ATCHISON CASTING CORP
10-K, 1998-09-17
IRON & STEEL FOUNDRIES
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<PAGE>

                   UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               Washington,  D. C. 20549
                                      FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
/ X /     ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR  15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
          EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

          For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998
                                         OR
/  /      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
          EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

          For the transition period from ________ to _________

                           Commission file number 1-12541

                            ATCHISON CASTING CORPORATION
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Kansas                                              48-1156578
(State or other jurisdiction of                            (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                           Identification No.)

    400 South Fourth Street
       Atchison, Kansas                                          66002
(Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (913) 367-2121

           SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 (b) OF THE ACT:

                                                       Name of Each Exchange on
        Title of Each Class                                 Which Registered
        -------------------                            ------------------------
    Common Stock, $.01 par value                       New York Stock Exchange

        SECURITIES  REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 (G) OF THE ACT: NONE

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant:  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES / X / NO /   /

Indicate by check  mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K.     /  /

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the
registrant held by nonaffiliates of the registrant as of  September 9, 1998 was
$93,022,031.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common Stock, $.01 par value, outstanding as of September 9, 1998: 8,127,768
Shares


                          DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

     Portions of the Annual Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held November 20, 1998, are incorporated by reference into
Part III.

<PAGE>
                                       
                                    PART I

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS

GENERAL

     ACC manufactures highly engineered metal castings that are utilized in a 
wide variety of products, such as tractor-crawlers, excavators, 
wheel-loaders, gas, steam and hydroelectric turbines, pumps, valves, 
locomotives, passenger rail cars, automobiles, trucks, army tanks, navy 
ships, paper-making machinery, oil field equipment, computer peripherals, 
office furniture, home appliances, satellite receivers and consumer goods. 
Having completed seventeen acquisitions since its inception in 1991, the 
Company has established itself as a leading consolidator in the castings 
industry.  As a result of these acquisitions, the Company has the ability to 
produce castings from a wide selection of materials, including carbon, 
low-alloy and stainless steel, gray and ductile iron, aluminum and zinc as 
well as the ability to manufacture parts in a variety of sizes, ranging from 
small die cast components for the computer industry that weigh a few ounces 
to mill housings for the steel industry that weigh up to 275 tons. Moreover, 
ACC has extensive tooling and machining operations.   The Company believes 
that its broad range of capabilities, which addresses the needs of many 
different markets, provides a distinct competitive advantage in the casting 
industry.

     The Company was founded to pursue a strategy of growth and diversification 
through acquisitions in the highly fragmented foundry industry.  Following 
the initial acquisition of the steel casting operations of Rockwell 
International in 1991, the Company has continued to acquire foundries in the 
U.S., Canada and the U.K.  As a result of these acquisitions, as well as 
internal growth, ACC's net sales have increased from approximately $54.7 
million in its first fiscal year ended June 30, 1992, to $373.8 million for 
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, resulting is a compound annual growth 
rate of 37.8%.

     Since 1991, the number of customers served by the Company has increased 
from 12 to more than 400, including companies such as Caterpillar, Gardner 
Denver, General Motors, General Electric, Westinghouse, General Dynamics, 
Shell, British Steel, Nucor, Ingersoll-Dresser, John Deere, Chrysler, and 
Meritor (formerly Rockwell International).  The Company has received supplier 
excellence awards for quality from, or has been certified by, substantially 
all of its principal customers.

     The Company's favorable industry position is attributable to several 
factors, including:  (i) its use of new and advanced casting technologies; 
(ii) its ability to cast substantially all types of iron and steel, as well 
as aluminum and zinc; (iii) the Company's emphasis on customer service and 
marketing; and (iv) the Company's position as a long-term supplier to many of 
its major customers.

     The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 400 South 
Fourth Street, Atchison, Kansas 66002-0188, and the Company's telephone 
number is (913) 367-2121.

                                       2

<PAGE>

COMPANY STRATEGY

     ACC is pursuing growth and diversification through a two-pronged 
approach of:  (i) making strategic acquisitions within the widely fragmented 
and consolidating foundry industry; and (ii) integrating the acquired 
foundries to achieve economies of scale, while strengthening marketing and 
promoting the use of new casting technology.

     STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS

     ACQUIRE LEADERS AND BUILD CRITICAL MASS.  The Company initially seeks to 
acquire foundries that are considered leaders in their respective sectors. 
After acquiring a leader in a new market, ACC strives to make subsequent 
acquisitions that further penetrate that market and take advantage of the 
leader's technical expertise. The Atchison/St. Joe Division is a leader in 
the field of large, complex steel castings. This acquisition in 1991 provided 
credibility for ACC's presence in the industry and established a base for 
add-on acquisitions. Following the Atchison/St. Joe Division acquisition, the 
Company added capacity and strengthened its base through the add-on 
acquisitions of Amite Foundry and Machine, Inc. ("Amite") in 1993 and 
Canadian Steel Foundries, Ltd. ("Canadian Steel") in 1994. As an additional 
example, Prospect Foundry, Inc. ("Prospect") was acquired in 1994 due to its 
leading position in gray and ductile iron casting production. The subsequent  
acquisition  of La Grange Foundry Inc. ("La Grange") in 1995 further enhanced 
ACC's position in this market.

     BROADEN PRODUCT OFFERINGS AND CAPABILITIES.  The Company also seeks to 
acquire foundries that add a new product line or customer base that can be 
leveraged throughout ACC's network of foundries. For example, prior to the 
acquisition of Prospect in 1994, which expanded ACC's capabilities to include 
gray and ductile iron, the Company only produced carbon and low alloy steel 
castings. The acquisition of Quaker Alloy, Inc. ("Quaker Alloy") expanded 
ACC's stainless and high alloy steel capabilities to include a wider range of 
casting sizes. Los Angeles Die Casting Inc. ("LA Die Casting"), a leading die 
caster of aluminum and zinc components for the computer and recreation 
markets, provides ACC with an entry into the aluminum and zinc die casting 
markets. PrimeCast, Inc. ("PrimeCast") (formerly the Beloit Castings Division 
of Beloit Corporation) expanded ACC's capabilities to produce large iron 
castings.  The acquisition of Sheffield Forgemasters Group Limited 
("Sheffield") brings to ACC the ability to offer cast and forged rolls, 
larger steel castings and centrifically cast parts.

     DIVERSIFY END MARKETS.  The Company attempts to lessen the cyclical 
exposure at individual foundries by creating a diversified network of 
foundries that serve a variety of end markets. Kramer International, Inc. 
("Kramer"), a supplier of pump impellers, was acquired in 1995, expanding 
ACC's sales to the energy and utility sectors. The Company believes ACC's 
presence in these markets somewhat offsets its exposure to the railroad and 
mining and construction markets, as energy and utility cycles do not 
necessarily coincide with railroad investment or mining and construction 
cycles. The acquisition of Prospect diversified the end markets served by the 
Company by providing access to both the agricultural equipment and trucking 
industries.  Currently, the Company serves more than ten major end-user 
markets, compared to three in 1991.

     The following table presents the Company's seventeen acquisitions and 
their primary strategic purpose.

                                       3

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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                   DATE
MANUFACTURING UNIT               ACQUIRED      STRATEGIC PURPOSE 
- ---------------------            --------      -----------------
<S>                              <C>           <C>
Atchison/St. Joe Division        06/14/91      Leader in carbon and low
                                                 alloy, large, complex steel
                                                 castings. Initial platform for
                                                 Company strategy.

Amite                            02/19/93      Increase capacity to take on
                                                 new projects with customers.
                                                 Add-on to Atchison/St. Joe
                                                 Division.

Prospect                         04/01/94      Leader in gray and ductile
                                                 iron castings.

Quaker Alloy                     06/01/94      Develop position in stainless
                                                 and high alloy steel castings.

Canadian Steel                   11/30/94      Access to hydroelectric and
                                                 steel mill markets. Develop
                                                 position in large castings.

Kramer                           01/03/95      Leader in castings for pump
                                                 industry.

Empire Steel Castings, Inc.      02/01/95      Build position in pump and
                                                 valve markets. Add-on to Quaker
                                                 Alloy.

La Grange                        12/14/95      Build position in gray and
                                                 ductile iron casting markets.

The G&C Foundry Company          03/11/96      Highly regarded in fluid power
                                                 market. Build position in gray
                                                 and ductile iron casting
                                                 markets.

LA Die Casting                   10/01/96      Leader in aluminum and zinc
                                                 die casting.

Canada Alloy Castings, Ltd.      10/26/96      Build position in existing
                                                 markets. Smaller castings than
                                                 Canadian Steel, but similar
                                                 markets and materials.

Pennsylvania Steel Foundry       10/31/96      Well regarded in turbine
& Machine Company                                industry. Build position
                                                 in power generation, pump
                                                 and valve markets. Add-on 
                                                 to Quaker Alloy and Empire.

Jahn Foundry Corp.               02/14/97      Develop position in market for
                                                 automotive castings. Add-on
                                                 iron foundry.

PrimeCast                        07/01/97      Build position in gray and
                                                 ductile iron casting markets.
                                                 Enter paper-machinery market,
                                                 acquire capability for large
                                                 iron castings and expand
                                                 ability to cast bronze.

Inverness Castings Group, Inc.   10/06/97      Expand in automotive and
                                                 aluminum products.

Sheffield                        04/06/98      Enter European marketplace and
                                                 add new product lines,
                                                 including forgings.

Claremont Foundry, Inc.          05/01/98      Company's first automatic
                                                 molding line for steel castings
                                                 made in green sand molds. 
                                                 Penetrate more deeply into mass
                                                 transit market.
</TABLE>
                                               4


<PAGE>



     INTEGRATION OF ACQUIRED FOUNDRIES

     STRENGTHEN MARKETING FUNCTIONS.  Many foundries, particularly those that 
operate as captive foundries or only rely on a small number of customers, do 
not have strong marketing capabilities. ACC views this industry-wide 
marketing weakness as an opportunity to establish a competitive advantage. 
The Company places great emphasis on maximizing new business opportunities by 
strengthening marketing  capabilities, adding sales people and cross-selling 
between foundries.

     One way in which ACC builds the marketing efforts of its foundries is to 
increase the number of sales personnel at both existing and acquired 
foundries. In addition to sales people added through acquisitions, the 
Company has incrementally increased the sales force by 29%. Another element 
of the Company's marketing effort is to jointly develop castings with its 
customers. Joint development projects using new technology, and the resulting 
increased service and flexibility provided to customers, is an important 
marketing tool and has been instrumental in receiving several new orders. For 
example, a joint development project between Caterpillar and ACC led to the 
production of the boom tip casting for one of Caterpillar's new hydraulic 
excavators.  Joint development projects have also taken place with General 
Motors, Nordberg and Chrysler, among others.

     An increasingly important aspect of the Company's marketing strategy has 
been to develop its ability to cross-sell among its foundries. In acquiring 
new foundries and expanding into new markets, the Company has gained a 
significant advantage over smaller competitors since its sales force is able 
to direct its customers to foundries with different capabilities. This 
benefits ACC in that it enables foundries to use the Atchison name and 
relationships to gain new customers as well as helping customers to reduce 
their supplier base by providing "one-stop" shopping. The Company facilitates 
cross-selling by reinforcing the sales force's knowledge of Company-wide 
capabilities through visits to individual facilities.

     INTRODUCE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.  As part of its acquisition strategy, the 
Company is systematically introducing new advanced technologies into each of 
its acquired foundries to enhance their competitive position. For example, 
the Company's capabilities in finite element analysis and three-dimensional 
solid modeling are having a beneficial impact on sales and casting production 
by helping customers to design lighter and stronger castings, shortening 
design cycles, lowering casting costs and in some cases creating new 
applications. These new technologies have enhanced the Company's ability to 
assist customers in the component design and engineering stages, 
strengthening the Company's relationships with its customers.  New techniques 
involve computerized solid models that are used to simulate the casting 
process, to make patterns and auxiliary tooling and to machine the finished 
castings. The Company intends to implement this new technology in all of its 
foundries and, to date, eleven of ACC's foundries have implemented or are in 
the process of implementing this technology.

     Investments by the Company in technology improvements include: (i) new 
solidification software and hardware for better casting design and process 
improvement; (ii) Computer Numerical Control ("CNC") machine tools, 
computer-assisted, laser measurement devices and new cutting head designs for 
machine tools to improve productivity and quality in the machining of 
castings; (iii) Argon-Oxygen Decarburization ("AOD") refining, which is used 
to make high-quality stainless steel; (iv) computer-controlled sand binder 
pumps to improve mold quality and reduce cost; and (v) equipment for 
measuring the nitrogen content of steel, which helps in casting quality 
improvement. ACC is one of the few foundry companies that uses its own 
scanning electron microscope to analyze inclusions in cast metal. The Company 
also participates in technical projects led by the Steel Founders' Society of 
America and the American Foundrymen's Society, which are 

                                       5

<PAGE>

exploring ways to melt and cast cleaner iron and steel, as well as U.S. 
government/industry specific projects to shorten and improve the casting 
design cycle.

     INCREASE CAPACITY UTILIZATION.  A principal objective of the Company in 
integrating and operating its foundries is to increase capacity utilization 
at both its existing and newly acquired facilities. Many of the Company's 
foundries at the time of their acquisition have been operating with 
underutilized capacity. The Company seeks to improve capacity utilization by 
introducing more effective marketing programs and applying advanced 
technologies as described above.

     ACHIEVE PURCHASING ECONOMIES.  Once an acquisition has been completed, 
ACC makes its volume purchasing programs available to the newly acquired 
foundry. ACC has realized meaningful cost savings by achieving purchasing 
efficiencies for acquired foundries. By jointly coordinating the purchase of 
raw materials, negotiation of insurance premiums and procurement of freight 
services, ACC's individual foundries have, in some cases, realized savings of 
10% to 30% of these specific costs.

     LEVERAGE MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE.  The Company believes that improvements 
can often be made in the way acquired foundries are managed, including the 
implementation of new technologies, advanced employee training programs, 
standardized budgeting processes and profit sharing programs and providing 
access to capital. To this effect, ACC enhances management teams to add 
technical, marketing or production experience, if needed. For example, ACC 
was able to significantly improve the profitability of Canadian Steel by 
adding new members to management, entering new markets, installing finite 
element solidification modeling and providing capital. As another example, 
under ACC ownership,  La Grange was able to negotiate a new labor agreement, 
create profit sharing for all employees, broaden its customer base and 
install solidification modeling.

INDUSTRY TRENDS

     The American Foundrymen's Society estimates that global casting 
production was 67.9 million metric tons in 1996, of which steel castings 
accounted for approximately 5.5 million tons, iron castings for approximately 
54.1 million tons and nonferrous castings for approximately 8.3 million tons. 
It is further estimated that the top ten producing countries represent 72% 
of the total production, with the U.S. representing in excess of 20% of the 
world market.

     The U.S. casting industry is estimated to have had shipments of 
approximately 14.1 million tons in 1996, of which steel castings accounted 
for approximately 1.4 million tons, iron castings for approximately 10.3 
million tons and nonferrous castings for approximately 2.4 million tons. 
Recent estimates forecast approximately 3% growth in shipments in each of 
1997 and 1998. The Company has been able to grow at a rate in excess of the 
overall industry principally as a result of its strategy and due to key 
trends affecting the casting industry, including the following:

     INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION

     Although still highly fragmented, the foundry industry has consolidated 
from approximately 465 steel foundries and 1,400 iron foundries in 1982 to 
approximately 285 and 700 foundries, respectively, in 1997. As the industry 
has consolidated, capacity utilization has increased from approximately 45% 
in 1982 to more than 75% in 1997. This consolidation trend has been 
accompanied by increased outsourcing of casting production and OEM supplier 
rationalization.

                                       6

<PAGE>

     OUTSOURCING.  Many OEMs are outsourcing the manufacture of cast 
components to independent foundries in an effort to reduce their capital and 
labor requirements and to focus on their core businesses. Management believes 
that captive foundries are often underutilized, inefficiently operated and 
lack the latest technology. Several of ACC's OEM customers, such as 
Caterpillar, General Motors, General Electric, Meritor (formerly Rockwell 
International), Ingersoll-Dresser, Gardner Denver and Beloit Corporation, 
have closed or sold one or more of their captive foundries during the past 
ten years and have outsourced the castings which they once made to 
independent suppliers such as the Company. As described above, the closure of 
these facilities has contributed to increased capacity utilization at the 
remaining foundries.

     OEM SUPPLIER RATIONALIZATION.  OEMs are rationalizing their supplier 
base to fewer foundries that are capable of meeting increasingly complex 
requirements. For example, OEMs are asking foundries to play a larger role in 
the design, engineering and development of castings. In addition, some 
customers have demanded that suppliers implement new technologies, adopt 
quality (ISO 9000 and QS 9000) standards and make continuous productivity 
improvements. As a result, many small, privately-owned businesses have chosen 
to sell their foundries because they are unwilling or unable to make 
investments necessary to remain competitive. Moreover, the EPA and OSHA 
require compliance with increasingly stringent environmental and governmental 
regulations.

     NEW CASTING TECHNOLOGY

     Recent advances in casting technology and pattern-making have created 
new opportunities for reducing costs while increasing efficiency and product 
quality. The combination of powerful, low cost computer workstations with 
finite element modeling software for stress analysis and metal solidification 
simulation is helping foundries and customers to design castings that are 
lighter, stronger and more easily manufactured at a competitive cost.

     The Company believes new casting technologies have led to growth in 
casting shipments by replacing forgings and fabrications in certain 
applications. In the past, fabricated (welded) components have been used in 
order to reduce tooling costs and product development lead-time. New casting 
technology has helped to reduce the weight and cost, and shorten the 
lead-time, of castings and has therefore increased the relative 
attractiveness of cast components. For example, these improvements allowed an 
ACC customer to replace a fabricated steel boom that is used in a typical 
mining vehicle with one that is cast. The cast steel boom weighs 20% less 
than the fabricated component that it replaced, allowing an increase in 
payload. Product life is increased due to greater corrosion resistance. 
Another customer replaced the combination cast/fabricated body of a rock 
crusher with a one-piece casting, reducing labor for cutting, welding and 
machining as a result. An example of an application in which castings have 
replaced forged products is the blow-out preventer that is used to control a 
well "blow-out" during drilling. These products are required to comply with 
stringent safety standards because blow-out preventers must be able to 
contain pressures of 15,000 pounds per-square-inch. Due to lower costs and 
equally stringent safety features made possible by new casting technologies, 
castings have substantially replaced forgings for some blow-out preventer 
bodies.

MARKETS AND PRODUCTS

     MINING AND CONSTRUCTION.  ACC's castings are used in tractor-crawlers, 
mining trucks, excavators, drag lines, wheel-loaders, rock crushers, diesel 
engines, slurry pumps, coal mining machines and ore-processing equipment. 
Mining and construction equipment customers include Caterpillar, Nordberg, 
Meritor (formerly Rockwell International), Gardner Denver, John Deere, 
Komatsu, Harnischfeger and Euclid, among others.  Products supplied to the 
mining and construction 

                                       7

<PAGE>

industry accounted for 31.1%, 31.4% and 23.1% of the Company's net sales in 
fiscal 1996, fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1998, respectively.

     AUTOMOTIVE.  The automotive industry uses both iron and aluminum 
castings, as well as aluminum die castings. ACC recently entered this market 
through the purchase of Jahn Foundry Corp. ("Jahn Foundry") in Springfield, 
Massachusetts and Inverness Castings Group, Inc. ("Inverness") in Dowagiac, 
Michigan. Customers in this market include General Motors and Chrysler, among 
others. Automotive products produced by the Company accounted for 1.6% and 
10.4% of the Company's net sales in fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1998, respectively.

     UTILITIES.  Many of ACC's castings are used in products for the utility 
industry, such as pumps, valves and gas compressors. ACC also makes steam, 
gas and hydroelectric turbine castings, nuclear plant components, sewage 
treatment parts and other castings for the utility industry. In addition, the 
Company manufactures replacement products that are used when customers 
perform refurbishments. Customers include Westinghouse, General Electric, 
GEC-Alsthom, Sulzer, Siemens, Kvaerner, Goulds Pumps, and Neles Controls. 
Utility products produced by the Company  accounted  for  21.5%, 13.1%  and 
9.9% of the Company's net sales in fiscal 1996, fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1998, 
respectively.

     ENERGY.  The Company's products for the energy market include pumps, 
valves and compressors for transmission and refining of petrochemicals, 
blow-out preventers and mud pumps for drilling and work-over of wells, 
lifting hooks and shackles for offshore installation of equipment, winch 
components for rig positioning, nodes for platform construction, subsea 
components and other oil field castings. Shell, Amoco, Aker-Verdal, Shaffer, 
Cooper Energy, Hydril, Solar, Nordstrom, Ingersoll-Dresser Pumps and Amclyde 
are among the Company's many energy-related customers. Energy products 
produced by the Company accounted for 12.2%, 14.3% and 8.9% of the Company's 
net sales in fiscal 1996, fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1998, respectively.

     RAILROAD.  The Company supplies cast steel undercarriages for 
locomotives, among other parts, for this market. GM is ACC's largest 
locomotive customer, and has purchased locomotive castings from the 
Atchison/St. Joe Division for over 50 years.

     MILITARY.  Weapons and equipment for the Army, Navy and Coast Guard 
employ many different types of castings. The Company makes components for 
ships, battle tanks, howitzers and other heavy weapons. The military casting 
market has declined sharply, but ACC has been able to replace this volume by 
targeting new products such as turbines, compressors, pumps and valves. 
Customers in this market include General Dynamics, Litton, Bath Iron Works, 
Boeing, the U.S. Army and Avondale Shipyards, among others.

     TRUCKING.  The Company manufactures components used on truck engines and 
suspension systems.  Many of ACC's castings are used in aftermarket products 
to achieve better fuel economy or to enhance ride characteristics. Customers 
include Horton Industries, Detroit Diesel and others.

     FARM EQUIPMENT.  ACC makes a variety of castings for farm tractors, 
baling equipment, harvesters, sugar cane processors and other agricultural 
equipment for customers such as John Deere, Caterpillar and New Holland.

     PAPER-MAKING MACHINERY. The paper-making machinery industry uses a 
variety of iron, steel and non-ferrous castings, both in original equipment 
and for the aftermarket. ACC has been a minor 

                                       8

<PAGE>

supplier to this market since 1992. The acquisition of the castings division 
of Beloit Corporation in July 1997 makes ACC a significant supplier of 
castings to this market.

     MASS TRANSIT.  ACC began making undercarriages for passenger rail cars 
in 1992 and is a leading casting supplier to the mass transit market. The 
Company's castings are used on the BART system in San Francisco, METRA in 
Chicago, NCTD in San Diego, MARTA in Atlanta, and in Miami and Vancouver. 
ACC's La Grange and Claremont Foundry, Inc. ("Claremont") cast components 
used in subway cars in several cities, including New York City, which is the 
largest user of subway cars in North America.

     STEEL INDUSTRY.  The steel industry uses rolls to form cast steel into 
sheets, bars, rods, beams and plates, which are then used to make end 
products such as car bodies, tin cans and bridges.  Rolls are consumed as 
steel is rolled, so there is a steady demand for rolls.  Customers in this 
market include British Steel and Nucor, among others.  Sheffield Forgemasters 
Rolls Limited ("Forgemasters Rolls") is one of the world leaders in cast and 
forged rolls for the steel making industry.

     OTHER.  Other markets include process equipment such as rubber mixers, 
plastic extruders, dough mixers, machine tools and a variety of general 
industrial applications. With the acquisition of LA Die Casting, the Company 
entered the consumer market. LA Die Casting supplies components used to make 
recreational vehicles, computer peripherals, direct satellite receivers and 
pool tables. Customers include California Amplifier, RC Design, Care Free of 
Colorado and Printronix.

SALES AND MARKETING

     New foundry technologies and the new applications resulting therefrom 
require a more focused and knowledgeable sales force. The Company pursues an 
integrated sales and marketing approach that includes senior management, 
engineering and technical professionals, production managers and others, all 
of whom work closely with customers to better understand their specific 
requirements and improve casting designs and manufacturing processes. The 
Company supplements its direct sales effort with participation in trade 
shows, marketing videos, brochures, technical papers and customer seminars on 
new casting designs.

     The Company's engineering and technical professionals are actively 
involved in marketing and customer service, often working with customers to 
improve existing products and develop new casting products and applications. 
They typically remain involved throughout the product development process, 
working directly with the customer to design casting patterns, build the 
tooling needed to manufacture the castings and sample the castings to ensure 
they meet customers' specifications. The Company believes that the technical 
assistance in product development, design, manufacturing and testing that it 
provides to its customers gives it an advantage over its competition.

     Customers tend to develop long-term relationships with foundries that 
can provide high quality, machined castings delivered on a just-in-time basis 
that do not require on-site inspection. Frequently, the Company is the only 
current source for the castings that it produces. Maintaining duplicate 
tooling in multiple locations is costly, so customers prefer to rely on one 
supplier for each part number. Moving the tooling to another foundry is 
possible, however, such a move entails considerable time and expense on the 
customer's part. In addition, ACC is forming product development partnerships 
with a number of customers to develop new applications for castings.

                                       9

<PAGE>

BACKLOG

     The Company's backlog is based upon customer purchase orders that the 
Company believes are firm and does not include purchase orders anticipated 
but not yet placed. At June 30, 1998, the Company's backlog was approximately 
$198.2 million, as compared to backlog of approximately $80.8 million at June 
30, 1997. The backlog is scheduled for delivery in fiscal 1999 except for 
approximately $27.1 million, of which $20.3 million is scheduled for delivery 
in fiscal 2000. The level of backlog at any particular time is not 
necessarily indicative of the future operating performance of the Company. 
The Company historically has not experienced cancellation of any significant 
portion of customer orders.

COMPETITION

     The Company competes with a number of foundries in one or more product 
lines, although none of the Company's competitors compete with it across all 
product lines. The principal competitive factors in the castings market are 
quality, delivery and price; however, breadth of capabilities and customer 
service have become increasingly important. The Company believes that it is 
able to compete successfully in its markets by: (i) offering high quality, 
machined castings; (ii) working with customers to develop and design new 
castings; (iii) providing reliable delivery and short lead-times; (iv) 
containing its manufacturing costs, thereby pricing competitively; and (v) 
offering a broad range of cast materials.

     The Company believes that the market for iron and steel castings is 
attractive because of a relatively favorable competitive environment, high 
barriers to entry and the opportunity to form strong relationships with 
customers. New domestic competitors are unlikely to enter the foundry 
industry because of the high cost of new foundry construction, the need to 
secure environmental approvals at a new foundry location, the technical 
expertise required and the difficulty of convincing customers to switch to a 
new, unproven supplier.

     ACC, and the foundry industry in general, competes with manufacturers of 
fabrications in some application areas. The Company believes that the 
relative advantages of castings, particularly in light of new casting design 
technology, which reduces weight, cost and leadtime while improving casting 
quality, will lead to increased replacement of fabrications by iron and steel 
castings.  The Company competes with foundries in Asia, Europe and North 
America.

MANUFACTURING

     CASTINGS. Casting is one of several methods, along with forging and 
fabricating, which shape metal into desired forms. Castings are made by 
pouring or introducing molten metal into a mold and allowing the metal to 
cool until it solidifies, creating a monolithic component. Some castings, 
such as die castings, are made with a permanent metal mold which can be used 
repeatedly. Others, such as sand castings, are made in a sand mold which is 
used only once. Forgings are made by shaping solid metal with pressure, 
usually in a die or with hammers. Fabrications are made by welding together 
separate pieces of metal. Castings may offer significant advantages over 
forgings and fabrications. A well-designed casting can be lighter, stronger 
and more stress and corrosion resistant than a fabricated part. Although 
castings and forgings are similar in several respects, castings are generally 
less expensive than forgings.

                                       10

<PAGE>

     CASTING PROCESS.  The steel casting manufacturing process involves 
melting steel scrap in electric arc or induction furnaces, adding alloys, 
pouring the molten metal into molds made of sand or iron and removing the 
solidified casting for cleaning, heat treating and quenching prior to 
machining the casting to final specifications. The manufacture of a steel 
casting begins with the molding process. Initially, a pattern constructed of 
wood, aluminum or plastic is created to duplicate the shape of the desired 
casting. The pattern, which has similar exterior dimensions to the final 
casting, is positioned in a flask and foundry sand is packed tightly around 
it. After the sand mold hardens, the pattern is removed. When the sand mold 
is closed, a cavity remains within it shaped to the contours of the removed 
pattern. Before the mold is closed, sand cores are inserted into the cavity 
to create internal passages within the casting. For example, a core would be 
used to create the hollow interior of a valve casing. With the cores in 
place, the mold is closed for pouring. Castings for rolls are sometimes made 
by stirring the mold while the liquid steel or iron is being poured into it.

     Steel scrap and alloys are melted in an electric arc furnace at 
approximately 2,900 degrees Fahrenheit, and the molten metal is poured from a 
ladle into molds. After pouring and cooling, the flask undergoes a "shakeout" 
procedure in which the casting is removed from the flask and vibrated to 
remove sand. The casting is then moved to a blasting chamber for removal of 
any remaining foundry sand and scale. Next, the casting is sent to the 
cleaning room, where an extensive process removes all excess metal. Cleaned 
castings are put through a heat treating process, which improves properties 
such as hardness and tensile strength through controlled increases and 
decreases in temperature. A quench tank to reduce temperatures rapidly is 
also available for use in heat treatment. The castings are shot blasted again 
and checked for dimensional accuracy. Each casting undergoes a multi-stage 
quality control procedure before being transported to one of the Company's or 
the customer's machine shops for any required machining.

     Iron castings are processed similarly in many respects to steel 
castings. Melting and pouring temperatures for molten iron are approximately 
2,400 degrees Fahrenheit, and less cleaning and finishing is required for 
iron castings than is typically required for steel castings. Iron and steel 
scrap may both be used in making cast iron.

     Die casting, as contrasted to sand casting, uses a permanent metal mold 
that is reused. Melting and pouring temperatures for aluminum are less than 
half that used for steel, and die castings normally require less cleaning 
than iron or steel castings.

     FORGING PROCESS.  The forging process applies pressure by hitting or 
pressing a heated ingot or wrought steel blank.  The forged piece is then 
heat-treated and machined much in the same manner as a steel casting.

     MATERIALS.  Steel is more difficult to cast than iron, copper or 
aluminum because it melts at higher temperatures, undergoes greater shrinkage 
as it solidifies, causing the casting to crack or tear if the mold is not 
properly designed, and is highly reactive with oxygen, causing chemical 
impurities to form as it is poured through air into the mold. Despite these 
challenges, cast steel has become a vital material due to its superior 
strength compared to other ferrous metals. In addition, most of the 
beneficial properties of steel match or exceed those of competing ferrous 
metals. The Company's first foundry, which today forms the Atchison/St. Joe 
Division, produced carbon and low alloy steel castings when it was acquired 
from Rockwell International in 1991. ACC added an AOD vessel for making 
stainless steel in order to better supply the pump and valve markets, which 
sometimes require stainless steel castings to be made from the same patterns 
used for carbon steel castings. Also in 1994, ACC purchased Quaker Alloy, 
which specialized in casting high alloy and stainless steels for valves, 
pumps and other equipment. Sheffield, Canadian Steel and Canada Alloy 
Castings, Ltd. 

                                       11

<PAGE>

("Canada Alloy") also make high alloy and stainless castings, further 
reinforcing ACC's market position and skill base concerning the casting of 
stainless and specialty, high alloy steels.

     In applications that do not require the strength, ductility and/or 
weldability of steel, iron castings are generally preferred due to their 
lower cost, shorter lead-times and somewhat simpler manufacturing processes. 
Ductile iron is stronger and more flexible than traditional cast iron, known 
as gray iron, but is easier and less expensive to cast than steel.  Due to 
these qualities, the demand for ductile iron is increasing faster than for 
either traditional gray cast iron or cast steel.  In 1994, ACC initiated 
manufacturing of gray and ductile iron through the acquisition of Prospect.  
ACC's presence in ductile iron was increased through the subsequent purchases 
of La Grange, The G&C Foundry Company ("G&C") and PrimeCast.

     Aluminum castings (including die castings) generally offer lighter 
weight than iron or steel, and are usually easier to cast because aluminum 
melts at a lower temperature. These advantages, coupled with low prices for 
aluminum during the last decade, have led to a substantial increase in the 
use of aluminum castings, especially in motor vehicles. Aluminum's relative 
softness, lower tensile strength and poor weldability limit its use in many 
applications where iron and steel castings are currently employed. In 1996, 
ACC entered the nonferrous market with the purchase of LA Die Casting, which 
die casts aluminum and zinc.

     Steel, unlike iron, can be forged as well as cast.  Forging compresses 
steel, and is preferred for some critical applications like nuclear vessels, 
turbine shafts and pressure vessels, among others.

     The ability to provide cast and forged components in a broad range of 
materials allows ACC to present itself as a "one-stop shop" for some 
customers and simplifies purchasing for others. Since customers in general 
have a goal of reducing their total number of suppliers, a broader range of 
materials and casting skills gives ACC an advantage over many other foundry 
operations.

     MACHINING.  The Company machines many of its steel castings, typically 
to tolerances within 30 thousandths of an inch. Some castings are machined to 
tolerances of one thousandth of an inch. Machining includes drilling, 
threading or cutting operations. The Company's Sheffield, St. Joe, Amite and 
Inverness machine shops have a wide variety of machine tools, including CNC 
machine tools. The Company also machines some of its castings at Canadian 
Steel, Quaker Alloy, Empire Steel Castings, Inc. ("Empire") and Kramer. The 
ability to machine castings provides a higher value-added product to the 
customer and improved quality. Casting imperfections, which are typically 
located near the surface of the casting, are usually discovered during 
machining and corrected before the casting is shipped to the customer.

     NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING.  Customers typically specify the physical 
properties, such as hardness and strength, which their castings are to 
possess. The Company determines how best to meet those specifications. 
Regular testing and monitoring of the manufacturing process are necessary to 
maintain high quality and to ensure the consistency of the castings. 
Electronic testing and monitoring equipment for tensile, impact, radiography, 
ultrasonic, magnetic particle, dye penetrant and spectrographic testing are 
used extensively to analyze molten metal and test castings.

     ENGINEERING AND DESIGN.  The Company's process engineering department 
assists the customer in designing the product and works with manufacturing 
departments to determine the most cost effective way to produce the casting. 
Among other computer-aided design techniques, the Company uses 
three-dimensional solid modeling and solidification software. This equipment 
reduces the time required to produce sample castings for customers by several 
weeks and improves the casting design.

                                       12

<PAGE>

     CAPACITY UTILIZATION.  The following table shows the type and the 
approximate amount of available capacity, in tons, for each foundry and die 
caster. The actual number of tons that a foundry can produce annually is 
dependent on product mix. Complicated castings, such as those used for 
military applications or in steam turbines, require more time, effort and use 
of facilities, than do simpler castings such as those for the mining and 
construction market. Also, high alloy and stainless steel castings generally 
require more processing time and use of facilities than do carbon and low 
alloy steel castings.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                    TONS
                                                                                                  SHIPPED
                                                                                  ESTIMATED*     12 MONTHS
                                                                                   ANNUAL          ENDED         ESTIMATED*
     MANUFACTURING       METALS CAST OR                                           CAPACITY        JUNE 30,        CAPACITY
        UNIT                 FORGED                  MAJOR APPLICATIONS          IN NET TONS        1998         UTILIZATION
     -------------       --------------              ------------------          -----------      ---------     -----------
<S>                      <C>                        <C>                          <C>              <C>           <C>
Atchison/St. Joe         Carbon, low              Mining and construction,          30,000         27,500            92%
Division                 alloy and                rail, military, valve,
                         stainless steel          turbine and compressor


Amite                    Carbon and               Marine, mining and                14,000          4,391            31%
                         low alloy steel          construction

Prospect                 Gray and                 Construction, agricultural,       12,500         10,624            85%
                         ductile iron             trucking, hydraulic, power
                                                  transmission and machine
                                                  tool

Quaker Alloy             Carbon, low              Pump and valve                     6,000          1,774            30%
                         alloy and
                         stainless steel

Canadian Steel           Carbon, low              Hydroelectric and steel            6,000          2,327            39%
                         alloy and                mill
                         stainless steel

Kramer                   Carbon, low              Pump impellers and                 1,450          1,011            70%
                         alloy and                casings
                         stainless steel,
                         gray and
                         ductile iron


Empire                   Carbon and               Pump and valve                     4,800          1,243            26%
                         low alloy steel
                         and gray,
                         ductile and
                         nickel resistant
                         iron

La Grange                Gray, ductile            Mining and construction           14,000         10,315            74%
                         and compacted            and transportation
                         graphite iron

G&C                      Gray and                 Fluid power (hydraulic            12,000          9,356            78%
                         ductile iron             control valves)


                                                                           13

<PAGE>

                                                                                                    TONS
                                                                                                  SHIPPED
                                                                                  ESTIMATED*     12 MONTHS
                                                                                   ANNUAL          ENDED         ESTIMATED*
     MANUFACTURING       METALS CAST OR                                           CAPACITY        JUNE 30,        CAPACITY
        UNIT                 FORGED                  MAJOR APPLICATIONS          IN NET TONS        1998         UTILIZATION
     -------------       --------------              ------------------          -----------      ---------     -----------

LA Die Casting           Aluminum and             Communications,                    2,400          1,221            51%
                         zinc                     recreation and computer

Canada Alloy             Carbon, low              Power generation, pulp             2,500          1,301            52%
                         alloy and                and paper machinery,
                         stainless steel          pump and valve


Pennsylvania             Carbon and               Power generation, pump             3,700          2,310            62%
  Steel Foundry          stainless steel          and valve
  and Machine
  Company

Jahn                     Gray iron                Automotive, air                   11,000          6,199            56%
                                                  conditioning and
                                                  agricultural

PrimeCast                Gray and                 Paper-making machinery            19,840         11,512            58%
                         ductile iron
                         and stainless
                         steel

Inverness                Aluminum                 Automotive, furniture and         10,400          8,183            79%
                                                  appliances

Forgemasters Rolls       Iron and Steel           Steel and aluminum                31,000         26,623            86%
                                                  rolling

Sheffield                Iron and Steel           Oil and gas, ingot,              113,000         63,146            56%
Forgemasters                                      petrochemical, power
Engineering                                       generation
Limited

Claremont                Steel                    Mining and mass transit            6,000          1,776            30%
                                                                                   --------       -------            ----
         Totals                                                                    300,590        190,812            63%
                                                                                   --------       -------            ----
                                                                                   --------       -------            ----

- -------------
*    Estimated annual capacity and utilization are based upon management's estimate of the applicable manufacturing unit's 
theoretical capacity assuming a certain product mix and assuming such unit operated five days a week, three shifts per day and 
assuming normal shutdown periods for maintenance. Actual capacities will vary, and such variances may be material, based upon a 
number of factors, including product mix and maintenance requirements.

                                                                14
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

RAW MATERIALS

     The principal raw materials used by the Company include scrap iron and 
steel, aluminum, zinc, molding sand, chemical binders and alloys, such as 
manganese, nickel and chrome. The raw materials utilized by the Company are 
available in adequate quantities from a variety of sources. From time to time 
the Company has experienced fluctuations in the price of scrap steel, which 
accounts for approximately 4% of net sales, and alloys, which account for 
less than 2% of net sales. The Company has generally been able to pass on the 
increased costs of raw materials and has escalation clauses for scrap with 
certain of its customers. As part of its commitment to quality, the Company 
issues rigid specifications for its raw materials and performs extensive 
inspections of incoming raw materials.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

     The Company has adopted sophisticated quality assurance techniques and 
policies which govern every aspect of its operations to ensure high quality. 
During and after the casting process, the Company performs many tests, 
including tensile, impact, radiography, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, dye 
penetrant and spectrographic tests. The Company has long utilized statistical 
process control to measure and control dimensions and other process 
variables. Analytical techniques such as Design of Experiments and the 
Taguchi Method are employed for troubleshooting and process optimization.

     As a reflection of its commitment to quality, the Company has been 
certified by, or won supplier excellence awards from, substantially all of 
its principal customers. Of 600 suppliers to General Motors' Electromotive 
Division, the Company was the first supplier to receive the prestigious 
Targets of Excellence award. Reflecting its emphasis on quality, the 
Atchison/St. Joe Division was certified to ISO 9001 in August 1995, which 
represents compliance with international standards for quality assurance. 
Quaker Alloy, La Grange, Canada Alloy, Jahn Foundry, Pennsylvania Steel 
Foundry & Machine Company ("Pennsylvania Steel") and Canadian Steel have each 
been certified to ISO 9002. Other ACC foundries are preparing for ISO 
certification.

 EMPLOYEE AND LABOR RELATIONS

     As of June 30, 1998, the Company had approximately 4,700 full-time 
employees. In the last five years, the Company has not had any work 
stoppages.  The Company's hourly employees are covered by collective 
bargaining agreements with several unions at fourteen of its locations. These 
agreements expire at varying times over the next several years. The following 
table sets forth a summary of the principal unions and term of the principal 
collective bargaining agreements at the respective locations.


                                       15

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 APPROXIMATE
                                                                                                  NUMBER OF
     MANUFACTURING                                                              DATE OF         MEMBERS (AS
        UNIT               NAME OF PRINCIPAL UNION      EFFECTIVE DATE       EXPIRATION         OF 06/30/98)
     -------------         -----------------------      --------------       -----------        ------------
<S>                       <C>                            <C>                  <C>               <C>
Atchison/St. Joe         United Steelworkers of             03/04/96          05/09/99              430
                         America, Local 6943

Prospect                 Glass, Molders, Pottery,           03/18/95          06/01/99              208
                         Plastics & Allied Workers
                         International, Local 63B

Quaker Alloy             United Steelworkers of             07/15/95          07/15/99              142
                         America, Local 7274

Canadian Steel           Metallurgistes Unis                02/12/96          02/12/01              105
                         d'Amerique, Local 6859

Empire                   United Steelworkers of             03/01/97          02/28/02              101
                         America, Local 3178

La Grange                Glass, Molders, Pottery,           12/14/95          12/16/00              203
                         Plastics & Allied Workers
                         Union, Local 143

G&C                      United Electrical, Radio and       03/01/97          06/30/01              125
                         Machine Workers of America,
                         Local 714

LA Die Casting           United Automobile, Aircraft,       12/13/97          12/08/00               63
                         Agricultural Implement
                         Workers of America, Local 509

Canada Alloy             United Steelworkers of             04/04/97          04/03/02               70
                         America, Local 5699

Pennsylvania             United Steelworkers of             10/23/95          10/24/98              150
Steel                    America, Local 6541

Jahn                     Glass, Molders, Pottery,           06/01/98          06/03/01               92
                         Plastics and Allied Workers
                         International, Local 97

PrimeCast                Glass, Molders, Pottery,           08/04/96          08/04/00              121
                         Plastics and Allied Workers
                         International, Local 320

Inverness                United Paperworker's               02/05/97          08/05/01              203
                         International, Local 7363

                                                                16

<PAGE>
                                                                                                 APPROXIMATE
                                                                                                  NUMBER OF
     MANUFACTURING                                                              DATE OF         MEMBERS (AS
        UNIT               NAME OF PRINCIPAL UNION      EFFECTIVE DATE       EXPIRATION         OF 06/30/98)
     -------------         -----------------------      --------------       -----------        ------------

Sheffield                Allied Engineering                 01/01/97          12/31/98              163
  Forgemasters
  Engineering
  Limited

                         Allied Engineering                 01/01/98          12/31/98               39
                         Foundry Section

                         General Municipal                  01/01/98          12/31/98               60
                         and Boilermakers

                         Iron and Steel Trades              01/01/97          12/31/98               76
                         Confederation

                         Manufacturing Science and          01/01/97          12/31/98               50
                         Finance

Forgemasters             Allied Engineering                 01/08/97          01/08/99              147
  Rolls     

                         Allied Engineering                 01/08/97          01/08/99              117
                         Foundry Section

                         Allied Engineering - Sheffield     01/01/98          12/31/98               82




                                                       17
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the 
executive officers of the Company.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

 NAME                          AGE   POSITION WITH THE COMPANY
- -------                        ---   -------------------------
<S>                            <C>    <C>
 Hugh H. Aiken..............    54   Chairman of the Board, President, Chief
                                           Executive Officer and Director

 David Fletcher.............    52   Group Vice President

 John R. Kujawa.............    44   Group Vice President

 Donald J. Marlborough......    62   Group Vice President

 Kevin T. McDermed..........    38   Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
                                           Treasurer and Secretary

 Richard J. Sitarz..........    57   Vice President

 James Stott................    56   Vice President
</TABLE>

     HUGH H. AIKEN has been the Chairman of the Board, President, Chief 
Executive Officer and a Director since June 1991. From 1989 to 1991, Mr. 
Aiken served as an Associate of Riverside Partners, Inc., an investment firm 
located in Boston, Massachusetts, and from 1985 to 1989, Mr. Aiken served as 
General Manager for AMP Keyboard Technologies, Inc., a manufacturer of 
electromechanical assemblies located in Milford, New Hampshire. Mr. Aiken 
previously served as a Director and Chief Operating Officer of COMNET 
Incorporated and as a Director and Chief Executive Officer of General 
Computer Systems, Inc., both public companies.

     DAVID FLETCHER has been Group Vice President and Chairman and CEO of 
Atchison Casting UK Limited and the Sheffield Forgemasters Group since April 
1998.  Prior to this he was Chief Executive Officer of the Sheffield 
Forgemasters Group in Sheffield, England, having joined the group in 1986 as 
the main board director responsible for the Engineering group of companies 
comprising Forgemasters Steel & Engineering Limited, River Don Castings 
Limited, Forged Rolls (UK) Limited and British Rollmakers Corporation.  From 
1977 to 1986, Mr. Fletcher was Managing Director of various subsidiaries of 
the Aurora Group, including Darwin Alloy Castings, Edgar Allen Foundry, 
Willen Metals and Aurora Steels.

     JOHN R. KUJAWA has been Group Vice President-Atchison/St. Joe and Amite 
since November 1996 and Vice President-Atchison/St. Joe from August 1994 to 
November 1996. He served as Executive Vice President-Operations of the 
Company from July 1993 to August 1994, Vice President-Foundry of the Company 
from June 1991 to July 1993, Assistant Foundry Manager of the Company from 
1990 to 1991 and as Senior Process Engineer of the Company from 1989 to 1990. 
He served as Operations Manager for Omaha Steel Castings, a foundry in Omaha, 
Nebraska, from 1984 to 1989.

                                       18

<PAGE>

     DONALD J. MARLBOROUGH has been Group Vice President-Canadian Steel, La 
Grange and Canada Alloy since November 1996, Vice President-Corporate 
Development and Canadian Steel from December 1994 to November 1996 and Vice 
President-La Grange from December 1995 to November 1996. From May 1991 to 
October 1994, Mr. Marlborough served as Vice President-Manufacturing and 
Plant Manager for American Steel Foundries, a foundry in Chicago, Illinois, 
and served as President and Director of  Manufacturing for Racine Steel 
Castings, a foundry in Racine,  Wisconsin, from 1985 to June 1990.

     KEVIN T. MCDERMED has been Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and 
Treasurer of the Company since June 1991 and has served as Secretary of the 
Company since May 1992. He served as the Controller of the Company from 1990 
to June 1991 and as its Finance Manager from 1986 to 1990. Mr. McDermed has 
been with the Company since 1981.

     RICHARD J. SITARZ has been Vice President-Prospect since September 1994 
and has served as President of Prospect since July 1992. He served as 
Executive Vice President of Prospect since 1985. Mr. Sitarz has been with 
Prospect since 1967.

     JAMES STOTT has been Vice President - Kramer since May 1998.  He served 
as Group Vice President-Empire, Kramer, Pennsylvania Steel and Quaker Alloy 
from November 1996 to May 1998 and Vice President-Kramer from January 1995 to 
November 1996. He has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Operating Officer of Kramer International, Inc. (the predecessor of Kramer) 
since 1980.

PRODUCT WARRANTY

     The Company warrants that every product will meet a set of
specifications, which is mutually agreed upon with each customer. The
Company's written warranty provides for the repair or replacement of its
products and excludes contingency costs. Often, the customer is authorized
to make the repair within a dollar limit, in order to minimize freight
costs and the time associated therewith. Although the warranty period is 90
days, this time limit is not strictly enforced if there is a defect in the
casting. In fiscal 1998, warranty costs amounted to less than one percent
of the Company's net sales.


ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

     Companies in the foundry industry must comply with numerous federal, 
state and local (and, with respect U.K. and Canadian operations, federal, 
provincial and local) environmental laws and regulations relating to air 
emissions, solid waste disposal, stormwater runoff, landfill operations, 
workplace safety and other matters. The Clean Air Act, as amended, the Clean 
Water Act, as amended, and similar provincial, state and local counterparts 
of these federal laws regulate air and water emissions and discharges into 
the environment. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, and 
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as 
amended ("CERCLA"), among other laws, address the generation, storage, 
treatment, transportation and disposal of solid and hazardous waste and 
releases of hazardous substances into the environment, respectively. The 
Company believes that it is in material compliance with applicable 
environmental laws and regulations and is not aware of any material 
outstanding violations or citations with respect thereto at any of its 
facilities, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's 
financial condition and results of operations, with the exception that in 
July 1998, 

                                       19

<PAGE>

EPA Region VII advised the Company of potential noncompliance with 
CERCLA/EPRCRA continuous release reporting requirements at its Atchison, 
Kansas facility.  The Company is currently investigating its compliance 
status to determine if such noncompliance exists or existed.  Depending upon 
the results of the investigation, the Company will either certify compliance 
or pay an $11,000 penalty that will absolve the Company from all alleged 
prior noncompliance at its Atchison, Kansas facility.

     A Phase I environmental assessment of each of the Company's facilities 
has been performed, and no significant or widespread contamination has been 
identified at any Company facility. A Phase I assessment includes an 
historical review, a public records review, a preliminary investigation of 
the site and surrounding properties and the preparation and issuance of a 
written report, but it does not include soil sampling or subsurface 
investigations. There can be no assurance that these Phase I assessments have 
identified, or could be expected to identify, all areas of contamination. As 
the Company evaluates and updates the environmental compliance programs at 
foundry facilities recently acquired, the Company may become aware of matters 
of noncompliance that need to be addressed or corrected. In addition, there 
is a risk that material adverse conditions could have developed at the 
Company's facilities since such assessments.

     The chief environmental issues for the Company's foundries are air 
emissions and solid waste disposal. Air emissions, primarily dust particles, 
are handled by dust collection systems. The Company anticipates that it will 
incur additional capital and operating costs to comply with the Clean Air Act 
Amendments of 1990 and the regulations that are in the process of being 
promulgated thereunder. The Company is currently in the process of obtaining 
permits under the new regulations and estimating the cost of compliance with 
these requirements and the timing of such costs. Such compliance costs, 
however, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of 
operations and financial condition.

     The solid waste generated by the Company's foundries generally consists 
of nonhazardous foundry sand that is reclaimed for reuse in the foundries 
until it becomes dust. The nonhazardous foundry dust waste is then disposed 
of in landfills, two of which are owned by the Company (one in Atchison 
County, Kansas, and one in Myerstown, Pennsylvania). No other parties are 
permitted to use the Company's landfills, which are both in material 
compliance with all applicable regulations to the Company's knowledge. Costs 
associated with the future closure of the landfills according to regulatory 
requirements could be material.

     While under prior ownership, Kramer was identified as a potentially 
responsible party ("PRP") with respect to cleanup of a waste disposal site 
located in Franklin, Wisconsin, which was used by one of Kramer's former 
subcontractors. The $6 million cleanup of this site has been completed. 
Kramer's insurance carriers paid $300,000 toward clean-up. The performing PRP 
has sued a group of nonperforming PRPs, including Kramer, for contribution.  
ACME PRINTING INK COMPANY V. MENARD, ET AL., Case No 89C834 (E.D. Wis.). 
Because of alleged unexpected cleanup costs, the performing PRP is demanding 
additional contribution from Kramer beyond the $300,000 already paid.  
Management believes that the resolution of this matter will not result in a 
material adverse effect of the Company's results of operations or financial 
condition.  To date, all litigation costs related to this matter, including 
attorneys' fees have been paid by Kramer's insurance carriers.

     The Company also operates pursuant to regulations governing workplace 
safety. The Company samples its interior air quality to ensure compliance 
with OSHA requirements. To the Company's knowledge, it currently operates in 
material compliance with all OSHA and other regulatory requirements governing 
workplace safety.

                                       20

<PAGE>

     The Company continues to evaluate its manufacturing processes and 
equipment (including its recently acquired facilities) to ensure compliance 
with the complex and constantly changing environmental laws and regulations. 
Although the Company believes it is currently in material compliance with 
such laws and regulations, the operation of casting manufacturing facilities 
entails environmental risks, and there can be no assurance that the Company 
will not be required to make substantial additional expenditures to remain in 
or achieve compliance in the future.
















                                       21

<PAGE>


ITEM 2.     PROPERTIES

     The Company's principal facilities are listed in the accompanying
table, together with information regarding their location, size and primary
function.  The two landfills are used solely by the Company and contain
nonhazardous materials only, principally foundry sand. All of the Company's
principal facilities are owned.

     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
Company's principal facilities.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      FLOOR SPACE
        NAME                LOCATION         PRINCIPAL USE            IN SQ. FEET
        ----                --------         -------------            -----------
<S>                        <C>               <C>                      <C>
  Corporate Office         Atchison, KS      Offices                      3,907

  Atchison Foundry         Atchison, KS      Steel foundry              451,218

  Atchison Pattern         Atchison, KS      Pattern storage            159,711
     Storage

  St. Joe Machine Shop     St. Joseph, MO    Machine shop               142,676

  Atchison Casting         Atchison, KS      Landfill for                   N/A
     Landfill                                 foundry sand

  Amite Foundry &          Amite, LA         Steel foundry and          282,000
   Machine Shop                               machine shop

  Prospect                 Minneapolis,      Iron foundry               133,000
                           MN

  Quaker Alloy             Myerstown,        Steel foundry &            301,000
                           PA                 landfill for
                                              foundry sand

  Canadian Steel           Montreal,         Steel foundry              455,335
                           Quebec

  Kramer                   Milwaukee,        Steel foundry               23,000
                           WI

  Empire                   Reading, PA       Iron and steel             177,000
                                              foundry

  La Grange                La Grange,        Iron foundry               189,000
                           MO

  G & C                    Sandusky, OH      Iron foundry                80,000

  LA Die Casting           Los Angeles,      Aluminum and zinc           35,000
                           CA                 die casting

  Canada Alloy             Kitchener,        Steel foundry               83,000
                           Ontario

  Pennsylvania Steel       Hamburg, PA       Steel foundry              158,618

  Jahn                     Springfield,      Iron foundry               207,689
                           MA

  PrimeCast                South             Iron foundry               325,000
                           Beloit, IL
                           and Beloit,
                           WI

                                          22

<PAGE>

                                                                      FLOOR SPACE
        NAME                LOCATION         PRINCIPAL USE            IN SQ. FEET
        ----                --------         -------------            -----------

  Inverness                Dowagiac, MI      Aluminum die               210,900
                                              casting
  Forgemasters Rolls       Sheffield         Iron and steel             694,306
                           and Crewe,         foundry
                           England and        and machine shop
                           Coatbridge,
                           Scotland

  Sheffield Forgemasters   Sheffield,        Iron and steel           1,225,247
  Engineering Limited      England            foundry, forge and
                                              machine shop

  Claremont                Claremont,        Steel Foundry              110,000
                           NH

</TABLE>

                                       23

<PAGE>

ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     Except for the suit involving Kramer in the section entitled 
"Environmental Regulations," the Company is not a party to any material legal 
proceedings involving claims against the Company.

ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

     None

                                 PART II


ITEM 5.   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND
          RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

                       PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

     The Common Stock was traded in the Nasdaq National Market under the 
symbol "ACCX" from October 4, 1993 until December 11, 1996 when it began 
trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FDY." Prior to 
October 4, 1993 there was no trading market for the Common Stock. The 
following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for the shares of 
Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market and New York Stock Exchange for 
the periods indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         HIGH         LOW
                                                        ------     --------
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1997:
  First Quarter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      16 1/4       13
  Second Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      18 1/8       15 1/4
  Third Quarter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      20 1/2       16 3/4
  Fourth Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      19 3/8       15 11/16

Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1998:
  First Quarter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      22           16 3/4
  Second Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      21 9/16      15 5/8
  Third Quarter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      17 3/16      15 3/8
  Fourth Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      20 1/8       15 3/8

Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1999:
  First Quarter (through September 9, 1998). . . .      18 1/2       12 5/16
</TABLE>

     As of September 9, 1998, there were over 2,200 holders of the Common 
Stock, including shares held in nominee or street name by brokers.

                                        24

<PAGE>

DIVIDEND POLICY

     The Company has not declared or paid cash dividends on shares of its 
Common Stock. The Company does not anticipate paying any cash dividends or 
other distributions on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. The 
current policy of the Company's Board of Directors is to reinvest all 
earnings to finance the expansion of the Company's business. The agreements 
governing the Company's credit facility and $20 million senior notes contain 
limitations on the Company's ability to pay dividends. See Note 8 of Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

                   UNREGISTERED SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

     In lieu of cash compensation for services rendered in their capacity as 
Directors of the Company, Mr. Ray Witt, Mr. John Whitney and Mr. Stuart Uram 
were each provided at their election 869, 434 and 849 shares, respectively, 
of common stock on July 22, 1997, July 22, 1997 and January 7, 1998, 
respectively, with a then-current market value of $18.42, $18.42 and $16.38 
per share, respectively. Such transactions were exempt from registration 
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), pursuant to 
Section 4(2) of the Act.










                                        25
<PAGE>

ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     The following table contains certain selected historical consolidated 
financial information and is qualified by the more detailed Consolidated 
Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual 
Report on Form 10-K. The selected consolidated financial information for the 
fiscal years ended June 30, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 has been derived 
from audited consolidated financial statements. The information below should 
be read in conjunction with Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes 
thereto and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

                                     26

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                                          -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                          -------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:                              1994           1995           1996           1997           1998
                                                          -------       --------       --------       --------       --------
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>
Net Sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        $82,519       $141,579       $185,081       $245,769       $373,768
Cost of Sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         66,304        115,458        156,612        203,386        318,280
                                                          -------       --------       --------       --------       --------
    Gross Profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         16,215         26,121         28,469         42,383         55,488
  Operating Expenses:
    Selling, General & Administrative. . . . . . .          6,581         13,058         15,459         21,559         28,798
    Amortization of Intangibles. . . . . . . . . .          1,209          1,392          1,508            632            850
    Other Income(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              -          6,370         26,957              -              -
                                                          -------       --------       --------       --------       --------
      Operating Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          8,425         18,041         38,459         20,192         25,840
  Interest Expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          1,223          2,326          2,845          3,227          3,896
  Minority Interest in Net Income of Subsidiaries.             62            280            225            270            448
                                                          -------       --------       --------       --------       --------
    Income Before Taxes and Extraordinary Item . .          7,140         15,435*        35,389*        16,695         21,496
  Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          2,494          5,971         14,063          6,967          8,731
                                                          -------       --------       --------       --------       --------
    Income Before Extraordinary Item . . . . . . .          4,646          9,464         21,326          9,728         12,765
  Extraordinary Item, net of tax(2). . . . . . . .          1,230              -              -              -              -
                                                          -------       --------       --------       --------       --------
    Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         $3,416         $9,464        $21,326         $9,728        $12,765
                                                          -------       --------       --------       --------       --------
                                                          -------       --------       --------       --------       --------
Earnings Per Share:
  Basic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          $0.72          $1.73          $3.87          $1.68          $1.56
                                                          -------       --------       --------       --------       --------
                                                          -------       --------       --------       --------       --------
  Diluted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          $0.72          $1.73          $3.87          $1.67          $1.55
                                                          -------       --------       --------       --------       --------
                                                          -------       --------       --------       --------       --------
Net Income Per Share Excluding Extraordinary Item
    and Other Income(1)(2)
  Basic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          $0.98          $1.02          $0.92          $1.68          $1.56
                                                          -------       --------       --------       --------       --------
                                                          -------       --------       --------       --------       --------
  Diluted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          $0.98          $1.02          $0.92          $1.67          $1.55
                                                          -------       --------       --------       --------       --------
                                                          -------       --------       --------       --------       --------


Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
  Basic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      4,757,607      5,477,881      5,510,410      5,796,281      8,167,285
  Diluted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      4,757,607      5,484,745      5,516,597      5,830,695      8,218,686
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
 Depreciation and Amortization . . . . . . . . . .         $4,541         $6,067         $7,411         $8,667        $11,695
 Capital Expenditures(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . .          7,524         12,837         12,740         13,852         18,495
 Number of Operating Units at Period End . . . . .              3              7              9             13             17
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD END):
 Working Capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        $19,240        $27,727        $36,419        $57,231        $76,782
 Total Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         87,217        130,287        162,184        213,408        346,139
 Long-Term Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         22,549         34,920         34,655         27,758         87,272
 Total Stockholders' Equity. . . . . . . . . . . .         42,683         52,698         74,654        122,731        135,614
</TABLE>

*  Includes other income of $6.4 million and $27.0 million for fiscal 1995 and
   fiscal 1996, respectively, consisting primarily of insurance proceeds 
   related to the July 1993 Missouri River flood.

                                     27

<PAGE>

(1)  Other income consists of $6.4 million and $27.0 million ($3.9 million
     and $16.2 million net of tax or $0.71 and $2.95 per share), for fiscal 1995
     and fiscal 1996, respectively, consisting primarily of insurance proceeds
     related to the July 1993 Missouri River flood. See "Management's Discussion
     and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-General."

(2)  In connection with the repayment in October 1993 of substantially all
     of the Company's interest-bearing indebtedness with the net proceeds of the
     Company's initial public offering of Common Stock, the Company recorded an
     extraordinary charge to income in the amount of approximately $1.2 million
     (net of related income tax benefit of $787,000), relating to the early
     retirement of debt and the write-off of deferred financing charges.

(3)  During fiscal 1994, fiscal 1995, fiscal 1996, fiscal 1997 and fiscal
     1998, the Company made capital expenditures of $4.7 million, $8.1 million,
     $1.8 million, $1.4 million and $589,000 respectively, in connection with
     the refurbishment of Amite. This 282,000 square foot facility was acquired
     in February 1993 and had been inactive for several years.
















                                     28

<PAGE>

ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

     The Company has pursued an active acquisition program designed to take 
advantage of consolidation opportunities in the widely fragmented foundry 
industry. The Company has acquired seventeen foundries since its inception. 
As a result of these completed transactions as well as internal growth, the 
Company's net sales have increased from approximately $54.7 million for its 
first full fiscal year ended June 30, 1992 to $373.8 million for the fiscal 
year ended June 30, 1998.

     As an important part of the Company's growth strategy, the Company 
evaluates on an ongoing basis potential industry-related acquisitions. While 
the Company has not at the present time entered into any definitive agreement 
contemplating any such acquisition, the Company is currently in various 
stages of negotiations with potential acquisition candidates. There can be no 
assurance as to whether or when any such negotiations will ultimately 
culminate in a definitive agreement or, if a definitive agreement is reached, 
whether any such acquisition will ultimately be consummated. To complete any 
such acquisition, the Company may use its revolving credit facility. In the 
event that no further borrowings are available under the revolving credit 
facility, the Company would consider other financing alternatives available 
at that time.

     Due to the large size of certain orders, the timing for deliveries of 
orders and the number and types of castings produced, the Company's net sales 
and net income may fluctuate materially from quarter to quarter. Generally, 
the first fiscal quarter is seasonally weaker than the other quarters as a 
result of plant shutdowns for maintenance at most of the Company's foundries 
as well as at many customers' plants. See "-Supplemental Quarterly 
Information."

     During July 1993, flooding of the Missouri River halted production of 
the Company's Atchison, Kansas foundry for four weeks, negatively impacting 
operating results. Although the Company was able to resume production at the 
Atchison facility without a significant loss of existing orders, the 1993 
flood has had a continuing negative effect on productivity and sales due to 
increased equipment maintenance, production downtime and employee overtime. 
The Company constructed a flood wall surrounding the Atchison facility that 
the Company believes has significantly reduced the risk of future flood 
damage. Following the flood, the Company was unable to renew its flood 
insurance coverage at reasonable rates for this facility.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The following discussion of the Company's financial condition and 
results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated 
Financial Statements and Notes thereto and other financial information 
included elsewhere in this Report.

                                     29

<PAGE>

FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997

     Net sales for fiscal 1998 were $373.8 million, representing an increase 
of $128.0 million, or 52.0%, over net sales of $245.8 million in fiscal 1997. 
 The operations acquired by the Company since the beginning of fiscal 1997 
generated net sales of $33.8 million and $163.0 million in fiscal 1997 and 
fiscal 1998, respectively, as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Date            FY 1997        FY 1998
Operation                                Acquired         Net Sales      Net Sales
- ---------                                --------         ---------      ---------
                                                             (In            (In
                                                          millions)      millions)
<S>                                      <C>              <C>            <C>
LA Die Casting....................       10/01/96           $ 7.1          $10.4

Canada Alloy......................       10/26/96             6.4           10.0

Pennsylvania Steel................       10/31/96            14.9           15.8

Jahn..............................       02/14/97             5.4           12.1

PrimeCast.........................       07/01/97              --           33.9

Inverness.........................       10/06/97              --           41.9

Sheffield.........................       04/06/98              --           37.6

Claremont.........................       05/01/98              --            1.3
</TABLE>

     Excluding net sales attributable to the operations acquired in fiscal 
1997 and fiscal 1998, net sales for fiscal 1998 were $210.8 million, 
representing a decrease of $1.2 million, or 0.6%, over net sales of $212.0 
million in fiscal 1997.  This 0.6% decrease in net sales was due primarily to 
decreases in net sales to the energy, utility and military markets, partially 
offset by an increase in net sales to the rail market.

     Gross profit for fiscal 1998 increased by $ 13.1 million, or 30.9%, to 
$55.5 million, or 14.9% of net sales, compared to $42.4 million, or 17.2% of 
net sales, for fiscal 1997.  The increase in gross profit was primarily 
attributable to the increase in net sales.  The decrease in gross profit as a 
percentage of net sales is primarily attributable to: (i) a decrease in the 
absorption of overhead resulting from a reduction in net sales at PrimeCast, 
Inc. ("PrimeCast"), La Grange Foundry Inc. ("La Grange"), Canadian Steel 
Foundries, Ltd. ("Canadian Steel") and Canada Alloy Castings, Ltd. ("Canada 
Alloy"), (ii) above average training expenses associated with the startup of 
new customer jobs at Amite Foundry and Machine, Inc. ("Amite") and (iii) 
increased warranty costs at Pennsylvania Steel Foundry and Machine, Inc. 
("Pennsylvania Steel").  In addition to these factors were non-recurring 
costs associated with the installation of a new sand system at the Atchison / 
St. Joe Division and a new molding line at Prospect Foundry, Inc. 
("Prospect").

     Selling, general and administrative expense ("SG&A") for fiscal 1998 was 
$28.8 million, or 7.7% of net sales, compared to $21.6 million, or 8.8% of 
net sales, in fiscal 1997.  The increase in SG&A was primarily attributable 
to expenses associated with the operations acquired by the Company in fiscal 
1997 and fiscal 1998.  The decrease in SG&A as a percentage of net sales was 
primarily due to decreased expenses related to the Company's management 
incentive bonus plans and decreased expenditures for outside professional 
services.

                                      30

<PAGE>

     Amortization of certain intangibles for fiscal 1998 was $850,000 or 0.2% 
of net sales, compared to $632,000, or 0.3% of net sales, in fiscal 1997.  
The intangible assets consist of goodwill recorded in connection with the 
acquisitions of Prospect, Kramer International, Inc. ("Kramer"), Empire Steel 
Castings, Inc. ("Empire"), The G & C Foundry Company ("G&C"), Los Angeles Die 
Casting Inc. ("LA Die Casting") and Inverness Castings Group, Inc 
("Inverness").  Partially offsetting the expense relating to the amortization 
of these assets is the amortization of the excess of acquired net assets over 
cost (negative goodwill) recorded by the Company in connection with the 
acquisition of Canadian Steel.

     Interest expense for fiscal 1998 increased to $3.9 million, or 1.0% of 
net sales, from $3.2 million, or 1.3% of net sales, in fiscal 1997.  The 
increase in interest expense is primarily the result of an increase in the 
average amount of indebtedness outstanding during fiscal 1998.

     Income tax expense for fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997 reflected the 
combined federal, state and provincial statutory rate of approximately 40% 
and 41%, respectively.  The Company's combined effective tax rate reflects 
the different federal, state and provincial statutory rates of the various 
jurisdictions in which the Company operates, and the proportion of taxable 
income earned in each of those tax jurisdictions.

     As a result of the foregoing, net income increased from $9.7 million in 
fiscal 1997 to $12.8 million in fiscal 1998.

FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1996

     Net sales for fiscal 1997 were $245.8 million, representing an increase 
of $60.7 million, or 32.8%, over net sales of $185.1 million in fiscal 1996. 
The operations acquired by the Company since the beginning of fiscal 1996 
generated net sales of $14.8 million and $71.9 million in fiscal 1996 and 
fiscal 1997, respectively, as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Date         FY 1996       FY 1997
Operation                               Acquired      Net Sales     Net Sales
- ---------                               --------      ---------     ---------
                                                          (In           (In
                                                      millions)     millions)
<S>                                     <C>           <C>           <C>
La Grange.........................      12/14/95        $10.9         $ 23.5
G&C...............................      03/11/96          3.9           14.6
LA Die Casting....................      10/01/96         --              7.1
Canada Alloy......................      10/26/96         --              6.4
Pennsylvania Steel................      10/31/96         --             14.9
Jahn Foundry......................      02/14/97         --              5.4
</TABLE>

     Excluding net sales attributable to the operations acquired in fiscal 
1996 and fiscal 1997, net sales for fiscal 1997 were $173.9 million, 
representing an increase of $3.6 million, or 2.1%, over net sales of $170.3 
million in fiscal 1996. This 2.1% increase in net sales was due primarily to 
increases in net sales to the mining and construction and energy markets, 
partially offset by decreases in net sales to the utility and military 
markets.

     Gross profit for fiscal 1997 increased by $14.0 million, or 49.3%, to 
$42.4 million, or 17.2% of net sales, compared to $28.4 million, or 15.4% of 
net sales, for fiscal 1996. The increase in gross 

                                      31

<PAGE>

profit was primarily attributable to the increase in net sales. The increase 
in gross profit as a percentage of net sales was primarily attributable to: 
(i) higher margin sales at Canadian Steel; (ii) lower operating costs at 
Amite; (iii) lower training expenses associated with new products; and (iv) 
lower maintenance expenses at some of the Company's other facilities.  
Partially offsetting these factors were costs associated with the conversion 
from cupola to electric melting at G&C and the addition of iron casting 
capability at Empire.

     SG&A for fiscal 1997 was $21.6 million, or 8.8% of net sales, compared 
to $15.5 million, or 8.4% of net sales, in fiscal 1996. The increase in SG&A 
was primarily attributable to expenses associated with the operations 
acquired by the Company in fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1997. The increase in SG&A 
as a percentage of net sales was primarily attributable to increased expenses 
related to the Company's management incentive bonus plans and increased 
expenses related to identifying and completing the Company's acquisitions.

     Amortization of certain intangibles for fiscal 1997 was $632,000, or 
0.3% of net sales, compared to $1.5 million, or 0.8% of net sales, in fiscal 
1996. The intangible assets consist of goodwill recorded in connection with 
the acquisitions of Prospect, Kramer, Empire, G&C and LA Die Casting. During 
fiscal 1996, the intangible assets included the capitalized value of a 
non-compete agreement with Rockwell International, which became fully 
amortized in June 1996. Partially offsetting the expense relating to the 
amortization of these assets is the amortization of the excess of acquired 
net assets over cost (negative goodwill) recorded by the Company in 
connection with the acquisition of Canadian Steel.

     Other income for fiscal 1996 was $27.0 million ($16.2 million, net of 
related income tax expense of $10.8 million), consisting primarily of 
insurance payments for business interruption and property damage. The 
Company's insurance claim was filed as a result of the July 1993 Missouri 
River flood.

     Interest expense for fiscal 1997 increased to $3.2 million, or 1.3% of 
net sales, from $2.8 million, or 1.5% of net sales, in fiscal 1996. The 
increase in interest expense was primarily the result of an increase in the 
average amount of indebtedness outstanding as a result of the Company's 
acquisitions.

     Income tax expense for fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996 reflected the 
combined federal, state and provincial statutory rate of approximately 41% 
and 40%, respectively. The Company's combined effective tax rate reflects the 
different federal, state and provincial statutory rates of the various 
jurisdictions in which the Company operates, and the proportion of taxable 
income earned in each of those tax jurisdictions.

     As a result of the foregoing factors, net income for fiscal 1997 was 
$9.7 million, compared to net income of $21.3 million for fiscal 1996. 
Excluding other income resulting from flood insurance payments, net income 
increased from $5.1 million in fiscal 1996 to $9.7 million in fiscal 1997.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     The Company has historically financed operations with internally 
generated funds, proceeds from the sale of senior notes and available 
borrowings under its bank credit facilities.  Cash provided by operating 
activities for fiscal 1998 was $15.9 million, a decrease of $6.4 million from 
fiscal 1997. This decrease was primarily attributable to increased working 
capital requirements primarily relating to accounts payable balances.

                                      32

<PAGE>

     Working capital was $76.8 million at June 30, 1998, as compared to $57.2 
million at June 30, 1997.   The increase primarily resulted from net 
additional working capital of $44.8 million associated  with the Company's 
acquisitions, partially offset by the use of existing cash balances for the 
Company's acquisitions and a $5.1 million increase in the current maturities 
of the Company's existing outstanding indebtedness.

     During fiscal 1998, the Company made capital expenditures of $18.4 
million, as compared to $13.9 million for fiscal 1997.  Included in fiscal 
1998 were capital expenditures of $1.8 million on a new sand reclamation 
system at the Atchison/St. Joe Division and $3.2 million on a new mold line 
at Prospect. The balance of capital expenditures was used for routine 
projects at each of the Company's facilities, primarily related to 
productivity enhancing equipment, such as new mold lines, CNC pattern-cutting 
machines, machine tools, sand reclamation systems and computer hardware and 
software modeling systems. The Company expects to make approximately $25.0 
million of capital expenditures during fiscal 1999, including new machining 
cells at the Atchison/St. Joe Division and new sand reclamation systems at 
Canadian Steel and PrimeCast.

     On April 3, 1998, the Company and its banks entered into an Amended and 
Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") providing for an increase 
in unsecured loans from $60 million to $110 million and an extension of the 
maturity date to April 3, 2003.  This Credit Agreement consists of a $40 
million term loan and a $70 million revolving credit facility.  The term loan 
begins amortizing on March 31, 1999, with a final maturity of April 3, 2003.  
Loans under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at fluctuating rates of 
either: (i) the agent bank's corporate base rate subject to a reduction of 
0.25% (25 basis points) if certain financial ratios are met or (ii) LIBOR 
plus 1.50% subject, in the case of the LIBOR rate option, to a reduction of 
up to 0.50% (50 basis points) if certain financial ratios are met.  In 
connection with this amendment, $409,000 of financing costs were capitalized 
and are being amortized over five years.  Loans under this revolving credit 
facility may be used for general corporate purposes, acquisitions and 
approved investments. On April 6, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement 
under which it agreed to convert the $40 million U.S. denominated term loan 
to British pounds at a 8.32% fixed rate of interest. In addition, the Company 
entered into an interest rate swap agreement under which it agreed to pay 
quarterly a 7.42% fixed rate of interest in exchange for quarterly receipt of 
LIBOR plus 1.50% on $15.0 million of its revolving credit facility.

     On April 3, 1998, the Company and the insurance company holding the
Company's $20 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured, senior notes
entered into the Third Amendment to the Note Purchase Agreement providing
for an increase in permitted subsidiary indebtedness from $3.5 million to
$8.0 million.

     On August 12, 1998, the Company announced that its Board of Directors 
had authorized a stock repurchase program of up to 1.2 million common shares 
of its then outstanding 8.2 million common shares. The stock repurchases may 
be made from time to time at prevailing prices in the open market or in 
privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions, the price 
of Company's common stock and other factors.  The Company will make such 
stock repurchases using internally generated funds and borrowings under its 
credit facility, which currently allows repurchases of up to nearly $3.2 
million of Company common stock.  The Company intends to amend its financing 
agreements to permit the repurchases contemplated by this stock repurchase 
program, although there can be no assurance as to the amount to which the 
lenders will agree.  Any share repurchases will be added to the Company's 
treasury shares and will be available for reissuance in connection with the 
Company's acquisitions, employee benefit plans or for other corporate 
purposes.  Through August 31, 1998, the Company had repurchased 62,800 shares.

                                      33

<PAGE>

     The Company also announced that it is contemplating the issue of up to 
$100 million of senior subordinated notes through a private placement under 
Rule 144A, subject to market conditions.  If consummated, the Company expects 
to use the net proceeds of the offering to reduce the Company's bank loans, 
fund future acquisitions and for working capital and general corporate 
purposes.  The notes will not be registered under the Securities Act and may 
not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an 
applicable exemption from registration requirements.  This announcement is 
neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy these 
securities.  If the Rule 144A offering is completed it is anticipated that 
the Company would subsequently register substantially similar notes to be 
offered in exchange for the initial notes by means of a prospectus.

     Total indebtedness of the Company at June 30, 1998 was $93.3 million, as 
compared to $28.7 million at June 30, 1997.  This increase of $64.6 million 
reflects indebtedness incurred of $18.1 and $54.9 million to finance the 
acquisitions of Inverness and Sheffield, respectively.  At June 30, 1998, 
$35.1 million was available for borrowing under the Company's revolving 
credit facility.

     The Company believes that its operating cash flow and amounts available 
for borrowing under its revolving credit facility will be adequate to fund 
its capital expenditure and working capital requirements for the next two 
years.  However, the level of capital expenditure and working capital 
requirements may be greater than currently anticipated as a result of the 
size and timing of future acquisitions, or as a result of unforeseen 
expenditures relating to compliance with environmental laws. Acquisitions 
have been financed with borrowings under the Company's bank credit facilities 
and occasionally with common stock.  During fiscal 1998, the Company 
purchased PrimeCast, 91.5% of the outstanding capital stock of Inverness and 
Sheffield for $8.2 million, $5.9 million (in addition to the payment and 
assumption of $12.2 million of outstanding indebtedness) and $54.9 million 
(in addition to $915,000 of subsidiary stock), respectively, in each case 
with available cash and funds available under the Company's then existing 
revolving credit facility.

     Effective September 1, 1998, the Company purchased 90% of the 
outstanding shares of London Precision Machine and Tool Ltd. ("London 
Precision") for U.S. $13.7 million cash, subject to adjustment. London 
Precision, located in London, Ontario, Canada, is an industrial machine shop 
which serves the locomotive, mining and construction, pulp and paper markets, 
among others.  The Company financed this transaction with funds available 
under its revolving credit facility.

MARKET RISK

     The Company's market risk is impacted by changes in interest rates and 
foreign currency exchange rates.  Derivative financial instruments are used 
by the Company to manage its exposure to interest rate and foreign currency 
risk.  The Company does not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading 
purposes.

     The Company's floating rate debt obligations expose the Company to 
interest rate risk.  To manage this potential risk, the Company may use 
interest rate swap agreements to limit the effect of increases in interest 
rates on any of the Company's U.S. dollar floating rate debt by fixing the 
rate without the exchange of the underlying principal or notional amount. Net 
amounts paid or received are added to or deducted from interest expense in 
the period accrued.

     The Company's British subsidiary, Sheffield, generates significant sales 
to customers outside of Great Britain whereby Sheffield invoices and receives 
payment from those customers in their local 

                                      34

<PAGE>

currencies.  This creates foreign currency risk for Sheffield.  To manage 
this risk Sheffield uses forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge receipts 
and payments of foreign currencies related to sales to its customers and 
purchases from its vendors outside of Great Britain.

     The Company also has foreign currency exposure with respect to its net 
investment in Sheffield.  This exposure is to changes in the British Pound. 
To manage a portion of this exposure the Company entered into a combined 
interest rate and foreign currency swap.  The Company also structures foreign 
balance sheets with appropriate levels of debt to reduce subsidiary net 
investments and subsidiary cash flows subject to conversion risk.

     At June 30, 1998, the Company had the following financial instruments 
with market risk exposure (currency amounts in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             PRINCIPAL          NOTIONAL       MATURITY              PAY        RECEIVE          FAIR
INTEREST RATE RISK             AMOUNT            AMOUNT          DATE               RATE         RATE            VALUE
- ------------------           ---------          --------       --------             ----        -------          -----
<S>                          <C>                <C>          <C>                  <C>          <C>              <C>
Unsecured, Revolving
  Credit Facility             $ 15,000             N/A      April 3, 2003        7.16% (1)          N/A        $15,000
Interest Rate Swap               N/A           $15,000      April 3, 2003        5.92% (2)        5.67% (3)       ($77)
Unsecured, Revolving
  Credit Facility             $  8,000             N/A      April 3, 2003        7.15% (1)          N/A        $ 8,000
Unsecured, Revolving
  Credit Facility             $  2,000             N/A      April 3, 2003        8.50% (4)          N/A        $ 2,000
Term Loan between
  La Grange Foundry and
  the Missouri Department
  Finance Board               $  5,000             N/A       Nov. 1, 2011        3.80% (5)          N/A        $ 5,000
Unsecured, Term Loan          $ 40,000             N/A      April 3, 2003(6)     7.15% (1)          N/A        $40,000
Interest Rate and Foreign
 Currency Swap (7)  -              N/A         L24,002 (8)  April 3, 2003        6.82% (2)          N/A
(Interest Rate Component)          N/A         $40,000                             N/A            5.67% (3)        $55

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK
- ---------------------
Interest Rate and Foreign
  Currency Swap (7)  -             N/A         L24,002 (8)  April 3, 2003          N/A              N/A           $(90)
 (Foreign Currency
  Component)                       N/A         $40,000
</TABLE>


     At June 30, 1998, Sheffield had net contracts with a single counterparty 
to sell the following currencies and no significant un-hedged foreign 
currency exposure related to sales and purchase transactions (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      Local    Approximate                         Local    Approximate
                      Amount    Value(9)                           Amount     Value(9)
                      -----    -----------                         ------   -----------
<S>                 <C>        <C>            <C>                  <C>      <C>
U.S. dollars           28,239    $28,222      Spanish pesata       224,713     $1,464
Deutsche marks         17,754      9,816      Austrian schilling    14,628      1,149
French Francs          20,792      3,429      Japanese yen          63,300        453
Canadian dollars        4,805      3,270      Danish krona           2,556        371
Italian lira        3,425,686      1,923      Irish punt               251        349
Belgium francs         66,123      1,773      Finish marka             340         62
Dutch guilder           3,613      1,772      Swiss francs              13          9
Swedish krona          14,009      1,755                                     ----------
                                                Total                         $55,817
                                                                             ----------
</TABLE>

                                      35

<PAGE>


(1)  Rate resets periodically to LIBOR plus 1.50%. Rate represents rate in
     effect at June 30, 1998.
(2)  Fixed payment rate.
(3)  Rate resets periodically to LIBOR. Rate represents rate in effect at
     June 30, 1998.
(4)  Rate resets periodically to the Prime lending rate. Rate represents
     rate in effect at June 30, 1998.
(5)  Rate resets weekly. Rate represents rate in effect at June 30, 1998.
(6)  Final maturity indicated. Equal quarterly installments of $1,429 are
     due commencing on March 31, 1999, with a final payment of $17,143 due
     at final maturity.
(7)  The Interest Rate and Foreign Currency swap includes both an interest
     rate component and foreign currency component. The swap requires the
     periodic payment by the Company of  principal and interest at a fixed
     rate in British Pounds, while the Company receives periodic principal
     payments and interest at a LIBOR rate from the counterparty. The U.S.
     dollar notional amount of the swap amortizes in accordance with the
     Company's $40,000 Term Loan (see (6) above) and the British Pound
     notional amortizes with the U.S. dollar notional at a fixed rate of
     exchange throughout the swap agreement. The interest rate portion of
     this swap is not considered an effective hedge against interest rate
     risk. The currency portion of the swap acts as an effective hedge on a
     portion of the Company's 31,213 British Pound denominated net
     investment in Sheffield, however, as the swap amortizes, the hedge on
     the net investment in Sheffield becomes less effective.
(8)  Denominated in British Pounds.
(9)  The approximate value is the value of the local currencies translated
     first into British Pounds, which is the functional currency of
     Sheffield, at the June 30, 1998 spot rates, and then translated to
     U.S. dollars at the June 30, 1998 spot rate.

INFLATION

     Management does not believe that inflation has had a material adverse 
effect on the Company's operations or its prices.

YEAR 2000 COMPUTER ISSUES

     The Company has conducted a comprehensive review of its hardware and 
software systems to identify those systems that could be affected by the 
"Year 2000" issue and has developed an implementation plan to resolve the 
identified issues.  The Company believes that, with replacement or 
modification of its existing computer systems, updates by vendors and 
conversion to new software, the Year 2000 issue will not pose significant 
operational problems for the Company's computer systems. The Company expects 
to complete implementation of computer systems that are Year 2000 compliant 
in fiscal 1999, although testing may continue in the first two quarters of 
fiscal 2000.  Based on its review of non-information technology systems to 
date, the Company does not anticipate the need to develop an extensive 
contingency plan for such systems or to incur material costs in that regard.

     The Company relies on a number of customers and suppliers, including 
banks, telecommunication providers, utilities, and other providers of goods 
and services. The inability of these third parties to conduct their business 
for a significant period of time due to the Year 2000 issue could have a 
material adverse impact on the Company's operations.  The Company is 
currently assessing the Year 2000 compliance of its significant customers and 
suppliers.  To date, the Company has been advised by over half of its 
significant customers that they will be Year 2000 compliant by the end of 
calendar 1999.  There can be no assurance that the systems of other companies 
that interact with the Company will be sufficiently Year 2000 compliant.  The 
Company's reliance on single source suppliers, however, is minimal, and the 
Company seeks to limit sole source supply relationships. The Company, 
however, has entered into national service agreements for the supply of 

                                      36

<PAGE>


certain raw materials and freight service from single sources. If the Company 
does not identify or fix all year 2000 problems in critical operations, or if 
a major supplier or customer is unable to supply raw materials or receive the 
Company's product, the Company's results of operations or financial condition 
could be materially impacted.

     Year 2000 project expenditures to date total $550,000.  The Company 
expects to incur an additional $1.6 million of additional costs. The Company 
presently anticipates that it will complete its Year 2000 assessment and 
remediation by June 30, 1999.  However, there can be no assurance that the 
Company will be successful in implementing its Year 2000 implementation plan 
according to the anticipated schedule due to the potential lack of 
availability of trained personnel and their ability to identify relevant 
computer codes among other uncertainties. Although the Company expects its 
internal systems to be Year 2000 compliant as described above, the Company 
intends to prepare a contingency plan that will specify what it plans to do 
if it or important external companies are not Year 2000 compliant in a timely 
manner.  The Company expects to prepare its contingency plan during fiscal 
1999.

     Statements above in the subsections entitled "General," "Liquidity and 
Capital Resources," "Market Risk" and this subsection of this Annual Report 
on Form 10-K such as "expects," "intends," "contemplating" and statements 
regarding quarterly fluctuations, statements regarding the adequacy of 
funding for capital expenditure and working capital requirements for the next 
two years and similar expressions that are not historical are forward-looking 
statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  Such statements include the 
Company's expectations as to future performance. Among the factors that could 
cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking 
statements are the following: the size and timing of future acquisitions, 
business conditions and the state of the general economy, particularly the 
capital goods industry, the strength of the dollar and the British pound, 
interest rates, the competitive environment in the casting industry and 
changes in laws and regulations that govern the Company's business, 
particularly environmental regulations.







                                      37

<PAGE>


SUPPLEMENTAL QUARTERLY INFORMATION

     The Company's business is characterized by large unit and dollar volume 
customer orders. As a result, the Company has experienced and may continue to 
experience fluctuations in its net sales and net income from quarter to 
quarter. Generally, the first fiscal quarter is seasonally weaker than the 
other quarters as a result of plant shutdowns for maintenance at most of the 
Company's foundries as well as at many customers' plants. In addition, the 
Company's operating results may be adversely affected in fiscal quarters 
immediately following the consummation of an acquisition while the operations 
of the acquired business are integrated into the operations of the Company.

     The following table presents selected unaudited supplemental quarterly 
results for fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    FISCAL 1997                                        FISCAL 1998
                                                  QUARTERS ENDED                                     QUARTERS ENDED
                                   ---------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------------------
                                     SEPT.        DEC.        MAR.        JUNE           SEPT.      DEC.        MAR.       JUNE
                                     -----        ----        ----        ----           -----      ----        ----       ----
                                                    (unaudited)                                        (unaudited)
                                                                (In thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>
Net Sales. . . . . . . . . . .     $48,998      $61,622     $66,313      $68,836     $68,796      $84,435     $91,623    $128,914
Gross Profit . . . . . . . . .       6,641       10,111      11,976       13,655       9,212       12,663      14,120      19,493
Operating Income . . . . . . .       2,238        4,963       5,794        7,197       3,688        5,176       7,638       9,338
Net Income . . . . . . . . . .       $ 941      $ 2,371     $ 2,862      $ 3,554     $ 1,825      $ 2,390     $ 3,913    $  4,637
                                   -------      -------     -------      -------     -------      -------     -------    --------
                                   -------      -------     -------      -------     -------      -------     -------    --------
Net Income Per Share

   Basic . . . . . . . . . . .      $ 0.17       $ 0.43      $ 0.52       $ 0.54      $ 0.22       $ 0.29      $ 0.48      $ 0.57
                                   -------      -------     -------      -------     -------      -------     -------    --------
                                   -------      -------     -------      -------     -------      -------     -------    --------
   Diluted . . . . . . . . . .      $ 0.17       $ 0.43      $ 0.51       $ 0.54      $ 0.22       $ 0.29      $ 0.48      $ 0.56
                                   -------      -------     -------      -------     -------      -------     -------    --------
                                   -------      -------     -------      -------     -------      -------     -------    --------
</TABLE>



NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

     For a discussion of new accounting standards, see Note 1 of the 
Company's Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                      38

<PAGE>

ITEM 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     The information required by this item is incorporated herein by 
reference to the section entitled "Market Risk" in the Company's Management's 
Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition in 
this Form 10-K.

ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA


     The consolidated financial statements of the Company are filed under 
this Item, beginning on page F-1 of this Report.  No financial statement 
schedules are required to be filed under Regulation S-X.

     Selected quarterly financial data required under this item is included 
in Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations.

ITEM 9.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND 
          FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

     None








                                      39

<PAGE>
                                       
                                   PART III


ITEM 10.   DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     The information required by this item with respect to directors and 
compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is 
incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 
1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.  
The required information as to executive officers is set forth in Part I 
hereof.

ITEM 11.   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The information required by this item is incorporated herein by 
reference to the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of 
Stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.

ITEM 12.   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND 
           MANAGEMENT

     The information called for by this item is incorporated herein by 
reference to the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of 
Stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.

ITEM 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     The information called for by this item is incorporated herein by 
reference to the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of 
Stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.

                                       40

<PAGE>

                        PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON
          FORM 8-K

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         PAGE
(a)  DOCUMENTS LIST                                                     NUMBER
     --------------                                                     ------
<S>                                                                     <C>
     (1)  The following financial statements are included in 
           Part II Item 8:

          Report of Independent Accountants                                F-1

          Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 1997 and 1998            F-2

          Consolidated Statements of Income For the Years                  F-4
          Ended June 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998

          Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity                  F-5
          For the Years Ended June 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998

          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the Years              F-6
          Ended June 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998

          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements For the Years         F-7
          Ended June 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998
</TABLE>
     (2)  No Financial Statement Schedules are required to be filed.

     (3)  List of Exhibits:

          Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are listed in the
          Exhibit Index which is incorporated herein by reference.


(b)  REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
     -------------------

     The Company filed a Form 8-K dated April 6, 1998, as amended by the
     Form 8-K/A dated June 22, 1998.

     Items Reported:

     Item 2.   Acquisition of Sheffield Forgemasters Group Limited
     Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits

     (1)  Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of Sheffield
          Forgemasters Group Limited as of April 6, 1998 and March 31, 1997
          and for the twelve months ended April 6, 1998, March 31, 1997 and
          March 31, 1996.

     (2)  Pro forma Consolidated Financial Information consisting of a pro
          forma consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 1998 and pro
          forma consolidated statements of operations for the twelve-months
          ended March 31, 1998, the nine-months ended March 31, 1998 and
          the year ended June 30, 1997.

                                       41

<PAGE>

 (c) EXHIBITS
     --------

     The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a separate
     section to this report.


(d)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES
     ------------------------------
     The consolidated financial statement schedules required by this Item
     are listed under Item 14(a)(2).





                                       42
<PAGE>

                                  SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed 
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                   ATCHISON CASTING CORPORATION
                                   (Registrant)

                                   By: /s/ HUGH H. AIKEN
                                       ---------------------------
                                        Hugh H. Aiken
                                        Principal Executive Officer

Dated:  SEPTEMBER 9, 1998

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dated indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

    SIGNATURE              TITLE                             DATE
    ---------              -----                             ----
<S>                        <C>                               <C>
/S/ HUGH H. AIKEN          Chairman of the Board,            SEPTEMBER 9, 1998
- ----------------------     President, Chief Executive
     Hugh H. Aiken         Officer and Director
                           (Principal Executive Officer)


/S/ STUART Z. URAM         Director                          SEPTEMBER 9, 1998
- ----------------------
     Stuart Z. Uram


/S/ DAVID L. BELLUCK       Director                          SEPTEMBER 16, 1998
- ----------------------
     David L. Belluck


/S/ RAY H. WITT            Director                          SEPTEMBER 9, 1998
- ----------------------
     Ray H. Witt


/S/ JOHN O. WHITNEY        Director                          SEPTEMBER 11, 1998
- ----------------------
     John O. Whitney

/S/ KEVIN T. MCDERMED      Vice President, Chief             SEPTEMBER 9, 1998
- ----------------------     Financial Officer, Treasurer
    Kevin T. McDermed      and Secretary
                           (Principal Financial Officer
                           and Principal Accounting
                           Officer)
</TABLE>

                                         43
<PAGE>

ATCHISON CASTING
CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR
THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996, 1997 AND 1998,
AND INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


<PAGE>

ATCHISON CASTING CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   PAGE
<S>                                                                              <C>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT                                                        F-1

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996, 1997 AND 1998:

Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 1997 and 1998                             F-2 - F-3

Consolidated Statements of Income - Years Ended June 30, 1996, 1997 and 
1998                                                                                F-4

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - Years Ended June 30, 1996,
1997 and 1998                                                                       F-5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended June 30, 1996, 1997
and 1998                                                                            F-6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                       F-7 - F-30
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

Board of Directors of
  Atchison Casting Corporation
Atchison, Kansas

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Atchison 
Casting Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of June 30, 1997 and 
1998 and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity 
and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 1998. 
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the 
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 
consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to 
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free 
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, 
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. 
An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and 
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall 
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a 
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all 
material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 1997 
and 1998, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of 
the three years in the period ended June 30, 1998 in conformity with 
generally accepted accounting principles.

Kansas City, Missouri
August 14, 1998
(September 3, 1998 with respect to Note 21)


                                    F-1

<PAGE>

ATCHISON CASTING CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSETS                                                                      1997         1998
<S>                                                                       <C>           <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:

  Cash and cash equivalents                                                $ 19,819      $ 9,336
  Customer accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
    accounts of $381 and $508 at June 30, 1997 and 1998, respectively        40,310       88,469
  Inventories                                                                30,867       62,146
  Deferred income taxes                                                       1,501        3,186
  Other current assets                                                        2,336        9,615
                                                                          ---------     --------

           Total current assets                                              94,833      172,752

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, Net                                           93,116      137,290

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, Net                                                       21,866       25,424

DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS, Net                                                   525          746

OTHER ASSETS                                                                  3,068        9,927
                                                                          ---------     --------

TOTAL                                                                     $ 213,408     $346,139
                                                                          ---------     --------
                                                                          ---------     --------
</TABLE>


See notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                     F-2

<PAGE>

ATCHISON CASTING CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                        1997         1998
<S>                                                                       <C>           <C>

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

  Accounts payable                                                         $ 11,530      $ 37,259
  Accrued expenses                                                           25,145        52,690
  Current maturities of long-term obligations                                   927         6,021
                                                                          ---------      --------

          Total current liabilities                                          37,602        95,970

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS                                                        27,758        87,272

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                                                        16,349        12,608

OTHER LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS                                                   1,243         3,670

EXCESS OF FAIR VALUE OF ACQUIRED NET ASSETS OVER COST, Net                      633           349

POSTRETIREMENT OBLIGATION OTHER THAN PENSION                                  5,844         7,596

MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARIES                                             1,248         3,060

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

  Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 2,000,000 authorized
    shares; no shares issued and outstanding

  Common stock, $.01 par value, 19,300,000 authorized
    shares; 8,146,765 and 8,190,568 shares issued
    and outstanding in 1997 and 1998, respectively                               81            82
  Class A common stock (non-voting), $.01 par
    value, 700,000 authorized shares; no shares
    issued and outstanding

  Additional paid-in capital                                                 80,342        80,957
  Retained earnings                                                          42,440        55,205
  Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment                          (132)         (630)
  Common stock held in treasury, 36,002
    shares in 1997 and 1998, at cost
                                                                          ---------      --------
           Total stockholders' equity                                       122,731       135,614
                                                                          ---------      --------

TOTAL                                                                     $ 213,408     $ 346,139
                                                                          ---------      --------
                                                                          ---------      --------
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                     F-3

<PAGE>

ATCHISON CASTING CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996, 1997 AND 1998
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1996              1997               1998
<S>                                               <C>               <C>                <C>

NET SALES                                         $ 185,081         $ 245,769          $ 373,768

COST OF GOODS SOLD                                  156,612           203,386            318,280
                                                  ---------         ---------           --------

GROSS PROFIT                                         28,469            42,383             55,488

OPERATING EXPENSES:

  Selling, general and administrative                15,459            21,559             28,798
  Amortization of intangibles                         1,508               632                850
  Other income                                      (26,957)
                                                  ---------         ---------           --------

     Total operating expenses                        (9,990)           22,191             29,648
                                                  ---------         ---------           --------

OPERATING INCOME                                     38,459            20,192             25,840

INTEREST EXPENSE                                      2,845             3,227              3,896

MINORITY INTEREST IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES         225               270                448
                                                  ---------         ---------           --------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                           35,389            16,695             21,496

INCOME TAXES                                         14,063             6,967              8,731
                                                  ---------         ---------           --------

NET INCOME                                        $  21,326         $   9,728           $ 12,765
                                                  ---------         ---------           --------
                                                  ---------         ---------           --------

NET INCOME PER COMMON AND
  EQUIVALENT SHARES:

    BASIC                                         $    3.87         $    1.68           $   1.56
                                                  ---------         ---------           --------
                                                  ---------         ---------           --------

    DILUTED                                       $    3.87         $    1.67           $   1.55
                                                  ---------         ---------           --------
                                                  ---------         ---------           --------

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON
  AND EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING:

    BASIC                                         5,510,410         5,796,281          8,167,285
                                                  ---------         ---------          ---------
                                                  ---------         ---------          ---------

    DILUTED                                       5,516,597         5,830,695          8,218,686
                                                  ---------         ---------          ---------
                                                  ---------         ---------          ---------
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                     F-4

<PAGE>

ATCHISON CASTING CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996, 1997 AND 1998
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     ACCUMULATED
                                                                                     MINIMUM           FOREIGN
                                                      ADDITIONAL                     PENSION           CURRENCY
                                            COMMON     PAID-IN       RETAINED        LIABILITY       TRANSLATION
                                            STOCK      CAPITAL       EARNINGS       ADJUSTMENT        ADJUSTMENT      TOTAL
                                            ------    ----------     --------       -----------      ------------    --------
<S>                                          <C>      <C>            <C>            <C>               <C>            <C>
Balance, July 1, 1995                        $  55    $ 41,623       $ 11,386       $   (375)          $   9         $ 52,698
  Issuance of 34,333 shares                      1         402                                                            403
  Exercise of stock options (10,000 shares)                134                                                            134
  Minimum pension liability adjustment,
    net of income tax expense of $59                                                      82                               82
  Purchase of 5,179 nonvested shares
    under Stock Restriction Agreement
  Foreign currency translation adjustment
    of investment in subsidiary                                                                            11              11
  Net income                                                           21,326                                          21,326
                                            ------    --------       --------       -------            ------       ---------

Balance, June 30, 1996                          56      42,159         32,712           (293)              20          74,654
  Issuance of  2,610,203 shares                 25      38,080                                                         38,105
  Exercise of stock options (7,600 shares)                 103                                                            103
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustment of investment in subsidiary                                                               (152)           (152)
  Minimum pension liability adjustment,
    net of income tax expense of $187                                                    293                              293
  Net income                                                            9,728                                           9,728
                                            ------    --------       --------       -------            ------       ---------

Balance, June 30, 1997                          81      80,342         42,440                            (132)        122,731
  Issuance of 15,793 shares                                227                                                            227
  Exercise of stock options (28,060 shares)      1         388                                                            389
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustment of investment in subsidiaries                                                             (498)           (498)
  Net income                                                           12,765                                          12,765
                                            ------    --------       --------       -------            ------       ---------

Balance, June 30, 1998                       $  82    $ 80,957       $ 55,205       $                  $ (630)      $ 135,614
                                            ------    --------       --------       -------            ------       ---------
                                            ------    --------       --------       -------            ------       ---------
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                     F-5

<PAGE>

ATCHISON CASTING CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996, 1997 AND 1998
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                1996          1997           1998
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
<S>                                                                            <C>            <C>           <C>
  Net income                                                                   $ 21,326       $ 9,728       $ 12,765

  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from
    operating activities:

    Depreciation and amortization                                                 7,411         8,667         11,695
    Minority interest in net income of subsidiaries                                 225           270            448
    Loss on disposal of capital assets                                                8            54            176
    Accretion of long-term obligation discount                                      161
    Deferred income taxes                                                         7,918         1,816          1,394
    Changes in assets and liabilities (exclusive of effects of acquired
companies):

      Receivables                                                                (8,286)         (349)        13,071
      Insurance receivable                                                        6,137
      Inventories                                                                 1,614         1,231           (374)
      Other current assets                                                         (715)          205           (719)
      Accounts payable                                                           (1,480)          190         (6,854)
      Accrued expenses                                                            2,073            23        (16,472)
      Postretirement obligation other than pension                                  209           430            467
      Other                                                                           9            36            265
                                                                               --------       -------       --------

           Cash provided by operating activities                                 36,610        22,301         15,862
                                                                               --------       -------       --------

CASH FLOWS FROM  INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

  Capital expenditures                                                          (12,740)      (13,852)       (18,495)
  Proceeds from sale of capital assets                                                8            38          1,219
  Payment for purchase of net assets of subsidiaries,
    net of cash acquired                                                        (13,251)      (27,698)       (74,299)
  Assets held for resale                                                           (274)          840
  (Advances) repayments under subordinated note receivable                                       (800)           800
  Payment for investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries                           (330)         (330)
                                                                               --------       -------       --------

           Cash used in investing activities                                    (26,587)      (41,802)       (90,775)
                                                                               --------       -------       --------

CASH FLOWS FROM  FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

  Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of costs                              537        38,208            616
  Proceeds from sale (payments for purchase) of stock in subsidiaries                63           178            (64)
  Proceeds from issuance of long-term obligations                                 5,309         1,293
  Payments on long-term obligations                                              (2,646)       (1,343)          (979)
  Capitalized financing costs paid                                                 (283)         (214)          (409)
  Net borrowings (repayments) under revolving loan note                          (6,031)       (6,521)        65,519
                                                                               --------       -------       --------

           Cash provided by (used in) financing activities                       (3,051)       31,601         64,683
                                                                               --------       -------       --------

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE ON CASH                                                                   (12)          (253)

NET INCREASE (DECREASE ) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                             6,972        12,088        (10,483)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Beginning of period                                      759         7,731         19,819
                                                                               --------       -------       --------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, End of period                                        $ 7,731      $ 19,819        $ 9,336
                                                                               --------       -------       --------
                                                                               --------       -------       --------
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                     F-6

<PAGE>

ATCHISON CASTING CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996, 1997 AND 1998
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

1.     SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

       NATURE OF OPERATIONS - Atchison Casting Corporation and subsidiaries 
       ("ACC" or the "Company") was organized in 1991 for the purpose of 
       becoming a broad based manufacturer of metal castings, producing iron, 
       steel and non-ferrous castings ranging in size from a few ounces to 
       275 tons. A majority of the Company's sales are to U.S. customers, 
       however, the Company also has sales to Canadian, European and other 
       foreign customers.

       PERVASIVENESS OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements 
       in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires 
       management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported 
       amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets 
       and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the 
       reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. 
       Actual results could differ from those estimates.

       BASIS OF PRESENTATION - The consolidated financial statements present 
       the financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries, Amite 
       Foundry and Machine, Inc. ("AFM"), Prospect Foundry, Inc. ("Prospect 
       Foundry"), Quaker Alloy, Inc. ("Quaker"), Canadian Steel Foundries, 
       Ltd. ("Canadian Steel"), Kramer International, Inc. ("Kramer"), Empire 
       Steel Castings, Inc. ("Empire"), La Grange Foundry Inc. ("La Grange 
       Foundry"), The G&C Foundry Company ("G&C"), Los Angeles Die Casting 
       Inc. ("LA Die Casting"), Canada Alloy Castings, Ltd. ("Canada Alloy"), 
       Pennsylvania Steel Foundry & Machine Company ("Pennsylvania Steel"), 
       Jahn Foundry Corp. ("Jahn Foundry"), PrimeCast, Inc. ("PrimeCast"), 
       Inverness Castings Group, Inc. ("Inverness"), Sheffield Forgemasters 
       Group Limited ("Sheffield") and Claremont Foundry, Inc. ("Claremont"). 
       AFM, Kramer, Empire, La Grange Foundry, Canada Alloy, Pennsylvania 
       Steel, Jahn Foundry, PrimeCast and Claremont are wholly owned 
       subsidiaries. The Company owns 90.9%, 95.7%, 90.2%, 92.0%, 90.7%, 
       91.6% and 95.0% of the outstanding capital stock of Prospect Foundry, 
       Quaker, Canadian Steel, G&C, LA Die Casting, Inverness and Sheffield, 
       respectively. All significant intercompany accounts and balances have 
       been eliminated.

       STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - For purposes of cash flow reporting, cash 
       and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks and 
       temporary investments with original maturities of 90 days or less at 
       the date of purchase.

       REVENUE RECOGNITION - Sales and related cost of sales are recognized 
       upon shipment of products. Sales and related cost of sales are 
       recognized as units are delivered.


                                     F-7

<PAGE>

       CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - Approximately 21%, 17% and 18% of the 
       Company's business in 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively, was with two 
       major customers in the automotive, locomotive and general industrial 
       markets. As of June 30, 1997 and 1998, 15% and 13% respectively, of 
       accounts receivable were with these two major customers. The Company 
       generally does not require collateral or other security on accounts 
       receivable. Credit risk is controlled through credit approvals, limits 
       and monitoring procedures.

       INVENTORIES - Approximately 14% of the Company's inventory is valued 
       at the lower of cost, determined on the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") 
       method, or market. The remaining inventory is valued at the lower of 
       cost, determined on the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method, or market.

       PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - Major renewals and betterment's are 
       capitalized while replacements, maintenance and repairs which do not 
       improve or extend the life of the respective assets are charged to 
       expense as incurred. Upon sale or retirement of assets, the cost and 
       related accumulated depreciation applicable to such assets are removed 
       from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in 
       operations.

       Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated 
       depreciation. Plant and equipment is depreciated over the estimated 
       useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method.

       INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Intangible assets acquired are being amortized 
       over their estimated lives using the straight-line method. The Company 
       periodically reviews the continuing value of intangibles to determine 
       if there has been an impairment. The basis of this valuation includes 
       the continuing profitability of the acquired operations, their 
       expected future undiscounted cash flows, the maintenance of a 
       significant customer base and similar factors.

       ACCRUED INSURANCE EXPENSE - Costs estimated to be incurred in the 
       future for employee medical benefits and casualty insurance programs 
       resulting from claims which have occurred are accrued currently.

       In order to support claims for workers' compensation benefits, at June 
       30, 1998 the Company has letters of credit aggregating $3,954 and a 
       certificate of deposit of $200.

       INCOME TAXES - Deferred income taxes are provided on temporary 
       differences between the financial statements and tax basis of the 
       Company's assets and liabilities in accordance with the liability 
       method.

       STOCK PLANS - The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued 
       Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, 
       "ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION," in October 1995. SFAS No. 
       123 allows companies to continue under the approach set forth in 
       Accounting Principles Board Opinion ("APB") No. 25, Accounting for 
       Stock Issued to Employees, for recognizing stock-based compensation 
       expense in the financial statements, but encourages companies to adopt 
       provisions of SFAS No. 123 based on the estimated fair value of 
       employee stock options. Companies electing to retain the approach 
       under APB No. 25 are required to disclose pro forma net income and net 
       income per share in the notes to the financial statements, as if they 
       had adopted the fair value accounting method under SFAS No. 123. The 
       Company has elected to retain its current accounting approach under 
       APB No. 25.


                                     F-8

<PAGE>

       EARNINGS PER SHARE - In February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 128, 
       "EARNINGS PER SHARE", effective for periods ending after December 15, 
       1997. SFAS No. 128 requires the disclosure of basic earnings per share 
       and diluted earnings per share on the face of the income statement, 
       and a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic 
       earnings per share computation to the numerator and denominator of the 
       diluted earnings per share computation in the notes to the financial 
       statements. The Company adopted SFAS No. 128 effective for the year 
       ended June 30, 1998. Accordingly, net earnings per share for all 
       periods presented have been restated to conform to the new standard.

       NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS - SFAS No. 130, "REPORTING COMPREHENSIVE 
       INCOME," was issued in June 1997. This Statement established standards
       for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components
       (revenues, expenses, gains, and losses) in a full set of general-purpose
       financial statements. This Statement is effective for the Company's 
       fiscal 1999 financial statements. Management does not expect the 
       implementation of this Statement to have a material impact on its 
       financial position or results of operations.

       In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "DISCLOSURES ABOUT 
       SEGMENTS OF AN ENTERPRISE AND RELATED INFORMATION". The Statement 
       establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises 
       report information about operating segments in annual financial 
       statements and requires that those enterprises report selected 
       information about operating segments in interim financial reports 
       issued to shareholders. It also establishes standards for related 
       disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major 
       customers. The Company will be required to adopt SFAS No. 131 during 
       the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999.

       SFAS No. 132, "EMPLOYERS' DISCLOSURES ABOUT PENSION AND OTHER 
       POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS," was issued by the FASB in February 1998. 
       This Statements revises employers' disclosures about pension and other 
       postretirement benefit plans, but does not change the measurement or 
       recognition of such plans. This Statement is effective for fiscal 
       years beginning after December 15, 1997, including restatement of 
       prior periods provided for comparative purposes. The Company will 
       adopt SFAS No. 132 in fiscal 1999.

       In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE 
       INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES." SFAS No. 133 requires companies 
       to record derivative instruments as assets or liabilities, measured at 
       fair value. The recognition of gains or losses resulting from changes 
       in the values of those derivative instruments is based on the use of 
       each derivative instrument and whether it qualifies for hedge 
       accounting. The key criterion for hedge accounting is that the hedging 
       relationship must be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes 
       in fair value or cash flows. The Company has not yet determined their 
       evaluation of the impact of SFAS No. 133 on the consolidated financial 
       statements. The Company will be required to adopt SFAS No. 133 during 
       the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000.

2.     ACQUISITIONS

       On October 1, 1996, the Company purchased all of the outstanding 
       capital stock of LA Die Casting, a California corporation, for $8,753 
       in cash and $221 of related expenses. ACC subsequently issued 9.3% of 
       the acquired LA Die Casting stock to LA Die Casting management. The 
       difference between the fair market value of the minority interest, as 
       estimated by the Company's management, and the consideration paid by 
       LA Die Casting management, was not material. LA Die Casting, located 
       in Los Angeles, California, produces precision aluminum and zinc die 
       castings for the computer, communications and recreation industries. 
       The Company financed this transaction with funds available under its 
       revolving credit facility.


                                     F-9

<PAGE>

       On October 26, 1996, the Company purchased all of the outstanding 
       capital stock of Canada Alloy for $4,421(U.S.) in cash and $36 of 
       related expenses. Canada Alloy, located in Kitchener, Ontario, 
       produces stainless, carbon and alloy steel castings for a variety of 
       markets, including power generation equipment, pulp and paper 
       machinery, pumps and valves. The Company financed this transaction 
       with funds available under its revolving credit facility.

       On October 31, 1996, the Company purchased all of the outstanding 
       capital stock of Pennsylvania Steel, a Pennsylvania corporation, for 
       $8,170 in cash and $24 of related expenses. Pennsylvania Steel, 
       located in Hamburg, Pennsylvania, produces carbon and stainless steel 
       castings for the power generation, valve, pump and other industrial 
       equipment markets. The Company financed this transaction with funds 
       available under its revolving credit facility.

       On February 14, 1997, the Company purchased all of the outstanding 
       capital stock of Jahn Foundry, a Massachusetts corporation, for $5,900 
       in cash and $315 of related expenses. Jahn Foundry, located in 
       Springfield, Massachusetts, produces gray iron castings for the 
       automotive, air conditioning and agricultural markets. The Company 
       financed this transaction with funds available under its revolving 
       credit facility.

       On July 1, 1997, the Company purchased the Beloit Castings Division 
       ("BCD") of Beloit Corporation for $8,209 in cash and $102 of related 
       expenses. BCD now operates under the name PrimeCast, as a subsidiary 
       of ACC. PrimeCast is a group of four foundries in Beloit, Wisconsin 
       and South Beloit, Illinois, including two iron foundries, a steel 
       foundry and a non-ferrous foundry, that produce castings for the 
       paper-machinery, pump, valve, mining and construction markets. The 
       Company financed this acquisition with available cash balances.

       On October 6, 1997, the Company acquired approximately 91.5% of the 
       outstanding capital stock of Inverness, a Delaware corporation, for 
       $5,882 in cash and $202 of related expenses, in addition to the 
       assumption of $587 of outstanding indebtedness. Contemporaneous with 
       the consummation of this acquisition, the Company retired 
       approximately $11,602 of Inverness' outstanding indebtedness. The 
       remaining 8.5% of Inverness capital stock was retained by Inverness 
       management. Inverness, located in Dowagiac, Michigan, produces 
       aluminum die castings for the automotive, furniture and appliance 
       markets. The Company financed this transaction with available cash 
       balances and funds available under its revolving credit facility.

       On April 6, 1998, Atchison Casting UK Ltd. ("ACUK"), a subsidiary of 
       the Company, acquired all of the outstanding capital stock , 
       consisting of 76,987,733 ordinary shares of capital stock, of 
       Sheffield, incorporated in England and Wales, from the stockholders of 
       Sheffield for approximately $54,931 in cash, 1,040,000 ordinary shares 
       of ACUK valued at $915 and $226 of related expenses. The 1,040,000 
       ordinary shares, consisting of 5.0% of the outstanding stock, of ACUK 
       were issued to Sheffield management in exchange for 1,267,477 shares 
       of Sheffield instead of cash consideration. Sheffield includes 
       Forgemasters Steel & Engineering Limited, River Don Castings Limited, 
       Forged Rolls (UK) Limited and British Rollmakers Limited, among other 
       operating units. The companies' products serve a variety of markets 
       and end users, including steel rolling mills, paper and plastic 
       processing, oil and gas exploration and production, fossil and nuclear 
       electricity generation and forging ingots. The Company financed this 
       transaction with funds available under its bank credit facility.


                                     F-10

<PAGE>

       On May 31, 1996, the Company purchased approximately 21.0% of the 
       outstanding shares of capital stock of Claremont for $330 in cash and 
       $17 of related expenses. On November 29, 1996, the Company purchased 
       an additional 4.5% of the outstanding capital stock of Claremont for 
       $40 in cash. On May 1, 1998, the Company purchased the balance of 
       Claremont's outstanding capital stock for $1 in cash, the contribution 
       of equipment with a fair market value of $300, the forgiveness of a 
       subordinated note payable to the Company of $2,924 and related 
       expenses of $7. Contemporaneous with the consummation of this 
       acquisition, the Company retired $165 of Claremont's outstanding 
       indebtedness. Claremont, located in Claremont, New Hampshire, is a 
       foundry that produces steel castings for the mining and mass transit 
       industries, among others. The Company financed this transaction with 
       funds available under its revolving credit facility.

       The acquisitions have been accounted for by the purchase method of 
       accounting, and accordingly, the purchase price including the related 
       acquisition expenses has been allocated to the assets acquired based 
       on the estimated fair values at the date of the acquisitions. For the 
       LA Die Casting and Inverness acquisitions, the excess of purchase 
       price over estimated fair values of the net assets acquired has been 
       included in "Intangible Assets, net" on the Consolidated Balance 
       Sheets. For the Canada Alloy, Pennsylvania Steel, Jahn Foundry, 
       PrimeCast, Sheffield and Claremont acquisitions, the fair value of the 
       net assets acquired exceeded the purchase price. Accordingly, the 
       excess fair value was subtracted from identifiable long-term assets 
       ratably based on their relative fair values as a percentage of total 
       long-term assets.

       The estimated fair values of assets and liabilities acquired in the 
       1996, 1997 and 1998 acquisitions are summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1996            1997           1998
<S>                                                      <C>           <C>             <C>
Cash                                                     $ 1,778       $    142        $ 10,244
Customer accounts receivable                               1,791          7,835          61,669
Inventories                                                2,557          7,799          31,231
Property, plant and equipment                              7,825         15,872          38,164
Intangible assets, primarily goodwill                      4,779          4,336           4,666
Other assets                                                 206            737          14,670
Accounts payable and accrued expenses                     (1,529)        (5,535)        (75,775)
Deferred income taxes                                        247         (2,141)          6,731
Other long-term obligations                                 (101)          (705)         (6,470)
Long-term obligations                                     (2,524)          (500)           (587)
                                                         --------      --------        --------

                                                          15,029         27,840          84,543

Cash acquired                                             (1,778)          (142)        (10,244)
                                                         --------      --------        --------

Cash used in acquisitions                               $ 13,251       $ 27,698        $ 74,299
                                                         --------      --------        --------
                                                         --------      --------        --------
</TABLE>

                                         F-11

<PAGE>


       The operating results of these acquisitions are included in ACC's 
       Consolidated Statements of Income from the dates of acquisition. The 
       following unaudited pro forma summary presents the consolidated results
       of operations as if the acquisitions occurred at July 1, 1996, after 
       giving effect to certain adjustments, including amortization of goodwill,
       interest expense on the acquisition debt and related income tax effects.
       These pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes only
       and do not purport to be indicative of what would have occurred had the 
       acquisitions been made as of that date or of results which may occur in
       the future.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1997            1998
                                                             (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>
  Net sales                                            $ 515,036      $ 506,423
  Net income                                              17,010          9,236
  Net income per common and equivalent shares:
    Basic                                                   2.93           1.13
    Diluted                                                 2.92           1.12

</TABLE>


3.    INVENTORIES
     
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         1997            1998
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>
  Raw materials                                          $ 5,186        $ 11,152
  Work-in-process                                         17,540          37,939
  Finished goods                                           3,967           7,385
  Deferred supplies                                        4,174           5,670
                                                        --------        --------

                                                        $ 30,867        $ 62,146
                                                        --------        --------
                                                        --------        --------

</TABLE>

       Inventories as of June 30, 1997 and 1998 would have been higher by 
       $326 and $314, respectively, had the Company used the first-in, 
       first-out method of valuing those inventories valued using the last-in, 
       first-out method.

                                     F-12

<PAGE>

4.   PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     LIVES
                                                   (IN YEARS)       1997             1998
<S>                                             <C>             <C>               <C>
    Land                                                          $ 3,584         $ 16,868
    Improvements to land                              12-15         2,695            4,645
    Buildings and improvements                          35         22,553           29,298
    Machinery and equipment                            5-14        75,341          103,184
    Automobiles and trucks                              3           1,261            2,226
    Office furniture, fixtures and equipment           5-10         3,141            4,756
    Tooling and patterns                               1.5-6        3,579            4,582
                                                                  --------        --------
    
                                                                  112,154          165,559
    Less accumulated depreciation                                  24,994           35,267
                                                                  --------        --------
        
                                                                   87,160          130,292
    Construction in progress                                        5,437            6,998
    Unexpended bond funds                                             519
                                                                  --------        --------

                                                                 $ 93,116        $ 137,290
                                                                  --------        --------
                                                                  --------        --------
</TABLE>

     Depreciation expense was $5,745, $7,903 and $10,656 for the years ended
     June 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.

5.   INTANGIBLE ASSETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         LIVES
                                                       (IN YEARS)    1997            1998
<S>                                                    <C>         <C>             <C>
Goodwill                                                   25      $ 23,914        $ 28,580
Less accumulated amortization                                         2,048           3,156
                                                                   --------        --------
                                                                   $ 21,866        $ 25,424
                                                                   --------        --------
                                                                   --------        --------
</TABLE>


    Amortization expense was $1,744, $911 and $1,108 for the years ended
    June 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.

6.  DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         LIVES
                                                       (IN YEARS)      1997         1998
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>          <C>
Capitalized financing costs                              3 to 10     $ 786       $ 1,087
Less accumulated amortization                                          261           341
                                                                   --------     --------
                                                                     $ 525         $ 746
                                                                   --------     --------
                                                                   --------     --------
</TABLE>

    Amortization of such costs was $158, $129 and $188 for the years ended
    June 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively, of which $69, $129 and $188,
    respectively, is included in interest expense.

                                    F-13
<PAGE>

7.  ACCRUED EXPENSES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        1997         1998
<S>                                                     <C>          <C>
Accrued warranty                                      $    815        $ 16,339
Payroll, vacation and other compensation                 6,425           9,491
Accrued pension liability                                1,822           2,983
Advances from customers                                    913           4,381
Reserve for flood repairs                                6,773           5,932
Reserve for workers' compensation and employee
  health care                                            3,884           3,570
Income taxes payable                                     1,442           1,158
Taxes other than income                                    584             541
Interest payable                                           740           1,076
Other                                                    1,747           7,219
                                                      --------        --------

                                                      $ 25,145        $ 52,690
                                                      --------        --------
                                                      --------        --------
</TABLE>

8.  LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

    On May 1, 1996, the Company's La Grange Foundry subsidiary entered into a
    Loan Agreement with the Missouri Development Finance Board (the "Board"),
    providing for a loan of $5,100 to La Grange Foundry using the proceeds of
    the Board's Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, Series 1996 (La Grange
    Foundry Inc. Project). Loans under the Loan Agreement will bear interest at
    rates that fluctuate weekly based upon the then-prevailing market rates for
    such securities. Loans under this Loan Agreement were used to finance the
    costs of acquiring, reconstructing, improving and equipping certain
    additions and improvements to the Company's La Grange Foundry manufacturing
    facilities. The Loan Agreement terminates on November 1, 2011.

    On May 24, 1996, the Company entered into a new credit agreement with
    Harris Trust and Savings Bank ("Harris") providing for unsecured loans of
    up to $40 million in a revolving credit facility terminating on July 29,
    1998. Loans under this revolving credit facility will bear interest at
    fluctuating rates of either (i) the bank's corporate base rate or (ii)
    LIBOR plus 1.50% subject, in the case of the LIBOR rate option, to a
    reduction of up to 0.50% (50 basis points) if certain financial ratios are
    met. Loans under this revolving credit facility may be used for general
    corporate purposes, acquisitions and approved investments.

    On May 12, 1997, the Company and Harris entered into the First Amendment to
    the Credit Agreement providing for an increase in unsecured loans from $40
    million to $60 million and an extension of the maturity date to July 29,
    2000. 

    On April 3, 1998, the Company and Harris entered into the Amended and
    Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") providing for an
    increase in unsecured loans from $60 million to $110 million and an
    extension of the maturity date to April 3, 2003. This Credit Agreement
    consists of a $40 million term loan and a $70 million revolving credit
    facility. The term loan begins amortizing on March 31, 1999, with a final
    maturity of April 3, 2003. Loans under the Credit Agreement will bear
    interest at fluctuating rates of either:  (i) the agent bank's corporate
    base rate subject to a reduction of 0.25% (25 basis points) if certain
    financial ratios are met or (ii) LIBOR plus 1.50% subject, in the case of
    the LIBOR rate option, to a reduction of up to 0.50% (50 basis points) if
    certain financial ratios are met. Loans under this revolving credit
    facility may be used for general corporate purposes, acquisitions and
    approved investments. At 

                                       F-14
<PAGE>

    June 30, 1998, $35.1 million was available for borrowing under this 
    facility after consideration of outstanding advances of $65.0 million and 
    letters of credit of $9.9 million (see Note 10).

    On April 3, 1998, the Company and the insurance company holding the
    Company's $20 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured, senior notes
    entered into the Third Amendment to the Note Purchase Agreement providing
    for an increase in permitted subsidiary indebtedness from $3.5 million to
    $8.0 million.

    Long-term obligations consist of the following as of June 30, 1997 and
    1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1997            1998
<S>                                                                  <C>               <C>
    Unsecured, senior notes with an insurance company,
      maturing on July 30, 2004 and bearing interest at 
      a fixed rate of 8.44% per year                                  $ 20,000        $ 20,000
    
    Unsecured, revolving credit facility with Harris, maturing
      on April 3, 2003, $40,000 bearing interest at 7.15% 
      (LIBOR plus 1.50%), $15,000 bearing interest at 7.16% 
      (LIBOR plus 1.50%), $8,000 bearing interest at 7.15%
      (LIBOR plus 1.50%) and $2,000 bearing interest at 8.50% (Prime)                   65,000

    Term loan between G&C and the Ohio Department of
      Development, secured by certain assets of G&C,
      maturing on June 1, 1999, bearing interest at 5.00%                   64              31

    Term loan between G&C and OES Capital, Incorporated (assignee of
      loan agreement with Ohio Air Quality Development Authority),
      secured by certain assets of G&C, maturing on December 31,
      2006, bearing interest at 6.50%                                    2,854           2,608

    Term loan between La Grange Foundry and the Missouri
      Development Finance Board, secured by a letter
      of credit, maturing on November 1, 2011 bearing
      interest at 3.69% and 3.80%, respectively                          5,100           5,100

    Term loan between Inverness and the City of Dowagiac, Michigan,
      secured by certain assets of Inverness, maturing on 
      April 30, 2007, bearing interest at 7.11%                                            554

    Other long-term obligations maturing on June 11, 1998,
      non interest bearing                                                 667
                                                                      --------         --------
                                                                        28,685          93,293
    Less current maturities                                                927           6,021
                                                                      --------         --------
    
    Total long-term obligations                                       $ 27,758        $ 87,272 
                                                                      --------         --------
                                                                      --------         --------

</TABLE>

    The credit agreement with Harris and a note purchase agreement with an
    insurance company limit the Company's ability to pay dividends in any
    fiscal year to an amount not more than 25% of net earnings in the preceding
    fiscal year.

                                          F-15

<PAGE>

    The amounts of long-term obligations outstanding as of June 30, 1998 mature
    as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                            <C>
        1999                                                    $ 6,021
        2000                                                      8,883
        2001                                                      8,906
        2002                                                      8,927
        2003                                                     48,237
        Thereafter                                               12,319
</TABLE>

    The amounts of interest expense for the years ended June 30, 1996, 1997
    and 1998 consisted of the following:
     

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                1996          1997           1998
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>            <C>
        Senior notes with an insurance company                $ 1,688       $ 1,688        $ 1,688
        Credit facility with Harris                               902         1,236          2,020
        Subordinated promissory note payable to Rockwell          161
        Amortization of deferred financing costs                   69           129            188
        Other                                                      25           174
                                                              -------       -------        -------
                                                              $ 2,845       $ 3,227        $ 3,896
                                                              -------       -------        -------
                                                              -------       -------        -------
</TABLE>

9.  INCOME TAXES

    Income taxes for the years ended June 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998 are comprised
    of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            1996           1997          1998
<S>                                      <C>            <C>           <C>
   Current expense/(benefit):
      Federal                              $ 4,972       $ 3,601       $ 4,298
      State and local                        1,376           867         1,410
      Foreign                                 (203)          683           913
                                           -------       -------       -------
                                             6,145         5,151         6,621
      Deferred expense                       7,918         1,816         2,110
                                           -------       -------       -------
                                          $ 14,063       $ 6,967       $ 8,731
                                           -------       -------       -------
                                           -------       -------       -------
</TABLE>

                                                F-16

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  1996      1997        1998
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>           <C>
Items giving rise to the provision for deferred income taxes:

  Postretirement (benefits) costs                              $ (145)     $ (167)      $ 10
  Accrued liabilities                                             160         350        555
  Net operating loss carryforwards                                           (190)       313
  Pension costs                                                    16         (53)      (397)
  Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward                     724
  Flood wall capitalization                                        36
  Deferred gain on flood proceeds                               5,898         560
  Depreciation and amortization                                 1,003         978      1,776
  Inventories                                                      56         406       (430)
  Minimum pension liability                                       (70)
  Valuation allowance                                                         190        128
  All other                                                       240        (258)       155
                                                              -------     --------   -------
                                                              $ 7,918     $ 1,816    $ 2,110
                                                              -------     --------   -------
                                                              -------     --------   -------
</TABLE>

     Following is a reconciliation between the total income taxes and the amount
     computed by multiplying income before income taxes plus the minority 
     interest in net income of subsidiaries by the statutory federal income 
     tax rate:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               1996                         1997                         1998
                          --------------------   -----------------------   -----------------------
                             AMOUNT        %        AMOUNT          %         AMOUNT          %
<S>                        <C>           <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>
Computed expected
  federal income tax
  expense                  $ 12,465       35.0      $ 5,938        35.0      $ 7,680       35.0
State income taxes,
  net of federal benefit      1,498        4.2          717         4.2        1,139        5.2
Non - U.S. taxes                                                                 (75)      (0.3)
Permanent differences           337        0.9          310         1.8          344        1.6
Other, net                     (237)      (0.6)           2                     (357)      (1.7)
                           --------       ----        -----        -----     -------       ----

                           $ 14,063       39.5      $ 6,967        41.0      $ 8,731       39.8
                           --------       ----      -------        -----     -------       ----
                           --------       ----      -------        -----     -------       ----
</TABLE>

                                     F-17

<PAGE>

     Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between
     the amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and
     such amounts as measured by tax laws and regulations. Deferred income 
     taxes as of June 30, 1997 and 1998 are comprised of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1997             1998
<S>                                                    <C>              <C>
Deferred tax assets:

  Postretirement benefits                              $   2,155        $  2,839
  Accrued liabilities                                      1,539           2,773
  Net operating loss carryforwards                           472          18,655
  General business tax credits                                               574
  Pension costs                                              964           1,386
  Flood wall capitalization                                  429             429
  Other                                                       22             349
                                                       ---------        --------

                                                           5,581          27,005
  Valuation allowance                                       (472)        (12,959)
                                                       ---------        --------

           Net deferred tax assets                         5,109          14,046

Deferred tax liabilities:

  Depreciation and amortization                          (11,416)        (14,913)
  Deferred gain on flood proceeds                         (6,811)         (6,811)
  Inventories                                             (1,585)         (1,160)
  Discharge of indebtedness                                                 (422)
  Other                                                     (145)           (162)
                                                       ---------        --------

                                                         (19,957)        (23,468)
                                                       ---------        --------
Total                                                  $ (14,848)       $ (9,422)
                                                       ---------        --------
                                                       ---------        --------
</TABLE>


    SFAS No. 109 requires a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets 
    if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than 
    not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. An 
    allowance of $472 and $12,959 had been recorded as of June 30, 1997 and 
    1998, respectively. The principal reason for the increase in the 
    valuation allowance is attributable to acquired subsidiaries with tax 
    benefits.

    In general, it is the practice and intention of the Company to reinvest 
    the earnings of its non - U.S. subsidiaries in those operations on a 
    permanent basis. Applicable U.S. federal taxes are provided only on 
    amounts actually or deemed to be remitted to the Company as dividends. 
    U.S. income taxes have not been provided on $1,470 of cumulative 
    undistributed earnings of ACUK. U.S. income taxes on such earnings, if 
    ultimately remitted to the U.S., might be recoverable as foreign tax 
    credits.

    The Company has federal net operating loss carryforwards totaling 
    approximately $7,266 at June 30, 1998, which expire in the years 2007 
    through 2012. The federal net operating loss carryforwards were acquired
    during the current year and are subject to the ownership change rules 
    defined by section 382 of the Internal Revenue code. As the result of this
    event, the Company will be limited in its ability to use such net operating
    loss carry forwards.  The amount of taxable income that can be offset by 
    pre-change tax attributes in any annual period is limited to approximately
    $500,000. 

                                     F-18

<PAGE>

          The Company has foreign net operating loss carryforwards totaling 
          approximately $50,735 at June 30, 1998, which have no expiration 
          date. The utilization of such net operating loss carryforwards are 
          restricted to the earnings of specific foreign subsidiaries.

10.       FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

          The Company's financial instruments include cash, accounts 
          receivable, accounts payable, debt obligations, and derivative 
          financial instruments, including an interest rate agreement, 
          forward foreign exchange contracts and a combined interest rate and 
          foreign currency swap. 

          The derivative financial instruments are used by the Company to 
          manage its exposure to interest rate and foreign currency risk. The 
          Company does not intend to use such instruments for trading or 
          speculative purposes. The counterparties to these instruments are 
          major financial institutions with which the Company has other 
          financial relationships.

          The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of 
          nonperformance by these counterparties. However, the Company does 
          not anticipate nonperformance by the other parties, and no material 
          loss would be expected from their nonperformance. The Company's 
          financial instruments also expose it to certain additional market 
          risks as discussed below.

          INTEREST RATE RISK - The Company's floating rate debt obligations 
          (see Note 8) expose the Company to interest rate risk, such that 
          when LIBOR or Prime rates increase or decrease, so will the 
          Company's interest expense.  To manage this potential risk, the 
          Company may use interest rate swap agreements to limit the effect 
          of increases in interest rates on any of the Company's U.S. dollar 
          floating rate debt by fixing the rate without the exchange of the 
          underlying principal or notional amount. Net amounts paid or 
          received are added to or deducted from interest expense in the 
          period accrued.

          At June 30, 1998, Company had $65,000 of floating rate debt tied to 
          LIBOR or Prime rates. In April 1998, the Company entered into a 
          $15,000 notional amount interest rate swap agreement under which 
          the Company will pay a fixed rate of 5.92% and receive a LIBOR 
          floating rate (5.67188% at June 30, 1998). This agreement is a 
          hedge against $15,000 of the  $65,000 outstanding on the Company's 
          unsecured revolving credit facility as of June 30, 1998. At June 
          30, 1998, the fair value of this agreement based on a quote 
          received from the counterparty, indicating the amount the Company 
          would pay or receive to terminate the agreement, is a payment of 
          $77.

          FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK - The Company's British subsidiary, 
          Sheffield, generates significant sales to customers outside of 
          Great Britain whereby Sheffield  invoices and receives payment from 
          those customers in their local currencies. This creates foreign 
          currency risk for Sheffield as the value of such currencies in 
          British Pound terms may be higher or lower when such transactions 
          are actually settled. To manage this risk, Sheffield uses forward 
          foreign exchange contracts to hedge receipts and payments of 
          foreign currencies related to sales to its customers and purchases 
          from its vendors outside of Great Britain. When Sheffield accepts 
          an order from a customer that will be invoiced in a currency other 
          than British Pounds (anticipated sales), it enters into a forward 
          foreign exchange contract to sell such currency and receive British 
          Pounds at a fixed rate during some specified future period that is 
          expected to approximate the customer's payment date. Upon shipment 
          of the product to the customer, the sale and receivable are 
          recorded in British Pounds in the amount of the contract. When 
          Sheffield purchases materials or equipment from a vendor that bills 
          them in foreign currency, Sheffield will also enter into a forward 
          foreign exchange contract to sell British Pounds and purchase that 
          foreign currency to settle the payable.

                                       F-19

<PAGE>

          At June 30, 1998, Sheffield has net contracts with a single 
          counterparty to sell the following currencies and has no 
          significant un-hedged foreign currency exposure related to sales 
          and purchase transactions: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    LOCAL          APPROXIMATE
                                                    AMOUNT          VALUE (1)
<S>                                                <C>               <C>
U.S. dollars                                       $   28,239        $ 28,222
Deutsche marks                                         17,754           9,816
French Francs                                          20,792           3,429
Canadian dollars                                        4,805           3,270
Italian liar                                        3,425,686           1,923
Belgium francs                                         66,123           1,773
Dutch Guilder                                           3,613           1,772
Swedish krona                                          14,009           1,755
Spanish Pesata                                        224,713           1,464
Austrian schilling                                     14,628           1,149
Japanese yen                                           63,300             453
Danish krona                                            2,556             371
Irish punt                                                251             349
Finish marka                                              340              62
Swiss francs                                               13               9
                                                                     --------
           Total                                                     $ 55,817
                                                                     --------
                                                                     --------
</TABLE>



(1)  The approximate value is the value of the local currencies translated first
     into British Pounds, which is the functional currency of Sheffield, at the
     June 30, 1998 spot rates, and then translated to U.S. dollars at the June
     30, 1998 spot rate.

          The Company also has foreign currency exposure with respect to its net
          investment in Sheffield. This exposure is to changes in the British 
          Pound and affects the translation of the investment into U.S. 
          dollars in consolidation. To manage a portion of this exposure the 
          Company entered into a combined interest rate and foreign currency 
          swap in April 1998. The swap is an amortizing principal swap that 
          fixes the exchange rate on the periodic and final principal cash 
          exchanges and initially requires the payment of interest on 24,002 
          British Pounds by the Company at a fixed rate of 6.82% and the 
          receipt of interest on 40,000 U.S. dollars at a floating rate tied 
          to LIBOR rates (5.67% at June 30, 1998). At June 30, 1998, the 
          foreign currency portion of this swap is an effective hedge against 
          the net investment in Sheffield, has a carrying value of $7 and is 
          recorded as an adjustment to the cumulative translation adjustment 
          account in equity and in other assets. The fair value of the 
          foreign currency portion, based on amounts that would be paid or 
          received to terminate the agreement is a loss of $90 to the 
          Company. The interest portion of the swap does not qualify for 
          hedge treatment and therefore is required to be marked-to-market 
          through other income or expense. At June 30, 1998, the interest 
          portion has a fair value of $55 that is included in other assets 
          and other income and represents the amount that the Company would 
          receive if the swap was terminated.

          FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - As of June 30, 1998, the 
          carrying value of cash, customer accounts receivable and accounts 
          payable approximates fair value of those instruments due to their 
          liquidity and short-term nature.

          Based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company and the 
          remaining terms, the carrying value of debt obligations as of June 
          30, 1998 approximates fair value.


                                       F-20


<PAGE>

          The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments 
          have been determined by the Company using available market 
          information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, 
          considerable judgement is necessarily required in interpreting 
          market data to develop estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the 
          estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the 
          amounts that the Company could realize in current market exchange. 
          The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation 
          methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair 
          value amounts.

11.       STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

          The Atchison Casting 1993 Incentive Stock Plan (the "Incentive 
          Plan") was adopted by the Board of Directors on August 10, 1993 and 
          approved by the Company's stockholders on September 27, 1993. At 
          the annual meeting in November 1997, the Company's stockholders 
          approved increasing the number of options available for grant under 
          the Incentive Plan by 400,000. The Incentive Plan allows the 
          Company to grant stock options to employees to purchase up to 
          700,000 shares of common stock at prices that are not less than the 
          fair market value at the date of grant. The options become 
          exercisable with respect to one-third of the shares subject to the 
          options each year from the date of grant and remain exercisable for 
          a term of not more than 10 years after the date of grant. The 
          Incentive Plan provides that no options may be granted more than 10 
          years after the date of approval by the stockholders. The changes 
          in outstanding options were as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 SHARES               PRICE RANGE
                                              UNDER OPTION             PER SHARE
<S>                                             <C>                  <C>
Balance, June 30, 1995                           170,400             $12.875-14.750

  Issued                                          45,800                14.125
  Surrendered                                     (4,000)               13.375
                                                --------

Balance, June 30, 1996                           212,200              12.875-14.750

  Issued                                          33,533              15.750-19.125
  Exercised                                       (7,600)             13.375-14.500
  Surrendered                                     (8,134)             13.375-14.500
                                                --------

Balance, June 30, 1997                           229,999              12.875-19.125

  Issued                                          33,333              15.750-18.625
  Exercised                                      (18,060)             12.875-14.500
  Surrendered                                    (11,873)             13.375-14.500
                                               ---------

Balance, June 30, 1998                           233,399              12.875-19.125
                                               ---------

Exercisable
  June 30, 1998                                  164,044             $12.875-19.125
                                               ---------
                                               ---------
</TABLE>


          At June 30, 1998, options to purchase 440,941 shares were 
          authorized but not granted.

                                       F-21

<PAGE>

          The 1993 Atchison Casting Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan 
          (the "Purchase Plan") was adopted by the Board of Directors on 
          August 10, 1993 and approved by the Company's stockholders on 
          September 27, 1993. An aggregate of 400,000 shares of common stock 
          were initially made available for purchase by employees upon the 
          exercise of options under the Purchase Plan. On the first day of 
          every option period (option periods are three-month periods 
          beginning on January 1, April 1, July 1 or October 1 and ending on 
          the next March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31, 
          respectively), each eligible employee is granted a nontransferable 
          option to purchase common stock from the Company on the last day of 
          the option period. As of the last day of an option period, employee 
          contributions (authorized payroll deductions) during such option 
          period will be used to purchase full and partial shares of common 
          stock. The price for stock purchased under each option is 90% of 
          the stock's fair market value on the first day or the last day of 
          the option period, whichever is lower. During the years ended June 
          30, 1996, 1997 and 1998, 34,333, 11,179 and 15,793 common shares, 
          respectively, were purchased by employees under the Purchase Plan. 
          At June 30, 1998, 323,073 shares remained available for grant.

          On November 18, 1994, the Company's stockholders approved the 
          Atchison Casting Non-Employee Director Option Plan (the "Director 
          Option Plan"). The Director Option Plan provides that each 
          non-employee director of the Company who served in such capacity on 
          April 15, 1994 and each non-employee director upon election or 
          appointment to the Board of Directors thereafter shall 
          automatically be granted an option to purchase 10,000 shares of the 
          Company's common stock. No person shall be granted more than one 
          such option pursuant to the Director Option Plan. An aggregate of 
          100,000 shares were reserved for purchase under the plan. The price 
          for stock purchased under the plan is the fair market value at the 
          date of grant. The changes in outstanding options were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     SHARES                     PRICE
                                                  UNDER OPTION                PER SHARE
<S>                                                  <C>                      <C>
Balance, June 30, 1996                                40,000                   $ 13.375
                                                      ------

Balance, June 30, 1997                                40,000                     13.375
                                                      ------
  Exercised                                          (10,000)                    13.375
  Issued                                              10,000                     19.125
                                                      ------

Balance, June 30, 1998                                40,000                   $13.375-19.125
                                                      ------
</TABLE>

          At June 30, 1998, options to purchase 40,000 shares were authorized 
          but not granted.

                                       F-22

<PAGE>

          The Company applies APB No. 25 in accounting for its stock option 
          plans, under which no compensation cost has been recognized for 
          stock option awards. Had compensation cost for the stock option 
          plans been determined in accordance with the fair value accounting 
          method prescribed under SFAS No. 123, the Company's net earnings 
          per share on a pro forma basis would have been as follows:
          
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              1996            1997           1998
<S>                                         <C>              <C>            <C>
Net income:
  As reported                               $ 21,326         $ 9,728        $ 12,765
  Pro forma                                   21,129           9,353          12,578
Net income per share:
  As reported:
    Basic                                       3.87            1.68            1.56
    Diluted                                     3.87            1.67            1.55
  Pro forma:
    Basic                                       3.83            1.61            1.54
    Diluted                                     3.83            1.60            1.53

</TABLE>


          The SFAS No. 123 fair value method of accounting is not required to 
          be applied to options granted prior to July 1, 1995, therefore, the 
          pro forma compensation cost may not be representative of that to be 
          expected in future years. Compensation cost for 1998 includes 
          options granted during a three-year period.

          For the purpose of computing the pro forma effects of stock option 
          grants under the fair value accounting method, the fair value of 
          each stock option grant was estimated on the date of the grant 
          using the Binomial Method pricing model. The weighted-average fair 
          value of stock options granted during 1998 was $8.35. The following 
          weighted average assumptions were used for grants during the years 
          ended June 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998:

<TABLE>

<S>                                                   <C>
Risk-free interest rate                                 6.5%
Expected life                                         10 years
Expected volatility                                      15%
Dividend yield                                           Nil
</TABLE>


12.       EARNINGS PER SHARE

          In February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 128, "EARNINGS PER 
          SHARE". This Statement established new standards for computing and 
          presenting earnings per share ("EPS") and applies to entities with 
          publicly held common stock or potential common stock. It replaces 
          the presentation of primary EPS with a presentation of basic EPS 
          and also requires that entities with simple capital structures, 
          that is, those with only common stock outstanding, shall present 
          basic per-share amounts for income from continuing operations and 
          for net income on the face of the statement of income. In addition 
          the Statement requires dual presentation of basic and diluted EPS 
          on the face of the statement of income for entities with complex 
          capital structures and requires a reconciliation of the numerator 
          and denominator of the basic EPS computation to the numerator and 
          denominator of the diluted EPS computation.

          The Company was required to adopt SFAS No. 128 effective for the 
          year ended June 30, 1998. EPS for the prior periods have been 
          restated according to the new standard. Following is a 
          reconciliation of basic and diluted EPS for the years ended June 
          30, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.


                                       F-23

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                         1996                          1997                               1998
                          --------------------------------   ----------------------------   ----------------------------------
<S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>      <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
                                     WEIGHTED     EARNINGS            WEIGHTED    EARNINGS               WEIGHTED    EARNINGS
                           NET        AVERAGE      PER        NET      AVERAGE      PER       NET        AVERAGE       PER
                          INCOME      SHARES       SHARE     INCOME    SHARES      SHARE     INCOME      SHARES       SHARE

Basic EPS                $21,326,000  5,510,410    $ 3.87   $9,728,000  5,796,281  $ 1.68    $12,765,000  8,167,285   $ 1.56

Effect of dilutive
 securities -
 stock options                            6,187                            34,414   (0.01)                   51,401    (0.01)
                         -----------  ---------    ------   ----------  ---------  ------    -----------  ---------   ------
Diluted EPS              $21,326,000  5,516,597    $ 3.87   $9,728,000  5,830,695  $ 1.67    $12,765,000  8,218,686   $ 1.55
                         -----------  ---------    ------   ----------  ---------  ------    -----------  ---------   ------
                         -----------  ---------    ------   ----------  ---------  ------    -----------  ---------   ------
</TABLE>

13.       QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

          Quarterly financial information for the periods ended June 30, 1998 
          and 1997 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1998

                                           --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               FIRST            SECOND            THIRD            FOURTH
                                           --------------   ---------------   --------------   ----------------
                                                          (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                           <C>             <C>                 <C>              <C>
Net sales                                     $ 68,796         $ 84,435           $ 91,623          $ 128,914
Gross profit                                     9,212           12,663             14,120             19,493
Operating income                                 3,688            5,176              7,638              9,338
Net income                                       1,825            2,390              3,913              4,637
Earnings per common share:
  Basic                                           0.22             0.29               0.48               0.57
  Diluted                                         0.22             0.29               0.48               0.56


<CAPTION>

                                                                YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997

                                           --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               FIRST            SECOND            THIRD            FOURTH
                                           --------------   ---------------   --------------   ----------------
                                                          (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                           <C>             <C>                 <C>              <C>
Net sales                                     $ 48,998         $ 61,622           $ 66,313          $ 68,836
Gross profit                                     6,641           10,111             11,976            13,655
Operating income                                 2,238            4,963              5,794             7,197
Net income                                         941            2,371              2,862             3,554
Earnings per common share:
  Basic                                           0.17             0.43               0.52              0.54
  Diluted                                         0.17             0.43               0.51              0.54
</TABLE>


          The aggregate total of the individual quarterly amounts may not 
          equal the amount reported for the fiscal year due to rounding.

14.       PENSION PLANS

          The Company sponsors separate defined benefit pension plans for 
          certain of its salaried and hourly employees. Employees are 
          eligible to participate on the date of employment with vesting 
          after five years of service. Benefits for hourly employees are 
          determined based on years of credited service multiplied by a 
          benefit formula or unit. Benefits for salaried employees are 
          determined based on credited service and employee earnings.

                                       F-24


<PAGE>


          Pension expense for the defined benefit plans is presented below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1996          1997          1998
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>           <C>

Service costs                                      $  717        $  929         $ 1,018
Interest costs                                      1,961         2,389           2,851
Actual return on net assets                        (4,302)       (3,308)         (8,263)
Net deferral items                                  2,559           810           5,141
                                                   ------        ------         -------

                                                   $  935        $  820         $   747
                                                   ------        ------         -------
                                                   ------        ------         -------
</TABLE>

          The pension plans' assets (primarily U. S. Government securities, 
          common stock and corporate bonds) are deposited with a bank. A 
          comparison of projected benefit obligation and plan assets at fair 
          value as of June 30, 1997 and 1998 is presented below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1997                                       1998
                                  ------------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------
                                     ASSETS EXCEED          ACCUMULATED          ASSETS EXCEED       ACCUMULATED
                                      ACCUMULATED             BENEFITS            ACCUMULATED         BENEFITS
                                       BENEFITS             EXCEED ASSETS          BENEFITS         EXCEED ASSETS
<S>                                  <C>                    <C>                  <C>                <C>

Actuarial present value of:
  Vested benefit obligation           $ (27,221)             $ (5,295)            $ (201,369)        $ (7,322)
                                      ---------              --------             ----------         --------
  Accumulated benefit
    obligation                        $ (28,120)             $ (5,509)            $ (202,511)        $ (7,638)
                                      ---------              --------             ----------         --------

  Projected benefit obligation        $ (32,131)             $ (5,509)            $ (234,221)        $ (7,682)

  Plan assets at fair value              31,579                 4,782                242,510            6,250
                                      ---------              --------             ----------         --------

  Projected benefit obligation
    in excess of plan assets               (552)                 (727)                 8,289           (1,432)

  Unrecognized prior
    service costs                           118                    79                    105               74

  Unrecognized net obligation                (3)                                         196             (190)

  Unrecognized net (gain)/loss             (277)                 (152)                  (809)             397

  Additional liability                                            (42)                                   (407)
                                      ---------              --------             ----------         --------

  Accrued pension asset (liability)      $ (714)               $ (842)               $ 7,781         $ (1,558)
                                      ---------              --------             ----------         --------

The actuarial valuation was prepared assuming:

  Discount rate                                      7.75 %                                   6.75 %
  Expected long-term rate of
    return on plan assets                            9.00 %                                   9.00 %
  Salary increases per year                          5.00 %                                   5.00 %

</TABLE>

                                       F-25

<PAGE> 


          In accordance with SFAS No. 87, the Company has recorded an 
          additional minimum pension liability for underfunded plans of $42 
          and $407 at June 30, 1997 and 1998, respectively, representing the 
          excess of unfunded accumulated benefit obligations over previously 
          recorded pension cost liabilities. A corresponding amount is 
          recognized as an intangible asset except to the extent that these 
          additional liabilities exceed related unrecognized prior service 
          cost and net transition obligation, in which case the increase in 
          liabilities is charged directly to stockholders' equity. For 1997, 
          $293 of the excess minimum pension liability resulted in a credit 
          to equity, net of income taxes of $187.

          In addition, the Company sponsors a defined contribution 401(k) 
          benefit plan covering certain of its salaried employees who have 
          attained age 21 and have completed one year of service. The Company 
          matches 75% of employee contributions up to 8% of an employee's 
          salary. Employees vest in the Company matching contributions after 
          five years. The cost of the Company's contribution was $429, $452 
          and $535 for the years ended June 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998, 
          respectively.

          The Company's subsidiaries, Prospect Foundry, LA Die Casting and 
          Jahn Foundry contributed $189, $274 and $345 for the fiscal years 
          ended June 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively, to multiemployer 
          pension plans for employees covered by a collective bargaining 
          agreement. These plans are not administered by the Company and 
          contributions are determined in accordance with provisions of 
          negotiated labor contracts. Information with respect to the 
          Company's proportionate share of the excess of the actuarially 
          computed value of vested benefits over the total of the pension 
          plans' net assets is not available from the plans' administrators. 
          The Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1980 (the "Act") 
          significantly increased the pension responsibilities of 
          participating employers. Under the provisions of the Act, if the 
          plans terminate or the Company withdraws, the Company may be 
          subject to a substantial "withdrawal liability." As of the date of 
          the most current unaudited information submitted by the plan's 
          administrators (December 31, 1997), no withdrawal liabilities exist.

          The Company also has various other profit sharing plans. Costs of 
          such plans charged against earnings were $878, $553 and $913 for 
          the years ended June 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.


                                       F-26

<PAGE>

15.       POSTRETIREMENT OBLIGATION OTHER THAN PENSION

          The Company provides certain health care and life insurance 
          benefits to certain of its retired employees. SFAS No. 106, 
          "EMPLOYER'S ACCOUNTING FOR POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN 
          PENSIONS," requires the Company to accrue the estimated cost of 
          retiree benefit payments during the years the employee provides 
          services. The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and the 
          accrued postretirement benefit cost as of June 30, 1997 and 1998 is 
          as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1997           1998
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
  Retirees                                                       $ 1,231        $ 2,246
  Fully eligible active plan participants                            742          2,159
  Other active plan participants                                   4,428          5,238
                                                                 -------        -------
                                                                   6,401          9,643

Plan assets at fair value                                        -------        -------

Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
  in excess of plan assets                                         6,401          9,643

Unrecognized net loss                                             (1,535)        (2,894)
Unrecognized prior service cost                                      978            847
                                                                 -------        -------

Accrued postretirement benefit cost                              $ 5,844        $ 7,596
                                                                 -------        -------
                                                                 -------        -------
</TABLE>


                                       F-27

<PAGE>


          Net postretirement benefit cost for the years ended June 30, 1996, 
          1997 and 1998 consisted of the following components:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         1996         1997         1998
<S>                                                                     <C>          <C>          <C>

Service cost - benefits earned during the year                          $ 223        $ 289        $ 386
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement
  benefit obligation                                                      328          429          599
Amortization of prior service cost                                       (132)         (69)         (63)
Amortization of loss                                                        7
                                                                        -----        -----        -----
                                                                        $ 426        $ 649        $ 922
                                                                        -----        -----        -----
                                                                        -----        -----        -----

</TABLE>


          The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring the 
          accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for pre-age 65 
          benefits as of June 30, 1998 was 8.9% decreasing each successive 
          year until it reaches 5.0% in 2018, after which it remains 
          constant. The assumed rate used for post-age 65 benefits was 8.4% 
          decreasing each successive year until it reaches 5.0% in 2023. A 
          one-percentage-point increase in the assumed health care cost trend 
          rate for each year would increase the accumulated postretirement 
          benefit obligation as of June 30, 1998 by approximately $1,485 
          (15.4%) and the aggregate of the service and interest cost 
          components of the net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the 
          year then ended by approximately $173 (17.6%). The assumed discount 
          rate used in determining the accumulated postretirement obligation 
          as of June 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998 was 7.5%, 7.75% and 6.75%, 
          respectively, and the assumed discount rate used in determining the 
          service cost and interest cost for the years ended June 30, 1996, 
          1997 and 1998 was 7.5%, 7.5% and 7.75%, respectively.

16.       OPERATING LEASES

          The Company leases certain buildings, equipment, automobiles and 
          trucks, all accounted for as operating leases, on an as needed 
          basis to fulfill general purposes. Total rental expense was $544, 
          $657 and $1,006 for the years ended June 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998, 
          respectively. Long-term, noncancelable operating leases having an 
          initial or remaining term in excess of one year require minimum 
          rental payments as follows:


<TABLE>

<S>                                                               <C>
1999                                                              $ 1,115
2000                                                                  824
2001                                                                  530
2002                                                                  435
2003                                                                  162
</TABLE>

                                       F-28

<PAGE>


17.       MAJOR CUSTOMERS

          The Company's operations are conducted within one business segment 
          and revenues attributable to foreign customers are not material. 
          Net sales to and customer accounts receivable from major customers 
          are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        AMOUNT OF NET SALES
                         -----------------------------------------------------
                              1996               1997              1998
                         ----------------   ----------------  ----------------
<S>                         <C>                <C>               <C>
Customer A                  $ 24,822           $ 30,232          $ 27,713
Customer B                    13,396             12,165            39,999
                            --------           --------          --------
                            $ 38,218           $ 42,397          $ 67,712
                            --------           --------          --------
                            --------           --------          --------

<CAPTION>
                                                        CUSTOMER
                                                        ACCOUNTS
                                                       RECEIVABLE

                                           -----------------------------------
                                                 1997               1998
<S>                                             <C>                <C>
Customer A                                     $ 4,966            $  4,283
Customer B                                         823               7,249
                                               -------             -------

                                               $ 5,789            $ 11,532
                                               -------             -------
                                               -------             -------
</TABLE>


18.       GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

          The Company operates in three geographic regions, the United 
          States, Europe and Canada. The following is a summary of local 
          operations by geographic region at June 30:
     
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         UNITED
                                                         STATES          EUROPE          CANADA           TOTAL

<S>                                                    <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  1998                                                 $ 310,235        $ 37,607        $ 25,926        $ 373,768
  1997                                                   219,239                          26,530          245,769
  1996                                                   166,831                          18,250          185,081

Operating income
  1998                                                    21,666           1,997           2,177           25,840
  1997                                                    17,369                           2,823           20,192
  1996                                                    38,641                            (182)          38,459

Identifiable assets
  1998                                                   228,075         103,604          14,460          346,139
  1997                                                   196,812                          16,596          213,408
  1996                                                   151,108                          11,076          162,184
</TABLE>


          Sales to unaffiliated customers are those sales of the Company that 
          are identified with the operations in each geographic region.

          Operating income is gross profit less operating expenses.

                                       F-29

<PAGE>


          Identifiable assets are those assets of the Company that are 
          identified with the operations in each geographic region.

          Of the $310,235, $219,239, and $166,831, U.S. sales, $27,259, 
          $16,001 and $16,179, respectively, were export sales to 
          unaffiliated customers, principally located in Canada.

19.       ADDITIONAL CASH FLOWS INFORMATION


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1996           1997          1998
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>            <C>
Cash paid during the year for:
  Interest                                                 $ 2,728        $ 3,346         $ 3,915
  Income taxes                                               6,883          4,269           7,731
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and
    financing activities:

  Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of income
    tax expense of $59, $187 and $0,
    respectively, recorded to stockholders' equity             (82)          (293)
  Recording of other asset related to pension liability        (24)          (209)            365
  Recording of additional pension liability                    175            689            (365)
  Unexpended bond funds                                      1,198           (679)           (519)
</TABLE>


20.       OTHER INCOME

          Other income in fiscal 1996 includes $11,087 of payments received 
          by the Company from its insurance carrier in final settlement of 
          the business interruption portion of the Company's insurance claim. 
          Other income also includes $16,231 of payments received in the 
          fourth quarter from the Company's insurance carrier in final 
          settlement of the casualty and property damage portion of the 
          Company's insurance claim. The Company's claim was a result of the 
          July 1993 Missouri River flood. As of June 30, 1996, 1997, and 1998 
          the Company has recorded $6,946, $6,773, and $5,932 respectively, 
          in reserves against future repair expenses which have been 
          classified as accrued expenses.

21.       SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

          On August 12, 1998, the Company announced that its Board of 
          Directors had authorized a stock repurchase program of up to 
          1,200,000 shares of common stock and is considering the issuance of 
          up to $100 million of senior subordinated notes, subject to market 
          conditions.

          Effective September 1, 1998, the Company purchased 90% of the 
          outstanding shares of London Precision Machine & Tool Ltd. ("London 
          Precision") for U.S. $13.7 million cash, subject to adjustment. 
          London Precision, located in London, Ontario, Canada, is an 
          industrial machine shop which serves the locomotive, mining and 
          construction, pulp and paper markets, among others. The Company 
          financed this transaction with funds available under its revolving 
          credit facility.
                                          
                                       ******
                                          
                                       F-30

                                          
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT
- -------
<S>       <C>
2.1(a)    The Offer Document from ACUK to the stockholders of Sheffield dated
          April 6, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Form 8-K
          filed April 16, 1998)

2.1(b)    Deed of Warranty and Undertaking in respect of Sheffield and its
          Subsidiaries dated April 6, 1998 by and among Phillip Montague Wright,
          Malcom Arthur Brand and David Fletcher and ACUK (incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 2.2 of Form 8-K filed April 16, 1998)

3.1       Articles of Incorporation of Atchison Casting Corporation, a Kansas
          corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's
          Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1994)

3.2       By-Laws of Atchison Casting Corporation, a Kansas corporation
          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Quarterly
          Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1994)

4.0       Long-term debt instruments of the Company in amounts not exceeding 10%
          of the total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries on a
          consolidated basis will be furnished to the Commission upon request

4.1(a)    The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of April 3, 1998,
          among the Company, the Banks party thereto and Harris Trust and
          Savings Bank, as Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1(a) of
          Form 8-K filed April 16, 1998)

4.1(b)    Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of April 3, 1998, between the
          Company and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Agent (incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4.1(b) of Form 8-K filed April 16, 1998)

4.2(a)    Note Purchase Agreement dated as of July 29, 1994 between the Company
          and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America pursuant to
          which the Company's 8.44% Senior Notes due 2004 were issued
          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company's Annual
          Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1994)

4.2(b)    First Amendment dated as of March 8, 1996 to the Note Purchase
          Agreement dated July 29, 1994, between the Company and Teachers
          Insurance and Annuity Association of America (incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
          dated March 25, 1996)

4.2(c)    Second Amendment dated as of May 24, 1996 to the Note Purchase
          Agreement dated July 29, 1994, between the Company and Teachers
          Insurance and Annuity Association of America (incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4.2(c) of the Company's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996)

4.2(d)    Third Amendment dated as of April 3, 1998 to the Note Purchase
          Agreement dated July 29, 1994 between the Company and Teachers
          Insurance and Annuity Association of America (incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Form 8-K filed April 16, 1998)

<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT
- -------

4.3       Specimen stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3
          of Amendment No. 2 to Form S-2 Registration Statement No. 333-25157
          filed May 19, 1997)

10.1(a)*  Employment Agreement between the Company and Hugh H. Aiken dated as of
          June 14, 1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form S-1
          Registration Statement No. 33-67774 filed August 23, 1993)

10.1(b)*  Amendment No. 1 dated as of September 27, 1993 to Employment Agreement
          between the Company and Hugh H. Aiken (incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10.1(b) of Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1 Registration Statement
          No. 33-67774 filed September 27, 1993)

10.2*     Atchison Casting 1993 Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated by reference
          to Exhibit 10.7 of Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-67774 filed
          August 23, 1993)

10.3      Confidentiality and Noncompetition Agreements by and among the Company
          and executive officers of the Company (incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10.8 of Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-67774 filed
          August 23, 1993)

10.4*     Atchison Casting Non-Employee Director Option Plan (incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
          for the year ended June 30, 1994)

10.5*     Employment Incentive Stock Agreement dated as of April 1, 1994 by and
          between Prospect Foundry, Inc., Atchison Casting Corporation and
          Richard J. Sitarz (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the
          Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
          September 30, 1994)

10.6*     Plan for conversion of subsidiary stock to Atchison Casting
          Corporation stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the
          Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
          September 30, 1994)

10.7      Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of December 30, 1996 by and among
          Kramer, James Stott and David Jungen (incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
          quarter ended December 31, 1996)

<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT
- -------

10.8      Intermediary Fee Agreement between Riverside Partners, Inc. and the
          Company dated February 17, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
          10.16 of Form S-2 Registration Statement No. 333-25157 filed May 19,
          1997)

10.9      The Share Exchange Agreement dated April 6, 1998 in respect of the
          ordinary shares of Sheffield by and among David Fletcher and others,
          ACUK and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of
          Form 8-K filed April 16, 1998)

10.10(a)* Service Agreement between Sheffield and David Fletcher dated November
          1, 1988

10.10(b)* Novation Agreement between Sheffield and David Fletcher dated May 2,
          1996.

10.10(c)* Letter Agreement between Sheffield and David Fletcher dated May 2,
          1996.

21.1      Subsidiaries of the Company

23.1      Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

27.1      Financial Data Schedule - Fiscal year ended FY 1998

27.2      Financial Data Schedule - Qtrs. 1, 2 and 3 of FY 1998

27.3      Financial Data Schedule - Fiscal year ended FY 1997, and Qtrs. 1, 2
          and 3 of FY 1997
- --------
*  Represents a management contract or a compensatory plan or arrangement.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

DATED 31 OCTOBER, 1988





                              LAVISHTRACK LIMITED


                                      and


                                DAVID FLETCHER





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

                               SERVICE AGREEMENT

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





                          LINKLATERS & PAINES, (PDSK)
                               Barrington House,
                             59-67 Gresham Street,
                               London EC2V 7JA.

<PAGE>

     THIS AGREEMENT is made on 31st October, 1988 BETWEEN Lavishtrack Limited 
whose registered office is at 100 Fetter Lane, London EC4 (hereinafter called 
"the Company") of the one part and David Fletcher of 19 Stoneybrook Close, 
West Bretton, Wakefield, WP 4TP (hereinafter called "the Employee") of the 
other part.

     IT IS AGREED as follows: -

1.   THE Company HEREBY AGREES to employ the Employee and the Employee HEREBY 
AGREES to act as an Executive of the Company or with the consent of the 
Employee (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) in such other office 
or offices as the Board of Directors of the Company may from time to time 
direct (such other office or offices not to be of lower status than the 
Employee's original office hereunder).

2.   THIS Agreement shall commence on 1st November, 1988 and shall continue 
until terminated by the Company giving to the Employee previous notice of not 
less than 12 months or by the Employee giving to the Company previous notice 
of not less than 6 months.

3.   (A)  THE Employee shall devote the whole of his time, attention and 
skill to the duties of his office during normal business hours unless 
prevented by ill health and shall faithfully and diligently perform such 
duties and exercise such powers as may from time to time be reasonably 
assigned to or vested in him bearing in mind his status and shall obey all 
reasonable and lawful directions given to him by or under the authority of 
the Board of Directors and shall do all that is reasonably within his


                                     - 1 -
<PAGE>

powers to promote the interests of the Company and the subsidiaries of the 
Company.  The Employee hereby agrees that the Company shall be entitled from 
time to time without any further consent from the Employee to provide his 
services hereunder to any subsidiary of the Company without prejudice to the 
rights of the Employee hereunder or other the provisions of this Agreement.

     (B)  The Employee shall not during the continuance of his employment 
hereunder (except as a representative of the Company or any of its 
subsidiaries or with the consent in writing of the Board of Directors of the 
Company) be directly or indirectly engaged or concerned in the conduct of any 
other business nor shall he (without such consent) be directly or indirectly 
interested in any such business save through his holding or being interested 
in investments (quoted or unquoted) not representing more than 5 per cent. of 
the issued equity share capital of any class of any one company.

     (C)  The Employee shall not be obliged (except for occasional visits in 
the ordinary course of his duties) to go or to reside outside the United 
Kingdom.  His normal place of work shall be within 25 miles of his current 
residence.

4.   (A)  THE Employee shall not use, divulge or communicate to any person 
(other than those whose province it is to know the same or with proper 
authority) any of the trade secrets or other confidential information of the 
Company including in particular lists or details of customers of the Company 
(both current and those who were customers during the two years immediately 
preceding the date of this Agreement) which he may (whether


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

heretofore or hereafter) have received or obtained while in the service of 
the Company or any of its subsidiaries.  This restriction shall continue to 
apply after the termination of his employment without limit in point of time 
but shall cease to apply to information or knowledge which may come into the 
public domain otherwise than through unauthorized disclosure by the Employee.

     (B)  The provisions of sub-clause (A) of this Clause shall apply 
mutatis mutandis in relation to each of the subsidiaries of the Company to 
trade secrets or confidential information which the Employee may have 
received or obtained while in the service of the Company or any of its 
subsidiaries and the Employee shall further upon the request of any such 
company enter into a separate agreement or undertaking with such company to 
the like effect.

     (C)  The Employee shall observe such reasonable regulations as may from 
time to time be promulgated by the Board of Directors of the Company in 
relation to dealing in securities by employees of the Company.

5.   (A)  THE Company shall pay to the Employee during the continuance of his 
employment hereunder a salary at the rate of L60,000 per annum (or such 
higher rate as may from time to time be agreed or determined upon following 
annual reviews, approved by the Directors appointed under Article 18 of the 
Articles of Association of the Company and notified by the Company to the 
Employee).  If any increase of salary is so agreed or notified the increase 
shall thereafter have effect as if it were specifically provided for as a 
term of this Agreement.  Such salary shall be inclusive of any other sums 
receivable as Director's fees or other


                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

remuneration from the Company or any of its subsidiaries and to give effect 
to this provision either the Employee shall pay over or procure to be paid 
over to the Company all such fees or other remuneration received or 
receivable by him from the Company or any of its subsidiaries or his 
remuneration hereunder shall be reduced pro tanto or partly one and partly 
the other. The said salary shall be payable by equal monthly payments in 
arrear on the last day of each month and shall accrue from day to day.

     (B)   The Company shall provide a motor car for the use of the Employee 
for the performance of his duties in accordance with the Company's scales of 
eligibility for the time being in force and the Employee shall accordingly be 
obliged to use the same as may be necessary. The Company shall bear the cost 
of maintaining, insuring, testing and taxing the same. The Employee shall 
ensure that at all times when the car is driven on a road it is in the state 
and condition required by law and that if so required a current test 
certificate is in force in respect of it. The Employee shall also at all 
times be the holder of a current driving licence entitling him to drive motor 
cars in the United Kingdom and shall produce it to the Company on request. 
The Company shall pay for such reasonable private use of the car (and fuel in 
respect thereof) as the Board of Directors may determine.

     (C)   There shall be refunded to the Employee all out-of-pocket expenses 
properly incurred by him in the performance of his duties including expenses 
of entertainment, subsistence and travelling. The Employee shall produce to 
the Company at its request all supporting vouchers and documents in respect 
of such expenses.


                                     - 4 -

<PAGE>

     (D)   The Employee shall conform to such hours of work as may from time 
to time reasonably be required of him and shall not be entitled to receive 
any additional remuneration for work outside his normal hours. The Employee 
shall be entitled without loss of remuneration to 25 working days of holiday 
in each year (in addition to Bank and other public holidays) to be taken at 
such time or times as may be approved by the Board of Directors.

     (E)   During any period of absence from work due to sickness or accident 
there shall be deducted from the remuneration of the Employee the amount of 
income benefit which he is entitled to claim in consequence of such sickness 
or accident under the National Insurance Scheme for the time being in force.

     (F)   The Employee subject to the Rules for the time being applicable 
thereto shall be required during the continuance of his employment to be a 
member of Sheffield Forgemasters Senior Executive Pension Scheme (or other 
Scheme, if any, for the time being applicable generally to full-time officers 
or employees of the Company or a category thereof including the Employee). 
Changes in the Rules of the applicable Scheme (if any) will be notified in 
writing to the Employee within one month and copies of the Rules of such 
Scheme as for the time being in force will be made available to the Employee 
for inspection on application to the Secretary of the Company.

     (G)   The Employee shall be entitled at the expense of the Company to 
participate in the Company's Group Scheme for private health insurance for 
the benefit of himself, his wife and children up to 18 years of age or 
thereafter if the children are in full-time education.


                                     - 5 -

<PAGE>

6.   (A)   THIS Agreement shall be subject to termination by the Company:

     (i)   by not less than three months' notice given at any time while the 
     Employee is incapacitated by reason of ill-health, addiction to alcohol 
     or any drug, physical or mental disability or accident from performing 
     his duties hereunder and shall have been so incapacitated for a total 
     period of twelve months or more (whether or not consecutive) in the 
     preceding twenty-four months; and

     (ii)  by summary notice if the Employee shall have committed any serious 
     breach or have repeated or have continued (after warning) any material 
     breach of his obligations hereunder which in either case is materially 
     detrimental to the Company's interest or shall have been guilty of 
     gross misconduct tending to bring himself, the Company, its business or 
     any of its subsidiaries into disrepute or shall have committed an act of 
     bankruptcy or compounded with his creditors generally.

     (B)   If the Employee shall cease to be a Director of the Company this 
Agreement shall not thereby automatically determine.

     (C)   If the Employee shall be found to have committed a breach of 
Clause 4 of the Subscription Agreement dated 10th May, 1988 (as amended) 
between the Company and certain of its shareholders (including the Employee) 
under which a claim is payable by the Employee this Agreement shall 
automatically determine forthwith.

     (D)   If the Employee shall be found to have repeated or have continued 


                                     - 6 -

<PAGE>

(after warning) any material breach of his obligations under the said 
Subscription Agreement which in either case is materially detrimental to the 
interests of the Company or of any Subscriber (as defined therein) this 
Agreement shall automatically determine forthwith.

7.   UPON the termination of this Agreement howsoever arising the Employee 
shall:-

     (a)  at any time or from time to time thereafter upon the request of the 
     Company, resign without claim for compensation from office as a Director 
     of the Company and all offices held by him in subsidiaries of the 
     Company and should he fail to do so the Company is hereby irrevocably 
     authorized to appoint some person in his name and on his behalf to sign 
     and do any documents or things necessary or requisite to give effect 
     thereto;

     (b)  deliver to the Board of Directors all documents (including 
     correspondence, lists of clients or customers, notes, memoranda, plans, 
     drawings and other documents of whatsoever nature) made or compiled by 
     or delivered to the Employee during his employment hereunder and 
     concerning the business, finances or affairs of the Company and its 
     subsidiaries. For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that the 
     property in all such documents as aforesaid shall at all times be vested 
     in the Company or the appropriate subsidiary.

8.   IN this Agreement:-

     (i)  words and phrases defined for the purposes of Section 736 or 
     Section 744 of the Companies Act 1985 shall bear the same meaning;


                                     - 7 -

<PAGE>

     (ii)  "the Board of Directors" includes any duly appointed committee 
     thereof.

9.   NOTICES by either party must be given by letter or by telex message 
(confirmed by letter) addressed to the other party at (in the case of the 
Company) its registered office for the time being and (in the case of the 
Employee) his last known address and any such notice given by letter or telex 
message shall be deemed to have been given at the time at which the letter or 
telex message would be delivered in the ordinary course of post or 
transmission as the case may be.

10.  THE employment of the Employee by the Company commenced on 1st November, 
1988 and the Employee's employment with Sheffield Forgemasters Ltd counts as 
part of a period of continuous employment. Such further information as is not 
contained herein and as is required to be included in a written statement of 
the terms of employment of the Employee in compliance with the provisions of 
Part I of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 as amended from 
time to time including any disciplinary rules applicable to the Employee and 
the procedures for and consequent upon applying for the redress of grievance 
and dissatisfaction with any disciplinary action taken against him are set 
out in notices obtainable from the Secretary of the Company.

11.  THIS Agreement supercedes any other agreement for the employment of the 
Employee by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (without prejudice to any 
accrued rights thereunder, including rights in relation to bonus).

12.  THE expiration or determination of this Agreement howsoever arising


                                     - 8 -

<PAGE>

shall not operate to affect such of the provisions as in accordance with their 
terms are expressed to operate or have effect thereafter.

     IN WITNESS whereof this Agreement has been entered into the day and year 
first above written.


SIGNED by P. Wright  )
for and on behalf of )
LAVISHTRACK LIMITED  )    /s/P. M. Wright
in the presence of:- )

   G. Solomons
   Solicitor
   100 Fetter Lane

SIGNED by the said  )
David Fletcher      )      /s/D. Fletcher
in the presence of:-)

    G. Solomons
    Solicitor
    100 Fetter Lane


                                     - 9 -


<PAGE>

DATED 2 MAY 1996


                        SHEFFIELD FORGEMASTERS LIMITED
                    (formerly known as Lavishtrack Limited)

                                    - and -

                                  D FLETCHER

                                    - and -

                       SHEFFIELD FORGEMASTERS GROUP PLC
                     (formerly known as Impactmargin plc)


                    ---------------------------------------
                              NOVATION AGREEMENT
                                      RE
                               SERVICE CONTRACT
                    ---------------------------------------







                                                            -----------
                                                            DIBB LUPTON
                                                             BROOMHEAD
                                                            -SOLICITORS-

<PAGE>

THIS AGREEMENT is made the 2 day of May 1996 BETWEEN:

(1)  SHEFFIELD FORGEMASTERS LIMITED (formerly known as Lavishtrack Limited) 
     (Company No 2245637) whose registered office is at PO Box 108, The Old 
     Rectory, School Hill, Whiston, Rotherham S60 IQR ("SFL");
(2)  DAVID FLETCHER of Dearne Mill House, 19A Cuckstool Road, Denby Dale, 
     Huddersfield HD8 8RF (the "Executive"); and
(3)  SHEFFIELD FORGEMASTERS GROUP PLC (Company No 3120721) (formerly known as 
     Impactmargin plc) whose registered office is at PO Box 108, The Old 
     Rectory, School Hill, Whiston, Rotherham S60 1AR ("SFL Group").

WHEREAS:
(A)  This Novation Agreement is supplemental to a service agreement (the 
     "Service Agreement") dated 31 October 1988 between SFL and the Executive.
(B)  SFL Group made an Offer (the "Offer") for the ordinary share capital of 
     SFL on the terms of an Offer Document dated 18 March 1996.  As a result 
     of such offer, SFL Group has become the holding company of SFL, and it 
     has been agreed that the Service Agreement be novated so that SFL Group 
     becomes the employer in place of SFL.

IT IS NOW AGREED as follows:
1.   SFL GROUP'S UNDERTAKING
     SFL Group undertakes to perform the Service Agreement and to be bound by 
     the terms of the Service Agreement in every way as if SFL Group were a 
     party to the Service Agreement in lieu of SFL.

2.   RELEASE OF SFL
     The Executive releases and discharges SFL from all claims and demands 
     whatsoever in respect of the Service Agreement and accepts the liability 
     of SFL Group under the Service Agreement in lieu of the liability of SFL 
     and agrees to be bound by the


                                       2

<PAGE>

     terms of the Service Agreement in every way as if SFL Group were named 
     in the Service Agreement as a party in place of SFL.

IN WITNESS whereof this Agreement has been entered into the day and year 
first above written.


SIGNED by M.A. BRAND               )
for and on behalf of SHEFFIELD     )
FORGEMASTERS LIMITED in the        )  /s/ M.A. Brand
presence of:                       )


Witness:                              /s/ A. Deruci
                                      ----------------------------
Address:                              Fountain Precinct
                                      Bob Grace Sheffield SIIRE
                                      Solicitor


SIGNED by the EXECUTIVE in the     )  /s/ David Fletcher
presence of:                       )  ----------------------------


Witness:                              /s/ A. Deruci
                                      ----------------------------
Address:                              as above


SIGNED by                          )
for and on behalf of SHEFFIELD     )
FORGEMASTERS GROUP PLC in the      )  /s/ M.A. Brand
presence of:                       )


Witness:                              /s/ A. Deruci
                                      ----------------------------
Address:                              as above






                                       3


<PAGE>

                       SHEFFIELD FORGEMASTERS GROUP PLC
                         REGISTERED IN ENGLAND & WALES
                                  NO 3120721
                                  PO BOX 108
                                THE OLD RECTORY
                                  SCHOOL HILL
                                    WHISTON
                                   ROTHERHAM
                                    S60 1QR

Mr D Fletcher
Dearne Mill House
19A Cuckstool Road
Denby Dale
HUDDERSFIELD
HD8 8RF

                                                                     2 May 1996

Dear David

YOUR SERVICE CONTRACT DATED 31 OCTOBER 1988 (THE "SERVICE CONTRACT")

I refer to your Service Contract that has been novated to us and set out 
below the arrangements that we have agreed in relation to outside interests.

Notwithstanding clauses 3(A) and (B) of the Service Contract, the Company 
consents to:

1.  you being engaged, concerned or interested in other business activities 
    whether by way of investment or otherwise (including directorships); and

2.  your holding shares in quoted or unquoted companies in excess of 5% of 
    the issued share capital of such company or any class of its shares

provided that:

    (a)  (in relation to unquoted securities only and in the case of holdings 
         of quoted companies in excess of as 5% defined above) such companies 
         are not operating in competition with the Company or any of its 
         subsidiaries;

    (b)  (in relation to unquoted securities only and in the case of holdings 
         of quoted companies in excess of as 5% defined above) such companies 
         are not material suppliers to the group;

<PAGE>

    (c)  you do not have day-to-day executive responsibility for its 
         business; and

    (d)  any directorship is in a non-executive capacity.

Please countersign the copy of this letter enclosed by way of agreement to 
the above.

By countersigning this letter the Investor Directors approve the above for 
the purposes of clause 3.1.17 of the Shareholders' Agreement dated 15 March 
1996.

Yours sincerely

/s/ P.M. Wright
- -----------------------------
Director


We consent to the above:

- -----------------------------                   -------------------------------
Investor Director                               Investor Director



I agree to the above:

/s/ D Fletcher                                  Date                       1996
- -----------------------------                       -----------------------
D Fletcher


<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT 21.1

                           SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY


                  SUBSIDIARY                            STATE OF INCORPORATION
                  ----------                            ----------------------

     Amite Foundry and Machine, Inc.                         Louisiana

     Prospect Foundry, Inc.                                  Minnesota

     Quaker Alloy, Inc.                                      Pennsylvania

     Canadian Steel Foundries Ltd.                           Quebec, Canada

     Kramer International, Inc.                              Wisconsin

     Empire Steel Castings, Inc.                             Pennsylvania

     La Grange Foundry Inc.                                  Missouri

     The G&C Foundry Company                                 Ohio

     Los Angeles Die Casting Inc.                            California

     Canada Alloy Castings, Ltd.                             Ontario, Canada

     Pennsylvania Steel Foundry &
      Machine Company                                        Pennsylvania

     Jahn Foundry Corp.                                      Massachusetts

     PrimeCast, Inc.                                         Wisconsin

     Inverness Castings Group, Inc.                          Delaware

     Sheffield Forgemasters Group Limited                    England

     Claremont Foundry, Inc.                                 Delaware

     London Precision Machine & Tool Ltd.                    Ontario, Canada


<PAGE>
                                       
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement 
Numbers 33-74602, 33-81908, 33-91566 and 333-47477 of Atchison Casting 
Corporation on Form S-8 of our report dated August 14, 1998 
(September 3, 1998 with respect to Note 21), appearing in this Annual Report 
on Form 10-K of Atchison Casting Corporation for the year ended June 30, 1998.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
- ----------------------------

Kansas City, Missouri
September 3, 1998


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<PAGE>
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<PAGE>
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<PAGE>
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