IDEX CORP /DE/
PRE 14A, 1996-02-09
PUMPS & PUMPING EQUIPMENT
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<PAGE>   1
 
                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (RULE 14A-101)
                    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
          PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
                     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO.  )
 
     Filed by the registrant /X/
 
     Filed by a party other than the registrant / /
 
     Check the appropriate box:
 
     /X/ Preliminary proxy statement        / / Confidential, for Use of the
                                                Commission Only (as permitted by
                                                Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
 
     / / Definitive proxy statement
 
     / / Definitive additional materials
 
     / / Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
                                IDEX CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
                                 [COMPANY NAME]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
     /X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rule 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2)
or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
 
     / / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
 
     / / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and
0-11.
 
     (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee
is calculated and state how it was determined):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     (5) Total fee paid:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     / / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     / / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
 
     (1) Amount previously paid:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     (2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     (3) Filing party:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     (4) Date filed:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                  [IDEX LOGO]
 
                                IDEX CORPORATION
 
                           NOTICE AND PROXY STATEMENT
 
                                      FOR
 
                        THE ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING
 
                                   TO BE HELD
 
                            TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1996
 
                             YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
 
       Please mark, date and sign the enclosed proxy card and promptly return it
to the Company in the enclosed envelope.
<PAGE>   3
 
                                IDEX CORPORATION
                                630 DUNDEE ROAD
                           NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS 60062
                       ---------------------------------
 
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                       ---------------------------------
 
DEAR IDEX SHAREHOLDER:
 
      You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of the shareholders
of IDEX Corporation which will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 1996, at Bank of
America Illinois, Shareholders Room, 21st Floor, 231 South LaSalle Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60697. The meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m.
 
      At the meeting, shareholders will (a) elect three directors for a term of
three years, (b) vote on a proposed amendment to the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of
Common Stock from 50,000,000 shares to 75,000,000 shares, (c) vote on the 1996
Stock Plan for Officers of IDEX Corporation, (d) vote on the Amended and
Restated IDEX Corporation Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, (e) vote on the
recommendation of the Board of Directors that Deloitte & Touche LLP be appointed
auditors of the Company for 1996, and (f) transact such other business as may
properly come before the meeting.
 
      Enclosed is a Proxy Statement which provides information concerning the
Company and the Board of Directors' nominees for election as directors. Also
enclosed is a copy of the Company's Annual Report which describes the results of
our operations during 1995 and provides other information about the Company
which will be of interest.
 
      The Board of Directors fixed the close of business on February 12, 1996,
as the record date for the determination of shareholders owning the Company's
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Annual Meeting.
 
      Enclosed is a proxy card which provides you with a convenient means of
voting on the matters to be considered at the meeting whether or not you attend
the meeting in person. All you need do is mark the proxy card to indicate your
vote, sign and date the card, then return it to the Company in the enclosed
envelope as soon as conveniently possible. If you desire to vote to elect each
of the Company's nominees as directors, in favor of the proposed amendment to
the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, for the 1996 Stock Plan for
Officers of IDEX Corporation, for the Amended and Restated IDEX Corporation
Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, for the appointment of Deloitte & Touche
LLP as auditors of the Company for 1996, and in the discretion of the proxy
holders as to any other business which may properly come before the meeting, you
need not mark your votes on the proxy card but need only sign and date it and
return it to the Company.
 
      Management sincerely appreciates your support. We hope to see you at the
Annual Meeting.
 
                                           By order of the Board of Directors,
 
                                                   WAYNE P. SAYATOVIC
                                            Senior Vice President - Finance,
                                          Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
 
February 20, 1996
Northbrook, Illinois
<PAGE>   4
 
                                IDEX CORPORATION
                                630 DUNDEE ROAD
                           NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS 60062
 
                      ------------------------------------
 
             PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                           TO BE HELD MARCH 26, 1996
                      ------------------------------------
 
      The Annual Meeting of the shareholders of IDEX Corporation (the "Company"
or "IDEX") will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 1996, at 10:00 a.m. at the
Shareholders Room of Bank of America Illinois, 231 South LaSalle Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60697. At the Annual Meeting, shareholders will (a) elect
three directors for a term of three years, (b) vote on a proposed amendment to
the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of
authorized shares of Common Stock from 50,000,000 to 75,000,000 shares, (c) vote
on the 1996 Stock Plan for Officers of IDEX Corporation (the "1996 Plan"), (d)
vote on the Amended and Restated IDEX Corporation Directors Deferred
Compensation Plan (the "Amended Directors Plan"), (e) vote on the recommendation
of the Board of Directors that Deloitte & Touche LLP be appointed auditors of
the Company for 1996, and (f) transact such other business as may properly come
before the meeting.
 
      This Proxy Statement has been prepared in connection with the solicitation
by the Company's Board of Directors of proxies for the Annual Meeting and
provides information concerning the persons nominated by the Board of Directors
for election as directors and the other matters to be voted upon, as well as
other information relevant to the Annual Meeting. The Company commenced
distribution of this Proxy Statement and the materials which accompany it on
February 20, 1996.
 
      The record of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting was taken as of the close of business on February 12, 1996 (the "record
date"), and each shareholder will be entitled to vote at the meeting any shares
of IDEX Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), held of record
at the record date.
 
      Each shareholder of record is requested to complete, date and sign the
accompanying proxy card and return it promptly to the Company in the enclosed
envelope. The proxy card lists each person nominated by the Board of Directors
for election as director and provides spaces to vote on the amendment to the
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the 1996 Plan, the Amended
Directors Plan, and the appointment of outside auditors. Proxies duly executed
and received at or prior to the meeting will be voted in accordance with
shareholders' instructions. If no instructions are given, proxies will be voted
to elect each of the Company's nominees as directors, in favor of the proposed
amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the 1996 Plan,
the Amended Directors Plan, and the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as
auditors of the Company and in the discretion of the proxy holders as to any
other business which may properly come before the meeting.
 
      Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting will be tabulated
by the election inspectors appointed for the meeting and will determine whether
or not a quorum is present. The election inspectors will treat abstentions as
shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the
presence of a quorum but as unvoted for purposes of determining the approval of
any matter submitted to the shareholders
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   5
 
for a vote. If a broker indicates on the proxy that it does not have
discretionary authority as to certain shares to vote on a particular matter,
those shares will not be considered as present and entitled to vote with respect
to that matter.
 
                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
      The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides
for a three-class Board, with one class being elected each year for a term of
three years. The Board of Directors currently consists of nine members, three of
whom are Class I directors whose terms will expire at this year's Annual
Meeting, three of whom are Class II directors whose terms will expire at the
1997 Annual Meeting and three of whom are Class III directors whose terms will
expire at the 1998 Annual Meeting.
 
      The Company's Board of Directors has nominated three persons for election
as Class I directors to serve for a three-year term expiring in 1999, upon the
election and qualification of their successors. The three nominees of the Board
of Directors are Donald N. Boyce, Richard E. Heath and Henry R. Kravis, each of
whom is currently serving as a director of the Company.
 
      If for any reason any of the nominees for a Class I directorship is
unavailable to serve, proxies solicited hereby may be voted for a substitute.
The Board, however, expects all of the nominees to be available.
 
      The nominees and the directors whose terms of office continue after this
year's Annual Meeting are listed below with brief statements setting forth their
present principal occupations and other information, including directorships in
other public companies.
 
      The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or by
proxy at the Annual Meeting, and entitled to vote, is required for election of
the nominees.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   6
 
       THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS
            VOTE FOR THE THREE NOMINEES IN CLASS I IDENTIFIED BELOW.
 
                           NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORSHIPS
CLASS I: NOMINEES FOR 3 YEAR TERM
 
DONALD N. BOYCE                                              Director since 1988
Chairman of the Board, President                                          Age 57
and Chief Executive Officer
IDEX Corporation
 
      Mr. Boyce was elected Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer of IDEX on January 22, 1988, the date of the Company's acquisition of
its six original operating subsidiaries from Houdaille Industries, Inc.
("Houdaille"). Previously, he served as Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Houdaille. In total, Mr. Boyce has 26 years of
experience with IDEX and Houdaille. Mr. Boyce is the Chairman of the Executive
Committee and a member of the Pension and Retirement Committee.
 
RICHARD E. HEATH                                             Director since 1989
Senior Partner                                                            Age 65
Hodgson, Russ, Andrews, Woods & Goodyear
 
      Mr. Heath was appointed director of IDEX by the Board on April 19, 1989,
effective June 9, 1989. Mr. Heath has been a senior partner of the law firm
Hodgson, Russ, Andrews, Woods & Goodyear since prior to 1991.
 
HENRY R. KRAVIS                                              Director since 1988
General Partner                                                           Age 51
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
 
      Mr. Kravis was elected director of IDEX on January 22, 1988. Mr. Kravis
has been a general partner of the investment banking firm of Kohlberg Kravis
Roberts & Co. ("KKR") since its organization in 1976 and is a general partner of
KKR Associates. Mr. Kravis is a director of American Re Corporation, Auto Zone,
Inc., Borden, Inc., Duracell International, Inc., Flagstar Companies, Inc.,
Flagstar Corporation, K-III Communications Corp., Owens-Illinois, Inc.,
Owens-Illinois Group, Inc., Safeway, Inc., The Stop & Shop Companies, Inc.,
Union Texas Petroleum Holdings, Inc., and World Color Press, Inc.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   7
 
                           OTHER INCUMBENT DIRECTORS
                         -----------------------------
 
CLASS II: TERM EXPIRES IN 1997
 
WILLIAM H. LUERS                                             Director since 1989
President                                                                 Age 66
Metropolitan Museum Of Art
 
      Mr. Luers was appointed a director of IDEX by the Board on May 24, 1989,
effective June 2, 1989. Mr. Luers has been President of The Metropolitan Museum
of Art in New York, New York since prior to 1991. Formerly, he served as
Ambassador to Czechoslovakia and Venezuela. Mr. Luers has written extensively
for newspapers and magazines on the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, on
East/West relations and on Latin America. He serves on the boards of The Scudder
New Europe Fund, Inc., The Scudder Global/International Funds, Inc., and Wickes
Lumber Co. Mr. Luers is the Chairman of the Compensation Committee and a member
of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
 
GEORGE R. ROBERTS                                            Director since 1988
General Partner                                                           Age 52
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
 
      Mr. Roberts was elected director of IDEX on January 22, 1988. He has been
a general partner of KKR since its organization in 1976 and is a general partner
of KKR Associates. Mr. Roberts is a director of American Re Corporation, Auto
Zone, Inc., Borden, Inc., Duracell International, Inc., Flagstar Companies,
Inc., Flagstar Corporation, Granum Communications, K-III Communications Corp.,
Owens-Illinois, Inc., Owens-Illinois Group, Inc., Safeway, Inc., The Stop & Shop
Companies, Inc., Union Texas Petroleum Holdings, Inc., and World Color Press,
Inc. Mr. Roberts and Mr. Kravis are first cousins.
 
MICHAEL T. TOKARZ                                            Director since 1987
General Partner                                                           Age 46
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
 
      Mr. Tokarz has been a director of IDEX since its organization in September
1987. He has been a general partner of KKR and of KKR Associates since January
1993. From prior to 1991 to January 1993 he was an executive of KKR and a
limited partner of KKR Associates. Mr. Tokarz is a director of Flagstar
Companies, Inc., Flagstar Corporation, K-III Communications Corp., Safeway,
Inc., and Walter Industries, Inc. Mr. Tokarz is a member of the Executive
Committee of the Board of Directors.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   8
 
CLASS III: TERM EXPIRES IN 1998
 
PAUL E. RAETHER                                              Director since 1988
General Partner                                                           Age 49
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
 
      Mr. Raether was elected director of IDEX on January 22, 1988. Mr. Raether
has been a general partner of KKR and of KKR Associates since prior to 1991. Mr.
Raether is a director of Bruno's, Inc., Duracell International, Inc., Flagstar
Companies, Inc., Flagstar Corporation, Fred Meyer, Inc., and The Stop & Shop
Companies, Inc.
 
CLIFTON S. ROBBINS                                           Director since 1987
General Partner                                                           Age 37
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
 
      Mr. Robbins has been a director of IDEX since its organization in
September 1987. He has been a general partner of KKR and of KKR Associates since
December 1994. From prior to 1991 to December 1994 he was an executive of KKR
and a limited partner of KKR Associates. Mr. Robbins is a director of Borden,
Inc., Flagstar Companies, Inc., Flagstar Corporation, and The Stop & Shop
Companies, Inc. Mr. Robbins is a member of the Executive Committee of the Board
of Directors.
 
NEIL A. SPRINGER                                             Director since 1990
Managing Director                                                         Age 57
Springer Souder & Associates, L.L.C.
 
      Mr. Springer was appointed director of IDEX by the Board on February 27,
1990. He has been Managing Director of Springer Souder & Associates, L.L.C.
since June 1994. From September 1992 to June 1994 he was Senior Vice President
of Slayton International, Inc. and from August 1991 to August 1992 he was
President-Central Region of Alexander Proudfoot Company. Previously, he was the
President and Chief Operating Officer of Navistar International Corp. Mr.
Springer is a director of Century Companies of America, CUNA Mutual Insurance
Group, Dorsey Trailer, Inc., and TNT Freightways Corporation. Mr. Springer is
the chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee
of the Board of Directors.
 
FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES
 
      The Board of Directors has the ultimate authority for the management of
the Company's business. The Board selects the Company's executive officers,
delegates responsibilities for the conduct of the Company's operations to those
officers, and monitors their performance. The Board of Directors held seven
meetings during 1995.
 
      Important functions of the Board of Directors are performed by committees
comprised of members of the Board. Subject to applicable provisions of the
Company's By-Laws, the Board as a whole appoints the members of each committee
each year at its first meeting following the annual shareholders' meeting. The
Board may, at any time, appoint or remove committee members or change the
authority or responsibility delegated to any committee. There are four regularly
constituted committees of the Board of Directors: the Executive Committee, the
Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Pension and Retirement
Committee. The Company
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   9
 
does not have a nominating committee or any regularly constituted committee
performing the functions of such a committee.
 
      The Executive Committee is empowered to exercise the authority of the
Board of Directors in the management of the Company between meetings of the
Board of Directors, except that the Executive Committee may not fill vacancies
on the Board, amend the Company's By-Laws or exercise certain other powers
reserved to the Board or delegated to other Board committees. During 1995, the
Executive Committee held five meetings.
 
      The Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the firm of
independent public accountants to audit the Company's financial statements for
each fiscal year; reviews with the independent auditors the general scope of
this service; reviews the nature and extent of the non-audit services to be
performed by the independent auditors; and consults with management on the
activities of the Company's independent auditors and the Company's system of
internal accounting controls. During 1995, the Audit Committee held two
meetings.
 
      The Compensation Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors
with respect to the compensation to be paid and benefits to be provided to
directors, officers and employees of the Company. During 1995, the Compensation
Committee held four meetings.
 
      The Pension and Retirement Committee makes recommendations to the Board of
Directors with respect to the adoption or amendment of the Company's pension and
retirement plans and reports to the Board with respect to the operation of such
plans. During 1995, the Pension and Retirement Committee held three meetings.
 
      During 1995, each member of the Board of Directors attended more than 75%
of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and of committees
of the Board of which he was a member, except for Messrs. Heath, Kravis,
Raether, Robbins and Roberts.
 
CERTAIN INTERESTS
 
      LEGAL FEES. Mr. Heath is a senior partner of the law firm of Hodgson,
Russ, Andrews, Woods & Goodyear. Such firm is counsel to the Company on certain
matters.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   10
 
                COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
      In October 1995 P. Peter Merkel, Jr. was appointed to the position of Vice
President--Group Executive. Mr. Merkel serves as President of Band-It-IDEX, Inc.
and in addition, has responsibility for the Signfix and Vibratech business
units. In November 1995 the Company appointed Clinton L. Kooman as Controller
and Douglas C. Lennox as Treasurer. Previously, Mr. Kooman was Assistant
Controller, Manufacturing Accounting for the Company and Mr. Lennox was Vice
President-Controller of the Company's Lubriquip business unit.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
      Non-management directors of the Company receive an annual fee for their
services of $30,000. Under the IDEX Corporation Stock Option Plan for Outside
Directors (the "Plan") non-qualified stock options ("Options") are granted to
directors of the Company who are not (i) full-time employees of the Company or
its subsidiaries or (ii) partners or full-time employees of either KKR or KKR
Associates (any such director being an "Outside Director") to purchase, in the
aggregate, up to 225,000 shares of Common Stock. If any Option expires or is
canceled without having been fully exercised, the shares covered thereby may be
subject to the grant of new Options.
 
      In the year ended December 31, 1995, each of Messrs. Heath, Luers and
Springer received an Option to purchase 3,000 shares of Common Stock. In
addition, on January 1, 1996, Messrs. Heath, Luers and Springer each received an
Option to purchase 3,000 shares of Common Stock and, on each January 1
hereafter, for so long as they continue to serve as directors of the Company and
the Plan remains effective, will receive additional options for 3,000 shares of
Common Stock. For so long as the Plan remains effective, any person who becomes
an Outside Director will receive an Option to purchase 4,500 shares of Common
Stock upon his or her appointment as director and will receive an additional
Option for 3,000 shares of Common Stock on each January 1 thereafter. The per
share purchase price is specified in each Option and is equal to the fair market
value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Option is granted, as
determined under the Plan. The per share purchase price under the Options
granted to Messrs. Heath, Luers and Springer on January 1, 1995 and January 1,
1996 was $27.23 and $41.91, respectively. The per share closing market price of
the Common Stock on January 1, 1995 and on January 1, 1996 was $28.17 and
$40.75, respectively. The Option price is based on the average closing price per
share of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange during the 30-day period
immediately preceding the date the Option is granted. Upon exercise of any
Option, the purchase price of Common Stock must be paid in full in cash or
shares of Common Stock as provided in the Plan.
 
      No Option may be granted during any period of suspension of the Plan, and
in no event may any Option be granted under the Plan after February 26, 2000.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   11
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
      The total compensation paid to the Company's five highest paid executive
officers for services rendered to the Company in 1995, 1994 and 1993 is
summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
                                               ANNUAL COMPENSATION(1)       -----------------------------------
                                           ------------------------------                  SHARES
                                                                  OTHER     RESTRICTED   UNDERLYING   LONG-TERM
                                                                  ANNUAL      STOCK       OPTIONS     INCENTIVE      ALL OTHER
   NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION      YEAR    SALARY     BONUS     COMP.(2)     AWARDS      GRANTED      PAYOUTS    COMPENSATION(3)
- ----------------------------------  ----   --------   --------   --------   ----------   ----------   ---------   ---------------
<S>                                 <C>    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
Donald N. Boyce...................  1995   $400,000   $480,000      $0          $0         27,900        $ 0          $ 3,372
  Chairman of the Board, President  1994    375,000    450,000       0           0         42,900          0            3,372
  and Chief Executive Officer       1993    360,000    364,300       0           0         55,800          0            2,698
Frank J. Hansen...................  1995    191,000    192,000       0           0         13,725          0            3,372
  Senior Vice                       1994    168,700    156,300       0           0         22,050          0            3,372
    President--Operations
  and Chief Operating Officer       1993    150,000    117,600       0           0         21,000          0            2,698
Wayne P. Sayatovic................  1995    180,000    167,400       0           0         11,250          0            3,372
  Senior Vice President--Finance,   1994    166,000    154,400       0           0         18,000          0            3,372
  Chief Financial Officer and       1993    159,000    124,700       0           0         22,500          0            2,698
    Secretary
Wade H. Roberts, Jr...............  1995    168,000    151,600       0           0          9,600          0            3,372
  Vice President--Group Executive   1994    155,200    123,400       0           0         15,300          0            3,372
  and President, Hale               1993    140,000    105,300       0           0         18,000          0            2,698
Mark W. Baker (4).................  1995    151,200    137,700       0           0          6,750          0            3,372
  Vice President--Group Executive   1994    128,300    111,000       0           0          8,100          0            3,372
  and President, Lubriquip
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Includes amounts earned in fiscal year, whether or not deferred.
 
(2) The value of perquisites provided to these individuals did not exceed the
     lesser of $50,000 or 10% of base salary plus bonus.
 
(3) Company matching contributions to Savings Plan individual accounts.
 
(4) Mr. Baker was appointed an executive officer of the Company in 1994.
 
OPTION GRANTS IN 1995
 
      The following tables set forth certain information with respect to options
granted to the Company's five highest paid executive officers in 1995.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                                              INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                         VALUE AT ASSUMED ANNUAL
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------
                                          NUMBER OF                                                       RATES OF STOCK PRICE
                                           SHARES         % OF TOTAL                                    APPRECIATION FOR OPTION
                                          UNDERLYING    OPTIONS GRANTED                                           TERM
                                           OPTIONS       TO EMPLOYEES       EXERCISE     EXPIRATION     ------------------------
                  NAME                     GRANTED      IN FISCAL YEAR       PRICE          DATE           5%            10%
- ----------------------------------------  ---------     ---------------     --------     ----------     ---------    -----------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>                 <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
Donald N. Boyce.........................    27,900            13.0%          $30.13       04/25/05      $ 529,645    $ 1,344,922
Frank J. Hansen.........................    13,725             6.4            30.13       04/25/05        260,551        661,615
Wayne P. Sayatovic......................    11,250             5.2            30.13       04/25/05        213,567        542,307
Wade H. Roberts, Jr. ...................     9,600             4.5            30.13       04/25/05        182,243        462,769
Mark W. Baker...........................     6,750             3.1            30.13       04/25/05        128,140        325,384
</TABLE>
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   12
 
OPTION EXERCISES AND YEAR-END VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NUMBER OF SHARES                VALUE OF UNEXERCISED,
                                                                     UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED                 IN-THE-MONEY
                                      NUMBER OF                         OPTIONS AT FISCAL                 OPTIONS AT FISCAL
                                       SHARES                               YEAR END                         YEAR END(1)
                                     ACQUIRED ON      VALUE       -----------------------------     -----------------------------
               NAME                   EXERCISE       REALIZED     EXERCISABLE     UNEXERCISABLE     EXERCISABLE     UNEXERCISABLE
- -----------------------------------  -----------     --------     -----------     -------------     -----------     -------------
<S>                                  <C>             <C>          <C>             <C>               <C>             <C>
Donald N. Boyce....................       0             $0          171,401           95,700        $6,341,223       $ 1,575,069
Frank J. Hansen....................       0              0           18,713           43,965           458,707           698,576
Wayne P. Sayatovic.................       0              0           60,197           39,150         2,190,740           643,153
Wade H. Roberts, Jr. ..............       0              0           25,260           32,640           701,496           531,216
Mark W. Baker......................       0              0            4,500           17,550            88,496           266,107
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Calculated using closing stock price on December 31, 1995 of $40.75.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
 
      The Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors of
IDEX Corporation reviews and approves base salary, annual management incentive
compensation, and long-term incentive awards for all corporate officers and
business unit presidents, with the objective of attracting and retaining
individuals of the necessary quality and stature to operate the business.
 
      The Committee considers individual contributions, performance against
strategic goals and directions, and industry-wide pay practices in determining
the levels of base compensation for key executives. In addition, key executives
participate in the annual Management Incentive Compensation Plan, described
below, and they receive awards under the Company's long-term incentive plan
which takes the form of stock option plans tied directly to the market value of
the Company's stock.
 
      The Management Incentive Compensation Plan, in which key executives
participate, provides for payment of annual bonuses based upon performance of
the business units of the Company. Individual target bonus percentages are based
on base salaries and levels of responsibility. Actual awards are set as a
percentage of target based upon meeting certain quantitative performance
criteria set each year in connection with the annual business planning process
and rankings assigned to certain qualitative criteria measuring performance
against long-term objectives. The quantitative and qualitative components of the
plan each receive a 50% weighing in determining the total bonus. Actual payouts
under the plan since IDEX was formed in 1988 have ranged from 70% of target to
170% of target. The Committee believes that this plan is properly leveraged
relative to performance of the Company and its business units, and that the
Company's performance has been excellent relative to its peer group. This
performance differential is seen in the Company's operating profit margins, cash
flow generation capabilities, disciplined acquisition program, and stock market
performance, among other factors.
 
      The Committee believes that both the annual bonus plan and the long-term
incentive plan align the interests of management with the shareholders and focus
the attention of management on the long-term success of the Company. A
significant portion of the executives' compensation is at risk, based on the
financial performance of the Company and the value of the Company's stock in the
marketplace.
 
      Compensation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Donald N. Boyce, is
set annually by the Compensation Committee based on Company performance, his
performance, and prevailing market conditions, and is then approved by the Board
of Directors. Mr. Boyce has a large personal stake in the Company through the
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   13
 
ownership by himself, his wife, certain family trusts, and a family foundation
of 340,941 shares of Common Stock of the Company. He also has options to acquire
an additional 267,101 shares of Common Stock. With this sizeable ownership
position, a very large percentage of Mr. Boyce's personal net worth is tied
directly to IDEX's performance.
 
      Annual bonuses paid to Mr. Boyce are based on IDEX's performance and are
made under the same Management Incentive Compensation Plan used for all other
Company executives. Mr. Boyce's target level of bonus has been set at 80% of his
base pay, and his actual bonus as a percent of target is generally set at the
average percentage of target paid to the other plan participants at the various
business units. For the year 1995, Mr. Boyce and the other senior executives at
the corporate level received bonuses ranging from 144% to 162% of the target
amount, which in Mr. Boyce's case was 150% of the target amount or 120% of his
base pay. His actual bonuses are comparable to those earned by his peers for
comparable performance.
 
      Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") limits to $1
million in a taxable year the deduction publicly held companies may claim for
compensation paid to executive officers, unless certain requirements are met.
The Committee has reviewed this provision and has concluded that the Company is
not impacted by Section 162(m) because compensation paid to any executive
officer does not exceed $1 million. Accordingly, no changes to any of the
current compensation plans are contemplated at this time.
 
                                                                     William H.
                                                                     Luers,
                                                                     Chairman
                                              Neil A. Springer
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   14
 
COMMON STOCK PERFORMANCE
 
      The following table compares total shareholder returns over the last five
fiscal years to the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and the Standard & Poor's
Manufacturing-Diversified Industrials Index assuming the value of investment in
IDEX Common Stock and each index was $100 on December 31, 1990. Total return
values for IDEX Common Stock, the S&P 500 and S&P Manufacturing-Diversified
Industrials were calculated on cumulative total return values assuming
reinvestment of dividends. The five year total return for IDEX Common Stock
exceeded the S&P 500 and the S&P Manufacturing-Diversified Industrials by 171%
and 148%, respectively. The stockholder return shown on the graph below is not
necessarily indicative of future performance.
 
               TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURNS -- DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      MEASUREMENT PERIOD          S&P 500 IN-     MANU-DIVER-
    (FISCAL YEAR COVERED)             DEX        SIFIED INDLS      IDEX CORP
<S>                              <C>             <C>             <C>
12/90                                   100.00          100.00          100.00
12/91                                   130.47          122.58          157.66
12/92                                   140.41          132.87          223.54
12/93                                   154.56          161.30          336.48
12/94                                   156.60          166.96          397.67
12/95                                   215.45          235.11          583.65
</TABLE>
 
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
      The Company has entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Boyce,
Hansen and Sayatovic.
 
      Mr. Boyce is currently serving as Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer of IDEX under an employment agreement, as amended, with
IDEX which became effective upon the termination of his employment with
Houdaille on August 31, 1988. Such agreement provided for an initial term which
ended January 22, 1993 plus successive twelve-month periods thereafter. His
annual base salary in 1996 is $420,000, subject to annual review and adjustment.
If Mr. Boyce becomes disabled or dies during the period of his full time
employment, he, his wife, if she survives him, or if she does not survive him,
his estate, will receive his base salary as then in effect for a period of
eighteen months commencing on the first day of the month immediately following
the date of his disability or death, a full year's bonus at no less than his
target amount and accrued vacation pay.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   15
 
In addition, if Mr. Boyce becomes disabled and ceases to be employed by IDEX he
shall be entitled to receive an eighteen month continuance of fringe benefits.
If Mr. Boyce's employment is terminated or he resigns, he will receive
continuing salary payments and fringe benefits for a period of twenty-four
months. Such payments, which are in addition to any other death benefits, will
continue to be paid to Mr. Boyce's wife, if she survives, or his estate, if he
dies before the payments are complete. In addition, at such time as Mr. Boyce
ceases to be employed by IDEX, he will receive a lump sum payment of $20,000 for
each twelve month period or portion thereof that he has been employed by IDEX up
to a maximum of $240,000.
 
      The employment agreements with Messrs. Hansen and Sayatovic became
effective August 1, 1994 and March 1, 1988, respectively. Each provides for an
initial three year term plus successive twelve-month periods thereafter. The
annual base salaries for 1996, subject to annual review and adjustment, are
$200,000 for Mr. Hansen and $189,000 for Mr. Sayatovic. In the event of
termination by the Company, the executive will be entitled to continuing salary
payments and fringe benefits for twenty-four months. Such payments will continue
to the executive's wife, if she survives, or his estate, if he dies before the
payments are complete. In addition, the agreement provides that in the event the
executive dies during his full-time employment, his wife, if she survives him,
or if she does not, his estate, will be entitled to a death benefit equal to his
base salary for a continuing period of nine months.
 
      When Mr. Boyce ceases to be employed by IDEX he will be entitled to
receive a supplemental retirement benefit for three years (subject to an annual
cost of living adjustment) equal to 40% of his maximum annual base salary in
effect at any time during the term of his employment agreement, such payments to
commence after all other salary continuation payments have been paid and to be
reduced by the amount of the lump sum benefit described above. He will also be
entitled to receive a supplement retirement benefit equal to 20% of his maximum
annual base salary for the remainder of his life (subject to an annual cost of
living adjustment) commencing upon completion of payment of the 40% benefit. The
supplemental retirement benefit referred to in the two preceding sentences may,
under certain circumstance on Mr. Boyce's death, be paid to his spouse in the
form of an actuarially equivalent joint and 50% surviving spouse annuity. If
payments under either or both of the supplemental retirement provisions commence
prior to Mr. Boyce attaining age 59, the payments are to be actuarially adjusted
such that the present value of such payments at that time is equivalent to the
present value of such payments as if such payments commenced at age 59.
 
      The agreement between Mr. Boyce and IDEX provides for reimbursement of all
medical, hospitalization, dental and similar benefits and expenses for himself
and his wife and dependents continuing for the longer of his life or his wife's
life. The employment agreements with each of Messrs. Hansen and Sayatovic
provide for reimbursement of all medical, hospitalization, dental and similar
benefits and expenses for him, his wife and dependents during the term of his
employment with IDEX and for the longer of his life or his wife's life, if he
remains employed by IDEX until his 59th birthday, if he becomes disabled while
employed by IDEX, or if he is terminated at any time following an acquisition of
IDEX, as defined in the employment agreement. Each executive's reimbursements
for medical expenses will be reduced, until he attains age 55, to the extent
reimbursement is available from other programs sponsored by subsequent
employers, if any, should the executive be terminated prior to age 55 following
an acquisition of IDEX.
 
      Bonuses provided for in the employment agreements will be calculated by
the Board of Directors. However, Mr. Boyce's target bonus must equal at least
80% of his base salary as of the end of the fiscal period for which the bonus is
calculated. Messrs. Hansen and Sayatovic each will receive a bonus of not less
than his target amount for the entire year in the event his employment is
terminated by the Company or by death or disability or
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   16
 
following an acquisition of IDEX. Mr. Boyce will receive a bonus of not less
than his target amount for the entire year during which his employment with IDEX
ceases.
 
      Each employment agreement also provides for payment of the 20% golden
parachute excise tax, increased for taxes due on the payment, in the event that
the Internal Revenue Service determines any such taxes to be payable due to a
change in control. Also, pursuant to the agreements, each executive will be
entitled to receive a guarantee of his pension benefits under the IDEX
Corporation Retirement Plan described below under "Pension and Retirement
Plans," without regard to the limitations on the maximum benefits that may be
paid under that plan under certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.
 
PENSION AND RETIREMENT PLANS
 
      Most salaried employees of IDEX, including the executive officers and
certain hourly employees, are covered under the IDEX Corporation Retirement Plan
(the "IDEX Plan"). IDEX and the other sponsoring subsidiaries are required to
make an annual contribution to the IDEX Plan in such amounts as are actuarially
required to fund the benefits of the participants. The IDEX Plan is an ongoing
"career average" plan that provides a level of benefit times a participant's
compensation for a year, historically with periodic updates to average
compensation over a fixed five-year period. Under the IDEX Plan, participants
are entitled to receive an annual benefit on retirement equal to the sum of the
benefit earned through 1992 using the five year average compensation of a
participant through 1992 plus the benefit earned under the current formula for
each year of employment after 1992. For each year of participation prior to
1993, a participant earns a benefit equal to 1.25% of the first $16,800 of such
average compensation through 1992 and 1.65% of such compensation in excess of
$16,800. Beginning with January 1, 1993, the benefit earned equals the sum of
1.6% of the first $16,800 of each year's total compensation plus 2.0% for such
compensation in excess of $16,800 for each full year of service credited after
1992 under the IDEX Plan. As required by law, compensation counted for purposes
of determining this benefit is limited to $235,840 through 1993, and $150,000
per year beginning in 1994. For all participants in the IDEX Plan, the normal
form of retirement benefit is payable in the form of a life annuity with five
years of payments guaranteed. Other optional forms of benefits are available.
 
      As of December 31, 1995, the total accrued monthly benefit under the IDEX
Plan for Messrs. Boyce, Hansen, Sayatovic, Roberts and Baker was $2,438, $4,131,
$2,910, $1,382 and $3,817, respectively. Assuming projected earnings in 1996 of
$900,000, $392,000, $356,400, $326,600, and $296,100 for Messrs. Boyce, Hansen,
Sayatovic, Roberts and Baker, respectively, and that such earnings remain level
until each person reaches age 65, the projected monthly benefit for Messrs.
Boyce, Hansen, Sayatovic, Roberts and Baker under this Plan would be $4,251,
$6,746, $6,617, $5,232, and $7,992, respectively, upon retirement at age 65.
 
      Pursuant to the Company's Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the
"SERP"), employees of the Company are entitled to retirement benefits to
compensate for any reduction in benefits under the IDEX Plan arising from the
maximum benefit limitations under Sections 401 and 415 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended. Based on the above assumptions, the projected monthly
benefit at age 65 for Messrs. Boyce, Hansen, Sayatovic, Roberts and Baker under
the Company's SERP would be $20,447, $4,872, $5,802, $5,055 and $5,505,
respectively.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   17
 
                        APPROVAL OF THE 1996 STOCK PLAN
                        FOR OFFICERS OF IDEX CORPORATION
 
      The Board is submitting for stockholder approval the 1996 Stock Plan for
Officers of IDEX Corporation (the "1996 Plan"). On January 23, 1996, the Board
approved and adopted the 1996 Plan, subject to approval by the stockholders of
the Company. The 1996 Plan is reprinted in full as Exhibit A hereto.
 
      The 1996 Plan succeeds the Company's 1993 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan
for Officers (the "1993 Plan"), which covered 765,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock and was adopted by the Board of Directors and then approved by the
stockholders in April 1993.
 
      The principal purposes of the 1996 Plan are to provide incentives for
officers of the Company and its subsidiaries through the granting of options,
and by permitting them to defer compensation into Common Stock-equivalent units
("Deferred Compensation Units") under one or more deferred compensation plans
the Board of Directors may authorize, thereby stimulating their personal and
active interest in the Company's development and financial success, and inducing
them to remain in the Company's employ. Deferred Compensation Units represents
unsecured general obligations of the Company.
 
      As of January 31, 1996, a total of 525,672 shares were subject to
outstanding stock options under the 1993 Plan, and only 130,613 shares remained
available for the grant of additional stock options under the 1993 Plan.
Pursuant to the terms of the 1996 Plan, the remaining unutilized authority under
the 1993 Plan as of April 1, 1996 is being transferred to the 1996 Plan. The
Company expects approximately 93,175 options to be awarded in March 1996 under
the 1993 Plan. Subject to approval of the 1996 Plan by the stockholders, no
further grants will be made after March 31, 1996 under the 1993 Plan. As a
result, under the 1996 Plan, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that
may be issued upon the exercise of options and distributed pursuant to Deferred
Compensation Units is 1,000,000, plus the unutilized authority from the 1993
Plan, for a total of approximately 1,037,438 shares (of which no more than
400,000 shares may be issued pursuant to Deferred Compensation Units). On
January 31, 1996, the closing price of a share of the Company's Common Stock on
the New York Stock Exchange was $38.00.
 
      The shares of Common Stock available under the 1996 Plan upon exercise of
stock options and distributions pursuant to Deferred Compensation Units may be
either previously unissued shares or treasury shares. The 1996 Plan provides for
appropriate adjustments in the number and kind of shares subject to the 1996
Plan and to outstanding grants thereunder in the event of a stock split, stock
dividend and certain other types of transactions, including restructurings.
 
      If any portion of an option terminates or lapses unexercised under the
1993 or the 1996 plans, the shares which were subject to the unexercised portion
of such option will continue to be available for issuance under the 1996 Plan.
 
      The principal features of the 1996 Plan are summarized below, but the
summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 1996 Plan itself.
 
ADMINISTRATION
 
      The 1996 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee (referred to
herein as the "Committee"), consisting of at least two members of the Board. The
Committee is authorized to select from among the eligible officers the
individuals to whom options are to be granted and to determine the number of
shares to be subject thereto and the terms and conditions thereof, consistent
with the 1996 Plan, and may approve, disapprove or limit deferrals into Deferred
Compensation Units. The Committee is also authorized to adopt, amend and rescind
rules relating to the administration of the 1996 Plan.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   18
 
PAYMENT FOR SHARES
 
      The exercise price for all options may be paid in full in cash at the time
of exercise or may, with the approval of the Committee, be paid in whole or in
part in Common Stock owned by the optionee or issuable to the optionee upon
exercise of an option and having a fair market value on the date of exercise
equal to the aggregate exercise price of the shares to be purchased, or pursuant
to a recourse promissory note or a cashless exercise procedure. The Committee
may also authorize a combination of the foregoing forms of consideration. In
addition, with the consent of the Committee, any applicable tax required to be
withheld may be paid with Common Stock owned by the optionee or, if such tax
exceeds $100,000, in Common Stock issuable to the optionee upon exercise of the
related option (including or pursuant to a cashless exercise procedure).
Participants who ultimately receive one share of Common Stock for each Deferred
Compensation Unit (subject to payment of applicable withholding taxes) will
receive such shares in satisfaction of the Company's obligations with respect to
the compensation deferred by the participant.
 
AWARDS UNDER THE 1996 PLAN
 
      The 1996 Plan provides that the Committee may grant stock options or
approve, deny or limit the issuance of Deferred Compensation Units. Each grant
of stock options will be set forth in a separate agreement with the person
receiving the award and will indicate the type, terms and conditions of the
award.
 
      Stock Options.  Nonqualified stock options ("NSOs") will provide for the
right to purchase Common Stock at a specified price which must be greater than
or equal to fair market value on the date of grant, and usually will become
exercisable (in the discretion of the Committee) in one or more installments
after the grant date. NSOs may be granted for any term up to ten years specified
by the Committee.
 
      Incentive stock options ("ISOs"), if granted, will be designed to comply
with the provisions of the Code and will be subject to restrictions contained in
the Code, including the requirement that their exercise price be equal to at
least 100% of fair market value of Common Stock on the grant date and that their
term be no greater than ten years. Any ISO granted under the Plan may be
subsequently modified by the Committee to disqualify it from treatment as an
ISO.
 
      Deferred Compensation Units.  An eligible officer may elect to defer
compensation into an account maintained by the Company pursuant to one or more
deferred compensation plans established by the Company including a deferred
compensation plan approved by the Board in January 1996 (a "Deferred
Compensation Units Account") as of the date such compensation would otherwise be
payable (the "Deferral Date"). Such Deferred Compensation Units Accounts will be
unsecured general obligations of the Company. The deferred compensation credited
to the Deferred Compensation Units Account will be converted into a number of
Deferred Compensation Units as of the Deferral Date by dividing the deferred
compensation by the fair market value of the Common Stock as of the Deferral
Date. In addition, the value of dividends payable on shares of Common Stock will
be credited to the Deferred Compensation Units Account and converted into
Deferred Compensation Units based on the number of Deferred Compensation Units
on the applicable dividend record date and the fair market value of Common Stock
on the applicable dividend payment date. Shares of Common Stock equal to the
number of the Deferred Compensation Units will be distributed in a lump sum, or
in installments commencing, on the earliest of (i) the date elected by the
officer in deferring such compensation, (ii) a termination of employment
(excluding retirement), or (iii) the officer's death. Common Stock will
generally be distributed in a lump sum in the event of certain changes in
control of the Company. The Company will maintain records of the number of
Deferred Compensation Units in the Deferred Compensation Units Account of each
officer.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   19
 
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
 
      Amendments of the 1996 Plan to increase the number of shares by more than
10% as to which options may be granted and which may be distributed pursuant to
Deferred Compensation Units (except for adjustments resulting from stock splits
and the like) require the approval of the Company's stockholders. In all other
respects the 1996 Plan can be amended, modified, suspended or terminated by the
Board, unless such action would otherwise require stockholder approval as a
matter of applicable law, regulation or rule. Amendments of the 1996 Plan will
not, without the consent of the participant, affect such person's rights under
an award previously granted, unless the award itself otherwise expressly so
provides. No termination date is specified for the 1996 Plan, although no
additional options may be granted or Deferred Compensation Units issued (other
than those representing the value of dividends payable that are credited
pursuant to Deferred Compensation Units) more than 10 years after the date the
1996 Plan is approved by the Company's stockholders.
 
ELIGIBILITY
 
      Options may be granted and Deferred Compensation Units issued under the
1996 Plan to individuals who are then officers of the Company or any of its
present or future subsidiaries. Currently nine executive officers are eligible
to participate in the 1996 Plan. The number of options granted and Deferred
Compensation Units issued to any single officer in any year may not exceed
200,000 in the aggregate. In addition, if the aggregate fair market value
(determined at the time of grant) of shares with respect to which an ISO is
first exercisable by an optionee during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, such
options shall be treated as NSO, to the extent required by the Code.
 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
 
      In the event that the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company
are changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares of
capital stock or other securities of the Company by reason of merger,
reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock
split-up, stock dividend, combination of shares, or otherwise, the number and
kind of shares covered by the 1996 Plan and by each outstanding option and
Deferred Compensation Unit and the exercise price per share of options, shall be
proportionately adjusted. In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the
Company, or a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another
corporation, or the acquisition by another corporation or person of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets or 80% or more of the Company's voting
stock, the Committee may provide that outstanding options shall terminate and
the Committee may provide in the applicable option agreements that each optionee
shall, immediately prior to such dissolution, liquidation, acquisition, merger
or consolidation, be entitled to exercise all of his or her outstanding option.
Distribution of Common Stock pursuant to Deferred Compensation Units in such
events shall be as specified in the applicable deferred compensation plan.
 
      In consideration of the granting of a stock option, the officer must agree
in the written agreement embodying such award to remain in the employ of, or to
continue to be of service to, the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.
 
      The date on which options first become exercisable, and the date on which
they expire, will be set forth in the individual agreements embodying the
awards. Such agreements generally will provide that options may continue to be
exercisable for a period of time following a change in control of the Company,
or the grantee's termination, retirement, death or disability.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   20
 
      Unless the Plan is so amended if and when permitted by Rule 16b-3 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), and unless approved by
the Committee, no option granted under the 1996 Plan may be assigned or
transferred by the optionee, except by will or the laws of intestate succession,
and an option may only be exercised by the holder thereof during the lifetime of
such holder.
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
      The tax consequences of the 1996 Plan under current federal law are
summarized in the following discussion which deals with the general tax
principles applicable to the 1996 Plan, and is intended for general information
only. In addition, the tax consequences described below are subject to the
limitations of Code Section 162(m), as discussed in further detail below.
Alternative minimum tax and foreign, state and local income taxes are not
discussed, and may vary depending on individual circumstances and from locality
to locality.
 
      Nonqualified Stock Options.  For federal income tax purposes, the
recipient of NSOs granted under the 1996 Plan will not have taxable income upon
the grant of the option, nor will the Company then be entitled to any deduction.
Generally, upon exercise of NSOs the optionee will realize ordinary income, and
the Company will be entitled to a deduction, in an amount equal to the
difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the
stock at the date of exercise.
 
      Pursuant to the 1996 Plan, a participant may exercise NSOs through
delivery of shares of Common Stock already held by such participant with the
consent of the Committee. The Internal Revenue Service has taken the position
that the tax consequences of exercising options with shares of Common Stock must
be determined separately for the number of shares received upon exercise equal
to the number of shares surrendered (as a tax-free exchange of stock for stock)
and the remaining shares received upon exercise (as compensation income).
 
      Incentive Stock Options.  There is no taxable income to an employee when
an ISO is granted to such employee or when that option is exercised; however,
the amount by which the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise
exceeds the option price will be an "item of adjustment" for the optionee for
purposes of alternative minimum tax. Gain realized by an optionee upon sale of
stock issued on exercise of an ISO is taxable at capital gains rates, and no tax
deduction is available to the Company, unless the optionee disposes of the
shares within two years after the date of grant of the option or within one year
of the date the shares were transferred to the optionee. In such event the
difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the
shares on the date of the option's exercise will be taxed at ordinary income
rates, and the Company will be entitled to a deduction to the extent the
employee must recognize ordinary income.
 
      As with NSOs, a participant who holds ISOs may exercise such ISOs through
delivery of shares of Common Stock already held by such participant with the
consent of the Committee. Although under further study, the Internal Revenue
Service has taken the position that the tax consequences of exercising ISOs with
shares of Common Stock must be analyzed separately for the number of shares
received upon exercise equal to the number of shares surrendered (as a tax-free
exchange of stock for stock) and the remaining shares received upon exercise (as
an ISO transaction). If a participant delivers shares of Common Stock acquired
by exercise of ISOs, such participant will recognize compensation income on the
transaction if the delivered Common Stock has not been held for the required
one-year or two-year holding period.
 
      Deferred Compensation Units.  The tax consequences of Deferred
Compensation Units will depend upon the terms of the deferred compensation plan
that permits officers to receive such Units. In general, assuming that any such
deferred compensation plan and the deferrals thereunder meet applicable
requirements of the Code
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   21
 
(including a requirement that amounts deferred be general unsecured claims) the
recipient of such Units will not be required to pay federal income taxes with
respect to amounts deferred, nor will the Company be entitled to a deduction,
until distribution of such amounts. Upon distribution, the officer must
recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock
distributed, and the Company will be entitled to a deduction to such extent.
Other deferral options under any such deferred compensation plans may have other
tax consequences.
 
      Under Code Section 162(m), in general, income tax deductions of
publicly-traded companies may be limited to the extent total compensation
(including base salary, annual bonus, stock option exercises and nonqualified
benefits paid in 1994 and thereafter) for certain executive officers exceeds $1
million in any one taxable year. However, under Code Section 162(m), the
deduction limit does not apply to certain "performance-based" compensation
established by an independent compensation committee which conforms to certain
restrictive conditions stated under the Code and related regulations. Any
deferred compensation plan adopted by the Company may, but will not necessarily,
require the further deferral of benefits to the extent such benefits would not
be deductible by the Company pursuant to Code Section 162(m). In that regard, it
is unlikely under current law that all or a portion of the Deferred Compensation
Units would be considered performance-based compensation.
 
REASONS FOR ADOPTION OF THE 1996 PLAN
 
      The 1993 Plan currently provides that 765,000 shares of Common Stock are
authorized for issuance. As of January 31, 1996, approximately 130,613 shares
remained available for future awards under the 1993 Plan. Also on that date,
unexercised options held by approximately six officers covering approximately
525,672 shares were outstanding under the 1993 Plan, of which approximately
263,667 were exercisable. The Company anticipates that additional awards of
approximately 93,175 options will be made under the 1993 Plan in March of 1996.
The continuing availability of the 1993 Plan to provide stock-based incentives
to the Company's officers is therefore limited. The Board of Directors has
determined that it is advisable to continue to provide stock-based incentive
compensation to the Company's officers, thereby continuing to align the
interests of such individuals with those of the stockholders, and that awards
under the 1996 Plan are an effective means of providing such compensation. In
addition, through Deferred Compensation Units, officers will have the
opportunity to defer their own compensation into Common Stock-equivalent units
that should further align their interests with those of shareholders, since
distributions of such deferred compensation will be paid out in Common Stock and
such officers will effectively have the risks and opportunities of stock
ownership during the period between deferral and distribution.
 
REQUIRED VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
      The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented
and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the 1996 Plan.
 
      THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE 1996 STOCK
PLAN FOR OFFICERS OF IDEX CORPORATION.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   22
 
               APPROVAL OF AMENDED AND RESTATED IDEX CORPORATION
                      DIRECTORS DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
 
      IDEX Corporation adopted the IDEX Corporation Directors Deferred
Compensation Plan effective as of January 1, 1993 (the "Original Directors
Plan"). The Original Directors Plan permitted the directors to defer
compensation into an Interest-Bearing Account. The deferred compensation
credited to the Interest-Bearing Account was adjusted on a quarterly basis with
hypothetical earnings for the quarter equal to rates on U.S. government
securities with 10 year maturities plus 200 basis points as of December 1 of the
calendar year preceding the quarter for which the earnings are credited,
compounded at least annually.
 
      The Board is submitting for shareholder approval the Amended and Restated
IDEX Corporation Directors Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Amended Directors
Plan"). On January 23, 1996, the Board approved and adopted the Amended
Directors Plan, subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company. The
Amended Directors Plan is reprinted in full as Exhibit B hereto. The Amended
Directors Plan generally allows participants to defer compensation into either
the Interest Bearing Account as previously permitted under the Original
Directors Plan or Common Stock-equivalent units ("Deferred Compensation Units").
 
      The terms of the Amended Directors Plan permit a non-employee director to
defer his or her total fees for services as a director which would otherwise be
payable by the Company. The Amended Directors Plan does not provide for any
additional compensation to be paid to the non-employee directors but rather
provides such directors with flexibility regarding the timing and form of
payment of compensation to which they are already entitled. An eligible director
may elect to defer his or her director's fees into the Interest-Bearing Account,
as under the Original Directors Plan, or into a Deferred Compensation Units
Account (together, the "Accounts") as of the date that such compensation would
otherwise be payable (the "Deferral Date"). The Accounts are unsecured general
obligations of the Company.
 
      The deferred compensation credited to the Deferred Compensation Units
Account will be converted into a number of Deferred Compensation Units as of the
Deferral Date by dividing the deferred compensation by the fair market value of
the Company's Common Stock as of the Deferral Date. In addition, the value of
dividends payable on shares of Common Stock will be credited to the Deferred
Compensation Units Account and converted into Deferred Compensation Units based
on the number of Deferred Compensation Units on the dividend record date and the
fair market value of Common Stock on the dividend payment date. The Amended
Directors Plan further provides that Deferred Compensation Units credited to a
participant's account are subject to equitable adjustment in the case of
reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend or stock split.
 
PAYMENT OF BENEFITS
 
      A director may elect to receive distributions of cash from the
Interest-Bearing Account or shares of Common Stock representing Deferred
Compensation Units five or ten years following his or her deferral election and
will receive such payment in any event after the date on which the participant
ceases to be a director for any reason other than death. Except upon death,
benefits under the Amended Directors Plan are payable to the participant in a
single lump sum or distributable in shares of Common Stock equal to the number
of Deferred Compensation Units (rounded down to the nearest whole Unit) or in
five substantially equal annual cash payments or distributions of shares of
Common Stock. In the event of a director's death, benefits under the Directors
Plan are payable as soon as practicable to the participant's beneficiary in a
single lump sum or distributable in shares of Common Stock equal to the number
of Deferred Compensation Units. In the event of a change of control of the
Company, benefits under the Amended Directors Plan will be paid in a single lump
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   23
 
sum or distributed in shares of Common Stock equal to the number of
DeferredCompensation Units to all participants upon (i) the closing of the
transaction giving rise to such change of control if such transaction was
approved in advance by a majority of the Board or (ii) immediately upon the
occurrence of the event or transaction giving rise to such change of control if
such event or transaction was not so approved. Any shares of stock so delivered
will be previously authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. A maximum
of 50,000 shares of Common Stock will be available for issuance under the
Amended Directors Plan.
 
ADMINISTRATION
 
      The Amended Directors Plan will be administered by the Company.
 
AMENDMENT
 
      The Amended Directors Plan may be amended or terminated by the Board at
any time.
 
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
      The following is a brief summary of the principal federal income tax
consequences of the Amended Directors Plan based upon current federal income tax
laws. The summary is not intended to be exhaustive and, among other things, does
not describe state, local or foreign tax consequences.
 
      In general, assuming that the Amended Directors Plan and the deferrals
meet applicable requirements of the Code (including a requirement that amounts
deferred be general unsecured claims of the participants), amounts voluntarily
deferred will not be taxable to the participant until a distribution is made to
the participant or to his or her beneficiary. The Company will not be entitled
to a deduction until distribution. Upon distribution, a participant will
recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the amount of cash received or
the fair market value (as of the distribution date) of the shares of Common
Stock distributed and the Company will be entitled to a deduction to such
extent.
 
REASONS FOR ADOPTION; REQUIRED VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
 
      The Company believes the availability of the Deferred Compensation Units
election under the Amended Directors Plan will increase stock ownership of
directors and further align the directors' interests with those of the
stockholders. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or
represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required to approve
the Amended Directors Plan.
 
      THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED AND
RESTATED IDEX CORPORATION DIRECTORS DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   24
 
                             PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
 
      The following table furnishes information, as of January 31, 1996, with
respect to the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by (i) all directors,
(ii) the officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, (iii) all directors
and officers of IDEX as a group, and (iv) any person owning beneficially more
than five percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company.
Except as indicated by the notes to the following table the holders listed below
have sole voting power and investment power over the shares beneficially held by
them. An (*) indicates ownership of less than 1 percent of the outstanding
Common Stock.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          NUMBER OF
                                            SHARES
        NAME AND ADDRESS OF              BENEFICIALLY
         BENEFICIAL OWNER                   OWNED           PERCENT OF CLASS
- -----------------------------------    ----------------     ----------------
<S>                                    <C>                  <C>
KKR Associates(1)                          5,835,729              29.9
9 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10018
  Henry R. Kravis
  Paul E. Raether
  George R. Roberts
  Clifton S. Robbins
  Michael T. Tokarz
Mario J. Gabelli(2)                        2,361,900              12.1
GAMCO Investors, Inc.
Gabelli & Company, Inc.
655 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Fidelity Investments(3)                    1,439,650               7.4
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Donald N. Boyce(4)                           512,342               2.6
630 Dundee Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
Richard E. Heath(5)(6)                        20,400                 *
One M&T Plaza -- Suite 1800
Buffalo, NY 14203
William H. Luers(6)                           16,800                 *
Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
New York, NY 10028
Clifton S. Robbins(1)                         22,500                 *
9 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10018
Neil A. Springer(6)                           16,500                 *
10 South Wacker
Chicago, IL 60606
</TABLE>
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   25
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          NUMBER OF
                                            SHARES
        NAME AND ADDRESS OF              BENEFICIALLY
         BENEFICIAL OWNER                   OWNED           PERCENT OF CLASS
- -----------------------------------    ----------------     ----------------
<S>                                    <C>                  <C>
Michael T. Tokarz(1)                          30,000                 *
9 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10018
Mark W. Baker(7)                             127,866                 *
630 Dundee Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
Frank J. Hansen(7)                            28,498                 *
630 Dundee Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
Wade H. Roberts, Jr.(7)                       25,667                 *
630 Dundee Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
Wayne P. Sayatovic(8)                        238,772               1.2
630 Dundee Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
All directors and officers as a            1,216,471               6.2
  group
(17 persons excluding shares owned
by KKR Associates)(1)(9)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Shares of Common Stock shown as owned by KKR Associates are owned of record
    by two partnerships, of which KKR Associates is the sole general partner and
    as to which it possesses sole voting and investment power. KKR Associates is
    a limited partnership of which Messrs. Kravis, Roberts, Raether, Robbins and
    Tokarz (each of whom is a director of the Company) and Messrs. Edward
    Gilhuly, Perry Golkin, Robert I. MacDonnell, Michael W. Michelson, Saul A.
    Fox and James H. Greene, Jr. are general partners. Such persons may be
    deemed to share beneficial ownership of the shares shown as beneficially
    owned by KKR Associates. All of the foregoing persons disclaim beneficial
    ownership of any shares of the Company listed above as beneficially owned by
    KKR Associates.
 
(2) IDEX has received a Schedule 13D and amendments thereto filed by Mario J.
    Gabelli, GAMCO Investors, Inc. ("GAMCO") and Gabelli Fund, Inc. ("Gabelli
    Fund"), with respect to Common Stock owned by GAMCO, Gabelli Fund and
    certain other entities which Mr. Gabelli directly or indirectly controls and
    for which he acts as chief investment officer. IDEX has not attempted to
    independently verify any of the foregoing information, which is based solely
    upon the information contained in the Schedule 13D.
 
(3) IDEX has received a Schedule 13G and amendments thereto from Fidelity
    Investments with respect to Common Stock owned by certain portfolios for
    which Fidelity Investments is an investment advisor on a discretionary
    basis. IDEX has not attempted to verify any of the foregoing information,
    which is based solely upon the information contained in the Schedule 13G.
 
(4) Includes: 237,000 shares owned by Mr. Boyce's wife as to which Mrs. Boyce
    has sole investment power and as to which Mr. Boyce has sole voting power
    over 234,000 of such shares; 30,000 shares held in separate trusts as to
    which Mrs. Boyce is the trustee for the benefit of Mr. and Mrs. Boyce's
    children; 36,000 shares
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   26
 
    held by The Boyce Family Foundation; and 171,401 shares which are eligible
    for exercise under the 1993 Plan.
 
(5) Includes 3,000 shares which are owned by various family trusts as to which
    Mr. Heath is a co-trustee of each trust; and 540 shares which are owned by
    Mr. Heath's wife.
 
(6) Includes for each of Messrs. Heath, Luers and Springer 16,500 shares under
    option which are eligible for exercise under the IDEX Corporation Stock
    Option Plan for Outside Directors.
 
(7) Of such shares, 4,500, 18,713 and 25,260 are shares under option which are
    eligible for exercise under the Company's Stock Option Plan for Non-Officer
    Key Employees and the 1993 Plan, for Messrs. Baker, Hansen and Roberts,
    respectively.
 
(8) Includes: 31,500 shares which are owned directly by Mr. Sayatovic's wife;
    4,500 shares which are owned by Mrs. Sayatovic as custodian for their
    children; and 60,197 shares which are eligible for exercise under the 1993
    Plan.
 
(9) Includes 49,500 shares under option which are eligible for exercise under
    the IDEX Corporation Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors, 263,668 shares
    under option which are eligible for exercise under the Officer Option Plan,
    and 79,238 shares under option which are eligible for exercise under the
    Stock Option Plan for Non-Officer Key Employees.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   27
 
                      INCREASE IN AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK
 
      The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company presently
authorizes the issuance of 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share, and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share. As of
February 12, 1996, 19,135,033 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding
and no shares of Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. In addition, as of
that date the Company had reserved 425,234 shares of Common Stock for issuance
under its various stock option plans.
 
      On January 23, 1996, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized an
amendment to the first paragraph of Article IV of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the total authorized shares of Common Stock from
50,000,000 shares to 75,000,000 shares, subject to stockholder approval. The
text of the first paragraph of Article IV as so amended is set forth below:
 
             The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the
      Corporation shall have authority to issue is 80,000,000 shares, consisting
      of 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share (the
      "Preferred Stock") and 75,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01
      per share (the "Common Stock").
 
      The increase in authorized shares of Common Stock is recommended by the
Board of Directors in order to provide the Company with increased flexibility
for the future growth of the Company and in obtaining financing for its
activities. Except with respect to the Company's stock and deferred compensation
plans with respect to Common Stock, there are at present no plans, arrangements,
negotiation, or commitments which will result in the issuance of additional
shares of the Company's Common Stock or Preferred Stock. However, these shares
will be available for issuance from time to time by action of the Board of
Directors to such persons and for such consideration as the Board may determine
to be in the best interests of the Company. Such issuance may not require
further stockholder approval. Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive rights.
 
      The issuance of additional shares of Common or Preferred Stock, under
certain circumstances, may have anti-takeover effects and may have the effect of
discouraging unilateral attempts by third parties to obtain control of the
Company. For example, such issuance may create voting impediments to the
approval of mergers or other similar transactions involving the Company, may
dilute the voting power of the person seeking to acquire control or may create
other impediments to the consummation of a business combination. The Board of
Directors has no present intention to issue Common Stock or Preferred Stock for
such purposes.
 
      The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting is required to approve this amendment to the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation.
 
      THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THIS AMENDMENT.
 
                            RATIFICATION OF AUDITORS
 
      The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee,
has recommended the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for 1996.
 
      Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP will attend the Annual Meeting of
shareholders and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to
do so. They will also be available to respond to appropriate questions.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   28
 
      THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF DELOITTE
& TOUCHE LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR 1996.
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
OUTSTANDING STOCK
 
      An aggregate of 19,135,033 shares of the Company's Common Stock was
outstanding at the close of business on February 12, 1996. Each share entitles
its holder of record to one vote on each matter upon which votes are taken at
the Annual Meeting. No other securities are entitled to be voted at the Annual
Meeting.
 
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
 
      Any proxy solicited hereby may be revoked by the person or persons giving
it at any time before it has been exercised at the Annual Meeting by giving
notice of revocation to the Company in writing or in open meeting.
 
SOLICITATION COSTS
 
      The Company will pay the cost of preparing and mailing this Proxy
Statement and other costs of the proxy solicitation made by the Company's Board
of Directors. Certain of the Company's officers and employees may solicit the
submission of proxies authorizing the voting of shares in accordance with the
Board of Directors' recommendations, but no additional remuneration will be paid
by the Company for the solicitation of those proxies. Such solicitations may be
made by personal interview, telephone and facsimile transmission. Arrangements
have also been made with brokerage firms and others for the forwarding of proxy
solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of Common Stock, and the Company
will reimburse them for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection
therewith. In addition, the Company has retained Morrow & Co. to assist in proxy
solicitation and collection, for an anticipated fee of $5,000 plus out-of-pocket
expenses.
 
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR 1997 ANNUAL MEETING
 
      A shareholder desiring to submit a proposal for inclusion in the Company's
Proxy Statement for the 1997 Annual Meeting must deliver the proposal so that it
is received by the Company no later than November 27, 1996. The Company requests
that all such proposals be addressed to Wayne P. Sayatovic, Senior Vice
President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, IDEX Corporation, 630
Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois 60062, and mailed by certified mail, return
receipt requested. In addition, the Company's By-Laws require that notice of
shareholder nominations for directors and related information be received by the
Secretary of the Company not later than 60 days before the anniversary of the
1996 Annual Meeting, which, for the 1997 Annual Meeting, will be January 24,
1997.
 
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
 
      Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 requires the
Company's officers, directors and persons who own more than 10% of the Company's
Common Stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange. Officers,
directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to
furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   29
 
      Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it, or
written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were
required for such persons, the Company believes that during the year ended
December 31, 1995 all filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors
and greater than 10% shareholders were complied with.
 
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
 
      The Company has mailed this Proxy Statement and a copy of its 1995 Annual
Report to each shareholder entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Included in
the 1995 Annual Report are the Company's financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 1995.
 
      A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1995, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AS FILED WITH
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION MAY BE OBTAINED BY SHAREHOLDERS WITHOUT
CHARGE BY SENDING A WRITTEN REQUEST THEREFOR TO WAYNE P. SAYATOVIC, SENIOR VICE
PRESIDENT-FINANCE, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND SECRETARY, IDEX CORPORATION, 630
DUNDEE ROAD, NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS 60062.
 
Northbrook, Illinois
February 20, 1996
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   30
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
 
                                1996 STOCK PLAN
                        FOR OFFICERS OF IDEX CORPORATION
 
      IDEX CORPORATION, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of
Delaware, hereby adopts this 1996 Stock Plan for Officers of IDEX Corporation.
The purposes of this Plan are as follows:
 
      (1) To further the growth, development and financial success of the
Company by providing additional incentives to certain of its Officers who have
been or will be given responsibility for the management or administration of the
Company's business affairs, by assisting them to become owners of the Company's
Common Stock and thus to benefit directly from its growth, development and
financial success.
 
      (2) To enable the Company to obtain and retain the services of the type of
professional, technical and managerial employees considered essential to the
long-range success of the Company by providing and offering them an opportunity
to become owners of the Company's Common Stock under options and/or deferred
compensation awards (pursuant to this Plan and any Deferred Compensation Plans
that permit deferrals into accounts payable in Common Stock).
 
                                   ARTICLE I
 
                                  DEFINITIONS
 
      Whenever the following terms are used in this Plan, they shall have the
meaning specified below unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary.
The singular shall include the plural, where the context so indicates.
 
SECTION 1.1 -- BOARD
 
      "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
SECTION 1.2 -- CODE
 
      "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
SECTION 1.3 -- COMMITTEE
 
      "Committee" shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, appointed
as provided in Section 7.1.
 
SECTION 1.4 -- COMMON STOCK
 
      "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of
the Company.
 
SECTION 1.5 -- COMPANY
 
      "Company" shall mean IDEX Corporation.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   31
 
SECTION 1.6 -- DEFERRAL DATE
 
      "Deferral Date" shall mean, in connection with any Deferred Compensation
Unit, the date on which any deferred compensation with respect thereto would
have been paid if no deferral election had been made.
 
SECTION 1.7 -- DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS
 
      "Deferred Compensation Plans" shall mean any deferred compensation plan
adopted by the Company or any Parent Corporation or any Subsidiary that permits
deferrals into accounts payable in Common Stock upon distribution thereof and in
which any Officer is eligible to participate.
 
SECTION 1.8 -- DEFERRED COMPENSATION UNITS
 
      "Deferred Compensation Units" shall mean the right of a Grantee to receive
distributions of deferred compensation pursuant to any Deferred Compensation
Plan in the form of Common Stock, determined in accordance with the terms of
such Deferred Compensation Plan and Article VI of this Plan and based on the
Fair Market Value on the Deferral Date.
 
SECTION 1.9 -- DIRECTOR
 
      "Director" shall mean a member of the Board.
 
SECTION 1.10 -- DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS
 
      "Dividend Equivalents" shall mean the Deferred Compensation Units equal to
the cash dividend paid on one share of Common Stock multiplied by the number of
Deferred Compensation Units credited to the account of any Grantee as of the
dividend record date, which, in turn, is divided by the Fair Market Value on the
dividend payment date.
 
SECTION 1.11 -- EMPLOYEE
 
      "Employee" shall mean any employee (as defined in accordance with the
regulations and revenue rulings then applicable under Section 3401(c) of the
Code) of the Company, or of any corporation which is then a Parent Corporation
or a Subsidiary, whether such employee is so employed at the time this Plan is
adopted or becomes so employed subsequent to the adoption of this Plan.
 
SECTION 1.12 -- EXCHANGE ACT
 
      "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
SECTION 1.13 -- FAIR MARKET VALUE
 
      "Fair Market Value" shall mean the fair market value of a share of the
Common Stock as of a given date measured as (i) the closing price of a share of
the Common Stock on the principal exchange on which shares of the Common Stock
are then trading, if any, on the day previous to such date, or, if shares were
not traded on the day previous to such date, then on the next preceding trading
day during which a sale occurred; or (ii) if such Common Stock is not traded on
an exchange but is quoted on NASDAQ or a successor quotation system, (1) the
last sales price (if the Common Stock is then listed as a National Market Issue
under the NASD National Market System) or (2) the mean between the closing
representative bid and asked prices (in all other
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   32
 
cases) for the Common Stock on the day previous to such date as reported by
NASDAQ or such successor quotation system; or (iii) if such Common Stock is not
publicly traded on an exchange and not quoted on NASDAQ or a successor quotation
system, the mean between the closing bid and asked prices for the Common Stock,
on the day previous to such date, as determined in good faith by the Committee;
or (iv) if the Common Stock is not publicly traded, the fair market value
established by the Committee acting in good faith.
 
SECTION 1.14 -- GRANTEE
 
      "Grantee" shall mean an Officer to whom Deferred Compensation Units are
awarded pursuant to this Plan.
 
SECTION 1.15 -- INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION
 
      "Incentive Stock Option" shall mean an Option which conforms to the
applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code and which is designated as an
Incentive Stock Option by the Committee.
 
SECTION 1.16 -- NON-QUALIFIED OPTION
 
      "Non-Qualified Option" shall mean an Option which is not designated as an
Incentive Stock Option by the Committee.
 
SECTION 1.17 -- OFFICER
 
      "Officer" shall mean an officer of the Company, as defined in Rule
16a-l(f) under the Exchange Act, as such Rule may be amended in the future.
 
SECTION 1.18 -- OPTION
 
      "Option" shall mean a stock option granted under Article III of this Plan.
An Option granted under this Plan shall, as determined by the Committee, be
either a Non-Qualified Option or an Incentive Stock Option.
 
SECTION 1.19 -- OPTIONEE
 
      "Optionee" shall mean an Employee to whom an Option is granted under the
Plan.
 
SECTION 1.20 -- PARENT CORPORATION
 
      "Parent Corporation" shall mean any corporation in an unbroken chain of
corporations ending with the Company if each of the corporations other than the
Company then owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.
 
SECTION 1.21 -- PLAN
 
      "Plan" shall mean this 1996 Stock Plan for Officers of IDEX Corporation.
 
SECTION 1.22 -- RULE 16B-3
 
      "Rule 16b-3" shall mean that certain Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as
such Rule may be amended in the future.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   33
 
SECTION 1.23 -- SECRETARY
 
      "Secretary" shall mean the Secretary of the Company.
 
SECTION 1.24 -- SECURITIES ACT
 
      "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
SECTION 1.25 -- SUBSIDIARY
 
      "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation in an unbroken chain of
corporations beginning with the Company if each of the corporations other than
the last corporation in the unbroken chain then owns stock possessing 50% or
more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the
other corporations in such chain.
 
SECTION 1.26 -- TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
 
      "Termination of Employment" shall mean (unless otherwise specified in any
applicable Deferred Compensation Plan) the time (which in the absence of any
other determination by the Committee, shall be deemed to be the last day
actually worked by the Optionee or Grantee) when the employee-employer
relationship between the Optionee or Grantee and the Company, a Parent
Corporation or a Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, with or without cause,
including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation,
discharge, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where there is a
simultaneous reemployment by the Company, a Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary.
The Committee, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all
other matters and questions relating to Termination of Employment, including,
but not by way of limitation, the question of whether a Termination of
Employment resulted from a discharge for good cause, and all questions of
whether particular leaves of absence constitute Terminations of Employment;
provided, however, that, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, a leave of
absence shall constitute a Termination of Employment if, and to the extent that,
such leave of absence interrupts employment for the purposes of Section
422(a)(2) of the Code and the then applicable regulations and revenue rulings
under said Section.
 
                                   ARTICLE II
 
                               GENERAL CONDITIONS
 
SECTION 2.1 -- SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN
 
      The shares of stock subject to Options and awards of Deferred Compensation
Units shall be shares of the Common Stock. The aggregate number of such shares
which may be issued upon exercise of Options and distributed pursuant to
Deferred Compensation Units under the Plan shall not exceed 1,000,000 shares,
plus that number of shares of Common Stock pursuant to which options could
otherwise be granted at April 1, 1996 under the Company's 1993 Non-Qualified
Stock Option Plan for Officers (the "1993 Plan") which, by resolution of the
Board, are transferred to this Plan as of April 1, 1996 and as of such date will
no longer be eligible for option grants under the 1993 Plan. Of the total number
of shares subject to this Plan, no more than 400,000 shares may be issued
pursuant to Deferred Compensation Units. Furthermore, the maximum number of
shares of Common Stock which may be subject to Options granted or Deferred
Compensation Units issued under the Plan to any individual in any calendar year
shall not exceed 200,000, and the method of counting such shares shall conform
to
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   34
 
any requirements applicable to performance-based compensation under Section
162(m) of the Code. The shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such
Options or upon distributions with respect to any such Deferred Compensation
Units may be either previously authorized and unissued shares or treasury
shares.
 
SECTION 2.2 -- UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AND UNDISTRIBUTED SHARES
 
      If any Option expires or is cancelled without having been fully exercised,
the number of shares subject to such Option but as to which such Option was not
exercised prior to its expiration or cancellation may again be either optioned
or awarded hereunder, subject to the limitations of Section 2.1.
 
SECTION 2.3 -- CHANGES IN COMPANY'S SHARES
 
      In the event that the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company
are hereafter changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares
or other securities of the Company, or of another corporation, by reason of
reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock
split-up, stock dividend or combination of shares, appropriate adjustments shall
be made by the Committee in the number and kind of shares for the purchase of
which Options may be granted or which are distributable pursuant to Deferred
Compensation Units, including adjustments of the limitations in Section 2.1 on
the maximum number and kind of shares which may be issued on exercise of Options
and distributed with respect to Deferred Compensation Units hereunder; provided,
however, that in the case of Incentive Stock Options, each such adjustment shall
be made in such manner as not to constitute a "modification" within the meaning
of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code. In the event of an adjustment contemplated by
this Section 2.3 in any outstanding Options or Deferred Compensation Units, the
Committee shall make an appropriate and equitable adjustment to the end that
after such event the Optionee's or Grantee's proportionate interest shall be
maintained as before the occurrence of such event. Such adjustment in any
outstanding Options or Deferred Compensation Units shall be made without change
in the total price applicable to the Option or the unexercised portion of the
Option or the aggregate value of undistributed Common Stock with respect to any
Deferred Compensation Units (except for any change in the aggregate price
resulting from rounding-off of share quantities or prices) and with any
necessary corresponding adjustment in the Option price per share. In the event
of a "spin-off" or other substantial distribution of assets of the Company which
has a material diminutive effect upon Fair Market Value, the Committee may in
its discretion make an appropriate and equitable adjustment to the Option
exercise price or the number of shares of Common Stock distributable pursuant to
Deferred Compensation Units to reflect such diminution. Any such adjustment made
by the Committee shall be final and binding upon all Optionees, Grantees, the
Company and all other interested persons.
 
      Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of such a reorganization,
merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split-up, stock
dividend or combination, or other adjustment or event which results in shares of
Common Stock being exchanged for or converted into cash, securities or other
property, the Company will have the right to terminate this Plan as of the date
of the exchange or conversion, in which case all Options and Deferred
Compensation Units under this Plan shall become the right to receive such cash,
securities or other property, net of any applicable exercise price.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   35
 
SECTION 2.4 -- CONDITIONS TO ISSUANCE OF STOCK CERTIFICATES
 
      The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or
certificates for shares of Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of any
Option or upon distribution pursuant to any Deferred Compensation Units, or
portion thereof, prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:
 
             (a)  The admission of such shares to listing on all stock exchanges
      on which the Common Stock is then listed; and
 
             (b)  The completion of any registration or other qualification of
      such shares under any state or federal law or under the rulings or
      regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other
      governmental regulatory body, which the Committee shall, in its absolute
      discretion, deem necessary or advisable; and
 
             (c)  The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any
      state or federal governmental agency which the Committee shall, in its
      absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable; and
 
             (d)  The payment to the Company (or other employer corporation) of
      all amounts which it is required to withhold under federal, state or local
      law in connection with the exercise of the Option or upon distribution
      pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Units; and
 
             (e)  The lapse of such reasonable period of time following the
      exercise of the Option or the distribution pursuant to the Deferred
      Compensation Units as the Committee may establish from time to time for
      reasons of administrative convenience.
 
SECTION 2.5 -- MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, ACQUISITION, LIQUIDATION OR DISSOLUTION
 
      Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.3, in its absolute discretion,
and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may
provide by the terms of any Option that such Option cannot be exercised after
the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation, the
acquisition by another entity, person or group of all or substantially all of
the Company's assets or 80% or more of the Company's then outstanding voting
stock or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company (collectively, "Control
Events"); and if the Committee so provides, it may, in its absolute discretion,
on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, also provide, either by
the terms of any Option or by a resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of
such Control Event, that, for some period of time beginning prior to and ending
as of (and including) the time of such event, such Option shall be exercisable
as to all shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
Section 4.3(a), Section 4.3(b) or any installment provisions of any Option. The
treatment of Deferred Compensation Units and the shares distributable with
respect to such Units upon the occurence of any Control Event shall be governed
by the applicable Deferred Compensation Plan.
 
SECTION 2.6 -- RIGHTS AS SHAREHOLDERS
 
      The holders of Options and Deferred Compensation Units shall not be, nor
have any of the rights or privileges of, shareholders of the Company in respect
of any shares purchasable upon the exercise of any part of an Option or
distributable pursuant to a Deferred Compensation Unit unless and until
certificates representing such shares have been issued by the Company to such
holders. Without limitation of the foregoing, no such holder shall have any
right to or interest in any shares reserved by the Company for issuance pursuant
to Options or Deferred Compensation Units.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   36
 
SECTION 2.7 -- TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS
 
      Unless otherwise approved in writing by the Committee, no shares acquired
upon exercise of any Option by any Officer may be sold, assigned, pledged,
encumbered or otherwise transferred until at least six months have elapsed from
(but excluding) the date that such Option was granted. The Committee, in its
absolute discretion, may impose such other restrictions on the transferability
of the shares purchasable upon the exercise of an Option or distribution
pursuant to Deferred Compensation Units as it deems appropriate. Any such other
restriction shall be set forth in the respective Stock Option Agreement or award
of Deferred Compensation Units and may be referred to on the certificates
evidencing such shares. The Committee may require an Officer to give the Company
prompt notice of any disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired by exercise
of an Incentive Stock Option within (i) two years from the date of granting such
Option to such Officer or (ii) one year after the transfer of such shares to
such Officer. The Committee may direct that the certificates evidencing shares
acquired by exercise of an Option refer to such requirement to give prompt
notice of disposition.
 
SECTION 2.8 -- NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT
 
      Nothing in this Plan or in any Stock Option Agreement or Deferred
Compensation Units hereunder shall confer upon any Optionee or Grantee any right
to continue in the employ of the Company, any Parent Corporation or any
Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the
Company, its Parent Corporations and its Subsidiaries, which are hereby
expressly reserved, to discharge any Optionee or Grantee at any time for any
reason whatsoever, with or without cause.
 
SECTION 2.9 -- CERTAIN TIMING REQUIREMENTS
 
      Unless otherwise determined by the Committee based upon Rule 16b-3 as it
may then be in effect, (i) shares of the Common Stock issuable to an Optionee
upon exercise of an Option may be used to satisfy the Option price or the tax
withholding consequences of such exercise only (A) during the period beginning
on the third business day following the date of release of the quarterly or
annual summary statement of sales and earnings of the Company and ending on the
twelfth business day following such date or (B) pursuant to an irrevocable
written election by such Optionee to use shares of the Common Stock issuable to
such Optionee upon exercise of such Option to pay all or part of the Option
price or the withholding taxes (subject to the approval of the Committee) made
at least six months prior to the payment of such Option price or withholding
taxes, and (ii) an election by a Grantee to be awarded Deferred Compensation
Units shall be an irrevocable written election made at least six months prior to
the Deferral Date with respect to the compensation to be deferred.
 
                                  ARTICLE III
 
                              GRANTING OF OPTIONS
 
SECTION 3.1 -- ELIGIBILITY
 
      Any Officer of the Company shall be eligible to be granted Options under
the Plan, as provided in Section 3.3.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   37
 
SECTION 3.2 -- QUALIFICATION OF INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS
 
      No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted unless such Option, when
granted, qualifies as an "incentive stock option" under Section 422 of the Code.
Without limitation of the foregoing, no person shall be granted an Incentive
Stock Option under this Plan if such person, at the time the Incentive Stock
Option is granted, owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company unless such
Incentive Stock Option conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of
the Code. Any Incentive Stock Option granted under this Plan may be modified by
the Committee to disqualify such option from treatment as an "incentive stock
option" under Section 422 of the Code.
 
SECTION 3.3 -- GRANTING OF OPTIONS
 
             (a)   The Committee shall from time to time, in its absolute
      discretion:
 
                  (i)    Determine and select from among the Officers (including
           those to whom Options have been previously granted under the Plan)
           such of them as in its opinion should be granted Options; and
 
                  (ii)   Determine the number of shares to be subject to such
           Options granted to such selected Officers; and
 
                  (iii)  Determine whether such Options are to be Incentive
           Stock Options or Non-Qualified Options; and
 
                  (iv)   Determine the terms and conditions of such Options,
           consistent with the Plan.
 
             (b)   Upon the selection of an Officer to be granted an Option, the
      Committee shall instruct the Secretary to issue such Option and may impose
      such conditions on the grant of such Option as it deems appropriate.
      Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the Committee
      may, in its discretion and on such terms as it deems appropriate, require
      as a condition on the grant of an Option to an Officer that the Officer
      surrender for cancellation some or all of the unexercised Options which
      have been previously granted to such Officer. An Option the grant of which
      is conditioned upon such surrender may have an option price lower (or
      higher) than the option price of the surrendered Option, may cover the
      same (or a lesser or greater) number of shares as the surrendered Option,
      may contain such other terms as the Committee deems appropriate and shall
      be exercisable in accordance with its terms, without regard to the number
      of shares, price, option period or any other term or condition of the
      surrendered Option.
 
                                   ARTICLE IV
 
                                TERMS OF OPTIONS
 
SECTION 4.1 -- OPTION AGREEMENT
 
      Each Option shall be evidenced by a written Stock Option Agreement, which
shall be executed by the Optionee and an authorized Officer of the Company and
which shall contain such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine,
not inconsistent with the Plan. Stock Option Agreements evidencing Incentive
Stock
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   38
 
Options shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the
applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
 
SECTION 4.2 -- OPTION PRICE
 
      The price per share of the shares subject to each Option shall be set by
the Committee; provided, however, that the price per share shall not be less
than 100% of the Fair Market Value as of the date such Option is granted.
 
SECTION 4.3 -- COMMENCEMENT OF EXERCISABILITY
 
             (a)   Except as the Committee may otherwise provide, no Option may
      be exercised in whole or in part during the first year after such Option
      is granted.
 
             (b)   Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.3(a), 4.3(c) and 8.3,
      Options shall become exercisable at such times and in such installments
      (which may be cumulative) as the Committee shall provide in the terms of
      each individual Option; provided, however, that by a resolution adopted
      after an Option is granted the Committee may, on such terms and conditions
      as it may determine to be appropriate and subject to Sections 4.3(a),
      4.3(c) and 8.3, accelerate the time at which such Option or any portion
      thereof may be exercised.
 
             (c)   No portion of an Option which is unexercisable at Termination
      of Employment shall thereafter become exercisable unless the Committee
      otherwise provides.
 
             (d)   To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value with
      respect to which "incentive stock options" (within the meaning of Section
      422 of the Code, but without regard to Section 422(d) of the Code) are
      exercisable for the first time by an Optionee during any calendar year
      (under the Plan and all other incentive stock option plans of the Company
      and any Parent Corporation or any Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such
      Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Options to the extent required
      by Section 422 of the Code. The rule set forth in the preceding sentence
      shall be applied by taking Options into account in the order in which they
      were granted. For purposes of this Section 4.3(d), the Fair Market Value
      shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such stock
      is granted.
 
SECTION 4.4 -- EXPIRATION OF OPTIONS
 
             (a)   No Option may be exercised to any extent by anyone after, and
      every Option shall expire no later than, the expiration of ten years from
      the date the Option was granted.
 
             (b)   Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.4(a) and 4.4(c), the
      Committee shall provide, in the terms of each individual Option, when such
      Option expires and becomes unexercisable.
 
             (c)   The term of any Incentive Stock Option shall not be more than
      five years from such date if the Incentive Stock Option is granted to an
      individual then owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code)
      more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of capital
      stock of the Company or any Parent Corporation or any Subsidiary.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   39
 
SECTION 4.5 -- CONSIDERATION
 
      In consideration of the granting of an Option, the Optionee shall agree,
in the written Stock Option Agreement, to remain in the employ of the Company, a
Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary, with such duties and responsibilities as the
Company shall from time to time prescribe.
 
                                   ARTICLE V
 
                              EXERCISE OF OPTIONS
 
SECTION 5.1 -- PERSON ELIGIBLE TO EXERCISE
 
      During the lifetime of the Optionee, only such Optionee may exercise an
Option (or any portion thereof) granted to such Optionee. After the death of the
Optionee, any exercisable portion of an Option may, prior to the time when such
portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Stock Option
Agreement, be exercised by such Optionee's personal representative or by any
person empowered to do so under the deceased Optionee's will or under the then
applicable laws of descent and distribution. To the extent Rule 166-3 as then in
effect permits exercises of Options other than as provided in Section 5.1, the
Committee may by resolution amend this Section 5.1 or the terms of the
outstanding Options to reflect such other exercise limitation requirements, in
the Committee's discretion.
 
SECTION 5.2 -- PARTIAL EXERCISE
 
      At any time and from time to time prior to the time when any exercisable
Option or exercisable portion thereof becomes unexercisable under the Plan or
the applicable Stock Option Agreement, such Option or portion thereof may be
exercised in whole or in part; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
required to issue fractional shares and the Committee may, by the terms of the
Option, require any partial exercise to be with respect to a specified minimum
number of shares.
 
SECTION 5.3 -- MANNER OF EXERCISE
 
      An exercisable Option, or any exercisable portion thereof, may be
exercised solely by delivery to the Secretary or the Secretary's office of all
of the following prior to the time when such Option or such portion becomes
unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Stock Option Agreement:
 
             (a)   Notice in writing signed by the Optionee or other person then
      entitled to exercise such option or portion, stating that such Option or
      portion is exercised, such notice complying with all applicable rules
      established by the Committee; and
 
           (b)   (i)   Full payment (in cash or by check) for the shares with
           respect to which such Option or portion is thereby exercised; or
 
                  (ii)   With the consent of the Committee, (A) shares of the
           Common Stock owned by the Optionee duly endorsed for transfer to the
           Company or (B) subject to the timing requirements of Section 2.9,
           shares of the Common Stock issuable to the Optionee upon exercise of
           the Option, with a Fair Market Value on the date of Option exercise
           equal to the aggregate Option price of the shares with respect to
           which such Option or portion is thereby exercised; or
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   40
 
                  (iii)  With the consent of the Committee, a full recourse
           promissory note bearing interest (at no less than such rate as shall
           then preclude the imputation of interest under the Code or any
           successor provision) and payable upon such terms as may be prescribed
           by the Committee. The Committee may also prescribe the form of such
           note and the security to be given for such note. No Option may,
           however, be exercised by delivery of a promissory note or by a loan
           from the Company when or where such loan or other extension of credit
           is prohibited by law; or
 
                  (iv)   With the consent of the Committee, any combination of
           the consideration provided in the foregoing subsections (i), (ii) and
           (iii); or
 
                  (v)   With the consent of the Committee, to the extent
           permitted by law (including then existing interpretations of Rule
           16b-3) a "cashless exercise procedure" satisfactory to the Committee
           which permits the Optionee to deliver an exercise notice to a
           broker-dealer, who then sells the Option shares, delivers the
           exercise price and withholding taxes to the Company and delivers the
           excess funds less commission and withholding taxes to the Optionee;
           and
 
             (c)   The payment to the Company (or other employer corporation) of
      all amounts which it is required to withhold under federal, state or local
      law in connection with the exercise of the Option: with the consent of the
      Committee, (i) shares of the Common Stock owned by the Optionee duly
      endorsed for transfer, (ii) subject to the timing requirements of Section
      2.9, shares of the Common Stock issuable to the Optionee upon exercise of
      the Option, valued at the Fair Market Value thereof as of the date of
      Option exercise, provided that the amount required to be withheld is in
      excess of $100,000, may be used to make all or part of such payment; and
 
             (d)   Such representations and documents as the Committee, in its
      absolute discretion, deems necessary or advisable to effect compliance
      with all applicable provisions of the Securities Act and any other federal
      or state securities laws or regulations. The Committee may, in its
      absolute discretion, also take whatever additional actions it deems
      appropriate to effect such compliance including, without limitation,
      placing legends on share certificates and issuing stop-transfer orders to
      transfer agents and registrars; and
 
             (e)   In the event that the Option or portion thereof shall be
      exercised pursuant to Section 5.1 by any person or persons other than the
      Optionee, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to
      exercise the Option or portion thereof.
 
                                   ARTICLE VI
 
                    GRANTING OF DEFERRED COMPENSATION UNITS
 
SECTION 6.1 -- GRANTING OF DEFERRED COMPENSATION UNITS
 
      To the extent elected by any Grantee and permitted by any Deferred
Compensation Plan, the Committee may award Deferred Compensation Units to any
Grantee in lieu of all or any portion of the compensation deferred by the
Grantee, including without limitation, salary and bonuses, that would otherwise
be payable to such Grantee in cash. Deferred Compensation Units may be awarded,
in the discretion of the Committee either (i) with respect to any deferral by
any Grantee who so elects, or (ii) with respect to all or a specified maximum
portion of the amount of compensation deferred or to be deferred under any
Deferred Compensation Plan for any
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   41
 
fiscal year or longer period by any Grantee or group of Grantees who may deliver
one or more irrevocable written elections to the Company, subject to the timing
requirements of Section 2.9, to receive Common Stock in lieu of all or such
portion of such cash compensation as shall be specified in such election.
 
SECTION 6.2 -- EFFECT OF GRANTS
 
      The number of shares of Common Stock distributable pursuant to each
Deferred Compensation Unit shall be charged against the maximum number of shares
of Common Stock that may be issued under this Plan at any time. The number of
shares of Common Stock to be distributed to a Grantee at such time as such
distribution is to be made consistent with the terms of the applicable Deferred
Compensation Plan and such deferral, and to be charged against the number of
shares issuable under this Plan at any time, shall equal the number of Deferred
Compensation Units credited to the account of such Grantee, subject to Section
2.1.
 
SECTION 6.3 -- ACCOUNTING; FRACTIONAL UNITS
 
             (a)   The number of Deferred Compensation Units credited to the
      account of any Grantee shall be rounded to the nearest one-thousandth of a
      Unit. The account to which Deferred Compensation Units are credited shall
      be an unsecured general obligation of the Company. The Company will
      maintain records of the number of Deferred Compensation Units for the
      account of each officer, in part, to prevent an issuance of shares of
      Common Stock in excess of the authorized shares.
 
             (b)   Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, upon distribution of any
      Common Stock represented by Deferred Compensation Units, the number of
      shares shall be rounded downward to the nearest whole share and no
      fractional shares shall be issued. Fractional Units remaining after the
      final distribution to any Grantee shall be cancelled without obligation to
      the Grantee.
 
             (c)   The number of Deferred Compensation Units awarded to each
      Grantee, together with any conditions applicable thereto pursuant to this
      Plan, shall be specified in writing to each Grantee by the Company after
      each Deferral Date.
 
                                  ARTICLE VII
 
                                 ADMINISTRATION
 
SECTION 7.1 -- COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
 
      The Compensation Committee shall consist of two or more Directors,
appointed by and holding office at the pleasure of the Board, each of whom is a
"disinterested person" as defined by Rule 16b-3 to the extent required thereby.
Appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of
appointment. Committee members may resign at any time. Vacancies in the
Committee shall be filled by the Board.
 
SECTION 7.2 -- DUTIES AND POWERS OF COMMITTEE
 
      It shall be the duty of the Committee to conduct the general
administration of the Plan in accordance with its provisions. The Committee
shall have the power to interpret the Plan, the Options and the Deferred
Compensation Plans pursuant to which Deferred Compensation Units are granted and
to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of
the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   42
 
revoke any such rules. Any such interpretations and rules in regard to Incentive
Stock Options shall be consistent with the basic purpose of the Plan to grant
"incentive stock options" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. In its
absolute discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise
any and all rights and duties of the Committee under this Plan except with
respect to matters which under Rule 16b-3 or Section 162(m) of the Code, or any
regulations or rules issued thereunder, are required to be determined in the
sole discretion of the Committee.
 
SECTION 7.3 -- MAJORITY RULE
 
      The Committee shall act by a majority of its members in office. The
Committee may act either by vote at a meeting or by a memorandum or other
written instrument signed by a majority of the Committee.
 
SECTION 7.4 -- COMPENSATION; PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE; GOOD FAITH ACTIONS
 
      Members of the Committee shall receive such compensation for their
services as members as may be determined by the Board. All expenses and
liabilities incurred by members of the Committee in connection with the
administration of the Plan shall be borne by the Company. The Committee may
employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers or other
persons. The Committee, the Company and its Officers and Directors shall be
entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or valuations of any such persons.
All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the
Committee in good faith shall be final and binding upon all Optionees, Grantees,
the Company and all other interested persons. No member of the Committee shall
be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in
good faith with respect to the Plan or the Options or Deferred Compensation
Units, and all members of the Committee shall be fully protected by the Company
in respect to any such action, determination or interpretation.
 
                                  ARTICLE VIII
 
                                OTHER PROVISIONS
 
SECTION 8.1 -- OPTIONS AND UNITS NOT TRANSFERABLE
 
      No Option, Deferred Compensation Unit or interest or right therein or part
thereof shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Optionee,
Grantee or their respective successors in interest or shall be subject to
disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance,
assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or
involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or
any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any
attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect; provided,
however, that nothing in this Section 8.1 shall prevent transfers by will or by
the applicable laws of descent and distribution. To the extent Rule 16b-3 as
then in effect permits transfers of Options or Units other than as provided in
this Section 8.1, the Committee may by resolution amend this Section 8.1 and the
terms of outstanding Options or awards of Units to reflect such other transfer
limitation requirements, in the Committee's discretion.
 
SECTION 8.2 -- AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN
 
      The Plan may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified,
suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Committee.
However, unless otherwise determined by the Board and permitted by
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   43
 
Rule 16b-3 as then in effect, without approval of the Company's shareholders
given within 12 months before or after the action by the Committee, no action of
the Committee may, except as provided in Section 2.3, increase by more than 10%
any limit imposed in Section 2.1 on the maximum number of shares which may be
issued on exercise of Options or distributed pursuant to Deferred Compensation
Units, materially modify the eligibility requirements of Section 3.1, reduce the
minimum Option price requirements of Section 4.2(a) or extend the limit imposed
in this Section 8.2 on the period during which Options may be granted or amend
or modify the Plan in a manner requiring shareholder approval under Rule 16b-3.
Neither the amendment, suspension nor termination of the Plan shall, without the
consent of the holder of an Option or Deferred Compensation Unit, impair any
rights or obligations under any Option or Deferred Compensation Unit theretofore
granted. No Option or Deferred Compensation Unit (except Dividend Equivalents)
may be granted during any period of suspension nor after termination of the
Plan, and in no event may any Option or Deferred Compensation Unit (except
Dividend Equivalents) be granted under this Plan after the first to occur of the
following events:
 
             (a)   The expiration of ten years from the date the Plan is adopted
      by the Board; or
 
             (b)   The expiration of ten years from the date the Plan is
      approved by the Company's shareholders under Section 8.3.
 
SECTION 8.3 -- APPROVAL OF PLAN BY SHAREHOLDERS
 
      This Plan will be submitted for the approval of the Company's shareholders
within 12 months after the date of the Board's initial adoption of the Plan.
Options and Deferred Compensation Units may be granted prior to such shareholder
approval; provided, however, that such Options or Deferred Compensation Units
shall not be exercisable prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the
shareholders; provided, further, that if such approval has not been obtained at
the end of said 12-month period, all Options and Deferred Compensation Units
previously granted under the Plan shall thereupon be cancelled and become null
and void. The Company shall take such actions with respect to the Plan as may be
necessary to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3(b).
 
SECTION 8.4 -- EFFECT OF PLAN UPON OTHER OPTION AND COMPENSATION PLANS
 
      The adoption of this Plan shall not affect any other compensation or
incentive plans in effect for the Company, any Parent Corporation or any
Subsidiary except to the extent, as provided in Section 2.1, shares reserved
under the 1993 Plan, by resolution of the Board, are transferred to this Plan
and are no longer eligible for grant under the 1993 Plan. Nothing in this Plan
shall be construed to limit the right of the Company, any Parent Corporation or
any Subsidiary (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation
for employees of the Company, any Parent Corporation or any Subsidiary or (b) to
grant or assume options otherwise than under this Plan in connection with any
proper corporate purpose, including, but not by way of limitation, the grant or
assumption of options in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease,
merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, stock or assets of any
corporation, firm or association.
 
SECTION 8.5 -- TITLES
 
      Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a
basis for interpretation or construction of the Plan.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   44
 
SECTION 8.6 -- CONFORMITY TO SECURITIES LAWS AND OTHER STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS
 
      The Plan is intended to conform to the extent necessary with all
provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all
regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder, including without limitation Rule 16b-3. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and Options and Deferred
Compensation Units shall be granted and may be exercised or distributed, only in
such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent
permitted by applicable law, the Plan, Options and Deferred Compensation Units
granted hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to
such laws, rules and regulations. Without limitation of the foregoing and
notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, any Option or Deferred
Compensation Units granted to an Officer who is then subject to Section 16 of
the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in
any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including
any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the
application of such exemptive rule, and this Plan shall be deemed amended to the
extent necessary to conform to such limitations. Furthermore, notwithstanding
any other provision of this Plan, any Option or award intended to qualify as
performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code
shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in Section 162(m) of
the Code (including any amendment to Section 162(m) of the Code) or any
regulations or rulings issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification
as performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the
Code, and this Plan shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform
to such requirements.
 
SECTION 8.7 -- GOVERNING LAW
 
      This Plan and any agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted
and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois (without
reference to the choice of law provisions of Illinois law).
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   45
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT B
 
                     AMENDED AND RESTATED IDEX CORPORATION
                      DIRECTORS DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
 
                                   ARTICLE I
 
                    BACKGROUND, PURPOSE, AND EFFECTIVE DATE
 
      IDEX Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), by
resolution of its Board of Directors, adopted the IDEX Corporation Directors
Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan"), effective as of January 1, 1993, for
the benefit of the members of its Board of Directors (the "Directors").
 
      In order to make certain changes to the Plan, this Amended and Restated
IDEX Corporation Directors Deferred Compensation Plan has been adopted by a
resolution of the Board of Directors of IDEX Corporation, effective as provided
below (the "Amended Plan").
 
SECTION 1.1 -- BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
 
      The Corporation wishes to provide members of its Board of Directors who
are not employees of the Corporation with the opportunity to defer payment of
all or portions of the compensation they receive for serving as Directors.
 
SECTION 1.2 -- EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM
 
      The Plan shall become effective as of January 1, 1997, and shall continue
until such time as it is terminated by resolution of the Board of Directors in
accordance with Article V. The Plan as in effect prior to the date of approval
of the Amended Plan by the stockholders of the Corporation shall remain in
effect through December 31, 1996.
 
SECTION 1.3 -- SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN
 
      The shares of stock subject to Deferred Compensation Units shall be shares
of the Corporation's Common Stock. The aggregate number of such shares which may
be distributed pursuant to Deferred Compensation Units under the Plan shall not
exceed 50,000 shares.
 
                                   ARTICLE II
 
                                 CONTRIBUTIONS
 
SECTION 2.1 -- DEFERRED COMPENSATION
 
      With respect to each quarter, beginning with the first quarter of 1997 and
continuing during the period in which this Plan remains in effect, the
Corporation shall credit with all of the amount of future compensation as such
Director has elected in writing to defer under the Amended Plan (pursuant to the
form attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference) and carried in
the accounts provided for in Section 3.1 (the "Deferred Amounts"). An election
to defer shall be made prior to the calendar year for which the compensation so
deferred is earned, and shall be irrevocable with respect to the calendar year
to which it applies and shall remain in effect
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   46
 
for future calendar years unless a new election is made by such Director
effective with respect to a calendar year and delivered to the Corporation by
the December 31 preceding such calendar year; provided, however, that, to the
extent necessary for such election or new election and related deferrals to
qualify for the exemption specified by Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 as then in effect ("Rule 16b-3"), no such election or new election
may be made less than six months (or such other period as Rule 16b-3 may
specify) prior to the first date on which such deferred compensation would have
been paid if no deferral election were made, and such election or new election
shall otherwise comply with any applicable requirements for exemption under Rule
16b-3. The crediting of the Deferred Amounts under this Amended Plan shall be
made on the first day of the quarter after the amounts are earned, or such other
date on which such amounts would otherwise have been paid to the Director. Any
amounts credited to the Deferred Compensation Account under the Plan prior to
January 1, 1997 (the "Prior Deferred Amounts") shall be credited to the
Interest-Bearing Account as set forth in Section 3.1.
 
                                  ARTICLE III
 
                            ACCOUNTS AND INVESTMENT
 
SECTION 3.1 -- THE DEFERRED AMOUNTS
 
      The Corporation shall establish on its books the necessary accounts to
accurately reflect the Corporation's liability to each Director who has deferred
compensation under the Amended Plan. To each account shall be credited, as
applicable, Deferred Amounts and Dividend Equivalents (as defined below) on the
common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Corporation (the "Common Stock")
and interest. The Corporation shall maintain separate subaccounts for each
annual compensation deferral election in order to accurately reflect the
Benefits (as defined in Section 4.1) distributable in a particular distribution
year. Payments to the Director under the Amended Plan shall be debited to the
appropriate accounts.
 
      a.    INTEREST-BEARING ACCOUNT.  Compensation which a Director has elected
to defer into an Interest-Bearing Account shall be credited to the
Interest-Bearing Account on the same date that it would otherwise be payable to
such Director (the "Deferral Date"). Deferred Amounts carried in this account
shall earn interest from the Deferral Date to the date of payment. The Deferred
Amount allocated to the Interest-Bearing Account shall be adjusted no less often
than quarterly to reflect hypothetical earnings for the quarter equal to the
U.S. Government Securities Treasury Constant Maturities with 10 year maturities
as of the December 1 of the calendar year preceding the quarter for which the
earnings are credited plus 200 basis points, compounded at least annually. Such
adjustments shall be made until no amounts remain in the Director's
Interest-Bearing Account.
 
      b.    DEFERRED COMPENSATION UNITS ACCOUNT.  A Director who has elected to
defer compensation into a Deferred Compensation Units Account shall have the
amount of such compensation credited to his or her account as of the Deferral
Date, and such Deferred Amount shall also be converted into a number of Deferred
Compensation Units as of the Deferral Date by dividing the Deferred Amount by
the Fair Market Value of the Corporation's Common Stock as of the Deferral Date.
For purposes of the Plan, "Fair Market Value" shall mean the fair market value
of a share of the Common Stock as of a given date measured as (i) the closing
price of a share of the Common Stock on the principal exchange on which shares
of the Common Stock are then trading, if any, on the day previous to such date,
or, if shares were not traded on the day previous to such date, then on the next
preceding trading day during which a sale occurred; or (ii) if such Common Stock
is not traded on an
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   47
 
exchange but is quoted on NASDAQ or a successor quotation system, (1) the last
sales price (if the Common Stock is then listed as a National Market Issue under
the NASD National Market System) or (2) the mean between the closing
representative bid and asked prices (in all other cases) for the Common Stock on
the day previous to such date as reported by NASDAQ or such successor quotation
system; or (iii) if such Common Stock is not publicly traded on an exchange and
not quoted on NASDAQ or a successor quotation system, the mean between the
closing bid and asked prices for the Common Stock, on the day previous to such
date, as determined in good faith by the Committee; or (iv) if the Common Stock
is not publicly traded, the fair market value established by the Compensation
Committee of the Board acting in good faith.
 
      If Deferred Compensation Units exist in a Director's account on a dividend
record date for the Common Stock, Dividend Equivalents shall be credited to the
Director's account on the corresponding dividend payment date, and shall be
converted into the number of Deferred Compensation Units which could be
purchased, at a price equal to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as of
such dividend payment date, with the amount of Dividend Equivalents so credited.
For purposes of the Plan, "Dividend Equivalent" shall mean an amount equal to
the cash dividend payable on any dividend payment date on one share of Common
Stock multiplied by the number of Deferred Compensation Units in the Deferred
Compensation Units Account as of the dividend record date.
 
      In the event of any change in the Corporation's Common Stock outstanding,
by reason of any stock split or dividend, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation, combination or exchange of stock or similar corporate change,
such equitable adjustments, if any, by reason of any such change, shall be made
in the number of Deferred Compensation Units credited to each Director's
Deferred Compensation Units Account.
 
      c.    TRANSFERS BETWEEN ACCOUNTS.  If and only if permissible under Rule
16b-3 as then in effect, upon advice of counsel, transfers from the
Interest-Bearing Account to the Deferred Compensation Units Account may be made
at any time requested by the Director on a date specified in a notice to the
Corporation; provided, however, that, to the extent necessary for such transfer
to qualify for the exemption specified by Rule 16b-3, the date such notice is
received by the Corporation must be at least six months (or such other period as
Rule 16b-3 may specify) prior to the date specified for such transfer and such
transfer shall otherwise comply with any applicable requirements for exemption
under Rule 16b-3. No transfers may be made from the Deferred Compensation Units
Account to the Interest-Bearing Account.
 
SECTION 3.2 -- VESTING
 
      At all times a Director shall have a 100% nonforfeitable right to the
amounts credited to his or her account.
 
                                   ARTICLE IV
 
                                    BENEFITS
 
SECTION 4.1 -- AFTER STATED PERIOD OR UPON CESSATION OF SERVICE AS DIRECTOR
 
      The balance in the Interest-Bearing Account, including adjustments that
continue to be made pursuant to Article III, shall be paid in cash by the
Corporation, and the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of
Deferred Compensation Units (rounded down to the nearest whole unit) (together,
the balance in the Interest-Bearing Account and the Deferred Compensation Units
are referred to as the "Benefit") shall be paid or
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   48
 
distributed, as the case may be, to the Director on the January 1 following the
number of deferral years elected by the Director (either five or ten) or
following the Director's cessation of service as Director for any reason other
than death (the date of which shall be referred to as the "Date of Cessation"),
in one lump sum or in five substantially equal annual payments with respect to
the balance in the Interest-Bearing Account and five substantially equal numbers
of shares of Common Stock with respect to Deferred Compensation Units, in either
case beginning the first day of the calendar year after the Director's Date of
Cessation, all as selected by a Director. Elections pursuant to this Section
shall be made at the same time and in the same manner as election to defer is
made pursuant to Section 2.1.
 
SECTION 4.2 -- UPON DEATH
 
      In the event of a Director's death, the Corporation shall pay the Benefit,
or in the event of a Director's death after commencement of the payment of the
Benefit under Section 4.1, the remaining balance of the Benefit, in one lump sum
as soon as practicable following the death of the Director or to the Director's
Beneficiary.
 
SECTION 4.3 -- CHANGE IN CONTROL
 
      In the event of (a) any transaction or series of transactions which within
a 12-month period constitute a change of management or control where (i) at
least 51 percent of the then outstanding common shares of the Corporation are
(for cash, property (including, without limitation, stock in any corporation),
or indebtedness, or any combination thereof), redeemed by the Corporation or
purchased by any person(s), firm(s) or entity(ies), or exchanged for shares in
any other corporation whether or not affiliated with the Corporation, or any
combination of such redemption, purchase or exchange, or (ii) at least 51
percent of the Corporation's assets are purchased by any person(s), firm(s) or
entity(ies) whether or not affiliated with the Corporation for cash, property
(including, without limitation, stock in any corporation) or indebtedness or any
combination thereof, or (iii) the Corporation is merged or consolidated with
another corporation regardless of whether the Corporation is the survivor, or
(b) any substantial equivalent of any such redemption, purchase, exchange,
change, transaction or series of transactions, merger or consolidation
constituting such change of management or control, the Corporation shall pay the
Benefit to the Director in one lump sum. In the transaction giving rise to such
change of management or control was approved in advance by a majority of the
Board of Directors, payment of the Benefit shall be made at the closing of such
transaction. If the transaction giving rise to the change of management or
control was not so approved, payment of the Benefit shall be made immediately
upon the occurrence of the event or transaction giving rise to the change of
management or control.
 
                                   ARTICLE V
 
                     AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION, OR TERMINATION
 
SECTION 5.1 -- AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION, OR TERMINATION
 
      The Board of Directors may amend, suspend or terminate the Amended Plan,
in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time by resolution adopted at
a regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, and only in such manner.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   49
 
SECTION 5.2 -- NO REDUCTION
 
      No amendment, suspension or termination shall operate to adversely affect
the Benefit otherwise available to a Director if the Director had ceased being a
Director as of the effective date of such amendment, suspension, or termination.
Any Benefit determined as of such date shall continue to be adjusted as provided
in Article III and payable as provided in Article IV.
 
                                   ARTICLE VI
 
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
 
SECTION 6.1 -- BENEFICIARY
 
      "Beneficiary" shall mean any one or more persons, corporation, trusts,
estates, or any combination thereof, last designated by a Director to receive
the Benefit provided under this Plan. Any designation made hereunder shall be
revocable, shall be in writing either on a facsimile of the form annexed hereto
as Schedule 1 or in a written instrument containing the information requested in
Schedule 1, and shall be effective when delivered to the Corporation at its
principal office. If the Corporation, in its sole discretion, determines that
there is not a valid designation, the Beneficiary shall be the executor or
administrator of the Director's estate.
 
SECTION 6.2 -- NONASSIGNABILITY
 
      The interest of any person under this Amended Plan (other than the
Corporation) shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation,
sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, attachment or encumbrance, or to the claims
of creditors of such person, and any attempt to effectuate any such actions
shall be void.
 
SECTION 6.3 -- INTEREST OF DIRECTOR
 
      The Director and any Beneficiary shall, in respect to accounts and any
Benefit to be paid, shall be and remain simply a general unsecured creditor of
the Corporation in the same manner as any other creditor having a general claim
for compensation, if and when the Director's or Beneficiary's rights to receive
payments shall mature and become payable. At no time shall the Director be
deemed to have any right, title or interest, legal or equitable, in any asset of
the Corporation, including, but not limited to, any Common Stock or investments
which represent amounts credited to the Interest-Bearing Account.
 
SECTION 6.4 -- WITHHOLDING
 
      The Corporation shall have the right to deduct or withhold from the
Benefits paid under this Amended Plan all taxes which may be required to be
deducted or withheld under any provision of law (including, but not limited to,
Social Security payments, income tax withholding and any other deduction or
withholding required by law) now in effect or which may become effective any
time during the term of this Amended Plan.
 
SECTION 6.5 -- FUNDING
 
      This Amended Plan shall not be a funded plan. The Corporation shall not
set aside any funds, or make any investments or set aside Common Stock, for the
specific purpose of making payments under the Amended Plan. All benefits paid
under the Amended Plan shall be paid from the general assets of the Corporation.
Benefits
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   50
 
payable under the Amended Plan may be reflected on the accounting records of the
Corporation, but such accounting shall not be construed to create or require the
creation of a trust, custodial or escrow account.
 
SECTION 6.6 -- EXCLUSIVITY OF PLAN
 
      This Amended Plan is intended solely for the purpose of deferring
compensation to the Directors to the mutual advantage of the parties. Nothing
contained in this Amended Plan shall in any way affect or interfere with the
right of a Director to participate in any other benefit plan in which he or she
may be entitled to participate.
 
SECTION 6.7 -- NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED SERVICE
 
      This Amended Plan shall not confer any right to continued service on a
Director.
 
SECTION 6.8 -- NOTICE
 
      Each notice and other communication to be given pursuant to this Amended
Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed given only when (a) delivered by
hand, (b) transmitted by telex or telecopier (provided that a copy is sent at
approximately the same time by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested), (c) received by the addressee, if sent by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, or by Express Mail, Federal Express or other
overnight delivery service, to the Corporation at its principal office and to a
Director at the last known address of such Director (or to such other address or
telecopier number as a party may specify by notice given to the other party
pursuant to this Section).
 
SECTION 6.9 -- CLAIMS PROCEDURES
 
      If a Director or the Director's Beneficiary does not receive benefits to
which he or she believes he or she is entitled, such person may file a claim in
writing with the Corporation. The Corporation shall establish a claims procedure
under which:
 
             (a)   the Corporation shall be required to provide adequate notice
      in writing to the Director or the Beneficiary whose claim for benefits has
      been denied, setting forth specific reasons for such denial, written in a
      manner calculated to be understood by the Director or the Beneficiary; and
 
             (b)   the Corporation shall afford a reasonable opportunity to the
      Director or the Beneficiary whose claim for benefits has been denied for a
      full and fair review by the Corporation of the decision denying the claim.
 
SECTION 6.10 -- ILLINOIS LAW CONTROLLING
 
      This Amended Plan shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of Illinois.
 
SECTION 6.11 -- BINDING ON SUCCESSORS
 
      This Amended Plan shall be binding upon the Directors and the Corporation,
their heirs, successors, legal representatives and assigns.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   51
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PROXY                           IDEX CORPORATION                           PROXY
                                630 DUNDEE ROAD
                           NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS 60062
 
          THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
The undersigned hereby appoints Donald N. Boyce, Clifton S. Robbins, Wayne P.
Sayatovic and Michael T. Tokarz and each of them, as Proxies with full power of
substitution, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as
designated below, all the shares of common stock of IDEX Corporation held of
record by the undersigned on February 12, 1996, at the Annual Meeting of
shareholders to be held on March 26, 1996, or at any adjournment thereof.
 
                                                     PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND
                                                 RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY
                                                  USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
 
                                                   (Continued and to be signed
                                                        on reverse side.)
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
<PAGE>   52
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
                                IDEX CORPORATION
   PLEASE MARK VOTE IN OVAL IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER USING DARK INK ONLY.  / /
 
[                                                                              ]
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>     <C>     <C>
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS --                             FOR   WITHHOLD FOR ALL
   Class I: Donald N. Boyce, Richard E. Health and
   Henry R. Kravis                                       / /     / /     / /
2. APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO RESTATED --                 FOR   AGAINST ABSTAIN
   CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
                                                        / /     / /     / /
3. APPROVAL OF 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR               FOR   AGAINST ABSTAIN
   OFFICERS OF IDEX CORPORATION.
                                                        / /     / /     / /
4. APPROVAL OF AMENDED AND RESTATED IDEX                FOR   AGAINST ABSTAIN
   CORPORATION DIRECTORS DEFERRED
   COMPENSATION PLAN.                                    / /     / /     / /
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER
DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO
DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1
AND 2.

(Except Nominee(s) written below)
   --------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE SELECTION OF                 FOR   AGAINST ABSTAIN
   DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS AUDITORS OF
   THE COMPANY.                                          / /     / /     / /
6. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
   business as may properly come before the meeting.

Please sign exactly as name appears below. When shares are held by joint
tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, as executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a
corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other
authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by
authorized person.
                                       Dated: ------------------------- , 1996

- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Signature
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Signature if held jointly
</TABLE>
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
<PAGE>   53
 
                            SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
 
      IDEX Corporation intends to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to options and
deferred compensation units under the Company's 1996 Stock Plan for Officers and
Amended and Restated Directors Deferred Compensation Plan (collectively, the
"Plans") concurrently with the approval of the Plans by the Company's
shareholders.


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