders of Commercial Intertech regarding
the income tax consequences of the merger to Commercial Intertech shareholders.
These tax opinions will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
exhibits to the registration statement related to this proxy
statement/prospectus. The opinions will rely on assumptions, including
                                       35
<PAGE>   42

assumptions regarding the absence of changes in existing facts and the
completion of the merger in accordance with the proxy statement/prospectus and
the merger agreement. The opinions will also rely on representations and
covenants, including those contained in officers' certificates of Commercial
Intertech and Parker. Any change in currently applicable law, which may or may
not be retroactive, or failure of any of the factual representations or
assumptions to be true, correct and complete in all material respects, could
affect the conclusions to be reached in the Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue tax
opinion and the Katten Muchin Zavis tax opinion.

     The conclusions to be reached in the Katten Muchin Zavis tax opinion
regarding the tax treatment to Commercial Intertech shareholders are:


      --  the merger will constitute a "reorganization" within the meaning of
          Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, and Commercial Intertech
          and Parker will each be a party to such reorganization within the
          meaning of Section 368(b) of the Internal Revenue Code;



      --  a Commercial Intertech shareholder who receives only Parker common
          stock in exchange for Commercial Intertech common stock in the merger
          will not recognize gain or loss on the exchange except with respect to
          any cash received in lieu of a fractional share of Parker common
          stock.



      --  a Commercial Intertech shareholder who receives only cash in exchange
          for Commercial Intertech common stock in the merger will recognize
          gain or loss equal to the difference between the cash received and the
          shareholder's tax basis in the Commercial Intertech common stock
          exchanged for the cash;



      --  a Commercial Intertech shareholder who receives both Parker common
          stock and cash consideration in exchange for Commercial Intertech
          common stock will recognize gain equal to the lesser of (a) the amount
          of cash received in the exchange (other than with respect to
          fractional shares) and (b) the amount of gain that the holder realizes
          on the exchange. The amount of gain that the holder realizes on the
          exchange will equal the excess of


          - the sum of the cash and the value of the Parker common stock
            (including any fractional share interest) received in the exchange
            over

          - the shareholder's tax basis in the Commercial Intertech common stock
            exchanged therefor.

      If a Commercial Intertech shareholder realizes a loss on such an exchange,
      the loss cannot be recognized by this shareholder (other than with respect
      to fractional shares);


      --  a Commercial Intertech shareholder who receives cash in lieu of a
          fractional share of Parker common stock will recognize gain or loss
          equal to the difference between the cash received and the tax basis
          allocated to the fractional share interest;


      --  any gain recognized by a Commercial Intertech shareholder as a result
          of the merger will generally be capital gain if the shareholder's
          Commercial Intertech common stock is held as a capital asset at the
          effective time of the merger and will be long-term capital gain if the
          shareholder's Commercial Intertech common stock has been held for more
          than one year at the effective time of the merger;

      --  the tax basis of the shares of Parker common stock received (including
          any fractional share interests deemed received and exchanged for cash)
          in exchange for shares of Commercial Intertech common stock in the
          merger will be the same as the tax basis of the shares of Commercial
          Intertech common stock exchanged therefor, increased by any gain
          recognized on the exchange (including any gain treated as a dividend
          but other than gain attributable to fractional shares), and reduced by
          the amount of any cash received in the exchange (other than with
          respect to fractional shares); and

      --  the holding period for shares of Parker common stock received in
          exchange for shares of Commercial Intertech common stock pursuant to
          the merger will include the holding period of the shares of Commercial
          Intertech common stock exchanged therefor.

     Unless you comply with certain reporting and/or certification procedures or
are an exempt recipient under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code
and Treasury regulations, cash payments in

                                       36
<PAGE>   43

exchange for your Commercial Intertech common stock in the merger may be subject
to "backup withholding" at a rate of 31% for federal income tax purposes. Any
amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund
or a credit against the holder's federal income tax liability, provided the
required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

     THE PRECEDING SUMMARY OF THE FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER DOES
NOT PURPORT TO BE A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OR DISCUSSION OF ALL POTENTIAL TAX EFFECTS
RELEVANT TO THE MERGER. THIS DISCUSSION IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND MAY NOT APPLY TO A PARTICULAR SHAREHOLDER IN LIGHT OF THE
SHAREHOLDER'S PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX
ADVISORS AS TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF THE MERGER, INCLUDING TAX
RETURN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF FEDERAL, STATE,
LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER APPLICABLE TAX LAWS AND THE EFFECT OF ANY PROPOSED
CHANGES IN THE TAX LAWS.

REGULATORY MATTERS

     United States. Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
1976, as amended, Parker and Commercial Intertech are prohibited from completing
the merger until:

      --  notifications are given to the Federal Trade Commission and the
          Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice;

      --  certain information is furnished to the Federal Trade Commission and
          the Antitrust Division; and

      --  specified waiting period requirements are satisfied or terminated.

     On February 3, 2000, in connection with the merger, Parker and Commercial
Intertech each filed a Pre-Merger Notification and Report Form under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act with the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust
Division of the United States Justice Department. The waiting period under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act relating to the merger will expire on March 4, 2000.

     Even after the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act expires, at
any time before or after the merger, the Antitrust Division or the Federal Trade
Commission could, among other things, seek to enjoin the completion of the
merger or seek the divestiture of substantial assets of Parker or Commercial
Intertech. Although Parker and Commercial Intertech believe that the merger is
legal under the U.S. antitrust laws, there can be no assurance that a challenge
to the merger on antitrust grounds will not be made or, if a challenge is made,
that it would not be successful.

     Germany. Under the German Act Against Restraints of Competition, Parker and
Commercial Intertech are prohibited from consummating the merger until
notifications are given to the Federal Cartel Office and certain information is
furnished to the Federal Cartel Office and specified waiting period requirements
are satisfied or terminated by clearance of the merger before the end of the
waiting period.

     The first waiting period is one month from the filing of the complete
notification. The merger may be consummated unless, within this period, the
Federal Cartel Office notifies Parker and Commercial Intertech of its intent to
conduct an extended examination of the case. The Federal Cartel Office also may
grant clearance of the merger at any time before the one-month period expires.
The Federal Cartel Office may not reject the merger without an extended
examination of the case.

     If the Federal Cartel Office decides to further examine the transaction,
the decision on clearance or rejection of the proposed merger must be rendered
within four months from the filing of the complete notification. The merger may
be consummated unless the Federal Cartel Office prohibits the merger within this
period. If no decision is rendered, clearance is deemed to be given at the end
of the four-month period. The Federal Cartel Office also may grant clearance of
the merger at any time before the four-month period expires.

     The Federal Cartel Office may subject its clearance to certain conditions
or impositions, including divestiture of substantial assets of Parker or
Commercial Intertech. The Federal Cartel Office's clearance may be revoked only
if the parties do not fulfill any such imposition or have obtained the clearance
through false representations.

                                       37
<PAGE>   44


     Parker and Commercial Intertech jointly filed a notification of the
proposed merger with the Federal Cartel Office on February 14, 2000. The initial
waiting period relating to the merger will expire March 15, 2000.



     Brazil. On February 17, 2000, Parker and Commercial Intertech filed a joint
application with the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Development
("CADE") notifying CADE of the merger. Under Brazilian law, CADE, along with the
Economic Law Office of the Ministry of Justice ("SDE") and the Secretariat of
Economic Surveillance ("SEAE") have joint responsibility for reviewing a merger.
After submission of the application by the parties, SEAE has a minimum 30-day
period to provide its written advice concerning the economic impact of the
merger. Then, SDE has a minimum 30-day period to submit its written advice
concerning the economic and legal aspects of the transaction. After this, CADE
has a minimum 60-day period to make its determination concerning the
transaction. CADE can approve the transaction, prohibit the transaction, approve
the transaction subject to specific divestiture requirements, or approve the
transaction subject to certain performance commitments. If CADE fails to take
any action within the prescribed time, the transaction is deemed to be approved
automatically. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parker and Commercial Intertech
may proceed with the merger without prior approval of CADE; however, this will
not preclude CADE from requiring divestitures or otherwise imposing conditions
on the future operation of the business.



     Austria. In accordance with the Austrian Cartel Act, Parker and Commercial
Intertech filed a joint notification with the Austrian Federal Cartel Court on
February 17, 2000. Except as described below, Parker and Commercial Intertech
are prohibited from consummating the merger until (1) the notification is
published in the Austrian official journal and certain waiting period
requirements are met or (2) express clearance is granted by the Austrian Federal
Cartel Court. Once a notification is published in the official journal, certain
Austrian governmental entities have four weeks to file an application to examine
the merger. If no application is filed, the merger may be consummated at the end
of the four-week period. If an application for examination is filed, the
Austrian Federal Cartel Court must clear or reject the proposed merger within
five months from the filing of the notification. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Parker and Commercial Intertech may proceed with the merger without the prior
approval of the Austrian Federal Cartel Court; however, this will not preclude
the Austrian Federal Cartel Court from requiring divestitures or otherwise
imposing conditions on the future operation of the business.


APPRAISAL AND DISSENTERS' RIGHTS

     Commercial Intertech shareholders who so desire are entitled to relief as
dissenting shareholders under Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.85. A Commercial
Intertech shareholder will be entitled to this relief, however, only if he or
she complies strictly with all of the procedural and other requirements of
Section 1701.85. The following summary is not a complete statement of the method
of compliance with Section 1701.85 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to the copy of Section 1701.85 attached to this document as Annex E.

     A Commercial Intertech shareholder who wishes to perfect his or her rights
as a dissenting shareholder if the merger is approved:

      --  must have been a record holder of the Commercial Intertech common
          stock as to which that shareholder seeks relief on the record date for
          the special meeting;

      --  must not have voted his or her shares of Commercial Intertech common
          stock in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement; and


      --  must deliver to Parker, not later than ten days after Commercial
          Intertech's special meeting, a written demand for payment of the fair
          cash value of the shares of Commercial Intertech common stock as to
          which that shareholder seeks relief. The written demand must state the
          shareholder's name, address, the number of shares of Commercial
          Intertech common stock as to which that shareholder seeks relief and
          the amount claimed as the fair cash value of those shares of stock.


                                       38
<PAGE>   45

     A vote against the adoption of the merger agreement will not satisfy the
requirements of a written demand for payment. Any written demand for payment
should be mailed or delivered to:

                   Parker-Hannifin Corporation
                   6035 Parkland Boulevard
                   Cleveland, Ohio 44124
                   Attention: General Counsel

Because the written demand must be delivered to Parker within the ten-day period
following Commercial Intertech's special meeting, it is recommended, although
not required, that a shareholder using the mail should use certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested, to confirm that the shareholder has
made a timely delivery. This proxy statement/prospectus and Commercial
Intertech's accompanying notice of special meeting will constitute the only
notice of the date of Commercial Intertech's special meeting.

     If Parker sends the dissenting shareholder, at the address specified in his
or her demand, a request for the certificate(s) representing his or her shares,
the dissenting shareholder must deliver the certificate(s) to Parker within 15
days of the sending of Parker's request. Parker may endorse the certificate(s)
with a legend to the effect that the shareholder has demanded the fair cash
value of the shares represented by the certificate(s). Failure to deliver the
certificate(s) within 15 days of the request terminates the shareholder's rights
as a dissenting shareholder. Parker must notify the shareholder of its election
to terminate the shareholder's rights as a dissenting shareholder within 20 days
after the lapse of the 15 day period.

     Unless the dissenting shareholder and Parker agree on the fair cash value
per share of the Commercial Intertech common stock, the shareholder may, within
three months after the service of the written demand by the shareholder, file a
petition in the Court of Common Pleas of Mahoning County, Ohio. If the court
finds that the shareholder is entitled to be paid the fair cash value of
Commercial Intertech common stock, the court may appoint one or more appraisers
to receive evidence and to recommend a decision on the amount of the fair cash
value. Fair cash value:

      --  will be determined as of the day prior to Commercial Intertech's
          special meeting;

      --  will be the amount a willing seller and willing buyer would accept or
          pay with neither being under compulsion to sell or buy;

      --  will not exceed the amount specified in the shareholder's written
          demand; and

      --  will exclude any appreciation or depreciation in market value
          resulting from the merger.

     The court will make a finding as to the fair cash value of a share of
Commercial Intertech common stock and render judgment against Parker for its
payment with interest at a rate and from a date the court considers equitable.
The costs of proceedings will be assessed or apportioned as the court considers
equitable.

     The rights of any dissenting shareholder will terminate if:

      --  the dissenting shareholder has not complied with Section 1701.85,
          unless Parker, by its board of directors, waives such failure;

      --  Commercial Intertech and Parker abandon or are finally enjoined or
          prevented from carrying out, or the shareholders of Commercial
          Intertech rescind their adoption of, the merger agreement;

      --  the dissenting shareholder withdraws his, her or its written demand,
          with the consent of Parker's board of directors; or

      --  Commercial Intertech and the dissenting shareholder have not agreed
          upon the fair cash value per share of the Commercial Intertech common
          stock and neither has timely filed or joined in a petition in an
          appropriate court for a determination of the fair cash value of the
          Commercial Intertech common stock.

                                       39
<PAGE>   46

     Because a proxy card that does not contain voting instructions will be
voted for adoption of the merger agreement, a Commercial Intertech shareholder
who wishes to exercise dissenters' rights must either:

      --  not sign and return his or her proxy card; or

      --  if he or she signs and returns his or her proxy card, check the
          appropriate box on the proxy card to either vote against or to abstain
          from voting on the adoption of the merger agreement.

          FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS CONSEQUENCES; STOCK TRANSFER RESTRICTION
          AGREEMENTS

     This proxy statement/prospectus does not cover any resales of the Parker
common stock to be received by Commercial Intertech shareholders in the merger,
and no person is authorized to make any use of this proxy statement/prospectus
in connection with any such resale.

     All shares of Parker common stock received by Commercial Intertech
shareholders in the merger will be freely transferable, except that shares of
Parker common stock received by persons who are deemed to be "affiliates" of
Commercial Intertech under the Securities Act of 1933 at the time of Commercial
Intertech's special meeting. These shares received by "affiliates" of Commercial
Intertech may be resold only in transactions permitted by Rule 145 under the
Securities Act of 1933 or as otherwise permitted under the Securities Act of
1933. Persons who may be affiliates of Commercial Intertech for those purposes,
generally include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by, or
are under common control with, Commercial Intertech, and would not include
shareholders who are not officers, directors or principal shareholders of
Commercial Intertech.

     The merger agreement requires Commercial Intertech to deliver to Parker, at
least 30 days prior to the merger, an executed letter agreement from each of its
"affiliates" to the effect that such affiliate will not offer, sell or otherwise
dispose of any of the shares of Parker common stock issued to that affiliate in
the merger or otherwise owned or acquired by that affiliate in violation of the
Securities Act of 1933.

                                       40
<PAGE>   47

                              CERTAIN PROJECTIONS

     During the course of discussions between Parker and Commercial Intertech
that led to the execution of the merger agreement, Commercial Intertech provided
Parker and Salomon Smith Barney with certain non-public business and financial
information about Commercial Intertech. This information is as follows:

                    (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               2000      2001      2002      2003      2004
                                              ------    ------    ------    ------    ------
<S>                                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Sales.......................................  $555.7    $588.7    $623.7    $661.0    $700.6
Operating profit............................    50.2      60.7      71.2      79.9      89.6
</TABLE>

     Commercial Intertech does not, as a matter of course, publicly disclose
projections as to future performance, revenues or earnings. The projections set
forth above were not prepared with a view to public disclosure or compliance
with published guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the
guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
regarding projections and are included in this proxy statement/prospectus only
because they were provided to Parker and Salomon Smith Barney. Parker and
Salomon Smith Barney assume no responsibility for the accuracy of these
forecasts. Because the estimates and assumptions, none of which are set forth
herein, underlying these projections are inherently subject to significant
economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies that are difficult or
impossible to predict accurately and are beyond Parker's and Commercial
Intertech's control, there can be no assurance that these projections will be
realized at the times or in the amounts indicated. Accordingly, it is expected
that there will be differences between actual and projected results and that
actual results may be materially higher or lower than these projections. The
inclusion of these projections should not be regarded as a representation by
Parker, Salomon Smith Barney, Commercial Intertech or any of their affiliates or
representatives that the projected results will be achieved.


     Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information. Commercial
Intertech has identified the following important factors that could cause its
actual results to differ materially from these projections: (a) changes in
Commercial Intertech's operations as a result of its integration into Parker and
(b) the lack of control Commercial Intertech shareholders will have over
Parker's future operations.


                                       41
<PAGE>   48

                  MATERIAL PROVISIONS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT

     The following is a brief summary of the material provisions of the merger
agreement. A copy of the merger agreement is attached as Annex A to this
document and is incorporated in this document by reference. We urge you to read
the merger agreement carefully and in its entirety.

STRUCTURE OF MERGER

     Under the merger agreement, Commercial Intertech will merge with and into
Parker, with Parker continuing as the surviving corporation.

THE MERGER CONSIDERATION

     At the effective time of the merger, for each share of Commercial Intertech
common stock, the holder will be entitled to receive, subject to the election
and allocation provisions of the merger agreement discussed below:

      --  a number of whole shares of Parker common stock determined by dividing
          $20.00 by the average of the daily closing prices for Parker common
          stock on the NYSE for the 20 trading days ending five trading days
          before the closing date of the merger; however:

          - if the average closing price is above $53.375, the exchange ratio
            will be fixed at .3747 shares of Parker common stock for each share
            of Commercial Intertech common stock; and

          - if the average closing price is less than $43.375, the exchange
            ratio will be fixed at .4611 shares of Parker common stock for each
            share of Commercial Intertech common stock; or

      --  cash in the amount of $20.00.

     No fractional shares of Parker common stock will be issued in the merger.
All Parker shares that a Commercial Intertech shareholder is entitled to receive
will be aggregated. Any fractional Parker shares resulting from this aggregation
will be paid in cash, in an amount equal to the fraction multiplied by the
market value of a Parker share, determined using the same 20-day average closing
price discussed above.

     Since the exchange ratio for conversion of Commercial Intertech common
stock into Parker common stock will be established five trading days prior to
the closing of the merger, the market value on the closing date of the Parker
common stock issued to you in the merger may be greater or less than $20.00 per
share. We encourage you to look at the current price of Parker common stock
before tendering your proxy, attending the special meeting or submitting your
transmittal form.

ELECTION PROCEDURES

     An election and transmittal form is enclosed with this proxy
statement/prospectus. Each election and transmittal form permits the holder to
indicate an election subject to the allocation and proration procedures
described below to receive $20.00 in cash or Parker common stock with a market
value of $20.00 per share with respect to all or a portion of the holder's
shares of Commercial Intertech common stock.


     The deadline for submitting election and transmittal forms will be 4:00
p.m. Cleveland, Ohio time on the fourth trading day prior to the merger's
closing date (the "Election Deadline"). You will be notified of the specific
date of the Election Deadline as soon as the closing date of the merger is
determined. Any shares of Commercial Intertech common stock for which a properly
completed election and transmittal form is not submitted will be converted into
Parker common stock upon the completion of the merger. If you fail to submit an
election and transmittal form by the Election Deadline, you will receive Parker
common stock in the merger.



     Elections are properly made only if the Exchange Agent actually receives a
properly completed election and transmittal form by the Election Deadline,
accompanied by the certificate representing the shares of Commercial Intertech
as to which the election is being made or, in the case of Commercial Intertech
shareholders whose shares are held in book-entry form, you must instruct your
broker, dealer, bank or other financial institution that holds the shares to
make an election on your behalf by transferring the shares to an account
established by the Exchange Agent for this purpose at Depository Trust Company

                                       42
<PAGE>   49


("DTC"), and transmitting a message through DTC to the Exchange Agent setting
forth your election with respect to your shares of Commercial Intertech common
stock. You have the right to change or revoke your election anytime before 4:00
p.m. Cleveland, Ohio time on the Election Deadline. To change your election, you
should submit to the Exchange Agent a properly completed and signed revised
election and transmittal form or if your shares are held in book-entry form, you
should cause a new message with revised election information to be transferred
through DTC to the Exchange Agent for receipt by the Exchange Agent prior to the
Election Deadline. To revoke your election, you should submit to the Exchange
Agent written notice of revocation or cause a new message to be transmitted
through DTC to the Exchange Agent withdrawing shares previously deposited and
specifying the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited for receipt
by the Exchange Agent prior to the Election Deadline. If an election and
transmittal form is revoked, it will be treated as if no cash election had been
made. An election and transmittal form received and not changed or revoked by
4:00 p.m. Cleveland, Ohio time on the Election Deadline will be binding and
irrevocable.



     If your share certificates are not immediately available, or if you cannot
deliver your share certificates and other required documents to the Exchange
Agent prior to the Election Deadline, or if you cannot comply with the
book-entry transfer procedures on a timely basis, you may satisfy the cash
election requirements by properly completing a Guarantee of Delivery under the
guaranteed delivery procedures in the election and transmittal form. Under this
procedure, the properly completed form of election and transmittal, including
the Guarantee of Delivery, must be received prior to the Election Deadline, and
share certificates must be received by the Exchange Agent within three trading
days thereafter.



     Parker will have the power, which it may delegate to the Exchange Agent, to
determine, in its good faith reasonable judgment, whether any election has been
properly or timely made and to disregard immaterial defects in election and
transmittal forms. Any decision by Parker or the Exchange Agent regarding such
matters will be conclusive and binding. None of Commercial Intertech, Parker or
the Exchange Agent will be under any obligation to notify any person of any
defect in an election and transmittal form.


ALLOCATION AND PRORATION

     The merger agreement requires that at least 51% in value of the aggregate
merger consideration consist of shares of Parker common stock. If the value of
the Parker common stock to be issued in the merger, minus any discount due to
trading restrictions on the value of the Parker common stock to be issued in the
merger, is less than 51% of the total merger consideration, including the amount
of cash to be paid in lieu of fractional shares, then the cash component shall
be reduced to the extent necessary so that the value of the Parker common stock
is equal to 51% of the merger consideration. For the purposes of this
calculation, Parker common stock will be valued at the lesser of the average
closing price for the 20 trading days ending on the fifth trading day before the
closing date of the merger and the average of the high and low trading prices on
the trading day before the effective date of the merger or, if determined to be
more appropriate by either Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue or Katten Muchin Zavis,
the trading price as of the time of the closing of the merger. Since the
aggregate cash component of the merger consideration is limited, a Commercial
Intertech shareholder may not receive the exact consideration elected on his or
her election and transmittal form. If holders of Commercial Intertech common
stock elect to receive more than the maximum permissible cash consideration,
each share of Commercial Intertech common stock for which a cash election is
made will be converted into the right to receive:

      --  a pro-rated portion of the $20.00 per share cash consideration such
          that the aggregate cash payments do not exceed the maximum permissible
          cash consideration; and

      --  the balance of the merger consideration in Parker common stock.

CLOSING; EFFECTIVE TIME

     The closing of the merger will take place at a time and on a date that will
be no later than the second business day after satisfaction or waiver of the
conditions set forth in the merger agreement, unless another time or date is
agreed to by Parker and Commercial Intertech; however, in order to preserve
certain

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<PAGE>   50

benefits that Commercial Intertech's German subsidiary received from German
governmental authorities, the closing may not occur before May 4, 2000 unless
Commercial Intertech and Parker receive a waiver or consent, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Parker, from the German governmental
authorities that permits the closing to occur earlier without triggering any
liability to Commercial Intertech, Parker or the surviving corporation under the
contract entered into in connection with the receipt of these benefits by
Commercial Intertech.

     Subject to the provisions of the merger agreement, as soon as practicable
on or after the date of the merger, Parker and Commercial Intertech will file a
Certificate of Merger and other appropriate documents with the Secretary of
State of Ohio in accordance with the relevant provisions of Ohio law. The merger
will become effective when the Certificate of Merger is filed with the Secretary
of State of Ohio, or at such later time as Parker and Commercial Intertech
specify in the Certificate of Merger.

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF COMMERCIAL INTERTECH AFTER THE MERGER

     Under the merger agreement, the directors of Parker immediately prior to
the merger will be the initial directors of the surviving corporation at and
after the merger, and the officers of Parker immediately prior to the merger
will be the initial officers of the surviving corporation at and after the
merger.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     The merger agreement contains customary representations and warranties by
Parker and Commercial Intertech relating to, among other things:

      --  the corporate organization, standing and power of Commercial Intertech
          and Parker;

      --  the subsidiaries of Commercial Intertech;

      --  the capital structure of Commercial Intertech;

      --  each of Commercial Intertech's and Parker's authority to enter into,
          and the noncontravention of certain agreements and documents upon
          execution of, the merger agreement;

      --  documents filed by Commercial Intertech and Parker with the Securities
          and Exchange Commission and other regulatory entities and the accuracy
          of information contained in those documents;

      --  absence of certain material changes or events with respect to Parker
          since June 30, 1999 and Commercial Intertech since October 31, 1999;

      --  Commercial Intertech's compliance with applicable laws;

      --  Commercial Intertech's litigation matters;

      --  matters relating to Commercial Intertech's compliance with the
          Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended;

      --  Commercial Intertech tax matters;

      --  the vote required by Commercial Intertech shareholders in connection
          with the adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the
          "opt-out" amendment;

      --  the lack of a Parker shareholder vote requirement to approve the
          issuance of the shares of Parker common stock to Commercial Intertech
          shareholders in the merger;

      --  the non-applicability of certain state takeover statutes;

      --  lack of ownership by Parker of Commercial Intertech common stock or
          ownership by Commercial Intertech of Parker common stock;

      --  engagement of and payment of fees to brokers, investment bankers,
          finders and financial advisors in connection with the merger agreement
          by each of Commercial Intertech and Parker;

      --  environmental matters affecting Commercial Intertech;

      --  real property and other assets of Commercial Intertech;

                                       44
<PAGE>   51

      --  intellectual property matters of Commercial Intertech;

      --  the opinion of Goldman Sachs & Co.;

      --  labor agreements of, and material labor disputes involving, Commercial
          Intertech;

      --  the amendment of Commercial Intertech's shareholder rights plan;

      --  certain material contracts and noncompetition agreements of Commercial
          Intertech;

      --  insurance policies relating to Commercial Intertech; and

      --  acquisitions and divestitures made by Commercial Intertech since
          January 1, 1995.

COVENANTS

     Conduct of Business. Pursuant to the merger agreement, Commercial Intertech
has agreed that, except as permitted or contemplated by the merger agreement or
as consented to by Parker, during the period from the date of the merger
agreement to the effective time of the merger, Commercial Intertech will, and
will cause its subsidiaries to:

      --  carry on their respective businesses in the ordinary course consistent
          with past practice and in compliance in all material respects with all
          applicable laws and regulations;

      --  use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact their current business
          organizations;

      --  use all reasonable efforts to keep available the services of their
          current officers and other key employees; and

      --  preserve their relationships with those persons having business
          dealings with them to the end that their goodwill and ongoing
          businesses will be unimpaired at the time of the merger.

     The merger agreement provides that Commercial Intertech and its
subsidiaries will not, among other things and with some exceptions:

      --  declare or pay any dividends (other than regular quarterly cash
          dividends) or reclassify or redeem its capital shares;

      --  issue, sell or encumber any shares of capital stock or options to
          acquire any shares of capital stock;

      --  amend its organizational documents or shareholder rights plan or merge
          with any person;

      --  sell, lease or encumber property or assets, other than dispositions of
          inventory in the ordinary course of business;

      --  enter into any capital commitments for more than $250,000 in the
          aggregate except for budgeted maintenance and repairs in the ordinary
          course of business;

      --  incur any long-term indebtedness or incur short-term indebtedness in
          excess of $5.0 million under existing lines of credit;

      --  increase any compensation or benefits payable, except for changes that
          are not material in the ordinary course of business consistent with
          past practice;

      --  adopt, enter into or otherwise increase, reprice or accelerate the
          payment or vesting of amounts, benefits or other rights payable or
          accrued under any employee benefit plan;

      --  enter into any employment agreement;

      --  acquire, purchase or acquire any material amount of assets of any
          business entity, other than the purchase of assets from suppliers or
          vendors in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
          practice;

      --  satisfy claims or liabilities of Commercial Intertech, other than
          satisfaction, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
          practice, in accordance with their terms or in an amount not to exceed
          $750,000 in the aggregate, of liabilities reflected or reserved
          against, in or contemplated by, the consolidated financial statements
          of Commercial Intertech;

                                       45
<PAGE>   52

      --  amend, terminate, waive, release or assign any contract, right or
          claim, or forgive any indebtedness owed to Commercial Intertech or its
          subsidiaries, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent
          with past practice; or

      --  take any action that would reasonably be expected to result in any of
          the conditions to the merger not being satisfied.

     In addition, Parker has agreed that it will not take any action that would
reasonably be expected to result in any of the conditions to the merger not
being satisfied.

     No Solicitation. The merger agreement provides that Commercial Intertech
will not, and will not authorize or permit any of its subsidiaries or any of its
or their respective directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives,
directly or indirectly, to solicit, initiate, encourage or knowingly facilitate,
or furnish or disclose non-public information in furtherance of, any inquiries
or the making of any proposal that constitutes a company takeover proposal.

      --  Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to the approval of
          the merger by the shareholders of Commercial Intertech, the board of
          directors of Commercial Intertech may, in the exercise of its
          fiduciary obligations under Ohio law as determined by the board of
          directors of Commercial Intertech in good faith, after consultation
          with and receipt of advice from its outside counsel, pursuant to a
          customary confidentiality agreement with terms not substantially more
          favorable to such third party than the confidentiality agreement
          between Parker and Commercial Intertech (excluding the standstill
          provisions contained therein), furnish information to, and negotiate
          or otherwise engage in discussions with, any third party who delivers
          a written proposal for a superior proposal (as defined below) that was
          not solicited, initiated, knowingly facilitated or encouraged after
          the date of the merger agreement.

      --  If prior to the approval of the merger by the shareholders of
          Commercial Intertech, the board of directors of Commercial Intertech
          receives a superior proposal that was not solicited, initiated,
          knowingly facilitated or encouraged after the date of the merger
          agreement except as otherwise permitted pursuant to the merger
          agreement, as described above, the board of directors of Commercial
          Intertech may, subject to this and the following sentences, in the
          exercise of its fiduciary obligations under Ohio law as determined by
          the board of directors of Commercial Intertech in good faith, after
          consultation with and receipt of advice from its outside counsel,
          withdraw, modify or change, in a manner adverse to Parker, the
          recommendation of the board of directors of Commercial Intertech of
          the merger agreement and/or recommend a superior proposal to the
          shareholders of Commercial Intertech and/or comply with Rule 14e-2
          promulgated under the Exchange Act with respect to a company takeover
          proposal, provided that it gives Parker four business days prior
          written notice of its intention to do so and during such four business
          day period, Commercial Intertech otherwise cooperates with Parker to
          enable Parker to engage in good faith negotiations so that the merger
          can be consummated. Any withdrawal, modification or change of the
          recommendation of the board of directors of Commercial Intertech of
          the merger agreement will not change the approval of the board of
          directors of Commercial Intertech for purposes of causing any state
          takeover statute or other state law to be inapplicable to the
          transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the
          merger.

      --  From and after the execution of the merger agreement, Commercial
          Intertech must promptly, but in any event within one calendar day,
          advise Parker in writing of the receipt of any inquiries, discussions,
          negotiations or proposals relating to a company takeover proposal,
          including the specific terms thereof and the identity of the other
          party or parties involved, and must promptly furnish to Parker a copy
          of any written proposal along with any information provided to or by
          any third party relating thereto. In addition, Commercial Intertech
          shall promptly, but in any event within one calendar day, advise
          Parker in writing if the board of directors of Commercial Intertech
          makes any determination to take any action with respect to any company
          takeover proposal as permitted by the merger agreement (as described
          above).

                                       46
<PAGE>   53

      --  Nothing in the merger agreement permits Commercial Intertech to
          terminate the merger agreement or to enter into any agreement with
          respect to any company takeover proposal before the special meeting of
          its shareholders.

     A "company takeover proposal" is any inquiry, proposal or offer from any
person relating to any:

      --  direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of a business that
          constitutes 10% or more of the net revenues, net income or the assets
          of Commercial Intertech and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

      --  direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of 10% or more of any class
          of equity securities of Commercial Intertech or any of its
          subsidiaries;

      --  tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any
          person beneficially owning 10% or more of any class of any equity
          securities of Commercial Intertech or any of its subsidiaries; or

      --  merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization,
          liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving Commercial
          Intertech or any of its subsidiaries.

     A "superior proposal" is a company takeover proposal:

      --  that the Commercial Intertech board of directors determines, in its
          good faith judgment after consulting with and receipt of advice from
          Goldman Sachs (or any other nationally recognized investment banking
          firm), would be more favorable to Commercial Intertech's shareholders
          from a financial point of view than the merger (including any
          adjustments to the terms and conditions proposed by Parker in response
          to the company takeover proposal) and is reasonably capable of being
          consummated; and

      --  for which financing, to the extent required, is then committed or
          which, in the good faith judgment of the Commercial Intertech board of
          directors, is reasonably capable of being obtained by the party making
          the company takeover proposal.

ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS


     Stock Options, Performance Shares and Restricted Stock. At the time of the
merger, each outstanding employee stock option under Commercial Intertech's
stock plans (which generally include employee incentive and benefit plans,
programs and arrangements and non-employee director plans currently maintained
by Commercial Intertech), will be converted into an option to purchase the
number of shares of Parker common stock equal to the merger exchange ratio
multiplied by the number of shares of Commercial Intertech common stock that
could have been obtained prior to the merger upon the exercise of that
Commercial Intertech option. The converted option will have an exercise price
per share equal to the exercise price for each share of Commercial Intertech
common stock subject to the converted option divided by the merger exchange
ratio. Upon completion of the merger, Parker will assume the obligations of
Commercial Intertech under Commercial Intertech's stock plans. The other terms
of each converted option, and the plans under which they were issued, will
continue to apply in accordance with their terms. See "The Merger -- Interests
of Certain Persons in the Merger."


     At the time of the merger, each outstanding award, including restricted
stock, deferred stock and performance shares, under any of Commercial
Intertech's stock plans, will be converted into the same instrument of Parker.
The awards will be converted, in each case, only with those adjustments to the
terms of the awards as are necessary to preserve the value inherent in the
awards with no detrimental effects on the holders of the awards. Parker will
assume the obligations of Commercial Intertech under those awards. The other
terms of each of the Commercial Intertech awards, and the plans or agreements
under which they were issued, will continue to apply in accordance with their
terms.

     Commercial Intertech and Parker have agreed that each of their respective
employee incentive or benefit plans, programs and arrangements and non-employee
director plans will be amended, to the extent necessary, to reflect the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the conversion of
shares of Commercial Intertech common stock held or to be awarded or paid
pursuant to its benefit plans, programs or arrangements into shares of Parker
common stock on a basis consistent with the transactions

                                       47
<PAGE>   54

contemplated by the merger agreement. Furthermore, Commercial Intertech and
Parker have agreed to submit the amendments to these plans, programs and
arrangements to their respective shareholders, if their submission is determined
to be necessary by either company's legal counsel after consultation with one
another, although this shareholder approval is not a condition to completing the
merger.

     Parker will reserve for issuance the number of shares of Parker common
stock that will become subject to the benefit plans, programs and arrangements
referred to in the preceding three paragraphs. Parker will also issue or cause
to be issued the appropriate number of shares of Parker common stock pursuant to
those plans, programs and arrangements, upon the exercise or maturation of
rights existing under those plans at the time of the merger. No later than the
effective time of the merger, Parker will prepare and file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission a registration statement registering a number of shares
of Parker common stock issuable under the Commercial Intertech awards described
above and upon the exercise of Commercial Intertech stock options converted in
the merger. Parker will also use its reasonable best efforts to cause these
shares to be approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

     Indemnification and Insurance. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Parker has
agreed to assume all rights to indemnification and exculpation from liabilities
for acts or omissions occurring before the effective time of the merger that
currently exist in favor of the current or former directors and officers of
Commercial Intertech and its subsidiaries. These provisions may not be amended
or otherwise modified for a period of six years from the effective time of the
merger in any manner that would adversely affect the rights of individuals who
on or prior to the effective time of the merger were directors, officers,
employees or agents of Commercial Intertech, unless such modification is
required by law. In addition, if Parker consolidates or merges with any other
person and is not the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of the
consolidation or merger or if Parker transfers substantially all of its
properties and assets to any person, then Parker has agreed to make proper
arrangements so that the successors and assigns of Parker will assume the
indemnification and exculpation obligations described above.

     For six years after the merger, Parker will maintain in effect Commercial
Intertech's current directors' and officers' liability insurance covering acts
or omissions occurring prior to the merger with respect to those persons who are
currently covered by Commercial Intertech's directors' and officers' liability
insurance policy on terms with respect to that coverage and amount no less
favorable than those of Commercial Intertech's policy in effect on the date of
the merger agreement. Parker will not be required to pay aggregate premiums for
the insurance described in this paragraph in excess of 200% of the aggregate
premiums paid by Commercial Intertech in 1999. However, if the annual premiums
of that insurance coverage exceed that amount, Parker will be obligated to
obtain a policy with the greatest coverage available for a cost up to but not
exceeding that amount.

     Fees and Expenses. Whether or not the merger is completed, all fees and
expenses incurred in connection with the merger, the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will be paid by the party
incurring those fees or expenses, except that Commercial Intertech and Parker
will each pay one-half of the costs of filing Parker's Form S-4 registration
statement, the filing, printing and mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus
and the filing of the premerger notification and report forms under the HSR Act.

     Affiliates. Commercial Intertech has agreed to deliver to Parker at least
30 days prior to the closing date a letter identifying all persons who are, at
the time of the special meeting, "affiliates" for purposes of Rule 145 under the
Securities Act of 1933. Commercial Intertech will use reasonable efforts to
cause each of these "affiliates" to deliver to Parker at least 30 days prior to
the closing date a written agreement acknowledging, among other things, the
restrictions on transfer of Parker common stock described in "Federal Securities
Laws Consequences; Stock Transfer Restriction Agreements."

     New York Stock Exchange Listing. Parker will use its reasonable best
efforts to cause the Parker common stock issuable to the Commercial Intertech
shareholders in the merger to be approved for listing on the New York Stock
Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance.

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<PAGE>   55

     Shareholder Litigation. Parker and Commercial Intertech will cooperate and
consult with one another in connection with any shareholder litigation against
any of them or their respective directors and officers. Commercial Intertech has
agreed not to compromise or settle any litigation commenced against it or its
directors or officers relating to the merger agreement or the merger without
Parker's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.


     Tax Treatment. Parker and Commercial Intertech will use reasonable best
efforts to cause the merger to qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a)
of the Code and to obtain the opinions of counsel referred to in "The
Merger -- Material Federal Income Tax Consequences."


     Standstill Agreements; Confidentiality Agreements. During the period from
the date of the merger agreement through the effective time of the merger,
Commercial Intertech will not terminate, amend, modify or waive any provision of
any confidentiality or standstill agreement to which it or any of its respective
subsidiaries is a party, other than:

      --  the confidentiality agreement, dated December 3, 1999, entered into
          between Commercial Intertech and Parker, pursuant to its terms or by
          written agreement of Commercial Intertech and Parker;

      --  confidentiality agreements under which Commercial Intertech does not
          provide any confidential information to third parties; or

      --  standstill agreements that do not relate to the equity securities of
          Commercial Intertech or any of its subsidiaries.

     During that period, Commercial Intertech will enforce, to the fullest
extent permitted under applicable law, the provisions of each of those
agreements, including by obtaining injunctions to prevent any violations of
those agreements and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of the
agreements in any court of the United States of America or of any state having
jurisdiction.

     Employee Benefit Plans. For a period of at least two years after the
merger, Parker will provide employees of Commercial Intertech and its
subsidiaries with employee benefit plans and programs with terms that are in the
aggregate no less favorable to such employees than the terms of Commercial
Intertech's existing employee benefit plans and programs.

     Only for purposes of eligibility to participate and vesting, employees of
Commercial Intertech at the time of the merger will receive credit under any
employee benefit plan, program or arrangement established or maintained by
Parker and made available to those employees for service accrued prior to the
merger with Commercial Intertech.

     Credit Facility; Senior Unsecured Notes. Prior to the effective time,
Parker and Commercial Intertech will use their reasonable best efforts to cause,
effective as of the effective time of the merger:

      --  the termination of Commercial Intertech's existing revolving line of
          credit; and

      --  the redemption of all outstanding 7.61% Senior Unsecured Notes of
          Commercial Intertech.

     Charitable Contributions to the Community. For a period of at least five
years after the effective time of the merger, Parker and its subsidiaries will
provide charitable contributions within the service areas of Commercial
Intertech and its subsidiaries at levels substantially comparable to levels
previously provided by Commercial Intertech and its subsidiaries during the
five-year period prior to the effective time of the merger.

     ESOP Series B Preferred Stock. Promptly after the date of the merger
agreement, but in no event later than 10 business days thereafter, Commercial
Intertech will initiate the redemption of all outstanding ESOP Series B
Preferred Stock. At least two business days prior to the closing date, no shares
of ESOP Series B Preferred Stock will be issued and outstanding.

                                       49
<PAGE>   56

CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

     Parker's and Commercial Intertech's obligations to effect the merger are
subject to the satisfaction or waiver of various conditions on or before the
date on which the merger is to be effected, which include, in addition to other
customary closing conditions, the following:

      --  the Commercial Intertech shareholders having adopted the merger
          agreement and approved the "opt-out" amendment;

      --  all material governmental, regulatory, judicial or administrative
          consents, filings, and notices required of Commercial Intertech,
          Parker or any of their subsidiaries to consummate the merger and the
          other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement having been
          obtained, made or sent, as the case may be;

      --  no judgment, order, law or other rule or regulation entered,
          promulgated, enforced or issued by any court or other governmental or
          administrative body of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint
          or prohibition being in effect:

          - preventing the completion of the merger;

          - prohibiting or limiting the ownership or operation by Commercial
            Intertech or Parker and their respective subsidiaries of any
            material portion of the business or assets of Commercial Intertech
            or Parker and their respective subsidiaries taken as a whole, or
            compelling Commercial Intertech or Parker and their respective
            subsidiaries to dispose of or hold separate any material portion of
            the business or assets of Commercial Intertech or Parker and their
            respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as a result of the
            merger; or

          - which otherwise might have a material adverse effect on Commercial
            Intertech or Parker, as applicable in each case, provided that
            Parker and Commercial Intertech have each used their reasonable best
            efforts to prevent the entry of any restraints described above and
            to quickly appeal any of those restraints that may be entered;

      --  Parker's Form S-4 registration statement, of which this proxy
          statement/prospectus forms a part, having become effective under the
          Securities Act of 1933 and not being the subject of any order, or of
          any proceeding seeking an order, suspending the effectiveness of the
          registration statement;

      --  the shares of Parker's common stock to be listed on the New York Stock
          Exchange and which are issuable to Commercial Intertech shareholders
          in the merger, having been approved for listing on the New York Stock
          Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance; and

      --  the waiting or similar period applicable to the completion of the
          merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act having terminated or expired.

     In addition, each of Parker's and Commercial Intertech's obligations to
effect the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following
additional conditions:

      --  the representations and warranties made by the other party in the
          merger agreement being true on the date of the merger agreement and
          being true on the date of the merger as if they were made on that
          date, unless they were originally stated to be true as of a specified
          earlier date, in which case they must still have been true on that
          date, unless their failure to be true would not have, individually or
          in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the other party; and

      --  the other party to the merger agreement having performed in all
          material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under
          the merger agreement on or before the date of the merger.

     Also, Parker's obligation to effect the merger is subject to the
satisfaction or waiver of the following additional conditions:

      --  Parker having received from its legal counsel, Jones, Day, Reavis &
          Pogue, on the closing date of the merger, an opinion dated that date,
          to the effect that the merger will constitute a "reorganization"
          within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and
          that Parker and Commercial Intertech will each be a party to the
          reorganization within the meaning of

                                       50
<PAGE>   57


          Section 368(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (see "The
          Merger -- Material Federal Income Tax Consequences");


      --  at any time after the date of the merger agreement, no material
          adverse change having occurred relating to Commercial Intertech;

      --  no ESOP Series B Preferred Stock will be issued and outstanding; and

      --  the redemption of Commercial Intertech's 7.61% Unsecured Senior Notes
          will have occurred and all of these outstanding notes will have been
          redeemed.

     Other than for certain limited exceptions specified in the merger
agreement, "material adverse change" and "material adverse effect" mean, when
used in connection with Parker or Commercial Intertech, any change, effect,
event, occurrence or state of facts that is, or would reasonably be expected to
be, materially adverse to the business, financial condition or results of
operations of Parker or Commercial Intertech and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole, and the terms "material" and "materially" have correlative meanings.

TERMINATION, FEES, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

     The merger agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the completion
of the merger, whether before or after shareholder approval,

      --  by mutual written consent of Parker and Commercial Intertech;

      --  by either Parker or Commercial Intertech:

          - if the merger has not been consummated by October 31, 2000 or a
            later date agreed to by Parker and Commercial Intertech; provided,
            however, that the right to terminate the merger agreement will not
            be available to any party whose failure to perform any of its
            obligations under the merger agreement results in the failure of the
            merger to be completed by October 31, 2000;

          - if the special meeting has concluded and the adoption of the merger
            agreement and the approval of the "opt-out" amendment by the
            shareholders of Commercial Intertech has not been obtained; or

          - if any judgments, orders, decrees, statutes, laws, ordinances, rules
            or regulations that have any of the effects set forth in the third
            condition listed in the first paragraph of "Conditions to the
            Merger" above will be in effect and will have become final and
            nonappealable; provided, however, that a party may not terminate the
            merger agreement for this reason if its failure to perform any of
            its obligations under the merger agreement resulted in any of such
            effects;

      --  by Parker, if Commercial Intertech breaches or fails to perform in any
          material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or
          other agreements contained in the merger agreement, which breach or
          failure to perform is not cured within 30 days after written notice
          thereof or is incapable of being cured;

      --  by Commercial Intertech, if Parker breaches or fails to perform in any
          material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or
          other agreements contained in the merger agreement, which breach or
          failure to perform is not cured within 30 days after written notice
          thereof or is incapable of being cured;

      --  by Parker, if any person (other than an affiliate of Parker) acquires
          20% of the outstanding Commercial Intertech common shares or if the
          board of directors of Commercial Intertech or any of its committees:

          - withdraws or modifies or changes, or proposes or announces any
            intention to withdraw or modify or change, in a manner adverse to
            Parker, the approval or recommendation by the board of directors of
            Commercial Intertech or one of its committees of the merger
            agreement or the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement,
            including the merger;

                                       51
<PAGE>   58

          - approves or recommends, or proposes to or announces any intention to
            approve or recommend, any company takeover proposal; or

          - proposes or announces any intention to enter into any agreement with
            respect to any company takeover proposal;

      --  by Parker, if Commercial Intertech willfully breaches the no
          solicitation and shareholder recommendation provisions of the merger
          agreement; or

      --  by Parker, if any governmental entity brings, or threatens to bring,
          an action, suit or proceeding that seeks to:

          - restrain or prevent the completion of the merger;

          - impose material limitations on the ability of Parker, the surviving
            corporation or any of their respective affiliates or subsidiaries to
            acquire, operate or hold any material portion of their assets or
            business or Commercial Intertech's assets or business; or

          - require Parker, the surviving corporation or any of their respective
            affiliates or subsidiaries to dispose of, or hold separate, any
            material portion of their assets or business or Commercial
            Intertech's assets or business.

     If either Commercial Intertech or Parker terminates the merger agreement,
the merger agreement will become void and have no effect, without any liability
or obligation on the part of Commercial Intertech or Parker, other than the
following provisions, which survive termination:

      --  the obligation of Commercial Intertech and Parker to keep all
          non-public information connected with the merger confidential;

      --  the agreement between Commercial Intertech and Parker to each pay
          their own fees and, in certain circumstances, Commercial Intertech's
          obligation to pay Parker a termination fee;

      --  the agreement between Commercial Intertech and Parker to consult with
          each other before issuing press releases or other public statements
          and to only issue any press releases or other public statements if
          required by law or a national securities exchange; and

      --  the effects of termination as described under this "Termination, Fees,
          Amendment and Waiver" section.

     If Parker terminates the merger agreement:

      --  as a result of any person other than an affiliate of Parker acquiring
          20% of the outstanding Commercial Intertech common shares;

      --  because the board of directors of Commercial Intertech or any
          committee thereof:

          - withdraws or modifies or changes, or proposes or announces any
            intention to withdraw or modify or change in a manner adverse to
            Parker, the approval or recommendation by the board of directors or
            one of its committees of the merger agreement or the transactions
            contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger;

          - approves or recommends, or proposes to or announces any intention to
            approve or recommend, any company takeover proposal; or

          - proposes or announces any intention to enter into any agreement
            (other than a customary confidentiality agreement) with respect to a
            company takeover proposal; or

      --  because Commercial Intertech willfully breaches the no solicitation or
          shareholder recommendation provisions of the merger agreement,

then, in each case, Commercial Intertech must promptly pay Parker a fee of $18.0
million.

     Also, if either Commercial Intertech or Parker terminates the merger
agreement because the approval of Commercial Intertech's shareholders is not
obtained at the special meeting, and, prior to the special meeting a proposal
with respect to a company takeover proposal has been made known to Commercial
Intertech or been made directly to its shareholders generally or any person has
publicly announced an

                                       52
<PAGE>   59

intention, whether or not conditional, to make a proposal with respect to a
company takeover proposal or solicited proxies or consents in opposition to the
merger and, within 12 months of the termination, Commercial Intertech or any of
its subsidiaries enters into an agreement with respect to, or consummates, any
company takeover proposal, then Commercial Intertech must promptly pay Parker a
fee of $18.0 million.

     Amendment. The merger agreement may be amended by Parker and Commercial
Intertech at any time before or after the adoption of the merger agreement and
approval of the "opt-out" amendment by the Commercial Intertech shareholders,
except that, after this approval, Parker and Commercial Intertech may not make
any amendment that by law requires further approval by either Commercial
Intertech shareholders or Parker shareholders without the further approval of
those shareholders. The merger agreement may not be amended except by an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of both Parker and Commercial Intertech.

     Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the merger, Parker or Commercial
Intertech may:

      --  extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other
          acts of the other party;

      --  waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the
          other party contained in the merger agreement or in any document
          delivered pursuant to the merger agreement; or

      --  except for the prohibitions described in the first sentence of the
          immediately preceding paragraph entitled "Amendment," waive compliance
          by the other party of the agreements or conditions contained in the
          merger agreement.

Any agreement on the part of Parker or Commercial Intertech to any such
extension or waiver will be valid only if it is set forth in an instrument in
writing signed on behalf of that party. The failure of Parker or Commercial
Intertech to assert any of its rights under the merger agreement or otherwise
will not constitute a waiver of those rights.

                                       53
<PAGE>   60

                 PROPOSAL FOR COMMERCIAL INTERTECH TO "OPT-OUT"
                   OF THE OHIO CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT

     Section 1701.831 of the Ohio Revised Code, the Ohio Control Share
Acquisition Act, requires the advance approval of the shareholders of an
"issuing public corporation" prior to an entity's acquisition of specified
levels of voting power of the issuing public corporation. Commercial Intertech
is an issuing public corporation within the meaning of the Ohio Control Share
Acquisition Act, and the merger will constitute a control share acquisition to
which the Act applies.

     Before a control share acquisition is effected, the acquiring person must
deliver an "acquiring person statement" to the issuing public corporation at its
principal executive offices stating, among other things, the identity of the
acquiring person, the number of shares of the issuing public corporation owned
by the acquiring person, the range of voting power that the acquiring person
would be able to exercise if the proposed transaction is consummated, a
description of the terms of the proposed control share acquisition, and
representations that the proposed control share acquisition would not be
contrary to law and that the acquiring person has the financial capability to
make the proposed control share acquisition.

     Within ten days after receiving an acquiring person statement that complies
with the above requirements, the directors of the issuing public corporation
must call a special meeting of shareholders to take a vote on the proposed
control share acquisition. The special meeting of shareholders must be held
within 50 days after receipt of the acquiring person statement, unless the
acquiring person agrees in writing to a later date.

     The acquiring person may make a proposed control share acquisition if the
shareholders of the issuing public corporation who hold shares as of the record
date entitling them to vote in the election of directors authorize the
acquisition at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is
present by an affirmative vote in person or by proxy of:

      --  a majority of the voting power of the corporation; and

      --  a majority of the portion of the voting power excluding the voting
          power of interested shares (as defined below).

To establish a quorum for the vote pursuant to the Ohio Control Share
Acquisition Act, at least a majority of the voting power of the issuing public
corporation in the election of directors must be represented at the special
meeting in person or by proxy.

     "Interested shares" under the Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act include
shares the voting of which may be directed by the acquiring person, by any
officer of the issuing public corporation or by any employee of the issuing
public corporation who is also a director of the issuing public corporation. In
addition, "interested shares" include those shares acquired by any person after
the date of first public disclosure of the merger and prior to the record date
for the special meeting, if such person (and any other person acting in concert
with such person) paid over $250,000 in the aggregate for the purchased shares
or the purchased shares represent over 0.5% of the issuing public corporation's
outstanding common shares. "Interested shares" also includes any of the above
"interested shares" that are transferred for valuable consideration after the
record date, if accompanied by the voting power in the form of a blank proxy, an
agreement to vote as instructed by the transferee, or otherwise.

     Because the Commercial Intertech board of directors has determined that the
merger is in the best interests of Commercial Intertech and its shareholders, it
has recommended that the Commercial Intertech shareholders approve the "opt-out"
amendment, which makes the Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act inapplicable to
Commercial Intertech, in order to avoid, among other things, having to comply
with the procedural requirements of the Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act
outlined above. Approval of the "opt-out" amendment is a condition to the
merger. The affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the
outstanding shares of Commercial Intertech common stock is required to approve
the "opt-out" amendment. A copy of the proposed "opt-out" amendment is attached
to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
COMMERCIAL INTERTECH UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT COMMERCIAL INTERTECH
SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE "OPT-OUT" AMENDMENT.

                                       54
<PAGE>   61

                              THE SPECIAL MEETING

TIME AND PLACE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING


     We are sending this proxy statement/prospectus to you as part of the
solicitation of proxies by the Commercial Intertech board of directors for use
at the special meeting to be held at The Butler Institute of American Art, 524
Wick Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44502, on April 11, 2000 at 10:00 a.m., local
time. We are first mailing this proxy statement/prospectus, the attached notice
of special meeting of shareholders and the enclosed proxy card to you on or
about March 2, 2000.


PURPOSE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING

     At the special meeting, Commercial Intertech shareholders will consider and
vote upon a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
January 14, 2000, between Parker and Commercial Intertech. This agreement
provides for the merger of Commercial Intertech into Parker, with Parker as the
surviving corporation. Also, Commercial Intertech shareholders will consider and
vote upon a proposal to amend Commercial Intertech's code of regulations to
"opt-out" of application of Section 1701.831 of the Ohio Revised Code pertaining
to control share acquisitions in order to facilitate the merger, and to vote on
a possible adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

     We know of no matter to be brought before the special meeting other than
the merger and the "opt-out" amendment. If any matter incident to the conduct of
the special meeting should be brought before the meeting, the persons named in
the proxy card will vote in their discretion.

     THE COMMERCIAL INTERTECH BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE
MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE "OPT-OUT" AMENDMENT AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU
VOTE FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE APPROVAL OF THE "OPT-OUT"
AMENDMENT.

RECORD DATE


     The Commercial Intertech board of directors has fixed the close of business
on February 25, 2000 as the record date for the special meeting. Only holders of
Commercial Intertech common stock on the record date will be entitled to vote at
the special meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. At the record
date, approximately 17,328,045 shares of Commercial Intertech common stock were
outstanding and entitled to vote. The presence, in person or by proxy, of a
majority of these shares of Commercial Intertech common stock is necessary to
constitute a quorum at the special meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes
will be included in the determination of shares present at the special meeting
for purposes of determining a quorum. Under New York Stock Exchange rules,
brokers who hold shares in street name for customers have the authority to vote
on certain "routine" proposals when they have not received instructions from
beneficial owners. Under New York Stock Exchange rules, such brokers are
precluded from exercising their voting discretion with respect to the approval
and adoption of non-routine matters such as the merger and the "opt-out"
amendment, and thus, absent specific instructions from the beneficial owner of
such shares, brokers are not empowered to vote such shares with respect to the
adoption of the merger, resulting in what is known as a "broker non-vote."


REQUIRED VOTE

     All properly executed proxies delivered and not properly revoked will be
voted at the special meeting as specified in such proxies. If you do not specify
a choice, your shares represented by a signed proxy will be voted "FOR" the
adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the "opt-out" amendment.

     The affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of
Commercial Intertech common stock is required to adopt the merger agreement. The
affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Commercial
Intertech common stock is required to approve the "opt-out" amendment. The
failure to submit a proxy card or to vote in person at the special meeting, the
abstention from voting by a shareholder and broker non-votes will have the same
effect as a vote "AGAINST" the adoption of the merger agreement and the approval
of the "opt-out" amendment.

     If sufficient votes in favor of the merger agreement proposal or the
"opt-out" amendment proposal are not received by the time scheduled for the
special meeting, the persons named as proxies may propose one
                                       55
<PAGE>   62

or more adjournments of the special meeting for a period or periods of not more
than 30 days in the aggregate to permit further solicitation of proxies. The
persons named as proxies will vote in favor of such adjournment those proxies
which authorize them to vote in favor of the merger agreement and the "opt-out"
amendment. They will vote against any such adjournment those proxies which
direct them to vote against the merger agreement or the "opt-out" amendment. Any
such adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes
cast or if a quorum is not present, a majority of the votes represented in
person or by proxy at the session of the special meeting to be adjourned. The
cost of any such additional solicitation and of any adjourned session will be
borne by Commercial Intertech.

PROXIES; VOTING AND REVOCATION

     Each share of Commercial Intertech common stock is entitled to one vote.
Votes will be tabulated at the special meeting by inspectors of election
appointed by Commercial Intertech.

     You may revoke or change your proxy at any time prior to its being voted by
filing a written instrument of revocation or change with the corporate secretary
of Commercial Intertech. You may also revoke your proxy by filing a duly
executed proxy bearing a later date or by appearing at the special meeting in
person, notifying the corporate secretary and voting by ballot at the special
meeting. If you attend the meeting, you may vote in person whether or not you
have previously given a proxy, but your presence, without notifying the
corporate secretary of Commercial Intertech, at the meeting will not revoke a
previously given proxy. In addition, if you beneficially hold shares of
Commercial Intertech common stock that are not registered in your own name, you
will need additional documentation from the record holder of such shares to
attend and vote the shares personally at the meeting.

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

     Commercial Intertech will pay for the expense of printing and mailing this
document and the material used in this solicitation of proxies. Proxies will be
solicited through the mail and directly by officers, directors and employees of
Commercial Intertech not specifically employed for such purpose, without
additional compensation. Commercial Intertech will reimburse banks, brokerage
houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable
expenses in forwarding these proxy materials to the principals. Commercial
Intertech has engaged Morrow & Co., Inc. to represent it in connection with the
solicitations of proxies at a cost of approximately $12,500 plus expenses.

                                       56
<PAGE>   63

                        INFORMATION ABOUT OUR COMPANIES

PARKER

     Parker is a leading worldwide full-line manufacturer of motion control
products, including fluid power systems, electromechanical controls and related
components. Fluid power involves the transfer and control of power through the
medium of liquid, gas or air, in hydraulic, pneumatic and vacuum applications.
Fluid power systems move and position materials, control machines, vehicles and
equipment and improve industrial efficiency and productivity. In addition to
motion control products, Parker also is a leading worldwide producer of fluid
purification, fluid flow, process instrumentation, air conditioning,
refrigeration, and electromagnetic shielding and thermal management products.

     Parker's manufacturing, service, distribution and administrative facilities
are located in 36 states, Puerto Rico and worldwide in 38 foreign countries.
Parker's motion control technology is used in the products of its two business
segments: Industrial and Aerospace. The product lines of Parker's Industrial
segment cover most of the components of motion control systems. The principal
products of Parker's Aerospace Segment are hydraulic, fuel and pneumatic systems
and components that are used on most commercial and military airframe and engine
programs in production in the Western world today. For the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1999, Parker's net sales were $4.9 billion; Industrial segment products
accounted for 77% of Parker's net sales and Aerospace segment products for 23%.

     Parker's products are sold as original and replacement equipment through
product and distribution centers worldwide. Parker markets its products through
its direct-sales employees and more than 7,500 independent distributors. Parker
products are supplied to approximately 400,000 customers in virtually every
significant manufacturing, transportation and processing industry. Parker
employs nearly 40,000 people in 39 countries.


     Parker's principal executive offices are located at 6035 Parkland
Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44124, telephone (216) 896-3000.


COMMERCIAL INTERTECH

     Commercial Intertech's operations are principally organized and managed by
product line and are comprised of three reportable segments:

      --  Commercial Hydraulics;

      --  Buildings Systems; and

      --  Metal Forming.


     Commercial Hydraulics Segment. The Commercial Hydraulics segment
manufacturers gear pumps and motors, control valves and telescopic cylinders for
use generally on heavy-duty mobile equipment such as dump trucks, cranes, refuse
vehicles, front-end loaders, backhoes and mining machines. Other products
manufactured by Commercial Intertech include hydraulic test equipment for
military and industrial applications, hydraulic steering transmissions for
military vehicles, mobile electrical power generators, hydraulic tilt and trim
mechanisms for recreational boating and axial piston pumps and motors for
industrial and marine applications. A worldwide systems engineering organization
was formed in 1999 to focus exclusively on providing complete hydraulic systems
to customers. Commercial Intertech's gear pumps and motors, control valves and
telescopic cylinders are sold primarily to original equipment manufacturers by
Commercial Intertech's hydraulic sales organization.


     Building Systems Segment. The Building Systems segment consists of Astron
Building Systems(R) which designs and manufactures custom-engineered buildings.
Astron, the European market leader in metal building systems, produces
pre-engineered single and multi-story buildings that serve as aircraft hangars,
indoor athletic facilities, automobile showrooms, offices, supermarkets,
factories and warehouses. Astron buildings are sold throughout the twelve
countries of the European Economic Community, in Scandinavia and in Eastern
Europe, as well as in China and elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region. This
division developed its own computerized building pricing and proposal system,
known as Cyprion(R) that

                                       57
<PAGE>   64

tailors buildings to customers' precise dimension and design requirements.
Through Cyprion, Astron's nearly 400 qualified builder/dealers can provide
pricing and building plans in a fraction of traditional architectural time.

     Metal Forming Segment. Commercial Intertech's Metal Forming segment
produces custom and standard metal products, including tank ends and a wide
variety of other steel products, such as wheels for tracked vehicles, components
for railcar brake activators, couplings and covers for mechanical power
differential and transmission applications, large circuit breaker covers, and
circular closures and accessories for a broad variety of vessels and containers
produced in various sizes. Also known as tank ends or tank heads, this product
line is the most comprehensive and extensive in the United States, serving
thousands of customers from three manufacturing locations and four strategically
located Distribution Centers.

     The Metal Forming's Distribution Center concept is unique to the industry,
and has successfully served both large and small vessel fabricators for over 35
years providing 48 to 72-hour delivery service. The Distribution Center concept
remains a major contributor to the success of the Metal Forming operations.

     For fiscal year ended October 31, 1999, Commercial Intertech's net sales
were approximately $535.0 million. Commercial Intertech operates 27 facilities
in seven countries and employs nearly 4,000 people.

     Commercial Intertech's principal executive offices are located at 1775
Logan Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44505, telephone (330) 746-8011.

                                       58
<PAGE>   65

          COMPARATIVE PER SHARE MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION


     On February 25, 2000, the record date for the special meeting, there were
approximately 3,516 holders of record of Commercial Intertech common stock.


     Market Prices and Dividends. Parker common stock is listed on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol PH. Commercial Intertech common stock is listed
on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TEC.

     The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low
sale prices of Parker common stock and Commercial Intertech common stock as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transaction Tape, in each case
based on published financial sources, and the dividends declared on Parker
common stock and Commercial Intertech common stock.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     PARKER COMMON STOCK
                                                               --------------------------------
                                                                 HIGH        LOW       DIVIDEND
                                                               --------    --------    --------
<S>                                                            <C>         <C>         <C>
1998:
          First Fiscal Quarter.............................     48.8750     39.2500      .150
          Second Fiscal Quarter............................     51.2500     39.8125      .150
          Third Fiscal Quarter.............................     52.6250     41.5000      .150
          Fourth Fiscal Quarter............................     52.3750     36.9375      .150
1999:
          First Fiscal Quarter.............................     38.7500     26.5625      .150
          Second Fiscal Quarter............................     38.3125     27.0000      .150
          Third Fiscal Quarter.............................     39.7500     29.5000      .170
          Fourth Fiscal Quarter............................     50.5000     34.0000      .170
2000:
          First Fiscal Quarter.............................     48.1250     43.1250      .170
          Second Fiscal Quarter............................     51.4375     41.1875      .170
          Third Fiscal Quarter (through February 23,
            2000)..........................................     53.4375     35.3750      .170
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                COMMERCIAL INTERTECH COMMON STOCK
                                                               -----------------------------------
                                                                 HIGH          LOW       DIVIDEND
                                                               ---------    ---------    ---------
<S>                                                            <C>          <C>          <C>
1998:
          First Fiscal Quarter.............................     21.2500      16.0000       .135
          Second Fiscal Quarter............................     24.5625      18.2500       .150
          Third Fiscal Quarter.............................     23.2813      17.1875       .150
          Fourth Fiscal Quarter............................     22.8125      14.2500       .150
1999:
          First Fiscal Quarter.............................     19.6250      12.2500       .150
          Second Fiscal Quarter............................     14.9375      11.1250       .150
          Third Fiscal Quarter.............................     16.4375      12.9375       .150
          Fourth Fiscal Quarter............................     14.6250      10.5000       .150
2000:
          First Fiscal Quarter.............................     19.5625      10.8750       .150
          Second Fiscal Quarter (through February 23,
            2000)..........................................     18.9375      17.0000         --
</TABLE>



     On January 14, 2000, the last full trading day prior to the public
announcement of the proposed merger, the closing prices of Parker common stock
and Commercial Intertech common stock reported on the New York Stock Exchange
Composite Transaction Tape were $49.625 per share and $16.625 per share,
respectively. On February 23, 2000, the most recent practicable date prior to
the filing of this proxy statement/prospectus, the closing prices of Parker
common stock and Commercial Intertech common stock reported on the New York
Stock Exchange Composite Transaction Tape were $41.2500 per share and $18.3750
per share, respectively. Shareholders should obtain current market quotations
prior to making any decision with respect to the merger.


                                       59
<PAGE>   66

  Dividends

     Parker and Commercial Intertech Dividends. Parker has paid quarterly cash
dividends on Parker common stock since 1947. Commercial Intertech has paid
quarterly cash dividends on Commercial Intertech common stock since 1941. On
January 28, 2000, the Parker board of directors declared a regular quarterly
cash dividend of $0.17 per share of Parker common stock payable March 3, 2000,
to shareholders of record on February 24, 2000. On January 26, 2000, the
Commercial Intertech board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash
dividend of $0.15 per share of Commercial Intertech common stock payable on
March 15, 2000, to shareholders of record on March 1, 2000.

     Post-Merger Dividend Policy. Following the merger, Parker's management
expects to continue to pay dividends on the Parker common stock in the amount of
$0.17 per share per quarter, or $0.68 per share per year. The payment of
dividends, however, will be in the discretion of the Parker board of directors
and will be determined after consideration of various factors, including the
earnings and financial condition of Parker and its subsidiaries.

                                       60
<PAGE>   67

                   INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER

     In considering the recommendation of the Commercial Intertech board of
directors with respect to the merger agreement, shareholders of Commercial
Intertech should be aware that certain directors and members of management of
Commercial Intertech have interests in the merger that are in addition to their
interests as shareholders of Commercial Intertech generally. The Commercial
Intertech board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them,
among other matters, in approving the merger.


     Consulting and Employment Agreements. Certain key executives at Commercial
Intertech may enter into consulting and employment agreements with Parker after
the completion of the merger. Paul J. Powers, Commercial Intertech's Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, is scheduled to retire from Commercial Intertech,
but has agreed to delay his retirement until the completion of the merger. Mr.
Powers has agreed to enter into a two-year consulting agreement with Parker
which takes effect upon completion of the merger, whereby he will act as a
consultant to Parker and will receive a consulting fee of $400,000 per year.


     Stephen J. Perkins, Commercial Intertech's President and Chief Operating
Officer, was scheduled under the terms of his employment agreement to become the
Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Intertech upon Mr. Powers' retirement.
Parker is currently in discussions with Mr. Perkins to modify his employment
arrangements as a result of the merger.

     Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Performance Shares. Key executives and
board members of Commercial Intertech are holders of Commercial Intertech stock
options, restricted stock and performance shares. With respect to stock options,
all options for these key executives and board members vested upon the signing
of the merger agreement, and all unexercised options will be converted into
options to purchase Parker common stock, adjusted for the exchange ratio. With
respect to restricted stock, all applicable restrictions will lapse upon the
closing and the stock will be converted into Parker common stock, adjusted for
the exchange ratio. With respect to performance shares, all goals will be
considered as having been met at the closing and all shares will be converted
into Parker common stock, adjusted for the exchange ratio.

     The number of vested Commercial Intertech stock options beneficially owned
by the five most highly compensated executive officers of Commercial Intertech
for the year ended October 31, 1999 will increase as a result of the change in
control of Commercial Intertech as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         NUMBER OF                           NUMBER OF
                                       OPTIONS VESTED       WEIGHTED       OPTIONS VESTED       WEIGHTED
                                       BEFORE CHANGE        AVERAGE         AFTER CHANGE        AVERAGE
     NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION         IN CONTROL      EXERCISE PRICE      IN CONTROL      EXERCISE PRICE
     ---------------------------       --------------    --------------    --------------    --------------
<S>                                    <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
Paul J. Powers
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer..............................     282,732           $  8.15            440,232           $10.63
Stephen J. Perkins
President and Chief Operating
Officer..............................           0                --            135,000           $13.72
Bruce C. Wheatley
Senior Vice
President-Administration.............      26,868           $  9.46             55,618           $12.65
John Gilchrist
Vice President of Corporate Business
Development..........................       7,500           $12.875             46,500           $15.14
Steven J. Hewitt
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer....................       6,250           $12.875             41,500           $15.67
</TABLE>



     Change of Control Agreements. In 1996, Commercial Intertech entered into
Change of Control Agreements with Paul J. Powers, Gilbert M. Manchester, Bruce
C. Wheatley, John Gilchrist, Steven J. Hewitt, Kenneth E. Stumbaugh, J. Patrick
Downey, Kenneth W. Marcum and Shirley M. Shields and, when he was hired in 1999,
entered into a Change of Control Agreement with Stephen J. Perkins.


                                       61
<PAGE>   68

     The terms of the agreements are as follows:


      -- If a termination of employment occurs prior to a "Change of Control"
         (as defined in the agreements) or a "Potential Change of Control" (as
         defined in the agreements) and is at the request of Commercial
         Intertech but without "Cause" (as defined in the agreements), the
         executive will receive one times the executive's base salary and
         otherwise vested amounts and benefits under Commercial Intertech's
         compensation and benefit plans.



      --  If the termination of employment occurs at any time after a Change of
          Control or a Potential Change of Control and prior to the third
          anniversary of the Change of Control or Potential Change of Control
          (or, in the case of Messrs. Stumbaugh, Downey and Marcum and Ms.
          Shields, the second anniversary) and is either at Commercial
          Intertech's request but without Cause, or is initiated by the
          executive for "Good Reason" (as defined in the agreements), the
          executive will receive the sum of:



          - three times (or, for purposes of calculating the amount received by
            Messrs. Stumbaugh, Downey and Marcum and Ms. Shields, two times) the
            sum of the executive's base salary and the executive's highest
            annual bonus;



          - the executive's highest recent bonus prorated to the date of
            termination;


          - the actuarial value of the executive's accrued benefit under the
            supplemental retirement benefit plans, including, for certain
            executives, additional years of accrual;

          - the full value of performance shares assuming at least 100% target
            performance;

          - vested and accrued benefits under other benefit and compensation
            plans; and


          - a continuation of medical benefits for three years (or, for purposes
            of calculating the benefits received by Mr. Stumbaugh, Mr. Downey,
            Mr. Marcum and Ms. Shields, two years) and certain other
            perquisites, including automobile lease payments, outplacement
            services, club dues, tax planning, insurance and, except with
            respect to Messrs. Stumbaugh, Downey and Marcum and Ms. Shields,
            relocation expenses (including home repurchase).


     Commercial Intertech is obligated to set aside in trust sufficient assets
to fund its obligations under the Change of Control Agreements. In addition,
because payments could be subject to an excise tax, the executives will receive
an additional amount for excise tax payments, if applicable.

     It is presently estimated, based upon certain assumptions and data
available as of a recent date, that if the key executives' and key employees'
employment is terminated immediately following the merger under circumstances
entitling those persons to benefits under the Change of Control Agreements,
those persons will be entitled to severance benefits approximately in the
following amounts, which include required excise tax gross-up payments:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       EXCISE TAX
                                                         SEVERANCE      GROSS-UP        TOTAL
                         NAME                            BENEFIT(1)    PAYMENT(2)    BENEFITS(3)
                         ----                            ----------    ----------    -----------
<S>                                                      <C>           <C>           <C>
Paul J. Powers.........................................  $  510,124    $        0    $  510,124
Bruce C. Wheatley......................................   2,236,751             0     2,236,751
Steven J. Hewitt.......................................   1,632,383             0     1,632,383
John Gilchrist.........................................   1,425,740             0     1,425,740
Stephen J. Perkins.....................................   2,734,209     1,178,483     3,912,692
Gilbert M. Manchester..................................   1,009,748             0     1,009,748
J. Patrick Downey......................................     508,874             0       508,874
Kenneth W. Marcum......................................     491,387             0       491,387
Shirley M. Shields.....................................     348,860             0       348,860
Kenneth E. Stumbaugh...................................     454,665             0       454,665
</TABLE>


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

(1) Severance benefits are subject to income taxation at the key executive's or
    key employee's highest marginal rate.

(2) Excise tax gross-up payment will be remitted directly to the Internal
    Revenue Service by Parker.

(3) These calculations are based upon the assumption of a change of control date
    of April 1, 2000.

                                       62
<PAGE>   69


     Indemnification and Insurance. Under the merger agreement, Parker agreed to
provide certain continuing indemnification and insurance benefits for officers,
directors and employees of Commercial Intertech. See "Material Provisions of the
Merger Agreement -- Additional Agreements -- Indemnification and Insurance."


                                       63
<PAGE>   70

                        COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS


     After the merger, shareholders of Commercial Intertech will become
shareholders of Parker. Their rights will then be governed by Parker's articles
of incorporation, Parker's code of regulations and Ohio General Corporation Law.
Presently, Commercial Intertech shareholders' rights are governed by Commercial
Intertech's articles of incorporation, Commercial Intertech's code of
regulations and Ohio General Corporation Law. The following summary, which is
not a complete statement of all differences between rights of the holders of
Parker common stock and Commercial Intertech common stock, discusses differences
between Parker's articles of incorporation and code of regulations and
Commercial Intertech's articles of incorporation and code of regulations. While
Parker believes that the provisions of its articles of incorporation and its
code of regulations are in its shareholders' best interests, shareholders of
Commercial Intertech should be aware that these provisions could be
disadvantageous to them because their overall effect may be to render more
difficult or to discourage the removal of incumbent directors and management or
the assumption of effective control by other persons. For information as to how
to get the full text of each document, see "Where You Can Find More Information"
on page 71.


SPECIAL MEETINGS

     Under Ohio law, a special meeting of shareholders may be called by:

          (1) the chairman, the president or, in case of the president's
     absence, death or disability, the vice-president authorized to exercise the
     authority of the president;

          (2) the directors by action at a meeting or a majority of the
     directors voting without a meeting;

          (3) persons owning 25% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at
     that meeting, or a less or greater proportion as specified in the articles
     or regulations but not greater than 50%; or

          (4) the person(s) authorized to do so by the articles of incorporation
     or the code of regulations.

     Parker's code of regulations allows a special shareholder meeting to be
called by any of the parties described in (1)-(3) above.

     Commercial Intertech's code of regulations allows a special meeting to be
called by the parties specified in (1) above, but alter the requirements with
respect to the parties specified in (2) and (3) above as follows:

          (2) a majority of the members of the board of directors, acting with
     or without a meeting, may call a special shareholder meeting; or

          (3) the holders of 40% of the voting shares of Commercial Intertech
     may call a special shareholder meeting.

CERTAIN BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

     Under Ohio law, unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation,
any merger, consolidation or sale of substantially all of the assets of the
corporation requires the approval of the holders of shares entitling them to
exercise at least two-thirds of the voting power. With respect to mergers and
consolidations, approval by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of
any class of shares, unless otherwise provided in the articles, may also be
required if the rights of holders of that class are affected in certain respects
by the merger or consolidation. Ohio law permits mergers without approval by
shareholders of the surviving corporation if, among other things, no amendment
of the articles of incorporation is involved and no more than a specified
maximum increase in outstanding voting stock will result. In Ohio, the maximum
permitted increase is any amount less than one-sixth of the surviving
corporation's shares possessing voting power in the election of directors after
giving effect to the business combination.

     Parker's articles provide, subject to certain exceptions, that any business
combination with an interested party must be approved by the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding

                                       64
<PAGE>   71

shares of Parker entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. For
purposes of this provision, the term "business combination" generally means:

      --  any merger or consolidation of Parker or a subsidiary of Parker with
          or into an interested party or of an interested party with or into
          Parker or a subsidiary of Parker;

      --  any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other
          disposition of any of the assets either of Parker or of a subsidiary
          of Parker that has a fair market value in excess of $20.0 million in
          which an interested party is involved;

      --  the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or
          dissolution of Parker proposed by or on behalf of any interested
          party;

      --  the issuance or transfer by Parker or a subsidiary of Parker to an
          interested party of any securities of Parker or such subsidiary, which
          securities have a fair market value of $20.0 million or more; or

      --  any recapitalization, reclassification, merger or consolidation
          involving Parker or a subsidiary of Parker that would have the effect
          of increasing, directly or indirectly, the interested party's voting
          power in Parker or such subsidiary.

For purposes of this provision, the term "interested party" generally means any
person or entity that, individually or together with its affiliates and
associates, was the beneficial owner of shares totaling at least 20% of the
voting power of any class of stock of Parker entitled to vote in the election of
directors within the two year period prior to the business combination or any
affiliate or associate of that person or entity.

     The 80% vote requirement does not apply if:

      --  the board of directors by affirmative vote, which vote must include at
          least a majority of the "continuing directors" (which generally
          includes those members of the Parker board that are not affiliated
          with the interested party and who were members of the board prior to
          the time the interested party became an interested party or are
          successors to continuing directors unaffiliated with the interested
          party recommended for their position by a majority of the continuing
          directors), approve in advance the acquisition of those outstanding
          shares of Parker which caused the interested party to become an
          interested party or approve the business combination; or

      --  the business combination is a merger or consolidation and the cash or
          fair market value of other property that the shareholders will receive
          per share in that merger or consolidation satisfies certain fair price
          criteria.

If the criteria described above are met, the vote required under applicable Ohio
law would apply. Parker's articles do not include any provision governing the
approval of business combinations with uninterested parties, and accordingly the
matter is governed by Ohio law.

     The provisions of Parker's articles described above may only be amended by
the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding shares,
except that the 80% requirement does not apply if the proposed amendment has
been recommended to the shareholders by at least two-thirds of the continuing
directors.

     Commercial Intertech's articles provide that the merger or consolidation of
Commercial Intertech with or into a corporation that is the beneficial owner of
30% or more of the outstanding shares of Commercial Intertech (an "Interested
Party"), the sale or lease of all or any substantial part of the assets of
Commercial Intertech to any Interested Party or any lease to Commercial
Intertech or any of its subsidiaries of any assets with a fair market value of
$5.0 million or more in exchange for securities of Commercial Intertech requires
the approval of the holders of 95% of all shares of stock of Commercial

                                       65
<PAGE>   72

Intertech that may be voted in the election of directors. However, this 95%
voting requirement does not apply if:

      --  the consideration offered to the common shareholders meets certain
          fair price criteria;

      --  after the Interested Party has acquired a 30% or more interest in
          Commercial Intertech and prior to the completion of the transaction:

          - the Interested Party had taken steps to ensure that Commercial
            Intertech's board of directors included at all times representation
            by continuing directors (which generally includes those members of
            the Commercial Intertech board elected by the public shareholders
            prior to the time that the Interested Party acquired more than 10%
            of the stock of Commercial Intertech entitled to vote in the
            election of directors or a person who is recommended by a majority
            of continuing directors to succeed a continuing director)
            proportionate to the stockholdings of Commercial Intertech's public
            shareholders who are not affiliated with the Interested Party;

          - the Interested Party, with certain exceptions, has not acquired any
            newly issued shares of stock from Commercial Intertech; and

          - the Interested Party has not acquired any additional shares of
            Commercial Intertech's outstanding common stock or securities
            convertible into common stock except as part of the transaction that
            results in the Interested Party acquiring its 30% interest;

      --  the Interested Party has not received loans, advances or other
          financial assistance or tax credits from Commercial Intertech and has
          not made any major change in Commercial Intertech's business or equity
          capital structure, in either case, without the unanimous approval of
          Commercial Intertech's board of directors prior to the completion of
          the transaction; and

      --  a proxy statement has been mailed to the public shareholders to
          solicit approval of the transaction, which statement must contain any
          recommendations of the continuing directors of the advisability of the
          transaction.

If the criteria described immediately above are met, the vote required under
applicable Ohio law would apply. Commercial Intertech's articles do not include
any provision governing the approval of business combinations with uninterested
parties, and accordingly, the matter is governed by Ohio law.

     The provisions of Commercial Intertech's articles described above may only
be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of 95% of all shares of
Commercial Intertech stock that may vote in the election of directors, except
that this 95% requirement does not apply if the amendment has been unanimously
recommended to the shareholders by Commercial Intertech's board of directors if
all the directors are "continuing directors."

SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLANS

     Parker's Rights Agreement. In January 1997, Parker adopted a Shareholder
Protection Rights Agreement and issued, as a dividend, one common stock purchase
right for each outstanding share of common stock. One Parker purchase right also
has been issued with respect to each share of Parker common stock issued since
the record date of that dividend. Each share of Parker common stock to be issued
in the merger will also be accompanied by one Parker purchase right, except in
the unlikely event that the Parker purchase rights are redeemed or separately
certificated prior to the merger.

     Each Parker purchase right entitles the holder to buy one share of Parker
common stock at a price of $150, subject to adjustment. The Parker purchase
rights will be exercisable only if a person or group acquires 15% or more of the
outstanding Parker common stock or announces a tender or exchange offer
following which that person or group would hold 15% or more of Parker's
outstanding common stock. If a person or group acquires 15% or more of the
outstanding Parker common stock, each holder of a Parker purchase right will
receive, upon exercise, shares of Parker common stock with a market value of two
times the exercise price of the right, except that purchase rights that are or
were owned by that person or group will be void.

                                       66
<PAGE>   73

     If a person or group owning 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Parker
stock controls Parker's board of directors and:

      --  Parker merges with that person or group or an affiliate of that person
          or group or merges with any other person or entity and the terms of
          the arrangement concerning the treatment of shares of capital stock
          relating to the 15% or more owner is not identical to the terms
          relating to the other common shareholders; or

      --  Parker sells 50% or more of its assets or earning power to any other
          person or entity,

then each Parker purchase right will become exercisable for the number of shares
of acquiring company stock having a market value of two times the exercise price
of the Parker purchase right.

     Parker may redeem its purchase rights at a price of $.01 per purchase right
prior to the time that any person or group acquires 15% of the outstanding
Parker common stock as described above. The Parker purchase rights will expire
on January 31, 2007 unless earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Parker board of
directors.

     Commercial Intertech's Rights Agreement. In November 1999, Commercial
Intertech adopted a Rights Agreement and issued, as a dividend, one common stock
purchase right for each outstanding share of Commercial Intertech common stock.
One Commercial Intertech purchase right also has been issued with respect to
each share of Commercial Intertech common stock issued since the record date of
that dividend.

     Each Commercial Intertech purchase right entitles the holder to buy one
share of common stock from Commercial Intertech at a price of $60.00, subject to
adjustment. The Commercial Intertech purchase rights will become exercisable
only if a person or group acquires 20% or more of the outstanding Commercial
Intertech common stock or announces a tender or exchange offer following which
that person or group would hold 20% or more of Commercial Intertech's
outstanding common stock. If a person or group acquires 20% or more of the
outstanding Commercial Intertech common stock, each holder of a Commercial
Intertech purchase right will receive, upon exercise, shares of Commercial
Intertech common stock with a market value of two times the exercise price of a
Commercial Intertech purchase right, except that purchase rights that are or
were owned by that person or group will be void.

     If, following an acquisition by a person or group of 20% or more of the
outstanding Commercial Intertech common stock:

      --  Commercial Intertech is acquired in a merger or other business
          combination transaction;

      --  50% or more of Commercial Intertech's assets or earning power is sold
          or otherwise transferred; or

      --  the 20% owner engages in specified "self-dealing" transactions with
          Commercial Intertech,

then each Commercial Intertech purchase right will become exercisable for the
number of shares of stock of the acquiring or surviving company having a market
value of two times the exercise price of the Commercial Intertech purchase
right.

     Commercial Intertech may redeem its purchase rights at a price of $.01 per
purchase right prior to the time that any person or group acquires 20% of the
outstanding Commercial Intertech common stock as described above. Under certain
circumstances, the decision to redeem the purchase rights may require the
concurrence of a majority of the "continuing directors" (which generally means
those directors that were members of the board prior to the date of the rights
agreement, and any person (except the 20% owner or its affiliates or associates
or any representative of the foregoing) who was elected to the board after the
date of the rights agreement if such person is recommended or approved by a
majority of the continuing directors).

     In connection with the negotiation of the merger agreement, Parker and
Commercial Intertech agreed that Commercial Intertech would amend Commercial
Intertech's rights agreement prior to signing the merger agreement to render the
rights agreement inapplicable to the merger and to cause Commercial Intertech's
purchase rights to expire immediately prior to the merger. If the merger is not
consummated, the Commercial Intertech purchase rights will expire on November
23, 2009.

                                       67
<PAGE>   74

AMENDMENT TO CHARTER DOCUMENTS

     Ohio law permits the adoption of amendments to the articles of
incorporation if those amendments are approved at a meeting held for that
purpose by the holders of shares entitling them to exercise two-thirds of the
voting power of the corporation, or a lesser, but not less than a majority, or
greater vote as specified in the articles of incorporation. Except as otherwise
provided in the section "Business Combinations," the articles of incorporation
of each of Parker and Commercial Intertech may be amended by the affirmative
vote of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise two-thirds of the
voting power of each corporation.

     Under Ohio law, a code of regulations may be adopted, amended or repealed
only by approval of the shareholders either at a meeting of shareholders by the
affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise a majority
of the voting power on that proposal or by written consent signed by holders of
shares entitling them to exercise two-thirds, or a lesser percentage, but not
less than a majority, or a greater percentage, of the voting power on that
proposal. Commercial Intertech's and Parker's code of regulations provide that
they may be amended, at a meeting of shareholders by the affirmative vote of the
holders of shares entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power on
that proposal, or, without a meeting, by the written consent of the holders of
shares entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power on that
proposal.

     In addition, Parker's articles provide that any amendment, alteration or
repeal of any of the provisions of Parker's articles or regulations which
adversely affects the voting powers, rights or preferences of the serial
preferred stock, with certain exceptions, must be approved by the vote or
consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of
serial preferred stock.

NUMBER; CLASSIFICATION OF DIRECTORS

     Parker's regulations provide that the board of directors must be divided
into three classes, with each class consisting of at least three directors. The
Parker board currently consists of 12 members divided into three classes of four
directors each. In addition, if Parker is in default in the payment of six
quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive) on any series of outstanding
preferred stock, then Parker's articles provide that the holders of serial
preferred stock may elect two additional members of the board of directors;
provided that:

      --  these directors are elected at a meeting of the shareholders for the
          election of directors at which the holders of at least a majority of
          the outstanding shares of serial preferred stock are present in person
          or by proxy; and

      --  these rights remain in effect only as long as accrued and unpaid
          dividends on the preferred stock remain outstanding.


Parker's regulations provide that any directors elected by the holders of serial
preferred stock as described above, will not be classified and will serve until
the earlier of (1) the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their
respective successors are elected or (2) the dividend default is cured.


     Commercial Intertech's regulations provide that the number of directors may
not be less than nine nor more than 15 and that the directors must be divided
into three classes. The Commercial Intertech board currently consists of 13
members divided into two classes of four directors each and one class of five
directors.

     Under Ohio law, the number of directors may be fixed or changed by the
shareholders or by the directors if so authorized by the articles of
incorporation or code of regulations. Commercial Intertech's regulations provide
that the number of directors may be changed by a resolution adopted by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the directors. Parker's regulations allow the
number of directors to be changed by the shareholders or directors as follows:

      --  at any meeting of shareholders called to elect directors, by the
          affirmative vote of a majority of the shareholders represented at the
          meeting and entitled to vote on such proposal; or

                                       68
<PAGE>   75

      --  at any meeting of the board of directors, by the affirmative vote of a
          majority of the directors except that, after the number of directors
          in any class has been fixed by the shareholders, the directors may not
          increase or decrease the number of directors in that class by more
          than one.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     Parker. Parker's code of regulations allows for the creation of any
executive committee, an audit committee or other committees as the Parker board
deems advisable. All committees are to be comprised of not fewer than three
board members, with alternates as specified by the Parker board. Each committee
is delegated its authority by the Parker board, and may act by a majority vote
at a meeting or in writing.

     Commercial Intertech. Commercial Intertech's code of regulations requires
the creation of an executive committee consisting of the chairman of the board,
the president, no fewer than two directors, and any alternates as are appointed
by the board. The executive committee may, during intervals between the meetings
of the board of directors, exercise all the powers of the board of directors in
the management of the business and affairs of Commercial Intertech, except that
no obligations or indebtedness other than those properly pertaining to current
business may be contracted without authorization of the board. The executive
committee will have any other powers and duties as are prescribed by the
Commercial Intertech board, and may act, with or without a meeting, in such
manner as the committee determines. The board of directors also may by
resolution provide for any other committees as it deems desirable.

INDEMNIFICATION, INSURANCE AND LIMITATION OF DIRECTOR LIABILITY

     Under Ohio law, Ohio corporations are permitted to indemnify directors,
officers, employees and agents within prescribed limits, and must indemnify them
under certain circumstances. Ohio law does not authorize payment by a
corporation of judgments against a director, officer, employee or agent after a
finding of negligence or misconduct in a derivative suit absent a court order.
Indemnification is required, however, to the extent that person succeeds on the
merits. In all other cases, if it is determined that a director, officer,
employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation,
indemnification is discretionary, except as otherwise provided by a
corporation's articles of incorporation or code of regulations, or by contract,
except with respect to the advancement of expenses of directors. The statutory
right to indemnification is not exclusive in Ohio, and Ohio corporations may,
among other things, purchase insurance to indemnify those persons.

     Ohio law provides that a director is entitled to mandatory advancement of
expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred in defending any action, including
derivative actions, brought against the director. The director must agree,
however, to cooperate with the corporation concerning the matter and to repay
the amount advanced if it is proved by clear and convincing evidence that his or
her act or failure to act was done with deliberate intent to cause injury to the
corporation or with reckless disregard for the corporation's best interests.

     Parker's regulations require Parker to indemnify, to the full extent
permitted by Ohio law, any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (whether civil,
criminal or administrative) because that person is or was a director, trustee,
officer or employee of Parker or was serving, at Parker's request, as a
director, trustee, officer or employee of another entity.

     Commercial Intertech's regulations require Commercial Intertech to
indemnify any current or former director, officer or employee and each person
who, at Commercial Intertech's request, is serving or has served as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another entity against expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, decrees, fines, penalties and amounts paid in
settlement (whether with or without court approval) in connection with the
defense of any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding (whether
criminal, civil, administrative or investigative) to which that person is made
or may be made a party by reason of having been any of the persons described
above; provided that a determination is made:

                                       69
<PAGE>   76

          (1) that the person was not and has not been adjudicated to have been
     negligent or guilty of misconduct in the performance of that person's duty
     to the entity or other enterprise of which that person is or was a
     director, officer or employee;

          (2) that the person acted in good faith in what that person reasonably
     believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interest of the corporation;
     and

          (3) that, in any matter the subject of a criminal action, suit or
     proceeding, the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her
     conduct was unlawful.

The determination as to (2) and (3) and, in the absence of an adjudication as to
(1) by a court of competent jurisdiction, the determination as to (1), must be
made:

      --  by the directors of the corporation acting at a meeting at which a
          quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to, or threatened
          with, such action, suit or proceeding is present and on which
          determination only such directors vote; or

      --  if such a quorum is not obtainable to vote on such indemnification,
          or, even if obtainable and a quorum of directors qualified to vote so
          directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion.

     Commercial Intertech may agree to pay in advance expenses incurred by any
person in defending any threatened or actual action, suit or proceeding before
its completion if:

      --  the advance is authorized by Commercial Intertech's board of
          directors; and

      --  that person agrees to repay the amount advanced unless it is
          determined that he or she is entitled to be indemnified by Commercial
          Intertech.

     Commercial Intertech's regulations also provide that Commercial Intertech
may purchase and maintain insurance for any current or former director, officer,
employee or agent or any person who is serving or was serving, at Commercial
Intertech's request, as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity
against any liability asserted against, or incurred by, that person regardless
of whether or not Commercial Intertech's regulations would allow Commercial
Intertech to indemnify that person under those circumstances.

     Both Commercial Intertech's and Parker's regulations provide that the
rights to indemnification provided in their respective regulations are not
exclusive and do not prevent any person from seeking any other rights to
indemnification to which that person may be entitled.

AUTHORIZED CAPITAL

     Parker. The authorized capital stock of Parker consists of 600,000,000
common shares, par value $.50 per share, and 3,000,000 shares of serial
preferred stock, par value $.50 per share. Parker's articles authorize the board
of directors to cause the preferred stock to be issued in one or more series and
to adopt amendments to the articles fixing the designation of each series of
preferred stock, the number of shares in each series, the dividend rates of each
series, the dates at which dividends are payable and from which dividends may be
cumulative, the liquidation price of each series, the redemption rights and
price or prices, if any, for shares of each series, the terms and amount of any
sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of each series,
whether the shares of each series are convertible into common shares and, if so,
the terms and conditions of the conversion process and prices and restrictions
on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series.

     Commercial Intertech. The authorized capital stock of Commercial Intertech
consists of 30,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, and
10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value, of which 1,074,017
shares have been designated as ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock Series B.

     Commercial Intertech's articles authorize the board of directors to cause
the preferred stock to be issued in one or more series and to fix the
designations, preferences, relative, participating, optional or other special
rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of each series.

                                       70
<PAGE>   77

                      WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     We each file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and
copy any reports, statements or other information we file at the Securities and
Exchange Commission's public reference rooms at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, as well as at the Securities and Exchange
Commission's regional offices at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661 and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048.
Copies of these materials may also be obtained from the Securities and Exchange
Commission at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the public reference rooms. Our filings are also
available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the
web site maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at "http:
www.sec.gov."

     Parker has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration
statement on Form S-4 with respect to the Parker common stock to be issued to
holders of Commercial Intertech common stock under the merger agreement. This
proxy statement/prospectus constitutes the prospectus of Parker that is filed as
part of the registration statement. Other parts of the registration statement
are omitted from this proxy statement/prospectus in accordance with the rules
and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of the
registration statement, including exhibits, may be inspected, without charge, at
the offices of the Securities and Exchange Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies may be obtained from the Securities and
Exchange Commission at prescribed rates.

     The Securities and Exchange Commission permits us to "incorporate by
reference" information into this proxy statement/prospectus, which means that we
can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document
filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The following
documents previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Parker
(Commission File Number 1-4982) are incorporated by reference into this proxy
statement/prospectus:

          1. Parker's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June
             30, 1999;

          2. Parker's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
             ended September 30, 1999;

          3. Parker's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
             ended December 31, 1999;

          4. Parker's Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of
             Shareholders of Parker-Hannifin on October 27, 1999;

          5. Parker's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and
             Exchange Commission on January 19, 2000 relating to the merger with
             Commercial Intertech Corp;

          6. Parker's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and
             Exchange Commission on February 7, 2000 relating to Parker's
             acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Dana
             Corporation's Gresen Hydraulics Division; and

          7. The description of the Parker common stock contained in Parker's
             Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and
             Exchange Commission on September 8, 1967 and all amendments and
             reports filed for the purpose of updating that description.

     The following documents previously filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission by Commercial Intertech (Commission File Number 1-10697) are
incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus:

          1. Commercial Intertech's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
             year ended October 31, 1999;

          2. Commercial Intertech's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
             Securities and Exchange Commission on November 18, 1999 relating to
             the press release in connection with the adoption of Commercial
             Intertech's new Rights Agreement;

          3. Commercial Intertech's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed
             with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 24, 1999
             relating to registration of common stock

                                       71
<PAGE>   78
             purchase rights in connection with the Rights Agreement, dated
             as of November 23, 1999, between Commercial Intertech and
             ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.; and

          4. Commercial Intertech's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
             Securities and Exchange Commission on January 20, 2000 relating to
             the merger with Parker.

     We are also incorporating by reference additional documents that we file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission between the date of this proxy
statement/prospectus and the date of the special meeting.

     If you are a Commercial Intertech shareholder, you can obtain any of the
documents incorporated by reference through us or the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Documents incorporated by reference are available from us without
charge, excluding all exhibits unless we have specifically incorporated by
reference an exhibit in this proxy statement/prospectus. You may obtain
documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus by
requesting them in writing or by telephone from the appropriate party at the
following address or telephone number:


<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
Parker-Hannifin Corporation                        Commercial Intertech Corp.
6035 Parkland Boulevard                            1775 Logan Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44124                              Youngstown, Ohio 44505
Tel: 216-896-3000                                  Tel: 330-746-8011
Attn: Office of Corporate Secretary                Attn: Office of Corporate Secretary
</TABLE>



     If you would like to request documents from us, please do so by April 4,
2000, to receive them before the special meeting.



     YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS TO VOTE ON THE PROPOSALS PRESENTED
AT THE SPECIAL MEETING. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH
INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/
PROSPECTUS. THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS DATED FEBRUARY 28, 2000. YOU
SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THAT DATE, AND
NEITHER THE MAILING OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS TO YOU NOR THE ISSUANCE
OF PARKER COMMON STOCK IN THE MERGER SHALL CREATE ANY IMPLICATION TO THE
CONTRARY.


     This proxy statement/prospectus is being furnished to Commercial Intertech
shareholders in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Commercial
Intertech board of directors for use at Commercial Intertech's special meeting.
Each copy of this proxy statement/prospectus mailed to Commercial Intertech
shareholders is accompanied by a form of proxy for use at Commercial Intertech's
special meeting. This proxy statement/prospectus also serves as a prospectus for
holders of Commercial Intertech common stock in connection with the Parker
common stock to be issued upon completion of the merger.

     Parker has supplied all information contained or incorporated by reference
in this proxy statement/ prospectus relating to Parker, and Commercial Intertech
has supplied all such information relating to Commercial Intertech.

                                    EXPERTS

     The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this proxy
statement/prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Parker
for the three years in the period ended June 30, 1999 have been so incorporated
in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent
accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.

     Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited the consolidated
financial statements and schedule of Commercial Intertech included in its Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 1999, as set forth in their
report, which is incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Commercial Intertech's consolidated financial statements and schedule are
incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's report, given on
their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                       72
<PAGE>   79

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

     Certain legal matters relating to the validity of the Parker common stock
issuable in connection with the merger and certain federal income tax matters
relating to the merger will be passed upon for Parker by Thomas A. Piraino, Jr.,
Parker's Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, and by Jones, Day,
Reavis & Pogue, Cleveland, Ohio, respectively. Certain legal matters relating to
federal income tax matters relating to the merger will be passed upon for
Commercial Intertech by Katten Muchin Zavis, Chicago, Illinois.

                         INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

     Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at Commercial
Intertech's special meeting. These representatives will have the opportunity to
make a statement if they desire to do so and are expected to be available to
respond to appropriate questions.

                          FUTURE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

     Due to the contemplated consummation of the merger, Commercial Intertech
does not currently expect to hold a 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders because,
following the merger, Commercial Intertech will not be a publicly traded
company. If the merger is not consummated and Commercial Intertech's annual
meeting is held on its assigned date, (a) to be eligible for inclusion in
Commercial Intertech's proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that
meeting, proposals of shareholders of Commercial Intertech must have been
received by Commercial Intertech no later than October 1, 1999, and (b) to be
eligible for consideration at that meeting, proposals of Commercial Intertech
shareholders must have been received by Commercial Intertech no later than
December 15, 1999. If the merger is not consummated and Commercial Intertech's
2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is delayed, proposals of shareholders
intended to be presented at that meeting must be received by Commercial
Intertech within a reasonable time after Commercial Intertech announces publicly
the date of the meeting and before Commercial Intertech mails its proxy
statement to shareholders in connection with the meeting.

                                       73
<PAGE>   80

                                                                         ANNEX A

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                                 by and between
                          PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION
                                      and
                           COMMERCIAL INTERTECH CORP.
                          Dated as of January 14, 2000
<PAGE>   81

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                PAGE
                                                                                ----
<S>               <C>                                                           <C>
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER....................................................................   A-1
  Section 1.1     The Merger..................................................   A-1
  Section 1.2     Closing.....................................................   A-1
  Section 1.3     Effective Time..............................................   A-1
  Section 1.4     Effects of the Merger.......................................   A-2
  Section 1.5     Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations...........   A-2
  Section 1.6     Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation.........   A-2
ARTICLE II
EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE COMPANY; SURRENDER OF
  CERTIFICATES AND PAYMENT....................................................   A-2
  Section 2.1     Effect on Capital Stock.....................................   A-2
     (a)          Buyer Common Stock..........................................   A-2
     (b)          Cancellation of Treasury Stock and Buyer Owned Stock........   A-2
     (c)          Conversion of Company Common Stock..........................   A-2
     (d)          Cash Election...............................................   A-3
     (e)          Cash Election Adjustments...................................   A-3
     (f)          Computation of Conversion Rates.............................   A-3
     (g)          Reduction in Cash Election Number...........................   A-3
  Section 2.2     Exchange of Certificates....................................   A-3
     (a)          Exchange Agent..............................................   A-3
     (b)          Election and Exchange Procedures............................   A-4
     (c)          Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares............   A-5
     (d)          No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock.........   A-5
     (e)          No Fractional Shares........................................   A-5
     (f)          Termination of Exchange Fund................................   A-5
     (g)          No Liability................................................   A-6
     (h)          Investment of Exchange Fund.................................   A-6
     (i)          Lost Certificates...........................................   A-6
  Section 2.3     Certain Adjustments.........................................   A-6
  Section 2.4     Dissenters' Rights..........................................   A-6
  Section 2.5     Further Assurances..........................................   A-6
  Section 2.6     Withholding Rights..........................................   A-7
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES................................................   A-7
  Section 3.1     Representations and Warranties of Company...................   A-7
     (a)          Organization, Standing and Corporate Power..................   A-7
     (b)          Subsidiaries................................................   A-7
     (c)          Capital Structure...........................................   A-7
     (d)          Authority; Noncontravention.................................   A-8
     (e)          SEC Reports and Financial Statements; Undisclosed              A-9
                  Liabilities.................................................
     (f)          Information Supplied........................................  A-10
     (g)          Absence of Certain Changes or Events........................  A-10
     (h)          Compliance with Applicable Laws; Litigation.................  A-10
     (i)          Employee Benefit Plans......................................  A-11
     (j)          Taxes.......................................................  A-14
     (k)          Voting Requirement..........................................  A-15
     (l)          State Takeover Statutes.....................................  A-15
     (m)          Intentionally omitted.......................................  A-16
     (n)          Brokers.....................................................  A-16
</TABLE>

                                       A-i
<PAGE>   82

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                PAGE
                                                                                ----
<S>               <C>                                                           <C>
     (o)          Ownership of Buyer Common Stock.............................  A-16
     (p)          Environmental Matters.......................................  A-16
     (q)          Real Property; Assets.......................................  A-18
     (r)          Intellectual Property.......................................  A-18
     (s)          Opinion of Financial Advisor................................  A-19
     (t)          Labor Agreements............................................  A-19
     (u)          The Company Rights Agreement................................  A-19
     (v)          Certain Contracts...........................................  A-20
     (w)          Insurance...................................................  A-20
     (x)          Acquisitions and Divestitures...............................  A-20
  Section 3.2     Representations and Warranties of Buyer.....................  A-20
     (a)          Organization, Standing and Corporate Power..................  A-20
     (b)          Authority; Noncontravention.................................  A-21
     (c)          SEC Reports and Financial Statements........................  A-21
     (d)          Ownership of the Company Common Stock.......................  A-22
     (e)          Information Supplied........................................  A-22
     (f)          Brokers.....................................................  A-22
     (g)          Voting Requirements.........................................  A-22
     (h)          Absence of Certain Changes or Events........................  A-22
ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.....................................  A-22
  Section 4.1     Conduct of Business.........................................  A-22
     (a)          Conduct of Business by the Company..........................  A-22
     (b)          Other Actions...............................................  A-24
     (c)          Advice of Changes...........................................  A-24
  Section 4.2     No Solicitation by Company..................................  A-24
ARTICLE V
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS.........................................................  A-26
  Section 5.1     Preparation of the Form S-4 Proxy Statement; Shareholders     A-26
                  Meeting.....................................................
  Section 5.2     Letters of the Company's Accountants........................  A-26
  Section 5.3     Letters of Buyer's Accountants..............................  A-26
  Section 5.4     Access to Information; Confidentiality......................  A-27
  Section 5.5     Reasonable Best Efforts; Cooperation........................  A-27
  Section 5.6     Stock Options and Restricted Stock..........................  A-28
  Section 5.7     Indemnification.............................................  A-29
  Section 5.8     Fees and Expenses...........................................  A-29
  Section 5.9     Public Announcements........................................  A-30
  Section 5.10    Affiliates..................................................  A-30
  Section 5.11    NYSE Listing................................................  A-30
  Section 5.12    Shareholder Litigation......................................  A-30
  Section 5.13    Tax Treatment...............................................  A-31
  Section 5.14    Standstill Agreements; Confidentiality Agreements...........  A-31
  Section 5.15    Credit Facility's Senior Unsecured Notes....................  A-31
  Section 5.16    Post-Merger Operations......................................  A-31
  Section 5.17    Transition..................................................  A-31
  Section 5.18    Section 16(b)...............................................  A-32
  Section 5.19    Employee Benefit Matters....................................  A-32
  Section 5.20    Series B Preferred..........................................  A-32
  Section 5.21    German Transaction Structure................................  A-33
</TABLE>

                                      A-ii
<PAGE>   83


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                PAGE
                                                                                ----
<S>               <C>                                                           <C>
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT..........................................................  A-33
  Section 6.1     Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the           A-33
                  Merger......................................................
     (a)          Shareholder Approval........................................  A-33
     (b)          Governmental and Regulatory Approvals.......................  A-33
     (c)          No Injunctions or Restraints................................  A-33
     (d)          Form S-4....................................................  A-33
     (e)          NYSE Listing................................................  A-33
     (f)          HSR Act.....................................................  A-33
  Section 6.2     Conditions to Obligations of Buyer..........................  A-33
     (a)          Representations and Warranties..............................  A-33
     (b)          Performance of Obligations of the Company...................  A-34
     (c)          Tax Opinion.................................................  A-34
     (d)          No Material Adverse Change..................................  A-34
     (e)          Officer's Certificate.......................................  A-34
     (f)          Series B Preferred..........................................  A-34
     (g)          Note Redemption.............................................  A-34
  Section 6.3     Conditions to Obligations of the Company....................  A-34
     (a)          Representations and Warranties..............................  A-34
     (b)          Performance of Obligations of Buyer.........................  A-34
     (c)          Officer's Certificate.......................................  A-34
  Section 6.4     Frustration of Closing Conditions...........................  A-34
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.............................................  A-34
  Section 7.1     Termination.................................................  A-34
  Section 7.2     Effect of Termination.......................................  A-35
  Section 7.3     Amendment...................................................  A-35
  Section 7.4     Extension; Waiver...........................................  A-35
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS............................................................  A-36
  Section 8.1     Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties...............  A-36
  Section 8.2     Notices.....................................................  A-36
  Section 8.3     Interpretation..............................................  A-36
  Section 8.4     Counterparts................................................  A-37
  Section 8.5     Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries..............  A-37
  Section 8.6     Governing Law...............................................  A-37
  Section 8.7     Assignment..................................................  A-37
  Section 8.8     Consent to Jurisdiction.....................................  A-37
  Section 8.9     Specific Enforcement........................................  A-38
  Section 8.10    Severability................................................  A-38
Exhibit A     Form of Company Affiliate Letter
</TABLE>


                                      A-iii
<PAGE>   84

                             TABLE OF DEFINED TERMS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TERM                                                          PAGE
- ----                                                          ----
<S>                                                           <C>
Adjusted Option.............................................  A-37
Adjustment Event............................................   A-8
affiliate...................................................  A-48
Agreement...................................................   A-1
Average Closing Price.......................................   A-3
Business Day................................................   A-2
Buyer.......................................................   A-1
Buyer Common Stock..........................................   A-3
Buyer SEC Documents.........................................  A-28
Cash Fraction...............................................   A-4
Cash Election Number........................................   A-3
Cash Consideration..........................................   A-3
Cash Election...............................................   A-3
Cash Election Shares........................................   A-4
Certificate of Merger.......................................   A-2
Certificate.................................................   A-5
Closing Date................................................   A-2
Closing.....................................................   A-1
Code........................................................   A-1
Company SEC Documents.......................................  A-12
Company Takeover Proposal...................................  A-33
Company Common Stock........................................   A-1
Company Award...............................................  A-37
Company Subsidiaries........................................   A-9
Company Stock Options.......................................  A-10
Company Entities............................................   A-9
Company Contract............................................  A-26
Company Benefit Plans.......................................  A-14
Company Rights Agreement....................................  A-10
Company Disclosure Letter...................................   A-9
Company.....................................................   A-1
Company Subsidiary..........................................   A-9
Company Stock Plans.........................................  A-10
Confidentiality Agreement...................................  A-35
control.....................................................  A-48
Dissenting Shareholders.....................................   A-3
Dissenting Shares...........................................   A-3
Effective Time..............................................   A-2
Election Deadline...........................................   A-5
employee....................................................  A-19
Environmental Laws..........................................  A-22
Environmental Claim.........................................  A-22
Environmental Condition.....................................  A-23
Environmental Permit........................................  A-23
ERISA.......................................................  A-15
ERISA Affiliate.............................................  A-15
Exchange Fund...............................................   A-5
Exchange Act................................................   A-9
Exchange Agent..............................................   A-4
Exchange Ratio..............................................   A-3
</TABLE>

                                      A-iv
<PAGE>   85

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TERM                                                          PAGE
- ----                                                          ----
<S>                                                           <C>
Foreign Antitrust Laws......................................  A-12
Foreign Plan................................................  A-14
Form of Election............................................   A-5
Form S-4....................................................  A-13
GAAP........................................................  A-12
Governmental Entity.........................................  A-12
Hazardous Substance.........................................  A-22
HSR Act.....................................................  A-12
Indemnified Parties.........................................  A-38
Intellectual Property.......................................  A-24
knowledge...................................................  A-48
Law.........................................................  A-23
Leased Real Property........................................  A-23
Leases......................................................  A-23
Liens.......................................................  A-48
material adverse change.....................................  A-48
material adverse effect.....................................  A-48
Merger......................................................   A-1
Merger Approval.............................................  A-20
Merger Consideration........................................   A-3
Multiemployer Plan..........................................  A-17
Multiple Employer Plan......................................  A-17
Note Redemption.............................................  A-41
NYSE........................................................   A-3
OGCL........................................................   A-1
Opt-Out Amendment...........................................  A-19
Opt-Out Approval............................................  A-20
Owned Real Property.........................................  A-23
PBGC........................................................  A-16
PCBs........................................................  A-22
Permits.....................................................  A-13
person......................................................  A-48
Post-Closing Tax Period.....................................  A-19
Pre-Closing Tax Period......................................  A-19
Preferred Stock.............................................  A-10
Proxy Statement.............................................  A-12
Recent SEC Reports..........................................  A-20
Release.....................................................  A-23
Restraints..................................................  A-43
SEC.........................................................  A-12
Securities Act..............................................  A-12
Senior Notes................................................  A-41
Series B Preferred..........................................  A-10
Series A Preferred..........................................  A-10
Shareholder Approval........................................  A-20
Shareholders Meeting........................................  A-34
Stock Consideration.........................................   A-3
subsidiary..................................................  A-48
Superior Proposal...........................................  A-32
Surviving Corporation.......................................   A-1
Survivor Plans..............................................  A-42
Takeover Statute............................................  A-20
</TABLE>

                                       A-v
<PAGE>   86

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TERM                                                          PAGE
- ----                                                          ----
<S>                                                           <C>
Tax Certificates............................................  A-36
taxes.......................................................  A-19
Termination Fee.............................................  A-39
Total Consideration.........................................   A-4
Trading Day.................................................   A-3
Transferee..................................................   A-6
</TABLE>

                                      A-vi
<PAGE>   87

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

     AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of January 14,
2000, by and between Parker-Hannifin Corporation, an Ohio corporation ("BUYER"),
and Commercial Intertech Corp., an Ohio corporation (the "Company").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of the Company and Buyer have
each approved the merger of the Company with and into Buyer (the "MERGER"), upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in
accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Ohio (the "OGCL"),
whereby each issued and outstanding share of common stock, par value $1.00 per
share, of the Company ("COMPANY COMMON STOCK"), other than Dissenting Shares (as
defined in Section 2.1(c)) and any shares of Company Common Stock owned by Buyer
or any direct or indirect subsidiary of Buyer or held in the treasury of the
Company, will be converted, at the option of the holder thereof, into the right
to receive Buyer Common Stock (as defined in the Merger Agreement), cash or a
combination thereof as provided in Section 2.1 of this Agreement;

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has determined that the
Merger is fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders;

     WHEREAS, the Company and Buyer desire to make certain representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Merger and also to
prescribe various conditions to the Merger; and

     WHEREAS, for federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger
will qualify as a reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "CODE").

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties agree as
follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                   THE MERGER

     SECTION 1.1 THE MERGER. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the OGCL, the Company will be
merged with and into Buyer at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.3) and
the separate corporate existence of the Company will thereupon cease. Following
the Effective Time, Buyer will be the surviving corporation (the "SURVIVING
CORPORATION").

     SECTION 1.2 CLOSING. The closing of the Merger (the "CLOSING") will take
place at a time and on a date to be specified by the parties, which is to be no
later than the second Business Day after satisfaction or waiver (subject to
applicable law) of the conditions (excluding conditions that, by their terms,
cannot be satisfied until the Closing Date) set forth in Article VI, unless
another time or date is agreed to by the parties to this Agreement; provided,
however, that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no
event shall the Closing occur prior to May 4, 2000 unless the Company and Buyer
obtain a waiver or consent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Buyer, from the appropriate foreign Governmental Entity that permits the Closing
to occur prior to May 4, 2000 without triggering any liability to the Company,
Buyer or the Surviving Corporation under Section 3 of that certain agreement,
dated May 3, 1994, by and among Treuhandanstalt, as seller, the Company, as
buyer, Sachsenhydraulik GmbH Chemnitz, referred to therein as Company No. 1, and
Hydraulik Rohlitz GmbH, referred to therein as Company No. 2. The Closing will
be held at the offices of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue, 901 Lakeside Avenue,
Cleveland, Ohio 44114, or such other location as the parties to this Agreement
agree to in writing. The date on which the Closing occurs is hereinafter
referred to as the "CLOSING DATE." "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than
Saturday, Sunday, or any federal holiday.

     SECTION 1.3 EFFECTIVE TIME. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, as
soon as practicable on or after the Closing Date, the parties shall (i) file a
certificate of merger (the "CERTIFICATE OF MERGER")

                                       A-1
<PAGE>   88

in such form as is required by and executed in accordance with the relevant
provisions of the OGCL and (ii) make all other filings or recordings required
under the OGCL. The Merger will become effective at such time as the Certificate
of Merger is duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Ohio, or at
such subsequent date or time as the Company and Buyer agree and specify in the
Certificate of Merger (the date and time the Merger becomes effective is
hereinafter referred to as the "EFFECTIVE TIME").

     SECTION 1.4 EFFECTS OF THE MERGER. The Merger will have the effects set
forth in the OGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject
thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, powers and
franchises of the Company and Buyer will be vested in the Surviving Corporation,
and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and Buyer will become the
debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.

     SECTION 1.5 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND CODE OF REGULATIONS. The Articles
of Incorporation and Code of Regulations of Buyer, as in effect immediately
before the Effective Time, will be the Articles of Incorporation and Code of
Regulations, respectively, of the Surviving Corporation (with such changes
thereto as the parties may agree), until thereafter changed or amended as
provided therein or by applicable law.

     SECTION 1.6 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION. The
directors of Buyer immediately prior to the Effective Time will be the directors
of the Surviving Corporation, until the earlier of their death, resignation or
removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as
the case may be. The officers of Buyer immediately prior to the Effective Time
will be the officers of the Surviving Corporation, until the earlier of their
death, resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly
elected and qualified, as the case may be.

                                   ARTICLE II

           EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE COMPANY;
                     SURRENDER OF CERTIFICATES AND PAYMENT

     SECTION 2.1 EFFECT ON CAPITAL STOCK. At the Effective Time, by virtue of
the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any shares of
capital stock of the Company or Buyer:

          (a) Buyer Common Stock. Each share of Buyer Common Stock (as defined
     in Section 2.1(c)) outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will
     remain an issued and outstanding share of common stock of Buyer and shall
     not be affected by the Merger.

          (b) Cancellation of Treasury Stock and Buyer Owned Stock. Each share
     of Company Common Stock that is owned by Buyer or any direct or indirect
     subsidiary of Buyer and any Company Common Stock held in the treasury of
     the Company will automatically be canceled and retired and will cease to
     exist, and no consideration will be delivered in exchange therefor.

          (c) Conversion of Company Common Stock. Subject to Section 2.2(e),
     each issued and outstanding share of Company Common Stock (other than
     shares to be canceled in accordance with Section 2.1(b) and shares
     ("DISSENTING SHARES") that are owned by shareholders ("DISSENTING
     SHAREHOLDERS") that have properly exercised appraisal rights pursuant to
     Section 1701.85 of the OGCL) will be converted, at the option of the holder
     thereof, into the right to receive (x) a number of fully paid,
     non-assessable shares of common stock, par value $.50 per share, of Buyer
     including any associated stock purchase rights ("BUYER COMMON STOCK") equal
     to the Exchange Ratio (as defined below) (the "STOCK CONSIDERATION") or (y)
     upon a valid Cash Election as provided in Section 2.1(d) below, $20.00 in
     cash from Buyer (the "CASH CONSIDERATION" and, together with the Stock
     Consideration, the "MERGER CONSIDERATION"), subject to the limitations set
     forth in Sections 2.1(d), (e) and (g). The "EXCHANGE RATIO" shall be equal
     to $20.00 divided by the Average Closing Price (as defined below) of Buyer
     Common Stock; provided, however, that (A) if the Average Closing Price is
     less than $43.375, then the Exchange Ratio shall be .4611, or (B) if the
     Average Closing Price is greater than $53.375, then the Exchange Ratio
     shall be .3747. "AVERAGE CLOSING PRICE" means the average of the closing
     prices as reported in The Wall Street Journal's New York Stock Exchange
     Composite Transactions Reports for each of the 20 consecutive Trading Days
     in the period ending five

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     Trading Days prior to the Closing Date. "TRADING DAY" means a day on which
     the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. ("NYSE") is open for trading and on which
     the Buyer Common Stock was traded.

          (d) Cash Election. Subject to the immediately following sentence and
     to Sections 2.1(e) and 2.1(g), each record holder of shares of Company
     Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be entitled to
     elect to receive cash for all or any part of such Company Common Stock (a
     "CASH ELECTION"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate number of
     shares of Company Common Stock that may be converted into the right to
     receive cash consideration (the "CASH ELECTION NUMBER") shall not exceed an
     amount equal to the product of 49% multiplied by the aggregate number of
     shares of Company Common Stock outstanding at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the
     second Trading Day prior to the Effective Time; provided that the Cash
     Election Number shall be adjusted as provided in Section 2.1(g). To the
     extent not covered by a properly given Cash Election, all shares of Company
     Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
     shall, except as provided in Section 2.1(b) and Section 2.2(e), be
     converted solely into shares of Buyer Common Stock.

          (e) Cash Election Adjustments. If the aggregate number of shares of
     Company Common Stock covered by Cash Elections (the "CASH ELECTION SHARES")
     exceeds the Cash Election Number, each Cash Election Share shall be
     converted into (i) the right to receive an amount in cash, without
     interest, equal to the product of (a) $20.00 and (b) a fraction (the "CASH
     FRACTION"), the numerator of which shall be the Cash Election Number and
     the denominator of which shall be the total number of Cash Election Shares
     and (ii) a number of shares of Buyer Common Stock equal to the product of
     (a) the Exchange Ratio and (b) a fraction equal to one minus the Cash
     Fraction.

          (f) Computation of Conversion Rates. The Exchange Agent, in
     consultation with Buyer and the Company, will make all computations to give
     effect to this Section 2.1.

          (g) Reduction in Cash Election Number. If, after having made the
     calculations under Sections 2.1(d) and (e), the value of the Buyer Common
     Stock (excluding fractional shares to be paid in cash) to be issued in the
     Merger, valued at the lesser of (i) the Average Closing Price and (ii) the
     average of the high and low trading prices of Buyer Common Stock on the day
     before the Closing Date (or, if determined to be more appropriate by either
     Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue or Katten Muchin Zavis, the trading price as of
     the time of the Closing) as reported on the NYSE, minus the aggregate
     discount, if any, due to trading restrictions on the value of Buyer Common
     Stock to be issued in the Merger, is less than 51% of the total
     consideration to be paid in exchange for the shares of Company Common Stock
     (including, without limitation, the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of
     fractional shares or Dissenting Shares and any other payments required to
     be considered in determining whether the continuity of interest
     requirements applicable to reorganizations under Section 368 of the Code
     have been satisfied) (the "TOTAL CONSIDERATION"), then the Cash Election
     Number shall be reduced (and the number of shares of Company Common Stock
     converted into Buyer Common Stock shall be increased by an amount equal to
     the number of shares the Cash Election Number is decreased) to the extent
     necessary so that the value of the Buyer Common Stock (as determined
     pursuant to this Section 2.1(g)) is 51% of the Total Consideration.

     SECTION 2.2 EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES.

     (a) Exchange Agent. National City Bank, or such other national bank or
trust company as will be designated by Buyer prior to the Effective Time, will
act as agent of Buyer for purposes of, among other things, mailing and receiving
transmittal letters and distributing cash and certificates for Buyer Common
Stock, and cash in lieu of fractional shares of Buyer Common Stock, to the
Company shareholders (the "EXCHANGE AGENT"). As of the Effective Time, Buyer and
the Exchange Agent shall enter into an agreement which will provide that Buyer
shall deposit with the Exchange Agent as of the Effective Time, for the benefit
of the holders of shares of Company Common Stock, for exchange in accordance
with this Article II, through the Exchange Agent, cash and certificates
representing the shares of Buyer Common Stock (such cash and shares of Buyer
Common Stock, together with any dividends or distributions with respect thereto
with a record date after the Effective Time, and any cash payable in lieu of any
fractional

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shares of Buyer Common Stock being hereinafter referred to as the "EXCHANGE
FUND") issuable pursuant to Section 2.1 in exchange for outstanding shares of
Company Common Stock.

     (b) Election and Exchange Procedures.

          (i) Not fewer than 20 Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the
     Exchange Agent will mail a form of election (the "FORM OF ELECTION"), which
     will include a Form W-9, to holders of record of shares of Company Common
     Stock (as of a record date as close as practicable to the date of mailing
     and mutually agreed to by Buyer and the Company). In addition, the Exchange
     Agent will use its best efforts to make the Form of Election available to
     the persons who become shareholders of the Company during the period
     between such record date and the Election Deadline (as defined below). Any
     election to receive Cash Consideration contemplated by Section 2.1(d) will
     have been properly made only if the Exchange Agent shall have received at
     its designated office or offices, by 4:00 p.m. Cleveland, Ohio time, on the
     Trading Day that is the fourth Trading Day prior to the Closing Date (the
     "ELECTION DEADLINE"), a Form of Election properly completed and accompanied
     by a certificate representing shares of Company Common Stock (a
     "CERTIFICATE") to which such Form of Election relates, duly endorsed in
     blank or otherwise acceptable for transfer on the books of the Company (or
     an appropriate guarantee of delivery), as set forth in such Form of
     Election. An election may be revoked only by written notice received by the
     Exchange Agent prior to 4:00 p.m., Cleveland, Ohio, time, on the Election
     Deadline. In addition, all elections shall automatically be revoked if the
     Exchange Agent is notified by Buyer and the Company that the Merger has
     been abandoned. If an election is so revoked, the Certificate(s) (or
     guarantee of delivery, as appropriate) to which such election relates will
     be promptly returned to the person who submitted the same to the Exchange
     Agent. Buyer shall have the power, which it may delegate in whole or in
     part to the Exchange Agent, to determine, in its reasonable good faith
     judgment, whether Forms of Election have been properly completed, signed
     and submitted or revoked pursuant to this Section 2.2, and to disregard
     immaterial defects in Forms of Election. The decision of Buyer (or the
     Exchange Agent) in such matters shall be conclusive and binding.

          (ii) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, the
     Exchange Agent will mail to each holder of record of a Certificate whose
     shares of Company Common Stock were converted into the right to receive
     Merger Consideration (other than with respect to Certificates subject to a
     valid Form of Election), (i) a letter of transmittal (which will specify
     that delivery will be effected, and risk of loss and title to the
     Certificates will pass, only upon proper delivery of the Certificates to
     the Exchange Agent and will be in such form and have such other provisions
     as Buyer and the Company may specify consistent with this Agreement) and
     (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in
     exchange for the Stock Consideration.

          (iii) After the Effective Time, with respect to properly made
     elections in accordance with Section 2.2(b)(i), and upon surrender in
     accordance with Section 2.2(b)(ii) of a Certificate for cancellation to the
     Exchange Agent, together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed,
     and such other documents as may reasonably be required by the Exchange
     Agent, the holder of such Certificate will be entitled to receive in
     exchange therefor the Merger Consideration that such holder has the right
     to receive therefor pursuant to the provisions of this Article II, certain
     dividends or other distributions, if any, in accordance with Section 2.2(c)
     and cash in lieu of any fractional share of Buyer Common Stock in
     accordance with Section 2.2(e), and the Certificate so surrendered will
     forthwith be canceled. In the event of a transfer of ownership of shares of
     Company Common Stock that are not registered in the transfer records of the
     Company payment may be issued to a person other than the person in whose
     name the Certificate so surrendered is registered (the "TRANSFEREE") if
     such Certificate is properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for
     transfer and the Transferee pays any transfer or other taxes required by
     reason of such payment to a person other than the registered holder of such
     Certificate or establishes to the satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that
     such tax has been paid or is not applicable. Until surrendered as
     contemplated by this Section 2.2, each Certificate will be deemed at any
     time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon
     such surrender the Merger Consideration that the holder thereof has the
     right to receive in respect of such

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<PAGE>   91

     Certificate pursuant to the provisions of this Article II, certain
     dividends or other distributions, if any, in accordance with Section 2.2(c)
     and cash in lieu of any fractional share of Buyer Common Stock in
     accordance with Section 2.2(e). No interest will be paid or will accrue on
     any cash payable to holders of Certificates pursuant to the provisions of
     this Article II.

     (c) Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No dividends or other
distributions with respect to Buyer Common Stock with a record date after the
Effective Time will be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with
respect to the shares of Buyer Common Stock represented thereby, and, in the
case of Certificates representing Company Common Stock, no cash payment in lieu
of fractional shares will be paid to any such holder pursuant to Section 2.2(e),
and all such dividends, other distributions and cash in lieu of fractional
shares of Buyer Common Stock will be paid by Buyer to the Exchange Agent and
will be included in the Exchange Fund, in each case until the surrender of such
Certificate in accordance with this Article II. Subject to the effect of
applicable escheat or similar laws, following surrender of any such Certificate,
there will be paid to the holder of the certificate representing whole shares of
Buyer Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i) at the
time of such surrender, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a
record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such whole
shares of Buyer Common Stock and, in the case of Certificates representing
Company Common Stock, the amount of any cash payable in lieu of a fractional
share of Buyer Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section
2.2(e) and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or
other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to
such surrender and with a payment date subsequent to such surrender payable with
respect to such whole shares of Buyer Common Stock.

     (d) No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock. All shares of
Buyer Common Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange of Certificates in
accordance with the terms of this Article II (including any cash paid pursuant
to this Article II) will be deemed to have been issued (and paid) in full
satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the shares of Company Common Stock,
theretofore represented by such Certificates, subject, however, to Buyer's
obligation to pay any dividends or make any other distributions with a record
date prior to the Effective Time that may have been declared or made by the
Company on such shares of Company Common Stock that remain unpaid at the
Effective Time, and there will be no further registration of transfers on the
stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of the shares of Company
Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If,
after the Effective Time, Certificates are presented to the Surviving
Corporation or the Exchange Agent for any reason, they will be canceled and
exchanged as provided in this Article II, except as otherwise provided by law.

     (e) No Fractional Shares.

          (i) No certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of Buyer
     Common Stock will be issued upon the surrender for exchange of
     Certificates, no dividend or distribution of Buyer will relate to such
     fractional share interests and such fractional share interests will not
     entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a shareholder of
     Buyer.

          (ii) Each holder of Company Common Stock entitled to receive a
     fractional share of Buyer Common Stock will receive in lieu thereof an
     amount in cash equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the
     fractional share interest to which such former holder (after taking into
     account all shares of Company Common Stock held at the Effective Time by
     such holder) would otherwise be entitled by (B) the Average Closing Price.

          (iii) As soon as practicable after the determination of the amount of
     cash, if any, to be paid to holders of Certificates formerly representing
     Company Common Stock with respect to any fractional share interests, the
     Exchange Agent shall make available such amounts to such holders of
     Certificates formerly representing Company Common Stock subject to and in
     accordance with the terms of Section 2.2(c).

     (f) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund that
remains undistributed to the holders of the Certificates for nine months after
the Effective Time will be delivered to Buyer, upon

                                       A-5
<PAGE>   92

demand, and any holders of the Certificates who have not theretofore complied
with this Article II may thereafter look only to Buyer for payment of their
claim for Stock Consideration, any dividends or distributions with respect to
Buyer Common Stock and any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Buyer Common
Stock.

     (g) No Liability. None of Buyer, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange
Agent will be liable to any person in respect of any shares of Buyer Common
Stock, any dividends or distributions with respect thereto, any cash in lieu of
fractional shares of Buyer Common Stock or any cash from the Exchange Fund, in
each case, delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned
property, escheat or similar law.

     (h) Investment of Exchange Fund. The Exchange Agent shall invest any cash
included in the Exchange Fund, as directed by Buyer, on a daily basis. Any
interest and other income resulting from such investments will be paid to Buyer.

     (i) Lost Certificates. If any Certificate has been lost, stolen or
destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming
such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the
Surviving Corporation, the posting by such person of a bond in such reasonable
amount as the Surviving Corporation may direct as indemnity against any claim
that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Exchange Agent
shall issue, in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the
Merger Consideration and, if applicable, any unpaid dividends and distributions
on shares of Buyer Common Stock deliverable in respect thereof and any cash in
lieu of fractional shares, in each case, due to such person pursuant to this
Agreement.

     SECTION 2.3 CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS. If after the date of this Agreement and on
or prior to the Effective Time, the outstanding shares of Buyer Common Stock or
Company Common Stock are changed into a different number of shares by reason of
any reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination or exchange of
shares, or any dividend payable in stock or other securities is declared thereon
with a record date within such period, or any similar event occurs (any such
action, an "ADJUSTMENT EVENT"), the Exchange Ratio will be adjusted accordingly
to provide to the holders of Company Common Stock the same economic effect and
percentage ownership of Buyer Common Stock as contemplated by this Agreement
prior to such reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination,
exchange or dividend or similar event.

     SECTION 2.4 DISSENTERS' RIGHTS. No Dissenting Shareholder will be entitled
to any portion of the Merger Consideration or cash in lieu of fractional shares
thereof or any dividends or other distributions pursuant to this Article II
unless and until the holder thereof has failed to perfect or has effectively
withdrawn or lost such holder's right to dissent from the Merger under the OGCL,
and any Dissenting Shareholder will be entitled to receive only the payment
provided by Section 1701.85 of the OGCL with respect to shares of Company Common
Stock owned by such Dissenting Shareholder. If any person who otherwise would be
deemed a Dissenting Shareholder has failed to properly perfect or has
effectively withdrawn or lost the right to dissent with respect to any shares of
Company Common Stock, such shares of Company Common Stock will thereupon be
treated as though such shares of Company Common Stock had been converted into
the right to receive the Stock Consideration with respect to such shares of
Company Common Stock as provided in this Article II. The Company shall give
Buyer prompt notice of any written demands for appraisal, attempted withdrawals
of such demands and any other instruments received by the Company relating to
shareholders' rights of appraisal. Buyer shall conduct all negotiations and
proceedings with respect to demand for appraisal under the OGCL and the Company
will be entitled to participate in such negotiations only as and to the extent
requested by Buyer. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent
of Buyer, make any payment with respect to any demands for appraisals of
Dissenting Shares, offer to settle or settle any such demands or approve any
withdrawal of any such demands.

     SECTION 2.5 FURTHER ASSURANCES. At and after the Effective Time, the
officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation will be authorized to
execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Company or Buyer, any
deeds, bills of sale, assignments or assurances and to take and do, in the name
and on behalf of the Company or Buyer, any other actions and things to vest,
perfect or confirm of record

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or otherwise in the Surviving Corporation any and all right, title and interest
in, to and under any of the rights, properties or assets acquired or to be
acquired by the Surviving Corporation as a result of, or in connection with, the
Merger.

     SECTION 2.6 WITHHOLDING RIGHTS. The Surviving Corporation, Buyer or the
Exchange Agent, as the case may be, shall be entitled to deduct and withhold
from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any
person such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the
making of such payment under the Code, or any provision of state, local or
foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld by the Surviving
Corporation, Buyer or the Exchange Agent, as the case may be, such amounts
withheld shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to
such person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by the
Surviving Corporation, Buyer or the Exchange Agent, as the case may be.

                                  ARTICLE III

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     SECTION 3.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY. The Company hereby
represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

          (a) Organization, Standing and Corporate Power. The Company and each
     of the Company Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 3.1(b)) is a corporation
     or other legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
     (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize such concept) under the laws
     of the jurisdiction in which it is organized and has the requisite
     corporate or other power, as the case may be, and authority to carry on its
     business as now being conducted, except for those jurisdictions where the
     failure to be so organized, existing or in good standing, individually or
     in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have or result in a
     material adverse effect on the Company. The Company and each of the Company
     Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good
     standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize such concept) in
     each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership,
     leasing or operation of its properties makes such qualification or
     licensing necessary, except for those jurisdictions where the failure to be
     so qualified or licensed or to be in good standing, individually or in the
     aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have or result in a material
     adverse effect on the Company. The Company has made available to Buyer
     prior to the execution of this Agreement complete and correct copies of its
     Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations, each as amended to date.

          (b) Subsidiaries. Section 3.1(b) of the disclosure letter delivered by
     the Company to Buyer prior to the execution of this Agreement (the "COMPANY
     DISCLOSURE LETTER"), sets forth all the subsidiaries of the Company
     (specifying those that as of the date of this Agreement are Significant
     Subsidiaries (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT")) (each a
     "COMPANY SUBSIDIARY,"collectively, the "COMPANY SUBSIDIARIES," and together
     with the Company, the "COMPANY ENTITIES"). All outstanding shares of
     capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each Company Subsidiary (i)
     have been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, (ii) are
     free and clear of all Liens (as defined in Section 8.3) and (iii) are free
     of any other restriction (including any restriction on the right to vote,
     sell or otherwise dispose of such capital stock or other ownership
     interests), except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), for any Liens or
     restrictions that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably
     be expected to have or result in a material adverse effect on the Company.
     All outstanding shares of capital stock (or equivalent equity interests of
     entities other than corporations) of each of the Company Subsidiaries are
     beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company. The Company
     does not, directly or indirectly, own more than 20% but less than 100% of
     the capital stock or other equity interest in any person except as listed
     on Section 3.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter.

          (c) Capital Structure. The authorized capital stock of the Company
     consists of 30,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares
     of Preferred Stock, no par value per share, ("PREFERRED STOCK"), of which
     (i) 200,000 have been designated Series A Participating Preferred Shares
     (the "SERIES A PREFERRED") and (ii) 1,074,107 have been designated ESOP
     Convertible

                                       A-7
<PAGE>   94

     Preferred Stock Series B (the "SERIES B PREFERRED"). At the close of
     business on December 31, 1999: (i) 14,620,812 shares of Company Common
     Stock were issued and outstanding (including 154,113 shares of restricted
     stock and 135,850 performance shares and excluding 1,811,177 shares of
     Company Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company); (ii) 893,342
     shares of Preferred Stock were issued or outstanding, of which no shares of
     Series A Preferred were issued and outstanding and 893,342 shares of Series
     B Preferred were issued and outstanding and (iii) 1,000,279 shares of
     Company Common Stock were subject to outstanding employee or director stock
     options to purchase Company Common Stock or other common stock awards
     granted under the Non-Qualified Stock Purchase Plan, effective January 1,
     1989, the Stock Option and Award Plan of 1989, the Stock Option and Award
     Plan of 1993, the Stock Option and Award Plan of 1995, the Non-Employee
     Directors' Stock Plan, effective January 1, 1997, the Non-Employee
     Directors' Performance Share Plan, effective December 1, 1997 (the "COMPANY
     STOCK PLANS") (collectively, the "COMPANY STOCK OPTIONS"). Section 3.1(c)
     of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth the holders of all outstanding
     Company Stock Options, restricted stock, performance shares or units,
     deferred shares, stock units and other stock awards and the number,
     exercise prices, vesting schedules, performance targets, expiration dates
     and other forfeiture provisions of each grant to such holders. Each share
     of Company Common Stock carries with it an associated share purchase right
     issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement between the Company and Chase
     Mellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent, dated as of November
     23, 1999 (the "COMPANY RIGHTS AGREEMENT"), which entitles the holder
     thereof to purchase, on the occurrence of certain events, Company Common
     Stock. All outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are, and all
     shares that may be issued will be, when issued, duly authorized, validly
     issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to or issued in
     violation of preemptive rights. Except (i) as set forth in this Section
     3.1(c) and (ii) as set forth on Section 3.1(c) of the Company Disclosure
     Letter, (x) there are not issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding (A)
     any shares of capital stock or other voting securities of the Company, (B)
     any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares
     of capital stock or voting securities of the Company, or (C) any warrants,
     calls, options or other rights to acquire from the Company or any Company
     Subsidiary, and no obligation of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to
     issue, any capital stock, voting securities or securities convertible into
     or exchangeable or exercisable for capital stock or voting securities of
     the Company and (y) there are no outstanding obligations of the Company or
     any Company Subsidiary to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such
     securities or to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered
     or sold, any such securities. Neither the Company nor any Company
     Subsidiary is a party to any voting agreement with respect to the voting of
     any such securities. Except as set forth on Section 3.1(c) of the Company
     Disclosure Letter, there are not issued, reserved for issuance or
     outstanding (A) securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable
     for shares of capital stock or other voting securities or ownership
     interests in any Company Subsidiary, (B) warrants, calls, options or other
     rights to acquire from the Company or any Company Subsidiary, and no
     obligation of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to issue, any capital
     stock, voting securities or other ownership interests in, or any securities
     convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any capital stock,
     voting securities or ownership interests in, any Company Subsidiary, or (C)
     obligations of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to repurchase, redeem
     or otherwise acquire any such outstanding securities of Company
     Subsidiaries or to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered
     or sold, any such securities. Except as set forth on Section 3.1(c) of the
     Company Disclosure Letter, there are no agreements, arrangements or
     commitments of any character (contingent or otherwise) pursuant to which
     any person is or may be entitled to receive any payment based on the
     revenues, earnings or financial performance of the Company or any Company
     Subsidiary or assets or calculated in accordance therewith.

          (d) Authority; Noncontravention. The Company has all requisite
     corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and, subject to
     the Shareholder Approval (as defined in Section 3.1(k)), to consummate the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution and delivery of
     this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the
     transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
     corporate action on the

                                       A-8
<PAGE>   95

     part of the Company, subject, in the case of the Merger, to the Shareholder
     Approval. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the
     Company, and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by
     Buyer, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company,
     enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as the
     enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
     reorganization, moratorium or similar laws generally affecting the rights
     of creditors and subject to general equity principles. Except as set forth
     on Section 3.1(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the execution and
     delivery of this Agreement does not, and the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement and compliance with the
     provisions of this Agreement will not, (i) conflict with the articles of
     incorporation or code of regulations (or comparable organizational
     documents) of any of the Company Entities, (ii) result in any breach,
     violation or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both)
     under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or creation or
     acceleration of any obligation or right of a third party or loss of a
     benefit under, or result in the creation of any Lien (as defined in Section
     8.3) upon any of the properties or assets of the Company Entities under,
     any loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease or
     other agreement, instrument, permit, concession, franchise, license or
     other authorization applicable to the Company Entities or their respective
     properties or assets or (iii) subject to the governmental filings and other
     matters referred to in the following sentence, conflict with or violate any
     judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation
     applicable to the Company Entities or their respective properties or
     assets, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), any such
     conflicts, violations, defaults, rights, losses or Liens (as defined in
     Section 8.3) that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably
     be expected to have or result in a material adverse effect on the Company
     or that would not prevent or materially delay consummation of the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No consent, approval, order or
     authorization of, action by or in respect of, or registration, declaration
     or filing with, any federal, state or local or foreign government, any
     court, administrative, regulatory or other governmental agency, commission
     or authority or any non-governmental United States or foreign self-
     regulatory agency, commission or authority or any arbitral tribunal (each,
     a "GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY") is required by the Company in connection with the
     execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company or the consummation
     by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for: (i) the
     filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") of (A) a
     proxy statement relating to the Shareholders Meeting (as defined in Section
     5.1(b)) (such proxy statement, as amended or supplemented from time to
     time, the "PROXY STATEMENT") and(B) such reports under Section 13(a),
     13(d), 15(d) or 16(a) of the Exchange Act, as may be required in connection
     with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (ii) the
     filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the
     State of Ohio; (iii) the filing of a premerger notification and report form
     by the Company under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
     1976, as amended ("HSR ACT"); (iv) the consents, approvals, orders or
     authorizations set forth on Section 3.1(d) of the Company Disclosure
     Letter; (v) filings required under the antitrust and competition laws of
     foreign countries ("FOREIGN ANTITRUST LAWS"); and (vi) such consents,
     approvals, orders or authorizations the failure of which to be made or
     obtained, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be
     expected to have or result in a material adverse effect on the Company or
     would not prevent or materially delay consummation of the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement.

          (e) SEC Reports and Financial Statements; Undisclosed Liabilities. The
     Company has timely filed all required reports, schedules, forms, statements
     and other documents (including exhibits and all other information
     incorporated therein) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
     "SECURITIES ACT"), and the Exchange Act, with the SEC since October 31,
     1997 (as such reports, schedules, forms, statements and documents have been
     amended since the time of their filing, collectively, the "COMPANY SEC
     DOCUMENTS"). As of their respective dates, or if amended prior to the date
     of this Agreement, as of the date of the last such amendment, the Company
     SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of
     the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules
     and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to such

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     Company SEC Documents, and none of the Company SEC Documents when filed, or
     as so amended, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted
     to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
     order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
     which they were made, not misleading. The financial statements of the
     Company included in the Company SEC Documents comply as to form, as of
     their respective date of filing with the SEC, in all material respects with
     applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations
     of the SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance with
     United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") (except, in
     the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC)
     applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be
     indicated in the notes thereto), and fairly present in all material
     respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its
     subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated statement of
     income, cash flows and shareholders' equity for the periods then ended
     (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal recurring year-end
     audit adjustments). Except (i) as reflected in such financial statements or
     in the notes thereto or (ii) for liabilities incurred in connection with
     this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, neither the Company
     nor any Company Subsidiary has any liabilities or obligations of any nature
     (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) which, individually or
     in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have or result in a
     material adverse effect on the Company.

          (f) Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
     supplied by the Company specifically for inclusion or incorporation by
     reference in (i) the registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed with
     the SEC by Buyer in connection with the issuance of Buyer Common Stock in
     the Merger (the "FORM S-4") will, at the time the Form S-4 becomes
     effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a
     material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
     therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (ii)
     the Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to the Company's
     shareholders or at the time of the Shareholders Meeting, contain any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
     be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
     light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The
     Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all material respects with the
     requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder,
     except that no representation or warranty is made by the Company with
     respect to statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on
     information supplied by Buyer specifically for inclusion or incorporation
     by reference in the Proxy Statement.

          (g) Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as set forth on
     Section 3.1(g) of the Company Disclosure Letter, since October 31, 1999,
     (i) the Company Entities have conducted their respective operations only in
     the ordinary course consistent with past practice, (ii) there has not been
     a material adverse change relating to the Company, (iii) the Company
     Entities have not taken action that if taken after the date of this
     Agreement would constitute a violation of Section 4.1(a), (iv) except in
     connection with or as expressly permitted in this Agreement, neither the
     Company nor any Company Subsidiary has incurred nor will there have arisen
     any liabilities (direct, contingent or otherwise) material to the Company
     and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and (v) neither the Company
     nor any Company Subsidiary has engaged in any material transaction or
     entered into any material agreement or commitments outside the ordinary
     course of business (except for the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement).

          (h) Compliance with Applicable Laws; Litigation.

             (i) The operations of the Company Entities have not been and are
        not being conducted in violation of any law or any Permit (as defined in
        Section 3.1(h)(ii)), except where such violations, individually or in
        the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have or result in a
        material adverse effect on the Company. None of the Company Entities has
        received any written notice, or has knowledge of any claim, alleging any
        such violation.

             (ii) The Company Entities hold all licenses, permits, variances,
        consents, authorizations, waivers, grants, franchises, concessions,
        exemptions, orders, registrations and approvals of

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        Governmental Entities or other persons necessary for the conduct of
        their respective businesses as currently conducted ("PERMITS"), except
        where the failure to hold such Permits, individually or in the
        aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have or result in a
        material adverse effect on the Company. None of the Company Entities has
        received written notice that any Permit will be terminated or modified
        or cannot be renewed in the ordinary course of business, and the Company
        has no knowledge of any reasonable basis for any such termination,
        modification or nonrenewal, except for such terminations, modifications
        or nonrenewals as, individually or in the aggregate, would not
        reasonably be expected to have or result in a material adverse effect on
        the Company. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
        and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and
        will not violate any Permit, or result in any termination, modification
        or nonrenewals thereof, except for such violations, terminations,
        modifications or nonrenewals thereof as, individually or in the
        aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have or result in a
        material adverse effect on the Company.

             (iii) Except as set forth on Section 3.1(h)(iii) of the Company
        Disclosure Letter, no action, demand, requirement or investigation by
        any Governmental Entity and no suit, action or proceeding by any person,
        in each case, with respect to the Company or any Company Subsidiary or
        any of their respective properties is pending or, to the knowledge of
        the Company, threatened as of the date of this Agreement.

          (i) Employee Benefit Plans.

             (i) Section 3.1(i)(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a
        true and complete list of (A) each United States bonus, pension, profit
        sharing, deferred compensation, incentive compensation, stock ownership,
        stock purchase, stock option, phantom stock, retirement, vacation,
        employment, disability, death benefit, hospitalization, medical
        insurance, life insurance, severance or other employee benefit plan,
        agreement, arrangement or understanding maintained by the Company or any
        Company Subsidiary or to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary
        contributes or is obligated to contribute, and (B) each change of
        control agreement providing benefits to any current or former employee,
        officer or director of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, to which
        the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company
        or any Company Subsidiary is bound (collectively, the "COMPANY BENEFIT
        PLANS"). For purposes of this Agreement, the term "FOREIGN PLAN" refers
        to each plan, agreement, arrangement or understanding that is subject to
        or governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States
        and that would have been treated as a Company Benefit Plan had it been a
        United States plan, agreement, arrangement or understanding. Section
        3.1(i)(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and correct
        list of the Foreign Plans. With respect to each Company Benefit Plan and
        Foreign Plan, no event has occurred and there exists no condition or set
        of circumstances in connection with which the Company or any Company
        Subsidiary could be subject to any liability that, individually or in
        the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have or result in a
        material adverse effect on the Company. Neither the Company nor any
        Company Subsidiary has any liability with respect to any plan,
        agreement, arrangement or understanding of the type described in this
        paragraph other than the Company Benefit Plans and the Foreign Plans.

             (ii) Except as set forth on Section 3.1(i)(ii) of the Company
        Disclosure Letter, each Company Benefit Plan has been administered in
        accordance with its terms, all applicable laws, including the Employee
        Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ( "ERISA"), and the
        Code, and the terms of all applicable collective bargaining agreements,
        except for any failures so to administer any Company Benefit Plan that,
        individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to
        have or result in a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company
        and all Company Benefit Plans are in compliance with the applicable
        provisions of ERISA, the Code and all other applicable laws and the
        terms of all applicable collective bargaining agreements, except for any
        failures to be in such compliance that, individually or in the
        aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have or result in a
        material adverse effect on

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        the Company. Each Company Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified
        under Section 401(a), 401(k) or 4975(e)(7) of the Code has received a
        favorable determination letter dated after December 31, 1994 from the
        IRS as to its qualified status and, to the knowledge of the Company,
        there exists no facts or circumstances that have caused or could cause a
        failure to be so qualified under Section 401(a), 401(k) or 4975(e)(7) of
        the Code. No fact or event has occurred which is reasonably likely to
        affect adversely the qualified status of any such Company Benefit Plan
        or the exempt status of any such trust, except for any occurrence that,
        individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to
        have or result in a material adverse effect on the Company. All
        contributions to, and payments from, the Company Benefit Plans that are
        required to be made in accordance with such Company Benefit Plans, ERISA
        or the Code have been timely made other than any failures that,
        individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to
        have or result in a material adverse effect on the Company. All trusts
        providing funding for Company Benefit Plans that are intended to comply
        with Section 501(c)(9) of the Code are exempt from federal income
        taxation and, together with any other welfare benefit funds (as defined
        in Section 419(e)(1) of the Code) maintained in connection with any of
        the Company Benefit Plans, have been operated and administered in
        compliance with all applicable requirements such that neither the
        Company, any Company Subsidiary, any Company Benefit Plan nor such trust
        or fund is subject to any taxes, penalties or other liabilities imposed
        as a consequence of failure to comply with such requirements which,
        individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect
        on the Company. No welfare benefit fund (as defined in Section 419(e)(1)
        of the Code) maintained in connection with any of the Company Benefit
        Plans has provided any "disqualified benefit" (as defined in Section
        4976(b)(1) of the Code) for which the Company or any Company Subsidiary
        has or had any liability for the excise tax imposed by Section 4976 of
        the Code which has not been paid in full.

             (iii) Neither the Company nor any trade or business, whether or not
        incorporated, which, together with the Company, would be deemed to be a
        "single employer" within the meaning of Section 4001(b) of ERISA (an
        "ERISA AFFILIATE") has incurred any liability under Title IV of ERISA
        (other than for premiums pursuant to Section 4007 of ERISA which have
        been timely paid) or Section 4971 of the Code, and no condition exists
        that presents a material risk to the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of
        the Company of incurring any such liability or failure. No Company
        Benefit Plan has or has incurred an accumulated funding deficiency
        within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code,
        nor has any waiver of the minimum funding standards of Section 302 of
        ERISA and Section 412 of the Code been requested of or granted by the
        Internal Revenue Service with respect to any Company Benefit Plan, nor
        has any lien in favor of any Company Benefit Plan arisen under Section
        412(n) of the Code or Section 302(f) of ERISA. Neither the Company nor
        any ERISA Affiliate has been required to provide security to any defined
        benefit pension plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code. Except
        as disclosed on actuarial reports previously provided to Buyer, with
        respect to each Company Benefit Plan that is subject to Title IV or
        Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 or 4971 of the Code, the fair market
        value of the assets of such Company Benefit Plan equals or exceeds the
        actuarial present value of all accrued benefits under such Company
        Benefit Plan (whether or not vested), based upon the actuarial
        assumptions used to prepare the most recent actuarial report for such
        Company Benefit Plan and, to the knowledge of the Company, no event has
        occurred which would be reasonably expected to change any such funded
        status. There has been no "reportable event" within the meaning of
        Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations and interpretations thereunder
        which has not been fully and accurately reported in a timely fashion, as
        required, or which, whether or not reported, would constitute grounds
        for the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the "PBGC") to institute
        termination proceedings with respect to any Company Benefit Plan.

             (iv) Except for Company Benefit Plans set forth on Section
        3.1(i)(iv) of the Company Disclosure Letter, no Company Benefit Plan
        provides medical or life insurance benefits (whether

                                      A-12
<PAGE>   99

        or not insured) with respect to current or former employees or officers
        or directors after retirement or other termination of service, other
        than any such coverage required by law, and with respect to any Company
        Benefit Plan set forth on Section 3.1(i)(iv) of the Company Disclosure
        Letter, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have reserved all
        rights necessary to amend or terminate each of such plans without the
        consent of any other person.

             (v) Except for Company Benefit Plans set forth on Section 3.1(i)(v)
        of the Company Disclosure Letter, the consummation of the transactions
        contemplated by this Agreement will not, either alone or in combination
        with another event, (A) entitle any current or former employee, officer
        or director of the Company to severance pay, unemployment compensation
        or any other payment, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, or
        (B) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of
        compensation due any such employee, officer or director.

             (vi) Except for Company Benefit Plans set forth on Section
        3.1(i)(vi) of the Company Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any
        Company Subsidiary is a party to any agreement, contract or arrangement
        (including this Agreement) that could result, separately or in the
        aggregate, in the payment of any "excess parachute payments" within the
        meaning of Section 280G of the Code. Except as set forth on Section
        3.1(i)(vi) of the Company Disclosure Letter, no Company Benefit Plan
        provides for the reimbursement of excise taxes under Section 4999 of the
        Code or any income taxes under the Code. Except as set forth on Section
        3.1(i)(vi) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the disallowance of a
        deduction under Section 162(m) of the Code for employee remuneration
        will not apply to any amount paid or payable by the Company or any
        Company Subsidiary under any Company Benefit Plan.

             (vii) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan, the Company has
        delivered or made available to Buyer a true and complete copy of: (A)
        each writing constituting a part of such Company Benefit Plan,
        including, without limitation, all Company Benefit Plan documents and
        trust agreements; (B) the most recent Annual Report (Form 5500 Series)
        and accompanying schedule, if any; (C) the most recent annual financial
        report, if any; (D) the most recent actuarial report, if any; (E) the
        most recent determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service, if
        any; and (F) such additional documents or other information as is
        reasonably requested by Buyer. Except as set forth on Section
        3.1(i)(vii) of the Company Disclosure Letter, and except as specifically
        provided in the foregoing documents delivered or made available to
        Buyer, there are no amendments to any Company Benefit Plan that have
        been adopted or approved nor has the Company or any Company Subsidiary
        undertaken to make any such amendments or to adopt or approve any new
        Company Benefit Plan.

             (viii) Except as set forth on Section 3.1(i)(viii) of the Company
        Disclosure Letter, no Company Benefit Plan is a multiemployer plan (as
        defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) (a "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN") or a
        plan that has two or more contributing sponsors at least two of whom are
        not under common control, within the meaning of Section 4063 of ERISA (a
        "MULTIPLE EMPLOYER PLAN"). None of the Company, the Company Subsidiaries
        nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has, at any time during the
        last six years, contributed to or been obligated to contribute to any
        Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan. None of the Company, the
        Company Subsidiaries nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has
        incurred any material withdrawal liability under a Multiemployer Plan
        that has not been satisfied in full. None of the Company, the Company
        Subsidiaries nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates would incur
        any withdrawal liability (within the meaning of Part 1 of Subtitle E of
        Title I of ERISA) if the Company, the Company Subsidiaries or any of
        their respective ERISA Affiliates withdrew (within the meaning of Part 1
        of Subtitle E of Title I of ERISA) on or prior to the Closing Date from
        each Multiemployer Plan to which the Company, the Company Subsidiaries
        or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has an obligation to
        contribute on the date of this Agreement. No Multiemployer Plan to which
        the Company, the Company Subsidiaries or any of

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        their respective ERISA Affiliates contributes is in reorganization
        (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA) or is reasonably likely to
        commence reorganization.

             (ix) Except as set forth on Section 3.1(i)(ix) of the Company
        Disclosure Letter, there are no pending or threatened claims (other than
        claims for benefits in the ordinary course), lawsuits or arbitrations
        that have been asserted or instituted, or to the Company's knowledge, no
        set of circumstances exists that may reasonably give rise to a claim or
        lawsuit, against the Company Benefit Plans, any fiduciaries thereof with
        respect to their duties to the Company Benefit Plans or the assets of
        any of the trusts under any of the Company Benefit Plans that could
        reasonably be expected to result in any material liability of the
        Company or any Company Subsidiaries to the PBGC, the United States
        Department of Treasury, the United States Department of Labor, any
        Multiemployer Plan, any Company Benefit Plan or any participant in a
        Company Benefit Plan.

             (x) There have been no prohibited transactions or breaches of any
        of the duties imposed on "fiduciaries" (within the meaning of Section
        3(21) of ERISA) by ERISA with respect to the Company Benefit Plans that
        could result in any liability or excise tax under ERISA or the Code
        being imposed on the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries.

             (xi) All contributions, transfers and payments by the Company and
        the Company Subsidiaries in respect of any Company Benefit Plan, other
        than transfers incident to an incentive stock option plan within the
        meaning of Section 422 of the Code, have been or are fully deductible
        under the Code.

             (xii) With respect to any insurance policy that has, or does,
        provide funding for benefits under any Company Benefit Plan, no
        insurance company issuing any such policy is in receivership,
        conservatorship, liquidation or similar proceeding and, to the knowledge
        of the Company, no such proceedings with respect to any insurer are
        imminent.

             (xiii) With respect to each Foreign Plan: (A) all amounts required
        to be reserved under each book reserved Foreign Plan have been so
        reserved in accordance with reasonable accounting practices prevailing
        in the country where such Foreign Plan is established; (B) each Foreign
        Plan required to be registered with a Governmental Entity has been
        registered, has been maintained in good standing with the appropriate
        Governmental Entities, and has been maintained and operated in
        accordance with its terms and applicable law; (C) the fair market value
        of the assets of each funded Foreign Plan that is a defined benefit
        pension plan (or termination indemnity plan), and the liability of each
        insurer for each Foreign Plan that is a defined benefit pension plan (or
        termination indemnity plan) and is funded through insurance or the book
        reserve established for each Foreign Plan that is a defined benefit
        pension plan (or termination indemnity plan) that utilizes book
        reserves, together with any accrued contributions, is sufficient to
        procure or provide for the liability for accrued benefits with respect
        to those current and former employees of the Company and the Company
        Subsidiaries that participate in such Foreign Plan according to the
        reasonable actuarial or other applicable assumptions and valuations most
        recently used to determine employer contributions to, or the funded
        status or book reserve of, such Foreign Plans; (D) each Foreign Plan
        complies with all applicable laws, such that any failure to do so,
        individually or in the aggregate, will not result in any material
        adverse effect on the Company; (E) all contributions required to be made
        to such Foreign Plan have been timely made; and (F) there are no
        actions, suits or claims pending or threatened.

             (xiv) For purposes of this Section 3.1(i), the term "EMPLOYEE" will
        be considered to include individuals rendering personal services to the
        Company or any Company Subsidiary as independent contractors.

          (j) Taxes. (A) Except as set forth on Section 3.1(j) of the Company
     Disclosure Letter, the Company and each Company Subsidiary has filed all
     tax returns and reports required to be filed by it or requests for
     extensions to file such returns or reports have been timely filed, granted
     and have not expired, and all such filed returns and reports are materially
     complete and accurate; (B) the Company and each Company Subsidiary has paid
     (or the Company has paid on its behalf) all taxes shown as

                                      A-14
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     due on such returns; (C) except as set forth on Section 3.1(j) of the
     Company Disclosure Letter, there are no pending, or threatened in writing,
     audits, examinations, investigations or other proceedings in respect of
     taxes relating to the Company or any Company Subsidiary; (D) there are no
     Liens for taxes upon the assets of the Company or any of the Company
     Subsidiaries, other than Liens for current taxes not yet due and Liens for
     taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
     (E) neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has any
     liability for taxes of any person (other than the Company and the Company
     Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any comparable
     provision of state or local or foreign law); (F) neither the Company nor
     any Company Subsidiary is a party to any agreement relating to the
     allocation or sharing of taxes; (G) neither the Company nor any Company
     Subsidiary has taken any action or knows of any fact, agreement, plan or
     other circumstance that is reasonably likely to prevent the Merger from
     qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
     Code; (H) no deficiencies for any taxes have been proposed, asserted or
     assessed against the Company or any Company Subsidiary, for which adequate
     reserves have not been created; and (I) neither the Company nor any Company
     Subsidiary will be required to include any adjustment in taxable income for
     any tax period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date (a
     "POST-CLOSING TAX PERIOD") under Section 481(c) of the Code (or any similar
     provision of the tax laws of any jurisdiction) as a result of a change in
     method of accounting for any tax period (or portion thereof) ending prior
     to the Closing Date (a "PRE-CLOSING TAX PERIOD") or pursuant to the
     provisions of any agreement entered into with any taxing authority with
     regard to the tax liability of the Company or any Company Subsidiary for
     any Pre-Closing Tax Period. As used in this Agreement, "TAXES" includes all
     federal, state or local or foreign net and gross income, alternative or
     add-on minimum, environmental, gross receipts, ad valorem, value added,
     goods and services, capital stock, profits, license, single business,
     employment, severance, stamp, unemployment, customs, property, sales,
     excise, use, occupation, service, transfer, payroll, franchise, withholding
     and other taxes or similar governmental duties, charges, fees, levies or
     other assessments, including any interest, penalties or additions with
     respect thereto. The consolidated federal income tax returns of the Company
     and the Company Subsidiaries have been examined, or the statute of
     limitations has closed, with respect to all taxable years through and
     including 1994.

          (k) Voting Requirement. The affirmative vote at the Shareholders
     Meeting of (i) at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the
     holders of outstanding shares of Company Common Stock and the Series B
     Preferred, if any, voting together as a single class (with each share of
     Company Common Stock and Series B Preferred having one vote per share), is
     the only vote of the holders of any class or series of the Company's
     capital stock necessary to approve an amendment (the "OPT-OUT AMENDMENT")
     to the Company's Code of Regulations to provide that Section 1701.831 of
     the Ohio Revised Code (pertaining to control share acquisitions) shall not
     apply to the Company (the "OPT-OUT APPROVAL"), and (ii) at least two-thirds
     of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of outstanding shares of
     Company Common Stock and Series B Preferred, if any, voting together as a
     single class (with each share of Company Common Stock and Series B
     Preferred having one vote per share), is the only vote of the holders of
     any class or series of the Company's capital stock necessary to adopt and
     approve this Agreement and the Merger and the transactions contemplated
     hereby (other than the Opt-Out Amendment) (the "MERGER APPROVAL" and
     together with the Opt-Out Approval, the "SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL").

          (l) State Takeover Statutes. The Board of Directors of the Company has
     taken all necessary action, subject to obtaining the Opt-Out Approval, so
     that no "fair price," "moratorium," "control share acquisition" or other
     antitakeover statute or regulation (each, a "TAKEOVER STATUTE") (including
     the control share acquisition provisions codified in Sections 1701.83 et
     seq. of the OGCL and the moratorium provisions codified in Sections 1704.02
     et seq. of the OGCL) or any anti-takeover provision in the Company's
     Articles of Incorporation or Code of Regulations is applicable to the
     Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No other
     Takeover Statute is applicable to this Agreement, the Merger or the other
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Board of Directors of the
     Company has (A) duly and validly approved this Agreement,

                                      A-15
<PAGE>   102

     (B) determined that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are in
     the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, (C) unanimously
     resolved to recommend to such shareholders that they vote in favor of the
     Opt-Out Amendment and the Merger and (D) taken all corporate action
     required to be taken by the Board of Directors of the Company for the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          (m) Intentionally omitted.

          (n) Brokers. Except for Goldman Sachs & Co., no broker, investment
     banker, financial advisor or other person is entitled to any broker's,
     finder's, financial advisor's or other similar fee or commission in
     connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon
     arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company. The Company has furnished
     to Buyer true and complete copies of all agreements under which any fees,
     commissions or expenses are payable and all indemnification and other
     agreements related to the engagement of the persons to whom such fees,
     commissions or expenses are payable.

          (o) Ownership of Buyer Common Stock. Except for shares of Buyer Common
     Stock owned by the Company Benefit Plans or shares held or managed for the
     account of another person or as to which the Company is required to act as
     a fiduciary or in a similar capacity, as of the date of this Agreement,
     neither the Company nor, to its knowledge, any of its affiliates, (i)
     beneficially owns (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),
     directly or indirectly, or (ii) is party to any agreement, arrangement or
     understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing
     of, in each case, shares of Buyer Common Stock.

          (p) Environmental Matters.

             (i) Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Reports filed since
        January 1, 1999 (the "RECENT SEC REPORTS"), or as set forth on Section
        3.1(p)(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter, or where noncompliance,
        individually or in the aggregate, will not have or result in a material
        adverse effect on the Company, the Company Entities are and have been in
        compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental
        Permits.

             (ii) Except as disclosed in the Recent SEC Reports, or as set forth
        on Section 3.1(p)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no
        written (or, to the knowledge of the Company, other) Environmental
        Claims pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against
        the Company or any Company Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the
        Company, there are no existing conditions, circumstances or facts which
        could give rise to an Environmental Claim.

             (iii) The Company has set forth on Section 3.1(p)(iii) of the
        Company Disclosure Letter all material information, including such
        studies, audits, analyses and test results, in the possession, custody
        or control of or otherwise known and available to the Company Entities
        relating to (A) the Company Entities' past or present compliance or
        noncompliance with Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits, or (B)
        Environmental Conditions on, under or about any of the properties or
        assets owned, leased, or operated by any of the Company Entities at the
        present time or for which any of the Company Entities may be
        responsible, except to the extent any failure to provide any such
        information, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be
        expected to have or result in, or would not have led to the discovery
        of, a material adverse effect on the Company.

             (iv) Except as disclosed in the Recent SEC Reports, or as set forth
        on Section 3.1(p)(iv) of the Company Disclosure Letter, during and, to
        the knowledge of the Company, prior to, the period of ownership or
        operation by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, no Hazardous
        Substance was generated, treated, stored, disposed of, used, handled or
        manufactured at, or transported, shipped or disposed of from, currently
        or previously owned or leased properties in violation of applicable
        Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits that, individually or in the
        aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have or result in a material
        adverse effect on the Company and there were no Releases of Hazardous
        Substance in, on, under, from or affecting

                                      A-16
<PAGE>   103

        any currently or previously owned or leased properties that,
        individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have
        or result in a material adverse effect on the Company.

             (v) Except as disclosed in the Recent SEC Reports, or as set forth
        on Section 3.1(p)(v) of the Company Disclosure Letter, none of the
        Company or the Company Subsidiaries has received from any Governmental
        Entity or other third party any written (or, to the knowledge of the
        Company, other) notice that any of them or any of their predecessors is
        or may be a potentially responsible party in respect of, or may
        otherwise bear liability for, any actual or threatened Release of
        Hazardous Substance at any site or facility that is, has been or could
        reasonably be expected to be listed on the National Priorities List, the
        Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
        Information System or any similar or analogous federal, state,
        provincial, territorial, municipal, county, local or other domestic or
        foreign list, schedule, inventory or database of Hazardous Substance
        sites or facilities.

             (vi) As used in this Agreement:

                (A) the term "ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIM" means any written or other
           claim, demand, suit, action, proceeding, investigation or notice to
           any of the Company Entities by any person alleging any potential
           liability (including, without limitation, potential liability for
           investigatory costs, risk assessment costs, cleanup costs,
           governmental response costs, natural resource damages, or penalties)
           arising out of, based on, or resulting from (i) alleged noncompliance
           with any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit, (ii) alleged
           injury or damage arising from exposure to Hazardous Substances, or
           (iii) the presence, Release or threatened Release into the
           environment, of any Hazardous Substance at or from any location,
           whether or not owned, leased, operated or used by the Company or any
           Company Subsidiary;

                (B) the term "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means all Laws in effect as of
           the date of this Agreement relating to (i) pollution or protection of
           the environment, (ii) emissions, discharges, Releases or threatened
           Releases of Hazardous Substances, (iii) threats to human health or
           ecological resources arising from exposure to Hazardous Substances,
           or (iv) the manufacture, generation, processing, distribution, use,
           sale, treatment, receipt, storage, disposal, transport or handling of
           Hazardous Substances, and includes, without limitation, the
           Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act,
           the Resource Conversation and Recovery Act, the Clean Air Act, the
           Clean Water Act, the Water Pollution Control Act, the Toxic
           Substances Control Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act and
           any similar foreign, state or local Laws;

                (C) the term "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE" means (i) chemicals,
           pollutants, contaminants, hazardous wastes, toxic substances, and oil
           and petroleum products, (ii) any substance that is or contains
           asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated
           biphenyls ("PCBS"), petroleum or petroleum-derived substances or
           wastes, radon gas or related materials, (iii) any substance that
           requires removal or remediation under any Environmental Law, or is
           defined, listed or identified as a "hazardous waste" or "hazardous
           substance" thereunder, or (iv) any substance that is regulated under
           any Environmental Law due to its actual or potentially toxic,
           explosive, corrosive, flammable, infectious, radioactive,
           carcinogenic, mutagenic or otherwise hazardous properties;

                (D) the term "RELEASE" means any releasing, disposing,
           discharging, injecting, spilling, leaking, pumping, dumping,
           emitting, escaping, emptying, migration, transporting, placing and
           the like, including into or upon, any land, soil, sediment, surface
           water, ground water or air, or otherwise entering into the
           environment;

                (E) the term "LAW" means any foreign, federal, state or local
           law, statute, code, ordinance, regulation, rule, principle of common
           law or other legally enforceable obligation imposed by a court or
           other Governmental Entity;

                (F) the term "ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT" means all Permits and the
           timely submission of applications for Permits, as required under
           Environmental Laws; and

                                      A-17
<PAGE>   104

                (G) the term "ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION" means any contamination,
           damage, injury or other condition related to Hazardous Substances and
           includes, without limitation, any present or former Hazardous
           Substance treatment, storage, disposal or recycling units,
           underground storage tanks, wastewater treatment or management
           systems, wetlands, sumps, lagoons, impoundments, landfills, ponds,
           incinerators, wells, asbestos containing materials, lead paint or
           PCB-containing articles.

          (q) Real Property; Assets.

             (i) Section 3.1(q)(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter contains a
        true and complete list and brief description of each parcel of real
        property owned by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (the "OWNED
        REAL PROPERTY"). The Company or a Company Subsidiary has good and
        marketable fee simple title to all such Owned Real Property.

             (ii) Section 3.1(q)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Letter contains a
        true and complete list and brief description of all real property leased
        by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, all of which are
        hereinafter referred to as the "LEASED REAL PROPERTY." The Company or a
        Company Subsidiary has a valid leasehold interest in or valid rights to
        all Leased Real Property. The Company has made available to Buyer true
        and complete copies of all leases of the Leased Real Property (the
        "LEASES"). No option, extension or renewal has been exercised under any
        Lease except options, extensions or renewals whose exercise has been
        evidenced by a written document, a true and complete copy of which has
        been made available to Buyer with the corresponding Lease. Each of the
        Company and the Company Subsidiaries has complied in all material
        respects with the terms of all Leases to which it is a party and under
        which it is in occupancy, and all such Leases are in full force and
        effect. To the knowledge of the Company, the lessors under the Leases to
        which the Company or a Company Subsidiary is a party have complied in
        all material respects with the terms of their respective Leases. Each of
        the Company and the Company Subsidiaries enjoys peaceful and undisturbed
        possession under all such Leases, except where a failure to do so,
        individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to
        have or result in a material adverse effect on the Company.

             (iii) Except as set forth on Section 3.1(q)(iii) of the Company
        Disclosure Letter, none of the Owned Real Property or Leased Real
        Property is subject to any Liens (whether absolute, accrued, contingent
        or otherwise).

             (iv) Except as set forth on Section 3.1(q)(iv) of the Company
        Disclosure Letter, the Company has good and valid title to all material
        properties, assets and rights relating to or used or held for use in
        connection with the business of the Company and such properties, assets
        and rights comprise all of the assets required for the conduct of the
        business of the Company as now being conducted. Except as set forth on
        Section 3.1(q)(iv) of the Company Disclosure Letter, all such
        properties, assets and rights are in all material respects adequate for
        the purposes for which such assets are currently used or held for use,
        and are in reasonably good repair and operating condition (subject to
        normal wear and tear).

          (r) Intellectual Property.

             (i) The term "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY" means all of the following
        that is owned by, issued or licensed to Company or the Company
        Subsidiaries which is used in the business of the Company or the Company
        Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, (A) all patents,
        trademarks, trade names, trade dress, assumed names, service marks,
        logos, copyrights, Internet domain names and corporate names together
        with all applications, registrations, renewals and all goodwill
        associated therewith; (B) all trade secrets and confidential information
        (including, without limitation, customer lists, know-how, formulae,
        manufacturing and production processes, research, financial business
        information and marketing plans) owned or used by the Company or the
        Company Subsidiaries; (C) information technologies (including, without
        limitation, software programs, data and related documentation); and (D)
        other intellectual property rights and all copies and tangible
        embodiments of any of the foregoing in whatever form or medium.

                                      A-18
<PAGE>   105

             (ii) Except as set forth on Section 3.1(r)(ii) of the Company
        Disclosure Letter: (A) the Company or the Company Subsidiaries own and
        possess all right, title and interest in and to, or have a valid and
        enforceable license to use, the Intellectual Property necessary for the
        operation of their respective businesses as currently conducted; (B) no
        claim by any third party contesting the validity, enforceability, use or
        ownership of any of the Intellectual Property has been made, is
        currently outstanding or is threatened, and, to the knowledge of the
        Company, there are no grounds for the same; (C) neither the Company nor
        any of the Company Subsidiaries has received any written notices of, or
        is aware of any facts which indicate a likelihood of, any infringement
        or misappropriation by, or other conflict with, any third party with
        respect to the Intellectual Property; (D) to the knowledge of the
        Company, neither the Company nor the Company Subsidiaries has infringed,
        misappropriated or otherwise conflicted with any intellectual property
        rights or other rights of any third parties and neither the Company nor
        any of the Company Subsidiaries is aware of any infringement,
        misappropriation or conflict which will occur as a result of the
        continued operation of the Company's and the Company Subsidiaries'
        respective businesses as currently conducted, in each case except to the
        extent that such, individually or in the aggregate, would not have or
        result in a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company has
        delivered to Buyer prior to the date of this Agreement complete and
        correct copies of all licenses to use Intellectual Property.

             (iii) (A) The transactions contemplated by this Agreement will have
        no material adverse effect on the right, title and interest of the
        Company and the Company Subsidiaries in and to the Intellectual
        Property; and (B) the Company or each of the Company Subsidiaries, as
        the case may be, has taken all necessary and desirable action to
        maintain and protect the Intellectual Property and, until the Effective
        Time, shall continue to maintain and protect the Intellectual Property
        so as to not materially adversely affect the validity or enforceability
        of the Intellectual Property.

          (s) Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Company has received the opinion
     of Goldman Sachs & Co., dated the date of this Agreement, to the effect
     that, as of such date, the Merger Consideration is fair from a financial
     point of view to holders of shares of Company Common Stock, a signed copy
     of which opinion will be made available to Buyer promptly after the date of
     this Agreement.

          (t) Labor Agreements. Section 3.1(t) of the Company Disclosure Letter
     sets forth a true and complete list of each collective bargaining agreement
     or other labor agreement with any union or labor organization to which the
     Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries is a party and the Company does
     not know of any activity or proceeding of any labor organization (or
     representative thereof) to organize any of its or their employees that
     would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have or
     result in a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company and the
     Company Subsidiaries are not, and have not since January 1, 1998 been,
     subject to any pending, or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened (i)
     unfair labor practice, employment discrimination or other complaint, (ii)
     strike, lockout or dispute, slowdown or work stoppage or (iii) claim, suit,
     action or governmental investigation, in respect of which any director,
     officer, employee or agent of the Company or any of the Company
     Subsidiaries is or may be entitled to claim indemnification from the
     Company or any Company Subsidiary, except for the foregoing which, in the
     case of clauses (i) and (ii), would not, individually or in the aggregate,
     reasonably be expected to have or result in a material adverse effect on
     the Company.

          (u) The Company Rights Agreement. The Company Rights Agreement has
     been amended to (i) render the Company Rights Agreement inapplicable to the
     Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii)
     ensure that (x) none of Buyer or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries is an
     Acquiring Person (as defined in the Rights Agreement) pursuant to the
     Rights Agreement, (y) a Distribution Date, a Triggering Event or a Share
     Acquisition Date (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) does
     not occur solely by reason of the approval, execution or delivery of this
     Agreement, the consummation of the Merger or the consummation of the other

                                      A-19
<PAGE>   106

     transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (z) the Rights Agreement
     will expire or otherwise terminate immediately prior to the Effective Time.

          (v) Certain Contracts. Except as set forth on Section 3.1(v) of the
     Company Disclosure Letter or as expressly permitted by Section 4.1(a),
     neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to or bound by
     any contract, arrangement, commitment or understanding (i) with respect to
     the employment of any directors, executive officers or key employees, or
     with any consultants involving the payment of $100,000 or more per annum,
     (ii) which is a "material contract" (as such term is defined in Item
     601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC) that has not been filed as an
     exhibit to or incorporated by reference in the Company SEC Reports, (iii)
     which limits in any way the ability of the Company or any Company
     Subsidiary to compete in any line of business, in any geographic area or
     with any person, or which requires referrals of any business or requires
     the Company or any of its affiliates to make available investment
     opportunities to any person on a priority, equal or exclusive basis, (iv)
     with or to a labor union or guild (including any collective bargaining
     agreement), (v) any of the benefits of which will be increased, or the
     vesting of the benefits of which will be accelerated, by the occurrence of
     any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or the value of any
     of the benefits of which will be calculated on the basis of any of the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (vi) which would prohibit or
     delay the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement, (vii) for the distribution or resale of the products of the
     Company or any Company Subsidiary, (viii) with respect to indebtedness for
     borrowed money, including letters of credit, guaranties, indentures, swaps
     and similar agreements, in excess of $250,000, and (ix) with respect to
     capital expenditures or commitments for such expenditures in excess of
     $250,000. The Company has previously made available to Buyer complete and
     accurate copies of all Company Contracts (as defined below). Each contract,
     arrangement, commitment or understanding of the type described in this
     Section 3.1(v), whether or not set forth on Section 3.1(v) of the Company
     Disclosure Letter, is referred to herein as a "COMPANY CONTRACT," and
     neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary knows of, or has received
     written notice of, any violation of the above by any of the other parties
     thereto. All contracts, agreements, arrangements or understandings of any
     kind between any affiliate of the Company (other than any wholly owned
     Company Subsidiary), on the one hand, and the Company or any Subsidiary of
     Company, on the other hand, are on terms no less favorable to Company or to
     such Company Subsidiary than would be obtained with an unaffiliated third
     party on an arm's-length basis.

          (w) Insurance. The Company and each of the Company Subsidiaries are
     self-insured, or insured by insurers reasonably believed by the Company to
     be of recognized financial responsibility. All material policies of
     insurance and fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Company or any of the
     Company Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, assets, employees,
     officers and directors are in full force and effect.

          (x) Acquisitions and Divestitures. Set forth on Section 3.1(x) of the
     Company Disclosure Letter is a brief description of each acquisition and
     divestiture of a business or product line made by the Company or any
     Company Subsidiary since January 1, 1995.

     SECTION 3.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER. Buyer hereby
represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

          (a) Organization, Standing and Corporate Power. Buyer is a corporation
     duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
     State of Ohio and has the requisite corporate authority to carry on its
     business as now being conducted. Buyer is duly qualified or licensed to do
     business and is in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that
     recognize such concept) in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its
     business or the ownership, leasing or operation of its properties makes
     such qualification or licensing necessary, except for those jurisdictions
     where the failure to be so qualified or licensed or to be in good standing,
     individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to
     prevent or materially delay the consummation by Buyer of the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement.

                                      A-20
<PAGE>   107

          (b) Authority; Noncontravention. Buyer has all requisite corporate
     power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution and delivery of
     this Agreement by Buyer, and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions
     contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
     action on the part of Buyer. This Agreement has been duly executed and
     delivered by Buyer, and, assuming the due authorization, execution and
     delivery by the Company, constitutes the legal, valid and binding
     obligation of Buyer enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms,
     except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
     insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws generally affecting
     the rights of creditors and subject to general equity principles. The
     execution and delivery of this Agreement does not, and the consummation of
     the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and compliance with the
     provisions of this Agreement will not, (i) conflict with the Articles of
     Incorporation or Code of Regulations of Buyer, (ii) result in any breach,
     violation or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both)
     under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or creation or
     acceleration of any obligation or loss of a benefit under, or result in the
     creation of any Lien (as defined in Section 8.3) upon any of the properties
     or assets of Buyer under any loan or credit agreement, note, bond,
     mortgage, indenture, lease or other agreement, instrument, permit,
     concession, franchise, license or similar authorization applicable to Buyer
     or its respective properties or assets, or (iii) subject to the
     governmental filings and other matters referred to in the following
     sentence, conflict with or violate any judgment, order, decree, statute,
     law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Buyer or its respective
     properties or assets, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii),
     any such conflicts, violations, defaults, rights, losses or Liens (as
     defined in Section 8.3) that, individually or in the aggregate, would not
     reasonably be expected to have or result in a material adverse effect on
     Buyer. No consent, approval, order or authorization of, action by or in
     respect of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental
     Entity is required by Buyer in connection with the execution and delivery
     of this Agreement by Buyer or the consummation by Buyer of the transactions
     contemplated hereby, except for (i) the filing with the SEC of the Form
     S-4; (ii) the filing of a premerger notification and report form under the
     HSR Act; (iii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary
     of the State of Ohio; (iv) the consents, approvals, orders or
     authorizations set forth on Section 3.1(d) of the Company Disclosure
     Letter; (v) filings required under the Foreign Antitrust Laws; and (vi)
     such consents, approvals, orders or authorizations the failure of which to
     be made or obtained, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably
     be expected to have or result in a material adverse effect on Buyer or
     would not prevent or materially delay consummation of the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement.

          (c) SEC Reports and Financial Statements. Buyer has filed all required
     reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents (including
     exhibits and all other information incorporated therein) under the
     Securities Act and the Exchange Act with the SEC since June 30, 1997 (as
     such reports, schedules, forms, statements and documents have been amended
     since the time of filing, collectively, the "BUYER SEC DOCUMENTS"). As of
     their respective dates, or if amended prior to the date of this Agreement,
     as of the date of the last such amendment, the Buyer SEC Documents complied
     in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the
     Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC
     promulgated thereunder applicable to such Buyer SEC Documents, and none of
     the Buyer SEC Documents when filed, or as so amended, contained any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required
     to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein,
     in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
     The financial statements of Buyer included in the Buyer SEC Documents
     comply as to form, as of their respective dates of filing with the SEC, in
     all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the
     published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have been
     prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited
     statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied on a consistent
     basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes
     thereto), and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated
     financial position of Buyer and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the
     dates thereof

                                      A-21
<PAGE>   108

     and the consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash
     flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited
     statements, to normal recurring year-end audit adjustments).

          (d) Ownership of the Company Common Stock. Except for shares of
     Company Common Stock owned by Buyer benefit plans or shares held or managed
     for the account of another person or as to which Buyer is required to act
     as a fiduciary or in a similar capacity, as of the date of this Agreement,
     neither Buyer nor, to its knowledge, any of its affiliates, (i)
     beneficially owns (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),
     directly or indirectly, or (ii) is party to any agreement, arrangement or
     understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing
     of, in each case, shares of Company Common Stock.

          (e) Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
     supplied by Buyer specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference
     in (i) the Form S-4 will, at the time the Form S-4 becomes effective under
     the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit
     to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
     make the statements therein not misleading or (ii) the Proxy Statement
     will, at the date it is first mailed to the Company's shareholders or at
     the time of the Shareholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a
     material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
     therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
     the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Form S-4
     and the Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all material respects
     with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act,
     respectively, and the rules and regulations thereunder, except that no
     representation or warranty is made by Buyer with respect to statements made
     or incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied by the
     Company specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
     Form S-4 or the Proxy Statement.

          (f) Brokers. Except for Salomon Smith Barney, no broker, investment
     banker, financial advisor or other person is entitled to any broker's,
     finder's, financial advisor's or other similar fee or commission in
     connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon
     arrangements made by or on behalf of Buyer.

          (g) Voting Requirements. No vote of the holders of the outstanding
     shares of Buyer Common Stock is necessary to approve the issuance of Buyer
     Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement.

          (h) Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since June 30, 1999, (i)
     Buyer and its subsidiaries have conducted their respective operations only
     in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, and (ii) there has
     not been a material adverse change relating to Buyer.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                   COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

     SECTION 4.1 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.

     (a) Conduct of Business by the Company. Except as set forth on Section
4.1(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, except as otherwise contemplated by
this Agreement or except as consented to in writing by Buyer, during the period
from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, the Company shall, and
shall cause the Company Subsidiaries to, carry on their respective businesses in
the ordinary course consistent with past practice and in compliance with all
applicable laws and regulations and, to the extent consistent therewith, use all
reasonable efforts to preserve intact their current business organizations, use
all reasonable efforts to keep available the services of their current officers
and other key employees and preserve their relationships with customers,
suppliers, distributors and other persons having business dealings with them.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing (but subject to the above
exceptions), during the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective
Time, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any Company Subsidiary, to:

          (i) (x) other than dividends and distributions by a direct or indirect
     wholly owned Company Subsidiary to its parent, declare, set aside or pay
     any dividends on, or make any other distributions in respect of, any of its
     capital stock and other than regular quarterly cash dividends with respect
     to the

                                      A-22
<PAGE>   109

     Company Common Stock, (y) split, combine or reclassify any of its capital
     stock or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect
     of, in lieu of, or in substitution for, shares of its capital stock, except
     for issuances of Company Common Stock upon the exercise of the Company
     Stock Options under the Company Stock Plans or in connection with other
     awards under the Company Stock Plans, in each case, outstanding as of
     December 31, 1999, and in accordance with their present terms or (z) except
     pursuant to agreements entered into with respect to the Company Stock Plans
     that are in effect as of the close of business on December 31, 1999,
     purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of the
     Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or any other securities thereof
     or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares or other
     securities;

          (ii) issue, deliver, sell, pledge or otherwise encumber or subject to
     any Lien any shares of its capital stock, any other voting securities or
     any securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants or options to
     acquire, any such shares, voting securities or convertible securities,
     other than the issuance of shares of Company Common Stock upon the exercise
     of the Company Stock Options or in connection with other awards under the
     Company Stock Plans outstanding as of December 31, 1999 and in accordance
     with their present terms;

          (iii) (A) except for the Opt-Out Amendment, amend its Articles of
     Incorporation, Code of Regulations (or other comparable organizational
     documents), (B) amend or take any other action with respect to the Company
     Rights Agreement, or (C) merge or consolidate with any person;

          (iv) sell, lease, license, mortgage or otherwise encumber or subject
     to any Lien or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets other
     than dispositions of inventory in the ordinary course of business
     consistent with past practice;

          (v) enter into commitments for capital expenditures involving more
     than $250,000 in the aggregate except as may be necessary for the
     maintenance of existing facilities, machinery and equipment in good
     operating condition and repair in the ordinary course of business, as
     reflected in the capital plan of the Company previously provided to Buyer;

          (vi) incur any long-term indebtedness (whether evidenced by a note or
     other instrument, pursuant to a financing lease, sale-leaseback
     transaction, or otherwise) or incur short-term indebtedness other than up
     to $5,000,000 of short-term indebtedness under lines of credit existing on
     the date of this Agreement;

          (vii) except as set forth on Section 4.1(a)(vii) of the Company
     Disclosure Letter, (A) except for normal increases in salary and wages in
     the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice that are not
     material, grant any increase in the compensation or benefits payable or to
     become payable by the Company or any Company Subsidiary to any current or
     former director, officer, employee or consultant; (B) adopt, enter into,
     amend or otherwise increase, reprice or accelerate the payment or vesting
     of the amounts, benefits or rights payable or accrued or to become payable
     or accrued under any Company Benefit Plan or Foreign Plan; (C) enter into
     or amend any employment, severance, change in control agreement or any
     similar agreement or any collective bargaining agreement or, except as
     required in accordance with the existing written policies of the Company or
     contracts or agreements entered into or approved (and previously disclosed
     to Buyer) on or prior to the date of this Agreement, grant any severance or
     termination pay to any officer, director, consultant or employee of the
     Company or any Company Subsidiaries (except in the ordinary course of
     business consistent with past practice and not in excess of one week of
     severance for every year of employment and, in the aggregate for all such
     payments, $250,000); or (D) pay or award any pension, retirement, allowance
     or other non-equity incentive awards, or other employee or director benefit
     not required by any outstanding Company Benefit Plan or Foreign Plan;

          (viii) change the accounting principles used by it unless required by
     GAAP (or, if applicable with respect to foreign subsidiaries, foreign
     generally accepted accounting principles);

          (ix) acquire by merging or consolidating with, by purchasing any
     equity interest in or a portion of the assets of, or by any other manner,
     any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business
     organization or division thereof, or otherwise acquire any material amount
     of assets of

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     any other person (other than the purchase of assets from suppliers or
     vendors in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice);

          (x) except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
     practice, make or rescind any express or deemed election or settle or
     compromise any claim or action relating to U.S. federal, state or local
     taxes, or change any of its methods of accounting or of reporting income or
     deductions for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

          (xi) satisfy any claims or liabilities, other than the satisfaction,
     in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, in
     accordance with their terms or in an amount not to exceed $750,000 in the
     aggregate, of liabilities reflected or reserved against in, or contemplated
     by, the consolidated financial statements (or the notes thereto) of the
     Company included in the Recent SEC Documents or incurred in the ordinary
     course of business consistent with past practice;

          (xii) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
     investments in, any other person, except for loans, advances, capital
     contributions or investments between any wholly owned Company Subsidiary
     and the Company or another wholly owned Company Subsidiary and except for
     employee advances for expenses in the ordinary course of business
     consistent with past practice;

          (xiii) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
     past practice, (A) modify, amend or terminate any contract, (B) waive,
     release, relinquish or assign any contract (or any of the Company's rights
     thereunder), right or claim, or (C) cancel or forgive any indebtedness owed
     to the Company or any Company Subsidiaries; provided, however, that,
     subject to Section 5.14, the Company may not under any circumstance waive
     or release any of its rights under any confidentiality and/or standstill
     agreement to which it is a party; or

          (xiv) authorize, or commit or agree to take, any of the foregoing
     actions; provided, however , that the limitations set forth in this Section
     4.1(a) (other than clause (iii)) do not apply to any transaction to which
     the only parties are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company.

     (b) Other Actions. Except as required by law, the Company and Buyer shall
not, and, in the case of the Company, shall not permit any Company Subsidiary
to, voluntarily take any action that would reasonably be expected to result in
any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VI not being satisfied.

     (c) Advice of Changes. The Company and Buyer shall promptly advise the
other party orally and in writing to the extent it has knowledge of any change
or event having, or which, insofar as can reasonably be foreseen would
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on such party or on the
truth of their respective representations and warranties or the ability of the
conditions set forth in Article VI to be satisfied; provided, however, that no
such notification will affect the representations, warranties, covenants or
agreements of the parties (or remedies with respect thereto) or the conditions
to the obligations of the parties under this Agreement.

     SECTION 4.2 NO SOLICITATION BY COMPANY.

     (a) The Company will immediately cease all existing activities, discussions
and negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect to any
Company Takeover Proposal (as defined below) and request the return of all
confidential information regarding the Company provided to any such parties
prior to the date of this Agreement pursuant to the terms of any confidentiality
agreements or otherwise. From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company
shall not, nor shall it permit any of the Company Subsidiaries to, nor shall it
authorize or permit any of its directors, officers or employees or any
investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant or other
representative retained by it or any of the Company Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly through another person, (i) solicit, initiate or encourage (including
by way of furnishing information), or take any other action designed to
facilitate, any inquiries or the making of any proposal that constitutes, a
Company Takeover Proposal or (ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations
regarding any Company Takeover Proposal; provided that, at any time prior to the
Shareholder Approval, the Board of Directors of the Company may, in the exercise
of its fiduciary obligations under the OGCL as determined by the Board of
Directors of the Company in good faith, after consultation with and receipt of
advice from its outside counsel (who may be its regularly engaged outside

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counsel), pursuant to a customary confidentiality agreement with terms not
substantially more favorable to such third party than the Confidentiality
Agreement (excluding the standstill provisions contained therein), furnish
information to, and negotiate or otherwise engage in discussions with, any third
party who delivers a written proposal for a Superior Proposal (as defined below)
which was not solicited, initiated, facilitated or encouraged after the date of
this Agreement. As used herein, (i) "SUPERIOR PROPOSAL" means a Company Takeover
Proposal (A) that the Board of Directors of the Company determines in its good
faith judgment after consulting with and receipt of advice from Goldman Sachs &
Co. (or any other nationally recognized investment banking firm), would be more
favorable to the shareholders of the Company from a financial point of view than
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including any adjustment to the
terms and conditions proposed by Buyer in response to such Company Takeover
Proposal) and is reasonably capable of being consummated, and (B) for which
financing, to the extent required, is then committed or which, in the good faith
judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, is reasonably capable of
being obtained by the party making the Company Takeover Proposal, and (ii)
"COMPANY TAKEOVER PROPOSAL" means any inquiry, proposal or offer from any person
relating to any (A) direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of a business
that constitutes 10% or more of the net revenues, net income or the assets of
the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (B) direct or
indirect acquisition or purchase of 10% or more of any class of equity
securities of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, (C) any tender
offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any person
beneficially owning 10% or more of any class of equity securities of the Company
or any of the Company Subsidiaries, or (D) any merger, consolidation, business
combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction
involving the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, other than the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In the event that prior to the
Shareholder Approval, the Board of Directors of the Company receives a Superior
Proposal that was not solicited, initiated, facilitated or encouraged after the
date of this Agreement (except as otherwise permitted pursuant to the proviso
contained in the second sentence of this Section 4.2(a)), the Board of Directors
of the Company may (subject to this and the following sentences) in the exercise
of its fiduciary obligations under the OGCL as determined by the Board of
Directors of the Company in good faith, after consultation with and receipt of
advice from its outside counsel (who may be its regularly engaged outside
counsel), withdraw, modify or change, in a manner adverse to Buyer, the
recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Company of this Agreement and/or
the Opt-Out Amendment and/or recommend a Superior Proposal to the shareholders
of the Company and/or comply with Rule 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act
with respect to a Company Takeover Proposal; provided that it (i) gives Buyer
four Business Days prior written notice of its intention to do so (provided that
the foregoing shall in no way limit or otherwise affect Buyer's right to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(e) at such time as the
requirements of such subsection have been met) and (ii) during such four
Business Day period, the Company otherwise cooperates with Buyer with respect to
the Company Takeover Proposal that constitutes a Superior Proposal with the
intent of enabling Buyer to engage in good faith negotiations so that the
transactions contemplated hereby may be consummated. Any such withdrawal,
modification or change of the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the
Company of this Agreement and/or the Opt-Out Amendment shall not change the
approval of the Board of Directors of the Company for purposes of causing any
Takeover Statute or other state law to be inapplicable to the transactions
contemplated hereby, including the Merger. Nothing in this Section 4.2(a) shall
(x) permit the Company to terminate this Agreement, (y) permit the Company to
enter into any agreement with respect to any Company Takeover Proposal or (z)
affect any other obligation of the Company under this Agreement.

     (b) From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall promptly
(but in any event within one calendar day) advise Buyer in writing of the
receipt, directly or indirectly, of any inquiries, discussions, negotiations or
proposals relating to a Company Takeover Proposal (including the specific terms
thereof and the identity of the other party or parties involved) and promptly
furnish to Buyer a copy of any such written proposal and copies of any
information provided to or by any third party relating thereto. In addition, the
Company shall promptly (but in any event within one calendar day) advise Buyer,
in writing, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall make any
determination as to any Company Takeover Proposal as contemplated by the proviso
to the second sentence of Section 4.2(a).

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<PAGE>   112

                                   ARTICLE V

                             ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

     SECTION 5.1 PREPARATION OF THE FORM S-4 PROXY STATEMENT; SHAREHOLDERS
MEETING.

     (a) As soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement, the
Company and Buyer shall prepare and file with the SEC the Proxy Statement and
Buyer shall prepare and file with the SEC the Form S-4, in which the Proxy
Statement will be included as a prospectus. Each of the Company and Buyer shall
use reasonable best efforts to have the Form S-4 declared effective under the
Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing. The Company shall
use all reasonable best efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to the
Company's shareholders, in each case, as promptly as practicable after the Form
S-4 is declared effective under the Securities Act. Buyer shall also take any
action (other than qualifying to do business in any jurisdiction in which it is
not now so qualified or to file a general consent to service of process)
required to be taken under any applicable state securities laws in connection
with the issuance of Buyer Common Stock in the Merger and the Company shall
furnish all information concerning the Company and the holders of the Company
Common Stock as may be reasonably requested in connection with any such action.
No filing of, or amendment or supplement to, the Form S-4 will be made by Buyer,
and no filing of, or amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement will be made
by the Company, in each case, without providing the other party and its
respective counsel the reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon.
Buyer will advise the Company, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the
time when the Form S-4 has become effective or any supplement or amendment has
been filed, the issuance of any stop order, the suspension of the qualification
of the Buyer Common Stock issuable in connection with the Merger for offering or
sale in any jurisdiction, or any request by the SEC for amendment of the Proxy
Statement or the Form S-4 or comments thereon and responses thereto or requests
by the SEC for additional information. If at any time prior to the Effective
Time any information relating to the Company or Buyer, or any of their
respective affiliates, officers or directors, should be discovered by the
Company or Buyer which should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the
Form S-4 or the Proxy Statement, so that any of such documents would not include
any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading, the party which discovers such information shall
promptly notify the other party hereto and an appropriate amendment or
supplement describing such information must be promptly filed with the SEC and,
to the extent required by law, disseminated to the shareholders of the Company.

     (b) The Company shall, as soon as practicable following the date of this
Agreement, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its
shareholders (the "SHAREHOLDERS MEETING") in accordance with law, the Company's
Articles of Incorporation and the Company's Code of Regulations for the purpose
of obtaining the Shareholder Approval and shall, through the Board of Directors
of the Company, subject to Section 4.2, recommend to its shareholders the
approval and adoption of this Agreement, the Merger, the Opt-Out Amendment and
the other transactions contemplated hereby. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing but subject to its rights under Section 4.2, the Company agrees
that its obligations pursuant to this first sentence of this Section 5.1(b)
shall not be affected by the commencement, public proposal, public disclosure or
communication to the Company or its shareholders of any Company Takeover
Proposal.

     SECTION 5.2 LETTERS OF THE COMPANY'S ACCOUNTANTS. The Company shall use
reasonable best efforts to cause to be delivered to Buyer two letters from the
Company's independent accountants, one dated a date within two Business Days
before the date on which the Form S-4 will become effective and one dated a date
within two Business Days before the Closing Date, each addressed to Buyer, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and customary in scope and
substance for comfort letters delivered by independent public accountants in
connection with registration statements similar to the Form S-4.

     SECTION 5.3 LETTERS OF BUYER'S ACCOUNTANTS. Buyer shall use reasonable best
efforts to cause to be delivered to the Company two letters from Buyer's
independent accountants, one dated a date within two Business Days before the
date on which the Form S-4 will become effective and one dated a date

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<PAGE>   113

within two Business Days before the Closing Date, each addressed to the Company,
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company and customary in
scope and substance for comfort letters delivered by independent public
accountants in connection with registration statements similar to the Form S-4.

     SECTION 5.4 ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY. To the extent permitted
by applicable law and subject to the Agreement, dated December 3, 1999, between
the Company and Buyer (the "CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT"), each of the Company and
Buyer shall afford to the other party and to the other party's officers,
employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisors and other representatives,
full access, during normal business hours during the period prior to the
Effective Time, to all of its properties, books, contracts, commitments,
personnel and records and all other information concerning its business,
properties and personnel as the other party may reasonably request. Each of the
Company and Buyer shall hold, and shall cause its respective officers,
employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisors and other representatives
and affiliates to hold, any nonpublic information in accordance with the terms
of the Confidentiality Agreement.

     SECTION 5.5 REASONABLE BEST EFFORTS; COOPERATION.

     (a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement, each of the parties agrees to use reasonable best efforts to take, or
cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist
and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or
advisable to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner
practicable, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and to obtain satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent to
the Merger, including (i) the obtaining of all necessary actions or nonactions,
waivers, consents and approvals from Governmental Entities and the making of all
necessary registrations and filings and the taking of all steps as may be
necessary to obtain an approval or waiver from, or to avoid an action or
proceeding by, any Governmental Entity, (ii) the obtaining of all necessary
consents, approvals or waivers from third parties, (iii) the defending of any
lawsuits or other legal proceedings, whether judicial or administrative,
challenging this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby, including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining order
entered by any court or other Governmental Entity vacated or reversed, and (iv)
the execution and delivery of any additional instruments necessary to consummate
the transactions contemplated by, and to fully carry out the purposes of, this
Agreement. Nothing set forth in this Section 5.5(a) will limit or affect actions
permitted to be taken pursuant to Section 4.2.

     (b) In connection with and without limiting the foregoing, the Company and
Buyer shall (i) take all action necessary, including the Company using its
reasonable best efforts to obtain approval of the Opt-Out Amendment, to ensure
that no Takeover Statute or similar statute or regulation is or becomes
applicable to the Merger, this Agreement or any of the other transactions
contemplated hereby and (ii) if any Takeover Statute or similar statute or
regulation becomes applicable to the Merger, this Agreement or any of the other
transactions contemplated hereby, take all action necessary to ensure that the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby may be consummated as
promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this Agreement and
otherwise to minimize the effect of such statute or regulation on the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement
shall be deemed to require Buyer to agree to, or proffer to, divest or hold
separate any assets or any portion of any business of Buyer, the Company or any
of their respective subsidiaries if the Board of Directors of Buyer determines
that so doing would materially impair the benefit intended to be obtained by
Buyer in the Merger.

     (c) Buyer and the Company shall cooperate with each other in obtaining the
opinions of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue, counsel to Buyer, for the benefit of
Buyer, and Katten Muchin Zavis, counsel to the Company, for the benefit of the
Company's shareholders, respectively, dated as of the Closing Date, to the
effect that the Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code. In connection therewith, each of Buyer and the
Company shall deliver to Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue and Katten Muchin Zavis
customary representation letters in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to such counsel, and the Company shall obtain any representation letters from
appropriate shareholders and

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<PAGE>   114

shall deliver any such letters obtained to Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue and Katten
Muchin Zavis (the representation letters referred to in this sentence are
collectively referred to as the "TAX CERTIFICATES").

     (d) The Company shall consult and cooperate with Buyer with respect to
significant developments in its business and shall give reasonable consideration
to the Buyer's views with respect thereto.

     (e) Buyer and the Company shall (i) make the filings required of such party
under the HSR Act with respect to the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement within ten days after the date of this Agreement,
(ii) comply at the earliest practicable date with any request under the HSR Act
for additional information, documents or other materials received by such party
from the Federal Trade Commission or the Department of Justice or any other
Governmental Entity in respect of such filings or the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (iii) cooperate with the other
party in connection with making any filing under the HSR Act and in connection
with any filings, conferences or other submissions related to resolving any
investigation or other inquiry by any such Governmental Authority under the HSR
Act with respect to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement; provided, however, that in no event will Buyer be required to
prosecute any litigation instituted by the Federal Trade Commission or the
Department of Justice or any other Governmental Entity which seeks to restrain
or prohibit the consummation of the Merger or which seeks to impose material
limitations on the ability of Buyer, the Surviving Corporation or any of their
respective affiliates or subsidiaries to acquire, operate or hold, or to require
Buyer, Surviving Corporation or any of their respective affiliates or
subsidiaries to dispose of or hold separate, any material portion of their
assets or business or the Company's assets or business.

     SECTION 5.6 STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK.

     (a) As of the Effective Time, (i) each outstanding Company Stock Option
shall be converted into an option (an "ADJUSTED OPTION") to purchase the number
of shares of Buyer Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Company Common
Stock subject to such Company Stock Option immediately prior to the Effective
Time multiplied by the Exchange Ratio (rounded to the nearest whole number of
shares of Buyer Common Stock), at an exercise price per share equal to the
exercise price for each such share of Company Common Stock subject to such
option divided by the Exchange Ratio (rounded up to the nearest whole cent), and
all references in each such option to the Company will be deemed to refer to
Buyer, where appropriate, and (ii) Buyer shall assume the obligations of the
Company under the Company Stock Plans. The other terms of each Adjusted Option,
and the plans or agreements under which they were issued, will continue to apply
in accordance with their terms. The date of grant of each Adjusted Option will
be the date on which the corresponding Company Stock Option was granted.

     (b) To the extent that there are any outstanding awards (including
restricted stock, deferred stock and performance shares) (each, a "COMPANY
AWARD") under the Company Stock Plans at the Effective Time, then, as of the
Effective Time, (i) each such Company Award will be converted into the same
instrument of Buyer, in each case with such adjustments (and no other
adjustments) to the terms of such Company Awards as are necessary to preserve
the value inherent in such Company Awards with no detrimental effects on the
holder thereof and (ii) Buyer shall assume the obligations of the Company under
the Company Awards. The other terms of each Company Award, and the plans or
agreements under which they were issued, will continue to apply in accordance
with their terms.

     (c) The Company and Buyer agree that each of the Company Stock Plans and
all relevant Buyer stock plans will be amended, to the extent necessary, to
reflect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without
limitation, the conversion of shares of the Company Common Stock held or to be
awarded or paid pursuant to such benefit plans, programs or arrangements into
shares of Buyer Common Stock on a basis consistent with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. The Company and Buyer agree to submit the
amendments to the Buyer stock plans or the Company Stock Plans to their
respective shareholders, if such submission is determined to be necessary by
counsel to the Company or Buyer after consultation with one another; provided,
however, that such approval will not be a condition to the consummation of the
Merger.

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<PAGE>   115

     (d) Buyer shall (i) reserve for issuance the number of shares of Buyer
Common Stock that will become subject to the benefit plans, programs and
arrangements referred to in this Section 5.6 and (ii) issue or cause to be
issued the appropriate number of shares of Buyer Common Stock pursuant to
applicable plans, programs and arrangements, upon the exercise or maturation of
rights existing thereunder on the Effective Time or thereafter granted or
awarded. No later than the Effective Time, Buyer shall: (i) prepare and file
with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 (or other appropriate form)
registering a number of shares of Buyer Common Stock necessary to fulfill
Buyer's obligations under this Section 5.6 and (ii) use its reasonable best
efforts to cause such shares to be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to
official notice of issuance, as promptly as practicable after the date of this
Agreement. Such registration statement will be kept effective (and the current
status of the prospectus required thereby shall be maintained) for at least as
long as Adjusted Options or the Company Awards remain outstanding.

     (e) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Buyer shall deliver to
the holders of the Company Stock Options and Company Awards appropriate notices
setting forth such holders' rights pursuant to the Company Stock Plans and the
agreements evidencing the grants of such Company Stock Options and Company
Awards and that such Company Stock Options and Company Awards and the related
agreements will be assumed by Buyer and will continue in effect on the same
terms and conditions (subject to the adjustments required by this Section 5.6
after giving effect to the Merger).

     SECTION 5.7 INDEMNIFICATION.

     (a) Buyer agrees that all rights to indemnification and exculpation from
liabilities for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time
now existing in favor of the current or former directors or officers of the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries as provided in their respective articles of
incorporation or code of regulations (or comparable organizational documents)
will be assumed by the Surviving Corporation without further action, as of the
Effective Time and will survive the Merger and will continue in full force and
effect in accordance with their terms and such rights will not be amended, or
otherwise modified for a period of six years after the Effective Time in any
manner that would adversely affect the rights of individuals who on or prior to
the Effective Time were directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company,
unless such modification is required by law.

     (b) In the event that the Surviving Corporation or any of its successors or
assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person and is not the
continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or
(ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets
to any person, then, and in each such case, proper provision will be made so
that the successors and assigns of the Surviving Corporation assume the
obligations set forth in this Section 5.7.

     (c) For six years after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall
maintain in effect directors' and officers' liability insurance covering acts or
omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time with respect to those persons
who are currently covered by the Company's directors' and officers' liability
insurance policy (a copy of which has been heretofore delivered to Buyer) (the
"INDEMNIFIED PARTIES") on terms with respect to such coverage and amount no less
favorable than those of such current insurance coverage; provided, however, that
in no event will Buyer be required to expend in any one year an amount in excess
of 200% of the annual premiums currently paid by the Company for such insurance;
and provided, further, that, if the annual premiums of such insurance coverage
exceed such amount, Buyer will be obligated to obtain a policy with the greatest
coverage available for a cost not exceeding such amount.

     (d) The provisions of this Section 5.7 are (i) intended to be for the
benefit of, and will be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party, his or her heirs
and his or her representatives and (ii) in addition to, and not in substitution
for, any other rights to indemnification or contribution that any such person
may have by contract or otherwise.

     SECTION 5.8 FEES AND EXPENSES.

     (a) Except as provided in this Section 5.8, all fees and expenses incurred
in connection with the Merger, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby must be paid by the party incurring such fees or expenses, whether or not
the Merger is consummated, except that each of Buyer and the

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Company will bear and pay one-half of (i) the costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the filing, printing and mailing of the Form S-4 and the Proxy
Statement (including SEC filing fees) and (ii) the filing fees for the premerger
notification and report forms under the HSR Act.

     (b) In the event that this Agreement is terminated (i) by Buyer pursuant to
Section 7.1(e), or (ii) by either Buyer or the Company pursuant to Section
7.1(b)(ii), if, in the case of this clause (ii) only, prior to the Shareholders
Meeting, a Company Takeover Proposal shall have been made known to the Company
or been made directly to its shareholders generally or any person shall have
publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make a Company
Takeover Proposal or solicited proxies or consents in opposition of the Merger,
then, in case of either clause (i) or (ii), the Company shall promptly, but in
no event later than two Business Days after the date of such termination, pay
Buyer a fee equal to $18,000,000 (the "TERMINATION FEE"), payable by wire
transfer of same day funds; provided, however, that no Termination Fee will be
payable to Buyer pursuant to clause (ii) of this paragraph (b) unless and until
within 12 months of such termination the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries enters into an agreement with respect to, or consummates, any
Company Takeover Proposal, in which event the Termination Fee will be payable
upon the first to occur of such events and shall be paid to Buyer promptly, but
in no event later than two Business Days after the occurrence of such event. The
Company acknowledges that the agreements contained in this Section 5.8(b) are an
integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and that,
without these agreements, Buyer would not enter into this Agreement;
accordingly, if the Company fails promptly to pay the amount due pursuant to
this Section 5.8(b), and, in order to obtain such payment, Buyer commences a
suit that results in a judgment against the Company for the Termination Fee, the
Company shall pay to Buyer its costs and expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses) in connection with such suit, together with
interest on the amount of the Termination Fee.

     SECTION 5.9 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. Buyer and the Company shall consult with
each other before holding any press conferences, analysts calls or other
meetings or discussions and before issuing any press release or other public
announcements with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including the Merger. The parties will provide each other the opportunity to
review and comment upon any press release or other public announcement or
statement with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including the Merger, and shall not issue any such press release or other public
announcement or statement prior to such consultation, except as may be required
by applicable law, court process or by obligations pursuant to any listing
agreement with any national securities exchange. The parties agree that the
initial press release or releases to be issued with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be mutually agreed upon prior to the
issuance thereof. In addition, Company shall, and shall cause the Company
Subsidiaries to, (a) consult with Buyer regarding communications with customers,
shareholders and employees relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and
(b) allow and facilitate Buyer contact with shareholders of the Company.

     SECTION 5.10 AFFILIATES. The Company shall deliver to Buyer at least 30
days prior to the Closing Date a letter identifying all persons who are, at the
time this Agreement is submitted for adoption by the shareholders of the
Company, "affiliates" of the Company for purposes of Rule 145 of the rules and
regulations promulgated under the Securities Act. The Company shall use
reasonable efforts to cause each such person to deliver to Buyer at least 30
days prior to the Closing Date a written agreement substantially in the form
attached as Exhibit A hereto.

     SECTION 5.11 NYSE LISTING. Buyer shall use its reasonable best efforts to
cause the Buyer Common Stock issuable to the Company's shareholders as
contemplated by this Agreement to be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject
to official notice of issuance, as promptly as practicable after the date of
this Agreement, and in any event prior to the Closing Date.

     SECTION 5.12 SHAREHOLDER LITIGATION. The parties to this Agreement shall
cooperate and consult with one another, to the fullest extent possible, in
connection with any shareholder litigation against any of them or any of their
respective directors or officers with respect to the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement. In furtherance of and without in any way limiting the
foregoing, each of the parties shall use its respective reasonable best efforts
to prevail in such litigation so as to permit the

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consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the manner
contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company
agrees that it will not compromise or settle any litigation commenced against it
or its directors or officers relating to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby (including the Merger) without Buyer's prior written
consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

     SECTION 5.13 TAX TREATMENT. Each of Buyer and the Company shall use its
reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger to qualify as a reorganization under
the provisions of Section 368(a) of the Code and to obtain the opinion of
counsel referred to in Section 6.2(c), including, without limitation, forbearing
from taking any action that would cause the Merger not to qualify as a
reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the Code.

     SECTION 5.14 STANDSTILL AGREEMENTS; CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS. During the
period from the date of this Agreement through the Effective Time, the Company
shall not terminate, amend, modify or waive any provision of any confidentiality
or standstill agreement to which it or any of the Company Subsidiaries is a
party, other than (a) the Confidentiality Agreement, pursuant to its terms or by
written agreement of the parties thereto, (b) confidentiality agreements under
which the Company does not provide any confidential information to third parties
or (c) standstill agreements that do not relate to the equity securities of the
Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries. During such period, the Company
shall enforce, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, the
provisions of any such agreement, including by obtaining injunctions to prevent
any breaches of such agreements and to enforce specifically the terms and
provisions thereof in any court of the United States of America or of any state
having jurisdiction.

     SECTION 5.15 CREDIT FACILITY'S SENIOR UNSECURED NOTES. Prior to the
Effective Time, the Company and Buyer shall use their reasonable best efforts to
cause, effective as of the Effective Time, (i) the termination of the Credit
Agreement, dated October 31, 1996, by and among the Company and Commercial
Intertech Limited, as borrowers, the banks party thereto and Mellon Bank, N.A.,
as Agent, and all related documents and (ii) the redemption of all outstanding
7.61% Senior Unsecured Notes (the "SENIOR NOTES") of the Company (the "NOTE
REDEMPTION").

     SECTION 5.16 POST-MERGER OPERATIONS. For a period of at least five years
after the Effective Time, Buyer and its subsidiaries shall provide charitable
contributions within the service areas of the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries at levels substantially comparable to the levels of charitable
contributions provided by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries within the
five-year period immediately prior to the Effective Time.

     SECTION 5.17 TRANSITION. In order to facilitate an orderly transition of
the management of the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries to
Buyer and in order to facilitate the integration of the operations of the
Company and Buyer and its subsidiaries and to permit the coordination of their
related operations on a timely basis, and in an effort to accelerate to the
earliest time possible following the Effective Time the realization of
synergies, operating efficiencies and other benefits expected to the realized by
Buyer and the Company as a result of the Merger, the Company shall and shall
cause the Company Subsidiaries to consult with Buyer on all strategic and
operational matters to the extent such consultation is not in violation of
applicable law, including laws regarding the exchange of information and other
laws regarding competition. The Company shall and shall cause the Company
Subsidiaries to make available to Buyer at the facilities of the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries, where determined by Buyer to be appropriate and necessary,
office space in order to assist it in observing all operations and reviewing all
matters concerning the Company's affairs. Without in any way limiting the
provisions of Section 5.5, Buyer, its subsidiaries, officers, employees,
counsel, financial advisors and other representatives shall, upon reasonable
written notice to the Company, be entitled to review the operations and visit
the facilities of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries at all times as may
be deemed reasonably necessary by Buyer in order to accomplish the foregoing
arrangements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Agreement
shall give Buyer, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the
Company's operations prior to the Effective Time. Prior to the Effective Time,
the Company shall

                                      A-31
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exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete
control and supervision over its and the Company Subsidiaries' respective
operations.

     SECTION 5.18 SECTION 16(B). Buyer and the Company shall take all steps
reasonably necessary to cause the transactions contemplated hereby and any other
dispositions of equity securities of the Company (including derivative
securities) or acquisitions of Buyer equity securities (including derivative
securities) in connection with this Agreement by each individual who is a
director or officer of the Company to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 under the
Exchange Act.

     SECTION 5.19 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT MATTERS.

          (a) The Company shall adopt such amendments to the Company Benefit
     Plans as requested by Buyer and as may be necessary to ensure that Company
     Benefit Plans cover only employees and former employees (and their
     dependents and beneficiaries) of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries
     following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement. With respect to any Company Common Stock held by any Company
     Benefit Plan as of the date of this Agreement or thereafter, the Company
     shall take all actions necessary or appropriate (including such actions as
     are reasonably requested by Buyer) to ensure that all participant voting
     procedures contained in the Company Benefit Plans relating to such shares,
     and all applicable provisions of ERISA, are complied with in full.

          (b) Buyer agrees that after the Effective Time, it will cause the
     Surviving Corporation to honor all obligations under Company Benefit Plans.
     For a period of two years following the Effective Time, Buyer intends to
     cause the Surviving Corporation to, and upon being so caused, the Surviving
     Corporation shall, provide employee benefit plans and programs for the
     benefit of the Company's employees who become employees of the Surviving
     Corporation or its subsidiaries that are in the aggregate no less favorable
     to such employees than the terms of the Company Benefit Plans. Buyer shall
     cause the Surviving Corporation to honor and assume the written employment
     agreements, severance agreements and other similar agreements with
     employees of the Company that are set forth on Schedule 3.1(i)(i) of the
     Company Disclosure Letter, all as in effect on the date of this Agreement.

          (c) All service of an employee of the Company taken into account prior
     to the Effective Time under any Company Benefit Plan, on and after the
     Effective Time, shall be taken into account as service with the Surviving
     Corporation for purposes of eligibility to participate and vesting benefits
     under any similar plan, agreement or arrangement of the type described in
     the first sentence of paragraph (i) of Section 3.1(i) of this Agreement
     provided by the Surviving Corporation (the "SURVIVOR PLANS"). Buyer shall
     cause all Survivor Plans to (i) waive any pre-existing condition
     limitations otherwise applicable on and after the Effective Time to the
     extent that such conditions are covered under the Company Benefit Plans
     immediately prior to the Effective Time and (ii) provide that any expenses
     incurred by the Company's employees (and their dependents) during the plan
     year within which the Effective Time occurs shall be taken into account for
     purposes of satisfying applicable deductible, coinsurance and maximum
     out-of-pocket provisions (and like adjustments or limitations on coverage)
     under the Survivor Plans. Subject to any applicable limits under any plan
     described in this sentence, any salary reduction elections of employees of
     the Company under a flexible spending plan maintained by the Company
     pursuant to Section 125 of the Code prior to the Effective Time shall
     continue in effect under any similar plan provided by the Surviving
     Corporation on and after the Effective Time, and any amounts credited and
     debited to accounts of such employees under such Company Benefit Plan as of
     the Effective Time shall be credited and debited to such employees'
     accounts under such Survivor Plan.

     SECTION 5.20 SERIES B PREFERRED. Promptly after the date of this Agreement,
but in no event later than ten Business Days thereafter, the Company shall
initiate the redemption of all of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred
and shall use its reasonable best efforts to complete such redemption in
accordance with the terms of such preferred stock. At least two Business Days
prior to the Closing Date, no shares of Series B Preferred shall be issued and
outstanding.

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     SECTION 5.21 GERMAN TRANSACTION STRUCTURE. After the date of this
Agreement, the Company and Buyer shall use their reasonable best efforts to
determine and proceed to implement the most advantageous transaction structure
to preserve for the benefit of the Surviving Corporation and its subsidiaries
the net operating loss of Sachsenhydraulik GmbH Chemnitz.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     SECTION 6.1 CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATION TO EFFECT THE MERGER. The
respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger is subject to the
satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Closing Date of the following
conditions:

          (a) Shareholder Approval. The Shareholder Approval shall have been
     obtained.

          (b) Governmental and Regulatory Approvals. All consents, approvals and
     actions of, filings with and notices to any Governmental Entity required of
     Buyer, the Company or any Company Subsidiary to consummate the Merger and
     the other transactions contemplated hereby, the failure of which to be
     obtained or taken is reasonably expected to have or result in, individually
     or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Surviving Corporation
     and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall have been obtained in form
     and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer.

          (c) No Injunctions or Restraints. No judgment, order, decree, statute,
     law, ordinance, rule or regulation, entered, enacted, promulgated, enforced
     or issued by any court or other Governmental Entity of competent
     jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition (collectively,
     "RESTRAINTS") shall be in effect preventing the consummation of the Merger
     or prohibiting or limiting the ownership or operation by Buyer, the Company
     or any of their respective subsidiaries of any material portion of the
     business or assets of Buyer or the Company and their respective
     subsidiaries taken as a whole, or compelling the Company or Buyer and their
     respective subsidiaries to dispose of or hold separate any material portion
     of the business or assets of the Company or Buyer and their respective
     subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as a result of the Merger or any of the
     other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or which otherwise is
     reasonably likely to have or result in, individually or in the aggregate, a
     material adverse effect on the Company or Buyer, as applicable; provided,
     however, that each of the parties shall have used its reasonable best
     efforts to prevent the entry of any such Restraints and to appeal as
     promptly as possible any such Restraints that may be entered.

          (d) Form S-4. The Form S-4 shall have become effective under the
     Securities Act and will not be the subject of any stop order or proceedings
     seeking a stop order.

          (e) NYSE Listing. The shares of Buyer Common Stock issuable to the
     Company's shareholders as contemplated by this Agreement shall have been
     approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance.

          (f) HSR Act. The waiting period (including any extension thereof)
     applicable to the consummation of the Merger under the HSR Act shall have
     expired or been terminated.

     SECTION 6.2 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER. The obligation of Buyer to
effect the Merger is further subject to satisfaction or waiver of the following
conditions:

          (a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties
     of the Company contained in Section 3.1(c) shall be true and correct in all
     respects both when made and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as
     of the Closing Date, and all other representations and warranties of the
     Company set forth herein shall be true and correct in all respects (without
     giving effect to any materiality or material adverse effect qualifications
     contained therein) both when made and at and as of the Closing Date, as if
     made at and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an
     earlier date, in which case as of such date), except where the failure of
     such other representations and warranties to be so true and correct would
     not reasonably be expected to have or result in, individually or in the
     aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company.

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<PAGE>   120

          (b) Performance of Obligations of the Company. The Company shall have
     performed in all material respects all of its obligations required to be
     performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date.

          (c) Tax Opinion. Buyer shall have received from Jones, Day, Reavis &
     Pogue, counsel to Buyer, an opinion dated as of the Closing Date, to the
     effect that the Merger will constitute a "reorganization" within the
     meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and Buyer and the Company will each
     be a party to such reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of
     the Code. In rendering such opinion, counsel for Buyer may require delivery
     of, and rely upon, the Tax Certificates.

          (d) No Material Adverse Change. At any time after the date of this
     Agreement, there shall not have occurred any material adverse change
     relating to the Company.

          (e) Officer's Certificate. The Company shall have furnished Buyer with
     a certificate dated the Closing Date signed on its behalf by an executive
     officer to the effect that the conditions set forth in Sections 6.2(a) and
     (b) have been satisfied.

          (f) Series B Preferred. No shares of Series B Preferred shall be
     issued and outstanding.

          (g) Note Redemption. The Note Redemption shall have occurred and all
     of the outstanding Senior Notes shall have been redeemed in full.

     SECTION 6.3 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY. The obligation of the
Company to effect the Merger is further subject to satisfaction or waiver of the
following conditions:

          (a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties
     of Buyer set forth herein shall be true and correct in all respects
     (without giving effect to any materiality or material adverse effect
     qualifications contained therein) both when made and at and as of the
     Closing Date, as if made at and as of such time (except to the extent
     expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date),
     except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so
     true and correct would not have or result in, individually or in the
     aggregate, a material adverse effect on Buyer.

          (b) Performance of Obligations of Buyer. Buyer shall have performed in
     all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under
     this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date.

          (c) Officer's Certificate. Buyer shall have furnished the Company with
     a certificate dated the Closing Date signed on its behalf by an executive
     officer to the effect that the conditions set forth in Sections 6.3(a) and
     (b) have been satisfied.

     SECTION 6.4 FRUSTRATION OF CLOSING CONDITIONS. Neither Buyer nor the
Company may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in Sections 6.1, 6.2
or 6.3, as the case may be, to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such
party's failure to comply with its obligations to consummate the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as required by and subject to
Section 5.5.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                       TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

     SECTION 7.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior
to the Effective Time, whether before or after the Shareholder Approval:

          (a) by mutual written consent of Buyer and the Company;

          (b) by either Buyer or the Company:

             (i) if the Merger has not been consummated by October 31, 2000 or
        such later date, if any, as Buyer and the Company agree upon; provided,
        however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
        Section 7.1(b)(i) is not available to any party whose failure to perform
        any of its obligations under this Agreement results in the failure of
        the Merger to be consummated by such time;

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<PAGE>   121

             (ii) if the Shareholders Meeting (including any adjournment or
        postponement thereof) shall have concluded and the Shareholder Approval
        shall not have been obtained; or

             (iii) if any Restraint having any of the effects set forth in
        Section 6.1(c) is in effect and has become final and nonappealable;
        provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant
        to this Section 7.1(b)(iii) is not available to any party whose failure
        to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement results in such
        Restraint;

          (c) by Buyer, if the Company has breached or failed to perform in any
     material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other
     agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform
     (i) is not cured within 30 days after written notice thereof or (ii) is
     incapable of being cured by the Company;

          (d) by the Company, if Buyer has breached or failed to perform in any
     material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other
     agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform
     (i) is not cured within 30 days after written notice thereof or (ii) is
     incapable of being cured by Buyer;

          (e) by Buyer, (A) if any person (other than an affiliate of Buyer)
     shall acquire 20% or more of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock
     or (B) if the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof
     shall (i) withdraw or modify or change, or propose or announce any
     intention to withdraw or modify or change, in a manner adverse to Buyer,
     the approval or recommendation by the Board of Directors of the Company or
     committee thereof of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
     hereby, including the Merger, (ii) approve or recommend, or propose to or
     announce any intention to approve or recommend, any Company Takeover
     Proposal, or (iii) propose or announce any intention to enter into any
     agreement (other than a customary confidentiality agreement in compliance
     with Section 4.2), with respect to any Company Takeover Proposal, or (C) if
     the Company shall willfully breach the provisions of Section 4.2 or Section
     5.1(b); or

          (f) by Buyer, if any Governmental Entity shall have brought or
     threatened to institute an action, suit or proceeding which seeks to
     restrain or prohibit the consummation of the Merger or which seeks to
     impose material limitations on the ability of Buyer, the Surviving
     Corporation or any of their respective affiliates or subsidiaries to
     acquire, operate or hold, or to require Buyer, Surviving Corporation or any
     of their respective affiliates or subsidiaries to dispose of or hold
     separate, any material portion of their assets or business or the Company's
     assets or business.

     SECTION 7.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of termination of this
Agreement by either the Company or Buyer as provided in Section 7.1, this
Agreement will forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability
or obligation on the part of Buyer or the Company, other than the provisions of
Section 5.4, Section 5.8, Section 5.9, this Section 7.2, Section 7.3, Section
7.4 and Article VIII, which provisions survive such termination; provided,
however, that nothing herein will relieve any party from any liability for any
willful and material breach by such party of any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement.

     SECTION 7.3 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended by the parties at any
time before or after the Shareholder Approval; provided, however, that, after
the Shareholder Approval, there is not to be made any amendment that by law
requires further approval by the shareholders of the Company without further
approval of such shareholders. This Agreement may not be amended except by an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties.

     SECTION 7.4 EXTENSION; WAIVER. At any time prior to the Effective Time, a
party may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or
other acts of the other party, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations
and warranties of the other party contained in this Agreement or in any document
delivered pursuant to this Agreement or (c) subject to the proviso of Section
7.3, waive compliance by the other party with any of the agreements or
conditions contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part of a party to
any such extension or waiver will be valid only if set forth in an instrument in
writing signed on behalf of such party. The failure of any party to this

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Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise will not
constitute a waiver of such rights.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

     SECTION 8.1 NONSURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. None of the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement or in
any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement will survive the Effective
Time, except the covenants and agreements contained in Articles II and VIII and
in Sections 5.6, 5.7, 5.16 and 5.19, each of which will survive in accordance
with its terms.

     SECTION 8.2 NOTICES. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications under this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed given
if delivered personally, telecopied (which is confirmed) or sent by a nationally
recognized overnight courier service (providing proof of delivery) to the
parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as is
specified by like notice):

     (a)  if to the Company, to:
          Commercial Intertech Corp.
          1775 Logan Avenue
          Youngstown, Ohio 44501-0239
          Telecopy No.: (330) 746-1148
          Attention: Gilbert M. Manchester,
                      Vice President and General Counsel

          with a copy to:

          Katten Muchin Zavis
          525 West Monroe Street
          Suite 1600
          Chicago, Illinois 60661-3693
          Telecopy No.: (312) 902-1061
          Attention: Herbert S. Wander, Esq.
                      David J. Kaufman, Esq.

     (b)  if to Buyer, to:
          Parker-Hannifin Corporation
          6035 Parkland Boulevard
          Cleveland, Ohio 44124
          Telecopy No.: (216) 896-3000
          Attention: Thomas A. Piraino, Esq.

          with a copy to:

          Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
          North Point
          901 Lakeside Avenue
          Cleveland, Ohio 44114
          Telecopy No.: (216) 579-0212
          Attention: Patrick J. Leddy, Esq.

     SECTION 8.3 INTERPRETATION. When a reference is made in this Agreement to
an Article, Section or Exhibit, such reference is to an Article or Section of,
or an Exhibit to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of
contents, table of defined terms and headings contained in this Agreement are
for reference purposes only and do not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words "include," "includes" or
"including" are used in this Agreement, they will be deemed to be followed by
the words "without limitation." The words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" and
words of similar import when used in this Agreement will refer to this Agreement
as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. All terms
defined in this Agreement will have the defined

                                      A-36
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meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered
pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in
this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of
such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of
such term. Any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or
in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement,
instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented,
including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and
(in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes and
references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein. For
purposes of this Agreement, (a)"PERSON" means an individual, corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust,
unincorporated organization or other entity (including its permitted successors
and assigns), (b) "KNOWLEDGE" of any person that is not an individual means the
knowledge after due inquiry of such person's executive officers and employees
with direct responsibility for the subject matter to which such knowledge
relates, (c) "AFFILIATE" of any person means another person that directly or
indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or
is under common control with, such first person, where "CONTROL" means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management policies of a person, whether through the ownership
of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, (d) "LIENS" means all pledges,
claims, liens, options, charges, easements, restrictions, covenants, conditions
of record, encroachments, encumbrances and security interests of any kind or
nature whatsoever, (e)"MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE" or "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT"
means, when used in connection with the Company or Buyer, any change, effect,
event, occurrence or state of facts that is, or would reasonably be expected to
be, materially adverse to the business, financial condition or results of
operations of such party and its subsidiaries taken as a whole other than any
change, effect, event or occurrence (i) relating to the economy or securities
markets of the United States or (ii) resulting from entering into this Agreement
or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or the announcement
thereof, and the terms "material" and "materially" have correlative meanings,
and (f) a"SUBSIDIARY" of any person means another person, an amount of the
voting securities, other voting ownership or voting partnership interests of
which is sufficient to elect at least a majority of its Board of Directors or
other governing body (or, if there are no such voting interests, 50% or more of
the equity interest of which) is owned directly or indirectly by such first
person.

     SECTION 8.4 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, all of which will be considered one and the same agreement and
will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of
the parties and delivered to the other parties.

     SECTION 8.5 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement
(including the documents and instruments referred to herein) and the
Confidentiality Agreement (a) constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all
prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties
with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and (b) except for the
provisions of Article II and Section 5.7, are not intended to confer upon any
person other than the parties any rights or remedies.

     SECTION 8.6 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement is to be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Ohio, regardless of the
laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflict of laws
thereof.

     SECTION 8.7 ASSIGNMENT. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned, in whole or in
part, by operation of law or otherwise by any of the parties hereto without the
prior written consent of the other party. Any assignment in violation of this
Section 8.7 will be void and of no effect. Subject to the preceding two
sentences, this Agreement is binding upon, inures to the benefit of, and is
enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors and assigns.

     SECTION 8.8 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. Each of the parties hereto (a)
consents to submit itself to the personal jurisdiction of any federal court
located in the State of Ohio or any Ohio state court in the event any dispute
arises out of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, (b) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal
jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court and (c)
agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement or

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any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any court other than a
federal court sitting in the State of Ohio or an Ohio state court.

     SECTION 8.9 SPECIFIC ENFORCEMENT. The parties agree that irreparable damage
would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It
is accordingly agreed that the parties will be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any federal court located in the
State of Ohio or an Ohio state court, this being in addition to any other remedy
to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

     SECTION 8.10 SEVERABILITY. If any term or other provision of this Agreement
is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public
policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement will nevertheless
remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any term or other
provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto
shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the
original intent of the parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law in an acceptable manner to the end that the
transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement and Plan
of Merger to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized,
all as of the date first written above.

                                          COMMERCIAL INTERTECH CORP.

                                          By: /s/ PAUL J. POWERS
                                            ------------------------------------
                                              Name: Paul J. Powers
                                              Title: Chairman, President and
                                                    Chief Executive Officer

                                          PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION

                                          By: /s/ DUANE E. COLLINS
                                            ------------------------------------
                                              Name: Duane E. Collins
                                              Title: Chairman, President and
                                                    Chief Executive Officer

                                      A-38
<PAGE>   125

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                        FORM OF COMPANY AFFILIATE LETTER

Parker-Hannifin Corporation
6035 Parkland Boulevard
Cleveland, Ohio 44124

Commercial Intertech Corp.
1775 Logan Avenue
Youngstown, Ohio 44501-0239

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
January 14, 2000 (the "MERGER AGREEMENT"), between Commercial Intertech Corp.,
an Ohio corporation (the "COMPANY"), and Parker-Hannifin Corporation, an Ohio
corporation ("BUYER"), the Company will merge with and into Buyer (the
"MERGER"), with Buyer as the surviving corporation. As a result of the Merger,
the undersigned may receive shares of common stock, par value $0.50 per share,
of Buyer (the "BUYER COMMON STOCK") in exchange for shares owned by the
undersigned of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company (the
"COMPANY COMMON STOCK").

     The undersigned represents to Buyer that the undersigned owns
               shares (the "COMPANY AFFILIATE SHARES") of common stock, par
value $0.50 per share, of the Company (the "COMPANY COMMON STOCK"). Except in
the event that the Board of Directors of the Company publicly announces a change
in its approval or recommendation of the Merger in a manner adverse to Buyer,
the undersigned hereby irrevocably agrees to (i) attend, in person or by proxy,
the meeting of the Company's shareholders relating to the vote on the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, and any and all
adjournments thereof, and (ii) vote (or cause to be voted) all of the Company
Affiliate Shares and any other voting securities of the Company, whether issued
heretofore or hereafter, that the undersigned owns or has the right to vote, for
the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Opt-Out Amendment (as
defined in the Merger Agreement) and the transactions contemplated thereby. The
undersigned confirms that such agreement to attend and vote is coupled with an
interest. The undersigned revokes any and all previous proxies with respect to
the Company Affiliate Shares and/or any other voting securities of the Company
owned by the undersigned.

     The undersigned acknowledges that the undersigned may be deemed an
"AFFILIATE" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 145 ("RULE 145")
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "SECURITIES ACT") by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), although nothing contained
herein should be construed as an admission of such fact. If in fact the
undersigned is an affiliate of the Company under the Securities Act, the
undersigned's ability to sell, assign or transfer the Buyer Common Stock
received by the undersigned in exchange for any shares of the Company Common
Stock in connection with the Merger may be restricted unless such transaction is
registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is
available. The undersigned understands that such exemptions are limited and the
undersigned has obtained or will obtain advice of counsel as to the nature and
conditions of such exemptions, including information with respect to the
applicability to the sale of such securities of Rules 144 and 145(d) promulgated
under the Securities Act.

     The undersigned hereby represents to and covenants with Buyer that the
undersigned will not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of the
Buyer Common Stock received by the undersigned in exchange for shares of the
Company Common Stock in connection with the Merger except (i) pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (ii) in conformity
with the volume and other limitations of Rule 145 promulgated under the
Securities Act or (iii) in a transaction which, in the opinion of counsel of
Buyer or as described in a "no-action" or interpretive letter from the Staff of
the SEC specifically issued with respect to a transaction to be engaged in by
the undersigned, is not required to be registered under the Securities Act.

                                   Exhibit A-1
<PAGE>   126

     The undersigned understands that Buyer is under no obligation to register
the sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of the Buyer Common Stock to
be received by the undersigned in the Merger or to take any other action
necessary in order to make compliance with an exemption from such registration
available.

     The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the legend set forth below
will be placed on certificates representing the shares of Buyer Common Stock
received by the undersigned in connection with the Merger or held by a
transferee thereof, which legend will be removed by delivery of substitute
certificates upon evidence of compliance with Rule 145 under the Securities Act
and, if requested by Buyer, receipt of an opinion in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Buyer from counsel reasonably satisfactory to Buyer
to the effect that such legend is no longer required for purposes of the
Securities Act.

     There will be placed on the certificates for Buyer Common Stock issued to
the undersigned, or any substitutions therefor, a legend stating in substance:

          "The shares represented by this certificate are issued, in a
     transaction to which Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933
     applies. The shares have not been acquired by the holder with a view to, or
     for resale in connection with, any distribution thereof within the meaning
     of the Securities Act of 1933. The shares may not be sold, assigned,
     transferred or otherwise disposed of except in accordance with an exemption
     from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933."

     The undersigned acknowledges that (i) the undersigned has carefully read
this letter and understands the requirements hereof and the limitations imposed
upon the sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of the Buyer Common
Stock and (ii) the receipt by Buyer of this letter is an inducement to Buyer's
obligations to consummate the Merger.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name:
Dated: ________________________ , 2000

                                   Exhibit A-2
<PAGE>   127

                                                                         ANNEX B

                        AMENDMENT TO CODE OF REGULATIONS
                                       OF
                           COMMERCIAL INTERTECH CORP.


        The Code of Regulations, as amended, of Commercial Intertech Corp., an
Ohio corporation, is hereby amended to add the following Article XI:


                       OHIO CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT

The provisions of Section 1701.831 of the Ohio Revised Code, as amended, shall
not be applicable to the corporation.

                                       B-1
<PAGE>   128


                                                                         ANNEX C



                           [GOLDMAN SACHS LETTERHEAD]



PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL



January 14, 2000



Board of Directors


Commercial Intertech Corp.


1775 Logan Avenue


Youngstown, OH 44505



Gentlemen:



     You have requested our opinion as to the fairness from a financial point of
view to the holders of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00
per share (the "Shares"), of Commercial Intertech Corp. (the "Company") of the
Stock Consideration and Cash Consideration (as defined below) to be received for
the Shares pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 14,
2000, among Parker-Hannifin Corporation ("Buyer") and the Company (the
"Agreement"). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company will be merged with and
into Buyer (the "Merger") and each outstanding Share will be converted into the
right to receive a fraction (the "Exchange Ratio") of a share of common stock,
par value $0.50 per share, of Buyer ("Buyer Common Stock"), determined by
dividing $20.00 by the Average Closing Price (as defined in the Agreement);
provided, however, that the Exchange Ratio will not exceed 0.4611 nor be less
than 0.3747 (the "Stock Consideration"). Holders of Shares may elect, with
respect to all or a portion of their Shares, to convert such Shares into the
right to receive $20.00 per Share in cash (the "Cash Consideration"), subject to
certain procedures and limitations contained in the Agreement, as to which
procedures and limitations we are expressing no opinion, including that the
aggregate number of Shares to be converted into the right to receive such Cash
Consideration shall not exceed 49 percent of the aggregate number of Shares
outstanding. The combination of Stock Consideration and Cash Consideration to be
paid by Buyer pursuant to the Agreement is referred to as the "Merger
Consideration".



     Goldman, Sachs & Co., as part of its investment banking business, is
continually engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in
connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, competitive
biddings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private
placements and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes. We are
familiar with the Company having acted as its financial advisor in connection
with, and having participated in certain of the negotiations leading to, the
Agreement. In addition, Goldman, Sachs & Co. provides a full range of financial
advisory and securities services and, in the course of normal trading
activities, may from time to time effect transactions and hold securities,
including derivative securities, of the Company or Buyer for its own account and
the accounts of customers.



     In connection with this opinion, we have reviewed, among other things, the
Agreement; Annual Reports to Stockholders and Annual Reports on Form 10-K of the
Company and Buyer for the five fiscal years ended October 31, 1999 and June 30,
1999, respectively; certain interim reports to stockholders and Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q of the Company and Buyer; certain other communications from
the Company and Buyer to their respective stockholders; and certain internal
financial analyses and forecasts for the Company and Buyer prepared by their
respective managements. We also have held discussions with members of the senior
managements of the Company and Buyer regarding their assessment of the strategic
rationale for, and the potential benefits of, the Merger and the past and
current business operations, financial condition and future prospects of their
respective companies. In addition, we have reviewed the reported price and
trading activity for the Shares and the Buyer Common Stock, compared certain
financial and stock market information for the Company and Buyer with similar
information for


                                       C-1
<PAGE>   129

Commercial Intertech Corp.


January 14, 2000


Page Two



certain financial and stock market information for the Company and Buyer with
similar information for certain other companies the securities of which are
publicly traded, reviewed the financial terms of certain recent business
combinations in the hydraulics manufacturing industry specifically and in other
industries generally and performed such other studies and analyses as we
considered appropriate.



     We have relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial
and other information discussed with or reviewed by us and have assumed such
accuracy and completeness for purposes of rendering this opinion. We have not
made an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets and liabilities of the
Company or Buyer or any of their subsidiaries and we have not been furnished
with any such evaluation or appraisal. In addition, we were not requested to
solicit, and did not solicit, interest from other parties with respect to an
acquisition of or other business combination with the Company. Our advisory
services and the opinion expressed herein are provided for the information and
assistance of the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with its
consideration of the transaction contemplated by the Agreement and such opinion
does not constitute a recommendation as to how any holder of Shares should vote
with respect to such transaction or as to whether any holder of Shares should
elect to receive the Stock Consideration or the Cash Consideration.



     Based upon and subject to the foregoing and based upon such other matters
as we consider relevant, it is our opinion that as of the date hereof the Merger
Consideration to be received by the holders of Shares pursuant to the Agreement
is fair from a financial point of view to such holders.



Very truly yours,



GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.


                                       C-2
<PAGE>   130

                                                                         ANNEX D


                       [SALOMON SMITH BARNEY LETTERHEAD]

January 14, 2000

The Board of Directors
Parker-Hannifin Corporation
6035 Parkland Blvd.
Cleveland, Ohio 44124-4141

Members of the Board:

     You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point
of view, to Parker-Hannifin Corporation ("Parker-Hannifin") of the Merger
Consideration (as defined below) to be paid by Parker-Hannifin in connection
with the proposed merger (the "Merger") of Commercial Intertech Corp. ("CIC")
with and into Parker-Hannifin, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the
"Merger Agreement") to be entered into by and among Parker-Hannifin and CIC.

     As more fully described in the Merger Agreement, and subject to the terms
and conditions thereof, CIC will merge with and into Parker-Hannifin, and each
issued and outstanding share of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of CIC
(the "CIC Common Stock"), other than Dissenting Shares (as defined in the Merger
Agreement) and any shares of CIC Common Stock owned by Parker-Hannifin or any
direct or indirect subsidiary of Parker-Hannifin or held in the treasury of CIC,
will be converted, at the option of the holder thereof, into the right to
receive

          (1) that number of fully-paid and nonassessable shares of common
     stock, par value $.50 per share, of Parker-Hannifin, including any
     associated stock purchase rights (the "Parker-Hannifin Common Stock"),
     equal to $20.00 divided by the Average Closing Price (as defined in the
     Merger Agreement) of Parker-Hannifin Common Stock, subject to the
     adjustments set forth in the Merger Agreement (the "Stock Consideration"),
     or

          (2) upon a valid Cash Election (as defined in the Merger Agreement),
     $20.00 in cash from Parker-Hannifin (the "Cash Consideration" and, together
     with the Stock Consideration, the "Merger Consideration").

     In arriving at our opinion, we reviewed the Merger Agreement dated January
14, 2000 and held discussions with certain senior officers, directors and other
representatives and advisors of Parker-Hannifin and certain senior officers and
other representatives and advisors of CIC concerning the business, operations
and prospects of Parker-Hannifin and CIC, as the case may be. We examined (1)
certain publicly available business and financial information relating to
Parker-Hannifin, including Parker-Hannifin's (a) annual report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999, (b) quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 1999, and (c) definitive proxy statement on Schedule
14A, dated October 27, 1999; (2) certain publicly available business and
financial information relating to CIC, including CIC's (a) annual report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, (b) quarterly report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 1999, and (c) definitive proxy statement on
Schedule 14A, dated March 24, 1999; and (3) certain financial forecasts and
other information and data for Parker-Hannifin and CIC which were provided to or
otherwise discussed with us by the management of Parker-Hannifin or CIC, as the
case may be, including information relating to certain strategic implications
and operational benefits anticipated from the Merger, as well as the potential
pro forma impact of the Merger.


     We reviewed the financial terms of the Merger as set forth in the Merger
Agreement in relation to, among other things: (1) current and historical market
prices and trading volumes of Parker-Hannifin Common Stock and CIC Common Stock;
(2) the historical and projected earnings and other operating data of
Parker-Hannifin and CIC; (3) and the capitalization and financial condition of
Parker-Hannifin and CIC. We considered, to the extent publicly available, the
financial terms of certain other similar


                                       D-1
<PAGE>   131

transactions recently effected which we considered relevant in evaluating the
Merger and analyzed certain financial, stock market and other publicly available
information relating to the businesses of other companies whose operations we
considered relevant in evaluating those of Parker-Hannifin and CIC. In addition
to the foregoing, we conducted such other analyses and examinations and
considered such other information and financial, economic and market criteria as
we deemed appropriate in arriving at our opinion.

     In rendering our opinion, we have assumed and relied, without independent
verification, upon the accuracy and completeness of all financial and other
information and data publicly available or furnished to or otherwise reviewed by
or discussed with us. With respect to financial forecasts and other information
and data provided to or otherwise reviewed by or discussed with us, we have been
advised by the management of Parker-Hannifin and CIC, as the case may be, that
such forecasts and other information and data were reasonably prepared on bases
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
management of Parker-Hannifin and CIC, as the case may be, as to the future
financial performance of Parker-Hannifin and CIC, as the case may be, and the
strategic implications and operational benefits anticipated from the proposed
Merger. We have not made or been provided with an independent evaluation or
appraisal of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of
Parker-Hannifin or CIC nor have we made any physical inspection of the
properties or assets of Parker-Hannifin or CIC.

     We also have assumed that the proposed Merger will be consummated in a
timely manner and in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, without
waiver of any of the conditions precedent to the proposed Merger contained in
the Merger Agreement. We understand, and have assumed, that the proposed Merger
will qualify as a tax-free reorganization under the provisions of Section 368 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     We were not requested to consider, and our opinion does not address, the
relative merits of the proposed Merger as compared to any alternative business
strategies that might exist for Parker-Hannifin or the effect of any other
transaction in which Parker-Hannifin might engage. Our opinion is necessarily
based upon information available to us, and financial, stock market and other
conditions and circumstances existing and disclosed to us, as of the date
hereof, and we assume no responsibility to update or review our opinion based on
circumstances or events occurring after the date hereof. Our opinion is, in any
event, limited to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to
Parker-Hannifin of the Merger Consideration to be paid by Parker-Hannifin and
does not address Parker-Hannifin's underlying business decision to effect the
proposed Merger. Nor does our opinion constitute an opinion or imply any
conclusion as to the likely trading range for Parker-Hannifin Common Stock
following consummation of the proposed Merger.

     Salomon Smith Barney Inc. has acted as financial advisor to Parker-Hannifin
in connection with the proposed Merger and will receive a fee for such services,
a significant portion of which is contingent upon the consummation of the
Transaction. We have in the past provided and are currently providing investment
banking services to Parker-Hannifin unrelated to the proposed Merger, for which
services we have received and will receive compensation. In the ordinary course
of our business, we and our affiliates may actively trade or hold the securities
of Parker-Hannifin and CIC for our own account or for the account of our
customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in
such securities. In addition, we and our affiliates (including Citigroup Inc.
and its affiliates) may maintain relationships with Parker-Hannifin, CIC and
their respective affiliates.

     This opinion is intended for the benefit and use of Parker-Hannifin
(including its management and directors) in considering the transaction to which
it relates and may not be used by Parker-Hannifin for any other purpose or
reproduced, disseminated, quoted or referenced to by Parker-Hannifin at any
time, in any manner or for any purpose, without the prior written consent of
Salomon Smith Barney Inc.

     Based upon and subject to the foregoing, our experience as investment
bankers, our work as described above and other factors we deemed relevant, we
are of the opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Merger Consideration to be
paid by Parker-Hannifin is fair, from a financial point of view, to
Parker-Hannifin.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
                                       D-2
<PAGE>   132

                                                                         ANNEX E

                               OHIO REVISED CODE
                    TITLE XVII CORPORATIONS -- PARTNERSHIPS
                     CHAPTER 1701: GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

                SECTION 1701.85 QUALIFICATIONS OF AND PROCEDURES
                          FOR DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS

     (A)(1) A shareholder of a domestic corporation is entitled to relief as a
dissenting shareholder in respect of the proposals described in sections
1701.74, 1701.76, and 1701.84 of the Revised Code, only in compliance with this
section.

     (2) If the proposal must be submitted to the shareholders of the
corporation involved, the dissenting shareholder shall be a record holder of the
shares of the corporation as to which he seeks relief as of the date fixed for
the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of a meeting of the
shareholders at which the proposal is to be submitted, and such shares shall not
have been voted in favor of the proposal. Not later than ten days after the date
on which the vote on the proposal was taken at the meeting of the shareholders,
the dissenting shareholder shall deliver to the corporation a written demand for
payment to him of the fair cash value of the shares as to which he seeks relief,
which demand shall state his address, the number and class of such shares, and
the amount claimed by him as the fair cash value of the shares.

     (3) The dissenting shareholder entitled to relief under division (C) of
section 1701.84 of the Revised Code in the case of a merger pursuant to section
1701.80 of the Revised Code and a dissenting shareholder entitled to relief
under division (E) of section 1701.84 of the Revised Code in the case of a
merger pursuant to section 1701.801 of the Revised Code shall be a record holder
of the shares of the corporation as to which he seeks relief as of the date on
which the agreement of merger was adopted by the directors of that corporation.
Within twenty days after he has been sent the notice provided in section 1701.80
or 1701.801 of the Revised Code, the dissenting shareholder shall deliver to the
corporation a written demand for payment with the same information as that
provided for in division (A)(2) of this section.

     (4) In the case of a merger or consolidation, a demand served on the
constituent corporation involved constitutes service on the surviving or the new
entity, whether the demand is served before, on, or after the effective date of
the merger or consolidation.

     (5) If the corporation sends to the dissenting shareholder, at the address
specified in his demand, a request for the certificates representing the shares
as to which he seeks relief, the dissenting shareholder, within fifteen days
from the date of the sending of such request, shall deliver to the corporation
the certificates requested so that the corporation may forthwith endorse on them
a legend to the effect that demand for the fair cash value of such shares has
been made. The corporation promptly shall return such endorsed certificates to
the dissenting shareholder. A dissenting shareholder's failure to deliver such
certificates terminates his rights as a dissenting shareholder, at the option of
the corporation, exercised by written notice sent to the dissenting shareholder
within twenty days after the lapse of the fifteen-day period, unless a court for
good cause shown otherwise directs. If shares represented by a certificate on
which such a legend has been endorsed are transferred, each new certificate
issued for them shall bear a similar legend, together with the name of the
original dissenting holder of such shares. Upon receiving a demand for payment
from a dissenting shareholder who is the record holder of uncertificated
securities, the corporation shall make an appropriate notation of the demand for
payment in its shareholder records. If uncertificated shares for which payment
has been demanded are to be transferred, any new certificate issued for the
shares shall bear the legend required for certificated securities as provided in
this paragraph. A transferee of the shares so endorsed, or of uncertificated
securities where such notation has been made, acquires only such rights in the
corporation as the original dissenting holder of such shares had immediately
after the service of a demand for payment of the fair cash value of the shares.
A request under this paragraph by the corporation is not an admission by the
corporation that the shareholder is entitled to relief under this section.

                                       E-1
<PAGE>   133

     (B) Unless the corporation and the dissenting shareholder have come to an
agreement on the fair cash value per share of the shares as to which the
dissenting shareholder seeks relief, the dissenting shareholder or the
corporation, which in case of a merger or consolidation may be the surviving or
new entity, within three months after the service of the demand by the
dissenting shareholder, may file a complaint in the court of common pleas of the
county in which the principal office of the corporation that issued the shares
is located or was located when the proposal was adopted by the shareholders of
the corporation, or, if the proposal was not required to be submitted to the
shareholders, was approved by the directors. Other dissenting shareholders,
within that three-month period, may join as plaintiffs or may be joined as
defendants in any such proceeding, and any two or more such proceedings may be
consolidated. The complaint shall contain a brief statement of the facts
including the vote and the facts entitling the dissenting shareholder to the
relief demanded. No answer to such a complaint is required. Upon the filing of
such a complaint, the court, on motion of the petitioner, shall enter an order
fixing a date for a hearing on the complaint and requiring that a copy of the
complaint and a notice of the filing and of the date for hearing be given to the
respondent or defendant in the manner in which summons is required to be served
or substituted service is required to be made in other cases. On the day fixed
for the hearing on the complaint or any adjournment of it, the court shall
determine from the complaint and from such evidence as is submitted by either
party whether the dissenting shareholder is entitled to be paid the fair cash
value of any shares and, if so, the number and class of such shares. If the
court finds that the dissenting shareholder is so entitled, the court may
appoint one or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence and to recommend a
decision on the amount of the fair cash value. The appraisers have such power
and authority as is specified in the order of their appointment. The court
thereupon shall make a finding as to the fair cash value of a share and shall
render judgment against the corporation for the payment of it, with interest at
such rate and from such date as the court considers equitable. The costs of the
proceeding, including reasonable compensation to the appraisers to be fixed by
the court, shall be assessed or apportioned as the court considers equitable.
The proceeding is a special proceeding and final orders in it may be vacated,
modified, or reversed on appeal pursuant to the rules of Appellate Procedure
and, to the extent not in conflict with those rules, Chapter 2505. of the
Revised Code. If, during the pendency of any proceeding instituted under this
section, a suit or proceeding is or has been instituted to enjoin or otherwise
to prevent the carrying out of the action as to which the shareholder has
dissented, the proceeding instituted under this section shall be stayed until
the final determination of the other suit or proceeding. Unless any provision in
division (D) of this section is applicable, the fair cash value of the shares
that is agreed upon by the parties or fixed under this section shall be paid
within thirty days after the date of final determination of such value under
this division, the effective date of the amendment to the articles, or the
consummation of the other action involved, whichever occurs last. Upon the
occurrence of the last such event, payment shall be made immediately to a holder
of uncertificated securities entitled to such payment. In the case of holders of
shares represented by certificates, payment shall be made only upon and
simultaneously with the surrender to the corporation of the certificates
representing the shares for which the payment is made.

     (C) If the proposal was required to be submitted to the shareholders of the
corporation, a fair cash value as to those shareholders shall be determined as
of the date prior to the day on which the vote by the shareholders was taken
and, in the case of a merger pursuant to section 1701.80 or 1701.801 of the
Revised Code, fair cash value as to shareholders of a constituent subsidiary
corporation shall be determined as of the day before the adoption of the
agreement of merger by the directors of the particular subsidiary corporation.
The fair cash value of a share for the purposes of this section is the amount
that a willing seller who is under no compulsion to sell would be willing to
accept and that a willing buyer who is under no compulsion to purchase would be
willing to pay, but in no event shall the fair cash value of a share exceed the
amount specified in the demand of the particular shareholder. In computing such
fair cash value, any appreciation or depreciation in market value resulting from
the proposal submitted to the directors or to the shareholders shall be
excluded.

                                       E-2
<PAGE>   134

     (D)(1) The right and obligation of a dissenting shareholder to receive such
fair cash value and to sell such shares as to which he seeks relief, and the
right and obligation of the corporation to purchase such shares and to pay the
fair cash value of them terminates if any of the following applies:

          (a) The dissenting shareholder has not complied with this section,
     unless the corporation by its directors waives such failure;

          (b) The corporation abandons the action involved or is finally
     enjoined or prevented from carrying it out, or the shareholders rescind
     their adoption of the action involved;

          (c) The dissenting shareholder withdraws his demand, with the consent
     of the corporation by its directors;

          (d) The corporation and the dissenting shareholder have not come to an
     agreement as to the fair cash value per share, and neither the shareholder
     nor the corporation has filed or joined in a complaint under division (B)
     of this section within the period provided in that division.

     (2) For purposes of division (D)(1) of this section, if the merger or
consolidation has become effective and the surviving or new entity is not a
corporation, action required to be taken by the directors of the corporation
shall be taken by the general partners of a surviving or new partnership or the
comparable representatives of any other surviving or new entity.

     (E) From the time of the dissenting shareholder's giving of the demand
until either the termination of the rights and obligations arising from it or
the purchase of the shares by the corporation, all other rights accruing from
such shares, including voting and dividend or distribution rights, are
suspended. If during the suspension, any dividend or distribution is paid in
money upon shares of such class or any dividend, distribution, or interest is
paid in money upon any securities issued in extinguishment of or in substitution
for such shares, an amount equal to the dividend, distribution, or interest
which, except for the suspension, would have been payable upon such shares or
securities, shall be paid to the holder of record as a credit upon the fair cash
value of the shares. If the right to receive fair cash value is terminated other
than by the purchase of the shares by the corporation, all rights of the holder
shall be restored and all distributions which, except for the suspension, would
have been made shall be made to the holder of record of the shares at the time
of termination.

                                       E-3
<PAGE>   135

                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     In general, a director of an Ohio corporation will not be found to have
violated his fiduciary duties unless there is proof by clear and convincing
evidence that the director (1) has not acted in good faith, (2) has not acted in
a manner the director reasonably believes to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation or (3) has not acted with the care that an
ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar
circumstances. Monetary damages for any act taken or omission made as a director
are generally awarded only if it is proved by clear and convincing evidence that
the director undertook such act or omission either with deliberate intent to
cause injury to the corporation or with reckless disregard for the best
interests of the corporation.

     Under Ohio law, a corporation must indemnify its directors, officers,
employees and agents against expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the
successful defense (on the merits or otherwise) of an action, suit or
proceeding. A corporation may indemnify such persons in actions, suits and
proceedings (including certain derivative suits) if the individual has acted in
good faith and in a manner that the individual believes to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of the corporation. In the case of a criminal proceeding,
the individual must also have no reasonable cause to believe that his or her
conduct was unlawful.

     Indemnification may be made only if ordered by a court or if authorized in
a specific case upon a determination that the applicable standard of conduct has
been met. Such a determination may be made by a majority of the disinterested
directors, by independent legal counsel or by the shareholders.

     Under Ohio law, a corporation may pay the expenses of any indemnified
individual as they are incurred, in advance of the final disposition of the
matter, if the individual provides an undertaking to repay the amount if it is
ultimately determined that the individual is not entitled to be indemnified.
Ohio law generally requires all expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred by
a director in defending any action, suit or proceeding to be paid by the
corporation as they are incurred if the director agrees (a) to repay such
amounts in the event that it is proved by clear and convincing evidence that the
director's action or omission was undertaken with deliberate intent to cause
injury to the corporation or with reckless disregard for the best interests of
the corporation and (b) to reasonably cooperate with the corporation concerning
the action, suit or proceeding.

     Parker's regulations require Parker to indemnify, to the full extent
permitted by Ohio law, any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (whether civil,
criminal or administrative) because that person is or was a director, trustee,
officer or employee of Parker or was serving, at Parker's request, as a
director, trustee, officer or employee of another entity.

     Parker has in effect insurance policies for general officers' and
directors' liability insurance covering Parker's directors and officers. Parker
also has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and officers
that indemnify its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by
law. The indemnification so granted is not limited to the indemnification
specifically authorized by Ohio General Corporation Law.

     Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Parker has agreed to assume all rights to
indemnification and exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions occurring
before the effective time of the merger that currently exist in favor of the
current or former directors and officers of Commercial Intertech Corp. and its
subsidiaries. These provisions may not be amended or otherwise modified for a
period of six years from the effective time of the merger in any manner that
would adversely affect the rights of individuals who on or prior to the
effective time of the merger were directors, officers, employees or agents of
Commercial Intertech, unless such modification is required by law. In addition,
if Parker consolidates or merges with any other person and is not the continuing
or surviving corporation or entity of the consolidation or merger or if Parker
transfers substantially all of its properties and assets to any person, then
Parker has agreed to

                                      II-1
<PAGE>   136

make proper arrangements so that the successors and assigns of Parker will
assume the indemnification and exculpation obligations described above.

     For six years after the merger, Parker will maintain in effect Commercial
Intertech's current directors' and officers' liability insurance covering acts
or omissions occurring prior to the merger with respect to those persons who are
currently covered by Commercial Intertech's directors' and officers' liability
insurance policy on terms with respect to that coverage and amount no less
favorable than those of Commercial Intertech's policy in effect on the date of
the merger agreement. Parker will not be required to pay aggregate premiums for
the insurance described in this paragraph in excess of 200% of the aggregate
premiums paid by Commercial Intertech in 1999. However, if the annual premiums
of that insurance coverage exceed that amount, Parker will be obligated to
obtain a policy with the greatest coverage available for a cost up to but not
exceeding that amount.

                                      II-2
<PAGE>   137

ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

(a) Exhibits.

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                            DESCRIPTION
- -----------                            -----------
<C>            <S>
     2         Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 14, 2000,
               by and between Parker-Hannifin Corporation and Commercial
               Intertech Corp. (included as Annex A to the proxy
               statement/prospectus contained in this registration
               statement).
     3(a)      Amended Articles of Incorporation of Parker-Hannifin
               Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to
               Parker-Hannifin's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
               period ended September 30, 1997.).
     3(b)      Code of Regulations of Parker-Hannifin Corporation, as
               amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Parker
               Hannifin's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-53193)
               filed with the Commission on April 20, 1994.).
     4(a)*     Specimen Parker-Hannifin Corporation Common Stock
               Certificate.
     4(b)      Rights Agreement, dated January 31, 1997, between
               Parker-Hannifin Corporation and KeyBank National Association
               (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Parker
               Hannifin's Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
               February 4, 1997), as amended by the First Addendum to
               Shareholder Protection Rights Agreement, dated April 21,
               1997, between Parker-Hannifin Corporation and Wachovia Bank
               of North Carolina N.A., as successor to KeyBank
               (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.A to Parker-
               Hannifin's Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
               June 30, 1999), and the Second Addendum to Shareholder
               Protection Rights Agreement, dated June 15, 1999, between
               Parker-Hannifin Corporation and National City Bank, as
               successor to Wachovia (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
               4.A to Parker Hannifin's Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
               year ended June 30, 1999).
               Parker-Hannifin Corporation is a party to other instruments,
               copies of which will be furnished to the Commission upon
               request, defining the rights of holders of its long-term
               debt identified in Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated
               Financial Statements appearing on pages 29 and 30 of the
               Annual Report, included as Exhibit 13(a) hereto, which Note
               is incorporated herein by reference.
     5         Opinion of the General Counsel of Parker-Hannifin
               Corporation regarding the validity of the securities being
               registered.
     8(a)      Opinion of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue regarding certain
               federal income tax consequences relating to the merger and
               consent of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue.
     8(b)      Opinion of Katten Muchin Zavis regarding certain federal
               income tax consequences relating to the merger and consent
               of Katten Muchin Zavis.
    23(a)      Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
    23(b)      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
    23(c)      Consent of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue (included in the
               opinion filed as Exhibit 8(a) to this registration
               statement).
    23(d)      Consent of Katten Muchin Zavis (included in the opinion
               filed as Exhibit 8(b) to this registration statement).
    23(e)      Consent of Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
    23(f)      Consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
    24*        Power of Attorney for each director and officer of
               Parker-Hannifin Corporation signing this registration
               statement.
    99(a)      Form of Commercial Intertech Proxy Card.
</TABLE>


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


* Previously filed.


                                      II-3
<PAGE>   138

(b) Financial Statement Schedules.

    Not Applicable.

(c) Reports, Opinions, or Appraisals.

    The opinions of Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Salomon Smith Barney Inc. are
    included as Annexes C and D, respectively, to the proxy statement/prospectus
    contained in this registration statement.

    ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.

     (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     (b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior to
any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a
prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or
party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the
issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information
called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by
persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called
for by the other items of the applicable form.

     (c) The registrant undertakes that every prospectus (i) that is filed
pursuant to paragraph (c) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet
the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act and is used in
connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as
a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until
such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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

     (e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the
date of responding to the request.

     (f) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.

                                      II-4
<PAGE>   139

                                   SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly
caused this amendment to the registration statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Cleveland, state
of Ohio, on February 24, 2000.


                                          PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION

                                          By: /s/ DUANE E. COLLINS
                                            ------------------------------------
                                              Duane E. Collins
                                              Chairman and Chief Executive
                                              Officer


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment
to the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   SIGNATURE                                    TITLE                      DATE
                   ---------                                    -----                      ----
<S>                                               <C>                                <C>
/s/ DUANE E. COLLINS                              Chairman and Chief Executive       February 24, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------  Officer (Principal Executive
Duane E. Collins*                                 Officer)

/s/ MICHAEL J. HIEMSTRA                           Vice President-Finance and         February 24, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------  Administration, Chief Financial
Michael J. Hiemstra*                              Officer (Principal Financial
                                                  Officer)

/s/ DANA A. DENNIS                                Controller                         February 24, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------  (Principal Accounting Officer)
Dana A. Dennis*

/s/ DONALD E. WASHKEWICZ                          President, Chief Operating         February 24, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------  Officer and Director
Donald E. Washkewicz*

/s/ JOHN G. BREEN                                 Director                           February 24, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------
John G. Breen*

/s/ PAUL C. ELY, JR.                              Director                           February 24, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------
Paul C. Ely, Jr.*

/s/ PETER W. LIKINS                               Director                           February 24, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------
Peter W. Likins*

/s/ GIULIO MAZZALUPI                              Director                           February 24, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------
Giulio Mazzalupi*

/s/ KLAUS-PETER MULLER                            Director                           February 24, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------
Klaus-Peter Muller*

/s/ HECTOR R. ORTINO                              Director                           February 24, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------
Hector R. Ortino*

/s/ ALLEN L. RAYFIELD                             Director                           February 24, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------
Allen L. Rayfield*

/s/ WOLFGANG R. SCHMITT                           Director                           February 24, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------
Wolfgang R. Schmitt*
</TABLE>


                                      II-5
<PAGE>   140


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   SIGNATURE                                    TITLE                      DATE
                   ---------                                    -----                      ----
<S>                                               <C>                                <C>
/s/ DEBRA L. STARNES                              Director                           February 24, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------
Debra L. Starnes*

/s/ DENNIS W. SULLIVAN                            Director                           February 24, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------
Dennis W. Sullivan*
</TABLE>



* The undersigned, by signing his or her name hereto, does sign and execute this
  amendment to the registration statement pursuant to the power of attorney
  executed by the above-named officers and directors of the registrant, which is
  being filed herewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of
  such officers and directors.



<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
/s/ THOMAS A. PIRAINO, JR.                        February 24, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------
Thomas A. Piraino, Jr.
Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>


                                      II-6
<PAGE>   141

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                            DESCRIPTION
- -----------                            -----------
<C>            <S>
     2         Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 14, 2000,
               by and between Parker-Hannifin Corporation and Commercial
               Intertech Corp. (included as Annex A to the proxy
               statement/prospectus contained in this registration
               statement).
     3(a)      Amended Articles of Incorporation of Parker-Hannifin
               Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to
               Parker-Hannifin's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
               period ended September 30, 1997).
     3(b)      Code of Regulations of Parker-Hannifin Corporation, as
               amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Parker
               Hannifin's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-53193)
               filed with the Commission on April 20, 1994.).
     4(a)*     Specimen Parker-Hannifin Corporation Common Stock
               Certificate.
     4(b)      Rights Agreement, dated January 31, 1997, between
               Parker-Hannifin Corporation and KeyBank National Association
               (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Parker
               Hannifin's Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
               February 4, 1997.), as amended by the First Addendum to
               Shareholder Protection Rights Agreement, dated April 21,
               1997, between Parker-Hannifin Corporation and Wachovia Bank
               of North Carolina N.A., as successor to KeyBank
               (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.A to Parker-
               Hannifin's Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
               June 30, 1999), and the Second Addendum to Shareholder
               Protection Rights Agreement, dated June 15, 1999, between
               Parker-Hannifin Corporation and National City Bank, as
               successor to Wachovia (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
               4.A to Parker Hannifin's Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
               year ended June 30, 1999).
               Parker-Hannifin Corporation is a party to other instruments,
               copies of which will be furnished to the Commission upon
               request, defining the rights of holders of its long-term
               debt identified in Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated
               Financial Statements appearing on pages 29 and 30 of the
               Annual Report, included as Exhibit 13(a) hereto, which Note
               is incorporated herein by reference.
     5         Opinion of General Counsel of Parker-Hannifin Corporation
               regarding the validity of the securities being registered.
     8(a)      Opinion of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue regarding certain
               federal income tax consequences relating to the merger and
               consent of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue.
     8(b)      Opinion of Katten Muchin Zavis regarding certain federal
               income tax consequences relating to the merger and consent
               of Katten Muchin Zavis.
    23(a)      Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
    23(b)      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
    23(c)      Consent of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue (included in the
               opinion filed as Exhibit 8(a) to this registration
               statement).
    23(d)      Consent of Katten Muchin Zavis (included in the opinion
               filed as Exhibit 8(a) to this registration statement).
    23(e)      Consent of Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
    23(f)      Consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
    24*        Power of Attorney for each director and officer of
               Parker-Hannifin Corporation signing this registration
               statement.
    99(a)      Form of Commercial Intertech Proxy Card.
</TABLE>


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


* Previously filed.


                                      II-7

<PAGE>   1
                                                                       Exhibit 5


                         Parker-Hannifin Corporation
                           6035 Parkland Boulevard
                            Cleveland, Ohio 44124



February 24, 2000


Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549-1004

         Re:  Parker-Hannifin Corporation
              Registration Statement on Form S-4
              ----------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         I am acting as counsel to Parker-Hannifin Corporation, an Ohio
corporation ("Parker"), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form
S-4 filed by Parker with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as amended (the
"Registration Statement") with respect to up to 8,448,429 shares of common
stock, par value $.50 per share (the "Parker Shares"), of Parker that are
proposed to be issued in connection with the merger (the "Merger") of Commercial
Intertech Corp. ("Commercial Intertech"), with and into Parker, as described in
the Proxy Statement/Prospectus that is a part of the Registration Statement (the
"Proxy Statement/Prospectus").

         In connection with this opinion, I have reviewed the Registration
Statement and the exhibits thereto, and I have examined originals or copies,
certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of such corporate
records, agreements, certificates of public officials and of officers of Parker,
and other instruments in addition to such matters of law and fact as I have
deemed necessary to render the opinion contained herein.

         Based upon and subject to the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the
Parker Shares being registered under the Registration Statement, when issued
pursuant to the Merger, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement and to the
reference to me under the caption "LEGAL MATTERS" in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus contained therein.

                                         Very truly yours,


                                         /s/ Thomas A. Piraino, Jr.
                                         -------------------------------------
                                         Name:   Thomas A. Piraino, Jr.
                                         Title:  Vice President, General Counsel
                                                   and Secretary



<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 8(a)



                      OPINION OF JONES, DAY, REAVIS & POGUE
                      -------------------------------------

                           Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
                                  North Point
                              901 Lakeside Avenue
                              Cleveland, OH 44114

                               February 24, 2000





Parker-Hannifin Corporation
6035 Parkland Boulevard
Cleveland, Ohio   44124-4141

Gentlemen:

         You have requested our opinion regarding the applicability of Section
368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), to the
statutory merger pursuant to the Ohio General Corporation Law (the "Merger") of
Commercial Intertech Corp. ("Company"), an Ohio corporation, with and into
Parker-Hannifin Corporation ("Buyer"), an Ohio corporation, pursuant to Article
I of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 14, 2000, by and
among Buyer and Company. In addition, you have also requested our opinion
regarding whether Buyer and Company will each be a party to the reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.

         This opinion is being delivered to you pursuant to Sections 5.5(c) and
6.2(c) of the Merger Agreement and addresses solely the U.S. federal income tax
matters referred to above. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall
have the same meanings as ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement.

         For purposes of rendering this opinion, we have examined such existing
documents and records of Buyer and Company as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate, as well as the Merger Agreement, other documents relating to the
Merger, and the proxy statement/prospectus which Company will send to its
shareholders in connection with the special meeting of shareholders at which the
Merger will be approved. With your consent we have also relied upon the accuracy
of the representations by both Buyer and Company contained in separate tax
certification letters and have, with your permission, assumed that all such
representations are true without regard to any knowledge qualifier that may be
set forth therein. We assume that the Merger Agreement and each of the other
executed or finalized documents in connection with this matter have not been,
and will not be, amended prior to the Effective Time. We also confirm that, in
rendering our opinion in this matter, we have examined fully all such matters
of law as in our judgment we deemed necessary or appropriate to enable us to
opine on the matters that you have asked us to consider.

         Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the merger of
Company with and into Buyer pursuant to Article I of the Merger Agreement will
constitute a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the
Code and that Buyer and Company will each be a party to the reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.

         Our opinion is based on the relevant provisions of the Code and on
administrative interpretations, judicial decisions and regulations thereunder or
pertaining thereto as in effect on the date of this letter. These authorities
are subject to change, which could be either prospective or retroactive in
nature, and we can provide no assurance as to the effect that any such change
may have on the opinion that we have expressed above. We assume no obligation to
inform you of any such change.

         This opinion is being furnished to you solely for the benefit of Buyer.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 8(a) to the
Registration Statement filed by Buyer on Form S-4, and to the reference to our
Firm under the caption "Legal Matters" in the proxy statement/prospectus
constituting part of the Registration Statement.


                                              Very truly yours,



                                              /s/ Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
                                              ------------------------------
                                              JONES, DAY, REAVIS & POGUE

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    Exhibit 8(b)

                             Katten Muchin Zavis
                             525 West Monroe Street
                             Suite 600
                             Chicago, IL 60661-3693
February 24, 2000



COMMERCIAL INTERTECH CORP.
1775 Logan Avenue
P.O. Box 238
Youngstown, Ohio 44801

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have been requested to render this opinion concerning certain material
federal income tax consequences in connection with the proposed merger of
COMMERCIAL INTERTECH CORP., a corporation organized and existing under the laws
of the State of Ohio ("Company"), with and into PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION, a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Ohio
("Buyer"), with the Buyer surviving the merger, pursuant to the applicable
corporate law of the State of Ohio (the "Merger"), and in accordance with that
certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of January 14, 2000, by and
between Buyer and Company (the "Agreement") and related documents and agreements
referenced in the Agreement (together with the Agreement, the "Merger
Agreement"). Our opinion is being delivered to you pursuant to Section 5.5(c) of
the Agreement.

Except as otherwise provided, capitalized terms referred to herein have the
meanings set forth in the Merger Agreement. All section references, unless
otherwise indicated, are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code").

We have acted as legal counsel to the Company in connection with the Merger. As
such, and for the purpose of rendering this opinion, we have examined (or will
examine on or prior to the Effective Time of the Merger) and are relying (or
will rely) upon (without any independent investigation or review thereof) the
truth and accuracy, at all relevant times, of the statements, covenants,
representations and warranties contained in the following documents (including
all schedules and exhibits thereto):

         1.       The Merger Agreement.

         2.       Representations made to us by Company, including those
                  representations contained in the Company Tax Certificate dated
                  February 24, 2000.


<PAGE>   2




COMMERCIAL INTERTECH CORP.
Page 2


         3.       Representations made to us by the Buyer, including those
                  representations contained in the Buyer Tax Certificate dated
                  February 24, 2000.

         4.       Buyer's Proxy Statement/Prospectus ("Proxy/Prospectus") filed
                  on a Form S-4 Registration Statement in connection with the
                  Merger.

         5.       Such other instruments and documents related to the formation,
                  organization and operation of Buyer and Company or the
                  consummation of the Merger and the transactions contemplated
                  by the Merger Agreement as we have deemed necessary or
                  appropriate.

OPINION
- -------

In connection with rendering this opinion, we have assumed or obtained
representations (and are relying thereon, without any independent investigation
or review thereof) including that:

         1.       Original documents (including signatures) are authentic;
                  documents submitted to us as copies conform to the original
                  documents, and there has been (or will be by the Effective
                  Time of the Merger) due execution and delivery of all
                  documents where due execution and delivery are prerequisites
                  to the effectiveness thereof.

         2.       Any representation or statement referred to above made "to the
                  knowledge of" or otherwise similarly qualified is correct
                  without such qualification.

         3.       The Merger will be consummated pursuant to the Merger
                  Agreement and will be effective under the applicable state
                  law.

         4.       Following the Merger, the Buyer will continue Company's
                  historic business or use a significant portion of its historic
                  business assets in a business.

         5.       Each of Buyer and Company has paid and will pay only its
                  respective expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the
                  Merger, and neither Company nor Buyer has agreed to assume,
                  nor will it directly or indirectly assume, any expense or
                  other liability, whether fixed or contingent, of any holder of
                  Company Common Stock.

         6.       There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing between
                  Company and Buyer that was issued, acquired, or will be
                  settled at a discount.

         7.       Any repurchase of Buyer Common Stock made by Buyer or any
                  person that is related to Buyer within the meaning of Treasury
                  Regulation Section 1.368-1(e)(3) will be made in accordance
                  with the provisions set forth in Revenue Ruling 99-58.



<PAGE>   3




COMMERCIAL INTERTECH CORP.
Page 3

         8.       Except for dispositions made in the ordinary course of
                  business or transfers described in Section 368(a)(2)(C) of the
                  Code, Buyer has no plan or intention to sell or otherwise
                  dispose of an amount of assets of the Company acquired in the
                  Merger that exceeds 25% of the fair market value of the total
                  of all Company assets acquired in the Merger.

         9.       Neither Company nor Buyer is, or will be at the time of the
                  Merger: (a) an "investment company" within the meaning of
                  Section 368(a)(2)(F) of the Code; or (b) under the
                  jurisdiction of a court in a Title 11 or similar case within
                  the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A) of the Code.

Based on our examination of the foregoing items and subject to the assumptions,
exceptions, limitations and qualifications set forth herein, it is our opinion,
as legal counsel for Company, that for federal income tax purposes:

                  (i)      the Merger will constitute a "reorganization" within
                           the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and
                           Company and Buyer will each be a party to such
                           reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b)
                           of the Code;

                  (ii)     a Company shareholder who receives only Buyer Common
                           Stock in exchange for Company Common Stock in the
                           Merger will not recognize gain or loss on the
                           exchange except with respect to any cash received in
                           lieu of a fractional share of Buyer Common Stock;

                  (iii)    a Company shareholder who receives only cash in
                           exchange for Company Common Stock will recognize gain
                           or loss equal to the difference between the cash
                           received and the shareholder's tax basis in the
                           Company Common Stock exchanged for the cash;

                  (iv)     a Company shareholder who received both Buyer Common
                           Stock and cash consideration in exchange for Company
                           Common Stock will recognize gain equal to the lesser
                           of (a) the amount of cash received in the exchange
                           (other than with respect to fractional shares) and
                           (b) the amount of gain that the holder realizes on
                           the exchange. The amount of gain that the holder
                           realizes on the exchange will equal the excess of (a)
                           the sum of the cash and the value of the Buyer Common
                           Stock (including any fractional share interest)
                           received in the exchange over (b) the shareholder's
                           tax basis in the Company Common Stock exchanged
                           therefor. If a Company shareholder realized a loss on
                           such an exchange, the loss cannot be recognized by
                           such shareholder (other than with respect to
                           fractional shares);

                  (v)      a Company shareholder who receives cash in lieu of a
                           fractional share of Buyer Common Stock will recognize
                           gain or loss equal to the difference


<PAGE>   4




COMMERCIAL INTERTECH CORP.
Page 4

                           between the cash received and the tax basis allocated
                           to the fractional share interest;

                  (vi)     any gain recognized by a Company shareholder as a
                           result of the Merger will generally be capital gain
                           if the shareholder's Company Common Stock is held as
                           a capital asset at the Effective Time of the Merger
                           and will be long-term capital gain if the
                           shareholder's Company Common Stock has been held for
                           more than one year at the Effective Time of the
                           Merger;

                  (vii)    the tax basis of the shares of Buyer Common Stock
                           received (including any fractional share interests
                           deemed received and exchanged for cash) in exchange
                           for shares of Company Common Stock in the Merger will
                           be the same as the tax basis of the shares of Company
                           Common Stock exchanged therefor, increased by any
                           gain recognized on the exchange (including any gain
                           treated as a dividend but other than gain
                           attributable to fractional shares), and reduced by
                           the amount of any cash received in the exchange
                           (other than with respect to fractional shares); and

                  (viii)   the holding period for shares of Buyer Common Stock
                           received in exchange for shares of Company Common
                           Stock pursuant to the Merger will include the holding
                           period of the shares of Company Common Stock
                           exchanged therefor.

QUALIFICATIONS
- --------------

In addition to the assumptions set forth above, this opinion is subject to the
exceptions, limitations and qualifications set forth below:

         1.       This opinion represents and is based upon our best judgment
                  regarding the application of federal income tax laws arising
                  under the Code, existing judicial decisions, administrative
                  regulations and published rulings and procedures. Our opinion
                  is not binding upon the Internal Revenue Service or the
                  courts, and the Internal Revenue Service is not precluded from
                  asserting a contrary position. Furthermore, no assurance can
                  be given that future legislative, judicial or administrative
                  changes, on either a prospective or retroactive basis, would
                  not adversely affect the accuracy of the opinion expressed
                  herein. Nevertheless, we undertake no responsibility to advise
                  you of any new developments in the application or
                  interpretation of the federal income tax laws.

         2.       Our opinion concerning certain of the federal tax consequences
                  of the Merger is limited to the specific federal tax
                  consequences presented above. No opinion is expressed as to
                  any transaction other than the Merger, including any
                  transaction undertaken in connection with the Merger. In
                  addition, this opinion does not


<PAGE>   5




COMMERCIAL INTERTECH CORP.
Page 5

                  address any other federal, estate, gift, state, local or
                  foreign tax consequences that may result from the Merger. In
                  particular, we express no opinion regarding:

                  (a)      whether and the extent to which any Company
                           stockholder who has provided or will provide services
                           to the Buyer or the Company will have compensation
                           income under any provision of the Code;

                  (b)      the effects of such compensation income, including,
                           but not limited to, the effect upon the basis and the
                           holding period of the Buyer Stock received by any
                           such stockholder in the Merger;

                  (c)      the potential application of the "disqualifying
                           disposition" rules of Section 421 of the Code to
                           dispositions of the Company Common Stock;

                  (d)      the tax consequences of Buyer's assumption of
                           outstanding options to acquire the Company Common
                           Stock on the holders of such options under any
                           Company employee stock option or stock purchase plan;

                  (e)      the effects of the Merger on any pension or other
                           employee benefit plan maintained by Company or the
                           Buyer;

                  (f)      the potential application of the "golden parachute"
                           provisions of Sections 280G, 3121(v)(2) and 4999 of
                           the Code, the alternative minimum tax provisions of
                           Sections 55, 56 and 57 of the Code or Sections 108,
                           305, 306, 357 and 424 of the Code, or the regulations
                           promulgated thereunder;

                  (g)      the survival and/or availability, after the Merger,
                           of any of the federal income tax attributes or
                           elections of the Buyer or Company (including, without
                           limitation, foreign tax credits or net operating loss
                           carryforwards, if any, of the Buyer or Company),
                           after application of any provision of the Code, as
                           well as the regulations promulgated thereunder and
                           judicial interpretations thereof;

                  (h)      the tax consequences of any transaction in which
                           Company Common Stock or a right to acquire Company
                           Common Stock was received; and

                  (i)      the tax consequences of the Merger (including the
                           opinion set forth above) as applied to holders of
                           options or warrants to purchase Company Common Stock
                           or that may be relevant to particular classes of the
                           Company stockholders and/or holders of options or
                           warrants for the Company Common Stock, including,
                           without limitation, dealers in securities, corporate
                           shareholders subject to the alternative minimum tax,
                           foreign persons, and holders of shares acquired upon
                           exercise of stock options or


<PAGE>   6




COMMERCIAL INTERTECH CORP.
Page 6


                           in other compensatory transactions.

         3.       No opinion is expressed if all the transactions described in
                  the Merger Agreement are not consummated in accordance with
                  the terms of such Merger Agreement and without waiver or
                  breach of any material provision thereof or if all of the
                  representations, warranties, statements and assumptions upon
                  which we relied are not true and accurate at all relevant
                  times. In the event any one of the statements,
                  representations, warranties or assumptions upon which we have
                  relied to issue this opinion is incorrect, our opinion might
                  be adversely affected and may not be relied upon.

         4.       No ruling has been or will be requested from the Internal
                  Revenue Service concerning the federal income tax consequences
                  of the Merger. In reviewing this opinion, you should be aware
                  that the opinion set forth above represents our conclusions
                  regarding the application of existing federal income tax law
                  to the instant transaction. If the facts vary from those
                  relied upon (including if any representation, covenant,
                  warranty or assumption upon which we have relied is
                  inaccurate, incomplete, breached or ineffective), our opinion
                  contained herein could be inapplicable. You should be aware
                  that an opinion of counsel represents only counsel's best
                  legal judgment, and has no binding effect or official status
                  of any kind, and that no assurance can be given that contrary
                  positions will not be taken by the Internal Revenue Service or
                  that a court considering the issues would not hold otherwise.

         5.       This opinion is being delivered solely for the purpose of
                  satisfying the condition set forth in Section 5.5(c) of the
                  Merger Agreement. This opinion may not be relied upon or
                  utilized for any other purpose or by any other person or
                  entity, including the Buyer and its stockholders, and may not
                  be made available to any other person or entity, without our
                  prior written consent. We do, however, consent to the
                  following: (1) the use of our name in the Registration
                  Statement wherever it appears, (2) the inclusion of this
                  memorandum as an attachment to Buyer's Proxy/Prospectus, (3)
                  all references to this opinion made in the Proxy/Prospectus.


Very truly yours,

/s/ Katten Muchin Zavis

Katten Muchin Zavis





<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 23(a)



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                       ----------------------------------


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-4 of Parker-Hannifin Corporation of our report dated July
29, 1999 relating to the consolidated financial statements, which appears in the
Parker-Hannifin Corporation's 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is
incorporated by reference in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
June 30, 1999. We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report
dated July 29, 1999 relating to the financial statement schedule, which appears
in such Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the references to us
under the headings "Experts".


                                               /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
                                               --------------------------------
Cleveland, Ohio                                PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
February 24, 2000

<PAGE>   1



                                                                   Exhibit 23(b)



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
                         -------------------------------

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the
incorporation by reference of our report dated November 29, 1999, with respect
to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Commercial Intertech
Corp. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended October 31,
1999, in the Proxy Statement of Commercial Intertech Corp. that is made a part
of the Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 333-96453) and Prospectus of
Parker-Hannifin Corporation for the registration of 8,448,429 shares of its
common stock.


                                             /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
                                             -----------------------------
                                             ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Cleveland, Ohio
February 23, 2000


<PAGE>   1

                                                                   Exhibit 23(e)



                      CONSENT OF SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
                      ------------------------------------

We hereby consent to the use of our name and to the description of our opinion
letter under the captions "SUMMARY--Opinions of Financial Advisors" and "THE
MERGER--Opinion of Financial Advisor to Parker" in, and to the inclusion of such
opinion letter as Annex D to, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus of Commercial
Intertech Corp., which Proxy Statement/Prospectus is part of the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (File Number 333-96453) of Parker-Hannifin Corporation. By
giving such consent we do not thereby admit that we are experts with respect to
any part of such Registration Statement within the meaning of the term "expert"
as used in, or that we come within the category of persons whose consent is
required under, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.


                                             SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.



                                             By: /s/ Thomas J. Kichler
                                                ----------------------
                                                Thomas J. Kichler
                                                Managing Director




New York, New York
February 24, 2000

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 23(f)


                         CONSENT OF GOLDMAN SACHS & CO.
                         ------------------------------

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL


February 22, 2000


Board of Directors
Commercial Intertech Corp.
1775 Logan Avenue
Youngstown, OH  44505

Re:     Registration Statement (File No. 333-96453) of
        Parker-Hannifin Corporation

Gentlemen:

Reference is made to our opinion letter dated January 14, 2000 with respect to
the fairness from a financial point of view to the holders of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), of Commercial
Intertech Corp. (the "Company") of the Stock Consideration and Cash
Consideration (as defined therein) to be received for the Shares pursuant to the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 14, 2000, among
Parker-Hannifin Corporation and the Company.

The foregoing opinion letter is provided for the information and assistance of
the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with its consideration of
the transaction contemplated therein and is not to be used, circulated, quoted
or otherwise referred to for any other purpose, nor is it to be filed with,
included in or referred to in whole or in part in any registration statement,
proxy statement or any other document, except in accordance with our prior
written consent. We understand that the Company has determined to include our
opinion in the above-referenced Registration Statement.

In that regard, we hereby consent to the reference to the opinion of our Firm
under the captions "Background of the Merger," "Recommendation of the Commercial
Intertech Board of Directors; Reasons for the Merger," "Opinion of Financial
Advisor to Commercial Intertech" and "Material Provisions of the Merger
Agreement" and to the inclusion of the foregoing opinion in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus included in the above-mentioned Registration Statement, as
amended. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities
Act of 1933 or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder.

Very truly yours,


/s/ GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.


<PAGE>   1

                                                                   Exhibit 99(a)

                                                                      PROXY CARD

                           COMMERCIAL INTERTECH CORP.
                         SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                                 APRIL 11, 2000
           THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned shareholder of Commercial Intertech Corp., an Ohio corporation
(the "Company"), hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Special Meeting of
Shareholders and Proxy Statement/Prospectus, each dated ____________, 2000, and
hereby appoints Shirley M. Shields and Gilbert M. Manchester, and each of them,
proxies and attorneys-in-fact, with full power to each of substitution, on
behalf and in the name of the undersigned, to represent the undersigned at the
Special Meeting of Shareholders of Commercial Intertech Corp. to be held at The
Butler Institute of American Art, 524 Wick Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44502, on
April 11, 2000, at 10:00 a.m., local time, and at any postponements(s) or
adjournment(s) thereof, and to vote all shares of Common Stock of Commercial
Intertech Corp. that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then and there
personally present on the matters set forth on the reverse side and, in their
discretion, upon such other matter or matters that may properly come before the
meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof. THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR,
IF NO CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSAL TO ADOPT
THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE "OPT-OUT" AMENDMENT AND AS
SAID PROXIES DEEM ADVISABLE ON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE
THE MEETING.

                                    [MAP]

COMMENTS/ADDRESS CHANGE: PLEASE MARK COMMENT/ADDRESS BOX ON THE REVERSE SIDE

     Please mark your
 /X/ votes as indicated
     in this example.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS VOTING "FOR" EACH OF FOLLOWING PROPOSALS.

1.   Proposal to adopt the                    FOR         AGAINST     ABSTAIN
     Agreement and Plan of                    / /           / /         / /
     Merger, dated as of January 14,
     2000, by and between Parker-
     Hannifin Corporation and
     Commercial Intertech Corp.

2.   Approval of the "opt-out"                FOR         AGAINST     ABSTAIN
     amendment.                               / /          / /         / /

3.   The proxies are authorized to vote       FOR         AGAINST     ABSTAIN
     in their discretion upon such other      / /           / /        / /
     business as may properly
     come before the special meeting and
     any adjournment or postponement of
     the special meeting.

                  I PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING                         / /

                  COMMENTS/ADDRESS CHANGE
                  Please mark this if you have written                / /
                  comments/address on the reverse side


________________________ _________________________ Date: _____________
Signature                            Signature


(This Proxy should be marked, dated, signed by the shareholder(s) exactly as his
or her name appears hereon, and returned promptly in the enclosed envelope.
Persons signing in a fiduciary capacity should so indicate. If shares are held
by joint tenants or as community property, both should sign).



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