ROBBINS & MYERS INC
S-3/A, 1995-12-27
PUMPS & PUMPING EQUIPMENT
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<PAGE>   1
 
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 27, 1995
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 33-64955
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-3
                            ------------------------
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
                             ROBBINS & MYERS, INC.
                                      Ohio
                            (STATE OF INCORPORATION)
 
                                   31-424220
                    (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
 
                    1400 Kettering Tower, Dayton, Ohio 45423
                                 (513) 222-2610
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                            ------------------------
                                Joseph M. Rigot
                            Thompson, Hine and Flory
                          2000 Courthouse Plaza, N.E.
                               Dayton, Ohio 45402
                                 (513) 443-6586
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                            ------------------------
                                    Copy to:
                           W. Brinkley Dickerson, Jr.
                             Schiff Hardin & Waite
                                7200 Sears Tower
                               Chicago, IL 60606
                                 (312) 876-1000
                            ------------------------
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
 
     As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration
Statement.
                            ------------------------
     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.  / /
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  / /
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  / /
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  / /
 
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  / /
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         PROPOSED           PROPOSED
                                                          MAXIMUM            MAXIMUM
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES    AMOUNT TO BE     OFFERING PRICE        AGGREGATE          AMOUNT OF
        TO BE REGISTERED             REGISTERED        PER SHARE(1)     OFFERING PRICE(1)  REGISTRATION FEE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
Common Shares, without par
  value..........................    1,495,000(2)           $29            $43,355,000        $14,950(3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN> 
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
    pursuant to Rule 457(c) on the basis of the average of the high and low
    prices reported on the Nasdaq National Market on December 21, 1995.
 
(2) Includes up to 195,000 shares which may be purchased by the Underwriters to
    cover over-allotments, if any.
 
(3) $13,959 of such fee was paid on December 13, 1995 when the initial
    Registration Statement was filed.
</TABLE>
                            ------------------------
     The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall
file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 27, 1995
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                1,300,000 SHARES

                                    [LOGO] 
                             
                             ROBBINS & MYERS, INC.
 
                                 COMMON SHARES
                          ---------------------------
     Of the 1,300,000 Common Shares offered hereby 1,100,000 shares are being
sold by Robbins & Myers, Inc. (the "Company"), and 200,000 shares are being sold
by Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd. (the "Selling Shareholder"). The Company will not
receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the Selling Shareholder.
 
     The Common Shares of the Company are traded on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol "ROBN." On December 26, 1995, the last reported sale price of
the Company's Common Shares on the Nasdaq National Market was $28.75 per share.
                          ---------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES 
      COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS 
       PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS 
                      A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                       UNDERWRITING                         PROCEEDS TO
                                       PRICE TO        DISCOUNTS AND      PROCEEDS TO         SELLING
                                        PUBLIC        COMMISSIONS(1)      COMPANY(2)        SHAREHOLDER
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
Per Share.........................         $                 $                 $                 $
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3)..........................         $                 $                 $                 $
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN> 
(1) The Company and the Selling Shareholder have agreed to indemnify the
    Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
    Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Underwriting."
 
(2) Before deducting estimated expenses of $250,000 payable by the Company.
 
(3) The Company has granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to
    195,000 additional Common Shares on the same terms and conditions as set
    forth above, to cover over-allotments, if any. If such option is exercised
    in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discounts and Commissions,
    and Proceeds to the Company will be $          , $          , and
    $          , respectively. See "Underwriting."
</TABLE>
                          ---------------------------
     The Common Shares offered by this Prospectus are offered by the
Underwriters subject to prior sale, to withdrawal, cancellation or modification
of the offer without notice, to delivery to and acceptance by the Underwriters
and to certain further conditions. It is expected that delivery of the Common
Shares will be made at the offices of Lehman Brothers Inc., New York, New York
on or about January   , 1996.
                          ---------------------------
LEHMAN BROTHERS                                          SCHRODER WERTHEIM & CO.
 
January   , 1996
<PAGE>   3
                               Fluids Management                          
                                        |
                               Process Industries
                                        |
      ------------------------------------------------------------------
      |         |       |               |               |          |     |
Pharmaceutical  |   Wastewater          |       Oil & Gas Recovery |  Chemical
                |                       |                          |
        Food & Beverage          Pulp & Paper                    Mining
                                        |
                                        |
                                  Fluids Systems
                                        |
                                        |
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   |             |               |                |           |          |
  Flow       Particle &          |          Temperature    Process       |
Control       Emulsion       Treatment        & Pressure   Control   Containment
   |          Control            |             Control        |          |
   |             |               |                |           |          |
 Pumps        Filters       Mechanical         Heaters     Software   Tanks
   |             |               |                |           |          |
 Vaves        Grinders       Chemical          Chillers    Hardware     Pipes
                 |               |                |           |          
              Mixers         Biological    Heat Exchangers Metering
                                                  |           | 
                                              Regulators   Sensors
                                                              |
                                                       Instrumentation

Primary product offerings    Secondary products offerings   Products not offered
of the Company               of the Company                 by the Company  


     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON SHARES
AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH
STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AND SELLING GROUP
MEMBERS (IF ANY) MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON
SHARES OF THE COMPANY ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE
10B-6A UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT. SEE "UNDERWRITING."
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more
detailed information and financial statements, including the notes thereto,
appearing elsewhere, or incorporated by reference, in this Prospectus. Unless
otherwise indicated, all information in this Prospectus is based on the
assumption that the Underwriters' over-allotment option is not exercised.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     The Company designs, manufactures and markets highly-engineered fluids
management products for the process industries on a global basis. The Company's
four product lines are glass-lined storage and reactor vessels (38% of fiscal
1995 sales), progressing cavity products (30%), mixing and turbine agitation
equipment (22%), and related products such as engineered systems, fluoropolymer
linings, and valves (10%). The Company's customers include the chemical,
pharmaceutical, oil and gas, wastewater treatment, pulp and paper, food and
beverage, and mining industries.
 
     The Company has achieved leading market shares in each of its main product
lines: first worldwide in glass-lined storage and reactor vessels, first
domestically in progressing cavity products and second worldwide in mixing and
turbine agitation equipment. Its principal brandnames -- Pfaudler, Moyno, and
Chemineer -- are well-recognized in the marketplace and are associated with
quality products and extensive customer support, including product application
engineering, state-of-the-art customer test facilities, and strong aftermarket
service and support.
 
     Since February 1992, the Company has completed six acquisitions as part of
a strategy to leverage its fluids management expertise, its leadership in
progressing cavity technology, and its operating capabilities into a portfolio
of highly-engineered, fluids management products and services. The most
significant of these acquisitions occurred in June 1994 when the Company
acquired its Pfaudler, Chemineer and Edlon business units. These acquisitions
tripled the sales of the Company and provided leading worldwide positions in two
additional core product lines for served markets.
 
     The Company seeks consistent operating performance by offering a portfolio
of brandname products to diverse sectors of the process industries, both
domestically and internationally, and by maintaining a strong aftermarket (parts
and service) business. The Company has a strong presence throughout the process
industries and is not significantly dependent on any one sector. It also has
achieved a balance of domestic and international sales, with international sales
accounting for approximately 45% of sales in fiscal 1995. The Company's large
base of installed equipment, coupled with its emphasis on customer service and
global presence, has resulted in a strong aftermarket business (which accounted
for approximately 38% of sales in fiscal 1995).
 
     The Company's strategy for future growth and improved profitability is to
capitalize on its competitive strengths to take advantage of the increasing
desire of customers for a limited number of preferred suppliers serving their
worldwide needs. Elements of this strategy include continued focus on
responsiveness to customers, further geographic expansion, product line
extension through internal growth, strategic acquisitions and alliances,
implementation of ongoing operational improvements, and leveraging internal
cross-selling opportunities.
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>
Common Shares offered by:
     The Company................................................  1,100,000
     The Selling Shareholder....................................    200,000
                                                                  ---------
          Total.................................................  1,300,000
Common Shares to be outstanding after the Offering (1)..........  6,324,636
Use of Proceeds.................................................  To repay certain bank
                                                                  indebtedness incurred in
                                                                  connection with acquisitions.
Nasdaq Symbol...................................................  ROBN
- ---------------
<FN> 
(1) Based on actual shares outstanding as of December 26, 1995, excluding
    402,350 shares issuable after December 26, 1995 upon exercise of options
    granted under employee benefit plans, with an average exercise price of
    $16.60 per share.
</TABLE> 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
                         SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                    (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               AT OR FOR THE
                                                                                            THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                             AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,               NOVEMBER 30,
                                      -------------------------------------------------     -------------------
                                       1991      1992      1993     1994(1)    1995(1)        1994       1995
                                      -------   -------   -------   --------   --------     --------   --------
                                                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                   <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
OPERATING DATA:
Net sales............................ $78,662   $75,588   $85,057   $121,647   $302,952     $ 68,628   $ 81,212
Gross profit.........................  29,247    30,080    32,761     44,981    101,304       23,041     27,103
Operating income(2)..................  10,915    10,715    10,590     16,248     27,070        6,054      7,967
Income before income taxes...........   9,711     9,832     9,746     10,645     19,033        4,331      6,664
Net income (loss)(3).................   5,012     7,873    (1,840)     6,355     13,157        2,915      4,098
Net income (loss) per share, fully
  diluted(3).........................    $.96     $1.50     $(.35)     $1.21      $2.42         $.55       $.75
Dividends declared per share.........   .1375     .1875     .2375      .2875        .30         .075       .075
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets......................... $69,258   $74,318   $84,636   $258,130   $270,407     $260,611   $300,136
Long-term debt.......................     879       906         0     80,290     61,834       80,618     80,510
Total debt...........................   1,094       939       971     83,790     67,901       84,118     92,590
Shareholders' equity.................  49,232    56,310    52,342     57,039     69,939       59,801     73,755
Total debt to total
  capitalization(4)..................    2.2%      1.6%      1.8%      59.5%      49.3%        58.4%      55.7%
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA............................... $11,771   $12,335   $12,660   $ 16,482   $ 37,576     $  8,887   $ 11,534
Capital expenditures.................   4,240     4,749     2,579      6,798     10,133        1,867      4,147
Backlog at period-end................  17,762    12,210    20,248     73,944    107,423       77,552    109,684
Return on average common equity(5)...   18.5%     14.9%     11.4%      11.6%      18.6%        20.0%      22.8%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Results for Pfaudler, Chemineer, and Edlon, which were acquired on June 30,
    1994, are included for two months in fiscal 1994 and 12 months in fiscal
    1995.
 
(2) Represents earnings before taxes, interest, restructuring charges of $950 in
    1993 and $2,551 in 1994 and other income or expenses. See "Selected
    Consolidated Financial Data."
 
(3) Includes aftertax (charges) of $(3,658), $(.71) per share, in 1991 for
    discontinued operation and $(8,018), $(1.52) per share, in 1993 for
    cumulative effect of accounting changes and an aftertax gain of $1,332, $.25
    per share, in 1995 for early extinguishment of debt.
 
(4) Total capitalization consists of short-term debt, long-term debt and
    shareholders' equity.
 
(5) Computed on the basis of income before special items and annualized for the
    three month periods.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of Common Shares in the
Offering are estimated to be $               ($               if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full). The Company intends
to use such net proceeds to repay certain outstanding bank indebtedness that was
incurred in connection with acquisitions.
 
     As of November 30, 1995, the outstanding indebtedness under the Company's
bank credit agreement was comprised of a $36,500,000 term loan and $28,300,000
related to a revolving credit facility. The principal of the term loan is
payable in quarterly installments through 2001. Interest rates on both the term
loan and revolving credit facility are, at the Company's option, based upon
prime rates or a formula tied to LIBOR rates. The effective annual interest rate
on the loans was 7.85% at November 30, 1995 and was 7.87% at November 30, 1994.
 
     The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of Common
Shares by the Selling Shareholder.
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company at
November 30, 1995 and as adjusted to reflect the issuance and sale of 1,100,000
Common Shares by the Company in the Offering and the anticipated use of the
estimated net proceeds therefrom.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      NOVEMBER 30, 1995
                                                                   -----------------------
                                                                                    AS
                                                                    ACTUAL       ADJUSTED
                                                                   ---------     ---------
                                                                   (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                         (UNAUDITED)
     <S>                                                           <C>           <C>
     SHORT-TERM DEBT:
       Current portion of long-term debt.........................  $  12,080     $
     LONG-TERM DEBT (LESS CURRENT PORTION):
       Senior debt...............................................     54,213
       Subordinated debt.........................................     26,297
                                                                   ---------     ---------
          Total long-term debt...................................     80,510
                                                                   ---------     ---------
               TOTAL DEBT........................................     92,590
     SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
       Common shares
          Authorized shares--25,000,000
          Outstanding shares--5,222,571 (6,322,571 as
          adjusted)(1)...........................................     21,471
       Retained earnings.........................................     52,957
       Equity adjustment for foreign currency translation........        101
       Equity adjustment to recognize minimum pension
          liability..............................................       (774)      (      )
                                                                   ---------     ---------
               TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY........................     73,755
                                                                   ---------     ---------
                 TOTAL CAPITALIZATION(2).........................  $ 166,345     $
                                                                    ========      ========
<FN>
- ---------------
(1) Does not include 2,065 Common Shares issued after November 30, 1995 and
    402,350 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of options granted under
    employee benefit plans, with an average exercise price of $16.60 per share.
 
(2) Total capitalization consists of short-term debt, long-term debt and
    shareholders' equity.

</TABLE>
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
                   PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES AND DIVIDENDS
 
     The Common Shares of the Company are traded on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol ROBN. The following table sets forth the high and low sale
prices of the Common Shares, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market, and
dividends paid per share for the periods presented.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    DIVIDENDS
                                                                  HIGH     LOW      PER SHARE
                                                                  ----     ----     ---------
<S>                                                               <C>      <C>      <C>
FISCAL 1994
Quarter Ended:
  November 30, 1993.............................................  $20 3/4  $15 1/2   6 1/4c
  February 28, 1994.............................................    19     15 1/2    7 1/2c
  May 31, 1994..................................................  20 1/2     17      7 1/2c
  August 31, 1994...............................................  20 1/4     18      7 1/2c
FISCAL 1995
Quarter Ended:
  November 30, 1994.............................................  $20 1/5  $16 3/4   7 1/2c
  February 28, 1995.............................................  22 3/4   16 1/2    7 1/2c
  May 31, 1995..................................................  28 1/2   20 3/4    7 1/2c
  August 31, 1995...............................................  28 3/4     25      7 1/2c
FISCAL 1996
Quarter Ended:
  November 30, 1995.............................................  $ 35     $27 1/4   7 1/2c
  2nd Quarter through December 26, 1995.........................    33     28 1/2        *
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
* On December 13, 1995, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a
  quarterly cash dividend of 8 3/4c per share, payable on January 31, 1996, to
  shareholders of record as of January 12, 1996.
 
     On December 26, 1995, the last reported sale price for the Common Shares on
the Nasdaq National Market was $28.75 per share.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                    (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
     The following table presents selected consolidated financial data of the
Company for the last five fiscal years ended August 31 and for the three-month
periods ended November 30, 1994 and 1995. The selected consolidated financial
data for the full year periods has been derived from audited consolidated
financial statements of the Company. Such selected financial data should be read
in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" included herein and the consolidated financial
statements of the Company and the notes thereto included in the Company's Form
10-K and Form 10-Q, which are incorporated herein by reference.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          AT OR FOR THE
                                                                                                        THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                   AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,                     NOVEMBER 30,
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------     ----------------------
                                         1991        1992        1993       1994(1)      1995(1)        1994          1995
                                        -------     -------     -------     --------     --------     --------      --------
                                                                                                           (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
OPERATING DATA:
Net sales.............................  $78,662     $75,588     $85,057     $121,647     $302,952     $ 68,628      $ 81,212
Cost of sales.........................   49,415      45,508      52,296       76,666      201,648       45,587        54,109
                                        -------     -------     -------     --------     --------     --------      --------
Gross profit..........................   29,247      30,080      32,761       44,981      101,304       23,041        27,103
Engineering and development, selling
  and administrative expenses.........   18,332      19,365      22,171       28,733       74,234       16,987        19,136
                                        -------     -------     -------     --------     --------     --------      --------
Operating income......................   10,915      10,715      10,590       16,248       27,070        6,054         7,967
Interest..............................       88          61         116        1,457        7,287        1,795         1,670
Other(2)..............................    1,116         822         728        4,146          750          (72)         (367)
                                        -------     -------     -------     --------     --------     --------      --------
Income before income taxes............    9,711       9,832       9,746       10,645       19,033        4,331         6,664
Income taxes..........................    1,041       1,959       3,568        4,290        7,208        1,416         2,566
                                        -------     -------     -------     --------     --------     --------      --------
Income before special items...........    8,670       7,873       6,178        6,355       11,825        2,915         4,098
Special items, net of tax(3)..........   (3,658)         --      (8,018)          --        1,332           --            --
                                        -------     -------     -------     --------     --------     --------      --------
Net income (loss).....................  $ 5,012     $ 7,873     $(1,840)    $  6,355     $ 13,157     $  2,915      $  4,098
                                        =======     =======     =======     ========     ========     ========      ========
Income per share, fully diluted,
  before special items................  $  1.67     $  1.50     $  1.17     $   1.21     $   2.17     $    .55      $    .75
Special items, net of tax, per share,
  fully diluted(3)....................     (.71)         --       (1.52)          --          .25           --            --
                                        -------     -------     -------     --------     --------     --------      --------
Net income (loss) per share, fully
  diluted.............................  $   .96     $  1.50     $  (.35)    $   1.21     $   2.42     $    .55      $    .75
                                        =======     =======     =======     ========     ========     ========      ========
Dividends declared per share..........  $ .1375     $ .1875     $ .2375     $  .2875     $    .30     $   .075      $   .075
Weighted average number of common
  shares outstanding, fully diluted...    5,221       5,249       5,257        5,252        5,437        5,276         5,486
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets..........................  $69,258     $74,318     $84,636     $258,130     $270,407     $260,611      $300,136
Long-term debt........................      879         906           0       80,290       61,834       80,618        80,510
Total debt............................    1,094         939         971       83,790       67,901       84,118        92,590
Shareholders' equity..................   49,232      56,310      52,342       57,039       69,939       59,801        73,755
Total debt to total
  capitalization(4)...................     2.2%        1.6%        1.8%        59.5%        49.3%        58.4%         55.7%
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA................................  $11,771     $12,335     $12,660     $ 16,482     $ 37,576     $  8,887      $ 11,534
Capital expenditures..................    4,240       4,749       2,579        6,798       10,133        1,867         4,147
Backlog at period-end.................   17,762      12,210      20,248       73,944      107,423       77,552       109,684
Return on average common equity(5)....    18.5%       14.9%       11.4%        11.6%        18.6%        20.0%         22.8%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Results of Pfaudler, Chemineer, and Edlon, which were acquired on June 30,
    1994, are included for two months in 1994 and 12 months in 1995.
 
(2) Includes restructuring charges of $950 in 1993 and $2,551 in 1994.
 
(3) Special items are: 1991 -- discontinued operation, 1993 -- cumulative effect
    of accounting changes, and 1995 -- extraordinary gain on debt
    extinguishment.
 
(4) Total capitalization consists of short-term debt, long-term debt and
    shareholders' equity.
 
(5) Computed on the basis of income before special items and annualized for the
    three month periods.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
     The Company designs, manufactures and markets highly-engineered fluids
management products for the process industries on a global basis. The Company's
four product lines are glass-lined storage and reactor vessels (38% of fiscal
1995 sales), progressing cavity products (30%), mixing and turbine agitation
equipment (22%), and related products, such as engineered systems, fluoropolymer
linings, and valves (10%). The Company's customers include the chemical,
pharmaceutical, oil and gas, wastewater treatment, pulp and paper, food and
beverage, and mining industries.
 
     The Company has achieved leading market shares in each of its main product
lines: first worldwide in glass-lined storage and reactor vessels, first
domestically in progressing cavity products, and second worldwide in mixing and
turbine agitation equipment. Its principal brandnames -- Pfaudler, Moyno, and
Chemineer -- are well-known in the marketplace and are associated with quality
products and extensive customer support, including product application
engineering, state-of-the-art customer test facilities, and strong aftermarket
service and support.
 
     The Company has manufacturing facilities in the United States, Germany,
Scotland, England, Mexico, Brazil, Belgium, and, through a 40%-owned affiliate,
in India.
 
DEVELOPMENT OF FLUIDS MANAGEMENT BUSINESS
 
     The Company has capitalized on its fluids management expertise, its leading
domestic market position in progressing cavity technology, and its operating
strengths to build, through acquisitions and internal development, a business
committed to serving the fluids management needs of the process industries on a
worldwide basis. A critical component of this process was the completion by the
Company of six acquisitions since February 1992, which tripled the Company's
sales. As a result, the Company believes it has achieved the critical mass and
competitive profile necessary to serve its customers successfully in world
markets.
 
     FLUIDS MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE.  As an industry leader in glass-lined reactor
vessels, progressing cavity technology, and industrial mixers, the Company has a
broad understanding of fluid dynamics and its application to the process
industries. The Company can offer its customers state-of-the-art test
facilities, extensive application engineering expertise, and strong aftermarket
support and service capabilities.
 
     LEADING MARKET POSITIONS.  The Company has achieved leading market shares
in glass-lined vessels, progressing cavity products and industrial mixers. This
product portfolio offers more opportunities to enter new geographic markets,
provides an installed base of products to support and build the Company's
aftermarket business, and facilitates expansion of business with existing
customers through cross-selling and the development of preferred supplier
relationships.
 
     GLOBAL PRESENCE.  The Company has manufacturing facilities in eight
countries and distributors and representatives throughout the world. This
presence enables the Company to respond to customers' desires to establish, on a
global basis, continuing relationships with a limited number of preferred
suppliers who offer quality products and service on a timely and cost-effective
basis.
 
     DIVERSIFIED REVENUE BASE.  The Company has a balance in its business as a
result of selling a diverse portfolio of products, serving various sectors of
the process industries, having an almost equal mix between domestic and
international sales, and emphasizing its aftermarket business. This diversity
lessens the impact on the Company of adverse general economic conditions and
business cycles in individual sectors within the process industries.
 
     OPERATING PERFORMANCE.  The Company has a demonstrated ability to
effectively operate its existing businesses and has been able to improve the
profitability of acquired businesses. For example, the operating margins of
Pfaudler, Chemineer and Edlon, combined, improved from 6.4% for the three month
period ended November 30, 1994 (the first full fiscal quarter following
acquisition by the Company) to 9.6% for the three month period ended November
30, 1995.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
STRATEGY
 
     The Company's strategy for future growth and improved profitability is to
capitalize on its competitive strengths to take advantage of the increasing
desire of customers for a limited number of preferred suppliers serving their
needs on a global basis. Elements of this strategy include continued focus on
responsiveness to customers, further geographic expansion, product line
extension through internal growth, strategic acquisitions and alliances,
implementation of ongoing operational improvements, and leveraging internal
cross-selling opportunities.
 
     CUSTOMER RESPONSIVENESS.  Customers increasingly are seeking to establish
continuing relationships with a reduced number of preferred suppliers which
offer timely and cost effective delivery of high quality products, application
engineering expertise and service on a global basis. To capitalize on this
demand, the Company is expanding its customer service network and reducing
response time for product design, fabrication and delivery through the use of
new computer-based business systems, concurrent design and manufacturing
methods, a decentralized organizational structure and an expanded manufacturing
capability.
 
     GEOGRAPHIC EXPANSION.  The Company intends to expand its operations through
acquisitions, strategic alliances, and internal growth in geographic areas in
which it has a limited presence. Several of the Company's key customers, seeking
to serve emerging economies with a local presence, are expanding their
operations in less developed regions. The Company intends to focus significant
efforts in these areas, particularly the Pacific Rim. The Company believes its
expertise in international operations, portfolio of brandname products, and
existing customer base will provide important competitive advantages in this
effort.
 
     PRODUCT LINE EXTENSIONS.  The Company has development programs underway to
adapt its products for applications in additional markets. These programs
include the redesign and expansion of its portable mixer line, modification of
its progressing cavity oilfield products to expand their capability in oil and
gas recovery and drilling, and the development of a new industrial progressing
cavity product line to better compete in international and positive displacement
markets not currently served.
 
     STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS.  Strategic acquisitions have been, and management
believes will continue to be, an important element of the Company's growth
strategy. Any such acquisitions are expected to complement the Company's
existing capabilities. Through its recent acquisitions, the Company has
demonstrated its ability to integrate and improve the operations of acquired
businesses.
 
     OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS.  As part of a continuous improvement objective,
the Company is in the process of a comprehensive review of the operations of its
acquired businesses. As a result of these initiatives the Company has achieved
and expects future additional operating improvements from such items as the
implementation of re-engineered business methods and related organizational
structure, the installation of new computer-based business systems at several
key facilities, consolidation of operations at lower cost facilities, and
broader implementation of alternative manufacturing strategies, such as cell
manufacturing. These programs have been beneficial for existing businesses and
the Company intends to execute similar improvements with any additional
businesses it acquires.
 
     CROSS-SELLING OPPORTUNITIES.  The Company's operating units currently
market their product lines through different distribution channels, with varying
emphasis on particular sectors of the process industries. In 1995, the Company
initiated programs to cross sell products to sectors of the process industries
which are currently underserved by a particular product line's existing
distribution system.
 
COMPANY PRODUCTS
 
  Glass-Lined Storage and Reactor Vessels
 
     The Company's Pfaudler unit manufactures and sells glass-lined storage and
reactor vessels and related equipment for use in the chemical, pharmaceutical,
and petrochemical industries. Reactor vessels perform critical functions in the
production process by providing a temperature, agitation and pressure controlled
environment for often complex chemical reactions.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
     The Pfaudler unit fabricates steel vessels and bonds glass to the interior
of vessels to form a fused composite, referred to as Glasteel, which provides a
vessel in which materials can be processed or stored in an inert, nonsticking,
corrosion-resistant environment. Reactor vessels range in capacities from one to
15,000 gallons, are generally custom-ordered and designed and can be equipped
with various accessories, such as agitators, instrumentation and baffles.
Storage vessels have capacities up to 25,000 gallons.
 
  Progressing Cavity Products
 
     Progressing cavity technology is used in pump products sold to industrial
markets, principally the waste-water, pulp and paper, food and beverage,
pharmaceutical and chemical markets, and pumps and power sections for the oil
and gas recovery and drilling markets. A progressing cavity pump consists of a
high strength, single helix steel rod (called the rotor) which rotates in a
double helix elastomer-lined steel tube (called the stator). The rotor generates
positive displacement in the stator to deliver uniform fluid flow, at rates
proportional to the rotational speed of the rotor.
 
     For industrial markets, the Company markets a wide range of progressing
cavity pumps under the brand names Moyno and R&M. Progressing cavity pumps are
versatile as they can be positioned at any angle and can deliver flow in either
direction, without modification or accessories. These pumps are able to handle
fluids ranging from high pressure water and shear sensitive materials to heavy,
viscous, abrasive, solid-laden slurries and sludges.
 
     For oil and gas markets, the Company manufactures and sells down-hole pumps
and power sections used to drive the drilling element in the drilling of wells.
The ability of progressing cavity technology to be used in severe pumping
applications and also as a hydraulic motor has enabled the Company to become a
leader in the development of pumping and directional drilling products. Moyno
down-hole pumps are used primarily to pump heavy crude oil to the surface and
for dewatering gas wells. Moyno down-hole power sections utilize progressing
cavity technology to drive the drilling element in oil and gas well drilling.
 
  Mixing and Turbine Agitation Equipment
 
     The Company's industrial mixers and turbine agitation equipment are used in
a variety of applications, ranging from simple storage tank agitation to
critical applications in polymerization and fermentation processes. Industrial
mixers are sold under the Chemineer, Prochem, and Kenics brandnames.
 
     Chemineer products include a line of high-quality turbine agitators. These
gear-driven agitators are available in various sizes, a wide selection of
mounting methods, and drive ranges from one to 1,000 horsepower. The Chemineer
line also includes top-entry turbine agitators with drive ranges from one-half
to five horsepower, designed for less demanding applications, and a line of
portable gear-driven and direct drive mixers which can be clamp mounted to tanks
to handle batch mixing needs. The principal markets for Chemineer products are
the chemical, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, food processing and wastewater
treatment industries.
 
     Prochem industrial mixers are principally belt-driven, side-entry mixers
used primarily in the pulp and paper, mining, and mineral processing industries.
Kenics mixers are continuous mixing and processing devices, with no moving
parts, which are used in specialized static mixing and heat transfer
applications.
 
  Related Products
 
     The Company also manufactures and markets to the process industries several
products which compliment its principal products. These related products include
engineered systems, fluoropolymer linings, and valves.
 
     The Company's engineered systems group designs and sells fluid
heating/cooling systems used with reactor vessels to control fluid temperature
in the manufacture and processing of pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals.
The engineered systems group also designs and sells fluid separators, known as
wiped film evaporators. The Company maintains a computer controlled pilot plant
test facility for use by Company and
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
customer engineers to determine and evaluate operating parameters in the
production and processing of pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, and other
products.
 
     The Company's Edlon unit manufactures and markets fluoropolymer roll covers
and liners for process equipment, isostatically molded liners for pipe and
flowmeters, and vessel and piping accessories. Its products are principally used
in the chemical industry to provide corrosion-resistant environments and in the
paper industry for release applications.
 
FACILITIES
 
     The Company's executive offices are located in Dayton, Ohio. Set forth
below is certain information relating to the Company's principal facilities.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     SQUARE                    PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED
             LOCATION                FOOTAGE                 OR OTHER USE OF FACILITY
- -----------------------------------  -------         -----------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>             <C>
NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA:
Avondale, Pennsylvania               50,000          Roll covers and liners
Dayton, Ohio                        160,000 (1)      Turbine agitators and mixers
Fairfield, California                60,000          Progressing cavity pumps and power
                                                     sections
North Andover, Massachusetts         30,000 (1)      Static mixers and heat exchangers
Rochester, New York                 500,000          Glass-lined vessels
Rochester, New York                  10,000 (1)      Parts and field service for glass-lined
                                                     vessels
Springfield, Ohio                    272,800         Progressing cavity pumps and pinch valves
Mexico City, Mexico                  110,000         Glass-lined vessels
Sao Jose Dos Campos, Brazil           30,000 (1)     Air handlers
Taubate, Brazil                      100,000         Glass-lined vessels
EUROPE:
Schwetzingen, Germany                400,000         Glass-lined vessels
Leven, Scotland                      240,000         Glass-lined vessels, roll covers and
                                                     liners
Bilston, England                      50,000         Parts and reglassing for glass-lined
                                                     vessels
Bolton, England                       10,000         Gaskets for glass-lined vessels
Derby, England                        20,000 (1)     Turbine agitators and mixers
Kearsley, England                     14,000         Parts and field service for glass-lined
                                                     vessels
Southhampton, England                 10,000 (1)     Assembly operation for progressing cavity
                                                     pumps
Petit-Rechain, Belgium                15,000         Progressing cavity products
ASIA:
Gujurat, India                       350,000 (2)     Glass-lined vessels
Singapore                              5,000 (1)     Assembly operation for progressing cavity
                                                     pumps
- ---------------
<FN> 
(1) Leased facility.
 
(2) Facility of a 40% owned affiliate
</TABLE>
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
RECENT ACQUISITIONS
 
     The purchase of Pfaudler, Chemineer and Edlon (the "acquired companies") in
June of 1994, significantly changed the business and financial profile of the
Company. As a result of the acquisitions, critical elements of the Company's
strategy to expand its capabilities to serve the fluids management needs of the
process industries, to offer a balanced portfolio of products with brand-name
recognition, and to have a strong presence in global markets were achieved.
 
     The acquisitions allowed the Company to almost triple its total sales and
to increase its international sales to approximately 45% of consolidated sales.
The results of the acquired companies are included for 12 months in fiscal 1995
and for two months in the prior year, which significantly impacts year-to-year
comparisons. First quarter fiscal 1995 and 1996 are periods that include
comparable operations.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     FIRST QUARTER FISCAL 1996 --  Net income of $4.1 million was 40.6% higher
than in the first quarter of 1995. Earnings per share of $.75, fully diluted,
increased 36.4% from the first quarter of 1995. These increases are primarily
the result of volume increases, as discussed below.
 
     Net sales for the first quarter of 1996 were $81.2 million, an increase of
18.3% over the same period of the prior year. This increase was primarily driven
by strong market demand for the Company's mixing and turbine agitation equipment
and glass-lined storage and reactor vessels. These products are primarily sold
to the pharmaceutical, chemical, and petrochemical markets, which are expected
to remain strong at least through 1996. In addition, the Company expanded its
aftermarket business from the prior year, resulting in increased sales. Company
backlog is at a record level of $110 million at the end of the quarter, $3
million higher than at August 31, 1995, and $32 million higher than at November
30, 1994.
 
     The gross profit percentage of 33.4% for the first quarter of 1996 was
relatively constant with the 33.6% for the first quarter of 1995, despite the
higher sales levels in 1996. This relationship is a result of product mix, as
the margins for the products with the greatest sales increases, industrial
mixers and reactor vessels, are traditionally lower than the Company's
progressing cavity pump products. Margins for industrial mixers and reactor
vessels, however, have improved over the prior year as a result of higher volume
and profitability improvement measures, including restructuring, implemented by
the Company.
 
     Engineering and development, selling and administrative expenses decreased
as a percentage of sales from 24.7% in the first quarter of 1995 to 23.6% in the
first quarter 1996. This decrease results from the higher sales volume and the
fixed nature of certain of these expenses.
 
     Interest expense decreased to $1.7 million in the current quarter from $1.8
million in the same quarter of the prior year. Midway through the first quarter
of 1996, 1.85 million stock appreciation rights were retired for $18 million,
which was financed through senior debt. However, average debt levels were
approximately $4 million lower in the first quarter of 1996 than in the first
quarter of 1995, which was the primary reason for the decrease in interest
expense.
 
     The effective tax rate increased from 32.7% in the first quarter of 1995 to
38.5% in 1996. The tax rate for the first quarter of 1995 reflected utilization
of some foreign net operating loss carryforwards. The 1996 tax rate is more
reflective of ongoing operations and comparable to 1995's overall rate of 37.9%.
 
     FISCAL 1995 --  Sales reached $303.0 million and net income rose to $13.2
million or $2.42 per share, assuming full dilution. This compares to sales of
$121.6 million and net income of $6.4 million or $1.21 per share for 1994. The
increase in both sales and net income is due primarily to the acquired
companies. However, it should be noted that the Company's traditional businesses
also experienced a good year with sales reaching $102.5 million, an 11%
increase. Operating income of these businesses, which excludes corporate,
interest and amortization expense, reached $19.4 million, a 10% increase.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
     The rate of profitability as measured by operating income to sales
relationships declined for domestic operations in both 1994 and 1995. This is
due to the rate for the acquired businesses being lower than that enjoyed by the
Company's historic businesses.
 
     Profitability is further impacted by the fact that the foreign businesses
are currently less profitable than domestic businesses. For 1995, the European
businesses are impacted primarily by the German operation which accounts for 52%
of European sales but is only nominally profitable. An important program for
changing how the Company conducts business in Germany and the related cost
structure is underway and progress is expected in 1996. The Company believes
that the European businesses have an operating profit potential of 10% which
could be attained in three to five years. The lower rate of profitability for
the other foreign businesses is due in part to their being start-up operations.
 
     Operating income also includes a pre-tax write off of $1.6 million
representing the value of the Company's remaining investment in Hazleton
Environmental. The partnership was liquidated in 1995 which terminated the
Company's relationship with the venture.
 
     Finally, during the year, the Company negotiated the repurchase of $25
million of subordinated debt issued as a part of the consideration for the
acquired companies. The transaction generated an after-tax extraordinary gain of
$1.3 million and is so reflected in the results for the year.
 
     Approximately 870 of the Company's 2,400 employees are covered by three
collective bargaining agreements. Two of these agreements were entered into in
1995 for three-year terms. The third agreement, covering approximately 260
employees at the Company's Springfield, Ohio facility, expires on January 31,
1996.
 
     FISCAL 1994 --  The acquisitions and related restructure transactions had a
significant impact on 1994 operating results. Aided by the inclusion of the
acquired businesses for July and August, sales increased to $121.6 million or
43% and net income to $6.4 million or 3% greater than income before cumulative
effect of accounting changes earned for 1993. For the period owned, the acquired
businesses accounted for $29.3 million in sales and provided sufficient income
before tax to cover the additional interest and amortization expense incurred as
a result of the transaction.
 
     The Company's traditional businesses enjoyed a good year in 1994. Sales
increased 8.5% and net income, before considering the restructure provision for
the year, increased 28%. Improved sales were seen for products to the oilfield
and industrial mixer markets. In addition, improved operating results were seen
in Europe related to the restructuring process that took place there during the
year. Recent orders improved for all traditional products with year end backlogs
having increased 5% over those of the prior year.
 
     The Pfaudler business unit had been in the process of restructuring its
operations prior to being acquired by the Company. The provisions were primarily
for employee termination costs and related to the Rochester, N.Y., Mexico and
German operations. The actions in Rochester, N.Y. and the curtailment of new
product manufacturing operations in Mexico were completed as planned in 1995 and
the reorganization of the German facility is continuing and is expected to be
substantially completed in fiscal year 1996. This reorganization of the German
facility is the the most important phase of a longer term profitability
improvement plan at the European locations.
 
     In addition to the restructure process taking place at Pfaudler, the
acquisition of the Chemineer industrial mixer business offered the opportunity
to integrate Chemineer with the Company's Prochem mixer operation. This action
is expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of fiscal year
1996.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     During the first quarter of 1996, 1.85 million of outstanding stock
appreciation rights were retired for $18 million. Also, capital expenditures,
debt repayments and uses for working capital needs (exclusive of cash) required
$4.1 million, $5.9 million and $9.5 million in cash for the quarter,
respectively. These uses of cash were financed through funds generated from
operations (exclusive of working capital increases) of $8.3 million and senior
debt borrowings of $30.4 million.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
     As discussed in "Use of Proceeds," the Company will repay certain bank
indebtedness with the proceeds from this Offering. Notwithstanding the Offering,
the Company expects operating cash flow to be adequate for the remainder of
fiscal year 1996's needs, including scheduled debt service and shareholder
dividend requirements. Major cash requirements for the remainder of 1996 are
planned capital expenditures of $12 million. Capital expenditures include both
cost reductions and replacement items and exceed expected depreciation of $7.5
million for the same period.
 
     At November 30, 1995, the Company has approximately $10 million available
under its current bank credit agreements, which management believes is adequate
to meet its needs.
 
     Given the high levels of debt at the end of fiscal 1994, the Company placed
a strong emphasis on debt reduction for 1995. While the effort was successful,
funding of programs with long term importance was continued. The best evidence
of this is the $12.9 million investment to purchase Pharaoh Corp. and Cannon
Process Equipment, Ltd. which enhanced the service component of the reactor
vessel business. In addition, $10.7 million was spent during 1995 for capital
expenditures as the Company continued to modernize production capability. The
result of the debt reduction emphasis was a decrease of $15.9 million in total
debt by year end. These uses of cash were financed by cash flow from operations
of $32.4 million and the reduction of cash balances during the year.
 
     Cash and cash equivalents decreased $5.9 million in 1995. The decline is
primarily the result of a continuing foreign cash management program. It is the
Company's general intention to repatriate cash from foreign business units in
excess of operating requirements and no significant restrictions are known which
would preclude accomplishing this objective. This program is expected to result
in an additional cash reduction of $3-$5 million during 1996. The rates used to
record income tax expense have been adjusted to provide for taxes associated
with the plan.
 
                              SELLING SHAREHOLDER
 
     The Selling Shareholder is Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd, a company organized under
the laws of Japan. The 200,000 Common Shares being sold in the Offering by the
Selling Shareholder were acquired by the Selling Shareholder directly from the
Company in 1989 in connection with a business transaction involving the
Company's former electric motor business. After the Offering, the Selling
Shareholder will not own any Common Shares.
 
                             PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER
 
     Set forth below is certain information about the only person known by the
Board of Directors of the Company to be a beneficial owner of more than 5% of
the outstanding common shares of the Company as of December 26, 1995.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    NUMBER OF COMMON
                                  SHARES BENEFICIALLY
       NAME AND ADDRESS           OWNED AS OF 12/26/95     % OF CLASS
- ------------------------------    --------------------     ----------
<S>                               <C>                      <C>
M.H.M. & Co., Ltd.
830 Hanna Building
Cleveland, Ohio 44115                   1,459,866             27.9%(1)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) M.H.M. & Co., Ltd. is an Ohio limited partnership (the "Partnership").
    Maynard H. Murch Co., Inc. is the managing general partner, and Thomas P.
    Loftis is the other general partner, of the Partnership. Partnership
    decisions with respect to the voting and disposition of Company shares are
    determined by Maynard H. Murch Co., Inc., whose board of directors is
    comprised of Maynard H. Murch IV and Robert B. Murch, who are brothers, and
    Creighton B. Murch, who is their first cousin. Maynard H. Murch IV is
    Chairman of the Company.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SHARES
 
     The Company has one class of shares, namely Common Shares, without par
value. The Company is authorized to issue 25,000,000 Common Shares; and at
December 26, 1995, there were 5,224,636 Common Shares outstanding. All of the
outstanding Common Shares are fully paid and nonassessable, and all of the
Common Shares offered by the Company will be, upon issuance, fully paid and
non-assessable. Shareholders do not have pre-emptive rights to purchase any
securities of the Company.
 
     Holders of Common Shares are entitled to receive such dividends as may be
declared from time to time by the Board of Directors out of funds legally
available. The ability of the Company to pay dividends is subject to certain
contractual limitations in its credit agreements. Upon liquidation, holders of
Common Shares are entitled to receive a pro rata share of all assets available
to shareholders.
 
     KeyCorp Shareholder Services, Inc. is transfer agent and registrar of the
Common Shares.
 
     Holders of Common Shares are entitled to one vote per share upon all
matters presented to shareholders. Shareholders do, however, have cumulative
voting rights in the election of directors.
 
     Article II of the Company's Code of Regulations divides the Board of
Directors of the Company into two classes, one class comprised of four directors
and one class of three directors. One class of directors is elected each year to
serve for a two-year term. Directors may not be removed from office without the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting
power of the Company. Article II of the Code of Regulations provides that only
persons who are nominated in accordance with a specified procedure are eligible
for election as directors. The procedure requires that notice of the nomination,
together with the specified information concerning the nominee, must be given to
the Company not less than 50 nor more than 75 days prior to the meeting at which
directors are to be elected. Article II may not be amended or repealed without
the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power
of the Company.
 
CERTAIN OHIO LEGISLATION
 
     Ohio's "Control Share Acquisition Act" generally requires shareholder
approval of any acquisition of shares of an Ohio corporation which would result
in the acquiring person first reaching or exceeding ownership of one-fifth,
one-third or a majority of the total voting power of the corporation. Any such
control share acquisition cannot be consummated unless authorized by the holders
of: (i) a majority of the voting power of the corporation present at a meeting
of shareholders, and (ii) a majority of such voting power other than shares held
by the acquiring person or an officer or employee who is a director of the
corporation, and other than shares acquired by a person or group after
announcement of the proposed control share acquisition if the amount so acquired
exceeds  1/2% of the outstanding voting shares or was acquired for a
consideration exceeding $250,000.
 
     Ohio's "Merger Moratorium Act" prohibits an Ohio corporation from engaging
in specified transactions such as merger, certain asset sales, certain issuances
of shares, a liquidation or the like with a beneficial owner of 10% or more of
the outstanding voting power of the corporation during the three-year period
following the date the person became the owner of the 10% interest, unless prior
to such date the transaction or the acquisition of shares was approved by the
directors of the corporation. After the three-year period, such transactions may
be entered into if approved by the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting
power of the corporation (including by the holders of at least a majority of the
shares held by persons other than an interested person, as defined in the
statute) or if the consideration to be paid in the transaction is at least equal
to certain specified amounts.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     The Underwriters named below (the "Underwriters") have severally agreed,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement (the form of
which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus is a part), to purchase from the Company and the Selling Shareholder,
and the Company and the Selling Shareholder have agreed to sell to each
Underwriter, the aggregate number of Common Shares set forth opposite their
respective names below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         NUMBER OF
                                      NAME                                SHARES
          -------------------------------------------------------------  ---------
          <S>                                                            <C>
          Lehman Brothers Inc..........................................
          Schroder Wertheim & Co. Incorporated.........................
 
                                                                         ---------
                    Total..............................................
                                                                         ==========
</TABLE>
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the
Underwriters to purchase Common Shares are subject to certain conditions, and
that if any of the foregoing Common Shares are purchased by the Underwriters
pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, all Common Shares agreed to be purchased
by the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement must be so purchased.
 
     The Company and the Selling Shareholder have been advised that the
Underwriters propose to offer the Common Shares directly to the public initially
at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, and
to certain selected dealers (who may include the Underwriters) at such public
offering price less a concession not in excess of $       per share. The
Underwriters may allow and the selected dealers may reallow a concession not in
excess of $       per share to certain other brokers and dealers. After the
public offering, the public offering price, the concession to selected dealers
and the reallowance to other dealers may be changed by the Underwriters.
 
     The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an
additional 195,000 Common Shares at the public offering price, less the
aggregate underwriting discounts and commissions, shown on the cover page of
this Prospectus, solely to cover over-allotments, if any. The option may be
exercised at any time up to 30 days after the date of this Prospectus. To the
extent that the Underwriters exercise such option, each of the Underwriters will
be committed, subject to certain conditions, to purchase a number of option
shares proportionate to such Underwriter's initial commitment.
 
     The Company and the Selling Shareholder have agreed to indemnify the
Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act, or to contribute to payments that the Underwriters may be
required to make in respect thereof.
 
     The Company has agreed that without the written consent of the
Underwriters, it will not offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of
any Common Shares or any securities, convertible or exchangeable therefor, for a
period of 90 days from the date of this Prospectus, subject to limited
exceptions.
 
     M.H.M. & Co., Ltd. and the Company's directors and executive officers, who
collectively held as of December 26, 1995 an aggregate of 1,845,869 Common
Shares and options to purchase Common Shares, have agreed that without the
consent of the Underwriters they will not offer, sell, contract to sell or
otherwise
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
dispose of any Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable
therefor for a period of 90 days from the date of this Prospectus (180 days in
the case of M.H.M. & Co., Ltd.).
 
     Certain of the Underwriters and selling group members (if any) that
currently act as market makers for the Common Shares may engage in "passive
market making" in the Common Shares on the Nasdaq in accordance with Rule 10b-6A
under the Exchange Act. Rule 10b-6A permits, upon the satisfaction of certain
conditions, underwriters and selling group members participating in a
distribution that are also Nasdaq market makers in the security being
distributed to engage in limited market making transactions during the period
when Rule 10b-6 under the Exchange Act would otherwise prohibit such activity.
Rule 10b-6A prohibits underwriters and selling group members engaged in passive
market making generally from entering a bid or effecting a purchase at a price
that exceeds the highest bid for those securities displayed on the Nasdaq by a
market marker that is not participating in the distribution. Under Rule 10b-6A,
each underwriter or selling group member engaged in passive market making is
subject to a daily net purchase limitation equal to 30% of such entity's average
daily trading volume during the two full consecutive calendar months immediately
preceding the date of the filing of the registration statement under the
Securities Act pertaining to the security to be distributed.
 
     From time to time, certain of the Underwriters or their affiliates have
provided, and may continue to provide, investment banking services to the
Company.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the issuance of the Common Shares being offered hereby will
be passed upon for the Company and the Selling Shareholder by Thompson, Hine and
Flory, Dayton, Ohio, counsel for the Company. Certain legal matters in
connection with the issuance of the Common Shares will be passed upon for the
Underwriters by Schiff Hardin & Waite, Chicago, Illinois.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of the Company appearing in the Form
10-K for the year ended August 31, 1995 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,
independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon included therein and
incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are
incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy and information statements and other information
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company with the Commission
pursuant to the Exchange Act may be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices located at
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661,
and Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies of
such materials also can be obtained from the Public Reference Branch of the
Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"). This Prospectus does not contain all the information set
forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which have been omitted in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information, reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
                     INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission (File No.
0-288) pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:
 
          1. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
     August 31, 1995 filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act (the "Form
     10-K").
 
          2. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
     November 30, 1995, as amended by Form 10-Q/A-1, filed pursuant to Section
     13 of the Exchange Act (the "Form 10-Q").
 
          3. The description of the Company's Common Shares contained in its
     Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the Commission on April 19,
     1965, as amended by Form 10/A-2, filed on December 13, 1995.
 
          4. All reports and other documents filed by the Company pursuant to
     Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of
     this Prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering. Any
     statement incorporated herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
     for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained
     herein, in a Prospectus Supplement or in any other subsequently filed
     document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
     modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or
     superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
     constitute a part of the Registration Statement or this Prospectus.
 
     The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral
request of such person, a copy of any and all of the documents which are
incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits to such documents, unless
such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into such document).
Requests for such documents should be directed to the principal executive
offices of Robbins & Myers, Inc., 1400 Kettering Tower, Dayton, Ohio 45423,
(513)222-2610.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
                                    ROBBINS
                                     MYERS
                                      LOGO


                                    Moyno(R)
                                  Progressing
                                  Cavity Pump



Pfaudler(R)                                             Chemineer(R)
Glass-lined                                             Turbine Agitator
Steel Reactor                                           with Helix
Vessel                                                  Impeller


                  Pfaudler Operates The Largest Vertical Load
                       Furnace in The Northern Hemisphere

Pfaudler(R)                                                 Prochem(R) Mixer
Glass-lined
Reactor
Vessel
                              Moyno(R) Sanitary
                                      Pump

<PAGE>   21
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
     NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND,
IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS
HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY OF THE UNDERWRITERS. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THOSE TO
WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, TO
ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER
SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                          ---------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        -----
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary.....................     3
Use of Proceeds........................     5
Capitalization.........................     5
Price Range of Common Shares and
  Dividends............................     6
Selected Consolidated Financial Data...     7
Business...............................     8
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations...........................    12
Selling Shareholder....................    14
Principal Shareholder..................    14
Description of Capital Shares..........    15
Underwriting...........................    16
Legal Matters..........................    17
Experts................................    17
Available Information..................    17
Information Incorporated by
  Reference............................    18
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
                                1,300,000 SHARES
 
                                      LOGO
 
                                 COMMON SHARES
                          ---------------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
                                JANUARY   , 1996
 
                          ---------------------------
                                LEHMAN BROTHERS
                            SCHRODER WERTHEIM & CO.
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   22
 
                                    PART II
 
                   INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The following is an itemized statement of the expenses (all but the SEC
Registration fees and NASD fees are estimates) in connection with the issuance
of the Common Shares being registered hereunder.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                               <C>
SEC Registration fees.........................................................     $ 14,950
Transfer agent fees...........................................................     $  5,000
Blue Sky fees and expenses....................................................     $ 15,000
Printing and engraving expenses...............................................     $ 70,000
Legal fees and expenses.......................................................     $ 75,000
Accounting fees and expenses..................................................     $ 30,000
NASD fees.....................................................................     $  5,215
Miscellaneous.................................................................     $ 34,835
                                                                                  ----------
     TOTAL....................................................................     $250,000
                                                                                  ==========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     Section 2 of Article V of the Code of Regulations of the Company sets forth
certain rights of directors and officers of the Company to indemnification. Such
rights provide indemnification by the Company to the extent permitted by Ohio
law. The liabilities against which a director and officer may be indemnified and
factors employed to determine whether a director and officer is entitled to
indemnification in a particular instance depend on whether the proceedings in
which the claim for indemnification arises were brought (a) other than by and in
the right of the Company ("Third Party Actions") or (b) by and in the right of
the Company ("Company Actions").
 
     In Third Party Actions, the Company will indemnify each director and
officer against expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, decrees, fines,
penalties, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by
him in connection with any threatened or actual proceeding in which he may be
involved by reason of his having acted in such capacity, if he acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Company and with respect to any matter the subject of a
criminal proceeding, he had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was
unlawful.
 
     In Company Actions, the Company will indemnify each director and officer
against expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred by
him in connection with the defense or settlement of any such proceeding if he
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Company, except that no indemnification is
permitted with respect to (i) any matter as to which such person has been
adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his
duty to the Company unless a court determines such person is entitled to
indemnification and (ii) any liability asserted in connection with unlawful
loans, dividends, distribution, distribution of assets and repurchase of Company
shares under Section 1701.95 of the Ohio Revised Code.
 
     Unless indemnification is ordered by a court, the determination as to
whether or not an individual has satisfied the applicable standards of conduct
(and therefore may be indemnified) is made by the Board of Directors of the
Company by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors of the Company
who were not parties to the action; or if such a quorum is not obtainable, or if
a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in
a written opinion; or by shareholders of the corporation.
 
     Section 2 of Article V of the Company's Code of Regulations does not limit
in any way other indemnification rights to which those seeking indemnification
may be entitled. The Company has entered into an indemnification agreement with
each director of the Company, the form of which was approved by the shareholders
of the Company. A copy of such agreement was filed as an exhibit to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1993.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   23
 
     The Company maintains insurance policies which presently provide
protection, within the maximum liability limits of the policies and subject to a
deductible amount for each claim, to the Company under its indemnification
obligations and to the directors and officers with respect to certain matters
which are not covered by the Company's indemnification obligations.
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS
 
     Each of the following Exhibits is filed or incorporated by reference in
this Registration Statement.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
  NUMBER                                 DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- ----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>         <S>
    1       Form of Underwriting Agreement+
    4.1     Articles of Incorporation+++
    4.2     Code of Regulations+++
    5       Opinion of Thompson, Hine and Flory, counsel to the Registrant+
   23.1     Consent of Thompson, Hine and Flory, counsel to the Registrant+
   23.2     Consent of Ernst & Young LLP+
   24       Powers of Attorney*
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
  + Filed herewith
 ++ Previously filed
+++ Incorporated by reference
 
* A power of attorney whereby various individuals authorize the signing of their
  names to any and all amendments to this Registration Statement and other
  documents submitted in connection therewith is contained on the signature page
  following Part II of this Registration Statement.
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"), each
filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") (and, where
applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to remove from registration by
means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which
remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling person of the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions described under Item 15 above, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that: (1) For purposes of
determining any liability under the Act, the information omitted from the form
of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule
430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to
Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Act shall be deemed to be part of this
Registration Statement as of the time if was declared effective; and (2) For the
purpose of determining any liability under the Act, each post-effective
amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   24
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IT MEETS ALL OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING ON FORM S-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED,
THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF DAYTON, STATE OF OHIO, ON THE 26TH DAY
OF DECEMBER, 1995.
 
                                            ROBBINS & MYERS, INC.
 
                                            By: /s/  DANIEL W. DUVAL
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Daniel W. Duval, President and
                                              Chief Executive Officer
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>                                      <C>
/s/  DANIEL W. DUVAL                Director, President and Chief             December 26, 1995
- ---------------------------------   Executive Officer (principal executive
Daniel W. Duval                     officer)
/s/  GEORGE M. WALKER               Vice President and Chief Financial        December 26, 1995
- ---------------------------------   Officer (principal financial officer)
George M. Walker
/s/  KEVIN J. BROWN                 Controller (principal accounting          December 26, 1995
- ---------------------------------   officer)
Kevin J. Brown
</TABLE>
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>                                      <C>
*  ROBERT J. KEGERREIS                             Director                   December 26, 1995
*  THOMAS P. LOFTIS                                Director                   December 26, 1995
*  MAYNARD H. MURCH, IV                            Director                   December 26, 1995
*  WILLIAM D. MANNING, JR.                         Director                   December 26, 1995
*  JOHN N. TAYLOR, JR.                             Director                   December 26, 1995
*  JEROME F. TATAR                                 Director                   December 26, 1995
<FN>


 
     *Daniel W. Duval, by signing his name hereto, signs this Amendment No. 1 to
the Registration Statement on behalf of the persons indicated above pursuant to
a power of attorney duly executed by each such person and filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
</TABLE>

 
                                            /s/  DANIEL W. DUVAL
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Daniel W. Duval
                                            Attorney-in-fact
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   25
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                                DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- -----------     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>             <S>                                                                           <C>
      (1)       Form of Underwriting Agreement..............................................     1
    (4.1)       Amended Articles of Incorporation of Robbins & Myers, Inc. were filed as
                Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
                February 28, 1995...........................................................     3
    (4.2)       Code of Regulations of Robbins & Myers, Inc. was filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the
                Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 1995.......     3
      (5)       Opinion of Thompson, Hine and Flory, counsel to the Registrant..............     1
   (23.1)       Consent of Thompson, Hine and Flory, counsel to the Registrant (contained in
                its opinion)................................................................     1
   (23.2)       Consent of Ernst & Young LLP................................................     1
     (24)       Powers of Attorney (set forth at signature page to the initial Registration
                Statement)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
1 -- Filed herewith
 
2 -- Previously filed
 
3 -- Incorporated by reference

<PAGE>   1
                                                        Exhibit 1



                             ROBBINS & MYERS, INC.

                                 COMMON SHARES

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                             ----------------------
                                                                January __, 1996

Lehman Brothers Inc.
Schroder Wertheim & Co. Incorporated
As Representatives of the several
  Underwriters named in Schedule 1,
c/o Lehman Brothers Inc.
Three World Financial Center
New York, New York 10285

Dear Sirs:

                 Robbins & Myers, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the "Company"),
and Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd. (the "Selling Shareholder") propose to sell an
aggregate of 1,300,000  shares (the "Firm Stock") of the Company's Common
Shares, no par value (the "Common Stock").  Of the 1,300,000 shares of Firm
Stock, 1,100,000  are being sold by the Company and 200,000 by the Selling
Shareholder.  In addition, the Company proposes to grant to the Underwriters
named in Schedule 1 hereto (the "Underwriters") an option to purchase up to an
additional 195,000 shares of the Common Stock on the terms and for the purposes
set forth in Section 2 (the "Option Stock").  The Firm Stock and the Option
Stock, if purchased, are hereinafter collectively called the "Stock."  This is
to confirm the agreement concerning the purchase of the Stock from the Company
and the Selling Shareholder by the Underwriters named in Schedule 1 hereto (the
"Underwriters").

                 1.       Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the
Company.  The Company represents, warrants and agrees that:

                          (a)     A registration statement on Form S-3 (No.
                 33-64955) and an amendment thereto, with respect to the Stock
                 has (i) been prepared by the Company in conformity with the
                 requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the
                 "Securities Act") and the rules and regulations (the "Rule and
                 Regulations") of the United States Securities and Exchange
                 Commission (the "Commission") thereunder, (ii) been filed with
                 the Commission under the Securities Act and (iii) become
                 effective under the Securities Act.  Copies of such
                 registration statement and the amendment thereto have been
                 delivered by the Company to you as the representatives (the
                 "Representatives") of the Underwriters.  As used in this
                 Agreement, "Effective Time" means the date and the time as of
                 which such registration statement, or the most recent
                 post-effective amendment thereto, if any, was declared
                 effective by the Commission; "Effective Date" means the date
                 of the Effective Time;
<PAGE>   2
                 "Preliminary Prospectus" means each prospectus included in
                 such registration statement, or amendments thereof, before it
                 became effective under the Securities Act and any prospectus
                 filed with the Commission by the Company with the consent of
                 the Representatives pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the Rules and
                 Regulations; "Registration Statement" means such registration
                 statement, as amended at the Effective Time, including any
                 documents incorporated by reference therein at such time and
                 all information contained in the final prospectus filed with
                 the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and
                 Regulations in accordance with Section 6 hereof and deemed to
                 be a part of the registration statement as of the Effective
                 Time pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A of the Rules and
                 Regulations; and "Prospectus" means such final prospectus, as
                 first filed with the Commission pursuant to paragraph (1) or
                 (4) of Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations.  Reference
                 made herein to any Preliminary Prospectus or to the Prospectus
                 shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents
                 incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form
                 S-3 under the Securities Act, as of the date of such
                 Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be,
                 and any reference to any amendment or supplement to any
                 Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to
                 refer to and include any document filed under the United
                 States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")
                 after the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or the
                 Prospectus, as the case may be, and incorporated by reference
                 in such Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case
                 may be; and any reference to any amendment to the Registration
                 Statement shall be deemed to include any annual report of the
                 Company filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or
                 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the Effective Time that is
                 incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.  The
                 Commission has not issued any order preventing or suspending 
                 the use of any Preliminary Prospectus.

                          (b)     The Registration Statement conforms, and the
                 Prospectus and any further amendments or supplements to the
                 Registration Statement or the Prospectus will, when they
                 become effective or are filed with the Commission, as the case
                 may be, conform in all respects to the requirements of the
                 Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and do not and
                 will not, as of the applicable effective date (as to the
                 Registration Statement and any amendment thereto) and as of
                 the applicable filing date (as to the Prospectus and any
                 amendment or supplement thereto) contain an untrue statement
                 of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
                 to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
                 therein not misleading; provided that no representation or
                 warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted
                 from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in reliance
                 upon and in conformity with written information furnished to
                 the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of any
                 Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein.





                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
                          (c)     The documents incorporated by reference in
                 the Prospectus, when they were filed with the Commission
                 conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the
                 Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
                 thereunder, and none of such documents contained an untrue
                 statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
                 fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
                 statements therein not misleading; and any further documents
                 so filed and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when
                 such documents are filed with Commission, will conform in all
                 material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and
                 the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and
                 will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or
                 omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
                 necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

                          (d)     The Company and each of its subsidiaries (as
                 defined in Section 17) have been duly incorporated and are
                 validly existing as corporations in good standing under the
                 laws of their respective jurisdictions of incorporation, are
                 duly qualified to do business and are in good standing as
                 foreign corporations in each jurisdiction in which their
                 respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of
                 their respective businesses requires such qualification, and
                 have all corporate power and authority necessary to own or
                 hold their respective properties and to conduct the businesses
                 in which they are engaged.

                          (e)     The Company has an authorized capitalization
                 as set forth in the Prospectus, and all of the issued shares
                 of capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly
                 authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and
                 conform to the description thereof contained in the
                 Prospectus; and all of the issued shares of capital stock of
                 each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly
                 authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable
                 and (except for directors' qualifying shares) are owned
                 directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all
                 liens, encumbrances, equities or claims.

                          (f)     The unissued shares of the Stock to be issued
                 and sold by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder have
                 been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and
                 delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be
                 duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; and
                 the Stock will conform to the description thereof contained in
                 the Prospectus.

                          (g)     This Agreement has been duly authorized, 
                 executed and delivered by the Company.





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
                          (h)     The execution, delivery and performance of
                 this Agreement by the Company and the consummation of the
                 transactions contemplated hereby will not conflict with or
                 result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or
                 provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture,
                 mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or
                 instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
                 a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
                 bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company
                 or any of its subsidiaries is subject, nor will such actions
                 result in any violation of the provisions of the Articles of
                 Incorporation or Code of Regulations of the Company or the
                 comparable documents of any of its subsidiaries or any statute
                 or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental
                 agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of
                 its subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets; and
                 except for the registration of the Stock under the Securities
                 Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations,
                 registrations or qualifications as may be required under the
                 Exchange Act and applicable state securities laws in
                 connection with the purchase and distribution of the Stock by
                 the Underwriters, no consent, approval, authorization or order
                 of, or filing or registration with, any such court or
                 governmental agency or body is required for the execution,
                 delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and
                 the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                          (i)     There are no contracts, agreements or
                 understandings between the Company and any person granting
                 such person the right to require the Company to file a
                 registration statement under the Securities Act with respect
                 to any securities of the Company owned or to be owned by such
                 person or to require the Company to include such securities in
                 the securities registered pursuant to the Registration
                 Statement or in any securities being registered pursuant to
                 any other registration statement filed by the Company under
                 the Securities Act, except insofar as holders of certain
                 Subordinated Debentures of the Company issued on June 30, 1994
                 have the right to have such debentures registered and holders
                 of 150,000 stock appreciation rights of the Company in certain
                 limited circumstances may have registration rights.

                          (j)     Except as described in the Prospectus, the
                 Company has not sold or issued any shares of Common Stock
                 during the six-month period preceding the date of the
                 Prospectus, including any sales pursuant to Rule 144A under,
                 or Regulations D or S of, the Securities Act other than shares
                 issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock
                 options plans or other employee or director compensation
                 plans.

                          (k)     Neither the Company nor any of its
                 subsidiaries has sustained, since the date of the latest
                 audited financial statements included or incorporated by
                 reference in the Prospectus, any material loss or interference





                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
                 with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other
                 calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any
                 labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or
                 decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the
                 Prospectus; and, since such date, there has not been any
                 change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company
                 or any of its subsidiaries or any material adverse change, or,
                 to the knowledge of the Company, any development involving a
                 prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the
                 general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders'
                 equity or results of operations of the Company and its
                 subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in
                 the Prospectus.

                          (l)     The financial statements (including the
                 related notes and supporting schedules) filed as part of the
                 Registration Statement or included or incorporated by
                 reference in the Prospectus present fairly the financial
                 condition and results of operations of the entities purported
                 to be shown thereby, at the dates and for the periods
                 indicated, and have been prepared in conformity with generally
                 accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis
                 (except as set forth in the accompanying notes) throughout the
                 periods involved.

                          (m)     Ernst & Young LLP, who have certified certain
                 financial statements of the Company, whose report is
                 incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and who have
                 delivered the initial letter referred to in Section 9(g)
                 hereof, are independent public accountants as required by the
                 Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations.

                          (n)     The Company and each of its subsidiaries have
                 good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property
                 and good and marketable title to all personal property owned
                 by them, in each case free and clear of all liens,
                 encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the
                 Prospectus (including in the financial statements incorporated
                 by reference in the Prospectus), or such as do not materially
                 affect the value of such property and do not materially
                 interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such
                 property by the Company and its subsidiaries; and all real
                 property and buildings held under lease by the Company and its
                 subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and
                 enforceable leases, with such exceptions as are not material
                 and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made
                 of such property and buildings by the Company and its
                 subsidiaries.

                          (o)     The Company and each of its subsidiaries
                 carry, or are covered by, insurance in such amounts and
                 covering such risks as is adequate for the conduct of their
                 respective businesses and the value of their respective
                 properties and as is customary for companies engaged in
                 similar businesses in similar industries.





                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6
                          (p)     The Company and each of its subsidiaries own
                 or possess adequate rights to use all material patents, patent
                 applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names,
                 trademark registrations, service mark registrations,
                 copyrights and licenses necessary for the conduct of their
                 respective businesses and have no reason to believe that the
                 conduct of their respective businesses will conflict with, and
                 have not received any notice of any claim of conflict with,
                 any such rights of others.

                          (q)     There are no legal or governmental
                 proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its
                 subsidiaries is a party or of which any property or assets of
                 the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject which,
                 if determined adversely to the Company or any of its
                 subsidiaries, might have a material adverse effect on the
                 consolidated financial position, stockholders' equity, results
                 of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its
                 subsidiaries; and to the best of the Company's knowledge, no
                 such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by
                 governmental authorities or threatened by others.

                          (r)     The conditions for use of Form S-3, as set 
                 forth in the General Instructions thereto, have been satisfied.

                          (s)     There are no contracts or other documents
                 which are required to be described in the Prospectus or filed
                 as exhibits to the Registration Statement by the Securities
                 Act or by the Rules and Regulations which have not been
                 described in the Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the
                 Registration Statement or incorporated therein by reference as
                 permitted by the Rules and Regulations.

                          (t)     No relationship, direct or indirect, exists
                 between or among the Company or any of its subsidiaries on the
                 one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders, customers
                 or suppliers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries on the
                 other hand, which is required to be described in the
                 Prospectus which is not so described.

                          (u)     No labor disturbance by the employees of the
                 Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge
                 of the Company, other than as described in the Prospectus, is
                 imminent which might be expected to have a material adverse
                 effect on the consolidated financial position, stockholders'
                 equity, results of operations, business or prospects of the
                 Company and its subsidiaries.

                          (v)     The Company and its subsidiaries are in
                 compliance in all material respects with all presently
                 applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income
                 Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the





                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
                 regulations and published interpretations thereunder
                 ("ERISA"); no "reportable event" (as defined in ERISA) has
                 occurred with respect to any "pension plan" (as defined in
                 ERISA) for which the Company or any subsidiary would have any
                 future liability; the Company and its subsidiaries have not
                 incurred and do not expect to incur liability under (i) Title
                 IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal
                 from, any "pension plan" or (ii) Sections 412 or 4971 of the
                 Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including the
                 regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the
                 "Code"); and each "pension plan" for which the Company or any
                 subsidiary would have any liability that is intended to be
                 qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in
                 all material respects and nothing has occurred, whether by
                 action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of
                 such qualification.

                          (w)     The Company and its subsidiaries have filed
                 all federal, state and local income and franchise tax returns
                 required to be filed through the date hereof and have paid all
                 taxes due thereon, and no tax deficiency has been determined
                 adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries which has
                 had (nor does the Company have any knowledge of any tax
                 deficiency which, if determined adversely to the Company or
                 any of its subsidiaries, might have) a material adverse effect
                 on the consolidated financial position, stockholders' equity,
                 results of operations, business or prospects of the Company
                 and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                          (x)     Since the date as of which information is
                 given in the Prospectus through the date hereof, and except as
                 may otherwise be disclosed in the Prospectus, the Company has
                 not (i) issued or granted options or any securities, (ii)
                 incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent,
                 other than liabilities and obligations which were incurred in
                 the ordinary course of business, (iii) entered into any
                 transaction not in the ordinary course of business or (iv)
                 declared or paid any dividend on its capital stock other than
                 its regular quarterly cash dividend on its Common Stock.

                          (y)     The Company and its subsidiaries (i) make and
                 keep accurate books and records and (ii) maintain internal
                 accounting controls which provide reasonable assurance that
                 (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management's
                 authorization, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to
                 permit preparation of its financial statements and to maintain
                 accountability for its assets, (C) access to its assets is
                 permitted only in accordance with management's authorization
                 and (D) the reported accountability for its assets is compared
                 with existing assets at reasonable intervals.





                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8
                          (z)     Neither the Company nor any of its
                 subsidiaries (i) is in violation of its Articles of
                 Incorporation or Code of Regulations or comparable documents,
                 (ii) is in default in any material respect, and to the
                 knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred which, with
                 notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a
                 default, in the due performance or observance of any term,
                 covenant or condition contained in any material indenture,
                 mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or
                 instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or
                 to which any of its properties or assets is subject or (iii)
                 is in violation in any material respect of any law, ordinance,
                 governmental rule, regulation or court decree to which it or
                 its property or assets may be subject or has failed to obtain
                 any material license, permit, certificate, franchise or other
                 governmental authorization or permit necessary to the
                 ownership of its property or to the conduct of its business.

                          (aa)    Neither the Company nor any of its
                 subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, agent, employee or
                 other person associated with or acting on behalf of the
                 Company or any of its subsidiaries, has, to the knowledge of
                 the Company, used any corporate funds for any unlawful
                 contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense
                 relating to political activity; made any direct or indirect
                 unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government
                 official or employee from corporate funds; violated or is in
                 violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices
                 Act of 1977; or made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence
                 payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

                          (ab)    There has been no storage, disposal,
                 generation, manufacture, refinement, transportation, handling
                 or treatment of toxic wastes, medical wastes, hazardous wastes
                 or hazardous substances by the Company or any of its
                 subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of
                 their predecessors in interest) at, upon or from any of the
                 property now or previously owned or leased by the Company or
                 its subsidiaries in violation of any applicable law,
                 ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit
                 or which would require remedial action under any applicable
                 law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or
                 permit, except for any violation or remedial action which
                 would not have, or could not be reasonably likely to have,
                 singularly or in the aggregate with all such violations and
                 remedial actions, a material adverse effect on the general
                 affairs, management, financial position, stockholders' equity
                 or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries
                 taken as a whole; there has been no material spill, discharge,
                 leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release of any
                 kind onto such property or into the environment surrounding
                 such property of any toxic wastes, medical wastes, solid
                 wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances due to or
                 caused by the Company or any of its





                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9
                 subsidiaries or with respect to which the Company or any of
                 its subsidiaries have knowledge, except for any such spill,
                 discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or
                 release which would not have or would not be reasonably likely
                 to have, singularly or in the aggregate with all such spills,
                 discharges, leaks, emissions, injections, escapes, dumpings
                 and releases, a material adverse effect on the general
                 affairs, management, financial position, stockholders' equity
                 or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries;
                 and the terms "hazardous wastes", "toxic wastes", "hazardous
                 substances" and "medical wastes" shall have the meanings
                 specified in any applicable local, state, federal and foreign
                 laws or regulations with respect to environmental protection.

                          (ac)    Neither the Company nor any subsidiary is an
                 "investment company" within the meaning of such term under the
                 Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations
                 of the Commission thereunder.

                 2.  Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Selling
Shareholder.  The Selling Shareholder represents, warrants and agrees that:

                          (a)  The Selling Shareholder has, and immediately
                 prior to the First Delivery Date (as defined in Section 5
                 hereof) the Selling Shareholder will have, good and valid
                 title to the shares of Stock to be sold by the Selling
                 Shareholder hereunder on such date, free and clear of all
                 liens, encumbrances, equities or claims; and upon delivery of
                 such shares and payment therefor pursuant hereto and thereto,
                 good and valid title to such shares, free and clear of all
                 liens, encumbrances, equities or claims, will pass to the
                 several Underwriters.

                          (b)  The Selling Shareholder has placed in custody
                 with Daniel W. Duval, as custodian (the "Custodian"), for
                 delivery under this Agreement, certificates in negotiable form
                 (with signature guaranteed by a commercial bank or trust
                 company having an office or correspondent in the United States
                 or a member firm of the New York or American Stock Exchanges)
                 representing the shares of Stock to be sold by the Selling
                 Shareholder hereunder.

                          (c)  The Selling Shareholder has duly and irrevocably
                 executed and delivered a power of attorney (the "Power of
                 Attorney") appointing the Custodian as attorney-in-fact, with
                 full power of substitution, and with full authority to execute
                 and deliver this Agreement and to take such other action as
                 may be necessary or desirable to carry out the provisions
                 hereof on behalf of the Selling Shareholder.

                          (d)  The Selling Shareholder has full right, power
                 and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Power of
                 Attorney; the execution, delivery





                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10
                 and performance of this Agreement and the Power of Attorney by
                 the Selling Shareholder and the consummation by the Selling
                 Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby and
                 thereby will not conflict with or result in a breach or
                 violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute
                 a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
                 agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the
                 Selling Shareholder is a party or by which the Selling
                 Shareholder is bound or to which any of the property or assets
                 of the Selling Shareholder is subject, nor will such actions
                 result in any violation of the provisions of charter or
                 by-laws of the Selling Shareholder or any statute or any
                 order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency
                 or body having jurisdiction over the Selling Shareholder or
                 the property or assets of the Selling Shareholder; and, except
                 for the registration of the Stock under the Securities Act and
                 such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or
                 qualifications as may be required under the Exchange Act and
                 applicable state or foreign securities laws in connection with
                 the purchase and distribution of the Stock by the
                 Underwriters, no consent, approval, authorization or order of,
                 or filing or registration with, any such court or governmental
                 agency or body is required for the execution, delivery and
                 performance of this Agreement or the Power of Attorney by the
                 Selling Shareholder and the consummation by the Selling
                 Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby and
                 thereby.

                          (e)  The Registration Statement and the Prospectus
                 and any further amendments or supplements to the Registration
                 Statement or the Prospectus will, when they become effective
                 or are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, do not
                 and will not, as of the applicable effective date (as to the
                 Registration Statement and any amendment thereto) and as of
                 the applicable filing date (as to the Prospectus and any
                 amendment or supplement thereto) contain an untrue statement
                 of a material fact with respect to the Selling Shareholder or
                 omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
                 necessary to make the statements therein concerning the
                 Selling Shareholder not misleading.

                          (f)  The Selling Shareholder has no reason to believe
                 that the representations and warranties of the Company
                 contained in Section 1 hereof are not materially true and
                 correct and is not prompted to sell shares of Common Stock by
                 any information concerning the Company which is not set forth
                 in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

                          (g)  The Selling Shareholder has not taken and will
                 not take, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed
                 to or which has constituted or which might reasonably be
                 expected to cause or result in the stabilization or
                 manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to
                 facilitate the sale or resale of the shares of the Stock.





                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11
                 3.       Purchase of the Stock by the Underwriters.  On the
basis of the representations and warranties contained in, and subject to the
terms and conditions of, this Agreement, the Company agrees to sell 1,100,000
shares of the Firm Stock and the Selling Shareholder hereby agrees to sell
200,000 shares of the Firm Stock to the several Underwriters and each of the
Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase the number of
shares of the Firm Stock set opposite that Underwriter's name in Schedule 1
hereto.  Each Underwriter shall be obligated to purchase from the Company, and
from each Selling Shareholder, that number of shares of the Firm Stock which
represents the same proportion of the number of shares of the Firm Stock to be
sold by the Company, and by each Selling Shareholder, as the number of shares
of the Firm Stock set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule 1
represents of the total number of shares of the Firm Stock to be purchased by
all of the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement.  The respective purchase
obligations of the Underwriters with respect to the Firm Stock shall be rounded
among the Underwriters to avoid fractional shares, as the Representatives may
determine.

                 In addition, the Company grants to the Underwriters an option
to purchase up to 195,000 shares of Option Stock.  Such option is granted
solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments in the sale of Firm Stock
and is exercisable as provided in Section 5 hereof.  Shares of Option Stock
shall be purchased severally for the account of the Underwriters in proportion
to the number of shares of Firm Stock set opposite the name of such
Underwriters in Schedule 1 hereto.  The respective purchase obligations of each
Underwriter with respect to the Option Stock shall be adjusted by the
Representatives so that no Underwriter shall be obligated to purchase Option
Stock other than in 100 share amounts.  The price of both the Firm Stock and
any Option Stock shall be $_____ per share.

                 The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any of the Stock
to be delivered on the First Delivery Date or the Second Delivery Date (as
hereinafter defined), as the case may be, except upon payment for all the Stock
to be purchased on such Delivery Date as provided herein.

                 4.       Offering of Stock by the Underwriters.

                 Upon authorization by the Representative of the release of the
Firm Stock, the several Underwriters propose to offer the Firm Stock for sale
upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.

                 5.       Delivery of and Payment for the Stock.  Delivery of
and payment for the Firm Stock shall be made at the office of
____________________, ________________________, ________, ________ _____, at
10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the fourth full business day following the
date of this Agreement or at such other date or place as shall be determined by
agreement between the Representatives and the Company.  This date and time are
sometimes referred to as the "First Delivery Date."  On the First Delivery
Date, the Company and the Selling Shareholder shall deliver or cause to





                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12
be delivered certificates representing the Firm Stock to the Representatives
for the account of each Underwriter against payment to or upon the order of the
Company and the Selling Shareholder of the purchase price by certified or
official bank check or checks payable in New York Clearing House (next-day)
funds. Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place
specified pursuant to this Agreement is a further condition of the obligation
of each Underwriter hereunder.  Upon delivery, the Firm Stock shall be
registered in such names and in such denominations as the Representatives shall
request in writing not less than two full business days prior to the First
Delivery Date.  For the purpose of expediting the checking and packaging of the
certificates for the Firm Stock, the Company shall make the certificates
representing the Firm Stock available for inspection by the Representatives in
New York, New York, not later than 2:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
business day prior to the First Delivery Date.

                 At any time on or before the thirtieth day after the date of
this Agreement the option granted in Section 3 may be exercised by written
notice being given to the Company by the Representatives.  Such notice shall
set forth the aggregate number of shares of Option Stock as to which the option
is being exercised, the names in which the shares of Option Stock are to be
registered, the denominations in which the shares of Option Stock are to be
issued and the date and time, as determined by the Representatives, when the
shares of Option Stock are to be delivered; provided, however, that this date
and time shall not be earlier than the First Delivery Date nor earlier than the
second business day after the date on which the option shall have been
exercised nor later than the fifth business day after the date on which the
option shall have been exercised.  The date and time the shares of Option Stock
are delivered are sometimes referred to as the "Second Delivery Date" and the
First Delivery Date and the Second Delivery Date are sometimes each referred to
as a "Delivery Date").

                 Delivery of and payment for the Option Stock shall be made at
the place specified in the first sentence of the first paragraph of this
Section 5 (or at such other place as shall be determined by agreement between
the Representatives and the Company) at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the
Second Delivery Date.  On the Second Delivery Date, the Company shall deliver
or cause to be delivered the certificates representing the Option Stock to the
Representatives for the account of each Underwriter against payment to or upon
the order of the Company of the purchase price by certified or official bank
check or checks payable in New York Clearing House (next-day) funds.  Time
shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified pursuant
to this Agreement is a further condition of the obligation of each Underwriter
hereunder.  Upon delivery, the Option Stock shall be registered in such names
and in such denominations as the Representatives shall request in the aforesaid
written notice.  For the purpose of expediting the checking and packaging of
the certificates for the Option Stock, the Company shall make the certificates
representing the Option Stock available for inspection by the Representatives
in New York, New York, not later than 2:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
business day prior to the Second Delivery Date.





                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13
                 6.       Further Agreements of the Company. The Company agrees:

                          (a)     To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved
                 by the Representatives and to file such Prospectus pursuant to
                 Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act not later than
                 Commission's close of business on the second business day
                 following the execution and delivery of this Agreement or, if
                 applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule
                 430A(a)(3) under the Securities Act; to make no further
                 amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or
                 to the Prospectus prior to the last Delivery Date except as
                 permitted herein; to advise the Representatives, promptly
                 after it receives notice thereof, of the time when any
                 amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or
                 becomes effective or any supplement to the Prospectus or any
                 amended Prospectus has been filed and to furnish the
                 Representatives with copies thereof; to file promptly all
                 reports and any definitive proxy or information statements
                 required to be filed by the Company with the Commission
                 pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange
                 Act subsequent to the date of the Prospectus and for so long
                 as the delivery of a prospectus is required in connection with
                 the offering or sale of the Stock; to advise the
                 Representatives, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of
                 the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any
                 order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary
                 Prospectus or the Prospectus, of the suspension of the
                 qualification of the Stock for offering or sale in any
                 jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any
                 proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the
                 Commission for the amending or supplementing of the
                 Registration Statement or the Prospectus or for additional
                 information; and, in the event of the issuance of any stop
                 order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any
                 Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or suspending any
                 such qualification, to use promptly its best efforts to obtain
                 its withdrawal;

                          (b)     To furnish promptly to each of the
                 Representatives and to counsel for the Underwriters a signed
                 copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed with
                 the Commission, and each amendment thereto filed with the
                 Commission, including all consents and exhibits filed
                 therewith;

                          (c)     To deliver promptly to the Representatives
                 such number of the following documents as the Representatives
                 shall reasonably request:  (i) conformed copies of the
                 Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission
                 and each amendment thereto (in each case excluding exhibits
                 other than this Agreement), (ii) each Preliminary Prospectus,
                 the Prospectus and any amended or supplemented Prospectus and
                 (iii) any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus
                 (excluding exhibits thereto); and, if the delivery of a
                 prospectus is required at any time after the Effective Time in
                 connection with the offering or sale of the Stock or any other
                 securities





                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14
                 relating thereto and if at such time any events shall have
                 occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended
                 or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a
                 material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in
                 order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
                 circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus
                 is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it
                 shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus or to
                 file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by
                 reference in the Prospectus in order to comply with the
                 Securities Act or the Exchange Act, to notify the
                 Representatives and, upon their request, to file such document
                 and to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter
                 and to any dealer in securities as many copies as the
                 Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of an
                 amended or supplemented Prospectus which will correct such
                 statement or omission or effect such compliance.

                          (d)     To file promptly with the Commission any
                 amendment to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or
                 any supplement to the Prospectus that may, in the judgment of
                 the Company or the Representatives, be required by the
                 Securities Act or requested by the Commission;

                          (e)     Prior to filing with the Commission any
                 amendment to the Registration Statement or supplement to the
                 Prospectus, any document incorporated by reference in the
                 Prospectus or any Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424 of the Rules
                 and Regulations, to furnish a copy thereof to the
                 Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters and obtain
                 the consent of the Representatives to the filing;

                          (f)     As soon as practicable after the Effective
                 Date, to make generally available to the Company's security
                 holders and to deliver to the Representatives an earnings
                 statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not
                 be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act
                 and the Rules and Regulations (including, at the option of the
                 Company, Rule 158);

                          (g)     For a period of five years following the
                 Effective Date, to furnish to the Representatives copies of
                 all materials furnished by the Company to its shareholders
                 generally and all public reports and all reports and financial
                 statements furnished by the Company to the principal national
                 securities exchange upon which the Common Stock may be listed
                 pursuant to requirements of or agreements with such exchange
                 or to the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act or any rule
                 or regulation of the Commission thereunder;





                                      -14-
<PAGE>   15
                          (h)     Promptly from time to time to take such
                 action as the Representatives may reasonably request to
                 qualify the Stock for offering and sale under the securities
                 laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may request
                 and to comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance
                 of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as
                 long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of the
                 Stock;

                          (i)     For a period of 180 days from the date of the
                 Prospectus, not to, directly or indirectly, offer for sale,
                 sell or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or
                 device which is designed to, or could be expected to, result
                 in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of)
                 any shares of Common Stock (other than the Stock and shares
                 issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock
                 option plans or other employee or director compensation plans
                 existing on the date hereof or pursuant to currently
                 outstanding options or director), or sell or grant options,
                 rights or warrants with respect to any shares of Common Stock
                 (other than the grant of options pursuant to option plans
                 existing on the date hereof), without the prior written
                 consent of Lehman Brothers Inc.; and to cause each officer and
                 director of the Company and M.H.M. & Co., Ltd. to furnish to
                 the Representatives, prior to the First Delivery Date, a
                 letter or letters, in form and substance satisfactory to
                 counsel for the Underwriters, pursuant to which each such
                 person (or M.H.M. & Co., Ltd.) shall agree not to, directly or
                 indirectly, offer for sale, sell or otherwise dispose of (or
                 enter into any transaction or device which is designed to, or
                 could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person
                 at any time in the future of) any shares of Common Stock for a
                 period of 90 days (180 days in the case of M.H.M. & Co., Ltd.)
                 from the date of the Prospectus, without the prior written
                 consent of Lehman Brothers Inc.;

                          (j)     Prior to the Effective Date, to apply for the
                 inclusion of the Stock on the National Market System and to
                 use its best efforts to complete that listing, subject only to
                 official notice of issuance prior to the First Delivery Date;

                          (k)     Prior to filing with the Commission any
                 reports on Form SR pursuant to Rule 463 of the Rules and
                 Regulations, to furnish a copy thereof to the counsel for the
                 Underwriters and receive and consider its comments thereon,
                 and to deliver promptly to the Representatives a signed copy
                 of each report on Form SR filed by it with the Commission;

                          (l)     To apply the net proceeds from the sale of
                 the Stock being sold by the Company as set forth in the
                 Prospectus; and





                                      -15-
<PAGE>   16
                          (m)     To take such steps as shall be necessary to
                 ensure that neither the Company nor any subsidiary shall
                 become an "investment company" within the meaning of such term
                 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and
                 regulations of the Commission thereunder.

     7.       Further Agreements of the Selling Shareholder.  The Selling
Shareholder agrees:

                          (a)  For a period of 180 days from the date of the
                 Prospectus, not to, directly or indirectly, offer for sale,
                 sell or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or
                 device which is designed to, or could be expected to, result
                 in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of)
                 any shares of Common Stock (other than the Stock), without the
                 prior written consent of Lehman Brothers Inc.

                          (b)  That the Stock to be sold by the Selling
                 Shareholder hereunder, which is represented by the
                 certificates held in custody for the Selling Shareholder in
                 accordance with the Power of Attorney is subject to the
                 interest of the Underwriters, that the arrangements made by
                 the Selling Shareholder for such custody are to that extent
                 irrevocable, and that the obligations of the Selling
                 Shareholder hereunder shall not be terminated by any act of
                 the Selling Shareholder, by operation of law or the occurrence
                 of any other event.

                          (c)  To deliver to the Representatives prior to the
                 First Delivery Date a properly completed and executed United
                 States Treasury Department Form W-9.

                 8.       Expenses.  The Company agrees to pay (a) the costs
incident to the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Stock and any
taxes payable in that connection; (b) the costs incident to the preparation,
printing and filing under the Securities Act of the Registration Statement and
any amendments and exhibits thereto; (c) the costs of distributing to the
Underwriters the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment
thereto and any post-effective amendments thereof (including, in each case,
exhibits), any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to the Prospectus or any document incorporated by reference therein,
all as provided in this Agreement; (d) the costs of producing and distributing
this Agreement and any other related documents in connection with the offering,
purchase, sale and delivery of the stock; (e) the cost of delivering the Power
of Attorney; (f) the filing fees incident to securing any required review by
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. of the terms of sale of
the Stock; (g) any applicable listing or other fees; (h) the fees and expenses
of qualifying the Stock under the securities laws of the several jurisdictions
as provided in Section 6(h) and of preparing, printing and distributing a Blue
Sky Memorandum (including related fees and expenses of counsel to the
Underwriters); and (h) all other costs and expenses incident to





                                      -16-
<PAGE>   17
the performance of the obligations of the Company and the Selling Shareholder
under this Agreement; provided that, except as provided in this Section 8 and
in Section 10 the Underwriters shall pay their own costs and expenses,
including the costs and expenses of their counsel, any transfer taxes on the
Stock which they may sell and the expenses of advertising or prospective
purchaser meetings or presentations relating to any offering of the Stock made
by the Underwriters.

                 9.       Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations.  The
respective obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are subject to the
accuracy, when made and on each Delivery Date, of the representations and
warranties of the Company and the Selling Shareholder contained herein, to the
performance by the Company and the Selling Shareholder of its obligations
hereunder, and to each of the following additional terms and conditions:

                          (a)     The Prospectus shall have been timely filed
                 with the Commission in accordance with Section 6(a); no stop
                 order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
                 Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no
                 proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or
                 threatened by the Commission; and any request of the
                 Commission for inclusion of additional information in the
                 Registration Statement or the Prospectus or otherwise shall
                 have been complied with.

                          (b)     No Underwriter shall have discovered and
                 disclosed to the Company on or prior to such Delivery Date
                 that the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any
                 amendment or supplement thereto contains an untrue statement
                 of a fact which, in the opinion of Schiff Hardin & Waite,
                 counsel for the Underwriters, is material or omits to state a
                 fact which, in the opinion of such counsel, is material and is
                 required to be stated therein or is necessary to make the
                 statements therein not misleading.

                          (c)     All corporate proceedings and other legal
                 matters incident to the authorization, form and validity of
                 this Agreement, the Power of Attorney. the Stock, the
                 Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and all other legal
                 matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions
                 contemplated hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in all
                 material respects to counsel for the Underwriters, and the
                 Company and the Selling Shareholder shall have furnished to
                 such counsel all documents and information that they may
                 reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

                          (d)     Thompson Hine and Flory shall have furnished
                 to the Representatives their written opinion, as counsel to
                 the Company, addressed to the Underwriters and dated such
                 Delivery Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
                 to the Representatives, to the effect that:





                                      -17-
<PAGE>   18
                                  (i)      The Company, each of its domestic
                          subsidiaries, _______________ and _______________
                          have been duly incorporated and are validly existing
                          as corporations in good standing under the laws of
                          their respective jurisdictions of incorporation, are
                          duly qualified to do business and are in good
                          standing as foreign corporations in each jurisdiction
                          in which their respective ownership or lease of
                          property or the conduct of their respective
                          businesses requires such qualification, other than in
                          jurisdictions in which the failure to so qualify
                          would not have a materially adverse effect on the
                          Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and
                          have all corporate power and authority necessary to
                          own or hold their respective properties and conduct
                          the businesses as described in the Prospectus in
                          which they are engaged;

                                  (ii)     The Company has an authorized
                          capitalization as set forth in the Prospectus, and
                          all of the issued shares of capital stock of the
                          Company (including the shares of Stock being
                          delivered on such Delivery Date) have been duly and
                          validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and
                          non-assessable and conform to the description thereof
                          contained in the Prospectus; and all of the issued
                          shares of capital stock of each domestic subsidiary
                          of the Company, _______________ and _______________
                          have been duly and validly authorized and issued and
                          are fully paid, non-assessable and (except for
                          directors' qualifying shares) are owned directly or
                          indirectly by the Company, free and clear of any
                          perfected security interests and, to the knowledge of
                          such counsel, any other security interests, claims,
                          liens and encumbrances except for those disclosed in
                          the Prospectus;

                                  (iii)    There are no preemptive or other
                          rights to subscribe for or to purchase, nor any
                          restriction upon the voting or transfer of, any
                          shares of the Stock pursuant to the Company's
                          Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations or
                          any agreement or other instrument known to such
                          counsel;

                                  (iv)     To such counsel's knowledge the
                          Company and each of its subsidiaries have good and
                          marketable title in fee simple to all real property
                          owned by them, in each case free and clear of all
                          liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are
                          described in the Prospectus or such as do not
                          materially affect the value of such property and do
                          not materially interfere with the use made and
                          proposed to be made of such property by the Company
                          and its subsidiaries; and all real property and
                          buildings held under lease by the Company and its
                          subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting
                          and enforceable leases, with such exceptions as are
                          not material and do not interfere with the use made
                          and proposed to be





                                      -18-
<PAGE>   19
                          made of such property and buildings by the Company 
                          and its subsidiaries;

                                  (v)      To such counsel's knowledge and
                          other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are
                          no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which
                          the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or
                          of which any property or assets of the Company or any
                          of its subsidiaries is the subject which, if
                          determined adversely to the Company or any of its
                          subsidiaries, might have a material adverse effect on
                          the consolidated financial position, stockholders'
                          equity, results of operations or business of the
                          Company and its subsidiaries; and, to such counsel's
                          knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or
                          contemplated by governmental authorities or
                          threatened by others;

                                  (vi)     The Registration Statement was
                          declared effective under the Securities Act as of the
                          date and time specified in such opinion, the
                          Prospectus was filed with the Commission pursuant to
                          the subparagraph of Rule 424(b) of the Rules and
                          Regulations specified in such opinion on the date
                          specified therein and no stop order suspending the
                          effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been
                          issued and, to the knowledge of such counsel, no
                          proceeding for that purpose is pending or threatened
                          by the Commission;

                                  (vii)    The Registration Statement and the
                          Prospectus and any further amendments or supplements
                          thereto made by the Company prior to such Delivery
                          Date (other than the financial statements and related
                          schedules and other financial and statistical data
                          therein, as to which such counsel need express no
                          opinion) comply as to form in all material respects
                          with the requirements of the Securities Act and the
                          Rules and Regulations; the documents incorporated by
                          reference in the Prospectus and any further amendment
                          or supplement to any such incorporated document made
                          by the Company prior to such Delivery Date (other
                          than the financial statements and related schedules
                          therein, as to which such counsel need express no
                          opinion), when they were filed with the Commission
                          complied as to form in all material respects with the
                          requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and
                          regulations of the Commission thereunder;

                                  (viii)   To such counsel's knowledge, there
                          are no contracts or other documents which are
                          required to be described in the Prospectus or filed
                          as exhibits to the Registration Statement by the
                          Securities Act or by the Rules and Regulations which
                          have not been described or filed as exhibits to the
                          Registration Statement or incorporated therein by
                          reference as permitted by the Rules and Regulations;





                                      -19-
<PAGE>   20
                                  (ix)     This Agreement has been duly
                          authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

                                  (x)      The issue and sale of the shares of
                          Stock being delivered on such Delivery Date by the
                          Company and the compliance by the Company with all of
                          the provisions of this Agreement and the consummation
                          of the transactions contemplated hereby will not
                          conflict with or result in a breach or violation of
                          any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a
                          default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of
                          trust, loan agreement or other agreement or
                          instrument known to such counsel to which the Company
                          or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the
                          Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to
                          which any of the property or assets of the Company or
                          any of its subsidiaries is subject, nor will such
                          actions result in any violation of the provisions of
                          the Articles of Incorporation or Code of Regulations
                          of the Company or the comparable documents of any of
                          its subsidiaries or any statute or any order, rule or
                          regulation known to such counsel of any court or
                          governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over
                          the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of
                          their properties or assets; and, except for the
                          registration of the Stock under the Securities Act
                          and such consents, approvals, authorizations,
                          registrations or qualifications as may be required
                          under the Exchange Act and applicable state
                          securities laws and qualification for issuance with
                          the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
                          in connection with the purchase and distribution of
                          the Stock by the Underwriters, no consent, approval,
                          authorization or order of, or filing or registration
                          with, any such court or governmental agency or body
                          is required for the execution, delivery and
                          performance of this Agreement by the Company and the
                          consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;
                          and

                                  (xi)     To such counsel's knowledge, except
                          as stated in Section 1(i), there are no contracts,
                          agreements or understandings between the Company and
                          any person granting such person the right to require
                          the Company to file a registration statement under
                          the Securities Act with respect to any securities of
                          the Company owned or to be owned by such person or to
                          require the Company to include such securities in the
                          securities registered pursuant to the Registration
                          Statement or in any securities being registered
                          pursuant to any other registration statement filed by
                          the Company under the Securities Act.

                          In rendering such opinion, such counsel may (i) state
                 that their opinion is limited to matters governed by the
                 Federal laws of the United States of America, the laws of the
                 State of Ohio and the General Corporation Law of





                                      -20-
<PAGE>   21
                 the State of Delaware; (ii) rely (to the extent such counsel
                 deems proper and specifies in their opinion), as to matters
                 involving the application of the laws of the applicable
                 foreign jurisdiction upon the opinion of other counsel of good
                 standing, provided that such other counsel is satisfactory to
                 counsel for the Underwriters and furnishes a copy of its
                 opinion to the Representatives; and (iii) in giving the
                 opinion referred to in Section 9(d)(iv), state that no
                 examination of record titles for the purpose of such opinion
                 has been made, and that they are relying upon a general review
                 of the titles of the Company and its subsidiaries, upon
                 opinions of local counsel and abstracts, reports and policies
                 of title companies rendered or issued at or subsequent to the
                 time of acquisition of such property by the Company or its
                 subsidiaries, and, in respect of matters of fact, upon
                 certificates of officers of the Company or its subsidiaries,
                 provided that such counsel shall state that they believe that
                 both the Underwriters and they are justified in relying upon
                 such opinions, abstracts, reports, policies and certificates.
                 Such counsel shall also have furnished to the Representatives
                 a written statement, addressed to the Underwriters and dated
                 such Delivery Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the
                 Representatives, to the effect that (x) such counsel has acted
                 as counsel to the Company on a regular basis and has acted as
                 counsel to the Company in connection with the preparation of
                 the Registration Statement, and (y) based on the foregoing, no
                 facts have come to the attention of such counsel which lead
                 them to believe that (I) the Registration Statement, as of the
                 Effective Date, contained any untrue statement of a material
                 fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
                 therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein
                 not misleading, or that the Prospectus contains any untrue
                 statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact
                 required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
                 the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
                 which they were made, not misleading or (II) any document
                 incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or any further
                 amendment or supplement to any such incorporated document made
                 by the Company prior to such Delivery Date, when they were
                 filed with the Commission contained an untrue statement of a
                 material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in
                 order to make the statements therein, in light of the
                 circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

                          (e)     The counsel for the Selling Shareholder shall
                 have furnished to the Representatives their written opinion,
                 as counsel to the Selling Shareholder, addressed to the
                 Underwriters and dated the First Delivery Date, in form and
                 substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, to
                 the effect that:

                                  (i)      The Selling Shareholder has full
                          right, power and authority to enter into this
                          Agreement and the Power of Attorney; the





                                      -21-
<PAGE>   22
                          execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
                          and the Power of Attorney by the Selling Shareholder
                          and the consummation by the Selling Shareholder of
                          the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will
                          not conflict with or result in a breach or violation
                          of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a
                          default under, any statute, any indenture, mortgage,
                          deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or
                          instrument known to such counsel to which the Selling
                          Shareholder is a party or by which the Selling
                          Shareholder is bound or to which any of the property
                          or assets of the Selling Shareholder is subject, nor
                          will such actions result in any violation of the
                          provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Selling
                          Shareholder or any statute or any order, rule or
                          regulation known to such counsel of any court or
                          governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over
                          the Selling Shareholder or the property or assets of
                          the Selling Shareholder; and, except for the
                          registration of the Stock under the Securities Act
                          and such consents, approvals, authorizations,
                          registrations or qualifications as may be required
                          under the Exchange Act and applicable state or
                          foreign securities laws in connection with the
                          purchase and distribution of the Stock by the
                          Underwriters, no consent, approval, authorization or
                          order of, or filing or registration with, any such
                          court or governmental agency or body is required for
                          the execution, delivery and performance of this
                          Agreement or the Power of Attorney by the Selling
                          Shareholder and the consummation by the Selling
                          Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby
                          and thereby;

                                  (ii)     This Agreement has been duly
                          authorized, executed and delivered by or on behalf of
                          the Selling Shareholder;

                                  (iii)    A Power-of-Attorney has been duly
                          authorized, executed and delivered by the Selling
                          Shareholder and constitute valid and binding
                          agreements of the Selling Shareholder, enforceable in
                          accordance with their respective terms;

                                  (iv)     Immediately prior to the First
                          Delivery Date, the Selling Shareholder had good and
                          valid title to the shares of Stock to be sold by the
                          Selling Shareholder under this Agreement, free and
                          clear of all liens, encumbrances or claims, and full
                          right, power and authority to sell, assign, transfer
                          and deliver such shares to be sold by the Selling
                          Shareholder hereunder; and

                                  (v)      Good and valid title to the shares
                          of Stock to be sold by the Selling Shareholder under
                          this Agreement, free and clear of all liens,
                          encumbrances, equities or claims, has been
                          transferred to each of the several Underwriters .





                                      -22-
<PAGE>   23
                 In rendering such opinion, such counsel may (i) state that
                 their opinion is limited to matters governed by the laws of
                 __________, and that such counsel is not admitted in
                 _______________ and (ii) in rendering the opinion in Section
                 9(e)(iv) above, rely upon a certificate of the Selling
                 Shareholder in respect of matters of fact as to ownership of
                 and liens, encumbrances or claims on the shares of Stock sold
                 by the Selling Shareholder, provided that such counsel shall
                 furnish copies thereof to the Representatives and state that
                 they believe that both the Underwriters and they are justified
                 in relying upon such certificate.  Such counsel shall also
                 have furnished to the Representatives a written statement,
                 addressed to the Underwriters and dated the First Delivery
                 Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the
                 Representatives, to the effect that (x) such counsel has acted
                 as counsel to the Selling Shareholder in connection with the
                 preparation of the Registration Statement, and (y) based on
                 the foregoing, no facts have come to the attention of such
                 counsel which lead them to believe that the Registration
                 Statement, as of the Effective Date, contained any untrue
                 statement of a material fact relating to the Selling
                 Shareholder or omitted to state such a material fact required
                 to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
                 statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus
                 contains any untrue statement of a material fact relating to
                 the Selling Shareholder or omits to state such a material fact
                 required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
                 the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
                 which they were made, not misleading.  The foregoing opinion
                 and statement may be qualified by a statement to the effect
                 that such counsel does not assume any responsibility for the
                 accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained
                 in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus.

                          (f)     The Representatives shall have received from
                 Schiff Hardin & Waite, counsel for the Underwriters, such
                 opinion or opinions, dated such Delivery Date, with respect to
                 the issuance and sale of the Stock, the Registration
                 Statement, the Prospectus and other related matters as the
                 Representatives may reasonably require, and the Company shall
                 have furnished to such counsel such documents as they
                 reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass
                 upon such matters.

                          (g)     At the time of execution of this Agreement,
                 the Representatives shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP
                 a letter, in form and substance satisfactory to the
                 Representatives, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the
                 date hereof (i) confirming that they are independent public
                 accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and are
                 in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the
                 qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X
                 of the Commission, (ii) stating, as of the date hereof (or,
                 with respect to matters involving changes or developments
                 since the respective dates as of which specified financial
                 information is given in the





                                      -23-
<PAGE>   24
                 Prospectus, as of a date not more than five days prior to the
                 date hereof), the conclusions and findings of such firm with
                 respect to the financial information and other matters
                 ordinarily covered by accountants' "comfort letters" to
                 underwriters in connection with registered public offerings.

                          (h)     With respect to the letter of Ernst & Young
                 LLP referred to in the preceding paragraph and delivered to
                 the Representatives concurrently with the execution of this
                 Agreement (the "initial letter"), the Company shall have
                 furnished to the Representatives a letter (the "bring-down
                 letter") of such accountants, addressed to the Underwriters
                 and dated such Delivery Date (i) confirming that they are
                 independent public accountants within the meaning of the
                 Securities Act and are in compliance with the applicable
                 requirements relating to the qualification of accountants
                 under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, (ii)
                 stating, as of the date of the bring-down letter (or, with
                 respect to matters involving changes or developments since the
                 respective dates as of which specified financial information
                 is given in the Prospectus, as of a date not more than five
                 days prior to the date of the bring-down letter), the
                 conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the
                 financial information and other matters covered by the initial
                 letter and (iii) confirming in all material respects the
                 conclusions and findings set forth in the initial letter.

                          (i)     The Company shall have furnished to the
                 Representatives a certificate, dated such Delivery Date, of
                 its Chairman of the Board, its President or a Vice President
                 and its chief financial officer stating that:

                                  (i)      The representations, warranties and
                          agreements of the Company in Section 1 are true and
                          correct as of such Delivery Date; the Company has
                          complied with all its agreements contained herein;
                          and the conditions set forth in Sections 9(a) and
                          9(k) have been fulfilled; and

                                  (ii)     They have carefully examined the
                          Registration Statement and the Prospectus and, in
                          their opinion (A) as of the Effective Date, the
                          Registration Statement and Prospectus did not include
                          any untrue statement of a material fact and did not
                          omit to state a material fact required to be stated
                          therein or necessary to make the statements therein
                          not misleading, and (B) since the Effective Date no
                          event has occurred which should have been set forth
                          in a supplement or amendment to the Registration
                          Statement or the Prospectus.

                          (j)     The Selling Shareholder (or the
                 attorney-in-fact on behalf of the Selling Shareholder) shall
                 have furnished to the Representatives on the First Delivery
                 Date a certificate, dated the First Delivery Date, signed by,
                 or on





                                      -24-
<PAGE>   25
                 behalf of, the Selling Shareholder (or the attorney-in-fact)
                 stating that the representations, warranties and agreements of
                 the Selling Shareholder contained herein are true and correct
                 as of the First Delivery Date and that the Selling Shareholder
                 has complied with all agreements contained herein to be
                 performed by the Selling Shareholder at or prior to the First
                 Delivery Date.

                          (k)     (i)      Neither the Company nor any of its
                 subsidiaries shall have sustained since the date of the latest
                 audited financial statements included or incorporated by
                 reference in the Prospectus any loss or interference with its
                 business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity,
                 whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute
                 or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise
                 than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus or (ii)
                 since such date there shall not have been any change in the
                 capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its
                 subsidiaries or any change, or any development involving a
                 prospective change, in or affecting the general affairs,
                 management, financial position, stockholders' equity or
                 results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries,
                 otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus,
                 the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i)
                 or (ii), is, in the judgment of the Representatives, so
                 material and adverse as to make it impracticable or
                 inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the
                 delivery of the Stock being delivered on such Delivery Date on
                 the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.

                          (l)     Subsequent to the execution and delivery of
                 this Agreement there shall not have occurred any of the
                 following: (i) trading in securities generally on the New York
                 Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or in the over-
                 the-counter market, or trading in any securities of the
                 Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market,
                 shall have been suspended or minimum prices shall have been
                 established on any such exchange or such market by the
                 Commission, by such exchange or by any other regulatory body
                 or governmental authority having jurisdiction, (ii) a banking
                 moratorium shall have been declared by Federal or state
                 authorities, (iii) the United States shall have become engaged
                 in hostilities, there shall have been an escalation in
                 hostilities involving the United States or there shall have
                 been a declaration of a national emergency or war by the
                 United States or (iv) there shall have occurred such a
                 material adverse change in general economic, political or
                 financial conditions (or the effect of international
                 conditions on the financial markets in the United States shall
                 be such) as to make it, in the judgment of a majority in
                 interest of the several Underwriters, impracticable or
                 inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or delivery of
                 the Stock being delivered on such Delivery Date on the terms
                 and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.





                                      -25-
<PAGE>   26
                          (m)  The National Market System shall have approved
                 the Stock for inclusion, subject only to official notice of
                 issuance.

                 All opinions, letters, evidence and certificates mentioned
above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with
the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance  reasonably
satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.

                 10.      Indemnification and Contribution.

                 (a)      The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each
Underwriter, its officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls
any Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, from and against any
loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect
thereof (including, but not limited to, any loss, claim, damage, liability or
action relating to purchases and sales of Stock), to which that Underwriter,
officer, employee or controlling person may become subject, under the
Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or
action arises out of, or is based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained (A) in any Preliminary
Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or in any amendment or
supplement thereto or (B) in any blue sky application or other document
prepared or executed by the Company (or based upon any written information
furnished by the Company) specifically for the purpose of qualifying any or all
of the Stock under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction (any
such application, document or information being hereinafter called a "Blue Sky
Application"), (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any
amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Blue Sky Application any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading or (iii) any act or failure to act or any alleged act or failure
to act by any Underwriter in connection with, or relating in any manner to, the
Stock or the offering contemplated hereby, and which is included as part of or
referred to in any loss, claim, damage, liability or action arising out of or
based upon matters covered by clause (i) or (ii) above (provided that the
Company shall not be liable under this clause (iii) to the extent that it is
determined in a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction that such
loss, claim, damage, liability or action resulted directly from any such acts
or failures to act undertaken or omitted to be taken by such Underwriter
through its gross negligence or willful misconduct), and shall reimburse each
Underwriter and each such officer, employee or controlling person promptly upon
demand for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by that Underwriter,
officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating or
defending or preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss,
claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in
any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in
any such amendment or supplement, or in any Blue Sky Application, in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information concerning such





                                      -26-
<PAGE>   27
Underwriter furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on
behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein.  Provided,
however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this subsection (a) with
respect to any Preliminary Prospectus or amended Preliminary Prospectus shall
not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter (or to the benefit of any person
controlling such Underwriter) from whom the person asserting any such loss,
expense, liability or claim purchased the shares of stock which is the subject
thereof if the Prospectus corrected any such alleged untrue statement or
omission and if such Underwriter failed to send or give a copy of the
Prospectus to such person at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale
of such shares of stock to such person.  The foregoing indemnity agreement is
in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have to any
Underwriter or to any officer, employee or controlling person of that
Underwriter.

                 (b)      The Selling Shareholder shall indemnify and hold
harmless each Underwriter, its officers and employees, and each person, if any,
who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, from and
against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action
in respect thereof (including, but not limited to, any loss, claim, damage,
liability or action relating to purchases and sales of Stock), to which that
Underwriter, officer, employee or controlling person may become subject, under
the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability
or action arises out of, or is based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact concerning the Selling Shareholder
contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto  or (ii) the omission or
alleged omission to state in any Preliminary Prospectus, Registration Statement
or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
concerning the Selling Shareholder not misleading, and shall reimburse each
Underwriter, its officers and employees and each such controlling person for
any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by that Underwriter, its
officers and employees or controlling person in connection with investigating
or defending or preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the
Selling Shareholder shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any
such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon,
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus or in any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information concerning such Underwriter furnished to
the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter
specifically for inclusion therein.  The foregoing indemnity agreement is in
addition to any liability which the Selling Shareholder may otherwise have to
any Underwriter or any officer, employee or controlling person of that
Underwriter.

                 (c)      Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, shall
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its officers and employees, each of
its directors, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the
meaning of the Securities Act, from and against any loss, claim, damage or
liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof, to





                                      -27-
<PAGE>   28
which the Company or any such director, officer, employee or controlling person
may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such
loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, (i)
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
(A) in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or (B) in any Blue Sky Application
or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Preliminary
Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment
or supplement thereto, or in any Blue Sky Application any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, but in each case only to the extent that the untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information concerning such Underwriter
furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of that
Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, and shall reimburse the Company
and any such director, officer, employee or controlling person for any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any such director, officer
or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending or
preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action
as such expenses are incurred.  The foregoing indemnity agreement is in
addition to any liability which any Underwriter may otherwise have to the
Company or any such director, officer, employee or controlling person.

                 (d)      Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under
this Section 10 of notice of any claim or the commencement of any action, the
indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against
the indemnifying party under this Section 10, notify the indemnifying party in
writing of the claim or the commencement of that action; provided, however,
that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any
liability which it may have under this Section 10 except to the extent it has
been materially prejudiced by such failure and, provided further, that the
failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any
liability which it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under this
Section 10.  If any such claim or action shall be brought against an
indemnified party, and it shall notify the indemnifying party thereof, the
indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent
that it wishes, jointly with any other similarly notified indemnifying party,
to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnified party.  After notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified
party of its election to assume the defense of such claim or action, the
indemnifying party shall not be liable to the indemnified party under this
Section 10 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the
indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation; provided, however, that the Representatives shall have
the right to employ counsel to represent jointly the Representatives and those
other Underwriters and their respective officers, employees and controlling
persons who may be subject to liability arising out of any claim in respect of
which indemnity may be sought by the Underwriters against the Company under
this Section 10 if, in the reasonable judgment of the Representatives, it is
advisable for the Representatives and those Underwriters, officers, employees
and controlling persons to be jointly represented by separate counsel, and in
that event the fees





                                      -28-
<PAGE>   29
and expenses of such separate counsel shall be paid by the Company.  No
indemnifying party shall (i) without the prior written consent of the
indemnified parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), settle
or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any
pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which
indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the
indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action)
unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release
of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action,
suit or proceeding, or (ii) be liable for any settlement of any such action
effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld), but if settled with the consent of the indemnifying party or if
there be a final judgment of the plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying
party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and
against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.

                 (e)      If the indemnification provided for in this Section
10 shall for any reason be unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an
indemnified party under Section 10(a), 10(b) or 10(c) in respect of any loss,
claim, damage or liability, or any action in respect thereof, referred to
therein, then each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such
indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified
party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in
respect thereof, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Shareholder on the
one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Stock or
(ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by
applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the
relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault
of the Company and the Selling Shareholder on the one hand and the Underwriters
on the other with respect to the statements or omissions which resulted in such
loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by the
Company and the Selling Shareholder on the one hand and the Underwriters on the
other with respect to such offering shall be deemed to be in the same
proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Stock purchased
under this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and
the Selling Shareholder, on the one hand, and the total underwriting discounts
and commissions received by the Underwriters with respect to the shares of the
Stock purchased under this Agreement, on the other hand, bear to the total
gross proceeds from the offering of the shares of the Stock under this
Agreement, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the
Prospectus.  The relative fault shall be determined by reference to whether the
untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
Company, the Selling Shareholder or the Underwriters, the intent of the parties
and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct
or prevent such statement or omission.  The Company, the Selling Shareholder
and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contributions pursuant to this Section were to be determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any





                                      -29-
<PAGE>   30
other method of allocation which does not take into account the equitable
considerations referred to herein.  The amount paid or payable by an
indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, damage or liability, or
action in respect thereof, referred to above in this Section shall be deemed to
include, for purposes of this Section 10(e), any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 10(e), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in
excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Stock underwritten
by it and distributed to the public was offered to the public exceeds the
amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise paid or become
liable to pay by reason of any untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
the meaning of Section 10(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.  The Underwriters' obligations to contribute as provided in
this Section 10(e) are several in proportion to their respective underwriting
obligations and not joint.

                 (f)      The Underwriters severally confirm and the Company
acknowledges that the statements with respect to the public offering of the
Stock by the Underwriters set forth on the cover page of, the legend concerning
over-allotments on the inside front cover page of and the concession and
reallowance figures appearing under the caption "Underwriting" in, the
Prospectus are correct and constitute the only information concerning such
Underwriters furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the
Underwriters specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus.

                 11.      Defaulting Underwriters.

                 If, on either Delivery Date, any Underwriter defaults in the
performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the remaining
non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated to purchase the Stock which the
defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase on such Delivery Date in
the respective proportions which the number of shares of the Firm Stock set
opposite the name of each remaining non- defaulting Underwriter in Schedule 1
hereto bears to the total number of shares of the Firm Stock set opposite the
names of all the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters in Schedule 1 hereto;
provided, however, that the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters shall not be
obligated to purchase any of the Stock on such Delivery Date if the total
number of shares of the Stock which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters
agreed but failed to purchase on such date exceeds 9.09% of the total number of
shares of the Stock to be purchased on such Delivery Date, and any remaining
non-defaulting Underwriter shall not be obligated to purchase more than 110% of
the number of shares of the Stock which it agreed to purchase on such Delivery
Date pursuant to the terms of Section 3.  If the foregoing maximums are
exceeded, the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters, or those other
underwriters satisfactory to the Representatives who so agree, shall have the
right, but shall not be obligated, to purchase, in such proportion as may be
agreed upon among them, all the Stock to be purchased on such Delivery Date.
If the remaining Underwriters or other underwriters satisfactory to the





                                      -30-
<PAGE>   31
Representatives do not elect to purchase the shares which the defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase on such Delivery
Date, this Agreement (or, with respect to the Second Delivery Date, the
obligation of the Underwriters to purchase, and of the Company to sell, the
Option Stock) shall terminate without liability on the part of any
non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company or the Selling Shareholder, except
that the Company will continue to be liable for the payment of expenses to the
extent set forth in Sections 8 and 13.  As used in this Agreement, the term
"Underwriter" includes, for all purposes of this Agreement unless the context
requires otherwise, any party not listed in Schedule 11 hereto who, pursuant to
this Section 11, purchases Firm Stock which a defaulting Underwriter agreed but
failed to purchase.

                 Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting
Underwriter of any liability it may have to the Company or the Selling
Shareholder for damages caused by its default.  If other underwriters are
obligated or agree to purchase the Stock of a defaulting or withdrawing
Underwriter, either the Representatives or the Company may postpone the
Delivery Date for up to seven full business days in order to effect any changes
that in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriters
may be necessary in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or in any other
document or arrangement.

                 12.      Termination.  The obligations of the Underwriters
hereunder may be terminated by the Representatives by notice given to and
received by the Company and the Selling Shareholder prior to delivery of and
payment for the Firm Stock if, prior to that time, any of the events described
in Sections 9(k) or 9(l), shall have occurred or if the Underwriters shall
decline to purchase the Stock for any reason permitted under this Agreement.

                 13.      Reimbursement of Underwriters' Expenses.  If (a) the
Company or the Selling Shareholder shall fail to tender the Stock for delivery
to the Underwriters by reason of any failure, refusal or inability on the part
of the Company or the Selling Shareholder to perform any agreement on its part
to be performed, or because any other condition of the Underwriters'
obligations hereunder required to be fulfilled by the Company or the Selling
Shareholder is not fulfilled, the Company and the Selling Shareholder will
reimburse the Underwriters for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including
fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred by the Underwriters in connection
with this Agreement and the proposed purchase of the Stock, and upon demand the
Company and the Selling Shareholder shall pay the full amount thereof to the
Representatives.  If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 11 by
reason of the default of one or more Underwriters, neither the Company or the
Selling Shareholder shall not be obligated to reimburse any defaulting
Underwriter on account of those expenses.

                 14.      Notices, etc.  All statements, requests, notices and
agreements hereunder shall be in writing, and:





                                      -31-
<PAGE>   32
                          (a)     if to the Underwriters, shall be delivered or
                 sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to Lehman
                 Brothers Inc., Three World Financial Center, New York, New
                 York 10285, Attention:  Syndicate Department (Fax:
                 212-526-6588), with a copy, in the case of any notice pursuant
                 to Section 10(d), to the Director of Litigation, Office of the
                 General Counsel, Lehman Brothers Inc., 3 World Financial
                 Center, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10285;

                          (b)     if to the Company, shall be delivered or sent
                 by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to the address of the
                 Company set forth in the Registration Statement, Attention:
                 President (Fax:  513-225-3355);

provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 8(c)
shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such
Underwriter at its address set forth in its acceptance telex to the
Representatives, which address will be supplied to any other party hereto by
the Representatives upon request.  Any such statements, requests, notices or
agreements shall take effect at the time of receipt thereof.  The Company and
the Selling Shareholder shall be entitled to act and rely upon any request,
consent, notice or agreement given or made on behalf of the Underwriters by
Lehman Brothers Inc. on behalf of the Representatives.

                 15.      Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement.  This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters,
the Company, the Selling Shareholder and their respective successors.  This
Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof are for the sole benefit of only
those persons, except that (A) the representations, warranties, indemnities and
agreements of the Company and the Selling Shareholder contained in this
Agreement shall also be deemed to be for the benefit of the person or persons,
if any, who control any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act and (B) the indemnity agreement of the Underwriters contained in
Section 10(c) of this Agreement shall be deemed to be for the benefit of
directors of the Company, officers, employees of the Company who have signed
the Registration Statement and any person controlling the Company within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and the Selling Shareholder.
Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person,
other than the persons referred to in this Section 13, any legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision
contained herein.

                 16.      Survival.  The respective indemnities,
representations, warranties and agreements of the Company, the Selling
Shareholder and the Underwriters contained in this Agreement or made by or on
behalf on them, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall survive the
delivery of and payment for the Stock and shall remain in full force and
effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any of them or
any person controlling any of them.





                                      -32-
<PAGE>   33
                 17.      Definition of the Terms "Business Day" and
"Subsidiary".  For purposes of this Agreement, (a) "business day" means any day
on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. is open for trading and (b)
"subsidiary" has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 of the Rules and
Regulations.

                 18.      Governing Law.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY
AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF NEW YORK.

                 19.      Consent to Jurisdiction.  Each party irrevocably
agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby ("Related Proceedings")
may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located
in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case
located in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York (collectively, the
"Specified Courts"), and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction
(except for proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment
of any such court (a "Related Judgment"), as to which such jurisdiction is
non-exclusive) of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.  The
parties further agree that service of any process, summons, notice or document
by mail to such party's address set forth above shall be effective service of
process for any lawsuit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court.
The parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the
laying of venue of any lawsuit, action or other proceeding in the Specified
Courts, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not
to plead or claim in any such court that any such lawsuit, action or other
proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
Each party not located in the United States hereby irrevocably appoints CT
Corporation System, which currently maintains a New York City office at 1633
Broadway, New York, New York 10019, United States of America, as its agent to
receive service of process or other legal summons for purposes of any such
action or proceeding that may be instituted in any state or federal court in
the City and State of New York.

                 20.      Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one
or more counterparts and, if executed in more than one counterpart, the
executed counterparts shall each be deemed to be an original but all such
counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

                 21.      Headings.  The headings herein are inserted for
convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect
the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.

                 If the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement between
the Company and the Underwriters, please indicate your acceptance in the space
provided for that purpose below.





                                      -33-
<PAGE>   34
                                    Very truly yours,

                                    ROBBINS & MYERS, INC.



                                    By
                                       ______________________________
                                       Daniel W. Duval 
                                       President and Chief Executive 
                                       Officer



                                    SANYO DENKI CO., LTD.



                                    By _____________________________
                                       Daniel W. Duval
                                       Attorney-in-Fact


Accepted:

LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
SCHRODER WERTHEIM & CO.
  INCORPORATED

For themselves and as Representatives
of the several Underwriters named
in Schedule 1 hereto

         By      LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.

         By      _____________________________
                 Authorized Representative





                                      -34-
<PAGE>   35
                                   SCHEDULE 1


                                                   Number of
Underwriters                                         Shares
                                                   ---------

Lehman Brothers Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Schroder Wertheim & Co. Incorporated . . . . 


                                                   ---------
              Total  . . . . . . . . . . . .

                                                   =========

<PAGE>   1
                                                                       EXHIBIT 5
                                                                       ---------
                           THOMPSON, HINE AND FLORY
                          2000 COURTHOUSE PLAZA N.E.
                                P.0. BOX 8801
                           DAYTON, OHIO 45401-8801

                              December 26, 1995
                                                                  (513) 443-6586



Robbins & Myers, Inc.
1400 Kettering Tower
Dayton, Ohio 45423

Gentlemen:

        Reference is made to the offering by Robbins & Myers, Inc., an Ohio
corporation (the "Company"), and Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd., a corporation organized
under the laws of Japan (the "Selling Shareholder"), of up to an aggregate of
1,495,000 Common Shares, without par value, of the Company (the "Shares"),
pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (Registration No. 33-64955). Of the Shares, 1,295,000
(including 195,000 shares subject to the over-allotment option granted by the
Company to the Underwriters named in the Registration Statement) are being
offered by the Company and are referred to herein as the "Company Shares," and
200,000 are being offered by the Selling Shareholder and are referred to herein
as the "Selling Shareholder Shares."

        As counsel for the Company, we have examined and are familiar with the
Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations of the Company and various
corporate records and proceedings relating to the organization of the Company
and the issuance of the Shares. Based upon the foregoing and upon investigation
of such other matters as we consider appropriate to permit us to render an
informed opinion, it is our opinion that:

                1.  The Company is a corporation duly orgainized, validly
        existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio.

                2.  The Company Shares have been duly authorized and, upon
        issuance thereof and payment therefor in accordance with the
        Underwriting Agreement filed as an exhibit to the Registration
        Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.        
        
                3.  The Selling Shareholder Shares are duly authorized, validly
        issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

        This opinion is solely for your information in connection with the
Registration Statement and is not to be quoted or otherwise referred to in
any of your financial statements or public releases, filed with any
governmental agency, or given to any other person without our prior written
consent. This opinion may not be relied upon by any other person, or used by
you for any other purpose, without our prior written consent.
        
        We consent to the use of this opinion as an Exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and we consent to any reference to our firm under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement.

                                            Very truly yours,




                                            /s/Thompson, Hine and Flory



JMR3077.jmr




<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                                              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Robbins & Myers,
Inc. for the registration of 1,495,000 shares of its common stock, and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated October 3, 1995, except
for Subsequent Event note, as to which the date is October 24, 1995, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Robbins &
Myers, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended August
31, 1995, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
                                          Ernst & Young LLP
December 26, 1995


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