FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS INC
S-4/A, 1997-05-21
FABRICATED STRUCTURAL METAL PRODUCTS
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<PAGE>
   
      AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 21, 1997
    
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-24625
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 2
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-4
    
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>                            <C>
              DELAWARE                        3563,3446,3261               36-3931893
  (State or other jurisdiction of      (Primary Standard Industrial     (I.R.S. Employer
   incorporation or organization)      Classification Code Number)    Identification No.)
</TABLE>
 
                           TWO NORTH RIVERSIDE PLAZA
                                   SUITE 1100
                            CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60606
                                 (312) 906-9700
              (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
       including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                                  GUS J. ATHAS
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
                                   SUITE 1100
                           TWO NORTH RIVERSIDE PLAZA
                            CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60606
                                 (312) 906-9700
               (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
               number, including area code, of agent for service)
                           --------------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
       JAMES J. JUNEWICZ, ESQ.                   CHARLES K. MARQUIS, ESQ.
         Mayer, Brown & Platt                  Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
        190 S. LaSalle Street                  200 Park Avenue, 48th Floor
     Chicago, Illinois 60603-3441                New York, New York 10166
            (312) 782-0600                            (212) 351-3914
 
                           --------------------------
 
    APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: AS SOON AS
PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE
CONDITIONS TO THE CONSUMMATION OF THE OFFER HAVE BEEN SATISFIED OR WAIVED.
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. / /
                           --------------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 PROPOSED            PROPOSED
                                              AMOUNT             MAXIMUM             MAXIMUM            AMOUNT OF
        TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF                TO BE           OFFERING PRICE        AGGREGATE          REGISTRATION
    SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED(1)          REGISTERED          PER SHARE         OFFERING PRICE           FEE
<S>                                     <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Class A Common Stock (par value $.01
  per share)..........................      1,034,020           $17.25(2)          $17,836,845          $5,406(3)
</TABLE>
 
(1) This Registration Statement relates to Class A Common Stock of the
    registrant to be retained by holders of the registrant's Class A Common
    Stock in the proposed merger of FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc. with and into
    the registrant, with the registrant continuing as the surviving corporation
    in the merger.
 
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee under
    Rule 457(f) of the Securities Act of 1933.
 
(3) Previously paid.
                           --------------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY THE EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
                           TWO NORTH RIVERSIDE PLAZA
                                   SUITE 1100
                            CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60606
 
   
May 23, 1997
    
 
Dear Fellow Stockholders:
 
    You are invited to attend a special meeting of the stockholders of Falcon
Building Products, Inc. ("Falcon") to vote on the proposed merger (the "Merger")
of Falcon with FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc., a Delaware corporation ("FBP"),
organized on behalf of Investcorp S.A., certain of its affiliates and other
international investors.
 
   
    At the special meeting, Falcon stockholders will be asked to approve and
adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 20, 1997 (the "Merger
Agreement") and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the Merger. The Merger Agreement provides, among other things, for the
merger of FBP with and into Falcon pursuant to which each share of Falcon's
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value per share ("Falcon Class A Stock"), (other
than (i) shares of Falcon Class A Stock held by Falcon, its subsidiaries, FBP or
any of its affiliates, which will be cancelled and retired, and (ii) shares of
Falcon Class A Stock subject to dissenters' rights, which will be treated as
described in the accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus) will be converted, at
the election of the holder thereof, into either (a) the right to receive $17.75
in cash or (b) the right to retain one share of Falcon Class A Stock which, upon
consummation of the Merger, will have those rights, powers, privileges and
restrictions described in the enclosed Proxy Statement/Prospectus, subject to
the requirement that of the 20,048,275 presently issued and outstanding shares
of Falcon Class A Stock, 19,014,255 of such shares must be converted into cash
and 1,034,020 of such shares (subject to the elimination of fractional shares)
must be retained by existing stockholders of Falcon. The approximately 1,034,020
shares of Falcon Class A Stock to be retained by existing Falcon stockholders
will constitute approximately 12% of the equity capital and voting power of the
Company following the Merger.
    
 
    Because the Subject Stockholders (as defined below) have committed to elect
to retain 1,034,020 shares of Falcon Class A Stock, all stockholders who do not
elect to retain Falcon Class A Stock will be assured that they will receive
$17.75 in cash for each share held by such stockholders, and all stockholders
who elect to retain Falcon Class A Stock will experience proration of such
shares, resulting in their retaining only a portion of the shares of Falcon
Class A Stock they elect to retain and receiving $17.75 per share in cash for
each of their other shares of Falcon Class A Stock.
 
    Detailed information concerning the Merger is set forth in the enclosed
Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which you are urged to read carefully. A copy of the
Merger Agreement is attached as Annex I to the enclosed Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.
 
    Holders of Falcon Class A Stock will be entitled to dissenters' rights under
Delaware law in connection with the Merger as described in the accompanying
Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
 
    Approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote
of a majority of the outstanding shares of Falcon Class A Stock held by
stockholders of record on May 5, 1997 (the "Record Date"). As of the Record
Date, Equity Holdings Limited, an Illinois limited partnership ("EHL"),
beneficially owned approximately 69.8% of the outstanding shares of Falcon Class
A Stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. Pursuant to voting agreements
among FBP, Falcon and EHL, and among FBP, Falcon and certain other stockholders
who are members of Falcon's management (collectively with EHL, the "Subject
Stockholders"), each dated as of March 20, 1997 (collectively, the "Voting
Agreements"), the Subject Stockholders have agreed, subject to certain
conditions, to vote their shares in favor of the approval and the adoption of
the Merger Agreement and the Merger. Thus, the requisite vote of the holders of
shares of Falcon Class A Stock to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the
Merger is assured.
<PAGE>
   
    At a meeting on March 20, 1997, Falcon's Board of Directors, and the
non-management members of Falcon's Board of Directors, each unanimously
determined, among other things, that the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the Merger, are fair to and in the best
interests of the stockholders of Falcon. In reaching this determination, the
Board of Directors received and considered the written opinions, dated March 20,
1997, of each of Smith Barney Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, financial advisors to Falcon, to the effect that, as of such date
and based upon and subject to certain matters stated in such opinions, the
consideration to be received in the Merger by holders of Falcon Class A Stock
was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.
    
 
    The Board, and the non-management members of the Board, each unanimously
recommends that holders of Falcon Class A Stock vote FOR the approval and
adoption of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the Merger.
 
   
    The Special Meeting will be held at 270 Park Avenue, 11th Floor, Conference
Room G, New York, New York 10017, on June 17, 1997, beginning at 7:00 a.m., New
York City Time.
    
 
    IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING,
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND PERSONALLY. THEREFORE, YOU SHOULD COMPLETE AND
SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED
POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT YOUR SHARES ARE REPRESENTED AT THE
SPECIAL MEETING.
 
    EXCEPT FOR FALCON CLASS A STOCK CERTIFICATES TO BE SURRENDERED WITH A FORM
OF ELECTION PURSUANT TO AN ELECTION TO RETAIN FALCON CLASS A STOCK IN THE
MERGER, STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT FORWARD STOCK CERTIFICATES TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT
UNTIL THEY HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AS DESCRIBED IN THE
ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.
 
Yours very truly,
 
/s/ WILLIAM K. HALL
 
William K. Hall
 
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
                           TWO NORTH RIVERSIDE PLAZA
                                   SUITE 1100
                            CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60606
                                 (312) 906-9700
 
                            ------------------------
 
   
                   NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                            TO BE HELD JUNE 17, 1997
    
 
                             ---------------------
 
To the Stockholders of
FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
 
   
    NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Meeting of the stockholders (including
any adjournments or postponements thereof, the "Special Meeting") of Falcon
Building Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Falcon"), will be held at 270
Park Avenue, 11th Floor, Conference Room G, New York, New York 10017 on June 17,
1997, beginning at 7:00 a.m. New York City Time for the following purpose, which
is more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
    
 
   
    To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the Agreement and
Plan of Merger, dated as of March 20, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), between
Falcon and FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc., a Delaware corporation ("FBP") organized
on behalf of Investcorp S.A., certain of its affiliates and other international
investors, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the Merger. The Merger Agreement provides, among other things, for the
merger of FBP with and into Falcon (the "Merger") pursuant to which each share
of Falcon's Class A Stock, $.01 par value per share ("Falcon Class A Stock"),
(other than (i) shares of Falcon Class A Stock held by Falcon, its subsidiaries,
FBP or any of its affiliates, which will be cancelled and retired, and (ii)
shares of Falcon Class A Stock subject to dissenters' rights, which will be
treated as described in the accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus) will be
converted, at the election of the holder thereof, into either (a) the right to
receive $17.75 in cash or (b) the right to retain one share of Falcon Class A
Stock which, upon consummation of the Merger, will have those rights, powers,
privileges and restrictions described in the enclosed Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the number
of shares of Falcon Class A Stock to be retained by existing Falcon stockholders
must equal 1,034,020 (subject to the elimination of fractional shares). Because
the Subject Stockholders (as defined below) have committed to elect to retain
1,034,020 shares of Falcon Class A Stock, all stockholders who do not elect to
retain Falcon Class A Stock will be assured that they will receive $17.75 in
cash for each share held by such stockholders, and all stockholders who elect to
retain Falcon Class A Stock will experience proration of such shares, resulting
in their retaining only a portion of the shares of Falcon Class A Stock they
elect to retain and receiving $17.75 per share in cash for each of their other
shares of Falcon Class A Stock. The approximately 1,034,020 shares of Falcon
Class A Stock to be retained by existing Falcon stockholders will constitute
approximately 12% of the equity capital and voting power of the Company
following the Merger. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached as Annex I to
the accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
    
 
    Approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote
of a majority of the outstanding shares of Falcon Class A Stock held by
stockholders of record on May 5, 1997 (the "Record Date"). As of the Record
Date, Equity Holdings Limited, an Illinois limited partnership ("EHL"),
beneficially owned approximately 69.8% of the outstanding shares of Falcon Class
A Stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. Pursuant to voting agreements
among FBP, Falcon and EHL, and among FBP, Falcon and certain other stockholders
who are members of Falcon's management (collectively with EHL, the "Subject
Stockholders") dated as of March 20, 1997 (collectively, the "Voting
Agreements"), the Subject Stockholders have agreed, subject to certain
conditions, to vote their shares in favor of the
<PAGE>
approval and the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Merger. Thus, the
requisite vote of the holders of shares of Falcon Class A Stock to approve and
adopt the Merger Agreement is assured.
 
    Only holders of record of shares of Falcon Class A Stock at the close of
business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the
Special Meeting. A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Special
Meeting will be available for examination, for proper purposes, during ordinary
business hours at Falcon's corporate offices, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite
1100, Chicago, Illinois, 60606 during the 10 days prior to the Special Meeting.
In connection with the proposed Merger, appraisal rights will be available to
those stockholders of Falcon who meet and comply with the requirements of
Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL"), a copy of
which is included as Annex IV to the accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
Reference is made to the section entitled "THE MERGER--Stockholders' Appraisal
Rights" in the accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus for a discussion of the
procedures to be followed in asserting appraisal rights under Section 262 of the
DGCL in connection with the proposed Merger.
 
    YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE
SPECIAL MEETING, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY
WITHOUT DELAY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY
AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO ITS EXERCISE. IF YOU ARE PRESENT AT THE SPECIAL MEETING OR
ANY ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF, YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY AND VOTE
PERSONALLY ON THE MATTERS PROPERLY BROUGHT BEFORE THE SPECIAL MEETING.
 
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
/s/ GUS J. ATHAS
 
Gus J. Athas
SECRETARY
 
   
May 23, 1997
    
 
    PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE
ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
 
    STOCKHOLDERS ELECTING TO RETAIN FALCON CLASS A STOCK (WHICH UPON
CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER WILL HAVE THE RIGHTS, POWERS, PRIVILEGES AND
RESTRICTIONS DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS) SHOULD RETURN THE
ENCLOSED FORM OF NON-CASH ELECTION TOGETHER WITH DULY ENDORSED FALCON CLASS A
STOCK CERTIFICATES AS INSTRUCTED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT/ PROSPECTUS.
 
    EXCEPT FOR FALCON CLASS A STOCK CERTIFICATES TO BE SURRENDERED WITH A FORM
OF ELECTION PURSUANT TO AN ELECTION TO RETAIN FALCON CLASS A STOCK IN THE
MERGER, STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT FORWARD STOCK CERTIFICATES TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT
UNTIL THEY HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AS DESCRIBED IN THE
ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.
 
    IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR REQUIRE ADDITIONAL MATERIAL, PLEASE CONTACT
MORROW & CO., INC. AT (800)662-5200 (TOLL FREE) OR (212)754-8000 (COLLECT).
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
   
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
                           PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
                        SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                          TO BE HELD ON JUNE 17, 1997
    
 
   
    This Proxy Statement/Prospectus (the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus") is being
furnished to stockholders of Falcon Building Products, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Falcon" or the "Company"), in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of the Company for use at the Special Meeting
of stockholders of the Company, including any adjournments or postponements
thereof, scheduled to be held on June 17, 1997 at 7:00 a.m., New York City Time,
at 270 Park Avenue, 11th Floor, Conference Room G, New York, New York 10017 (the
"Special Meeting"). This Proxy Statement/Prospectus relates to the proposed
merger (the "Merger") of FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc., a Delaware corporation
("FBP") organized on behalf of Investcorp S.A. ("Investcorp"), certain of its
affiliates and other international investors, with and into the Company pursuant
to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 20, 1997 (the "Merger
Agreement"), between FBP and the Company, and the transactions contemplated
thereby.
    
 
   
    Pursuant to the Merger, each share of Falcon Class A Stock, par value $.01
per share ("Falcon Class A Stock"), issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time") (other than (i) shares
of Falcon Class A Stock held by Falcon, its subsidiaries, FBP or any of its
affiliates, which will be cancelled and retired and will cease to exist, and
(ii) shares of Falcon Class A Stock subject to dissenters' rights which will be
treated as described herein) will be converted at the election of the holder
thereof, subject to the terms and conditions described herein, into either (a)
the right to receive $17.75 in cash, or (b) the right to retain one share of
Falcon Class A Stock which, upon consummation of the Merger, will have those
rights, powers, privileges and restrictions described herein. As part of the
Merger, Falcon's capital structure will be modified as described herein.
    
 
    Because, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the number of shares
of Falcon Class A Stock to be retained by existing Falcon stockholders must
equal 1,034,020 (subject to the elimination of fractional shares), the right to
retain shares of Falcon Class A Stock is subject to proration, as set forth in
the Merger Agreement and described herein. The Subject Stockholders (as defined
below) have committed to elect to retain 1,034,020 shares of Falcon Class A
Stock. Thus, all stockholders who do not elect to retain Falcon Class A Stock
will be assured that they will receive $17.75 in cash for each share held by
such stockholders, and all stockholders who elect to retain Falcon Class A Stock
will experience proration of such shares, resulting in their retaining only a
portion of the shares of Falcon Class A Stock they elect to retain and receiving
$17.75 per share in cash for each of their other shares of Falcon Class A Stock.
The approximately 1,034,020 shares of Falcon Class A Stock to be retained by
existing Falcon stockholders will constitute approximately 12% of the equity
capital and voting power of the Company following the Merger. SEE "THE
MERGER--Merger Consideration." Holders of Falcon Class A Stock will be entitled
to dissenters' rights under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") in
connection with the Merger as described herein.
 
    A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached as Annex I to this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. The summaries of the portions of the Merger Agreement set
forth in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus do not purport to be complete and are
subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the text of the
Merger Agreement.
 
    In addition, the Merger Agreement provides that each option to purchase
shares of Falcon Class A Stock issued under the Company's 1994 Stock Option and
Restricted Share Plan (each an "Option" and collectively the "Options") issued
and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be cancelled,
extinguished and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to
the excess, if any, of $17.75 over the per share exercise price of such Option,
provided that the holder thereof waives all rights with respect to such Option
and any shares of Falcon Class A Stock subject thereto other than the right to
receive such cash amount, less any required withholding taxes.
<PAGE>
    This Proxy Statement/Prospectus constitutes a prospectus of the Company with
respect to the 1,034,020 shares (subject to the elimination of fractional
shares) of Falcon Class A Stock to be retained by stockholders upon consummation
of the Merger.
 
    Approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote
of a majority of the outstanding shares of Falcon Class A Stock held by
stockholders of record on May 5, 1997 (the "Record Date"). As of the Record
Date, Equity Holdings Limited, an Illinois limited partnership ("EHL"),
beneficially owned approximately 69.8% of the outstanding shares of Falcon Class
A Stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. Pursuant to voting agreements
among FBP, Falcon and EHL, and among FBP, Falcon and certain other stockholders
who are members of Falcon's management (collectively with EHL, the "Subject
Stockholders"), dated as of March 20, 1997 (collectively, the "Voting
Agreements"), the Subject Stockholders have agreed, subject to certain
conditions, to vote their shares in favor of the approval and the adoption of
the Merger Agreement and the Merger. Thus, the requisite vote of the holders of
shares of Falcon Class A Stock to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the
Merger is assured.
 
    The Board of Directors and the non-management members of the Board of
Directors, after careful consideration, each unanimously approved the Merger
Agreement and the Merger, determined that the Merger is fair to and in the best
interests of Falcon and its stockholders and recommends that you vote FOR
approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby. In reaching their determination, the members of the Board of Directors
considered, among other things, the opinions of Smith Barney Inc. and Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (collectively, the "Financial
Advisors") as to the fairness of the consideration to be received by the holders
of Falcon Class A Stock in the Merger from a financial point of view. The
Financial Advisors' respective opinions are included as Annex III-A and Annex
III-B to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. You are urged to read the opinions in
their entirety for further information with respect to the assumptions made,
matters considered and limits of the reviews undertaken by the Financial
Advisors.
 
   
    Falcon Class A Stock is currently listed for trading on the New York Stock
Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "FB". On November 29, 1996, the last trading
day prior to the public announcement that Falcon was pursuing strategic
alternatives, the last sale price of the Falcon Class A Stock as reported on the
NYSE was $12 3/8 per share. On March 19, 1997, the last trading day before
public announcement of the execution of the Merger Agreement, the last sale
price of the Falcon Class A Stock as reported on the NYSE was $16 3/8 per share.
On May 20, 1997, the last sale price of the Falcon Class A Stock as reported on
the NYSE was $17 3/8 per share. If the Merger is approved, the Company intends
to seek to have the Falcon Class A Stock delisted from the NYSE. SEE "RISK
FACTORS--Delisting; Loss of Liquidity."
    
 
   
    This Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the accompanying form of proxy (the
"proxy") and the other enclosed documents are first being mailed to stockholders
of the Company on or about May 23, 1997.
    
 
   
    SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 16 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN
IMPORTANT RISKS RELATING TO THE RETENTION OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK THAT SHOULD BE
CONSIDERED BY HOLDERS OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK.
    
 
    THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO
THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
   
    The date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus is May 23, 1997.
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                     <C>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION.................................................................           5
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS............................................................           5
SUMMARY...............................................................................           7
RISK FACTORS..........................................................................          16
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA OF FALCON
  BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES............................................          23
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
  OPERATIONS..........................................................................          26
PRICES OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK........................................................          30
THE COMPANY...........................................................................          30
THE SPECIAL MEETING...................................................................          36
  Matters to be Considered............................................................          36
  Required Votes......................................................................          37
  Voting and Revocation of Proxies....................................................          37
  Record Date; Stock Entitled to Vote; Quorum.........................................          38
  Stockholders' Appraisal Rights......................................................          38
  Solicitation of Proxies.............................................................          38
THE MERGER............................................................................          39
  Background of the Merger............................................................          39
  Recommendation of the Board of Directors; Reasons for the Merger....................          43
  Opinions of Falcon's Financial Advisors.............................................          44
  Information Concerning the Company's Financial Advisors.............................          51
  Forward Looking Financial Information...............................................          52
  Merger Consideration................................................................          53
  Non-Cash Election...................................................................          54
  Non-Cash Election Procedure.........................................................          55
  Effective Time of the Merger........................................................          56
  Procedures for Exchange of Certificates.............................................          56
  Fractional Shares...................................................................          57
  Conduct of Business Pending the Merger..............................................          57
  Conditions to the Consummation of the Merger........................................          57
  Federal Income Tax Consequences.....................................................          57
  Accounting Treatment................................................................          60
  Effect on Employee Benefit Matters..................................................          60
  Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger..........................................          61
  Delisting of Falcon Class A Stock from NYSE.........................................          64
  Termination of SEC Reporting........................................................          65
  Resale of Retained Falcon Class A Stock Following the Merger........................          65
  Merger Financings...................................................................          65
  Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements...............................          65
DESCRIPTION OF FALCON CAPITAL STOCK...................................................          74
  Falcon's Existing Capital Stock.....................................................          74
  Falcon's Capital Stock Following the Merger.........................................          75
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                     <C>
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT............................................          80
  The Merger..........................................................................          80
  Representations and Warranties......................................................          80
  Certain Pre-Closing Covenants.......................................................          81
  No Solicitation of Transactions.....................................................          82
  Board of Directors and Officers of the Company Following the Merger.................          83
  Stock and Employee Benefit Plans....................................................          83
  Access to Information...............................................................          83
  Cooperation and Commercially Reasonable Best Efforts................................          83
  Public Announcements................................................................          84
  Indemnification and Insurance.......................................................          84
  Conditions to the Consummation of the Merger........................................          84
  Termination.........................................................................          85
  Expenses and Certain Required Payments..............................................          86
  Amendment and Waiver................................................................          87
CERTAIN RELATED AGREEMENTS............................................................          87
  Agreements with Certain Stockholders................................................          87
MANAGEMENT............................................................................          88
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION................................................................          90
  Compensation of Directors...........................................................          92
  Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change-In-Control
    Arrangements......................................................................          92
  Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.........................          93
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT........................          94
REGULATORY APPROVALS..................................................................          95
FBP...................................................................................          95
STOCKHOLDERS' APPRAISAL RIGHTS........................................................          97
EXPERTS...............................................................................          99
LEGAL OPINIONS........................................................................         100
OTHER INFORMATION.....................................................................         100
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.........................................................         F-1
</TABLE>
    
 
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>
Annex I       Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 20, 1997
Annex II-A    Voting Agreement among FBP, Falcon and EHL, dated as of March 20, 1997
Annex II-B    Form of Voting Agreements among FBP, Falcon and Certain Other Stockholders,
                dated as of March 20, 1997
Annex III-A   Opinion of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated dated March 20,
                1997
Annex III-B   Opinion of Smith Barney Inc. dated March 20, 1997
Annex IV      Excerpts from the DGCL Relating to Dissenters' Rights
Annex V       Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc.
                (to become effective as of the Effective Time)
</TABLE>
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
    NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN AS CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, IN
CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED ON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY FALCON OR
FBP. THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY THE SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH AN
OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
NOR ANY OFFER OR SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY
IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR
IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
   
    Falcon is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy statements
and other information filed by the Company with the Commission can be inspected
and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at
Room 1034, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and
at the web site (http://www.sec.gov) maintained by the Commission; or at its
regional offices located at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661, and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048.
Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed
rates. Such reports, proxy statements and other information are also available
for inspection at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York
10005. As described herein, the Falcon Class A Stock will be deregistered under
the Exchange Act following the Merger if the number of record holders permits
such deregistration. If that deregistration occurs, Falcon does not plan to
provide any reports or information to its public stockholders other than
pursuant to the right to inspect the books and records of Falcon as required by
Delaware law. However, Falcon currently plans to register certain debt
securities under the Exchange Act in the near future. Until such debt securities
are repaid, Falcon will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange
Act and such information will be publicly available to holders of Falcon Class A
Stock. As described above, however, it is not currently anticipated that such
reports will be sent to such holders. Upon the repayment of such debt
securities, the Company may no longer be subject to the reporting requirements
of the Exchange Act unless it has registered other securities under the Exchange
Act.
    
 
    This Proxy Statement/Prospectus constitutes a prospectus of the Company
filed as part of a Registration Statement on Form S-4 under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). This Proxy Statement/Prospectus
omits certain information contained in the Registration Statement and related
exhibits with respect to the Company and the retention of Falcon Class A Stock.
Any statement herein concerning the provision of any document is not necessarily
complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of the document
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the
Commission.
 
                           FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
    This Proxy Statement/Prospectus includes "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of various provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus that address activities, events or developments that
the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including
such things as future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature
thereof), business strategy and measures to
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
   
implement strategy, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of the
Company's and its subsidiaries' business and operations, plans, references to
future success and other such matters are forward-looking statements. These
statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in
light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current
conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors it believes
are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and
developments will conform to the Company's expectations and predictions is
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the significant
considerations and risks discussed in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus; general
economic, market or business conditions; the opportunities (or lack thereof)
that may be presented to and pursued by the Company and its subsidiaries;
competitive actions by other companies; changes in laws or regulations; and
other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company and its
subsidiaries. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus are qualified by these cautionary statements and
there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by
the Company will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will
have the expected consequences to or effects on the Company and its subsidiaries
or their business or operations.
    
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
                                    SUMMARY
 
    THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION CONTAINED ELSEWHERE IN
THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND THE ANNEXES HERETO.
STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
AND THE ANNEXES HERETO IN THEIR ENTIRETY.
 
    FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN IMPORTANT RISKS RELATED TO THE RETENTION OF
FALCON CLASS A STOCK, SEE "RISK FACTORS."
 
                              THE SPECIAL MEETING
 
TIME AND PLACE; RECORD DATE
 
   
    A Special Meeting of the stockholders of Falcon will be held on June 17,
1997, at 7:00 a.m., New York City Time, at 270 Park Avenue, 11th Floor,
Conference Room G, New York, New York 10017. Stockholders of record at the close
of business on May 5, 1997 (the "Record Date") will be entitled to notice of,
and to vote at, the Special Meeting. The date of the mailing of this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus to stockholders of the Company will be on or about May 23,
1997. At the close of business on the Record Date, there were outstanding and
entitled to vote 20,048,275 shares of Falcon Class A Stock.
    
 
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED
 
    The purpose of the Special Meeting is to vote upon a proposal to approve and
adopt the Merger Agreement and the Merger, pursuant to which FBP will merge with
and into the Company, the separate existence of FBP will terminate and the
stockholders of the Company will receive the consideration described below under
"--The Merger--Effect of the Merger".
 
REQUIRED VOTES
 
    Approval of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote of a majority
of the shares of Falcon Class A Stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting.
The Subject Stockholders, who beneficially owned, as of the Record Date, an
aggregate of approximately 71% of the Falcon Class A Stock outstanding, have
agreed, subject to certain conditions, to vote all shares of Falcon Class A
Stock held by them in favor of the matter to be considered by the stockholders
at the Special Meeting. SEE "THE SPECIAL MEETING-- Required Votes" and "THE
MERGER--Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger." Thus, the requisite vote of
the holders of shares of Falcon Class A Stock to approve and adopt the Merger
Agreement and the Merger is assured.
 
VOTING OF PROXIES
 
    Shares of Falcon Class A Stock represented by all properly executed proxies
received in time for the Special Meeting will be voted in the manner specified
in the proxy. Proxies that do not contain any instruction to vote for or against
or to abstain from voting on a particular matter will be voted in favor of such
matter. SEE "THE SPECIAL MEETING--Required Votes."
 
ADJOURNMENTS; REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
 
    If the Special Meeting is adjourned, for whatever reason, the approval of
the Merger Agreement shall be considered and voted upon by stockholders at the
subsequent, reconvened meeting, if any.
 
   
    You may revoke your proxy at any time prior to its exercise (i) by attending
the Special Meeting and voting in person (although attendance at the Special
Meeting will not in and of itself constitute revocation of a proxy), (ii) by
giving notice of revocation of your proxy at the Special Meeting or (iii) by
delivering (a) a written notice of revocation of your proxy or (b) a duly
executed proxy relating to the matters to be
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
considered at the Special Meeting, bearing a date later than the proxy
previously executed, to the Secretary of Falcon, Two North Riverside Plaza,
Suite 1100, Chicago, Illinois 60606. Unless revoked in one of the manners set
forth above, proxies will be voted at the Special Meeting as described above.
 
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
 
    The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. The Company may
solicit proxies and the Company's directors, officers and employees may also
solicit proxies by telephone, telegram or personal interview. These persons will
receive no additional compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith. Arrangements will be
made to furnish copies of proxy materials to fiduciaries, custodians and
brokerage houses for forwarding to beneficial owners of Falcon Class A Stock.
Such persons will be paid reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Morrow & Co., Inc.
will assist in the solicitation of proxies by the Company for a fee of
approximately $2,500, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. HOLDERS OF FALCON
CLASS A STOCK SHOULD NOT SEND STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THEIR PROXY CARDS. SEE
"THE MERGER--NON-CASH ELECTION" FOR INSTRUCTIONS FOR STOCKHOLDERS ELECTING TO
RETAIN SHARES OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK.
 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
 
    As of the Record Date, directors and executive officers of the Company and
their affiliates were beneficial owners of an aggregate of 448,075 shares of
Falcon Class A Stock (approximately 2.2% of the outstanding shares). The
directors and executive officers of the Company have indicated that they intend,
and certain of such executive officers are, pursuant to the terms of the Voting
Agreements, obligated to vote their shares of Falcon Class A Stock in favor of
the Merger.
 
                                   THE MERGER
 
EFFECT OF THE MERGER
 
    At the Effective Time, FBP will be merged with and into Falcon and Falcon
will continue as the surviving corporation in the Merger. Subject to certain
provisions as described herein with respect to shares owned by Falcon, any
subsidiary of Falcon, FBP and its affiliates, and with respect to fractional
shares and Dissenting Shares (as defined under "Dissenting Stockholders' Rights"
below), each issued and outstanding share of Falcon Class A Stock will be
converted at the election of the holder thereof into either (i) the right to
receive $17.75 in cash (the "Cash Price") or (ii) the right to retain one fully
paid and nonassessable share of Falcon Class A Stock which, upon consummation of
the Merger, will have those rights, powers, privileges and restrictions as
described in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus (a "Non-Cash Election Share");
provided, that the aggregate number of shares of Falcon Class A Stock to be
converted into the right to retain Falcon Class A Stock at the Effective Time
shall, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, be 1,034,020 (the
"Non-Cash Election Number").
 
   
    Stockholders that elect to retain shares of Falcon Class A Stock will be
subject to several risks, including the risk that the value of the Falcon Class
A Stock may decrease below $17.75 in the future, risks associated with owning a
minority position in a highly leveraged company and risks associated with the
anticipated lack of liquidity of the Falcon Class A Stock. It is expected that
the Falcon Class A Stock will be delisted from trading on the New York Stock
Exchange and deregistered under the Exchange Act, resulting in a significant
decrease in the information available to stockholders and a material adverse
effect on the trading market for the Falcon Class A Stock. See "Risk Factors"
for additional factors holders of Falcon Class A Stock should carefully consider
in connection with their evaluation of their potential election to retain Falcon
Class A Stock in the Merger. Stockholders that elect to receive $17.75 in cash
for their Falcon Class A Stock will lose the opportunity to participate in
future increases, if any, in the value of the Falcon Class A Stock, including in
connection with a public offering of Falcon capital stock or a sale of all or a
portion of Falcon. See "RISK FACTORS--Control of Falcon."
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
    The Merger Agreement requires that 19,014,255 of the presently issued and
outstanding shares of Falcon Class A Stock be converted into cash, as described
above, and that 1,034,020 of such shares be retained by existing Falcon
stockholders, subject to the elimination of fractional shares. The Subject
Stockholders have committed to elect to retain 1,034,020 shares of Falcon Class
A Stock. Thus, all stockholders who do not elect to retain Falcon Class A Stock
will be assured that they will receive $17.75 in cash for each share held by
such stockholders, and all stockholders who elect to retain Falcon Class A Stock
will experience proration of such shares, resulting in their retaining only a
portion of the shares of Falcon Class A Stock they elect to retain and receiving
$17.75 per share in cash for each of their other shares of Falcon Class A Stock.
The approximately 1,034,020 shares of Falcon Class A Stock to be retained by
existing Falcon stockholders will constitute approximately 12% of the equity
capital and voting power of the Company following the Merger. SEE "THE
MERGER--MERGER CONSIDERATION" for examples illustrating the potential effects of
proration.
 
   
    Prior to the effectiveness of the Merger, FBP will have three classes of
stock issued and outstanding: 6,721,537 shares of Class B Common Stock, 844,273
shares of Class C Common Stock and 17,000 shares of Class D Common Stock. All
such shares will be owned by Investcorp, its affiliates and certain other
international investors organized by Investcorp. Pursuant to the terms of the
Merger Agreement, the certificate of incorporation of FBP will become the
certificate of incorporation of the Company and the Company will be the
surviving entity following the Merger. Upon the effectiveness of the Merger, the
Company will have outstanding approximately 1,034,020 shares of Falcon Class A
Stock and shares of Falcon Class B Stock, Falcon Class C Stock and Falcon Class
D Stock identical in number, terms and ownership to those of FBP outstanding
prior to the Merger. The approximately 1,034,020 shares of Falcon Class A Stock
to be outstanding after the Merger will have, as they currently do, one vote per
share, will represent approximately 12% of the outstanding equity capital of the
Company and will have approximately 12% of the voting power. The shares of
Falcon Class B Common Stock, Falcon Class C Common Stock and Falcon Class D
Common Stock will represent approximately 88% of the outstanding equity capital
of the Company after the Merger. Shares of Falcon Class D Common Stock will have
approximately 88% of the voting power after the Merger and shares of Falcon
Class B Common Stock and Falcon Class C Common Stock will not have voting
rights. SEE "DESCRIPTION OF FALCON CAPITAL STOCK-- Falcon Capital Stock
Following the Merger." With respect to certain risks related to retaining Falcon
Class A Stock, SEE "RISK FACTORS" below.
    
 
    Although Investcorp, its affiliates and certain other international
investors organized by Investcorp will own approximately 88% of the outstanding
voting equity capital of Falcon at the Effective Time, there is no current
intention to engage in any post-Merger transaction which would eliminate the
approximately 12% of the outstanding equity of Falcon held by existing
stockholders of Falcon. While it is, therefore, highly unlikely that such a
transaction would occur in the foreseeable future, no assurance can be given
that such a transaction will not occur. SEE "RISK FACTORS--Control of Falcon."
 
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
    At its March 20, 1997 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Company, with
all members in attendance, and the non-management members of the Board each
unanimously (i) determined that the Merger was fair to and in the best interests
of the Company's stockholders, and (ii) recommended that the Company's
stockholders approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby. SEE "THE MERGER--Background of the Merger" and
"--Recommendation of the Board of Directors; Reasons for the Merger."
 
OPINIONS OF FALCON'S FINANCIAL ADVISORS
 
    On March 20, 1997, each of Smith Barney Inc. ("Smith Barney") and Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch"), Falcon's financial
advisors (collectively, the "Financial Advisors"), delivered to Falcon's Board
of Directors its oral opinion (which opinion was subsequently confirmed by
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
delivery of a written opinion dated March 20, 1997) to the effect that, as of
such date and based upon and subject to certain matters stated in such opinions,
the consideration to be received by the holders of Falcon Class A Stock in the
Merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. The opinions
of the Financial Advisors are directed to the Board of Directors of Falcon and
relate only to the fairness of the consideration to be received in the Merger
from a financial point of view, do not address any other aspect of the Merger or
related transactions and do not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder
as to how such stockholder should vote at the Special Meeting. The full text of
the written opinions of the Financial Advisors dated March 20, 1997, which set
forth the assumptions made, matters considered, and limitations on the review
undertaken, are attached as Annex III-A and Annex III-B to this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and should be read carefully in their entirety. SEE "THE
MERGER--Opinions of Falcon's Financial Advisors."
 
NON-CASH ELECTION
 
    Record holders of shares of Falcon Class A Stock will be entitled to make an
unconditional election (a "Non-Cash Election"), on or prior to the Election Date
(as defined below), to retain Non-Cash Election Shares. If, however, the number
of shares of Falcon Class A Stock with respect to which an election to retain
Falcon Class A Stock has been made and not withdrawn in accordance with the
Merger Agreement (each, an "Electing Share") exceeds the Non-Cash Election
Number, then (1) the number of Electing Shares covered by each Non-Cash Election
will be determined by multiplying the total number of Electing Shares covered by
such Non-Cash Election by a proration factor determined by dividing the Non-Cash
Election Number by the total number of Electing Shares and (2) such number of
Electing Shares will be so retained. All Electing Shares, other than those
permitted to be retained as described in the immediately preceding sentence,
will be converted into cash as if such shares were not Electing Shares. The
number of Electing Shares permitted to be retained as Non-Cash Election Shares
or the right to receive cash will be determined on a consistent basis among
stockholders who made the election to retain Non-Cash Election Shares, pro rata
to the number of shares as to which they made such election.
 
    If Non-Cash Elections respecting more than 1,034,020 shares of Falcon Class
A Stock are made, any stockholder who elects to retain shares of Falcon Class A
Stock would experience proration. Because the Subject Stockholders have
committed to elect to retain 1,034,020 shares of Falcon Class A Stock, all
stockholders who do not elect to retain Falcon Class A Stock will be assured
that they will receive $17.75 in cash for each share held by such stockholder,
and all stockholders who elect to retain Falcon Class A Stock will experience
proration of such shares, resulting in their retaining only a portion of the
shares of Falcon Class A Stock they elect to retain and receiving $17.75 per
share in cash for each of their other shares of Falcon Class A Stock. SEE "THE
MERGER--Non-Cash Election."
 
    Upon consummation of the Merger, the Non-Cash Election Shares will have
those rights, powers, privileges and restrictions as described in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, including, among other things, certain "tag-along" rights,
being subject to mandatory redemption in certain circumstances and being
automatically converted into shares of common stock of Falcon in certain
circumstances. SEE "DESCRIPTION OF FALCON CAPITAL STOCK--Falcon Capital Stock
Following the Merger" and Annex V attached hereto.
 
NON-CASH ELECTION PROCEDURE
 
    Stockholders of Falcon Class A Stock electing to retain Non-Cash Election
Shares must properly complete and sign the Non-Cash Election Form (the "Form of
Election") accompanying this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Such Form of Election,
together with all certificates representing shares of Falcon Class A Stock duly
endorsed in blank or otherwise in a form acceptable for transfer on the books of
the Company (or by appropriate guarantee of delivery, as set forth in such Form
of Election), must be received by The Bank of New York (the "Exchange Agent") at
one of the addresses listed on the Form of Election
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
   
by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second business day (the "Election
Date") preceding the date of the Special Meeting and must not be withdrawn. SEE
"THE MERGER--Non-Cash Election Procedure."
    
 
FRACTIONAL SHARES
 
    Fractional shares of Falcon Class A Stock will not be issued in the Merger.
Holders of Falcon Class A Stock otherwise entitled to a fractional share of
Falcon Class A Stock following the Merger will be paid cash in lieu of such
fractional share determined and paid as described in "THE MERGER--Fractional
Shares." This treatment of fractional shares could result in the number of
shares of Falcon Class A Stock actually retained by existing stockholders being
slightly less than 1,034,020.
 
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
 
    The obligations of Falcon and FBP to consummate the Merger are subject to
various conditions, including, without limitation, obtaining requisite
stockholder approval, the termination or expiration of the relevant waiting
period, if any, under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended (the "HSR Act") and the absence of any injunction or other legal
restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Merger. The Company
and FBP do not believe that a filing under the HSR Act is required or that any
associated waiting period is applicable to the Merger. SEE "CERTAIN PROVISIONS
OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Conditions to the Consummation of the Merger."
 
MERGER FINANCINGS
 
   
    At the time of the Merger, FBP expects to have received equity contributions
of approximately $135 million. In addition, at the Effective Time, Falcon
currently intends to issue debt securities for approximately $245 million of
gross proceeds and enter into a syndicated, senior secured term loan facility
for approximately $150 million. The proceeds of these equity and debt issuances
and funds drawn under the term loan facility will be used to finance the
conversion into cash, in the Merger, of approximately 19,014,255 shares of
Falcon Class A Stock currently outstanding, to refinance substantially all of
the outstanding indebtedness of Falcon and to pay the fees and expenses
associated with the Merger and such related financings. Falcon also expects to
enter into a $150 million senior secured revolving credit facility to provide
liquidity for strategic acquisitions and working capital requirements, a portion
of which may be drawn down at the Effective Time. In addition, the Company also
expects to modify its existing accounts receivable securitization program,
increasing it to $100 million of availability. The term loan portion of the
senior secured credit facility will be drawn in full upon consummation of the
Merger. SEE "RISK FACTORS--Substantial Leverage; Stockholders' Deficit;
Liquidity."
    
 
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
    For a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the
Merger, SEE "THE MERGER--Federal Income Tax Consequences."
 
    BECAUSE CERTAIN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER MAY VARY DEPENDING UPON THE
PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH STOCKHOLDER, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT
STOCKHOLDERS OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE
FEDERAL (AND ANY STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN) TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER IN
THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
 
TREATMENT OF COMPANY STOCK OPTIONS
 
    Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each holder of an outstanding
option to purchase shares of Falcon Class A Stock granted under the Company's
1994 Stock Option and Restricted Share Plan (each such option, an "Option" and,
collectively, the "Options"), whether or not then exercisable, will be entitled
to receive from the Company for each share subject to an Option an amount in
cash equal to the excess of the Cash Price over the per share exercise price of
such Option, and such Option will be cancelled;
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
   
provided, that with respect to any person subject to Section 16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), who waives all
rights with respect to such Options and any shares subject thereto other than
the right to receive such amount of cash, any such amount shall be paid as soon
as practicable after the first date payment can be made without liability to
such person under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. All applicable withholding
taxes attributable to the payments or to distributions so contemplated will be
deducted from such amounts and all such taxes attributable to the exercise of
Options will be withheld from the proceeds received in respect of the shares
issuable on such exercise.
    
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, FBP and Falcon agreed that, unless and
until such agreements are amended, modified or terminated, from and after the
Effective Time, Falcon will honor, in accordance with their respective terms as
in effect on the date hereof, all of the employment, termination, severance,
indemnity and bonus agreements and arrangements identified in the Merger
Agreement. The Merger Agreement provides that if Falcon or any of its successors
or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall not
be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or
merger or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties
and assets to any person, then, and in each such case, to the extent necessary
to effectuate the foregoing, proper provision shall be made so that the
successors and assigns of Falcon shall succeed to the obligations set forth in
the preceding sentence and none of the actions described in clause (i) or (ii)
shall be taken until such provision is made.
 
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
 
    Certain directors and officers of the Company have interests, described
herein, that may present them with potential conflicts of interest in connection
with the Merger. The Board of Directors (including the non-management members of
the Board) is aware of the conflicts described below and considered them in
addition to the other matters described under "THE MERGER--Recommendation of the
Board of Directors; Reasons for the Merger" when it approved the Merger
Agreement and recommended that stockholders vote in favor of the Merger. SEE
"THE MERGER--Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger."
 
    Ten employees of the Company, including six of its executive officers, will
be entitled to receive transaction incentive bonuses as a result of the Merger.
These bonuses will total approximately $3.0 million.
 
    Shares of Falcon Class A Stock held by officers and directors of Falcon will
be converted into the right to receive the same consideration as shares of
Falcon Class A Stock held by other stockholders. Options held by the officers
and directors of Falcon will be treated in the same manner as any Options held
by other Option holders, as described above under "Treatment of Company Stock
Options". SEE "THE MERGER--Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger." Pursuant
to the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed for six years after the
Effective Time to indemnify directors, officers, employees and agents of the
Company and its subsidiaries and will, subject to certain limitations, maintain
for six years a directors' and officers' insurance and indemnification policy
substantially similar to its current policy. SEE "CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE
MERGER AGREEMENT--Indemnification and Insurance."
 
   
    The Company and each of Messrs. William K. Hall, Sam A. Cottone and Gus J.
Athas, its President and Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice
President--Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary, respectively, have entered into
employment agreements, effective as of the Effective Time (the "Employment
Agreements") (a) requiring each of such officers to retain or purchase an equity
investment in Falcon and (b) providing each of such officers with, among other
benefits, (i) continuation in a similar position with Falcon after the Merger,
(ii) a minimum base salary, subject to adjustment, (iii) in the case of Messrs.
Hall, Cottone and Athas, transaction incentive bonuses upon completion of the
Merger, (iv) an annual bonus to be paid to such officers in accordance with
goals to be mutually agreed upon by the Company and such officers, (v) a funded
supplemental executive retirement plan for Messrs. Cottone and Athas, (vi)
ten-year stock options on
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
various percentages of the outstanding capital stock of the Company as of the
Effective Time, and (vii) certain rights to put to the Company (with the Company
having certain rights to call from such officers) unrestricted shares of capital
stock owned by such officers and certain vested stock options held by such
officers. It is anticipated that two other executive officers of the Company
will enter into employment agreements with substantially similar provisions.
    
 
   
    Prior to the Effective Time, the Company will adopt the Falcon Building
Products, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the "Stock Option Plan"). The number of shares
that may be awarded under the Stock Option Plan shall be approximately 11% of
the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of Falcon at the Effective Time, of
which options to purchase approximately 10% of such capital stock will be
granted to current members of Falcon's management upon consummation of the
Merger. SEE "SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT."
    
 
   
    Following the Merger, certain members of Falcon's management will have the
right to purchase shares of the non-voting Falcon Class C Stock at a price of
$17.75 per share from Investcorp or its affiliates. The number of shares to be
purchased will (i) , be finalized after the Merger, subject to the limit
described in (ii) below, and (ii) provide management with the opportunity to
increase its aggregate ownership from the amount that management retains in the
Merger (taking into account the possible proration of shares) up to 3.5% of the
outstanding post-Merger capital stock of Falcon. It is currently expected that
members of management will have the right to purchase up to approximately
130,000 shares of Falcon Class C Stock. In addition, the Company has agreed to
make loans, in amounts equal to 50% of the aggregate price of the shares to be
purchased, to certain of such members of management who do not currently have
loans outstanding from the Company. Such loans will mature in seven years, will
bear interest at the same rate as Falcon's new senior secured revolving credit
facility and must be repaid with 20% of such employee's annual bonus.
    
 
AGREEMENTS WITH CERTAIN STOCKHOLDERS
 
   
    EHL and certain officers of Falcon (collectively, the "Subject
Stockholders") have entered into voting agreements (the "Voting Agreements")
with FBP and Falcon. Pursuant to the Voting Agreements, the Subject
Stockholders, who beneficially owned, as of the Record Date, an aggregate of
approximately 71% of the outstanding shares of Falcon Class A Stock, have
agreed, among other things and subject to certain conditions, to vote in favor
of the Merger Agreement and the Merger. The Voting Agreements also provide that
the Subject Stockholders will make Non-Cash Elections for 1,034,020 shares of
Falcon Class A Stock. If the aggregate number of Electing Shares (pursuant to
elections made by all stockholders, including the Subject Stockholders) exceeds
1,034,020, the Subject Stockholders will be subject to proration with respect to
the number of Non-Cash Election Shares they will receive in the Merger in the
same manner as all other electing stockholders. In addition, the Subject
Stockholders are prohibited, subject to certain conditions and exceptions, from
soliciting or responding to certain inquiries or proposals made by any person or
entity with respect to the Company that constitutes or could reasonably be
expected to lead to acquisition of the Company by another party or the sale of a
material portion of the Company's assets. Subject to certain conditions and
exceptions, the Subject Stockholders are also not permitted to dispose of, or
enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with
respect to or consent to the disposition of, any or all of such Subject
Stockholders' Falcon Class A Stock or any interest therein. The covenants and
agreements in the Voting Agreement terminate on the first to occur of (i) the
Effective Time and (ii) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance
with its terms; provided that certain covenants will survive the Effective Time
of the Merger. For a summary of the foregoing provisions and certain other
provisions of the Voting Agreements, SEE "CERTAIN RELATED AGREEMENTS--
Agreements with Certain Stockholders."
    
 
   
    The Voting Agreement among EHL, FBP and Falcon creates certain rights and
obligations in addition to those set forth in the Voting Agreements among
Falcon, FBP and certain officers of Falcon. Among other things, this agreement
provides that EHL will cause its wholly-owned subsidiary, Eagle Industries,
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
Inc., to agree to provide certain corporate services to Falcon after the Merger
at commercially reasonable rates and that, prior to the Merger, EHL, Falcon and
the investors in FBP who receive Falcon voting stock pursuant to the Merger will
enter into a stockholder rights agreement containing provisions relating to the
following: (i) the right of first offer in favor of Falcon and an affiliate of
Investcorp in the event that EHL proposes to sell its Falcon Class A Stock to
another person; (ii) the right in favor of the investors in FBP who received
voting or non-voting stock in the Merger to require EHL to sell its entire
equity interest in Falcon upon the same terms and conditions as such investors
are selling their shares; (iii) the right in favor of EHL to purchase securities
offered by the Company in certain equity financings in order to allow EHL to
maintain its level of equity ownership interest; (iv) the right in favor of EHL
to sell its shares of Falcon Class A Stock in certain change-of-control
transactions; (v) certain registration rights in favor of EHL; (vi) the
obligation of EHL to enter into certain "lock-up" agreements with underwriters
in future public offerings; and (vii) so long as EHL holds a certain percentage
of the Falcon Class A Stock, the right of EHL to receive certain information
about the business and financial performance of Falcon. It is also anticipated
that the eight members of management of Falcon who are listed under
"MANAGEMENT-- Directors and Executive Officers of the Company" will enter into
stockholder rights agreements containing provisions generally similar to those
described in the preceding sentence (other than clauses (iii) and (vii)), except
that such agreements will also contain provisions regarding the right of Falcon
to purchase the shares of its stock held by an employee upon his or her
termination.
    
 
TERMINATION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
 
    The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective
Time: (i) by mutual consent of FBP and Falcon; (ii) by either FBP or Falcon (a)
if a court or other governmental entity shall have issued a final and
nonappealable order, decree or ruling or taken any other final and nonappealable
action restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger or (b) if the
Merger shall not have been consummated on or before September 16, 1997 (other
than due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate the Merger Agreement
to perform its obligations under the Merger Agreement required to be
performed at or prior to the Effective Time); or (iii) by FBP or Falcon in
certain other situations. Under certain circumstances generally related to the
presence of a third party transaction proposal or the acquisition by a third
party of Falcon Class A Stock or of all or substantially all of Falcon's assets,
termination of the Merger Agreement prior to the Effective Time will result in
the payment of a fee of $20 million from Falcon to FBP. Falcon and FBP have also
agreed to reimburse each other in certain circumstances for certain fees and
expenses. SEE "CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Termination" and
"--Expenses and Certain Required Payments."
 
STOCKHOLDERS' APPRAISAL RIGHTS
 
    Under Section 262 of the DGCL, a stockholder of the Company may dissent from
the Merger and seek to obtain payment for the fair value of such stockholder's
shares of Falcon Class A Stock. In order to dissent, (i) the dissenting
stockholder must deliver to the Company, prior to the vote being taken on the
Merger at the Special Meeting, a written demand for appraisal of such
stockholder's shares of Falcon Class A Stock and (ii) the dissenting stockholder
must not vote in favor of the Merger. SEE "STOCKHOLDERS' APPRAISAL RIGHTS" and
Annex IV.
 
                             PARTIES TO THE MERGER
 
FALCON
 
    Falcon is a leading domestic manufacturer and distributor of products for
the residential and commercial construction and home improvement markets. The
Company's products include air distribution products; ceramic, enameled steel
and acrylic plumbing fixtures; and air compressors, electric generators, power
washers and OEM compressors. The Company's principal executive offices are
located at Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1100, Chicago, Illinois 60606;
telephone number (312) 906-9700.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
FBP
 
    FBP, a Delaware corporation, was organized on behalf of Investcorp, certain
of its affiliates and other international investors for the purpose of
consummating the Merger and has not carried on any activities to date other than
those incident to its formation and the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, 100% of the outstanding
shares of capital stock of FBP will be owned by Investcorp, certain of its
affiliates and other international investors. Upon consummation of the Merger,
FBP will merge into Falcon and the separate existence of FBP will terminate. The
principal offices of FBP are located at 200 Park Avenue, 48th floor, New York,
New York, 10166 c/o Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; telephone number (212)
351-3914.
 
    No affiliates of Falcon are affiliated with Investcorp, FBP, any of the
entities which will own stock of FBP immediately prior to the Effective Time or
any of the entities which will own shares of Falcon Class B Common Stock, Falcon
Class C Common Stock or Falcon Class D Common Stock immediately after the
Effective Time, except that certain members of Falcon's management will have the
right to purchase shares of Falcon Class C Stock as described in "THE
MERGER--Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger."
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    Holders of Falcon Class A Stock should carefully consider the following
factors in connection with their evaluation of their potential election to
retain Falcon Class A Stock in the Merger.
 
SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE; STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT; LIQUIDITY
 
   
    The Company is expected to issue subordinated debt securities and enter into
a new senior secured credit facility (collectively, the "Merger Financings") to
finance the cash consideration to be paid to the holders of Falcon Class A Stock
in the Merger, to refinance substantially all of the outstanding indebtedness of
the Company, to pay the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Merger
and the Merger Financings and to provide for working capital requirements and
financing of acquisitions. Although the definitive terms of the debt instruments
to be issued in the Merger Financings have not been finalized as of the date of
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Company expects that such terms will
include significant operating and financial restrictions, such as limits on
Falcon's ability to incur indebtedness, create liens, sell assets, engage in
mergers or consolidations, make investments and pay dividends. Upon consummation
of the Merger, it is expected that Falcon will have substantial consolidated
indebtedness. As of March 31, 1997, after giving pro forma effect to the Merger
and the Merger Financings and the application of the net proceeds therefrom,
Falcon would have had (i) $418.2 million of consolidated indebtedness and (ii)
since the Cash Price paid to stockholders as well as all of the Merger expenses
will be charged to stockholders' equity, a deficit of $197.4 million in
stockholders' equity. In addition, Falcon expects to incur additional
indebtedness in connection with its post-Merger strategy of pursuing strategic
acquisitions and expanding through internal growth. Any such high leverage may
have important consequences for Falcon, including the following: (a) Falcon's
ability to obtain additional financing for such acquisitions, working capital,
capital expenditures or other purposes may be impaired or any such financing may
not be on terms favorable to Falcon; (b) interest expense may reduce the funds
that would otherwise be available to Falcon for its operations and future
business opportunities; (c) a substantial decrease in net operating cash flows
or an increase in expenses of Falcon could make it difficult for Falcon to meet
its debt service requirements or force it to modify its operations; (d)
substantial leverage may place Falcon at a competitive disadvantage and may make
it more vulnerable to a downturn in its business or the economy generally; (e)
certain of such indebtedness of the Company will be at variable rates of
interest, which would cause the Company to be vulnerable to increases in
interest rates; (f) certain of such indebtedness will be secured by
substantially all the assets of the Company, reducing its ability to obtain
additional financing; and (g) the Company may be hindered in its ability to
adjust rapidly to changing market conditions. SEE "THE MERGER--Merger
Financings."
    
 
   
    In addition, the substantial leverage will have a negative effect on
Falcon's net income. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 and the three
months ended March 31, 1997, Falcon's net income, on a pro forma basis as
adjusted to give effect to the Merger and the Merger Financings, but excluding
non-recurring items directly attributable to the Merger, would have been $9.2
million and $0.8 million, respectively, compared to the historical amounts for
such periods of $30.0 million and $6.1 million, respectively. Pro forma net
interest expense would have been $43.1 million and $10.9 million for the year
ended December 31, 1996 and the three months ended March 31, 1997, respectively,
as compared to $11.0 million and $2.8 million, respectively, for the same
periods on a historical basis.
    
 
   
    At the Effective Time, the Company is expected to enter a new senior secured
credit facility consisting of a $150 million senior secured term loan facility
and a $150 million senior secured revolving credit facility. The new credit
facility agreement is expected to include certain covenants that, among other
things, restrict: (i) the making of investments, loans and advances and the
paying of dividends and other restricted payments; (ii) the incurrence of
additional indebtedness; (iii) the granting of liens, other than certain
permitted liens; (iv) mergers, consolidations, and sales of all or a substantial
part of the Company's business or property; (v) the sale of assets; and (vi) the
making of capital expenditures. The Company will also be required to maintain
certain financial ratios, including interest coverage and leverage ratios. All
of
    
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
   
these restrictive covenants may restrict the Company's ability to expand or to
pursue its business strategies. The ability of the Company to comply with these
and other provisions of the new credit facility agreement may be affected by
changes in economic or business conditions, results of operations or other
events beyond the Company's control. The breach of any of these covenants could
result in a default under the new credit facility agreement, in which case,
depending on the actions taken by the lenders thereunder or their successors or
assignees, such lenders could elect to declare all amounts borrowed under the
new credit facility, together with accrued interest, to be due and payable, and
the Company could be prohibited from making payments with respect to other
indebtedness until the default is cured or all indebtedness under the new credit
facility is paid or satisfied in full. If the Company were unable to repay such
borrowings, such lenders could proceed against their collateral. If the
indebtedness under the new credit facility were to be accelerated, there can be
no assurance that the assets of the Company would be sufficient to repay in full
such indebtedness and the other indebtedness of the Company.
    
 
    After the Merger is consummated, Falcon's principal sources of liquidity are
expected to be cash flow from operations, borrowings under the revolving credit
portion of its senior secured credit facility and funds from its accounts
receivable securitization program. It is anticipated that Falcon's principal
uses of liquidity under the new revolving credit facility will be to finance
working capital, meet debt service requirements and finance acquisitions, and a
portion thereof will be available for the issuance of letters of credit.
However, the Company could be required to attempt to obtain other debt and/or
equity financing to finance any significant acquisitions in the future. The term
loan portion of the senior secured credit facility will be drawn in full upon
consummation of the Merger. SEE "THE MERGER--Merger Financings."
 
DELISTING OF COMMON STOCK FROM NYSE
 
   
    As a result of the Merger, it is likely that the Falcon Class A Stock will
no longer meet the listing requirements of the NYSE and the NYSE may
unilaterally act to delist the Falcon Class A Stock from the NYSE. Even if the
NYSE does not act unilaterally to delist the Falcon Class A Stock, it is FBP's
intention that, after the Effective Time, the Falcon Class A Stock will not be
listed on the NYSE or any other national securities exchange. Falcon and FBP
have each agreed, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, to cooperate in taking, or
causing to be taken, all actions necessary to delist the Falcon Class A Stock
from the NYSE. The delisting of the Falcon Class A Stock is likely to have a
material adverse effect on the trading market for, and the value of, the Falcon
Class A Stock and there can be no assurance that any trading market will exist
for the Falcon Class A Stock after the Merger.
    
 
TERMINATION OF SEC REPORTING
 
   
    As a result of the Merger, it is expected that the shares of Falcon Class A
Stock will be held by fewer than 300 stockholders of record. In such a case, the
Company will deregister the Falcon Class A Stock from the reporting requirements
of the Exchange Act. If the Falcon Class A Stock is so deregistered, the Company
will not be required to comply with the proxy or periodic reporting requirements
of the Exchange Act and does not plan to provide any reports or information to
its public stockholders other than pursuant to the right to inspect the books
and records of Falcon as required by Delaware law. As a result, the information
available to stockholders on the business and financial condition of the Company
would be reduced, which could have a material adverse effect on the value of the
Falcon Class A Stock. Although Falcon currently plans to register certain debt
securities under the Exchange Act in the near future, Falcon will remain subject
to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act only until such debt
securities are repaid. Upon the repayment of such debt securities, the Company
may no longer be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act
unless it has registered other securities under the Exchange Act.
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
CONTROL OF FALCON
 
   
    Upon completion of the Merger, approximately 88% of the outstanding shares
of voting capital stock of Falcon will be held by a subsidiary of Investcorp and
ten entities which have entered into revocable management services or similar
agreements with an affiliate of Investcorp, pursuant to which such affiliate has
the authority to direct the voting of such shares for as long as such agreements
are in effect. Accordingly, Investcorp and its affiliates will control Falcon
and have the power to elect all of its directors, to appoint new management and
to approve any action requiring the approval of the holders of its capital stock
voting as a single class, including adopting most amendments to Falcon's
certificate of incorporation and approving mergers or sales of substantially all
of Falcon's assets. The directors so elected will have the authority to effect
decisions affecting the capital structure of Falcon, including the issuance of
additional capital stock, the implementation of stock repurchase programs and
the declaration of dividends.
    
 
    In addition, the existence of a small group of controlling stockholders of
Falcon may have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to
acquire, or of discouraging a third party from seeking to acquire, a majority of
the outstanding equity securities of Falcon. A third party would be required to
negotiate any such transaction with such stockholders and the interests of such
stockholders may be different from the interests of other Falcon stockholders.
 
    Although Investcorp, its affiliates and certain other international
investors organized by Investcorp will own approximately 88% of the outstanding
voting equity capital of Falcon at the Effective Time, there is no current
intention to engage in any post-Merger transaction which would eliminate the
approximately 12% of the outstanding equity of Falcon held by existing
stockholders of Falcon. While it is, therefore, highly unlikely that such a
transaction would occur in the foreseeable future, no assurance can be given
that such a transaction will not occur.
 
TERMS OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK--MANDATORY REDEMPTION
 
    If a stockholder elects to retain shares of Falcon Class A Stock, upon
consummation of the Merger such shares will have rights, powers, privileges and
restrictions which differ in certain respects from the current rights, powers,
privileges and restrictions associated with the Falcon Class A Stock. Among
other things, the Falcon Class A Stock will have certain "tag-along" rights,
will be subject to mandatory redemption in certain circumstances and will be
automatically converted into shares of common stock of Falcon in certain
circumstances. SEE "DESCRIPTION OF FALCON CAPITAL STOCK--Falcon Capital Stock
Following the Merger" and Annex V-A attached hereto.
 
NO DIVIDENDS
 
    No dividends on shares of Falcon Class A Stock following the Merger are
presently contemplated. In addition, it is anticipated that the terms of the
debt instruments to be entered into in connection with the Merger Financings
will prohibit or otherwise restrict any future payment of dividends.
 
POTENTIAL DILUTION OF FALCON STOCKHOLDERS
 
    Following the Merger, Falcon will grant to members of management options to
purchase shares of Falcon capital stock, the exercise of which would dilute the
holdings of persons holding shares of Falcon Class A Stock. Falcon has been
informed by FBP that it intends to establish a stock option plan prior to the
Effective Time pursuant to which members of management will be granted options
for approximately 10% of the capital stock of Falcon outstanding at the
Effective Time.
 
NON-CASH ELECTION AND PRORATION INTO CASH
 
    As described herein, a stockholder may make a Non-Cash Election and thereby
elect to retain shares of Falcon Class A Stock in the Merger, subject to the
proration procedures described herein under "THE MERGER--Non-Cash Election."
Because the Subject Stockholders have already committed to elect to
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
retain the maximum number of shares of Falcon Class A Stock permitted to be
retained under the Merger Agreement, all stockholders who elect to retain Falcon
Class A Stock are assured that they will experience proration of such shares,
resulting in their retaining only a portion of the shares of Falcon Class A
Stock they elect to retain and receiving $17.75 per share in cash for each of
their other shares of Falcon Class A Stock.
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT
 
    A stockholder who elects to retain all or a portion of such stockholder's
Falcon Class A Stock may, under certain circumstances, be required to treat the
receipt of a portion of any cash received in the Merger as the receipt of a
dividend (rather than as the receipt of proceeds from the sale of the Falcon
Class A Stock, which would generally receive capital gain treatment). No such
dividend treatment should be applicable to stockholders who do not retain shares
and receive cash for their shares in the Merger. SEE "THE MERGER--Federal Income
Tax Consequences--Stockholders Receiving Cash" for a more detailed discussion of
the tax consequences of receiving cash.
 
ACHIEVING POST-MERGER BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
    The post-Merger business strategy that has been developed is based on the
Company's operations and strategic planning process. SEE "THE
COMPANY--Post-Merger Business Strategy." After the Merger and after gaining
experience with the Company's operations, the Company's management and new Board
of Directors may decide to alter or discontinue certain parts of the post-Merger
business strategy described herein and may adopt alternative or additional
strategies. There can be no assurance that such post-Merger business strategy,
if implemented, will be successful or will improve operating results. Further,
other conditions may occur, such as increased competition, or an economic
downturn, which may offset any improved operating results that are attributable
to such business strategy.
 
COMPETITION
 
    The industries in which the Company operates are highly competitive. The
Company competes with several national and regional suppliers of building
products in each of its product areas. In the heating, ventilating and air
conditioning ("HVAC") industry, the Company competes with several national and
regional suppliers of HVAC products. In bathroom fixtures, the Company competes
with other national manufacturers of plumbing products as well as with several
regional producers. In air compressors, the Company is one of the three primary
suppliers of consumer and commercial air compressors. In power washers, the
Company competes primarily with two large manufacturers and several other
smaller producers. Some of the Company's competitors are larger, have greater
financial resources and are less leveraged than the Company. As described
herein, after the Merger, the Company will be substantially more leveraged than
prior to the Merger.
 
DEPENDENCE ON CONSTRUCTION MARKETS
 
    Demand for the Company's products depends in large part on the residential
construction market and, to a lesser extent, on the commercial construction
market. The level of activity in the residential construction market depends on
new housing starts and residential remodeling projects, which are a function of
many factors not within the Company's control, including mortgage rates,
inflation, unemployment, demographic trends, gross domestic product growth and
consumer confidence. According to the National Association of Home Builders,
domestic housing starts declined from approximately 1.8 million in 1986 to a low
of approximately 1.0 million in 1991, improving to approximately 1.5 million in
1996. There can be no assurance that this recent improvement will continue or
that housing starts will not decline. The decline in residential housing starts
resulted in pricing pressures in the building products industry that have not
yet been alleviated. According to the National Association of Home Builders,
residential remodeling expenditures have grown from $91 billion in 1986 to
approximately $112 billion in
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
1995. The Company estimates, based on management's industry experience, that the
residential remodeling market accounts for approximately 40% of the Company's
net sales. The level of activity in the commercial construction market depends
largely on vacancy rates and general economic conditions. According to the
National Association of Home Builders, commercial construction activity trended
downward from 1986 to 1991 and since then has grown slowly. Because the
residential and commercial construction markets are sensitive to cyclical
changes in the economy, future downturns in the economy or lack of substantial
improvement in the economy could negatively affect Falcon's operating results.
In addition, sales of certain of the Company's products are subject to seasonal
variation due to factors associated with the construction industry. The
Company's operating results have in the past and could in the future be
negatively impacted by increases in raw material costs, which are not within the
control of the Company.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY CUSTOMERS
 
    The Company's four largest customers accounted for approximately 35% of the
Company's 1996 net sales. The Company does not have contractual agreements with
any of such customers for the supply of products. The loss of any of such
customers or a significant decrease in the volume of products supplied to any of
such customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company. SEE "THE
COMPANY-- Marketing and Distribution."
 
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION AND PROCEEDINGS
 
    The Company's operations are subject to federal, state and local laws and
regulations governing, among other things, emissions to air, discharge to
waters, the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and
disposal of waste and other materials and health and safety matters. The Company
believes that its operations and facilities have been and are being operated in
compliance in all material respects with applicable environmental and health and
safety laws and regulations, many of which provide for substantial fines and
criminal sanctions for violations. However, the operation of manufacturing
plants entails risks in these areas, and the Company is currently involved in
various proceedings that are expected to result in the incurrence of costs for
clean-up and other remedial activities. The Company believes that its
liabilities for these matters will not have a material adverse effect on its
financial condition, results of operations or competitive position; however,
there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur costs in the future
that will have a material adverse effect on the Company. In addition,
potentially significant expenditures could be required in order to comply with
evolving environmental and health and safety laws, regulations or requirements
that may be adopted or imposed in the future. SEE "THE COMPANY--Environmental
Matters."
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    The Company is involved from time to time in various legal proceedings and
claims incident to the normal conduct of its business, including the
environmental matters described above. Although it is impossible to predict the
outcome of any pending legal proceeding, the Company believes that such legal
proceedings and claims, individually and in the aggregate, are either without
merit, are covered by insurance or are adequately reserved for, and will not
have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of
operations.
 
    In addition to the matters covered by the preceding paragraph, in May 1994,
Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada ("ULC") suspended its recognition of high
temperature plastic venting ("HTPV") for gas appliance systems, including the
Ultravent-Registered Trademark- product distributed by the Company. This action
resulted from reports of problems with HTPV, including improper installation,
cracking, inadequate joint adhesion and related safety hazards, including
potential for carbon monoxide emission. In June 1994, as a result of the ULC
action, the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations ("MCCR")
suspended sales of HTPV in the Province of Ontario. Other provinces of Canada
have taken similar action. Pursuant to an MCCR order, appliance systems in
Ontario with HTPV have been remediated. Most gas appliance
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
manufacturers in Canada and the United States no longer certify HTPV for use
with their products. As a result, the Company has discontinued sales of its HTPV
product.
 
    The Company is a defendant in a suit in Canada captioned ONTARIO NEW HOME
WARRANTY PROGRAM v. CHEVRON CHEMICAL CORP. ET AL--Ontario Court--General
Division No. 22487/96 which was filed on February 27, 1996 against 24 entities
including heating appliance manufacturers, plastic vent manufacturers and
distributors, public utilities and listing agencies by the Ontario New Home
Warranty Program, which is responsible for the cost of replacing appliances
equipped with HTPV in new home construction in Ontario. This suit seeks damages
of Cdn $125 million from all of the defendants. The Company is also a defendant
in a lawsuit captioned GOODMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY v. CHEVRON CHEMICAL CORP.
ET AL-- County Court--Harris County, Texas--No. 96-15816 in which the Company
has been sued along with two other defendants for reimbursement of costs
associated with the plaintiff's HTPV corrective action program. In the lawsuit
captioned RHEEM CORP. ET AL v. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.--Superior Court--Suffolk
County, Massachusetts No. 97-1709-B, filed March 31, 1997, the Company and two
other defendants have been sued by seven furnace manufacturers which are seeking
reimbursement and declaratory relief for costs expected to be incurred as a
result of corrective action programs to be conducted in connection with furnace
systems vented with HTPV. On April 1, 1997, the Company filed its own legal
action captioned HART & COOLEY, INC. v. AMANA REFRIGERATION, INC.--Circuit
Court--Ottawa County, Michigan No. 97-27729-NP against all identifiable
appliance manufacturers that certified HTPV for use with their appliance systems
including the plaintiffs in the Texas and Massachusetts actions. In its suit,
the Company is seeking damages for costs it has incurred and declaratory relief
for costs that may be incurred in the future as a result of the conduct of
appliance manufacturers that certified their products for use with HTPV. The
Company has also been named in a class action lawsuit regarding HTPV captioned
ENGEL v. CHEVRON CHEMICAL CORP. ET AL--Circuit Court--Rutherford County,
Tennessee No. 37715, filed January 9, 1997. In this case, the Company is a
defendant along with its principal competitor in the HTPV business, a resin
supplier, and a furnace manufacturer that has been joined as a representative of
a defendant class consisting of all appliance manufacturers. The plaintiffs seek
damages on behalf of all persons in the United States with appliance systems
that are vented with HTPV.
 
    The Company is engaged in ongoing discussions with the United States
Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC"), which has been advised of the ULC
action and the actions taken by the MCCR. The CPSC continues to investigate HTPV
and has met with all of the manufacturers of HTPV, various appliance
manufacturers and other entities with technical expertise. CPSC concerns focus
on the heating appliance system, the plastic resin used to manufacture the
venting and improper installation. While no definitive action has been decided
upon, the Company is aware that the CPSC is considering a corrective action
program involving HTPV, and it is probable that in the near term the CPSC will
mandate a corrective action program that would impact heating appliance
manufacturers, plastic resin manufacturers, and HTPV manufacturers and
distributors, including the Company. Several appliance manufacturers have
announced their intention to take corrective action regarding gas appliance
systems equipped with HTPV. Company sales of Ultravent products in the United
States and Canada in 1995 and 1996 were minimal.
 
   
    With respect to these matters, the Company, on September 16, 1996, filed an
action in state court in Illinois against certain insurance carriers captioned
HART & COOLEY, INC. v. NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF PITTSBURGH, PA
ET AL.--Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois--No. 96-CH-9947. The Company is
seeking a declaratory judgment, damages for breach of contract and specific
relief requiring the insurance carriers, pursuant to the terms of the Company's
insurance policies, to defend and reimburse the Company for costs and legal
expenses arising from Ultravent-related claims. The amount at issue cannot be
determined at this time. The insurance carriers have denied coverage on a number
of grounds, including (i) that there has been no property damage, bodily injury
or occurrence, as those terms are defined in the insurance policies; (ii) that
various exclusions in the insurance policies apply with respect to injuries to
the Company's own products, the failure of its products to perform, and product
recalls; (iii) that the Company knew or should have known of the existence of
alleged problems with Ultravent;
    
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
   
and (iv) that other insurance which should be called on prior to the policies of
these insurers is available. The insurance carriers have filed motions to
dismiss the Company's lawsuit.
    
 
    While it is impossible at this time to give a firm estimate of the ultimate
cost to the Company, management currently believes that the after-tax cost to
the Company of resolving the Ultravent matters discussed above should range from
a non-material amount to $20.0 million, after considering numerous factors
including, in certain scenarios, the possibility of third party reimbursements
and insurance recoveries. It is possible that, in the event that a number of the
factors referenced above were resolved adversely to the Company and no third
party reimbursements or insurance recoveries were received, the upper limit of
such range would be exceeded. While no assurance can be given, the Company
believes at this time that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not
have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, but may have a
material effect on future results of operations in the period recognized.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
   SELECTED CONSOLIDATED HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA OF
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
    Set forth on the following pages are certain selected consolidated
historical and unaudited pro forma financial and other data relating to Falcon.
The selected consolidated historical financial data of Falcon for the five years
ended December 31, 1996 have been derived from, and should be read in
conjunction with, the audited consolidated financial statements of Falcon. The
selected consolidated historical data as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and for
the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 have been derived from, and
should be read in conjunction with, the Company's consolidated financial
statements, including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. The selected consolidated historical data as of March 31,
1997 and for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1997 have been derived
from, and should be read in conjunction with, the Company's unaudited
consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, appearing
elsewhere in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and, in the opinion of the
Company's management, contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal
recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position and
results of operations of the Company as of such date and for such periods. Data
for the three months ended March 31, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the
results to be expected for the full year. SEE "INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS."
 
    The selected unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data of Falcon, as
adjusted to give effect to the Merger, have been derived from, and should be
read in conjunction with, the Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial
Statements, including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. SEE "THE MERGER--Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated
Financial Statements." The selected unaudited pro forma consolidated financial
data are not necessarily indicative of the operating results or financial
position that would have occurred if the Merger had been consummated on the
dates indicated, nor are they necessarily indicative of future operating results
or financial position. The unaudited pro forma balance sheet information
reflects the Merger as if it had occurred as of March 31, 1997. The unaudited
pro forma income statement information reflects the Merger as if it had occurred
on January 1, 1996 and excludes nonrecurring items directly attributable to the
Merger. The pro forma adjustments were applied to the historical financial
statements to reflect and account for the Merger as a
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
recapitalization. Accordingly, the historical basis of Falcon's assets and
liabilities have not been affected by the Merger.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                           MARCH 31,
                                             -------------------------------------------------   -------------------------------
                                                                                     PRO FORMA           (UNAUDITED)   PRO FORMA
                                              1992    1993    1994    1995    1996     1996       1996      1997         1997
                                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------   ------  -----------   ---------
                                                               (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                          <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>           <C>
OPERATING DATA:
  Net sales................................  $345.2  $372.3  $440.7  $471.3  $633.2   $633.2     $144.4    $160.2       $ 160.2
  Cost of goods sold.......................   274.6   295.7   350.5   384.4   520.3    520.3      119.1     133.4         133.4
                                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------   ------  -----------   ---------
  Gross earnings...........................    70.6    76.6    90.2    86.9   112.9    112.9       25.3      26.8          26.8
  Selling, general and administrative......    28.2    31.4    36.6    37.8    49.0     50.8       12.8      13.1          13.6
  Securitization expense...................      --      --     1.9     3.3     4.1      4.1        0.9       0.9           0.9
                                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------   ------  -----------   ---------
  Operating income.........................    42.4    45.2    51.7    45.8    59.8     58.0       11.6      12.8          12.3
  Net interest expense.....................    10.0     8.0     8.3    10.0    11.0     43.1        2.8       2.8          10.9
                                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------   ------  -----------   ---------
  Income before income taxes...............    32.4    37.2    43.4    35.8    48.8     14.9        8.8      10.0           1.4
  Provision for income taxes...............    13.7    15.1    17.5    13.7    18.8      5.7        3.4       3.9           0.6
                                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------   ------  -----------   ---------
  Income before cumulative effect of change
    in accounting principles...............    18.7    22.1    25.9    22.1    30.0      9.2        5.4       6.1           0.8
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting
    principles, less income tax benefit of
    $0.4...................................      --    (3.6)     --      --      --       --         --        --            --
                                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------   ------  -----------   ---------
  Net income...............................  $ 18.7  $ 18.5  $ 25.9  $ 22.1  $ 30.0   $  9.2(a)  $  5.4    $  6.1       $   0.8(a)
                                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------   ------  -----------   ---------
                                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------   ------  -----------   ---------
OTHER DATA:
  Gross margin.............................    20.5%   20.6%   20.5%   18.4%   17.8%    17.8%      17.5%     16.7%         16.7%
  Depreciation and amortization(b).........  $ 11.3  $ 12.1  $ 12.8  $ 14.5  $ 15.5   $ 15.5     $  3.8    $  3.9       $   3.9
  Capital expenditures.....................     8.5    10.1    19.7    16.4    20.0     20.0        4.5       3.0           3.0
  Net cash interest expense................    10.0     8.0     8.2     9.8    10.6     29.2        2.6       2.7           7.4
  Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(c)....     4.2x    5.6x    6.1x    4.4x    5.2x     1.3x       4.0x      4.4x          1.1x
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  (END OF PERIOD)
  Working capital(d).......................  $ 50.9  $ 42.1  $(23.4) $ (4.6) $ (0.5)             $  7.9    $ 38.9       $  60.2
  Total assets.............................   212.2   218.9   187.5   210.8   261.7               254.4     298.6         323.1
  Total debt (including current
    maturities)(e).........................    96.2    65.6   115.2   123.6   124.3               145.5     155.5         418.2
  Total stockholders' equity (deficit).....    55.6    73.6   (24.6)   (2.2)   27.9                 3.3      34.0        (197.4)
 
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
  Income before cumulative effect of change
    in accounting principles...............  $ 0.93  $ 1.10  $ 1.29  $ 1.10  $ 1.50   $ 1.07     $ 0.27    $ 0.31       $  0.09
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting
    principles.............................      --   (0.18)     --      --      --       --         --        --            --
                                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------   ------  -----------   ---------
    Net income.............................  $ 0.93  $ 0.92  $ 1.29  $ 1.10  $ 1.50   $ 1.07     $ 0.27    $ 0.31       $  0.09
                                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------   ------  -----------   ---------
                                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------   ------  -----------   ---------
  Weighted average shares outstanding (in
    millions)..............................    20.1    20.1    20.1    20.1    20.1      8.6       20.1      20.0           8.6
                                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------   ------  -----------   ---------
                                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------   ------  -----------   ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
   See Notes to Selected Consolidated Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
     NOTES TO SELECTED CONSOLIDATED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
 
(a) The unaudited pro forma consolidated net income excludes the following
    nonrecurring items that are directly attributable to the Merger:
 
    (1) Compensation charges totaling $3.0 million for amounts to be paid to
       management in connection with the Merger, and related income tax benefit
       of $1.2 million.
 
    (2) Estimated other charges totaling $24.8 million for expenses to be
       incurred by the Company in connection with the Merger, and related income
       tax benefit of $2.6 million.
 
    (3) Charge of $5.2 million resulting from the purchase of outstanding stock
       options in connection with the Merger, and related income tax benefit of
       $2.0 million.
 
   
    (4) Write-off of $2.3 million of debt issuance costs on debt to be retired
       in connection with the Merger, and related income tax benefit of $0.9
       million.
    
 
   
    (5) Charge of $0.3 million associated with the accelerated vesting of
       restricted stock, and related income tax benefit of $0.1 million.
    
 
   
(b) Depreciation and amortization excludes amortization of debt issuance costs.
    
 
   
(c) For the purpose of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
    earnings consist of income before income taxes and fixed charges. Fixed
    charges consist of interest expense, amortization of deferred debt issuance
    costs and the interest portion of the Company's rent expense.
    
 
(d) Represents total current assets (including cash and cash equivalents) less
    total current liabilities (including the current portion of long-term debt).
 
   
(e) Includes advances from affiliates of $94.2 million and $62.9 million as of
    December 31, 1992 and 1993, respectively.
    
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
RELATIONSHIP TO EAGLE
 
    Eagle Industries, Inc. ("Eagle") incorporated the Company in January 1994 as
part of a reorganization of all the entities comprising Eagle's building
products segment. Eagle is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Great American
Management and Investment, Inc. ("GAMI"), which is wholly-owned by EHL. In May
1996, Eagle distributed its ownership of the Company's Class B common stock to
EHL. As a result of the transfer, such Class B shares were automatically
converted into shares of Falcon Class A Stock pursuant to provisions of the
Company's certificate of incorporation, and neither Eagle nor GAMI has any
continuing ownership interest in the Company. As of the Record Date, EHL
beneficially owned approximately 69.8% of the outstanding Falcon Class A Stock.
 
   
    Pursuant to a corporate services agreement, Eagle provides certain
management, financial and administrative services to the Company. Messrs. Hall,
Cottone and Athas, executive officers of the Company, are also executive
officers of Eagle and spend approximately 50% of their working time on the
business and affairs of Eagle. After the Merger, such executive officers will
devote 100% of their working time to the business and affairs of Falcon. Between
January 1994 and April 1996, the Company participated in Eagle's asset
securitization program. Due to the number of business divestitures at Eagle
during the first quarter of 1996, Eagle decided to terminate its asset
securitization program. Eagle coordinated the termination of its program with
the Company to allow the Company to establish its own asset securitization
program, which began in May 1996.
    
 
INDUSTRY INFORMATION
 
    Demand for the Company's products depends primarily on the residential
construction market and, to a lesser extent, on the commercial construction
market. The level of activity in the residential construction market depends on
new housing starts and residential alteration and repair projects, which are a
function of many factors not within the Company's control, including mortgage
rates, inflation, unemployment, demographic trends, gross domestic product
growth and consumer confidence. The level of activity in the commercial
construction market depends largely on vacancy rates and general economic
conditions. Because the residential and commercial construction markets are
sensitive to cyclical changes in the economy, future downturns in the economy or
lack of substantial improvement in the economy could negatively affect the
Company's operating results. In addition, the Company's operating results have
in the past and could in the future be negatively impacted by increases in raw
material costs, which are not within the control of the Company.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH
                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                                       31,
                      ----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------
 
                                1994                      1995                      1996                      1996
                      ------------------------  ------------------------  ------------------------  ------------------------
                                              (IN MILLIONS)                             (UNAUDITED)
                        AMOUNT     % OF SALES     AMOUNT     % OF SALES     AMOUNT     % OF SALES     AMOUNT     % OF SALES
                      -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                   <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Net sales...........   $   440.7       100.0%    $   471.3       100.0%    $   633.2       100.0%    $   144.4       100.0%
Gross earnings......        90.2        20.5%         86.9        18.4%        112.9        17.8%         25.3        17.5%
Operating income....        51.7        11.7%         45.8         9.7%         59.8         9.4%         11.6         8.0%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                1997
                      ------------------------
 
                        AMOUNT     % OF SALES
                      -----------  -----------
<S>                   <C>          <C>
Net sales...........   $   160.2       100.0%
Gross earnings......        26.8        16.7%
Operating income....        12.8         8.0%
</TABLE>
 
   
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AS COMPARED TO QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1996
    
 
    Net sales for the quarter of $160.2 million were $15.8 million or 10.9%
higher than the comparable 1996 period. This increase was primarily due to
significant sales growth in power washers of $11.3 million, as well as increased
volume in bathroom fixtures and air power products totaling $4.6 million. These
increases were partially offset by a decline in sales of air distribution
products of $0.3 million.
 
    Gross earnings of $26.8 million were $1.5 million or 0.6% higher than the
comparable 1996 period. This increase was primarily due to increased volume, as
well as minor pricing gains. Gross margin declined from 17.5% in 1996 to 16.7%
in 1997 as a result of lower margins realized on power washers.
 
    Operating income increased from $11.6 million in 1996 to $12.8 million in
1997. This increase was primarily due to increased sales volume and decreased
corporate expenses, partially offset by increased operating costs.
 
    Income before income taxes of $10.0 million was $1.2 million higher than the
comparable 1996 period due to the factors mentioned above.
 
    The effective tax rate was 38.4% in both periods. Net income for the quarter
was $6.1 million, an increase of $0.7 from the $5.4 million recorded in 1996 due
to the factors mentioned above.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AS COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
    Net sales were $633.2 million, an increase of $161.9 million over 1995 net
sales of $471.3 million. In January 1996, the Company acquired Ex-Cell
Manufacturing Company, Inc. ("Ex-Cell"), a manufacturer of power washers. In
addition, in May 1996 the Company acquired a product line of decorative metal
and wooden grilles and registers. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, net
sales increased $54.4 million or 11.5%. This increase was due to increased sales
volume in all product categories resulting, in part, from an increase in housing
starts as well as market penetration gains. New product sales, primarily
electric generators, contributed $16.2 million to the increase. Favorable
pricing in air distribution products was offset by strong price competition in
plumbing fixtures.
 
    Gross earnings of $112.9 million increased $26.0 million from 1995 gross
earnings of $86.9 million. This increase was primarily due to increased volume
and the impact of acquisitions. Gross margin declined to 17.8% from 18.4% in
1995 due primarily to lower margins realized on the sales contributed by
acquired businesses and increased sales of lower margin HVAC products.
 
   
    Operating income of $59.8 million was $14.0 million or 30.6% higher than in
1995. This increase was primarily due to increased sales volume and the impact
of acquisitions, partially offset by an increase in securitization expense of
$0.8 million and increased selling, general and administrative expenses of $11.2
million. As a percent of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses
declined slightly to 7.7% from 8.0% in 1995.
    
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
    Interest expense increased $1.0 million to $11.0 million. This increase was
primarily due to the increased average monthly debt levels resulting from
acquisitions and the establishment of the Company's securitization program.
 
    The income tax provision of 38.4% for the year reflected the effect of state
income taxes and non-deductible expenses, including goodwill amortization.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AS COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
 
   
    Net sales were $471.3 million, an increase of 7.0% over 1994 net sales of
$440.7 million. This increase resulted primarily from growth in existing product
lines, new product introductions in Air Power Products, as well as the
acquisition of the acrylic whirlpool bath business, Swirl-way. Further sales
growth was restricted by a general softness in housing starts, down 7% from 1994
levels, and inventory destocking programs in both the retail and the wholesale
distribution channels. These factors combined to limit the Company's
flexibility, precluding additional pricing action during the year, as
competitive pressures remained strong.
    
 
    Gross earnings of $86.9 million for 1995 were $3.3 million, or 3.7% below
comparable 1994 results. The gains recorded in pricing, volume, new products and
acquisitions were not adequate to cover the raw material cost inflation of
approximately $18 million encountered in all three businesses, as double digit
increases were encountered during the year. The resulting decrease in gross
margin was significant, dropping from 20.5% in 1994 to 18.4% in 1995.
 
    Operating income fell from $51.7 million to $45.8 million. Excluding
securitization expense, selling, general and administrative expenses increased
by $1.2 million, or approximately 4% of incremental sales for the year. In
addition, securitization expense increased $1.4 million, reflecting the accounts
receivable activity associated with the sales increases recorded during the
year, as well as higher effective interest rates. The combination of these gross
earnings and operating expense items caused operating margins to decline from
11.7% in 1994 to 9.7% in the current year.
 
    Interest expense increased $1.7 million in 1995 to $10.0 million. This was a
result of the combination of increased debt levels and higher interest rates
encountered during the year.
 
    The income tax provision of 38.4% for the year reflected the effect of state
income taxes and non-deductible expenses, including goodwill amortization. The
1994 provision for income tax was 40.4%.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
    The Company historically has met its working capital needs and capital
expenditure requirements primarily through operating cash flow. Prior to the
Company's initial public offering in November 1994, Eagle provided short-term
liquidity to the Company, offered centralized treasury functions and handled
substantially all of the Company's investing and borrowing activities. Since the
initial public offering, the Company has established third-party credit
facilities and satisfied its debt service requirements and met its working
capital and capital expenditure needs through a combination of operating cash
flow, the revolving portion of its existing bank credit facility and funds
available through its asset securitization program.
 
   
    Net cash flow from operating activities was $41.1 million for 1996 compared
to $19.4 million for 1995. This increase was primarily due to the increase in
net income and a decrease in working capital requirements. Net cash flow used in
operating activities was $30.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 1997,
compared to a source of $1.9 million for the comparable 1996 period. The
decrease of $32.7 million was primarily due to the effect of the stand-alone
Company securitization program that was entered into in May 1996. Due to
seasonal factors, the Company's level of receivables is typically lower at the
end of the fourth quarter when compared to the other three quarters. This has
resulted in an increase of $29.2 million in the net residual interest retained
by the Company in the sold receivables from December 31, 1996 to March 31, 1997.
This residual interest is reflected in Other current assets in the Company's
consolidated
    
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
   
financial statements. In addition, operating cash flow decreased $3.9 million,
due to an increase in working capital requirements.
    
 
    At the time of the Merger, FBP expects to have received equity contributions
of approximately $135 million. In addition, at the Effective Time, Falcon
currently intends to issue debt securities for approximately $245 million of
gross proceeds and enter into a syndicated, senior secured term loan facility
for approximately $150 million. The proceeds of these equity and debt issuances
and funds drawn under the term loan facility will be used to finance the
conversion into cash, in the Merger, of approximately 19,014,255 shares of
Falcon Class A Stock currently outstanding, to refinance substantially all of
the outstanding indebtedness of Falcon and to pay the fees and expenses
associated with the Merger and the Merger Financings. Falcon also expects to
enter into a $150 million senior secured revolving credit facility to provide
liquidity for strategic acquisitions and working capital requirements, a portion
of which may be drawn down at the Effective Time. In addition, the Company also
expects to modify its existing accounts receivable securitization program,
increasing it to $100 million of availability. The term loan portion of the
senior secured credit facility will be drawn in full upon consummation of the
Merger. SEE "RISK FACTORS--Substantial Leverage; Stockholders' Deficit;
Liquidity." The Company believes that operating cash flow and availability under
the revolving credit and accounts receivable facilities will be adequate to
satisfy its debt service requirements and to meet working capital, capital
expenditures and acquisition needs for the forseeable future. However, the
Company could be required to attempt to obtain other debt and/or equity
financing to finance any significant acquisitions in the future.
 
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
 
    Capital expenditures were $20.0 million, $16.4 million and $19.7 million for
1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. The Company expects to spend approximately
$24.8 million in 1997 for various capital projects, including quality
enhancement, cost improvement, regulatory compliance, efficiency improvement,
increased capacity and normal maintenance projects. The Company's commitments
for capital expenditures at the end of 1996 were approximately $1.5 million.
Capital expenditures attributable to environmental matters were not material in
any of these years, nor does the Company believe that such expenditures will be
material in 1997.
 
SEASONALITY, WORKING CAPITAL AND CYCLICALITY
 
    Sales of certain products of the Company are subject to seasonal variation.
Due to seasonal factors associated with the construction industry, sales of
products are typically higher during the second and third quarters than at other
times of the year. The residential and commercial construction markets are
sensitive to cyclical changes in the economy.
 
INFLATION
 
    Raw material cost inflation had a material impact on 1995 operating income.
Increased raw material costs over 1994 totaled approximately $18.2 million. The
effect of inflation on 1996 operating results was not material.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
                         PRICES OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK
 
    Falcon Class A Stock is currently listed and traded on the New York Stock
Exchange (the "NYSE") under the symbol "FB." The following table sets forth, for
the periods indicated, the high and low sale prices per share of Falcon Class A
Stock.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 HIGH           LOW
                                                                              ----------     ----------
<S>                                                                           <C>            <C>
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1995
  First Quarter...........................................................    $   11  5/8    $    9  3/4
  Second Quarter..........................................................        10  5/8         8  1/2
  Third Quarter...........................................................        11  3/4         8  5/8
  Fourth Quarter..........................................................         9  3/4         7  3/8
 
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1996
  First Quarter...........................................................    $   10  1/2    $    8  1/4
  Second Quarter..........................................................        12  7/8         8  3/4
  Third Quarter...........................................................        13  1/2        10
  Fourth Quarter..........................................................        14  3/4        11  1/8
 
Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 1997
  First Quarter...........................................................    $   17  1/2    $   13  5/8
  Second Quarter (through May 20, 1997)...................................    $   17  5/8    $   17  1/4
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    On November 29, 1996, the last trading day before the public announcement
that the Company was pursuing strategic alternatives, the last sale price of
Falcon Class A Stock as reported on the NYSE was $12 3/8 per share. On March 19,
1997 the last trading day before public announcement of execution of the Merger
Agreement, the last sale price of Falcon Class A Stock as reported on the NYSE
was $16 3/8 per share. On May 20, 1997, the last sale price of Falcon Class A
Stock as reported on the NYSE was $17 3/8 per share and, on the Record Date, the
number of shareholders of record was approximately 100. Falcon's stockholders
should obtain current market quotations for Falcon Class A Stock. No dividends
have been paid to stockholders since Falcon's initial public offering in 1994,
and no dividends are expected to be declared prior to or after the Merger. In
addition, it is anticipated that the terms of any debt instruments to be entered
into in connection with the Merger Financings will prohibit or otherwise
restrict any future payment of dividends.
    
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
GENERAL
 
    Falcon is a leading domestic manufacturer and distributor of products for
the residential and commercial construction and home improvement markets. The
Company's products include air distribution products; ceramic, enameled steel
and acrylic plumbing fixtures; and air compressors, electric generators, power
washers and OEM compressors. The products that contributed more than 10% of net
sales in 1996, 1995 and 1994 were as follows: residential grilles, registers and
diffusers as a group were 9%, 11% and 11%, respectively; ceramic china bathroom
fixtures were 17%, 22% and 25%, respectively; and air compressors were 23%, 28%
and 27%, respectively. Power washers accounted for 13% of net sales in 1996. The
Company believes that its products are well regarded as being innovative, of
high-quality and competitively priced.
 
COMPANY PRODUCTS
 
    AIR DISTRIBUTION PRODUCTS--The Company is a leading supplier of air
distribution products and is the leading manufacturer of residential and light
commercial grilles, registers and diffusers for heating, ventilating and air
conditioning ("HVAC") applications. These products are marketed under the Hart &
Cooley-Registered Trademark-, Metlvent-Registered Trademark-, Reliable-TM-,
Tuttle & Bailey-Registered Trademark-, Woodwinds-TM- and Valley-TM- brand names.
The Company
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
manufactures more than 8,000 air distribution items, including metal grilles,
registers and diffusers, gas vent and chimney systems, flexible ducts, louvers,
terminal units and electric duct heaters. Products are generally produced on a
high-volume, low-cost basis; however, the standard product line is supplemented
with custom-engineered products designed to meet specific size or performance
requirements.
 
    PLUMBING FIXTURES--The Company is a leading domestic producer of ceramic
china bathroom fixtures, including toilets and lavatories. The Company also
produces enameled steel bathroom tubs and sinks, and acrylic whirlpool tubs as
well as brass and plastic trim and fittings. These products are sold to the
residential construction market under the Mansfield-Registered Trademark- and
Swirl-way-Registered Trademark- brand names.
 
    AIR POWER PRODUCTS--The Company is a leading producer of consumer and
commercial air compressors for home improvement applications. The Company
manufactures a broad line of air compressors in the 3/4 to 10 horsepower range.
These air compressors are electric or gasoline-driven with either oil-lubricated
or oil-free pumps and are marketed under several brand names, including Air
America-Registered Trademark-, Charge Air Pro-Registered Trademark-, Pro
4000-TM-, Pro Air II-TM- and Steel Driver-Registered Trademark-. The Company
also manufactures air compressors under private-label programs, the most
significant of which is the Craftsman-Registered Trademark- label for Sears
Roebuck and Co. In addition, the Company sells a variety of accessory items such
as paint spray guns, nailers and staplers, pneumatic tools, sanders and air
hoses for use in home improvement applications. In 1995, several new product
lines were introduced, including electric generators, power washers and OEM
compressors. These new products, as is the case with compressors, are marketed
primarily into retail and home center outlets. In January 1996, Falcon completed
the acquisition of Ex-Cell Manufacturing Co., Inc. ("Ex-Cell"). Headquartered in
Decatur, Arkansas, Ex-Cell is a leading manufacturer of power washers, marketed
through the retail/home center distribution channel under the Ex-Cell-Registered
Trademark- brand name.
 
BUILDING PRODUCTS INDUSTRY
 
    The building products industry depends primarily on the residential and
commercial construction markets. The level of activity in the residential
construction market depends on new housing starts and residential alteration and
repair projects, which are generally a function of interest rates, inflation,
unemployment, demographic trends, gross domestic product growth and consumer
confidence. According to the National Association of Home Builders, domestic
housing starts declined from approximately 1.8 million in 1986 to approximately
1.0 million in 1991, improving to approximately 1.5 million in 1996. Domestic
housing starts have fluctuated between 1.3 million and 1.5 million from 1993 to
1996. The decline in residential housing starts from the mid 1980's to the
present has resulted in pricing pressures in the industry that have not yet been
alleviated. However, according to the National Association of Home Builders,
residential remodeling expenditures have grown over the same period, from $91
billion in 1986 to a high of approximately $112 billion in 1995. The Company
estimates, based upon management's industry experience, that the residential
alteration and repair market accounts for approximately 40% of the Company's net
sales. The level of activity of the commercial construction market depends
largely on vacancy rates and general economic conditions. According to the
National Association of Home Builders, commercial construction activity trended
downward from 1986 to 1991 and since then has grown slowly.
 
POST-MERGER BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
    The Company's business strategy has emphasized, and will continue to
emphasize after consummation of the Merger, long term value creation through the
manufacturing and distribution of highly engineered building products for the
residential, light commercial and home improvement markets. Key elements of this
strategy include:
 
    EMPHASIS ON QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE.  The Company believes that the
continued production of high-quality products and maintenance of superior
customer service are essential to its growth. The Company emphasizes the
importance of product quality to all of its employees, incorporates high-quality
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
materials into its products and continues to implement total quality management
initiatives at its operating locations.
 
    LOW COST PRODUCTION.  The Company believes that it is a low cost producer in
each of the markets it serves and will strive to maintain this position in the
future. The Company has reduced costs through the development of cost-effective
product designs, careful attention to manufacturing processes, employee
involvement, capital investment and the consolidation of manufacturing
facilities.
 
    DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARKET EXPANSION.  The Company intends to
continue to expand market share in domestic markets while further pursuing
expansion into international markets. The Company has identified significant
growth opportunities in several international markets, particularly in Canada,
Mexico, Latin America and Asia, and plans to pursue these opportunities by
increasing exports and entering into strategic alliances with local
manufacturers and distributors.
 
    NEW PRODUCTS AND PRODUCT LINE EXTENSIONS.  The Company plans to expand its
offering of innovative and high-quality products at competitive prices.
Significant product innovations have been developed by the Company, and several
new products were recently introduced, including a line of decorative
residential registers, one-piece plumbing fixtures, pneumatic nailers and
staplers, and electric generators.
 
    DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL EXPANSION.  The Company intends to expand into
additional distribution channels while further penetrating existing distribution
channels. One area of focus is to continue to capitalize on the growing trend of
homeowners and small contractors to purchase building products from home centers
and other retail outlets.
 
    STRATEGIC AND COMPLEMENTARY ACQUISITIONS.  The Company plans to continue to
aggressively focus on acquiring complementary product lines and businesses. The
Company intends to pursue acquisitions which are closely related to its
businesses, complement current manufacturing and distribution capabilities and
provide the Company with opportunities to add capacity, consolidate operations
and achieve economies of scale. The Company also plans to explore strategic
acquisitions of manufacturers and distributors of highly engineered building
products which can be integrated into the Company's business strategy.
 
MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION
 
    The Company markets and distributes its products nationwide through a
variety of distribution channels. Based on 1996 net sales, approximately 52% of
the Company's products are distributed to wholesalers and manufacturers'
representatives who sell to contractors serving the residential and commercial
construction markets. Approximately 48% of the Company's net sales are made to
mass merchandisers and retail chains, which sell to homeowners and contractors.
 
    The Company utilizes a combination of internal sales forces and independent
representatives to market and sell its products. The Company markets its
residential and light commercial air distribution products nationwide to HVAC
contractors through over 750 wholesale distributors. The Company provides sales
support to these distributors through a direct field sales staff and a customer
service group. Independent representatives are also used to supplement the field
sales coverage. The Company markets its commercial and industrial air
distribution products nationwide primarily to HVAC contractors through over 150
commercial representatives. The Company's commercial representative organization
is supported by regional sales managers and a customer service group. The
Company markets its ceramic china, acrylic whirlpool baths and enameled steel
bathroom fixtures and brass fittings primarily through manufacturers'
representatives, who sell to wholesale distributors. These distributors sell to
plumbers, building contractors and remodelers. The Company also supplies
bathroom fixture products to the retail distribution channel, primarily through
Home Depot. The Company markets its air compressor products primarily through
consumer distribution channels. These consumer distribution channels constitute
approximately 95% of
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
the Company's air compressor sales and include mass merchants, warehouse clubs,
home centers, hardware cooperatives and farm and fleet cooperatives. The Company
services these consumer channels through a direct sales staff and manufacturers'
representatives.
 
COMPETITION
 
    Falcon competes with several national and regional suppliers of building
products in each of its product areas. In HVAC, the Company competes primarily
with other large HVAC manufacturers and with several national and regional
suppliers of HVAC products. In bathroom fixtures, the Company competes with
other national manufacturers of plumbing products as well as with regional
producers. In air compressors, the Company is one of the three primary suppliers
of consumer and commercial air compressors. In power washers, the Company
competes primarily with two other large manufacturers and several other smaller
producers. Some of the Company's competitors are larger, have greater financial
resources and are less leveraged than the Company. The Company believes that it
has competed successfully in its market on the basis of quality, service and
product differentiation.
 
PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND LICENSES
 
    The Company has been issued several patents worldwide. The Company believes
that its patents are important to its business operations; however, the Company
does not believe that the expiration or loss of any of its patents would have a
material adverse effect on the Company.
 
    The Company owns a number of trademarks, including Hart & Cooley-Registered
Trademark-, Metlvent-Registered Trademark-, Reliable-TM-, Tuttle &
Bailey-Registered Trademark-, Woodwinds-TM-, Valley-TM-, Mansfield-Registered
Trademark-, Swirl-Way-Registered Trademark-, Kilgore-TM-, Air America-Registered
Trademark-, Charge Air Pro-Registered Trademark-, Ex-Cell-Registered Trademark-
and Pro Air II-TM-. The Company also has several licenses for various
trademarks, including a license to use the DeVilbiss trademark. The DeVilbiss
license has a ten-year term (expiring in April 2000) and may be renewed for two
successive ten-year renewal periods. The Company believes that its trademarks
and its licenses are important to its business operations, but does not believe
that the expiration or loss of any trademark or license would have a material
adverse effect on the Company.
 
RAW MATERIALS AND SUPPLIERS
 
   
    The raw materials and component parts used in the Company's operations
include steel, aluminum, clay, mylar and electric motors. Most of the Company's
purchases are sourced domestically and nearly all of the Company's purchases are
readily available through multiple sources. During 1995 a world-wide shortage of
mylar occurred, restricting availability and increasing cost. By the end of
1995, availability had improved. In the last five years, the Company has not
experienced any other shortages that materially affected production. Purchases
are typically made through blanket order releases that span a period from
several months up to one year. In 1995, double-digit inflation was encountered
in certain of the basic raw materials and components used in the manufacturing
process. The total raw material cost inflation in 1995 added approximately $18
million to Falcon's 1995 cost of sales. During 1996, raw material costs eased
and, in some specific items, have declined below year-end 1995 levels.
    
 
BACKLOG
 
    The Company's backlog at December 31, 1996 and 1995 was $22.0 million and
$10.6 million, respectively. The increase in the Company's backlog primarily
reflects the addition of Ex-Cell, acquired in January 1996. The Company's
backlog at March 31, 1997 and 1996 was $29.0 million and $27.8 million,
respectively. Historically, substantially all of the Company's backlog has been
shipped within the next month.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
EMPLOYEES
 
    The Company employed approximately 4,100 persons as of December 31, 1996.
Approximately 2,200 hourly employees are covered by six collective bargaining
agreements expiring through 1999. The Company believes that its labor relations
are satisfactory at all of its facilities.
 
PROPERTIES
 
    The Company believes its manufacturing, warehouse and office facilities are
suitable, adequate and have sufficient manufacturing capacity for its current
requirements. The Company also believes that its facilities are being utilized
consistent with the Company's plans and do not have substantial excess capacity.
The Company's principal facilities consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   APPROX. SQUARE
             LOCATION                               PRINCIPAL USE                     FOOTAGE      LEASED/OWNED
- ----------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------
<S>                                 <C>                                            <C>             <C>
Holland, Michigan.................  Office, Manufacturing                               613,000          Owned
Kilgore, Texas....................  Office, Manufacturing, Warehouse                    544,000          Owned
Perrysville, Ohio.................  Office, Manufacturing, Warehouse                    494,200          Owned
Walnut, California................  Office, Manufacturing, Warehouse                    414,000          Owned
Jackson, Tennessee................  Office, Manufacturing, Warehouse                    341,100          Owned
Huntsville, Alabama...............  Office, Manufacturing                               219,000          Owned
Memphis, Tennessee................  Office, Manufacturing, Warehouse                    204,000         Leased
Geneva, Alabama...................  Office, Manufacturing                               203,000          Owned
Shelby, Ohio......................  Warehouse                                           171,500         Leased
Sanger, California................  Office, Manufacturing, Warehouse                    142,000         Leased
Henderson, Texas..................  Manufacturing, Warehouse                            124,600          Owned
Decatur, Arkansas.................  Office, Manufacturing, Warehouse                    105,980          Owned
Jackson, Tennessee................  Manufacturing, Warehouse                            103,000         Leased
Jackson, Tennessee................  Warehouse                                            90,000         Leased
Sparks, Nevada....................  Distribution Center                                  73,000         Leased
Big Prairie, Ohio.................  Manufacturing                                        60,000          Owned
</TABLE>
 
    The Company's facility in Memphis, Tennessee is leased pursuant to a lease
that expires in October 1997, with renewal options to 1998. The Company's
facility in Sparks, Nevada is leased pursuant to a lease that expires in
December 2000. One of the Company's Jackson, Tennessee facilities is leased
pursuant to a lease that expires in August 1998, with renewal options to 1999.
The other leased facility in Jackson, Tennessee is leased pursuant to a lease
that expires in August 1997, with an extension option to November 1997. The
Company's facility in Shelby, Ohio is leased on a month-to-month basis. The
Sanger, California facility is leased through December 1997, with renewal
options for an additional five years.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
    The Company's operations are subject to federal, state and local laws and
regulations governing, among other things, emissions to air, discharge to
waters, the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and
disposal of waste and other materials and health and safety matters. The Company
believes that its business, operations and facilities have been and are being
operated in compliance in all material respects with applicable environmental
and health and safety laws and regulations, many of which provide for
substantial fines and criminal sanctions for violations. However, the operation
of manufacturing plants entails risks in these areas, and there can be no
assurance that the Company will not incur material costs or liabilities in the
future. In addition, potentially significant expenditures could be required in
order to comply with evolving environmental and health and safety laws,
regulations or requirements that may be adopted or imposed in the future.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
    The Company is involved in environmental proceedings initiated by state or
local governmental agencies pertaining to two of its facilities. The Company is
currently working with the appropriate agencies on a remedial plan for the
closure of an on-site landfill at the Company's Holland, Michigan facility that
is currently estimated to cost approximately $400,000. The Company is also
working with the appropriate agencies on a remedial plan for the closure of one
on-site and four off-site landfills at or near the Company's Perrysville, Ohio
facility that is currently estimated to cost approximately $1,000,000. In
addition, the Company is in the process of making capital alterations at its
Perrysville, Ohio foundry in response to an environmental compliance variance.
The Company believes that its reserves are adequate and that its liabilities for
these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition, annual results of operations or competitive position; however, there
can be no assurance that the Company will not incur costs or liabilities in the
future that will have a material adverse effect on the Company. Capital
expenditures and expenses (including ordinary course of business hauling and
disposal expenses) in 1996 attributable to environmental matters were not
material in relation to the Company's consolidated financial position or results
of operations.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    The Company is involved from time to time in various legal proceedings and
claims incident to the normal conduct of its business, including the
environmental matters described above. Although it is impossible to predict the
outcome of any pending legal proceeding, the Company believes that such legal
proceedings and claims, individually and in the aggregate, are either without
merit, are covered by insurance or are adequately reserved for, and will not
have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of
operations.
 
    In addition to the matters covered by the preceding paragraph, in May 1994,
Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada ("ULC") suspended its recognition of high
temperature plastic venting ("HTPV") for gas appliance systems, including the
Ultravent product distributed by the Company. This action resulted from reports
of problems with HTPV, including improper installation, cracking, inadequate
joint adhesion, and related safety hazards, including potential for carbon
monoxide emission. In June 1994, as a result of the ULC action, the Ontario
Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations ("MCCR") suspended sales of HTPV
in the Province of Ontario. Other provinces of Canada have taken similar action.
Pursuant to an MCCR order, appliance systems in Ontario with HTPV have been
remediated. Most gas appliance manufacturers in Canada and the United States no
longer certify HTPV for use with their products. As a result, the Company has
discontinued sales of its HTPV product.
 
    The Company is a defendant in a suit in Canada captioned ONTARIO NEW HOME
WARRANTY PROGRAM v. CHEVRON CHEMICAL CORP. ET AL--Ontario Court--General
Division No. 22487/96 which was filed on February 27, 1996 against 24 entities
including heating appliance manufacturers, plastic vent manufacturers and
distributors, public utilities and listing agencies by the Ontario New Home
Warranty Program, which is responsible for the cost of replacing appliances
equipped with HTPV in new home construction in Ontario. This suit seeks damages
of Cdn $125 million from all of the defendants. The Company is also a defendant
in a lawsuit captioned GOODMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY v. CHEVRON CHEMICAL CORP.
ET AL-- County Court--Harris County, Texas--No. 96-15816 in which the Company
has been sued along with two other defendants for reimbursement of costs
associated with the plaintiff's HTPV corrective action program. In the lawsuit
captioned RHEEM CORP. ET AL v. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.--Superior Court--Suffolk
County, Massachusetts No. 97-1709-B, filed March 31, 1997, the Company and two
other defendants have been sued by seven furnace manufacturers which are seeking
reimbursement for costs expected to be incurred as a result of corrective action
programs to be conducted in connection with furnace systems vented with HTPV. On
April 1, 1997, the Company filed its own legal action captioned HART & COOLEY,
INC. v. AMANA REFRIGERATION, INC.--Circuit Court--Ottawa County, Michigan No.
97-27729-NP against all identifiable appliance manufacturers that certified HTPV
for use with their appliance systems including the plaintiffs in the Texas and
Massachusetts actions. In its suit, the Company is seeking damages for costs
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
it has incurred and declaratory relief for costs that may be incurred in the
future as a result of the conduct of appliance manufacturers that certified
their products for use with HTPV. The Company has also been named in a class
action lawsuit regarding high temperature plastic venting captioned ENGEL v.
CHEVRON CHEMICAL CORP. ET AL--Circuit Court--Rutherford County, Tennessee No.
37715, filed January 9, 1997. In this case, the Company is a defendant along
with its principal competitor in the HTPV business, a resin supplier, and a
furnace manufacturer that has been joined as a representative of a defendant
class consisting of all appliance manufacturers. The plaintiffs seek damages on
behalf of all persons in the United States with appliance systems that are
vented with HTPV.
 
    The Company is engaged in ongoing discussions with the United States
Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC"), which has been advised of the ULC
action and the actions taken by the MCCR. The CPSC continues to investigate HTPV
and has met with all of the manufacturers of HTPV, various appliance
manufacturers and other entities with technical expertise. CPSC concerns focus
on the heating appliance system, the plastic resin used to manufacture the
venting and improper installation. While no definitive action has been decided
upon, the Company is aware that the CPSC is considering a corrective action
program involving HTPV, and it is probable that in the near term the CPSC will
mandate a corrective action program that would impact heating appliance
manufacturers, plastic resin manufacturers, and HTPV manufacturers and
distributors, including the Company. Several appliance manufacturers have
announced their intention to take corrective action regarding gas appliance
systems equipped with HTPV. Company sales of Ultravent products in the United
States and Canada in 1995 and 1996 were minimal.
 
   
    With respect to these matters, the Company, on September 16, 1996, filed an
action in state court in Illinois against certain insurance carriers captioned
HART & COOLEY, INC. v. NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF PITTSBURGH, PA
ET AL.--Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois--No. 96-CH-9947. The Company is
seeking a declaratory judgment, damages for breach of contract and specific
relief requiring the insurance carriers, pursuant to the terms of the Company's
insurance policies, to defend and reimburse the Company for costs and legal
expenses arising from Ultravent-related claims. The amount at issue cannot be
determined at this time. The insurance carriers have denied coverage on a number
of grounds, including (i) that there has been no property damage, bodily injury
or occurrence, as those terms are defined in the insurance policies; (ii) that
various exclusions in the insurance policies apply with respect to injuries to
the Company's own products, the failure of its products to perform, and product
recalls; (iii) that the Company knew or should have known of the existence of
alleged problems with Ultravent; and (iv) that other insurance which should be
called on prior to the policies of these insurers is available. The insurance
carriers have filed motions to dismiss the Company's lawsuit.
    
 
    While it is impossible at this time to give a firm estimate of the ultimate
cost to the Company, management currently believes that the after-tax cost to
the Company of resolving the Ultravent matters discussed above should range from
a non-material amount to $20.0 million, after considering numerous factors
including, in certain scenarios, the possibility of third party reimbursements
and insurance recoveries. It is possible that, in the event that a number of the
factors referenced above were resolved adversely to the Company and no third
party reimbursements or insurance recoveries were received, the upper limit of
such range would be exceeded. While no assurance can be given, the Company
believes at this time that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not
have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, but may have a
material effect on future results of operations in the period recognized.
 
                              THE SPECIAL MEETING
 
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED
 
    The purpose of the Special Meeting is to vote upon a proposal to approve and
adopt the Merger Agreement entered into between FBP and Falcon and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger. If the Merger is
approved by the stockholders of Falcon, FBP will merge with and into Falcon and
19,014,255 million shares (subject to the elimination of fractional shares) of
Falcon Class A Stock
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
currently held by Falcon's stockholders will be converted into cash. The
remaining 1,034,020 shares (subject to the elimination of fractional shares) of
the presently issued and outstanding shares of Falcon Class A Stock will be
retained by existing stockholders of Falcon and, upon consummation of the
Merger, will have those rights, powers, privileges and restrictions described in
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
 
   
    The shares which are to be retained will represent approximately 12% of the
shares of Falcon Class A Stock to be issued and outstanding immediately after
the Merger. In addition to the approximately 1,034,020 shares of Falcon Class A
Stock to be issued and outstanding upon the effectiveness of the Merger, the
Company will have shares of three other classes of stock outstanding: 6,721,537
shares of Falcon Class B Common Stock; 844,273 shares of Falcon Class C Common
Stock and 17,000 shares of Falcon Class D Common Stock. The approximately
1,034,020 shares of Falcon Class A Stock to be outstanding will represent
approximately 12% of the outstanding equity capital of the Company and will have
approximately 12% of the voting power after the Merger. The shares of Falcon
Class B Common Stock, Falcon Class C Common Stock and Falcon Class D Common
Stock will represent approximately 88% of the outstanding equity capital of the
Company after the Merger. Shares of Falcon Class D Common Stock will have
approximately 88% of the voting power after the Merger and shares of Falcon
Class B Common Stock and Falcon Class C Common Stock will not have voting
rights. SEE "DESCRIPTION OF FALCON CAPITAL STOCK--Falcon's Capital Stock
Following the Merger."
    
 
    The Board of Directors of Falcon, and the non-management members of the
Board of Directors of Falcon, have each unanimously approved the Merger
Agreement and recommended a vote FOR approval of the Merger Agreement and the
Merger. The Merger Agreement is attached to this Proxy Statement/ Prospectus as
Annex I. SEE "THE MERGER" and "CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT."
 
REQUIRED VOTES
 
    The affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of
Falcon Class A Stock entitled to vote thereon is required to adopt and approve
the Merger Agreement and the actions contemplated thereby, including the Merger.
 
    Pursuant to the Voting Agreements, the Subject Stockholders, who
beneficially owned, as of the Record Date, an aggregate of approximately 71% of
the outstanding Falcon Class A Stock, have agreed, subject to certain
conditions, to vote all shares of Falcon Class A Stock held by them in favor of
the Merger Agreement and the Merger. The stockholders who are parties to the
Voting Agreements consist of EHL, Messrs. Hall, Cottone and Athas and five other
officers of the Company and its subsidiaries. The forms of the Voting Agreements
appear as Annex II to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. SEE "CERTAIN RELATED
AGREEMENTS--Agreements With Certain Stockholders."
 
    As of the Record Date, directors and executive officers of the Company and
their affiliates were beneficial owners of an aggregate of 448,075 shares
(approximately 2.2%) of the outstanding Falcon Class A Stock. The directors and
executive officers of the Company who have not executed the Voting Agreements,
who beneficially owned as of the Record Date an aggregate of 176,200 shares
(approximately 0.9%) of the outstanding Falcon Class A Stock, have indicated
that they intend to vote their shares of Falcon Class A Stock in favor of the
Merger Agreement and the Merger.
 
VOTING AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
 
    Shares of Falcon Class A Stock that are entitled to vote and are represented
by a proxy properly signed and received at or prior to the Special Meeting,
unless subsequently properly revoked, will be voted in accordance with the
instructions indicated thereon. If a proxy is signed and returned without
indicating any voting instructions, shares of Falcon Class A Stock represented
by such proxy will be voted FOR the proposal to approve and adopt the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. The persons appointed as
proxies may not exercise their discretionary voting authority to vote any such
proxy in
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
favor of any adjournments or postponements of the Special Meeting if instruction
is given to vote against the approval of the Merger and the other proposals. Any
proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it
at any time before the shares represented by such proxy are voted at the Special
Meeting by (i) attending and voting in person at the Special Meeting, (ii)
giving notice of revocation of the proxy at the Special Meeting, or (iii)
delivering to the Secretary of Falcon (a) a written notice of revocation or (b)
a duly executed proxy relating to the same shares and matters to be considered
at the Special Meeting, bearing a date later than the proxy previously executed.
Attendance at the Special Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a
revocation of a proxy. All written notices of revocation and other
communications with respect to revocation of proxies should be addressed to
Falcon as follows: Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1100, Chicago, Illinois
60606 Attention: Gus J. Athas, Secretary, and must be received before the taking
of the votes at the Special Meeting.
 
RECORD DATE; STOCK ENTITLED TO VOTE; QUORUM
 
    Only holders of Falcon Class A Stock at the close of business on May 5, 1997
will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting. At the
close of business on the Record Date, the Company had outstanding and entitled
to vote 20,048,275 shares of Falcon Class A Stock. Shares of Falcon Class A
Stock represented by proxies which are marked "abstain" or which are not marked
as to any particular matter or matters will be counted as shares present for
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum on all matters. Proxies
relating to "street name" shares that are voted by brokers will be counted as
shares present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum on all
matters, but will not be treated as shares having voted at the Special Meeting
as to any proposal as to which authority to vote is withheld by the broker.
 
    The presence, in person or by proxy, at the Special Meeting of the holders
of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the Special Meeting
is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Abstentions
will be counted as present for the purposes of determining whether a quorum is
present but will not be counted as votes cast in favor of the Merger. Because
the vote on the Merger requires the approval of a majority of the votes entitled
to be cast by the stockholders of the outstanding shares of Falcon Class A
Stock, abstentions will have the same effect as a negative vote on the proposal.
 
STOCKHOLDERS' APPRAISAL RIGHTS
 
    Each stockholder of Falcon Class A Stock has a right to dissent from the
Merger, and, if the Merger is consummated, to seek to receive "fair value" for
his shares in cash by complying with the provisions of Delaware law, including
Section 262 of the DGCL. The dissenting stockholder must deliver to the Company,
prior to the vote being taken on the Merger at the Special Meeting, a written
demand for appraisal of such stockholder's shares of Falcon Class A Stock and
must not vote in favor of the Merger. The full text of Section 262 of the DGCL
is attached as Annex IV hereto. SEE "STOCKHOLDERS' APPRAISAL RIGHTS" for a
further discussion of such rights and the legal consequences of voting shares of
Falcon Class A Stock in favor of the Merger.
 
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
 
    The Company will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies and the cost
of printing and mailing this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. In addition to
solicitation by mail, the directors, officers and employees of the Company may
solicit proxies from stockholders of the Company by telephone, telegram or in
person. Such directors, officers and employees will not be additionally
compensated for any such solicitation but may be reimbursed for outstanding
out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith. Arrangements will also be made
with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the
forwarding of solicitation material to the beneficial owners of shares held of
record by such persons and the Company will reimburse such custodians, nominees
and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection
therewith.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
    Morrow & Co., Inc. will assist in the solicitation of proxies by the Company
for a fee of approximately $2,500, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. If
you have any questions or require additional material, please call Morrow & Co.,
Inc. at (800) 662-5200 (toll free) or (212) 754-8000 (collect).
 
    HOLDERS OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK SHOULD NOT SEND STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH
THEIR PROXY CARDS. ONLY HOLDERS OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK WHO WISH TO MAKE A
NON-CASH ELECTION ARE REQUIRED TO SEND STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THEIR FORM OF
ELECTION (AS DEFINED BELOW). SEE "THE MERGER--NON-CASH ELECTION" AND "--NON-CASH
ELECTION PROCEDURE."
 
                                   THE MERGER
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER
 
    At a regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting on September 6, 1996,
the Company's management expressed concern over the fact that, notwithstanding
the Company's solid operating performance in 1996 and a good market for equity
securities, the Company's stock price had not risen significantly since the
Company's initial public offering on November 2, 1994. Management advised the
Board that over the past several months it had explored and implemented a
variety of operating, administrative and financial measures to enhance
stockholder value. Accordingly, the Board asked management to determine if there
were any strategic measures available to increase stockholder value.
 
    Pursuant to the Board's directive, management asked Merrill Lynch and Smith
Barney, with whom the Company had ongoing investment banking relationships, to
investigate various strategies to enhance stockholder value, including (i)
merging the Company with logical strategic partners and (ii) selling all or
parts of the Company to strategic and/or financial buyers. Company officials met
with representatives of Merrill Lynch on October 17, 1996 and with
representatives of Smith Barney on October 23, 1996 to discuss alternative
strategies for the enhancement of stockholder value. As a result of these
meetings, management asked Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney to make preliminary
inquiries among a limited number of highly qualified potential buyers and to
discuss alternatives for the enhancement of stockholder value at the next
meeting of the Board of Directors.
 
    At the regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors on November 13,
1996, the Board, management, Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney assessed the
Company's current market valuation and stock price performance and discussed,
among other alternatives, the possibility of enhancing stockholder value through
the sale of the Company, in whole or in part, to a financial or strategic buyer.
Management, Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney also indicated to the Board that, in
the event the Board elected to explore alternatives leading to the sale of the
Company, it could proceed in any of the following ways: (i) continue discussions
with the small group of potential buyers that Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney had
contacted in the hope that one or more of them, in an effort to avoid a lengthy
auction process, would offer a premium price and move quickly to consummate a
transaction, (ii) conduct a "controlled auction" with a larger group (5-20) of
potential buyers or (iii) conduct a full-scale, publicly disclosed auction of
the Company.
 
    After extensive discussion and evaluation of the advantages and
disadvantages of each option, the Board authorized management to continue to
pursue discussions with the buyers that had already been contacted to determine
their interest in offering a premium price for the Company in order to preempt
other buyers. The Board and management noted that this approach could avoid the
business and personnel disruption attending a full public auction. The Board
also authorized management to retain both Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney as
financial advisors (collectively, the "Financial Advisors") to the Company.
 
    Pursuant to the Board's directives and authorization, the Company retained
Smith Barney on November 19, 1996 and Merrill Lynch on November 20, 1996.
Thereafter, as directed by the Board, Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney continued
discussions with the five potential buyers previously selected, each of whom had
signed confidentiality agreements and received confidential information about
the Company. Two of these possible buyers submitted preliminary indications of
interest.
 
    At a Board meeting on November 21, 1996, management and the Financial
Advisors reviewed the two indications of interest that the Company had received.
The Board noted that (i) each indication of interest
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
contained substantial contingencies and risks regarding the ultimate
consummation of a transaction at the indicated price levels and (ii) neither
indication of interest was at a price sufficient to justify foregoing a broader
sale process. At the meeting, and on the basis of advice received from the
Financial Advisors and the Company's legal counsel, the Board decided that a
full-scale, publicly disclosed auction represented the best way to maximize
value for all shareholders. The Company's legal counsel then explained to the
Board the principal events and timing of the full auction process.
 
    The Company, with the assistance of the Financial Advisors, then prepared a
confidential memorandum (the "Confidential Memorandum") for distribution to
potential buyers and assembled comprehensive lists of possible buyers to be
contacted directly regarding their interest in a possible transaction.
 
    On December 2, 1996, the Company issued a press release stating that the
Company had hired the Financial Advisors to explore strategic alternatives,
including the possible sale of the Company or one or more of its business units.
 
    The Financial Advisors contacted or, as a result of the public announcement,
were contacted by 151 parties interested in considering the potential
acquisition of the entire Company or one or more of its operating units.
Confidentiality agreements were entered into with 87 potential buyers and,
beginning on December 6, 1996, copies of the Confidential Memorandum were sent
to such potential buyers. Each potential buyer also received a letter setting
forth the procedures of the auction process, the deadline for offers, and other
bidding requirements.
 
    By mid-January 1997, the Company had received 32 written indications of
interest from potential buyers, 12 of which expressed interest in acquiring the
Company as a whole. Management, with the Financial Advisors' assistance,
evaluated each indication of interest and selected 15 potential buyers to
proceed to the next stage of the auction process. The Company's tax counsel
advised that the sale of either Hart & Cooley or Mansfield in separate
transactions would be highly inefficient from a tax standpoint. Management did
not believe that the bids that the Company received for either Hart & Cooley or
Mansfield were sufficiently attractive to overcome this tax inefficiency.
Accordingly, after conferring with its legal counsel and the Financial Advisors,
management decided to give preference to either (i) the sale of the stock of the
entire Company to a single buyer or (ii) the sale of the stock of its DeVilbiss
subsidiary, to one buyer, and the subsequent sale of the stock of the Company
(excluding DeVilbiss but including the Hart & Cooley and Mansfield subsidiaries)
to a different buyer. These 15 potential buyers received access to a special
"Data Room" set up by the Company and also the opportunity to meet with the
management of the Company and its subsidiaries and to visit the Company's
various manufacturing sites. The Company included in this group 11 of the 12
bidders that expressed interest in acquiring the Company as a whole and four
bidders that expressed interest in acquiring DeVilbiss alone. From January 16
through February 4, each of the 15 potential buyers conducted meetings with
management. Eleven of such potential buyers visited selected manufacturing sites
and the remaining four parties elected not to proceed further.
 
    On January 28, 1997, at its regularly scheduled meeting, the Board received
a progress report on the auction process. At this meeting, the Board asked
specific questions about various potential buyers as well as the business and
tax implications of pursuing the separate sale of subsidiaries rather than the
Company as a whole. The Board reviewed and affirmed management's judgment in
selecting, from among the 32 submitted indications of interest, 15 potential
buyers to proceed to the next stage of the auction. At this meeting, the
Financial Advisors told the Board that financial buyers had uniformly indicated
that the availability of recapitalization accounting would be an essential
element of their proposals.
 
    On February 10, 1997, each of the 11 remaining potential buyers received a
second letter requesting that they submit their "best and final" offer,
including the price per share and the key terms and conditions of their bid, by
March 12, 1997. Those potential buyers interested in the entire Company also
received a draft merger agreement and were instructed to submit their comments
thereon with their final offers. The Company's letter stated that such offers
should not be conditioned on financing or further due diligence.
 
    On March 12, 1997, the Company received three offers for the Company and two
offers for the separate sale of DeVilbiss.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
    A special Board of Directors' meeting was held on March 14, 1997 to review
these offers with the Company's management and legal counsel and the Financial
Advisors. The Board, with the assistance of management and the Financial
Advisors, determined at that time that the sale of the entire Company provided
the most attractive alternative for the Company's stockholders and that the
offer from Investcorp was economically and structurally superior to the other
two offers for the entire Company. In particular, the Investcorp offer
represented the highest price per share ($19.00 per share, less the amount of
the legal and financial advisory fees to be incurred by the Company in
connection with the transaction), was not contingent upon the receipt of
financing or the completion of significant further due diligence, and treated
all stockholders equally by giving each of them the opportunity to retain an
equity interest in the Company. Because the Company estimated that its fees and
expenses would be approximately $0.50 per share, the Company regarded the
Investcorp offer as essentially offering $18.50 per share. The Investcorp offer
was conditioned on, among other things, (i) the execution of employment
agreements with key members of the Company's management, (ii) the availability
of recapitalization accounting treatment for the transaction, (iii) the
agreement of EHL, the Company's majority stockholder, to vote in favor of its
transaction and to give Investcorp an option to purchase EHL's shares and (iv)
the receipt of certain indemnification arrangements from EHL or an affiliate
thereof satisfactory to Investcorp. In particular, the Investcorp offer required
EHL to indemnify the Company for 80% of all future expenses and costs for which
the Company may become responsible as a result of the alleged defects in the
Ultravent product offered by the Company's Hart & Cooley subsidiary.
 
    The second highest offer was deemed less attractive because it (i) offered a
lower price per share ($17.00 per share), (ii) contained a more onerous request
for indemnification regarding the Ultravent matter from the majority stockholder
(which reduced the probability that the offer would be acceptable to such
stockholder), (iii) proposed a transaction structure that provided for
recapitalization accounting but did not give the Company's minority stockholders
the opportunity to retain equity ownership in the surviving corporation and (iv)
was conditioned on the absence of a material change in the capital markets
between execution and the closing of the acquisition agreement.
 
    The proposal submitted by the third bidder (i) was conditioned upon the
completion of its due diligence investigation, (ii) offered a price per share
($15.50 per share) that was substantially less than the price offered by either
of the two other bidders, (iii) was conditioned on the availability of financing
(although a "highly confident" letter was provided by a prominent investment
banking firm) and (iv) requested a more onerous indemnification related to the
Ultravent matter than that requested by Investcorp. In addition, this offer was
substantially less complete than the other offers because it did not include
proposed revisions to the draft merger agreement supplied by the Company, even
though the Company had expressly requested that all bids contain such proposed
revisions. The Board, after conferring with management, legal counsel and the
Financial Advisors, determined that the conditions as to due diligence and
financing, plus the fact that this buyer provided no comments on the draft
merger agreement, substantially increased the uncertainty of ultimately reaching
a satisfactory agreement with this bidder.
 
    At the conclusion of the Board meeting, the Board directed management: (i)
to negotiate with Investcorp, (ii) to notify the second highest bidder that its
bid was inadequate and (iii) not to pursue further discussions with the lowest
bidder for the entire Company or with those bidders offering to purchase
DeVilbiss alone.
 
    Mr. Hall, Falcon's President and Chief Executive Officer, discussed with the
Board, that, in contrast to the other two offers, the Investcorp offer was
conditioned on the continued employment of certain key executive officers,
including himself, by the Company after the consummation of the proposed
transaction. Mr. Hall requested that the Board appoint an AD HOC committee
comprised of two independent directors to monitor potential conflicts of
interest created by the Investcorp negotiations. The Board then appointed
Messrs. Sim and Smialek to such a committee.
 
    Negotiations with Investcorp began on March 17 and continued through March
20, 1997. Early in the negotiations, Investcorp and the Company agreed to split
the estimated $0.50 per share cost of investment
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
banking and legal fees by reducing the proposed purchase price by $0.25 per
share to $18.75 per share. However, Investcorp refused to drop its condition
relating to recapitalization accounting, stating that in order to do so it would
have to substantially reduce its offered price per share, perhaps by as much as
$4.00 to $5.00 per share. In separate negotiations between EHL and Investcorp,
EHL indicated that it would agree to Investcorp's requirement that the Subject
Stockholders agree to elect to retain that number of shares of Falcon Class A
Stock equal to the Non-Cash Election Number in order to satisfy the requirements
of recapitalization accounting and to enter into a voting agreement to support
the transaction, subject to obtaining stockholder rights commensurate with its
ownership position. Investcorp indicated that EHL's willingness to take these
steps was fundamental to Investcorp's willingness to proceed with a transaction
at the price of $18.75 per share.
 
    Consistent with the terms of the bidding process, the specific terms of the
three bids were not disclosed to the other bidders. However, pursuant to the
Board of Directors' direction, the second highest bidder was informed that its
bid was inadequate. On Tuesday, March 18, 1997, the second highest bidder
submitted a revised bid, but its revised offer price ($17.50 per share) remained
less than the price per share ultimately offered by Investcorp even though the
second bidder continued to require a full indemnity from EHL with respect to the
Ultravent matter.
 
    In addition to its negotiations with the Company, Investcorp began separate
negotiations with EHL regarding the Ultravent matter. EHL refused to supply an
indemnity on the Ultravent matter on the grounds that the Ultravent matter is a
liability of the Company and not an obligation of EHL. Investcorp determined
that it was impractical to structure and administer indemnity arrangements in
which all of the Company's stockholders bore responsibility for the Ultravent
matter. As a result, on Wednesday, March 19, Investcorp orally presented to the
Company a revised offer pursuant to which it would modify its offer so that it
would pay $17.75 per share and would drop its request that EHL provide an
Ultravent indemnity.
 
    At a special meeting of the Board of Directors on March 20, 1997, management
and the Financial Advisors advised the Board of the progress of the negotiations
with Investcorp and that the revised bid submitted by the second highest bidder
remained inferior to the current Investcorp proposal. The Board, management and
the Financial Advisors extensively discussed the Investcorp offer and, in
particular, the requirement of Investcorp and the other bidders that the
transaction be accounted for as a recapitalization for financial reporting
purposes. Management and the Financial Advisors stated that, in order to obtain
maximum value for all stockholders, it was essential that the Company accept the
contractual provisions that Investcorp required relating to recapitalization
accounting.
 
    Representatives of EHL were invited to attend this special meeting of the
Board in order that they might address the requirements related to
recapitalization accounting. The EHL representatives told the Board that, in
order to allow Investcorp to obtain recapitalization accounting treatment, while
at the same time permitting all other stockholders to receive cash if they chose
to do so, EHL was willing to commit to retain a specified number of shares, but
that if other stockholders also determined to retain Falcon Class A Stock, EHL
would share PRO RATA with such stockholders the opportunity to retain equity in
the surviving corporation.
 
    The Board noted that a key distinction between the Investcorp offer and the
other two offers received for the sale of the Company was that the Investcorp
offer provided for equal treatment of all stockholders by giving each
stockholder the opportunity to retain an equity interest in the Company after
the transaction, while the other offers were structured to preclude stockholders
other than EHL from having this opportunity.
 
    Legal counsel reviewed the applicable legal principles and the key
differences in the form of merger agreement previously distributed to the Board
and the form of the Merger Agreement presented for Board approval. The Financial
Advisors then rendered to the Board their respective oral opinions (which
opinions were subsequently confirmed by delivery of written opinions dated March
20, 1997) to the effect that, as of such date and based upon and subject to
certain matters stated in such opinions, the consideration to be received by the
holders of Falcon Class A Stock in the proposed Merger was fair to
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
such holders from a financial point of view, and reviewed with the Board the
financial analyses performed by the Financial Advisors in connection with their
respective opinions (see "--Opinions of Falcon's Financial Advisors"). Members
of the Board asked the Financial Advisors questions about their respective
opinions and the underlying methodologies and assumptions utilized by the
Financial Advisors for purposes of their financial analyses, although the Board
did not independently verify such methodologies and assumptions. As part of the
Company's financial planning process, members of the Board reviewed (but did not
independently verify) the financial information and projections that were
delivered to the Financial Advisors and formed part of the basis for their
respective opinions. The Board believed that the Financial Advisors' reliance on
those materials was reasonable. Each Financial Advisor also indicated that it
believed that, based on the exhaustive auction process that had been conducted,
the current Investcorp offer was the best offer reasonably available to the
Company.
 
    For the reasons summarized above, and on the basis of the advice of the
Financial Advisors and its legal counsel, the Board, and the non-management
members of the Board, each then voted unanimously to accept the Investcorp offer
on the grounds that it was fair to, and in the best interests of, Falcon's
stockholders and was the best offer available at the end of a comprehensive
auction process.
 
    The Board also approved the Voting Agreement among the Company, Investcorp
and EHL, because Investcorp had advised the Board that it would not sign the
Merger Agreement unless such agreement was in place. The Board also reviewed a
form of the Employment Agreements (which take effect upon consummation of the
Merger) with Messrs. Hall, Cottone and Athas and two other officers of the
Company and was advised of the amount recommended by the Compensation Committee
of the Board as transaction incentive bonuses payable by the Company to
management upon consummation of the Merger. The AD HOC committee comprised of
Messrs. Sim and Smialek reported that it had reviewed these arrangements and
found them to be reasonable.
 
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; REASONS FOR THE MERGER
 
    At its meeting on March 20, 1997, the Board, and the non-management members
of the Board, each unanimously determined, among other things, that the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger and the
Voting Agreement among the Company, EHL and FBP and the transactions
contemplated thereby, taken together, are fair and in the best interests of the
stockholders of Falcon. The Board, and the non-management members of the Board,
each recommends that holders of Falcon Class A Stock vote FOR the Merger.
 
    The Board's and the non-management Board members' decision to enter into the
Merger Agreement was based, in large part, upon balancing the risks and benefits
of the Merger against the risks and benefits of the other strategic alternatives
available to the Company. Of the strategic alternatives available to the
Company, the Merger was deemed by the Board and by the non-management Board
members to be the alternative which would yield the best results to the
stockholders of the Company from a financial point of view. SEE "--Background of
the Merger."
 
    The recommendation by the Board that the Company's stockholders approve and
adopt the Merger Agreement and the Merger is not, and should not be considered
to be, a recommendation as to whether stockholders should retain shares of
Falcon Class A Stock.
 
    In the course of reaching its decision to approve the Merger Agreement and
the Merger, the Board consulted with the Company's legal counsel and the
Financial Advisors and considered a number of factors, including, among others,
the following (which include all material matters considered by the Board):
 
        (i) the reports and opinions of Company management as to the possibility
    for improvement in the Company's operating, financial and administrative
    operations;
 
        (ii) the options available to EHL as the Company's majority stockholder,
    including the sale of its control position without sharing the control
    premium with other stockholders;
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
       (iii) that the Board agreed to the Merger only after the Company and its
    Financial Advisors contacted a substantial number of potential bidders over
    an extended period of time in a lengthy "auction" process designed to elicit
    third party proposals to acquire the Company and enhance stockholder value;
    this process consisted of, among other things, the issuance by the Company
    of a press release regarding its review of strategic alternatives and the
    passage of a significant period of time between issuance of the press
    release and approval of the Merger Agreement;
 
        (iv) that the "auction" process was conducted in an evenhanded manner
    and that third parties interested in the Company had been afforded
    sufficient time and information to submit such a proposal had they wished to
    do so;
 
        (v) that the $17.75 per share Cash Price to be paid in the Merger
    represents a premium for the Falcon Class A Stock of approximately 43.4%
    over the closing price of $12 3/8 per share of the Falcon Class A Stock on
    November 29, 1996, the last trading day prior to the public announcement
    that the Company was considering strategic alternatives and had retained the
    Financial Advisors to assist in this process;
 
   
        (vi) that the proposed structure of the Investcorp offer was fairer to
    all stockholders because it treats all stockholders equally by giving all
    stockholders the opportunity to receive cash for their shares or to retain
    shares of Falcon Class A Stock (subject to proration);
    
 
       (vii) the opinions dated March 20, 1997 delivered to the Board by the
    Financial Advisors to the effect that as of the date of such opinions and
    based upon and subject to certain matters stated therein, the consideration
    to be received in the Merger by holders of Falcon Class A Stock was fair
    from a financial point of view to such holders;
 
      (viii) the Board's belief that, based upon the advice of the Company's
    management and the Financial Advisors and other factors, the Merger
    constituted the best transaction reasonably available to maximize
    stockholder value;
 
        (ix) that the Company's majority stockholder was willing to agree to
    vote its shares in favor of the Merger; and
 
        (x) that the Company may terminate the Merger Agreement in order to
    pursue a superior offer if its Board of Directors determines that doing so
    is required by its fiduciary duty to the stockholders of the Company and the
    fact that the Voting Agreements contain a similar provision.
 
    The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered and given
weight by the Board is not intended to be exhaustive. In view of the variety of
factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the Merger, the Board
did not find it practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise assign
relative weights to the specific factors considered in reaching its
determination. In addition, individual members of the Board may have given
different weight to different factors.
 
OPINIONS OF FALCON'S FINANCIAL ADVISORS
 
OPINION OF MERRILL LYNCH
 
    On March 20, 1997, Merrill Lynch delivered its oral opinion (which opinion
was subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated March 20,
1997) (the "Merrill Lynch Opinion") to the Company's Board of Directors to the
effect that, as of such date, and based upon the assumptions made, matters
considered and limits of review set forth in such opinion, the proposed
consideration to be received by the holders of Falcon Class A Stock in the
Merger was fair to such stockholders from a financial point of view.
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
    A copy of the Merrill Lynch Opinion, which sets forth the assumptions made,
matters considered and certain limitations on the scope of review undertaken by
Merrill Lynch, is attached as Annex III-A to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
Company stockholders are urged to read such opinion in its entirety. The summary
of the Merrill Lynch Opinion set forth in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such opinion. The
Merrill Lynch Opinion was intended for the use and benefit of the Board of
Directors of the Company, was directed only to the fairness of the proposed
consideration to be received by the holders of Falcon Class A Stock from a
financial point of view, and does not constitute a recommendation to any
shareholder as to how such stockholder should vote with respect to the Merger or
any transaction related thereto or as to whether any stockholder should elect to
receive cash or to retain Falcon Class A Stock. The terms of the engagement
letter between the Company and Merrill Lynch do not require Merrill Lynch to
update the Merrill Lynch Opinion and the Board of Directors does not plan to
request such an update.
 
    In arriving at the Merrill Lynch Opinion, Merrill Lynch, among other things,
(i) reviewed (a) the Company's Annual Reports, Forms 10-K and related financial
information for the three fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, (b) a draft of
the Company's Form 10-K and related financial information for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996, (c) the Company's Prospectus dated November 2, 1994
relating to its initial public offering of common stock, and (d) the Company's
Forms 10-Q and the related unaudited financial information for the quarterly
periods ending September 30, 1995, March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September
30, 1996; (ii) reviewed certain information, including financial forecasts,
relating to the business, earnings, cash flow, assets and prospects of the
Company, and information relating to certain pro forma effects on the Company's
capital structure after giving effect to the Merger; (iii) conducted discussions
with members of senior management of the Company concerning the foregoing,
including its businesses and prospects and certain pro forma effects on the
Company's capital structure after giving effect to the Merger; (iv) reviewed the
historical market prices and trading activity for the Falcon Class A Stock and
compared them with that of certain publicly traded companies which Merrill Lynch
deemed to be reasonably similar to the Company; (v) compared the results of
operations of the Company with that of certain companies which Merrill Lynch
deemed to be reasonably similar to the Company; (vi) compared the proposed
financial terms of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement with
the financial terms of certain other mergers and acquisitions which Merrill
Lynch deemed to be relevant; (vii) reviewed the Merger Agreement dated March 20,
1997; (viii) reviewed the Voting Agreements dated March 20, 1997; and (ix)
reviewed such other financial studies and analyses and performed such other
investigations and took into account such other matters as Merrill Lynch deemed
appropriate, including, without limitation, Merrill Lynch's assessment of
general economic, industry and market conditions.
 
    In preparing the Merrill Lynch Opinion, Merrill Lynch has assumed and relied
on the accuracy and completeness of all information supplied or otherwise made
available to Merrill Lynch or publicly available, and Merrill Lynch has not
independently verified such information and did not assume any responsibility
for verifying such information or undertaking an independent appraisal of the
assets or liabilities of the Company or been furnished with any such appraisal.
With respect to the financial forecasts furnished by the Company and information
relating to certain pro forma effects on the Company's capital structure after
giving effect to the Merger, Merrill Lynch has assumed that they have been
reasonably prepared and reflect the best currently available estimates and
judgment of the Company's management as to the expected future financial
performance of the Company and as to such pro forma effects on the Company's
capital structure. The Merrill Lynch Opinion was necessarily based upon general
economic, industry and market conditions as they existed on, and could be
evaluated as of, the date of the Merrill Lynch Opinion. The Merrill Lynch
Opinion did not address the merits of the underlying decision by the Company to
engage in the Merger. Merrill Lynch's opinion and analyses were only one of
numerous factors considered by the Board in its evaluation of the Merger and
should not be viewed as determinative of the views of the Board with respect to
the Merger or the consideration to be received by holders of Falcon Class A
Stock in the Merger.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
    The following is a summary of the material financial and comparative
analyses performed by Merrill Lynch in arriving at the Merrill Lynch Opinion
delivered to the Company's Board of Directors on March 20, 1997.
 
    STOCK PRICE AND PREMIUM STUDY.  Merrill Lynch reviewed the closing market
price and trading volume of the Falcon Class A Stock for the period beginning
November 2, 1994 and ending March 18, 1997. Merrill Lynch compared the closing
market price performance of the Falcon Class A Stock for the period beginning
November 2, 1994 and ending March 18, 1997 to the Standard and Poor's 500
Composite Index to provide perspective on the current and historical stock price
relative to such index. Merrill Lynch observed that the $17.75 Cash Price
represented a (i) 43.4% premium when compared to the closing market price of
such stock on November 29, 1996 (the "Pre-Announcement Date"), which was the
last trading date prior to the public announcement on December 2, 1996 that the
Company was pursuing strategic alternatives, (ii) 32.7% premium when compared to
the highest closing market price of such stock during the 52 week period prior
to the Pre-Announcement Date, and (iii) 32.7% premium when compared to the
highest closing market price of such stock during the period from November 2,
1994, the date of the initial public offering of the Falcon Class A Stock, to
the Pre-Announcement Date.
 
   
    COMPARABLE COMPANY TRADING MULTIPLES ANALYSIS.  Using publicly available
information, including earnings per share and growth rate estimates obtained
from First Call Corporation ("First Call") and Institutional Brokers Estimate
System ("IBES"), Merrill Lynch reviewed certain financial ratios of each of the
following publicly traded companies that Merrill Lynch deemed to be reasonably
similar to the Company: American Standard Companies Inc., Armstrong World
Industries, Inc., The Black & Decker Corporation, Danaher Corporation, Masco
Corporation, Nortek, Inc., Owens Corning, PlyGem Industries, Inc., PPG
Industries, Inc., The Stanley Works, Triangle Pacific Corp. and USG Corporation
(the "Publicly-Traded Comparables"). Merrill Lynch analyzed the multiples
obtained by dividing (i) the per share market price of the common stock of each
of the Publicly-Traded Comparables by (x) the earnings per share of the then
publicly available latest twelve month period ("LTM") and (y) the projected 1997
earnings per share, and (ii) the aggregate market capitalization (defined as the
aggregate market equity value plus the liquidation value of preferred stock,
plus the principal amount of debt, plus minority interest, less cash and
marketable securities) of each of the Publicly-Traded Comparables by the then
publicly available LTM (x) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization ("EBITDA"), (y) earnings before interest and taxes ("EBIT") and (z)
revenue for such companies. Such financial ratios were compared to the
corresponding historical and projected operating results of the Company,
including earnings per share and growth rate estimates obtained from First Call
and IBES, to derive valuation estimates for the Company.
    
 
    Utilizing this methodology, Merrill Lynch derived estimated per share
valuations for the Falcon Class A Stock ranging from approximately $15.50 to
$19.50.
 
    COMPARABLE ACQUISITION TRANSACTIONS ANALYSIS.  Using publicly available
information, Merrill Lynch reviewed nineteen transactions since January 3, 1989
that have closed or were announced involving the acquisition of building
products companies (the "Comparable Building Products Acquisition Transaction"),
to derive estimated per share valuations for the Falcon Class A Stock. The
Comparable Building Products Acquisition Transactions and the announcement date
of each transaction are as follows: Eljer Industries, Inc./Zurn Industries, Inc.
(December 1996); Overhead Door Corporation/Sanwa Shutter Corporation (July
1996); Amtrol Inc./Cypress Group, Inc. (April 1996); Steelcraft
(MascoTech)/Ingersoll-Rand Company (January 1996); American Olean Tile
Company/Dal-Tile International Inc. (December 1995); FM Holdings (Formica
Corporation)/BTR Nylex Limited (December 1994); CECO Entry Systems (United
Dominion Industries Ltd)/Premdor Inc. (August 1994); GMI Holdings (The Genie
Company)/ Overhead Door Corporation (August 1994); Bird Corporation/Jannock Ltd.
(September 1994); Norandex Inc./Fibreboard Corporation (July 1994); Automatic
Door (Ideal Door Co.)/Clopay Corporation (Instrument Systems Corporation)
(February 1992); Gardenamerica Corporation (The Black & Decker
Corporation)/James Hardie Industries Ltd. (October 1990); Philips Industries
Inc./Tomkins PLC (June 1990); Ceco
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
Industries Inc./Robertson-Ceco Corporation (May 1990); Dallas Corp (Overhead
Door Inc.)/ DCO Holdings Corp (Bessemer Securities Corp.) (November 1989);
Nichols-Homeshield Inc./Quanex Corporation (May 1989); JPI Plumbing Products (JP
Industries Inc.)/Briggs Industries Holdings Corp. (March 1989); SNE Enterprises
Limited Partnership/Ply Gem Industries, Inc. (February 1989); and American
Standard-Steelcraft (ASI Holding Corp.)/Masco Industries Inc. (MascoTech Inc.)
(January 1989).
 
    With respect to each of the Comparable Building Products Acquisition
Transactions, Merrill Lynch compared (i) the equity purchase price as a multiple
of LTM net income prior to the transaction (the "Net Income Multiple") and (ii)
the transaction value (defined as the equity purchase price plus the liquidation
value of preferred stock, plus the principal amount of debt, plus minority
interest, less cash and marketable securities) as a multiple of the (x) LTM
EBITDA prior to the transaction (the "EBITDA Multiple"), (y) LTM EBIT prior to
the transaction (the "EBIT Multiple") and (z) LTM revenue prior to the
transaction (the "Revenue Multiple") of such companies. Based on its review of
the Comparable Building Products Acquisition Transactions, for the Net Income
Multiple, EBITDA Multiple, EBIT Multiple and Revenue Multiple, respectively,
Merrill Lynch utilized values of 9.3x to 12.6x, 6.5x to 7.8x, 8.0x to 9.6x and
0.83x to 1.00x.
 
    Utilizing this methodology, Merrill Lynch derived estimated per share
valuations for the Falcon Class A Stock ranging from approximately $14.50 to
$19.50.
 
    DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS.  Merrill Lynch performed a discounted cash
flow ("DCF") analysis of the Company using management operating projections for
the years 1997 through 1999 and operating projections extrapolated therefrom for
the years 2000 through 2006. The DCF was calculated assuming discount rates
ranging from 12% to 14% for the Company, and was comprised of the sum of the net
present value of (i) the projected unleveraged free cash flow for the years 1997
through 2006 and (ii) the year 2006 terminal value based upon a range of
multiples of 6.0x to 7.0x projected EBITDA in such year for the Company, less
the current net debt of the Company.
 
    Utilizing this methodology, Merrill Lynch derived estimated per share
valuations for the Falcon Class A Stock ranging from approximately $14.50 to
$21.25.
 
    LEVERAGED RECAPITALIZATION ANALYSIS.  Merrill Lynch performed a leveraged
recapitalization analysis for the Company using management operating projections
for the years 1997 through 1999 and operating projections extrapolated therefrom
for the years 2000 through 2006. In its analyses, among other assumptions,
Merrill Lynch assumed a pro forma leveraged capitalization structure for the
Company, that the public stockholders of the Company would own between 10% to
15% of the Falcon Class A Stock, on a fully diluted basis immediately following
a hypothetical leveraged recapitalization and that such a transaction would
qualify for recapitalization accounting treatment. Merrill Lynch analyzed the
impact of the leveraged recapitalization structure on the Company's pro forma
financial performance including, without limitation, the impact on its earnings,
cash flow, balance sheet and related financial measures.
 
   
    LEVERAGED BUY-OUT ANALYSIS.  Merrill Lynch performed a leveraged buy-out
analysis for the Company using management operating projections for the years
1997 through 1999 and operating projections extrapolated therefrom for the years
2000 through 2006. In its analysis, among other assumptions, Merrill Lynch
assumed a pro forma leveraged capitalization structure for the Company, and that
the public stockholders of the Company would not own any of the Falcon Class A
Stock immediately following a hypothetical leveraged buy-out. Merrill Lynch
analyzed the impact of the leveraged buy-out structure on the Company's pro
forma financial performance, including, without limitation, the impact on its
earnings, cash flow, balance sheet, and related financial measures.
    
 
    Based upon the foregoing leveraged recapitalization and buy-out analyses,
Merrill Lynch derived estimated per share valuations for the Falcon Class A
Stock ranging from approximately $15.50 to $18.00.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
    BREAK UP ANALYSIS.  Merrill Lynch performed a break up analysis for the
Company (a "Break Up") which among other assumptions, assumed the following
transactions: (i) (x) a sale of the stock of DeVilbiss, and (y) a separate sale
of the stock of the Company (excluding DeVilbiss but including Hart & Cooley and
Mansfield) and (ii) a (x) sale of the stock of DeVilbiss, (y) a separate sale of
the stock and/or assets and liabilities of Mansfield, and (z) a separate sale of
the stock and/or assets and liabilities of Hart & Cooley. In evaluating the
potential proceeds that could be received under such alternative transactions,
Merrill Lynch considered, among other factors, the indications of interests
received from potential purchasers with respect to a potential acquisition of
the individual operating units and/or combinations of such operating units.
Utilizing this methodology and after giving effect to the tax consequences from
the foregoing alternative transactions, Merrill Lynch derived estimated per
share valuations for the Falcon Class A Stock ranging from approximately $13.00
to $17.25. Merrill Lynch noted that a Break Up of a company may take a
significant amount of time and that there is substantial risk and uncertainty as
to the ability to complete each component of such a Break Up at the values
estimated when multiple persons or entities are involved.
 
    The summary set forth above does not purport to be a complete description of
the analyses performed by Merrill Lynch. Arriving at a fairness opinion is a
complex process not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary
description. Merrill Lynch believes that its analysis must be considered as a
whole and that selecting portions of its analyses and of the factors considered
by it, without considering all such factors and analyses, could create a
misleading view of the processes underlying its opinion. Merrill Lynch did not
assign relative weights to any of its analyses in preparing its opinion. The
matters considered by Merrill Lynch in its analyses were based on numerous
macroeconomic, operating and financial assumptions with respect to industry
performance, general business and economic conditions and other matters, many of
which are beyond the Company's control and involve the application of complex
methodologies and educated judgment. Any estimates incorporated in the analyses
performed by Merrill Lynch are not necessarily indicative of actual past or
future results or values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than
such estimates. Estimated values do not purport to be appraisals and do not
necessarily reflect the prices at which businesses or companies may be sold in
the future, and such estimates are inherently subject to uncertainty. No public
company utilized as a comparison is identical to the Company, and none of the
Comparable Building Products Acquisition Transactions, or other business
combinations utilized as a comparison is identical to the proposed Merger.
Accordingly, an analysis of publicly traded comparable companies and comparable
business combinations is not mathematical; rather it involves complex
considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operating
characteristics of the comparable companies and other factors that could affect
the public trading or acquisition value of the comparable companies or company
to which they are being compared.
 
OPINION OF SMITH BARNEY
 
    Smith Barney was retained to act as a financial advisor to Falcon in
connection with the proposed Merger. In connection with such engagement, Falcon
requested that Smith Barney evaluate the fairness, from a financial point of
view, to the holders of Falcon Class A Stock of the consideration to be received
by such holders in the Merger. On March 20, 1997, at a meeting of the Board of
Directors of Falcon held to evaluate the proposed Merger, Smith Barney delivered
an oral opinion (which opinion was subsequently confirmed by delivery of a
written opinion dated March 20, 1997) to the Board of Directors of Falcon to the
effect that, as of the date of such opinion and based upon and subject to
certain matters stated therein, the consideration to be received by holders of
Falcon Class A Stock in the Merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to
such holders of Falcon Class A Stock.
 
    In arriving at its opinion, Smith Barney reviewed the Merger Agreement and
held discussions with certain senior officers, directors and other
representatives and advisors of Falcon and certain senior officers and other
representatives of Investcorp concerning the business, operations and prospects
of Falcon. Smith Barney examined certain publicly available business and
financial information relating to
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
Falcon as well as certain financial forecasts and other information and data for
Falcon which were provided to or otherwise discussed with Smith Barney by the
management of Falcon. Smith Barney reviewed the financial terms of the Merger as
set forth in the Merger Agreement in relation to, among other things: current
and historical market prices and trading volumes of Falcon Class A Stock; the
historical and projected earnings and other operating data of Falcon; and the
capitalization and financial condition of Falcon. Smith Barney also considered,
to the extent publicly available, the financial terms of certain other similar
transactions recently effected which Smith Barney considered relevant in
evaluating the Merger and analyzed certain financial, stock market and other
publicly available information relating to the businesses of other companies
whose operations Smith Barney considered relevant in evaluating those of Falcon.
In connection with its engagement, Smith Barney was requested to approach, and
held discussions with, third parties to solicit indications of interest in a
possible acquisition of Falcon. In addition to the foregoing, Smith Barney
conducted such other analyses and examinations and considered such other
financial, economic and market criteria as Smith Barney deemed appropriate in
arriving at its opinion. Smith Barney noted that its opinion was necessarily
based upon information available, and financial, stock market and other
conditions and circumstances existing and disclosed, to Smith Barney as of the
date of its opinion.
 
    In rendering its opinion, Smith Barney assumed and relied, without
independent verification, upon the accuracy and completeness of all financial
and other information and data publicly available or furnished to or otherwise
reviewed by or discussed with Smith Barney. With respect to financial forecasts
and other information and data furnished to or otherwise reviewed by or
discussed with Smith Barney, the management of Falcon advised Smith Barney that
such forecasts and other information and data were reasonably prepared on bases
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
management of Falcon as to the future financial performance of Falcon. Smith
Barney assumed, with the consent of the Board of Directors of Falcon, that the
Merger will be treated as a recapitalization in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. Smith Barney did not express any opinion as to
what the value of Falcon Class A Stock actually will be when issued pursuant to
the Merger or the price at which the Falcon Class A Stock will trade or
otherwise be transferable subsequent to the Merger. Smith Barney did not make
and was not provided with an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets
or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Falcon nor did Smith Barney make any
physical inspection of the properties or assets of Falcon. Although Smith Barney
evaluated the consideration to be received by holders of Falcon Class A Stock in
the Merger from a financial point of view, Smith Barney was not asked to and did
not recommend the specific consideration payable in the Merger, which was
determined through negotiation between Falcon and Investcorp. No other
limitations were imposed by Falcon on Smith Barney with respect to the
investigations made or procedures followed by Smith Barney in rendering its
opinion.
 
    The full text of the written opinion of Smith Barney dated March 20, 1997,
which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and limitations on the
review undertaken, is attached hereto as Annex III-B and is incorporated herein
by reference. The summary of the opinion of Smith Barney set forth in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text
of such opinion. Holders of Falcon Class A Stock are urged to read the opinion
carefully in its entirety. The opinion of Smith Barney is directed to the Board
of Directors of Falcon and relates only to the fairness of the consideration to
be received by holders of Falcon Class A Stock in the Merger from a financial
point of view, does not address any other aspect of the Merger or related
transactions and does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to
how such stockholder should vote at the Special Meeting. The terms of the
engagement letter between the Company and Smith Barney do not require Smith
Barney to update its opinion and the Board of Directors does not plan to request
such an update.
 
    In preparing its opinion, Smith Barney performed a variety of financial and
comparative analyses, including those described below. The summary of such
analyses does not purport to be a complete description of the analyses
underlying Smith Barney's opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a
complex analytic process involving various determinations as to the most
appropriate and relevant methods
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
of financial analyses and the application of these methods to the particular
circumstances and, therefore, such an opinion is not readily susceptible to
summary description. Accordingly, Smith Barney believes that its analyses must
be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses and
factors, without considering all analyses and factors, could create a misleading
or incomplete view of the processes underlying such analyses and opinion. In its
analyses, Smith Barney made numerous assumptions with respect to Falcon,
industry performance, general business, economic, market and financial
conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of Falcon.
The estimates contained in such analyses and the valuation ranges resulting from
any particular analysis are not necessarily indicative of actual values or
predictive of future results or values, which may be significantly more or less
favorable than those suggested by such analyses. In addition, analyses relating
to the value of businesses or securities do not purport to be appraisals or to
reflect the prices at which businesses or securities actually may be sold.
Accordingly, such analyses and estimates are inherently subject to substantial
uncertainty. Smith Barney's opinion and analyses were only one of numerous
factors considered by the Board in its evaluation of the Merger and should not
be viewed as determinative of the views of the Board with respect to the Merger
or the consideration to be received by holders of Falcon Class A Stock in the
Merger.
 
    SELECTED COMPANY ANALYSIS.  Using publicly available information, Smith
Barney analyzed, among other things, the market values and trading multiples of
Falcon and 13 selected publicly traded companies in the general building
products industry, consisting of: ABT Building Products Corporation, Armstrong
World Industries, Inc., The Black & Decker Corporation, Congoleum Corporation,
Dal-Tile International Inc., Drew Industries, Inc., Fibreboard Corp., Masco
Corporation, Nortek, Inc., PlyGem Industries, Inc., Schuller Corporation, The
Stanley Works and Triangle Pacific Corp. (collectively, the "Selected
Companies"). Smith Barney compared market values as multiples of, among other
things, calendar 1996 net income, and adjusted market values (equity market
value, plus total debt and contingent liabilities, less cash and cash
equivalents) as multiples of calendar 1996 revenue and EBITDA. Net income
multiples for the Selected Companies were based on estimates of selected
investment banking firms and net income multiples for Falcon were based on
internal estimates of the management of Falcon. All multiples were based on
closing stock prices as of March 13, 1997. Applying a range of selected
multiples for the Selected Companies of calendar 1996 net income, revenue and
EBITDA of 14.0x to 15.0x, 0.9x to 1.0x and 6.0x to 7.2x, respectively, to
corresponding financial data for Falcon resulted in an equity reference range
for Falcon of approximately $16.36 to $19.46 per share, as compared to the
consideration to be received in the Merger of $17.75 per share.
 
    SELECTED MERGER AND ACQUISITION TRANSACTIONS ANALYSIS.  Using publicly
available information, Smith Barney analyzed the purchase price and implied
transaction value multiples paid or proposed to be paid in 25 selected
transactions in the building products industry, consisting of (acquiror/target):
H.I.G. Investment Group L.P./Thermal Industries, Inc; Sanwa Shutter
Corporation/Overhead Door Corporation; Cypress Group/Amtrol Inc.; Ingersoll-Rand
Co./Steelcraft (MascoTech, Inc.); Dal-Tile International, Inc./ American Olean
division of Armstrong World Industries Inc.; MascoTech, Inc./Gale Industries;
BTR Nylex Ltd. (Australia)/FM Holdings (Formica Corp.); Premdor, Inc./CECO Entry
Systems (United Dominion Industries Corporation); Overhead Door Corporation/GMI
Holdings (The Genie Company); Jannock Ltd./Bird Corporation (Vinyl building
products manufacturing operations); Fibreboard Corporation/ Norandex Inc.;
Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp./UC Industries, Inc.; Owens-Corning Fiberglas
Corp./ Pilkington Insulation Limited and Kitsons Insulation Products Limited;
Linsalata Capital Partners/CareFree Aluminum Products; Clopay (Instrument
Systems Corp.)/Automatic Door (Ideal Door Co.); James Hardie Industries
Ltd./Garden America Corp. (The Black & Decker Corp.); Tomkins PLC/Philips
Industries Inc.; HH Robertson Co. (Robertson--Ceco Corp./Ceco Industries Inc.;
Wayne-Dalton Corp./Kinnear Division (Harsco Corp.); Nalcor Inc./Builders
Hardware (JP Industries Inc.); DCO Holdings Corp. (Bessemer Securities
Corp.)/Dallas Corp. (Overhead Door Corporation); Quantax Corp./Nichols-
Homeshield Inc.; Briggs Industries Holding Corp./JPI Plumbing Products Inc. (JP
Industries Inc.); Ply-Gem Industries Inc./SNE Enterprises Limited Partnership;
and Masco Industries, Inc. (MascoTech, Inc.)/ American Standard-Steelcraft (ASI
Holding Corp.) (collectively, the "Selected Transactions"). Smith
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
Barney compared, among other things, the purchase prices of such transactions as
multiples of latest 12 months' net income, and transaction values as multiples
of latest 12 months' revenue and EBITDA. All multiples for the Selected
Transactions were based on information available at the time of announcement of
the transaction. Applying a range of selected multiples for the Selected
Transactions of latest 12 months' net income, revenue and EBITDA of 14.5x to
16.0x, 0.6x to 0.8x and 6.5x to 7.5x, respectively, to corresponding financial
data for Falcon resulted in an equity reference range for Falcon of
approximately $14.91 to $18.62 per share, as compared to the consideration to be
received in the Merger of $17.75 per share.
 
    No company, transaction or business used in the "Selected Company Analysis"
or "Selected Merger and Acquisition Transactions Analysis" as a comparison is
identical to Falcon or the Merger. Accordingly, an analysis of the results of
the foregoing is not entirely mathematical; rather, it involves complex
considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operating
characteristics and other factors that could affect the acquisition, public
trading or other values of the Selected Companies, Selected Transactions or the
business segment, company or transaction to which they are being compared.
 
    DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS.  Smith Barney performed a discounted cash
flow analysis of the projected free cash flow of Falcon for the fiscal years
1997 through 2001, based on internal estimates of the management of Falcon. The
stand-alone discounted cash flow analysis of Falcon was determined by (i) adding
(x) the present value of projected free cash flows over the five-year period
from 1997 to 2001 and (y) the present value of Falcon's estimated terminal value
in year 2001 and (ii) subtracting the current net debt of Falcon. The range of
estimated terminal values for Falcon at the end of the five-year period was
calculated by applying terminal value multiples ranging from 6.0x to 7.0x to
Falcon's projected 2001 EBITDA, representing Falcon's estimated value beyond the
year 2001. The cash flows and terminal values of Falcon were discounted to
present value using discount rates ranging from 12.0% to 15.0%. Utilizing such
discount rates and terminal values, this analysis resulted in an equity
reference range for Falcon of approximately $14.70 to $21.85 per share, as
compared to the consideration to be received in the Merger of $17.75 per share.
 
    OTHER FACTORS AND COMPARATIVE ANALYSES.  In rendering its opinion, Smith
Barney considered certain other factors and conducted certain other comparative
analyses, including, among other things, a review of (i) indications of interest
received from third parties other than Investcorp; (ii) Falcon's historical and
projected financial results; (iii) the history of trading prices and volume for
Falcon Class A Stock; and (iv) the premiums implied by the consideration to be
received in the Merger based on the closing price of Falcon Class A Stock on
November 29, 1996 of $12.38 per share (the last trading day before Falcon
publicly announced that it was evaluating strategic alternatives) and based on
the closing price of Falcon Class A Stock on March 19, 1996 of $16.375 per
share, which indicated premiums as of such dates of approximately 43.4% and
8.4%, respectively.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COMPANY'S FINANCIAL ADVISORS
 
    Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney are both internationally recognized
investment banking firms and, as a customary part of their investment banking
activities, are regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and their
securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated
underwritings, competitive bids, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted
securities, private placements, and valuations for corporate and other purposes.
Management selected Smith Barney and Merrill Lynch because of their expertise,
reputation and familiarity with the Company and its industry.
 
    Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney have advised Falcon that, in the ordinary
course of their respective businesses, they actively trade in Falcon Class A
Stock for their respective own accounts and for the account of their respective
customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in
such securities. In addition, Merrill Lynch was a managing underwriter for
Falcon's initial public offering and has provided other investment banking
services for Falcon and its affiliated entities in the past, for
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
which services Merrill Lynch has received compensation. Smith Barney has in the
past provided certain investment banking services to Falcon and its affiliated
entities unrelated to the proposed Merger, for which services Smith Barney has
received compensation. In addition, Smith Barney and its affiliates (including
Travelers Group Inc. and its affiliates) may maintain relationships with Falcon,
Investcorp and their respective affiliates. Each of the Financial Advisors has
in the past provided certain investment banking services to affiliates of EHL
and/or other entities in which Mr. Samuel Zell has an ownership interest.
Several trusts created for the benefit of Mr. Zell and others own EHL, which in
turn owned, as of the Record Date, approximately 69.8% of the outstanding shares
of Falcon Class A Stock. The Board was aware of these investment banking
relationships at the time it retained the Financial Advisors.
 
    Pursuant to the terms of Merrill Lynch's engagement, the Company has agreed
to pay Merrill Lynch for its services, if the Merger is consummated, an
aggregate financial advisory fee equal to a percentage of the total
consideration payable in connection with the Merger. It is currently estimated
that such financial advisory fee will be approximately $3.8 million. The Company
has also agreed to reimburse Merrill Lynch for its reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses including the reasonable fees and disbursements of its outside legal
counsel and to indemnify Merrill Lynch and related persons against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities laws, arising
out of Merrill Lynch's engagement. In addition, Merrill Lynch is acting as a
co-manager for the sale of subordinated debt securities in connection with the
Merger Financings. Pursuant to this arrangement, Merrill Lynch will receive a
fee if such proposed Merger Financings are consummated as contemplated of
approximately $1.0 million.
 
    Pursuant to the terms of Smith Barney's engagement, the Company has agreed
to pay Smith Barney for its services, if the Merger is consummated, an aggregate
financial advisory fee equal to a percentage of the total consideration payable
in connection with the Merger. It is currently estimated that such financial
advisory fee will be approximately $3.8 million. The Company has also agreed to
reimburse Smith Barney for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses including the
reasonable fees and expenses of its outside legal counsel and to indemnify Smith
Barney and related persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the federal securities laws, arising out of Smith Barney's engagement. In
addition, Smith Barney is acting as lead manager for the sale of subordinated
debt securities in connection with the Merger Financings. Pursuant to this
arrangement, Smith Barney will receive a fee of approximately $3.3 million if
such proposed Merger Financings are consummated as contemplated.
 
FORWARD LOOKING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
    In connection with the auction process, the Company distributed to the
potential buyers and the Financial Advisors certain forward looking information
summarized below regarding the Company's future financial position and results
of operations. The actual financial position and results of operations of the
Company may differ materially from these projections. The projections were not
prepared with a view to public disclosure or compliance with published
guidelines of the Commission or the guidelines established by the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants regarding projections nor do the
projections purport to comply with generally accepted accounting principles. No
independent public accountant has audited, examined, reviewed or compiled such
projections and accordingly, no such firm has expressed any opinion or other
form of assurance thereon or assumes any responsibility for them. No other
independent expert has reviewed such projections. None of the Company, FBP,
Investcorp nor any party to whom any of these projections were provided assumes
any responsibility for the accuracy of such projections.
 
    The projections were based on a number of estimates and assumptions that,
while considered reasonable by the Company at the time they were made, were and
are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive
uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the
Company, and upon assumptions with respect to future business decisions that
were and are subject to change. Future results may vary from the projections as
a result of a variety of factors, including: changes in the levels of revenue
derived from sales of the Company's products; fluctuations in operating costs;
changes in the Company's business or products; the level of activity in the
residential and
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
commercial construction markets (which, in turn, depends on many factors
including mortgage rates, inflation, unemployment, demographic trends, gross
domestic product growth and consumer confidence); the ability of the Company to
preserve its relationships with major customers; the effects of labor disputes
with the Company's employees; the effects of major transactions involving the
Company (such as the Merger); possible liabilities associated with the Company's
products including pending disputes relating to the Ultravent plastic venting
product distributed by the Company; and other industry and general economic
factors. Accordingly, the results projected may be materially different from the
results which actually will be realized.
 
    The projections and actual results will differ because events and
circumstances invariably do not occur as expected, and such differences may be
material. The inclusion of the summarized forward looking information herein
should not be regarded as a representation by the Company, FBP, Investcorp or
any other person that the projections will be achieved. Neither the Company nor
FBP intends to update the summary projections. The projected financial data and
assumptions stated below should be reviewed in conjunction with the historical
consolidated financial statements of the Company and the notes thereto and the
unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements of the Company giving
effect to the Merger and the notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein. The
financial projections which were distributed were developed during the course of
Falcon's annual planning process, were based on historical trends and assumed
that the Company would not make major changes in its operations or structure or
consummate any acquisitions and that no changes affecting the building products
industry or the economy as a whole would occur. In developing the strategic
plan, the Company assumed, among other things, housing starts and
non-residential construction would remain relatively flat at 1.35 million starts
and 1.1 million square feet, respectively, per year. Growth in gross domestic
product was assumed to remain constant at 2% per year.
 
    The projections were based upon the macroeconomic assumptions indicated
above and projected a sales level of approximately $703 million in 1997 growing
at a compound annual rate of approximately 11% to approximately $886 million in
1999, with gross margins decreasing from 17.8% in 1997 to 17.6% in 1999.
Operating income before securitization expense and charges, if any, related to
the Ultravent matters described under "THE COMPANY--Legal Proceedings" was
projected to increase from approximately $74 million in 1997 to approximately
$95 million in 1999. Capital expenditures were forecasted to be approximately
$24 million in each of 1997 and 1999 and $28 million in 1998.
 
MERGER CONSIDERATION
 
    Subject to certain provisions as described herein with respect to shares of
Falcon Class A Stock owned by the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or by
FBP or its affiliates, and with respect to fractional shares and Dissenting
Shares, each issued and outstanding share of Falcon Class A Stock will be
converted into either (i) the right to receive in cash from Falcon following the
Merger an amount equal to $17.75 (the "Cash Price") or (ii) the right to retain
one fully paid and nonassessable share of Falcon Class A Stock, which upon
consummation of the Merger, will have those rights, powers, privileges and
restrictions as described herein (a "Non-Cash Election Share"); provided, that
the aggregate number of shares of Falcon Class A Stock to be converted into the
right to retain Falcon Class A Stock at the Effective Time shall be equal to
1,034,020 (the "Non-Cash Election Number"). With respect to certain risks
related to holding Falcon Class A Stock, SEE "RISK FACTORS" above.
 
    The Merger Agreement contemplates that 19,014,255 of the presently issued
and outstanding shares of Falcon Class A Stock will be converted into cash and
that 1,034,020 of such shares will be retained by existing stockholders, subject
to the elimination of fractional shares. Pursuant to the Voting Agreements, the
Subject Stockholders have agreed to elect to retain 1,034,020 shares of Falcon
Class A Stock. Thus, all stockholders who do not elect to retain Falcon Class A
Stock will be assured that they will receive $17.75 in cash for each share held
by such stockholders, and all stockholders who elect to retain Falcon Class A
Stock will experience proration of such shares, resulting in their retaining
only a portion of the shares of
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
Falcon Class A Stock they elect to retain and receiving $17.75 per share in cash
for each of their other shares of Falcon Class A Stock.
 
    The following examples illustrate the potential effects of proration:
 
A. HOLDER A OWNS 100 SHARES AND DOES NOT ELECT TO RETAIN ANY SHARES.
 
    Because the Subject Stockholders have committed to elect to retain at least
1,034,020 shares of Falcon Class A Stock, all stockholders who do not elect to
retain shares of Falcon Class A Stock will be assured that their shares will be
converted into cash. Therefore, Holder A will receive $1,775.00 for its 100
shares in the Merger.
 
B.  HOLDER B OWNS 100 SHARES AND ELECTS TO RETAIN ALL ITS SHARES.
 
    Because the Subject Stockholders have committed to elect to retain 1,034,020
shares of Falcon Class A Stock, Holder B will not be able to retain all its
shares and will be required to receive some cash. This is because the Non-Cash
Election Number requirement has been exceeded and thus the number of shares
which have been elected to be retained must be reduced in order to meet exactly
the Non-Cash Election Number requirement. For example, if stockholders elect to
retain 10,000,000 shares in the aggregate, then each holder, including Holder B,
would be able to retain only 10.34% of his shares in order to reduce the number
of retained shares to 1,034,020 (subject to the elimination of fractional
shares) to meet the Non-Cash Election Number requirement. Therefore, Holder B
would be able to retain only 10 shares (or 10% of his 100 shares) and would
receive $1,597.50 in cash (90 shares at $17.75 per share). In the case of
maximum proration (i.e., all stockholders elect to retain all their shares),
Holder B would be able to retain only 5 shares and would receive $1,686.25 in
cash.
 
C.  HOLDER C OWNS 100 SHARES AND ELECTS TO RETAIN 50 SHARES AND CONVERT 50
    SHARES TO CASH.
 
    Because the Subject Stockholders have committed to elect to retain 1,034,020
shares of Falcon Class A Stock, all stockholders, including Holder C, who elect
to retain Falcon Class A Stock will experience proration of such shares,
resulting in their retaining only a portion of the shares of Falcon Class A
Stock they elect to retain and receiving $17.75 per share in cash for each of
their other shares of Falcon Class A Stock. Therefore, Holder C will not be able
to retain 50 shares, as elected. Again, this is because the Non-Cash Election
Number requirement has been exceeded and thus the number of shares which have
been elected to be retained must be reduced in order to meet exactly the
Non-Cash Election Number requirement. For example, if stockholders elected to
retain 10,000,000 shares in the aggregate, then each holder, including Holder C,
would be able to retain only 10.34% of its shares in order to reduce the number
of retained shares to 1,034,020 (subject to the elimination of fractional
shares) to meet the Non-Cash Election Number requirement. Therefore, Holder C
would be able to retain only 5 shares and would receive $798.75 in cash (45
shares at $17.75 per share) for the remaining shares Holder C sought to retain,
plus $887.50 in cash for the shares Holder C elected to convert to cash. If the
stockholders elected to retain more than 10,000,000 shares in the aggregate,
Holder C would receive fewer shares than in the example above, but would receive
a commensurately greater amount of cash.
 
    Fractional shares of Falcon Class A Stock will not be issued in the Merger.
Holders of Falcon Class A Stock otherwise entitled to a fractional share of
Falcon Class A Stock following the Merger will be paid cash in lieu of such
fractional share determined and paid as described under "--Fractional Shares"
below.
 
    Any shares of Falcon Class A Stock owned by the Company, by any subsidiary
of the Company, or by FBP or its affiliates, will automatically be cancelled at
the Effective Time and will cease to exist.
 
NON-CASH ELECTION
 
    Record holders of shares of Falcon Class A Stock will be entitled to make an
unconditional election (a "Non-Cash Election") on or prior to the Election Date
(as defined below) to retain Non-Cash Election
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
Shares. If the number of Electing Shares exceeds the Non-Cash Election Number,
then (i) the number of Electing Shares covered by each Non-Cash Election will be
determined by multiplying the total number of Electing Shares covered by such
Non-Cash Election by a proration factor (the "Non-Cash Proration Factor")
determined by dividing the Non-Cash Election Number by the total number of
Electing Shares and (ii) such number of Electing Shares will be so retained. All
Electing Shares, other than those permitted to be retained as described in the
immediately preceding sentence, will be converted into cash as if such shares
were not Electing Shares. The number of Electing Shares permitted to be retained
as Non-Cash Election Shares or the right to receive cash will be determined on a
consistent basis among stockholders who made the election to retain Non-Cash
Election Shares, pro rata to the number of shares as to which they made such
election.
 
    Because the Subject Stockholders have committed to elect to retain 1,034,020
shares of Falcon Class A Stock, all stockholders who do not elect to retain
Falcon Class A Stock will be assured that they will receive $17.75 in cash for
each share held by such stockholder, and all stockholders who elect to retain
Falcon Class A Stock will experience proration of such shares, resulting in
their retaining only a portion of the shares of Falcon Class A Stock they elect
to retain and receiving $17.75 per share in cash for each of their other shares
of Falcon Class A Stock. SEE "THE MERGER--Federal Income Tax Consequences." If,
however, for any reason the number of Electing Shares is less than the Non-Cash
Election Number, then (i) all Electing Shares will be converted into the right
to retain Non-Cash Election Shares in accordance with the Merger Agreement, (ii)
additional shares of Falcon Class A Stock, other than Electing Shares and
Dissenting Shares, will be converted into the right to retain Non-Cash Election
Shares, which number of additional shares shall be determined by multiplying the
total number of shares, other than Electing Shares, by a proration factor (the
"Cash Proration Factor") determined by dividing (x) the difference between the
Non-Cash Election Number and the number of Electing Shares by (y) the total
number of shares of Falcon Class A Stock, other than Electing Shares and
Dissenting Shares, and (iii) such additional shares of Falcon Class A Stock
shall be converted into the right to retain Non-Cash Election Shares in
accordance with the Merger Agreement (on a consistent basis among stockholders
who held shares of Falcon Class A Stock as to which they did not make the
Non-Cash Election, pro rata to the number of shares as to which they did not
make such election).
 
    Upon consummation of the Merger, Non-Cash Election Shares will have those
rights, powers, privileges and restrictions described in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, including, among other things, certain "tag-along" rights,
will be subject to mandatory redemption in certain circumstances and will be
automatically converted into shares of common stock of Falcon in certain
circumstances. SEE "DESCRIPTION OF FALCON CAPITAL STOCK--Falcon Capital Stock
Following the Merger" and Annex V-A attached hereto.
 
    With respect to certain risks related to retaining Falcon Class A Stock, SEE
"RISK FACTORS" above.
 
NON-CASH ELECTION PROCEDURE
 
   
    The form for making a Non-Cash Election (the "Form of Election") is being
mailed to holders of record of Falcon Class A Stock together with this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. FOR A FORM OF ELECTION TO BE EFFECTIVE, HOLDERS OF FALCON
CLASS A STOCK MUST PROPERLY COMPLETE SUCH FORM OF ELECTION, AND SUCH FORM OF
ELECTION, TOGETHER WITH ALL CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK HELD
BY SUCH HOLDER, DULY ENDORSED IN BLANK OR OTHERWISE IN FORM ACCEPTABLE FOR
TRANSFER ON THE BOOKS OF THE COMPANY (OR BY APPROPRIATE GUARANTEE OF DELIVERY AS
SET FORTH IN SUCH FORM OF ELECTION), MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE BANK OF NEW YORK
(THE "EXCHANGE AGENT") AT ONE OF THE ADDRESSES LISTED ON THE FORM OF ELECTION
AND NOT WITHDRAWN, BY 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE SECOND BUSINESS DAY
(THE "ELECTION DATE") PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING.
    
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
    The determinations of the Exchange Agent as to whether or not Non-Cash
Elections have been properly made or revoked, and when such election or
revocations were received, will be binding.
 
EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER
 
    The Merger will become effective upon the filing of a Certificate of Merger
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or such later date as is
specified in such Certificate of Merger (the "Effective Time"). The filing of
the Certificate of Merger will occur as soon as practicable on or after the
closing of the Merger unless another date is agreed to in writing by the Company
and FBP. Subject to certain limitations, the Merger Agreement may be terminated
by either party if, among other reasons, the Merger has not been consummated on
or before September 16, 1997. SEE "CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE MERGER
AGREEMENT--Conditions to the Consummation of the Merger" and "Termination."
 
PROCEDURES FOR EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
 
    As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent will
send a letter of transmittal to each holder of Falcon Class A Stock (other than
holders of Falcon Class A Stock making a Non-Cash Election who have properly
submitted Forms of Election and share certificates to the Exchange Agent). The
letter of transmittal will contain instructions with respect to the surrender of
certificates representing shares of Falcon Class A Stock in exchange for cash
and, under certain circumstances, certificates representing shares of retained
Falcon Class A Stock, or the amount of cash in lieu of any fractional interest
in a share of retained Falcon Class A Stock for which the shares represented by
the certificates so surrendered are exchangeable pursuant to the Merger
Agreement.
 
    EXCEPT FOR FALCON CLASS A STOCK CERTIFICATES SURRENDERED WITH A FORM OF
ELECTION AS DESCRIBED ABOVE UNDER "--NON-CASH ELECTION PROCEDURE," STOCKHOLDERS
OF THE COMPANY SHOULD NOT FORWARD STOCK CERTIFICATES TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT UNTIL
THEY HAVE RECEIVED THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
 
    After the Effective Time, each holder of an outstanding certificate or
certificates which prior thereto represented shares of Falcon Class A Stock
shall, upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of such certificate or certificates
and acceptance thereof by the Exchange Agent, be entitled to the amount of cash,
if any, into which the number of shares of Falcon Class A Stock previously
represented by such certificate or certificates surrendered shall have been
converted pursuant to the Merger Agreement and a certificate or certificates
representing the number of full shares of retained Falcon Class A Stock, if any,
to be received by the holder thereof pursuant to the Merger Agreement. The
Exchange Agent will accept such certificates upon compliance with such
reasonable terms and conditions as the Exchange Agent may impose to effect an
orderly exchange thereof in accordance with normal exchange practices. After the
Effective Time, there will be no further transfer on the records of the Company
or its transfer agent of certificates representing shares of Falcon Class A
Stock which have been converted, in whole or in part, pursuant to the Merger
Agreement into the right to receive cash, and if such certificates are presented
to the Company for transfer, they will be cancelled against delivery of cash.
Until surrendered as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, each certificate for
shares of Falcon Class A Stock will be deemed at any time after the Effective
Time to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the
consideration contemplated by the Merger Agreement. No interest will be paid or
will accrue on any cash payable as consideration in the Merger or in lieu of any
fractional shares of Falcon Class A Stock.
 
    No dividends or other distributions with respect to retained Falcon Class A
Stock with a record date after the Effective Time of the Merger will be paid to
the holder of any unsurrendered certificate for shares of Falcon Class A Stock
and no cash payment in lieu of fractional shares shall be paid to any such
holder pursuant to the Merger Agreement until the surrender of such certificate
in accordance with the Merger Agreement. Subject to the effect of applicable
laws, following surrender of any such certificate, there shall be paid to the
holder of the certificate representing whole shares of retained Falcon Class A
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
Stock, without interest, (i) at the time of such surrender, the amount of any
cash payable in lieu of a fractional share of retained Falcon Class A Stock to
which such holder is entitled pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the
proportionate amount of dividends or other distributions, if any, with a record
date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares
of retained Falcon Class A Stock, and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the
proportionate amount of dividends or other distributions, if any, with a record
date after the Effective Time of the Merger but prior to such surrender and a
payment date subsequent to such surrender payable with respect to such whole
shares of retained Falcon Class A Stock.
 
FRACTIONAL SHARES
 
    No certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of retained Falcon
Class A Stock will be issued in connection with the Merger, and such fractional
share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a
stockholder of the Company after the Merger. Each holder of shares of Falcon
Class A Stock who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of a
share of retained Falcon Class A Stock (after taking into account all shares of
Falcon Class A Stock delivered by such holder) will receive, in lieu thereof, a
cash payment (without interest) equal to such fraction multiplied by the Cash
Price. This treatment of fractional shares could result in the number of shares
of Falcon Class A Stock actually retained by existing stockholders being
slightly less than 1,034,020.
 
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to carry on its
business and that of its subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time in the
ordinary and usual course of business consistent with past practice. SEE
"CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Certain Pre-Closing Covenants."
 
CONDITIONS TO THE CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
 
    The obligations of the Company and FBP to consummate the Merger are subject
to various conditions, including, without limitation, obtaining requisite
stockholder approval, the termination or expiration of the relevant waiting
period, if any, under the HSR Act and the absence of any injunction or other
legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Merger. The
Company and FBP do not believe that a filing under the HSR Act is required or
that any associated waiting period is applicable to the Merger. SEE "CERTAIN
PROVISIONS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Conditions to the Consummation of the
Merger" and "REGULATORY APPROVALS."
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
    The following summary of the material United States federal income tax
consequences of the Merger is based on the opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt,
counsel to Falcon. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), its legislative history, Treasury Regulations
thereunder and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, as of the
date hereof, all of which are subject to change (possibly on a retroactive
basis). This summary does not discuss all the tax consequences that may be
relevant to a particular stockholder in light of the stockholder's particular
circumstances and it is not intended to be applicable in all respects to all
categories of stockholders, some of whom--such as insurance companies,
tax-exempt persons, financial institutions, regulated investment companies,
dealers in securities or currencies, persons that hold Falcon Class A Stock
received in the exchange as a position in a "straddle," as part of a "synthetic
security," "hedge," "conversion transaction" or other integrated investment,
persons who received Stock as compensation or persons whose functional currency
is other than United States dollars--may be subject to different rules not
discussed below. In addition, this summary does not address any state, local or
foreign tax considerations that may be relevant to a
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
stockholder's decision whether to retain Falcon Class A Stock pursuant to the
Merger. This summary discusses only Falcon Class A Stock held as capital assets
within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code.
 
    ALL HOLDERS OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX
ADVISORS REGARDING THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
MERGER IN LIGHT OF THEIR OWN PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
 
    CHARACTERIZATION OF THE MERGER FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES.  For
U.S. federal income tax purposes, FBP will be disregarded as a transitory
entity, and the Merger of FBP with and into the Company will be treated as a
sale of a portion of a tendering stockholder's Falcon Class A Stock to the
shareholders of FBP and as a redemption of a portion of the stockholder's Falcon
Class A Stock by the Company. It is unclear how the allocation of proceeds
between the sale and redemption should be determined. The Company intends to
take the position that the percentage of a stockholder's Falcon Class A Stock
disposed of by the stockholder pursuant to the Merger which will be treated as
sold to the shareholders of FBP will be a percentage of such Stock equal to (a)
the amount contributed to FBP by the shareholders of FBP in exchange for FBP
stock divided by (b) the aggregate amount of cash paid to stockholders pursuant
to the Merger. The remainder of the stockholder's Falcon Class A Stock disposed
of in the Merger will be treated as redeemed by the Company. The IRS could,
however, adopt a different approach in determining the portion, if any, of a
stockholder's Stock which is treated as redeemed by the Company. SEE
"--Stockholders Receiving Cash" below for a discussion of the consequences of
cash being deemed paid in redemption of Falcon Class A Stock.
 
    STOCKHOLDERS RECEIVING CASH.  As described more fully below, the U.S.
federal income tax consequences of the Merger with respect to a particular
stockholder will depend upon, among other things, (i) whether the stockholder
received any cash proceeds pursuant to the Merger, (ii) the extent to which a
stockholder is deemed to have sold its Falcon Class A Stock to the shareholders
of FBP or is deemed to have had its Falcon Class A Stock redeemed by the Company
and (iii) whether the redemption of a holder's Falcon Class A Stock by the
Company will qualify as a sale or exchange under Section 302 of the Code. First,
to the extent that a stockholder is considered to have sold Falcon Class A Stock
to the shareholders of FBP, such stockholder will recognize either capital gain
or loss (assuming the Falcon Class A Stock is held by such stockholder as a
capital asset) equal to the difference between the amount realized on its deemed
sale of Falcon Class A Stock to the shareholders of FBP (i.e., the cash proceeds
properly allocated to such sale) and the stockholder's adjusted tax basis in
such Falcon Class A Stock. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term capital
gain or loss if the Falcon Class A Stock is held as a capital asset by the
stockholder for more than one year. Second, a stockholder also will recognize
either capital gain or loss to the extent such redemption is treated as a sale
or exchange under Section 302 of the Code with respect to such stockholder.
Under Section 302 of the Code, a redemption of Falcon Class A Stock pursuant to
the Merger will, as a general rule, be treated as a sale or exchange; provided
that at least one of the following tests is met: (a) as a result of the
exchange, the stockholder's equity interest in the Company is completely
terminated; (b) there results from the exchange a "substantially
disproportionate" reduction in the stockholder's equity interest in the Company;
or (c) the receipt of cash in exchange for the stockholder's Falcon Class A
Stock is not "essentially equivalent to a dividend."
 
    In applying the foregoing tests, the constructive ownership rules of Section
318 of the Code apply. Thus, a stockholder generally takes into account Falcon
Class A Stock actually owned by the stockholder as well as Falcon Class A Stock
actually (and in some cases constructively) owned by others, but which the
stockholder is treated as owning by reason of the application of the
constructive ownership rules. Pursuant to the constructive ownership rules, a
stockholder will be considered to own Falcon Class A Stock owned, directly or
indirectly, by certain members of the stockholder's family and certain related
entities (such as corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates) in which the
stockholder has an interest, as well as Falcon Class A Stock which the
stockholder has an option to purchase. Under certain circumstances, sales of
Falcon Class A Stock by a stockholder which are contemporaneous with such
stockholder's exchange of
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
Falcon Class A Stock for cash pursuant to the Merger may be taken into account
in determining whether any of the above tests are satisfied.
 
    If a stockholder could meet the complete termination of interest test except
for attribution from family members, such attribution can be waived if a number
of requirements are met, including the timely filing of an agreement with the
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS").
 
    A "substantially disproportionate" reduction will occur if the stockholder's
percentage interest in the voting and common stock of the Company immediately
after the exchange is less than 80% of such stockholder's percentage interest in
the voting and common stock of the Company immediately before the exchange.
 
    The receipt of cash by a stockholder pursuant to the Merger may not be
"essentially equivalent to a dividend" if, as a result of the exchange, the
stockholder has had a "meaningful reduction" in its proportionate equity
interest in the Company. The IRS has stated that the "meaningful reduction" test
is generally met by a minority stockholder with a minimal interest when there is
any reduction in such a stockholder's interest, so long as such stockholder does
not exercise any control over the affairs of the Company. Each stockholder
should consult his or her own tax advisor as to the application of these rules
to such stockholder's particular situation.
 
    If an exchange of Falcon Class A Stock for cash pursuant to the Merger is
treated as a sale because a stockholder meets any of the above three tests, the
stockholder will recognize gain or loss on the exchange in an amount equal to
the difference between the amount of cash received allocable to the redemption
of such stockholder's Falcon Class A Stock by the Company and such stockholder's
tax basis in such Falcon Class A Stock. Provided the stockholder holds the
Falcon Class A Stock as a capital asset, such gain or loss will be a capital
gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Falcon Class A
Stock were held more than one year. Calculation of gain or loss must be made
separately for each block of Falcon Class A Stock owned by a stockholder (i.e.,
Falcon Class A Stock acquired in a single transaction). A stockholder may be
able to designate which blocks and the order of such blocks of Falcon Class A
Stock to be tendered pursuant to the Merger.
 
    If a stockholder's exchange of Falcon Class A Stock for cash pursuant to the
Merger satisfies none of the foregoing three tests, the receipt of cash by the
stockholder will be treated as a distribution from the Company and will be taxed
to the stockholder as ordinary dividend income to the extent of the Company's
current and accumulated earnings and profits. Any portion of such a distribution
that is not taxed to the stockholder as a dividend will be treated first as a
tax-free return of capital to the stockholder, reducing the tax basis of the
stockholder's Falcon Class A Stock by the amount of such distribution (but not
below zero), with any amount of the distribution in excess of the stockholder's
tax basis taxable as capital gain (if the Falcon Class A Stock were held as a
capital asset).
 
    STOCKHOLDERS RETAINING STOCK AND RECEIVING NO CASH.  Stockholders who retain
their Falcon Class A Stock and receive no cash will not incur any tax liability
as a result of the consummation of the Merger.
 
    STOCKHOLDERS RETAINING A PORTION OF THEIR STOCK AND RECEIVING CASH.  To the
extent that a stockholder elects to retain a portion of such stockholder's
Falcon Class A Stock and exchange a portion of his or her Falcon Class A Stock
for cash, or to the extent a stockholder is prorated into receiving cash in
exchange for some portion of such stockholder's Falcon Class A Stock, the tax
treatment of the stockholder's receipt of such cash will be the same as set
forth above under "--Stockholders Receiving Cash."
 
    As described above under "--Stockholders Retaining Stock and Receiving No
Cash," the Merger will have no tax consequences to a stockholder (and thus a
stockholder will not incur any tax liability as a result of the consummation of
the Merger), to the extent such stockholder retains, or is prorated into Falcon
Class A Stock. SEE "--Stockholders Receiving Cash," above for a discussion of
the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a stockholder receiving cash in the
Merger.
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
    BACKUP FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING.  Payments in connection with the
Merger may be subject to "backup withholding" at a 31% rate. Backup withholding
generally applies if the stockholder (i) fails to furnish such stockholder's
social security number or other taxpayer identification number ("TIN"), (ii)
furnishes an incorrect TIN, (iii) fails to properly report to the IRS interest
or dividends or (iv) under certain circumstances, fails to provide a certified
statement, signed under penalties of perjury, that the TIN provided is such
stockholder's current number and that such stockholder is not subject to backup
withholding. To prevent backup withholding, each stockholder should complete the
substitute IRS Form W-9 included in the Letter of Transmittal or the Non-Cash
Election Form, as applicable. Certain persons generally are exempt from backup
withholding, including corporations, financial institutions and certain foreign
share stockholders. In order to qualify for an exemption from backup
withholding, a foreign stockholder must submit a properly executed IRS Form W-8
to the Company.
 
    WITHHOLDING FOR NON-U.S. STOCKHOLDERS.  Although a non-U.S. stockholder may
be exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding, certain payments to non-U.S.
stockholders are subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30%. The Company
will withhold the 30% tax from the amount of gross cash payments made to
non-U.S. stockholders pursuant to the Merger which is allocable to the
redemption of such non-U.S. stockholder's Falcon Class A Stock unless the
Company determines that a non-U.S. stockholder is either exempt from the
withholding tax or entitled to a reduced withholding rate under an income tax
treaty. For purposes of this discussion, a "non-U.S. stockholder" means a
stockholder who is not (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a
corporation or partnership created or organized in the United States or under
the law of the United States or of any State or political subdivision of the
foregoing, (iii) an estate whose income is includible in gross income for U.S.
federal income tax purposes regardless of its source, or (iv) a "United States
Trust". A United States Trust is (a) for taxable years beginning after December
31, 1996, or if the trustee of a trust elects to apply the following definition
to an earlier taxable year, any trust if, and only if, (i) a court within the
United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of
the trust and (ii) one or more U.S. trustees have the authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust, and (b) for all other taxable years, any
trust whose income is includible in gross income for United States federal
income tax purposes regardless of its source. A non-U.S. stockholder will not be
subject to the withholding tax if the payment from the Company is effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by such
non-U.S. stockholder (and, if certain tax treaties apply is attributable to a
United States permanent establishment maintained by such non-U.S. stockholder)
and the non-U.S. stockholder has furnished the Company with a properly executed
IRS Form 4224 prior to the time of payment. A non-U.S. stockholder who is
eligible for a reduced rate of withholding pursuant to a U.S. income tax treaty
must certify such to the Company by providing to the Company a properly executed
IRS Form 1001 prior to the time payment is made. A non-U.S. stockholder may be
eligible to obtain from the IRS a refund of tax withheld if such non-U.S.
stockholder is able to establish that no tax (or a reduced amount of tax) is
due.
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
    The Merger is being accounted for as a recapitalization for financial
reporting purposes. Accordingly, the historical basis of the Company's assets
and liabilities will not be impacted by the transaction.
 
EFFECT ON EMPLOYEE BENEFIT MATTERS
 
    Subject to the provisions of the plans, the employee benefit plans
maintained by the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time will continue
to be maintained by the Company after the Effective Time.
 
    Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each holder of an outstanding
option to purchase shares of Falcon Class A Stock granted under the Company's
1994 Stock Option and Restricted Share Plan (the "1994 Plan"), (each such
option, an "Option" and collectively, the "Options"), whether or not then
exercisable, will be entitled to receive from the Company for each share subject
to an Option an amount in
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
cash equal to the excess of the Cash Price over the per share exercise price of
such Option, and such Option will be cancelled; provided, that, with respect to
any person subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act who waives all rights with
respect to such Options and any shares subject thereto other than the right to
receive such amount of cash, any such amount shall be paid as soon as
practicable after the first date payment can be made without liability to such
person under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, FBP and Falcon agreed that, unless and
until such agreements are amended, modified or terminated, from and after the
Effective Time, Falcon will honor, in accordance with their respective terms as
in effect on the date thereof, all of the employment, termination, severance,
indemnity and bonus agreements and arrangements identified in the Merger
Agreement. The Merger Agreement provides that if Falcon or any of its successors
or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall not
be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or
merger or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties
and assets to any person, then, and in each such case, to the extent necessary
to effectuate the foregoing, proper provision shall be made so that the
successors and assigns of Falcon shall succeed to the obligations set forth in
the preceding sentence and none of the actions described in clause (i) or (ii)
shall be taken until such provision is made.
 
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
 
    Certain directors and officers of the Company have interests, described
below, that may present them with potential conflicts of interest in connection
with the Merger. The Board of Directors (including the non-management members of
the Board) is aware of the conflicts described below and considered them in
addition to the other matters described under "--Background of the Merger" and
"--Recommendation of the Board of Directors; Reasons for the Merger" when it
approved the Merger Agreement and recommended that stockholders vote in favor of
the Merger.
 
    Ten employees of the Company, including six of its executive officers, will
be entitled to receive transaction incentive bonuses as a result of arrangements
approved by the Company's existing Board of Directors which are triggered by the
consummation of the Merger. These bonuses will total approximately $3.0 million.
 
    The Options issued to employees under the 1994 Plan, including Options which
have not as yet vested and Options issued to Falcon's executive officers, shall
be treated as described in "--Effect on Employee Benefit Matters" above.
 
    The following table reflects the estimated value of the payments to which
certain executive officers and certain other employees of the Company will be
entitled, upon consummation of the Merger, under the transaction incentive
arrangements and the 1994 Plan described above:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    TRANSACTION
                                                                     INCENTIVE     NET OPTION
NAME                                                                   BONUS        PROCEEDS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                 <C>           <C>
William E. Allen..................................................  $    500,000  $    373,095
Gus J. Athas......................................................       300,000       675,618
Sam A. Cottone....................................................       300,000       675,618
Paul G. Fischer...................................................       375,900       361,936
William K. Hall...................................................       700,000       902,447
Lawrence B. Lee...................................................       399,000       378,566
Certain other employees...........................................       450,000       483,172
                                                                    ------------  ------------
  Total...........................................................  $  3,024,900  $  3,850,452
                                                                    ------------  ------------
                                                                    ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
    Shares of Falcon Class A Stock held by executive officers and directors of
the Company will be converted into the right to receive the same consideration
as shares of Falcon Class A Stock held by other stockholders. Options held by
executive officers and directors of the Company will be treated in the same
manner as Options held by other Option holders.
 
    Mr. Daniel G. Ellis, Vice President--Finance of the Company, has an
agreement with the Company which provides certain benefits in the event that his
employment with the Company is terminated, other than for cause, within two
years following a change in control or ownership of the Company prior to
September 30, 1997. Messrs. Allen, Fischer and Lee have similar agreements with
the respective subsidiaries of the Company of which they are Presidents. Upon
termination, the affected party would be entitled to receive a lump sum payment
equal to two times base salary plus target bonus in effect at the time of their
termination, plus continuation of certain benefits. Similar agreements have been
entered into with twenty-two other employees of the Company's subsidiaries which
provide for a lump sum payment equal to from six to eighteen months of the
employee's base salary plus target bonus at the time of such employee's
termination and the continuation of certain benefits for a period of time after
such employee's termination. These termination benefits agreements will remain
in full force and effect for a period of two years following the Merger.
 
    EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
   
    The Company and Messrs. Hall, Cottone and Athas have entered into employment
agreements, effective as of the Effective Time (collectively, the "Employment
Agreements"). Under the terms of the Employment Agreements, Mr. Hall will serve
as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and will receive a minimum
base salary payable at an annual rate of $600,000, subject to adjustment, Mr.
Cottone will serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and
will receive a minimum base salary payable at an annual rate of $400,000,
subject to adjustment, and Mr. Athas will serve as Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary and will receive a minimum base salary payable at
an annual rate of $330,000, subject to adjustment.
    
 
   
    The Employment Agreements also provide (i) for an annual bonus to be paid to
these officers in accordance with goals to be mutually agreed upon by the
Company and such officers, (ii) that the Company will establish a funded
supplemental executive retirement plan for Messrs. Cottone and Athas, (iii) that
Messrs. Hall, Cottone and Athas will receive seven-year stock options on 2.0%,
0.75% and 0.60%, respectively, of the outstanding Falcon capital stock as of the
Effective Time, and (iv) that such officers have certain rights to put to the
Company and the Company has certain rights to call from such officers
unrestricted shares of Falcon capital stock owned by such officers and certain
vested stock options held by such officers, and (v) that such officers are each
required to retain or purchase a specific percentage of shares of Falcon capital
stock as of the Effective Time. In addition, the Employment Agreements provide
that the Company will continue to maintain the Falcon Building Products, Inc.
Senior Executive Stock Purchase Plan (the "Stock Purchase Plan") after the
Merger, that the change in control provision of the Stock Purchase Plan will not
take effect as a result of the Merger and that the Company will consider
implementing a new plan similar to the Stock Purchase Plan after the Merger. Mr.
Hall's Employment Agreement also provides that he will receive options to
purchase an additional amount of capital stock of Falcon to be agreed upon prior
to the Effective Time.
    
 
   
    If an Employment Agreement is terminated by the Company, the termination is
not effective until the later of three years after the Effective Time or two
years after the notice of termination. If an Employment Agreement is terminated
by an officer, the termination is not effective until sixty days after the
notice of termination. The Employment Agreements provide for severance benefits
to be paid in the event an officer's employment is terminated prior to the time
set forth above and such termination is, in the case of termination by the
Company, without "Good Cause," or, in the case of termination by an officer, for
"Good Reason." If the Company terminates the employment of an officer without
Good Cause or the officer terminates his employment for Good Reason, the officer
is entitled to receive severance benefits
    
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
   
which include (i) the ability to exercise vested and outstanding stock options
for the period ending on the earlier of the date that is 18 months from the date
his employment is terminated or the specific expiration date stated in the
options and (ii) for the period ending on the later of three years after the
Effective Time or two years after such termination, payment of the officer's
compensation at the rate most recently determined and an annual bonus in an
amount equal to the latest bonus that would be paid if target goals are
achieved, the continuation of health, life and disability benefits, the
provision of office space and secretarial services, the reimbursement for
outplacement services, and the full vesting in all retirement and savings plans,
including, in the cases of Messrs. Cottone and Athas, the supplemental executive
retirement plan. If the officer dies while he is receiving severance benefits,
such benefits will continue to his spouse, and if such spouse subsequently dies,
to the officer's estate.
    
 
    "Good Cause" is defined as (i) the officer's conviction of any embezzlement
or any felony involving fraud or breach of trust relating to the performance of
the officer's duties, (ii) the officer's willful engagement in gross misconduct
in the performance of his duties, (iii) the officer's death, or (iv) permanent
disability which materially impairs the officer's performance of his duties.
 
   
    "Good Reason" exists if (i) the Company continues a reduction in
compensation or expenditures for benefit plans, relocates outside the Chicago
area or commits another material breach of the Employment Agreement for more
than 30 days after being notified by the officer of such breach, provided the
officer has given notice to the Company within 30 days of first becoming aware
of the facts constituting such breach, (ii) the Company gives the officer a
notice of termination without Good Cause, provided the officer terminates the
Employment Agreement within 30 days of receiving such notice, (iii) a "Change in
Control" occurs and the officer's employment is terminated by either party for
any reason other than Good Cause, or (iv) the officer retires from the Company
on a date that is mutually agreed upon by the Company and the officer.
    
 
   
    It is anticipated that two other executive officers of the Company will
enter into employment agreements with substantially similar provisions to those
described above.
    
 
    STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
   
    Prior to the Effective Time, the Company will adopt the Falcon Building
Products, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the "Stock Option Plan"). The number of shares
that will be awarded under the Stock Option Plan will be approximately 11% of
the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of Falcon at the Effective Time, of
which options to purchase approximately 10% of such capital stock will be
granted to current members of Falcon's management upon consummation of the
Merger. SEE "SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT."
    
 
   
    The Stock Option Plan will be administered by Falcon's Board of Directors or
a committee designated by the Board. The Board will designate which employees of
the Company shall be eligible to receive awards under the Stock Option Plan, and
the amount, timing and other terms and conditions applicable to such awards.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employment Agreements provide that each
executive officer will receive a certain percentage of seven-year options
exercisable at a price equal to the Cash Price. Specifically, Messrs. Hall,
Cottone and Athas and other current executive officers and employees of the
Company will receive options for approximately ten percent of the outstanding
shares of capital stock of Falcon at the Effective Time. Options for the
remaining approximately one percent of the outstanding shares of capital stock
of Falcon will be reserved for future officers and employees of the Company.
Options will be exercisable in accordance with the terms established by the
Board. Options will expire on the date determined by the Board, which shall not
be later than the seventh anniversary of the grant date. The Stock Option Plan
will give an optionee certain rights to put to the Company and will give the
Company certain rights to call from the optionee, certain vested stock options.
The method for determining the option price and the price at which an optionee
may put to the Company or the Company may call from the optionee is to be
mutually agreed upon by the Company and the executive officers prior to the
Effective Time.
    
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed for six years after
the Effective Time of the Merger to indemnify directors and officers of the
Company and its subsidiaries and will, subject to certain limitations, maintain
for six years a directors' and officers' insurance and indemnification policy
substantially similar to its current policy. SEE "CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE
MERGER AGREEMENT--Indemnification and Insurance."
 
    CERTAIN PURCHASE RIGHTS
 
   
    Following the Merger, (i) Messrs. Hall, Cottone and Athas, (ii) Edward G.
Finnegan, Jr., Anthony J. Navitsky, William E. Allen, Paul G. Fischer and
Lawrence B. Lee, each of whom are also executive officers of the Company, and
(iii) the officers directly reporting to the presidents of the Company's three
operating subsidiaries will have the right to purchase shares of the non-voting
Falcon Class C Stock at a price of $17.75 per share from Investcorp or its
affiliates. The number of shares to be purchased will (i) be finalized after the
Merger, subject to the limit described in (ii) below, and (ii) provide
management with the opportunity to increase its aggregate ownership from the
amount that management retains in the Merger (taking into account the possible
proration of shares) up to 3.5% of the outstanding post-Merger capital stock of
Falcon. It is expected that members of management will have the right to
purchase up to approximately 130,000 shares of Falcon Class C Stock. In
addition, the Company has agreed to make loans, in amounts equal to 50% of the
aggregate price of the shares to be purchased, to certain of such members of
management who do not currently have loans outstanding from the Company. Such
loans will mature in seven years, will bear interest at the same rate as
Falcon's new senior secured revolving credit facility and must be repaid with
20% of such employee's annual bonus.
    
 
    AGREEMENTS WITH CERTAIN STOCKHOLDERS
 
   
    See "CERTAIN RELATED AGREEMENTS" for a description of the Voting Agreements
among EHL, FBP and Falcon and between Falcon and each of Messrs. Hall, Cottone,
Athas, Finnegan, Navitsky, Allen, Fischer and Lee and a stockholder agreement
between EHL and Falcon to be entered into upon consummation of the Merger.
    
 
    EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF FBP
 
    As FBP is an acquisition vehicle established solely to consummate the
Merger, it does not have any executive officers other than those individuals who
have been appointed officers in order to effect the consummation of the Merger.
These individuals will not be officers of Falcon after the Merger and have no
interests in the Merger other than as executives or employees of Investcorp.
Similarly, the directors of FBP, some of whom will continue as directors of
Falcon after the Merger, will not receive any compensation for serving as such
and will have no interests in the Merger other than as executives or employees
of Investcorp.
 
DELISTING OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK FROM NYSE
 
    As a result of the Merger, it is likely that the Falcon Class A Stock will
no longer meet the listing requirements of the NYSE and the NYSE may
unilaterally act to delist the Falcon Class A Stock from the NYSE. Even if the
NYSE does not act unilaterally to delist the Falcon Class A Stock, it is FBP's
intention that, after the Effective Time, the Falcon Class A Stock will not be
listed on the NYSE or any other national securities exchange. Falcon and FBP
have each agreed, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, to cooperate in taking, or
causing to be taken, all actions necessary to delist the Falcon Class A Stock
from the NYSE. The delisting of the Falcon Class A Stock is likely to have a
material adverse effect on the trading market for, and the value of, the Common
Stock and there can be no assurance that any trading market will exist for the
Falcon Class A Stock after the Merger.
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
TERMINATION OF SEC REPORTING
 
   
    As a result of the Merger, it is expected that the shares of Falcon Class A
Stock will be held by fewer than 300 stockholders of record. In such a case, the
Company will deregister the Falcon Class A Stock from the reporting requirements
of the Exchange Act. If the Falcon Class A Stock is so deregistered, the Company
will not be required to comply with the proxy or the periodic reporting
requirements of the Exchange Act and does not plan to provide any reports or
information to its public stockholders other than pursuant to the right to
inspect the books and records of Falcon as required by Delaware law. As a
result, the information available to stockholders on the business and financial
condition of the Company would be reduced, which could have a material adverse
effect on the value of the Falcon Class A Stock. Although Falcon currently plans
to register certain debt securities under the Exchange Act in the near future,
Falcon will remain subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act
only until such debt securities are repaid. Upon the repayment of such debt
securities, the Company may no longer be subject to the reporting requirements
of the Exchange Act unless it has registered other securities under the Exchange
Act.
    
RESALE OF RETAINED FALCON CLASS A STOCK FOLLOWING THE MERGER
 
    The Falcon Class A Stock to be retained in connection with the Merger will
be freely transferable, except that shares retained by any stockholder who may
be deemed to be an "affiliate" (as defined under the Securities Act and
generally including, without limitation, directors, certain executive officers
and beneficial owners of 10% or more of a class of capital stock) of the Company
for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act will not be transferable
except in compliance with the Securities Act. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus
does not cover sales of Falcon Class A Stock retained by any person who may be
deemed to be an affiliate of the Company.
 
MERGER FINANCINGS
 
   
    At the time of the Merger, FBP expects to have received equity contributions
of approximately $135 million from Investcorp, INVESTCORP Investment Equity
Limited, the other ten companies identified as shareholders under "FBP" and
additional international investors. These additional investors in FBP cannot be
identified at this time, as consummation of the equity financing of FBP will not
close until immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger. In addition, at
the Effective Time, Falcon currently intends to issue debt securities for
approximately $245 million of gross proceeds in either the public or private
markets and enter into a syndicated, senior secured term loan facility for
approximately $150 million. The proceeds of these equity and debt issuances and
funds drawn under the term loan facility will be used to finance the conversion
into cash, in the Merger, of approximately 19,014,255 shares of Falcon Class A
Stock currently outstanding, to refinance substantially all of the outstanding
indebtedness of Falcon and to pay the fees and expenses associated with the
Merger and the Merger Financings. Falcon also expects to enter into a $150
million senior secured revolving credit facility to provide liquidity for
strategic acquisitions and working capital requirements, a portion of which may
be drawn down at the Effective Time. In addition, the Company also expects to
modify its existing accounts receivable securitization program, increasing it to
$100 million of availability. The term loan portion of the senior secured credit
facility will be drawn in full upon consummation of the Merger. See "RISK
FACTORS--Substantial Leverage; Stockholders' Deficit; Liquidity." Consummation
of these financing arrangements are not conditions to the consummation of the
Merger. The Merger Agreement contains a representation from FBP that it will
cause to be available to the Company the funds necessary to consummate the
Merger. Investcorp Bank E.C., an affiliate of Investcorp, has agreed to cause
FBP to perform its obligations under the Merger Agreement and to be liable in
the event FBP fails to perform any of such obligations.
    
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
    The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements (the
"Pro Forma Financial Statements") have been derived by the application of pro
forma adjustments to the Company's historical financial statements appearing
elsewhere in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The unaudited pro forma statements
of income for the periods presented give effect to the Merger and related
transactions, including consummation of the Merger Financings, as if such
transactions were consummated as of January 1, 1996. The unaudited pro forma
balance sheet gives effect to the Merger and related transactions as if such
transactions had occurred as of March 31, 1997. The adjustments are described in
the accompanying notes. The Pro Forma Financial Statements should not be
considered indicative of actual results that would have been achieved had the
Merger and related transactions been consummated on the date or for the periods
indicated and do not purport to indicate balance sheet data or results of
operations as of any future date or for any future period. The Pro Forma
Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's historical
consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. SEE "AVAILABLE
INFORMATION" and "INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS."
 
    The pro forma adjustments were applied to the historical consolidated
financial statements to reflect and account for the Merger as a
recapitalization. Accordingly, the historical basis of the Company's assets and
liabilities have not been impacted by the Merger.
 
                                       66
<PAGE>
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
 
                 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
                              AS OF MARCH 31, 1997
 
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          PRO FORMA
                                                                                              MERGER       FOR THE
                                                                               HISTORICAL   ADJUSTMENTS    MERGER
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                            <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                       ASSETS
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents..................................................   $     1.3    $     0.0(a)  $     1.3
  Receivables................................................................      --           --           --
  Inventories, net...........................................................        85.7       --             85.7
  Other current assets.......................................................        47.2       --             47.2
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                    134.2       --            134.2
Property and Equipment, net..................................................        96.8       --             96.8
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
 
Non-current Assets:
  Goodwill...................................................................        58.5       --             58.5
  Other, net.................................................................         9.1         24.5(b)       33.6
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                     67.6         24.5         92.1
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
Total Assets.................................................................   $   298.6    $    24.5    $   323.1
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
 
                                        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Current maturities of debt.................................................   $    15.2    $   (14.5)(c)  $     0.7
  Accounts payable...........................................................        49.7       --             49.7
  Accrued liabilities........................................................        30.4         (6.8)(d)       23.6
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                     95.3        (21.3)        74.0
Noncurrent Liabilities:
  Long-term debt.............................................................       140.3        277.2(c)      417.5
  Accrued employee benefit obligations.......................................         9.0       --              9.0
  Other long-term liabilities................................................        20.0       --             20.0
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                    264.6        255.9        520.5
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
  Common stock...............................................................         0.2         (0.1)(d)        0.1
  Paid-in capital............................................................        18.0        (18.0)(d)     --
  Pension liability adjustment...............................................        (0.5)      --             (0.5)
  Unearned compensation......................................................        (0.3)         0.3(d)        0.0
  Notes receivable arising from stock purchase plan..........................        (2.0)      --             (2.0)
  Common stock in treasury, at cost (22,225 shares)..........................        (0.3)         0.3(d)        0.0
  Retained earnings (deficit)................................................        18.9       (213.9)(d)     (195.0)
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                     34.0       (231.4)      (197.4)
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity...................................   $   298.6    $    24.5    $   323.1
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
          See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
                                       67
<PAGE>
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
                (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
    The Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet reflects the Merger as if
it had occurred as of March 31, 1997. The Merger is being accounted for as a
recapitalization which will have no impact on the historical basis of assets and
liabilities. The pro forma adjustments are based on available information and
certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable.
 
(a) Reflects the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   MARCH 31,
                                                                                      1997
                                                                                  ------------
 
<S>                                                                               <C>
Total sources:
  Proceeds of Senior Credit Facility revolving credit facility..................   $     20.4
  Proceeds of Senior Credit Facility term loan..................................        150.0
  Proceeds of Senior Subordinated Notes.........................................        145.0
  Proceeds of Senior Subordinated Discount Notes................................        100.0
  Proceeds from issuance of 7,582,810 shares(1).................................        134.6(2)
                                                                                  ------------
                                                                                        550.0
                                                                                  ------------
Total uses:
  Consideration to convert to cash 19,014,255 shares at $17.75 per share........        337.5
  Consideration to convert to cash 798,300 options at an average exercise price
    of $11.19 per share.........................................................          5.2
  Refinancing of revolving credit facility......................................         74.0
  Refinancing of term loan......................................................         78.7
  Estimated transaction fees and expenses.......................................         54.6
                                                                                  ------------
                                                                                        550.0
                                                                                  ------------
                                                                                   $      0.0
                                                                                  ------------
                                                                                  ------------
</TABLE>
 
(b) Reflects the following:
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>
  Estimated debt issuance costs for the Senior Credit Facility,
    Senior Subordinated Notes and Senior Subordinated Discount
    Notes, and extension of the Securitization Program..........   $    21.8
  Management fees prepaid in connection with the Merger.........         5.0
  Write-off of deferred issuance costs associated with retired
    debt........................................................        (2.3)
                                                                  -----------
                                                                   $    24.5
                                                                  -----------
                                                                  -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
(c)  Reflects the following:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>
  Refinancing of revolving credit facility......................   $   (74.0)
  Refinancing of term loan......................................       (78.7)
  Net adjustment of current maturities..........................        14.5
  Proceeds of Senior Credit Facility revolving credit
    facility....................................................        20.4
  Proceeds of Senior Credit Facility term loan..................       150.0
  Proceeds of Senior Subordinated Notes.........................       145.0
  Proceeds of Senior Subordinated Discount Notes................       100.0
                                                                  -----------
                                                                   $   277.2
                                                                  -----------
                                                                  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                       68
<PAGE>
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
 
            NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
                (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
(d)  Reflects the following:
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
  Adjustments to eliminate historical additional paid-in capital
    due to the transactions associated with the Merger............   $    18.0
  Issuance of 7,582,810 shares (1)................................       134.6(2)
  Net adjustment for $0.01 par value common.......................         0.1
  Conversion of 19,014,255 shares into cash at $17.75 per share
    and cancellation of such shares (3)...........................      (337.5)
  Estimated fees and expenses to be paid by the Company in
    connection with the Merger, including advisory fees, legal and
    accounting fees, standby commitment fees, and management
    transaction bonuses...........................................       (27.8)
  Conversion of 798,300 options with an average exercise price of
    $11.19 per share to cash......................................        (5.2)
  Treasury shares retirement......................................        (0.3)
  Accelerated vesting of restricted stock.........................        (0.3)
  Write-off of deferred issuance costs associated with retired
    debt..........................................................        (2.3)
  Tax benefit of management transaction bonuses, certain legal and
    accounting fees, standby commitment fees, conversion of
    options, accelerated vesting of restricted stock, and
    write-off of deferred issuance costs associated with retired
    debt, assuming an effective income tax rate of 38.5%..........         6.8
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     $  (213.9)
                                                                    -----------
                                                                    -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
Management has assumed that there will be no changes to the existing receivables
securitization program as a result of the Merger, except for an increase in the
maximum availability from $85 million to $100 million and an extension of the
program until 2002.
 
- ------------------------
 
   
(1) These shares consist of 6,721,537 shares of Falcon Class B Stock, 844,273
    shares of Falcon Class C Stock and 17,000 shares of Falcon Class D Stock to
    be exchanged on a one-for-one basis in the Merger for shares of the same
    classes of stock of FBP. Shares of Falcon Class B Stock and Falcon Class C
    Stock will be non-voting, while shares of Falcon Class D Stock will have 446
    votes per share.
    
 
(2) This amount represents proceeds from the sale of shares of FBP prior to the
    Merger. In the Merger, (i) FBP will merge into Falcon; (ii) the separate
    existence of FBP will terminate; (iii) FBP's outstanding securities will be
    exchanged for similar shares of Falcon stock as described above in footnote
    (1); and (iv) all of FBP's assets (consisting only of its rights under the
    Merger Agreement and the cash proceeds from the sale of its stock),
    liabilities (none, other than under the Merger Agreement) and operations
    (none) will be combined with those of Falcon.
 
(3) Reflects the conversion into $17.75 in cash in the Merger of each of
    approximately 19,014,255 shares of Falcon Class A Stock held by pre-Merger
    stockholders of Falcon. No stockholders of Falcon will exchange their shares
    of Falcon Class A Stock for shares of FBP.
 
                                       69
<PAGE>
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
 
              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
                (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            PRO FORMA
                                                                                               MERGER        FOR THE
                                                                               HISTORICAL    ADJUSTMENTS     MERGER
                                                                               -----------  -------------  -----------
<S>                                                                            <C>          <C>            <C>
Net sales....................................................................   $   633.2        --         $   633.2
Cost of goods sold...........................................................       520.3        --             520.3
                                                                               -----------       ------    -----------
Gross earnings...............................................................       112.9        --             112.9
Selling, general and administrative..........................................        49.0           1.8(a)       50.8
Securitization expense.......................................................         4.1        --               4.1
                                                                               -----------       ------    -----------
Operating income.............................................................        59.8          (1.8)         58.0
Net interest expense.........................................................        11.0          32.1(b)       43.1
                                                                               -----------       ------    -----------
Income before income taxes...................................................        48.8         (33.9)         14.9
Provision for income taxes...................................................        18.8         (13.1)(c)        5.7
                                                                               -----------       ------    -----------
Net income...................................................................   $    30.0     $   (20.8)    $     9.2
                                                                               -----------       ------    -----------
                                                                               -----------       ------    -----------
Weighted average shares outstanding (in millions)............................        20.1                         8.6
                                                                               -----------                 -----------
                                                                               -----------                 -----------
Earnings per share...........................................................   $    1.50                   $    1.07
                                                                               -----------                 -----------
                                                                               -----------                 -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
       See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Income
 
                                       70
<PAGE>
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
 
              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                   FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997
 
                (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            PRO FORMA
                                                                                               MERGER        FOR THE
                                                                               HISTORICAL    ADJUSTMENTS     MERGER
                                                                               -----------  -------------  -----------
<S>                                                                            <C>          <C>            <C>
Net sales....................................................................   $   160.2        --         $   160.2
Cost of goods sold...........................................................       133.4        --             133.4
                                                                               -----------       ------    -----------
Gross earnings...............................................................        26.8        --              26.8
Selling, general and administrative..........................................        13.1           0.5(a)       13.6
Securitization expense.......................................................         0.9        --               0.9
                                                                               -----------       ------    -----------
Operating income.............................................................        12.8          (0.5)         12.3
Net interest expense.........................................................         2.8           8.1(b)       10.9
                                                                               -----------       ------    -----------
Income before income taxes...................................................        10.0          (8.6)          1.4
Provision for income taxes...................................................         3.9          (3.3)(c)        0.6
                                                                               -----------       ------    -----------
Net income...................................................................   $     6.1     $    (5.3)    $     0.8
                                                                               -----------       ------    -----------
                                                                               -----------       ------    -----------
Weighted average shares outstanding..........................................        20.0                         8.6
                                                                               -----------                 -----------
                                                                               -----------                 -----------
Earnings per share...........................................................   $    0.31                   $    0.09
                                                                               -----------                 -----------
                                                                               -----------                 -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
       See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Income
 
                                       71
<PAGE>
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
 
         NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
    The Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Income for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 and the year ended December 31, 1996 reflect the
Merger as if it had occurred on January 1, 1996 and excludes nonrecurring items
directly attributable to the Merger. The Merger is being accounted for as a
recapitalization which will have no impact on the historical basis of assets and
liabilities. The pro forma adjustments are based on available information and
certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          THREE MONTHS
                                                                                            YEAR ENDED        ENDED
                                                                                           DECEMBER 31,     MARCH 31,
                                                                                               1996           1997
                                                                                           -------------  -------------
<S>        <C>                                                                             <C>            <C>
(a)        Reflects the following:
             Incremental administrative expenses anticipated to be incurred by the
               Company...................................................................    $     0.8      $     0.2
             Amortization of prepaid management fees.....................................          1.0            0.3
                                                                                                ------         ------
                                                                                             $     1.8      $     0.5
                                                                                                ------         ------
                                                                                                ------         ------
 
(b)        Reflects the following:
             Elimination of historical net interest expense, including amortization of
               debt issuance costs on the retired debt of $0.6 million and $0.2 million,
               respectively..............................................................    $   (11.0)     $    (2.8)
             Interest resulting from borrowings under the $150.0 million revolving credit
               facility under the Senior Credit Facility at an assumed interest rate of
               LIBOR + 2.5% (8.1% and 8.3%, at December 31 and March 31, respectively)...          1.4            0.4
             Interest resulting from $150.0 million term loan under the Senior Credit
               Facility, at an assumed interest rate of LIBOR + 3.0% (8.6% and 8.8%, at
               December 31 and March 31, respectively)...................................         12.9            3.3
             Interest resulting from $145.0 million of debt issued under the Senior
               Subordinated Notes, at an assumed interest rate of 10.25%.................         14.9            3.7
             Interest resulting from $100.0 million of debt issued under the Senior
               Subordinated Discount Notes, at an assumed effective interest rate of
               11.25%....................................................................         11.3            2.8
             Amortization of debt issuance costs associated with the Senior Credit
               Facility, Senior Subordinated Notes and Senior Subordinated Discount
               Notes, and extension of Securitization Program............................          2.6            0.7
                                                                                                ------         ------
                                                                                             $    32.1      $     8.1
                                                                                                ------         ------
                                                                                                ------         ------
(c)          Reflects the tax effect of items (a) and (b) above at an assumed effective
               tax rate of 38.5%.........................................................    $    13.1      $     3.3
                                                                                                ------         ------
                                                                                                ------         ------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       72
<PAGE>
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
 
   NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (CONTINUED)
 
                (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
    The unaudited pro forma consolidated net income excludes the following
nonrecurring items that are directly attributable to the Merger:
 
    (1) Compensation charges totaling $3.0 million for amounts paid to
       management in connection with the Merger, and related income tax benefit
       of $1.2 million;
 
    (2) Estimated other charges totaling $24.8 million for expenses incurred by
       the Company in connection with the Merger, and related income tax benefit
       of $2.6 million;
 
    (3) Charge of $5.2 million resulting from the conversion of outstanding
       stock options in connection with the Merger, and related income tax
       benefit of $2.0 million;
 
   
    (4) The write-off of $2.3 million of debt issuance costs on debt retired in
       connection with the Merger, and related income tax benefit of $0.9
       million;
    
 
   
    (5) Charges of $0.3 million associated with the accelerated vesting of
       restricted stock and related income tax benefit of $0.1 million.
    
 
    Because interest rates in connection with the Merger Financings have not
been determined as of the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, this
presentation is indicative of the Company's best current estimate of interest
expense. A 25 basis point increase or decrease in the assumed average interest
rate on the debt issued in connection with the Merger would change the March 31,
1997 pro forma interest expense by approximately $0.25 million, the pro forma
net income by approximately $0.2 million and the pro forma earnings per share by
approximately $0.02. A 25 basis point increase or decrease in the assumed
average interest rate on the debt issued in connection with the Merger would
change the December 31, 1996 pro forma interest expense by approximately $1.0
million, the pro forma net income by approximately $0.6 million and the pro
forma earnings per share by approximately $0.07.
 
                                       73
<PAGE>
                      DESCRIPTION OF FALCON CAPITAL STOCK
 
FALCON'S EXISTING CAPITAL STOCK
 
    GENERAL.  Falcon is authorized by its Restated Certificate of Incorporation
to issue an aggregate of 30,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value
$.01 per share (referred to herein as the "Falcon Class A Stock"), 14,000,000
shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Falcon Class B
Stock") and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Falcon Preferred Stock"). There are no shares of Falcon Class B Stock or Falcon
Preferred Stock issued or outstanding. The following is a summary of certain of
the rights and privileges pertaining to Falcon's capital stock. For a full
description of Falcon Class A Stock, reference is made to the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation as currently in effect, a copy of which is on file
with the Commission.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
    VOTING RIGHTS.  Except as otherwise required by law and except with respect
to the election of directors, the holders of Falcon Class A Stock and the
holders of Falcon Class B Stock have one vote per share and vote as a single
class with respect to all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Under the
DGCL, any proposal to amend the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to change
the rights, preferences and limitations of Falcon Class A Stock must be approved
by the holders of Falcon Class A Stock voting separately as a class. The number
of directors shall not be less than seven nor more than 15, with the precise
number to be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company.
Because all previously issued shares of Falcon Class B Stock have been converted
into Falcon Class A Stock, the holders of Falcon Class A Stock are entitled to
elect all of the directors, subject to the rights of any holders of Preferred
Stock. Shares of Falcon Class A Stock and Falcon Class B Stock do not have
cumulative voting rights.
 
   
    DIVIDEND RIGHTS.  Each share of Falcon Class A Stock is entitled to
dividends if, as and when dividends are declared by the Board of Directors of
the Company. Any dividend declared and payable in cash, capital stock of the
Company (other than Falcon Class A Stock or Falcon Class B Stock) or other
property must be paid equally on a share for share basis on Falcon Class A Stock
and Falcon Class B Stock. Dividends and distributions payable in shares of
Falcon Class A Stock may be paid only on shares of Falcon Class A Stock, and
dividends and distributions payable in shares of Falcon Class B Stock may be
paid only on shares of Falcon Class B Stock. If a dividend or distribution
payable in Falcon Class A Stock is made on Falcon Class A Stock at a time when
Falcon Class B Stock is outstanding, a simultaneous and equivalent dividend or
distribution in Falcon Class B Stock must be made on Falcon Class B Stock. If a
dividend or distribution payable in Falcon Class B Stock is made on Falcon Class
B Stock, a simultaneous and equivalent dividend or distribution in Falcon Class
A Stock must be made on Falcon Class A Stock.
    
 
    CONVERSION RIGHTS.  The Falcon Class A Stock is not convertible. Each share
of Falcon Class B Stock is convertible into one share of Falcon Class A Stock at
any time at the option of and without cost to the holder thereof and
automatically in certain other events. No Falcon Class B Stock is currently
outstanding.
 
    LIQUIDATION RIGHTS.  The holders of Falcon Class A Stock and the holders of
Falcon Class B Stock are entitled to participate equally on a share for share
basis in all distributions to the holders of common stock in any liquidation,
distribution or winding up of the Company.
 
    PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS.  Neither the holders of Falcon Class A Stock nor the
holders of Falcon Class B Stock have preemptive rights to purchase shares of
such stock or shares of stock of any other class that the Company may issue.
 
                                       74
<PAGE>
PREFERRED STOCK
 
    The Board of Directors of the Company is authorized to issue, by resolution
and without any action by stockholders, up to 10,000,000 shares of Falcon
Preferred Stock and may establish the designations, dividend rights, dividend
rate, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation
preference, sinking fund terms and all other preferences and rights of any
series of Falcon Preferred Stock, including rights that could adversely affect
the voting power of the holders of Falcon Class A Stock. No shares of Falcon
Preferred Stock are currently outstanding.
 
FALCON'S CAPITAL STOCK FOLLOWING THE MERGER
 
    INTRODUCTION.  If the Merger is approved by the requisite vote of the
stockholders of Falcon Class A Stock at the Special Meeting, at the Effective
Time the current Certificate of Incorporation of FBP will be amended pursuant to
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation substantially in the form of Annex V
attached hereto, and, as so amended will be the certificate of incorporation of
the Company following the Merger.
 
    The following is a summary of certain of the rights and privileges
pertaining to Falcon's capital stock as it is expected to exist immediately
after giving effect to the Merger. For a full description of such capital stock,
reference is made to Annex V attached hereto.
 
    GENERAL.  Falcon will be authorized to issue an aggregate of 20,000,000
shares of capital stock, consisting of five classes as follows, each of such
shares having a par value of $.01:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  SHARES EXPECTED TO BE
                                                                                    OUTSTANDING AS OF
TITLE                                                         AUTHORIZED SHARES    THE EFFECTIVE TIME
- ------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  -----------------------
<S>                                                           <C>                <C>
Falcon Class A Stock(a).....................................        1,034,020            1,034,020
Falcon Class B Stock........................................        6,900,000            6,721,537
Falcon Class C Stock........................................        2,048,980              844,273
Falcon Class D Stock........................................           17,000               17,000
Falcon Common Stock.........................................       10,000,000              --
                                                              -----------------         ----------
Total.......................................................       20,000,000            8,616,830
                                                              -----------------         ----------
                                                              -----------------         ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
(a) The payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares pursuant to the terms of
    the Merger Agreement, as described under "THE MERGER--Fractional Shares"
    could result in the number of shares of Falcon Class A Stock outstanding as
    of the Effective Time being slightly less than 1,034,020.
 
    The Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon Class B Common Stock ("Falcon Class B
Stock"), Falcon Class C Common Stock ("Falcon Class C Stock"), Falcon Class D
Common Stock ("Falcon Class D Stock") and Falcon Common Stock are sometimes
referred to collectively herein as the "Falcon Stock." Falcon may, by an
amendment to the Falcon Certificate of Incorporation duly adopted, increase or
decrease at any time, and from time to time (but not below the number of shares
of Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon Class B Stock, Falcon Class C Stock, Falcon
Class D Stock or Falcon Common Stock then outstanding), the number of authorized
shares of Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon Class B Stock, Falcon Class C Stock,
Falcon Class D Stock or Falcon Common Stock, as the case may be. Shares of
Falcon Stock redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by Falcon, pursuant to
the Falcon Certificate of Incorporation, shall be retired and shall revert to
authorized but unissued Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon Class B Stock, Falcon Class
C Stock, Falcon Class D Stock or Falcon Common Stock, as the case may be.
 
    VOTING.  Holders of shares of Falcon Class A Stock and Falcon Common Stock
shall be entitled to one vote per share and holders of Falcon Class D Stock
shall be entitled to 446 votes for each share of such stock held on all matters
as to which stockholders may be entitled to vote pursuant to the DGCL.
 
    Holders of Falcon Class B Stock or Falcon Class C Stock shall not have any
voting rights, except that the holders of the Falcon Class B Stock and Falcon
Class C Stock shall have the right to vote as a class to the extent required
under the laws of the State of Delaware. Unless otherwise required by the terms
of the
 
                                       75
<PAGE>
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Falcon, paragraph (2) of subsection (b)
of Section 242 of the DGCL shall not entitle the holders of shares of Falcon
Class B Stock or Falcon Class C Stock to vote as a class on the increase of the
number of authorized shares of such class of Falcon Stock or the decrease of the
number of authorized but not outstanding shares of such class of Falcon Stock.
 
    Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of Falcon, whether by merger, consolidation or
otherwise, that would alter or change the relative powers, preferences, or
special rights of any class of capital stock so as to affect the Falcon Class A
Stock materially and adversely, will require, in addition to any other approvals
required by the DGCL and the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the approval
by the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Falcon Class A
Stock.
 
    LIQUIDATION RIGHTS.  Except as set forth below, any distribution made upon
the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of Falcon, whether
voluntary or involuntary, shall be allocated PRO RATA based upon the number of
shares of Falcon Stock held by each stockholder. None of the sale, transfer,
conveyance or lease of all or substantially all of the property or business of
Falcon, the merger or consolidation of Falcon into or with any other corporation
or the merger or consolidation of any other corporation into or with Falcon
shall be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up, voluntary or
involuntary, for this purpose.
 
    If the assets of Falcon or the proceeds thereof available for distribution
to the holders of shares of the Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon Class B Stock or
Falcon Class C Stock upon any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of Falcon,
whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be insufficient to pay in full all
preference amounts to which such holders are entitled, no distribution shall be
made on any shares of Falcon Class D or Falcon Common Stock.
 
    RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER.  Except for Transfers (as defined) to a Permitted
Transferee (as defined), no Falcon Class D Stockholder shall Transfer any share
of Falcon Class D Stock owned by such Falcon Class D Stockholder except in
accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
 
    No Falcon Stockholder may Transfer any shares of Falcon Stock unless such
Transfer complies with the conditions specified in the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Falcon which are intended to ensure compliance with the
provisions of the Securities Act. Prior to any Transfer, the holder of the
shares of Falcon Stock proposed to be Transferred (other than a holder of Falcon
Class A Stock who is not an affiliate of the Company) shall give written notice
to Falcon of such holder's intention to effect such Transfer. Each such notice
shall describe the manner and circumstances of the proposed Transfer in
sufficient detail, and, if requested by Falcon, shall be accompanied by either
(i) a written opinion of legal counsel who is reasonably satisfactory to Falcon,
addressed to Falcon and reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to
Falcon's counsel, to the effect that the proposed Transfer may be effected
without registration under the Securities Act and qualification under applicable
state securities laws, or (ii) a "no action" letter from the SEC to the effect
that the Transfer of such securities without registration under the Securities
Act will not result in a recommendation by the staff of the SEC that action be
taken with respect thereof, or a combination of (i) and (ii) above, whereupon
the holder of such shares of Falcon Stock shall be entitled to Transfer such
shares in accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation
and the written notice delivered by such holder to Falcon. Each certificate
evidencing the shares of Falcon Stock Transferred as above provided shall bear
the appropriate restrictive legend set forth in the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, PROVIDED THAT, following the Initial Public Offering (as
defined), such certificates shall bear the legend set forth in the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation or another legend only if, in the opinion of
counsel to Falcon, the imposition of such legend is required under the
Securities Act or other applicable law. Any purported Transfer in violation of
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be null and void and of no force
or effect, and Falcon shall not record any such Transfer on its stock transfer
books. These restrictions on Transfer shall not apply to Transfers of shares of
Falcon Stock (i) in the Initial Public Offering (as defined), or (ii) following
the Initial Public Offering, PROVIDED THAT such
 
                                       76
<PAGE>
Transfer is made in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable state
securities laws and in accordance with any restrictions on transfer contained in
any restrictive legend set forth on the certificates representing such shares.
 
    TAG-ALONG RIGHTS.  If, other than in connection with the Initial Public
Offering, any Falcon Class D Stockholder or Stockholders (for purposes of this
section, singularly or collectively, the "Proposed Transferor"), at any time or
from time to time in one transaction or in a series of transactions, desires to
enter into an agreement (whether oral or written) to Transfer its shares of
Falcon Class D Stock or any part thereof in a transaction which is a sale for
consideration consisting exclusively of cash to any Person (as defined) other
than a Permitted Transferee (the "Proposed Transferee"), such proposed Transfer
shall be deemed a "Tag-Along Transfer" and, each of the Falcon Class A
Stockholders, Falcon Class B Stockholders and Falcon Class C Stockholders
(collectively, the "Other Falcon Stockholders") shall have the right, but not
the obligation, as a condition to such Tag-Along Transfer, to have the Proposed
Transferee purchase from each such Other Falcon Stockholder up to the number of
shares (the "Tag-Along Pro Rata Amount") of Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon Class B
Stock or Falcon Class C Stock derived by multiplying the total number of shares
of Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon Class B Stock or Falcon Class C Stock exclusive
of Non-Redeemable Shares (as defined), as the case may be, owned by such Other
Falcon Stockholder by a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the number
of shares of Falcon Class D Stock that is proposed to be Transferred by the
Proposed Transferor to the Proposed Transferee (the "Proposed Purchase Amount")
and the denominator of which is the total number of shares of Falcon Class D
Stock (other than shares of Falcon Class D Stock that have previously been
Transferred pursuant to a Tag-Along Transfer) outstanding as of the Notice Date
(as defined below). All Tag-Along Transfers by Other Falcon Stockholders shall
be on the same terms and conditions (with such changes as are necessary to apply
such terms and conditions to a sale by such Other Falcon Stockholders) as the
proposed Tag-Along Transfer by the Proposed Transfer or, PROVIDED that no Other
Falcon Stockholder may be required to make any representation or warranty in
connection with the Tag-Along Transfer other than as to its ownership and
authority to Transfer the shares of Falcon Stock to be Transferred by it, free
and clear of any and all liens and encumbrances (other than under the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation) and in compliance with all applicable laws.
 
    The Proposed Transferor participating in a Tag-Along Transfer shall at least
thirty (30) Business Days prior to the closing date thereof provide Falcon and
the Other Falcon Stockholders with written notice (the "Transfer Notice") of the
proposed Tag-Along Transfer containing the following:
 
        (i) the name and address of the Proposed Transferor and the Proposed
    Transferee;
 
        (ii) the Proposed Purchase Amount;
 
       (iii) the proposed amount to be paid for such shares of Falcon Class D
    Stock, the terms and conditions of payment offered by the Proposed
    Transferee, the closing date for the proposed Tag-Along Transfer and the
    estimated expenses payable in connection therewith;
 
        (iv) the aggregate number of shares of Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon
    Class B Stock or Falcon Class C Stock, as the case may be, held of record as
    of the date the Transfer Notice is sent (the "Notice Date") by the Other
    Falcon Stockholder to whom the notice is sent;
 
        (v) the aggregate number of shares of Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon Class
    B Stock or Falcon Class C Stock, as the case may be, held of record as of
    the Notice Date by all Other Falcon Stockholders as a group;
 
        (vi) the Tag-Along Pro Rata Amount; and
 
       (vii) a statement confirming that the Proposed Transferee has agreed (i)
    to the tag-along rights and (ii) to purchase the number of shares of Falcon
    Stock redeemed pursuant to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
 
                                       77
<PAGE>
    Upon written request by the Proposed Transferor, Falcon shall provide to the
Proposed Transferor the information referred to in (iv) and (v) above for
inclusion in the Transfer Notice and such other information as may be required
to enable the Proposed Transferor to comply with the terms of Section 4(b) of
the Securities Act.
 
    Each Other Falcon Stockholder desiring to participate in the proposed
Tag-Along Transfer shall provide a written notice (the "Tag-Along Notice") to
the Proposed Transferor on or before the expiration of ten (10) Business Days
after the Notice Date (the "Tag-Along Acceptance Date") stating the number of
shares held by such Other Falcon Stockholder (up to its Tag-Along Pro Rata
Amount) to be included in the proposed Tag-Along Transfer on the terms and
conditions specified in the Transfer Notice. The Tag-Along Notice given by each
Other Falcon Stockholder shall include and constitute such Other Falcon
Stockholder's binding agreement to include a number of shares equal to its
Tag-Along Pro Rata Amount (or such lesser amount as stated in the Tag-Along
Notice) in the Tag-Along Transfer on the terms and conditions specified in the
Transfer Notice and in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation. If the
Proposed Transferee does not purchase all of the shares of Falcon Stock of the
Proposed Transferor and the Other Falcon Stockholders included in such proposed
Tag-Along Transfer, as well as shares to be issued under the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation in connection with the Tag-Along Transfer, then the
proposed Tag-Along Transfer to such Proposed Transferee shall be prohibited and
any attempt to consummate the proposed Tag-Along Transfer shall be null and void
and of no force and effect.
 
    Each Proposed Transferor and each Other Falcon Stockholder whose shares are
sold in a Tag-Along Transfer shall be required to bear its pro rata share, based
on the number of shares included in such Tag-Along Transfer, of the expenses of
the transaction including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment
banking fees and expenses, such determination of expenses to be made in the sole
discretion of the Board of Directors of Falcon.
 
    The foregoing provisions shall not apply to a subsequent Transfer of any
share of Falcon Class D Stock that has previously been the subject of a
completed Tag-Along Transfer which complied with the provisions of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation.
 
    REDEMPTION.  The number of shares of Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon Class B
Stock or Falcon Class C Stock equal to the difference (the "Difference Shares")
between (i) the number of shares included in any Tag-Along Transfer by the
Falcon Class A Stockholder, Falcon Class B Stockholder or Falcon Class C
Stockholder pursuant to the foregoing Tag-Along Transfer provisions and (ii) the
Tag-Along Pro Rata Amount for each such Falcon Class A Stockholder, Falcon Class
B Stockholder or Falcon Class C Stockholder shall be redeemed by Falcon, to the
extent it is lawfully permitted to do so, out of funds legally available
therefor PRO RATA based upon the number of Difference Shares held by such
Stockholder from each of the Falcon Class A Stockholders, Falcon Class B
Stockholders and Falcon Class C Stockholders who elected to include in the
Tag-Along Transfer a number of shares of Falcon Stock less than the number of
shares that constitute their Tag-Along Pro Rata Amount or any such Falcon
Stockholders that did not elect to participate in a Tag-Along Transfer at a
redemption price (the "Tag-Along Redemption Price") for each share of Falcon
Class A Stock, Falcon Class B Stock or Falcon Class C Stock so redeemed equal to
the per share price paid for the Falcon Class D Stock by the Proposed Transferee
less such Other Falcon Stockholder's PRO RATA share, based on the number of
shares of Stock so redeemed from such Other Falcon Stockholder, of the expenses
of the Tag-Along Transfer including, without limitations, legal, accounting and
investment banking fees and expenses, such determination of expenses to be made
in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of Falcon. The shares of Falcon
Class A Stock, Falcon Class B Stock or Falcon Class C Stock so redeemed by
Falcon shall be retired and upon such retirement shall automatically revert to
authorized but unissued shares of Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon Class B Stock or
Falcon Class C Stock, as relevant, and Falcon shall issue, to the extent it is
lawfully permitted to do so, to the Proposed Transferee a number of shares of
Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon Class B Stock or Falcon Class C Stock equal to the
number of shares of such classes of Falcon Stock so redeemed. The provisions of
this section shall not apply to the Non-Redeemable Shares. Redemption under this
subsection is conditioned upon the
 
                                       78
<PAGE>
contemporaneous purchase by the Proposed Transferee of the shares issuable below
in connection with the applicable Tag-Along Transfer.
 
    The Restated Certificate of Incorporation contemplates the issuance to an
affiliate of Investcorp of a warrant (the "Class B Warrant") to purchase shares
of Falcon Class B Stock (the "Warrant Shares"). If the holder of the Class B
Warrant exercises the Class B Warrant, Falcon shall redeem, to the extent it is
lawfully permitted to do so, from the Class B Stockholders, PRO RATA based on
the number of shares of such Falcon Class B Stock then owned by each such Class
B Stockholders, out of funds legally available therefor, a number of shares of
Falcon Class B Stock equal to the number of Warrant Shares at a redemption price
(the "Warrant Redemption Price") equal to the par value of each share of Falcon
Class B Stock so redeemed. The shares of Falcon Class B Stock so redeemed by
Falcon shall be retired and upon such retirement shall automatically revert to
authorized but unissued shares of Falcon Class B Stock, and Falcon shall
immediately after such redemption, issue, to the extent it is lawfully permitted
to do so, to the Warrant Holder a number of shares of Falcon Common Stock equal
to the number of Warrant Shares. Because the number of shares of Falcon Class B
Stock to be issued in connection with the exercise of the Class B Warrant will
not exceed the number of shares of Falcon Class B Stock so redeemed, the
exercise of the Class B Warrant will not have a dilutive effect on the holders
of shares of Falcon's capital stock.
 
    Falcon shall give to each holder of record of the shares of Falcon Class A
Stock, Falcon Class B Stock or Falcon Class C Stock to be redeemed prior written
notice of such redemption no less than two Business Days prior to the date such
shares will be redeemed (the "Redemption Date").
 
    CONVERSION.  If the Initial Public Offering or a Sale (as defined) of Falcon
(whether pursuant to a Single Transaction Sale (as defined) or a series of
Staggered Sales (as defined)) occurs, each issued and outstanding share of
Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon Class B Stock, Falcon Class C Stock, and Falcon
Class D Stock not otherwise redeemed by Falcon pursuant to the mandatory
redemption provisions shall automatically convert into one share of Falcon
Common Stock upon the closing of such Initial Public Offering or Sale (the
"Conversion Date"). Prior to or on the Conversion Date, each holder of shares of
Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon Class B Stock, Falcon Class C Stock, or Falcon
Class D Stock shall surrender such holder's certificates evidencing such shares
at the principal office of Falcon or at such other place as Falcon shall
designate to such holder in writing at least ten Business Days prior to the
Conversion Date, and shall, within ten Business Days after the Conversion Date,
be entitled to receive from Falcon certificates evidencing the number of shares
of Falcon Common Stock into which such shares of Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon
Class B Stock, Falcon Class C Stock or Falcon Class D Stock are converted. On
the Conversion Date, each holder of shares of Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon Class
B Stock, Falcon Class C Stock or Falcon Class D Stock shall be deemed to be a
holder of record of the Falcon Common Stock issuable upon such conversion,
notwithstanding that the certificates representing such Falcon Class A Stock,
Falcon Class B Stock, Falcon Class C Stock or Falcon Class D Stock shall not
have been surrendered at the principal office of Falcon or such other place as
Falcon may have designated, that notice from Falcon shall not have been given
or, if given, shall not have been received by any holder of shares of Falcon
Class A Stock, Falcon Class B Stock, Falcon Class C Stock or Falcon Class D
Stock, or that certificates evidencing such shares of Falcon Common Stock shall
not then be actually delivered to such holder. All certificates representing the
converted shares of Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon Class B Stock, Falcon Class C
Stock or Falcon Class D Stock, including all certificates not so delivered by
such Falcon Class A Stockholders, Falcon Class B Stockholders, Falcon Class C
Stockholders or Falcon Class D Stockholders, shall be, or shall be deemed to be,
cancelled by Falcon as of the Conversion Date and shall thereafter no longer be
of any force or effect and Falcon shall not thereafter issue any such shares of
Falcon Class A Stock, Falcon Class B Stock, Falcon Class C Stock or Falcon Class
D Stock.
 
    LEGENDS.  The Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for legends to
appear on certificates evidencing shares of Falcon Stock with respect to the
restrictions on transfer and the mandatory redemption provisions described
above.
 
                                       79
<PAGE>
                   CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
 
    The following is a brief summary of the material aspects of the Merger
Agreement, which appears as Annex I to this Proxy Statement and is incorporated
herein by reference. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the Merger Agreement.
 
THE MERGER
 
    The Merger Agreement provides that, following the approval of the Merger and
the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the vote of a majority of the shares of
Falcon Class A Stock entitled to vote thereon and the satisfaction or waiver of
the other conditions to the Merger, FBP will be merged with and into Falcon, and
Falcon will continue as the surviving corporation after the Merger.
 
   
    If the conditions to the Merger are satisfied or waived, the parties will
file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a duly executed
Certificate of Merger, and the Merger will become effective upon the filing and
acceptance thereof or at such date thereafter as is provided in the Certificate
of Merger. Each share of Falcon Class A Stock outstanding at the Effective Time
(other than Falcon Class A Stock held by the Company, its subsidiaries, FBP and
its affiliates, which will be cancelled and retired, and any Dissenting Shares)
will be converted into, at the election of the holder thereof, either (i) the
Cash Price or (ii) a Non-Cash Election Share, as more fully described under "THE
MERGER--Merger" and "THE MERGER--Merger Consideration" and "THE MERGER--Non-Cash
Election." With regard to the treatment of fractional share interests, SEE "THE
MERGER--Fractional Shares."
    
 
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 
   
    The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of
the Company relating, with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries, to,
among other things, (a) organization, standing and similar corporate matters;
(b) subsidiaries; (c) the Company's capital structure; (d) the authorization,
execution, delivery, performance and enforceability of the Merger Agreement and
related matters; (e) documents filed by the Company with the Commission, the
accuracy of information contained therein and the absence of undisclosed
liabilities; (f) the accuracy of information supplied by the Company in
connection with this Proxy Statement/Prospectus; (g) the absence of certain
changes or events since the date of the most recent audited financial statements
filed with the Commission, including material adverse changes with respect to
the Company; (h) the absence of pending or threatened material litigation; (i)
certain labor matters; (j) benefit plans and other matters relating to the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA") and
employment matters; (k) filing of tax returns and payment of taxes; (l) title to
owned real property, valid leasehold and subleasehold interests in leased real
property, enforceable third party leases, possession of required permits, and
other real estate-related matters; (m) environmental matters; (n) the absence of
defaults under material contracts; (o) brokers' fees and expenses; (p) the
receipt of an opinion of the Company's financial advisor; (q) the recommendation
of the Board of Directors of the Company with respect to the Merger Agreement,
the Merger and related transactions; (r) the required vote of the Company's
stockholders; (s) required permits and consents and the lack of any provisions
in the Company's organizational documents restricting the Merger Agreement, the
Merger or related agreements and transactions; and (t) intellectual property
matters. The Merger Agreement also contains customary representations and
warranties of FBP relating to, among other things, (a) organization, standing
and similar corporate matters; (b) subsidiaries; (c) FBP's capital structure;
(d) the authorization, execution, delivery, performance and enforceability of
the Merger Agreement and related matters; (e) broker's fees and expenses; (f)
interim operations of FBP; and (g) availability of funds to consummate the
Merger and transactions contemplated thereby.
    
 
                                       80
<PAGE>
CERTAIN PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS
 
    The Company has agreed, until the Effective Time (except as otherwise
specifically required by the terms of the Merger Agreement), that it will, and
it will cause its subsidiaries to, act and carry on their respective business in
the usual and ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and use
their respective reasonable best efforts to preserve intact their current
business organizations, keep available the services of their current officers
and employees and preserve their relationships with customers, suppliers,
licensors, distributors and others having business dealings with it; provided
that any action or inaction by the Company (i) in respect of the Ultravent
product that does not result in, or result in the reasonable expectation, of
certain material adverse consequences or (ii) in respect of entering into any
collective bargaining agreement at the applicable facility that would not result
in, or result in the reasonable expectation of certain material adverse
consequences shall not constitute a breach of such covenant. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, until the Effective Time, the Company will not,
and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, without the prior consent of FBP
(which consent is not to be unreasonably withheld):
 
        (a) amend their respective Certificates of Incorporation or By-Laws;
 
        (b) issue, sell, encumber or deliver or agree or commit to issue, sell,
    encumber or deliver any shares of capital stock, or issue any securities
    convertible into, exchangeable for or representing a right to purchase or
    receive, or enter into any contract or arrangement with respect to the
    issuance of, shares of capital stock, except in the ordinary course of
    business under current employee benefit plans and as required by employee
    stock option agreements in effect on the date of the Merger Agreement and
    other than shares issuable upon exercise of Options;
 
        (c) split, combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock;
    declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in
    cash, stock or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its
    capital stock or to any affiliate of a stockholder; or redeem or otherwise
    acquire any of its securities or any securities of its subsidiaries;
 
   
        (d) (i) incur or assume any long-term debt, excluding the amount
    attributable to operating leases, or (ii) except in the ordinary course of
    business or (up to a specified limit) to finance any acquisition, make any
    permitted borrowing under the Company's existing revolving credit facility;
    
 
        (e) with certain exceptions, enter into, amend any existing, or adopt
    any new bonus, pension, change of control, deferred compensation, health,
    plant closing, profit sharing, severance or other employee benefit
    agreements that materially increase or benefit any director or officer or
    any employee, or materially increase the compensation or fringe benefits of
    any director, officer or materially increase the compensation or fringe
    benefits of any director, officer or employee, pay benefits not required by
    existing plans or arrangements, forgive, extend, modify, or guarantee any
    existing loans to any officer, director or employee or enter into any new
    loans or loan guarantees to or for any officer, director or employee or
    enter into any contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement to do any of
    the foregoing;
 
        (f) with certain exceptions, acquire (whether by merger, consolidation
    or otherwise), sell (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise), lease,
    encumber, transfer or dispose of in excess of a certain amount of assets
    except in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that this
    paragraph shall in no way limit or restrict the Company from the sale of its
    accounts receivable pursuant to its asset securitization program;
 
        (g) with certain exceptions, authorize or make or commit to make any
    capital expenditure in excess of a certain amount;
 
        (h) make any material tax elections or settle or compromise any material
    federal, state or local income tax liability, or waive or extend the statute
    of limitations in respect of any such taxes;
 
                                       81
<PAGE>
        (i) (i) materially modify, amend or terminate any material contract or
    agreement to which it is a party or waive, release or assign any material
    rights or claims thereunder, (ii) settle any suit or claim of liability
    against the Company which is reasonably likely to materially negatively
    impact the Company's position with respect to any similar pending or
    threatened material suit or claim, or (iii) pay or agree to pay in
    settlement or compromise of any suits or claims of liability against the
    Company, net of insurance recoveries, more than a certain amount for any
    such suit or claim or more than an aggregate of a certain amount for all
    such suits and claims;
 
        (j) except as may be required as a result of a change in law or in
    generally accepted accounting principles, change any of the accounting
    principles, methods or practices used by it;
 
        (k) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution,
    consolidation, restructuring, (except as contemplated by the Merger
    Agreement) recapitalization, reorganization or (except with respect to FBP)
    merger;
 
        (l) enter into any collective bargaining agreement that would result in
    certain material adverse consequences; and
 
        (m) take, or agree in writing or otherwise to take, any of the foregoing
    actions or take or fail to take any action which would make any
    representation or warranty of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement
    untrue or incorrect as of the date when made or as if made as of the
    Effective Time (other than representations and warranties which address
    matters only as of a certain date(s), in which case untrue or incorrect as
    of such certain date(s)).
 
    The Company has agreed to give prompt notice to FBP, and FBP has agreed to
give prompt notice to the Company, of (i) the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any
event the occurrence or non-occurrence of which would be likely to cause any
representation or warranty of either party contained in the Merger Agreement to
be untrue or inaccurate and (ii) any failure of the Company or FBP to comply
with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or
satisfied by either party thereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the delivery of
any such notice shall not limit or otherwise affect the remedies available under
the Merger Agreement to the party given or receiving such notice.
 
    The Company has agreed to terminate, effective as of the Effective Time (i)
the Registration Rights Agreement among the Company, Eagle Industries, Inc.,
O.D.E. Manufacturing Company, Eagle Industrial Products Corporation and Amerace
Corporation, dated as of November 2, 1994 and (ii) the Corporate Services
Agreement between the Company and Eagle Industries, Inc. dated as of June 22,
1994, subject only to the agreement of the other parties thereto.
 
    FBP has agreed that, upon consummation of the Merger, the Merger Financings
and the disposition of funds to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the
Merger, not less than $120 million shall have been contributed to FBP, in cash
or cash equivalents. FBP has agreed that it will deliver to the Company, as soon
as available (but in any event prior to the Effective Time), any certificates or
opinions relating to the expected solvency of the Company after the Merger and
related financings and shall cause such certificates or opinions to be addressed
to the Board of Directors of the Company so that the Board is entitled to rely
thereon.
 
    Investcorp Bank E.C. has agreed to cause FBP to perform FBP's obligations
and agreements under the Merger Agreement and expressly agreed to be liable in
the event FBP fails to perform any of its obligations or agreements under the
Merger Agreement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this undertaking and agreement
terminates immediately following the Effective Time.
 
NO SOLICITATION OF TRANSACTIONS
 
    The Company may, directly or indirectly, furnish information and access, in
each case only in response to unsolicited requests therefor, to the same extent
described under "--Access to Information and
 
                                       82
<PAGE>
   
Confidentiality" below, to any corporation, partnership, person or other entity
or group pursuant to appropriate confidentiality agreements, and may participate
in discussions and negotiate with such entity or group concerning any merger,
sale of assets, sale of shares of capital stock or similar transaction involving
the Company or any subsidiary or division of the Company, if the Board by a
majority vote determines in its good faith judgment (i) after consultation with
its financial advisors, that such corporation, partnership, person or other
entity or group has the financial ability to consummate such proposal and that
such proposal is superior to the Merger and (ii) on the advice of counsel, that
the Board has a fiduciary duty to take such action. In addition, the Company
shall direct its officers and other appropriate personnel to cooperate with and
be reasonably available to consult with any such entity or group. Except as set
forth above, the Company shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, participate
in or initiate discussions or negotiations with, or provide any information to,
any corporation, partnership, persons or other entity or group (other than FBP
or any of its affiliates or associates) concerning any merger, sale of assets,
sale of shares of capital stock or similar transaction involving the Company or
any subsidiary or division of the Company; PROVIDED THAT nothing in the Merger
Agreement shall prevent the Board from taking and disclosing to the Company's
stockholders a position contemplated by Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2 promulgated under
the Exchange Act with regard to any tender offer. The Company has agreed to
notify FBP promptly if any discussions or negotiations are sought to be
initiated, any inquiry or proposal is made, or any such information is requested
in respect of any such transaction and to promptly communicate to FBP the terms
of any material proposal, discussion, negotiation or inquiry which it may
receive in respect of any such transaction and the identity of the offeror or
potential offeror unless such notice or disclosure could be deemed to cause the
members of the Board to breach their fiduciary duties under applicable law.
    
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY FOLLOWING THE MERGER
 
    The Merger Agreement provides that the directors of FBP at the Effective
Time will be the directors of the Company following the Merger. The directors of
FBP at the Effective Time will be Sam A. Cottone, William K. Hall, Christopher
J. O'Brien, Charles J. Philippin and Christopher J. Stadler. SEE Schedule I for
more information on the FBP directors. The Board of Directors of the Company
will be subject to change from time to time. The Merger Agreement also provides
that the officers of the Company at the Effective Time will be officers of the
Company following the Merger, subject to change from time to time.
 
STOCK AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
    The treatment in the Merger of outstanding Options and of the Company's
employee benefit plans will be as described in "THE MERGER--Effect on Employee
Benefit Matters."
 
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
 
    The Company has agreed to, and to cause each of its subsidiaries to, cause
its and such subsidiaries' officers, directors, employees and auditors and
agents to (i) give FBP and its accountants, counsel and other authorized
representatives reasonable access during normal business hours to the plants,
offices, warehouses and other facilities and to the books and records of it and
the subsidiaries, (ii) permit FBP and its authorized representatives to make
such reasonable inspections as they may require and (iii) furnish to FBP and its
authorized representatives such financial and operating data and other
information with respect to the business and properties of the Company and the
subsidiaries as FBP may from time to time reasonably request. No such
investigation shall affect any representations or warranties of the parties in
the Merger Agreement or the conditions to the obligations of the parties.
 
COOPERATION AND COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE BEST EFFORTS
 
    The parties have agreed to cooperate with each other and to use their
respective commercially reasonable best efforts to take certain specified and
other actions, including cooperation in the arrangement of financing, so that
the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement and the Voting
 
                                       83
<PAGE>
Agreements may be consummated. The Company and FBP each agreed to use its
commercially reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger to be recorded as a
recapitalization for financial reporting purposes. After the filing of the
registration statement pertaining to the Non-Cash Election Shares, of which this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus is a part, with the Commission, FBP may initiate
discussions relating to the method of recording the Merger for financial
reporting purposes with the Commission staff upon reasonable notice to the
Company. The Company and FBP agreed to cooperate with each other in preparing
any presentation to the Commission with regard to such recording and are
entitled (with their respective advisors, counsel and/or accountants) to attend
any meeting with, participate in any telephone conferences with, and review and
comment on any materials to be submitted to, the Commission relating to such
recording. FBP intends to take all actions necessary to delist the Falcon Class
A Stock from the NYSE, effective after the Effective Time.
 
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
    The parties have agreed not to make any public announcements with respect to
the Merger except as required by law or by mutual agreement.
 
INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE
 
    FBP has agreed that all rights to indemnification now existing in favor of
the directors, officers, employees and agents of the Company and the
subsidiaries as provided in their respective certificates of incorporation or
by-laws or contract or otherwise as in effect on the date hereof with respect to
matters occurring prior to the Effective Time of the Merger shall survive the
Merger and shall continue in full force and effect for a period of not less than
six years from the Effective Time (or, in the case of matters occurring prior to
the Effective Time as to which on or prior to such sixth anniversary a claim,
suit, action, proceeding or investigation has been brought or threatened and has
not been resolved prior to the sixth anniversary of the Effective Time, until
such matters are finally resolved). Falcon will advance expenses to each present
and former director, officer, employee and agent of the Company ("Indemnified
Parties") to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and the by-laws of the
surviving corporation (which shall be no less advantageous to directors and
officers than the current By-Laws of the Company) for all claims, losses,
damages, liabilities, costs, judgments and amounts paid in settlement including
advancement of expenses (including attorneys' fees) as incurred in respect of
any potential, threatened, pending or contemplated claim, action, suit or
proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, including,
without limitation, any action by or on behalf of any or all stockholders of the
Company or by or in the right of the Company or the surviving corporation, or
investigation relating to any action or omission by such party in its capacity
as such (including service to any other entity, plan, trust or the like at the
Company's request) occurring on or prior to the Effective Time (including,
without limitation, any which arise out of or relate to the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement), subject to such Indemnified Party's
agree-
ment to return such advanced funds if a court of competent jurisdiction, after
all avenues of appeal have been exhausted, shall have determined that such
Indemnified Party is not entitled to such amounts by operation of law. The
surviving corporation will cause to be maintained in effect for not less than
six years from the Effective Time the current policies of the directors' and
officers' liability insurance presently maintained by the Company with respect
to matters occurring prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that the
surviving corporation shall not be obligated to pay annual premiums for such
insurance in excess of 200% of the last annual premium paid prior to the date of
the Merger Agreement.
 
CONDITIONS TO THE CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
 
    The respective obligations of the Company and FBP to effect the Merger are
subject to various conditions which include, in addition to certain other
customary closing conditions, the following:
 
    (a) the Merger Agreement shall have been approved by the requisite vote of
holders of outstanding shares of Falcon Class A Stock;
 
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<PAGE>
    (b) the waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the Merger
under the HSR Act shall have been terminated or shall have expired;
 
    (c) no statute, rule, regulation, order, decree or injunction shall have
been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any court or governmental
authority which prohibits, restrains, enjoins or restricts the consummation of
the Merger or any other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the
consummation of the Merger shall be in effect; and
 
    (d) any registration statement used in connection with the Merger on Form
S-4 (including the registration statement of which this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus is a part) shall have become effective under the Securities
Act and shall not be the subject of any stop order or proceeding seeking a stop
order, and any material "blue sky" and other state securities laws applicable to
the registration and qualification of the Non-Cash Election Shares of the
Company following the Merger shall have been complied with.
 
    FBP's obligations to effect the Merger are further subject, in addition to
certain other customary conditions, to the following additional conditions:
 
    (a) the Commission shall not have refused to declare the registration
statement pertaining to the Non-Cash Election Shares effective in the event that
the Merger is recorded as a recapitalization for financial reporting purposes;
 
    (b) the Company shall not have entered into any collective bargaining
agreement that would result in certain material adverse consequences; and
 
    (c) FBP shall have received certain agreements from each person identified
by the Company to be an "affiliate" of the Company for purposes of Rule 145
under the Securities Act.
 
    The Company's obligations to effect the Merger are further subject to
customary closing conditions and to the further condition that the Company shall
have received an opinion or certificate of a reputable expert firm confirming
the solvency of the Company (after giving effect to the Merger and related
financings) addressed to the Board of Directors of the Company so that the Board
is entitled to rely thereon. SEE "REGULATORY APPROVALS."
 
TERMINATION
 
    The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective
Time, whether before or after approval of the Merger by the stockholders of the
Company:
 
    (a) by mutual written consent of FBP and the Company;
 
    (b) by either FBP or the Company if:
 
        (i) the Merger shall not have been consummated on or before September
    16, 1997 (other than due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate
    the Merger Agreement to perform its obligations under the Merger Agreement
    required to be performed at or prior to the Effective Time); or
 
        (ii) any court of competent jurisdiction in the United States or other
    governmental body shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any
    other action restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger and
    such order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and
    nonappealable;
 
    (c) by FBP if prior to the Effective Time of the Merger the Board of
Directors of the Company shall have failed to make or, if necessary, reaffirm,
or shall have withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse to FBP, its approval or
recommendation of the Merger Agreement or the Merger or shall have recommended
another acquisition of the Company or merger thereof or a tender offer for
shares, or shall have resolved to do any of the foregoing; or
 
                                       85
<PAGE>
    (d) by the Company if prior to the consummation of the Merger, (A) a
corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group shall have made a bona
fide proposal that (1) the Board of Directors of the Company determines in its
good faith judgment, after consultation with its financial advisors, is more
favorable, from a financial point of view, to the Company's stockholders than
the Merger and that such corporation, partnership, person or other entity or
group has the financial ability to consummate such proposal and (2) the Board of
Directors of the Company believes in its good faith judgment, on the advice of
counsel, that the Board of Directors of the Company has a fiduciary duty to
accept such proposal (a "Third Party Proposal") and (B) FBP does not make within
five business days of receiving notice thereof, an offer that the Board of
Directors of the Company believes, in good faith after consultation with its
financial advisors, is at least as favorable, from a financial point of view, to
the Company's stockholders as such Third Party Proposal.
 
    In the event of termination of the Merger Agreement by either the Company or
FBP, the Merger Agreement will become void and will have no effect, without any
liability or obligation on the part of the Company or FBP, other than (i) under
certain specified provisions of the Merger Agreement relating to payment of fees
and expenses and (ii) liability for any breaches of the Merger Agreement. SEE
"--Expenses and Certain Required Payments."
 
EXPENSES AND CERTAIN REQUIRED PAYMENTS
 
    If the Merger Agreement is terminated as described in item (b)(i) under
"--Termination" above as the result of the Company's failure to satisfy the
conditions to the obligations of FBP to effect the Merger set forth in the
Merger Agreement (except for the condition related to recapitalization
accounting described under "--Conditions to the Consummation of the Merger"
above), the Company shall (provided FBP is not in material breach of its
obligations under the Merger Agreement) reimburse FBP (after submission of
statements therefor) for all undisputed and documented out-of-pocket fees and
expenses actually and reasonably incurred in good faith by it or on its behalf
in connection with the Merger (including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys' fees and fees payable to banks, financial institutions, investment
bankers and their respective agents in connection with the Merger Agreement
(including, without limitation, any fees and expenses incurred in connection
with any financing transaction)), the amount of such fees and expenses not to
exceed $4,000,000.
 
    If the Merger Agreement is terminated as described in item (b)(i) under
"--Termination" above as the result of FBP's failure to satisfy the conditions
to the obligations of the Company to effect the Merger, FBP shall (provided the
Company is not in material breach of its obligations under the Merger Agreement)
reimburse the Company (after submission of statements therefor) for all
undisputed and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses actually and
reasonably incurred in good faith by it or on its behalf in connection with the
Merger (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and fees
payable to banks, financial institutions, investment bankers and their
respective agents in connection with the Merger Agreement (including, without
limitation, any fees and expenses incurred in connection with any financing
transaction)), the amount of such fees and expenses not to exceed $4,000,000.
 
    If either (i) the Merger Agreement is terminated as described in item (c) or
(d) under "--Termination" above or (ii) (a) a definitive agreement relating to
the acquisition of the Company, arising out of a Third Party Proposal or a
proposal which would have qualified as a Third Party Proposal shall be executed
or (b) a recapitalization of the Company (other than as contemplated by the
Merger Agreement) shall occur, in either case within six months after
termination of the Merger Agreement, or the sale of substantially all of the
Company's assets shall occur in one or more transactions occurring within one
year after termination of the Merger Agreement, the Company shall pay to FBP a
fee of $20,000,000 payable in cash.
 
    Except as specifically described above, each of the Company and FBP shall
bear its own expenses in connection with the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby.
 
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<PAGE>
AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
 
    The Merger Agreement may be amended by action taken by the Company and FBP
at any time before or after approval of the Merger by the stockholders of the
Company, but, after any such approval, no amendment shall be made which changes
the form or decreases the amount of the consideration per share to be paid in
the Merger or which otherwise adversely affects the rights of the Company's
stockholders under the Merger Agreement without the further approval of such
stockholders. At any time prior to the Effective Time, FBP and the Company may
(i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts
of the other parties, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and
warranties of the other parties contained in the Merger Agreement or in any
document, certificate or writing delivered by the other parties pursuant thereto
or (iii) waive compliance by the other parties with any of the agreements or
conditions contained therein. Any agreement on the part of any party to any such
extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing
signed on behalf of such party. The Company and FBP currently do not intend or
expect to amend or waive any of the representations, warranties, agreements or
conditions in the Merger Agreement.
 
                           CERTAIN RELATED AGREEMENTS
 
    The following is a brief summary of certain provisions of the Voting
Agreements among EHL, FBP and Falcon, and FBP, Falcon and certain other
stockholders copies of the forms of which appear as Annex II-A and II-B to this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus and are incorporated herein by reference. Such
summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to such copies attached
to the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus.
 
AGREEMENTS WITH CERTAIN STOCKHOLDERS
 
    The Subject Stockholders have entered into the Voting Agreements with FBP
and Falcon. Pursuant to the Voting Agreements, the Subject Stockholders, who
owned, as of the Record Date, an aggregate of approximately 71% of the
outstanding shares of Falcon Class A Stock, have agreed, among other things and
subject to certain conditions, to vote in favor of the Merger Agreement and the
Merger. The Voting Agreements also provide that the Subject Stockholders will
make Non-Cash Elections for 1,034,020 shares of Falcon Class A Stock. If the
aggregate number of Electing Shares (pursuant to elections made by all
stockholders, including the Subject Stockholders) exceed 1,034,020, the Subject
Stockholders will be subject to proration with respect to the number of Non-Cash
Election Shares they will receive in the Merger in the same manner as all other
electing stockholders. In addition, the Subject Stockholders are prohibited,
subject to certain conditions and exceptions, from soliciting or responding to
certain inquiries or proposals made by any person or entity with respect to the
Company that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to lead to acquisition
of the Company by another party or the sale of a material portion of the
Company's assets. Subject to certain conditions and exceptions, the Subject
Stockholders are also not permitted to dispose of, or enter into any contract,
option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to or consent to the
disposition of, any or all of such Subject Stockholders' Falcon Class A Stock or
any interest therein. The covenants and agreements in the Voting Agreement
terminate on the first to occur of (i) the Effective Time and (ii) the
termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms; provided that
certain covenants will survive the Effective Time of the Merger.
 
    The Voting Agreement among EHL, FBP and Falcon creates certain rights and
obligations in addition to those set forth in the Voting Agreements among
certain officers of Falcon, FBP and Falcon. Among other things, this agreement
provides that EHL will cause its wholly-owned subsidiary Eagle Industries, Inc.
to agree to provide certain corporate services to Falcon after the Merger at
commercially reasonable rates and that, prior to the Merger, EHL, Falcon and the
investors in FBP who receive Falcon voting stock pursuant to the Merger ("Voting
Stock Investors"), will enter a Stockholder Rights Agreement containing the
following provisions: (i) the right of first offer in favor of Falcon and
Investcorp Investment Equity Limited in the event that EHL proposes to sell its
Falcon stock to another person; (ii) the right in favor of
 
                                       87
<PAGE>
   
the investors in FBP who received voting or non-voting stock in the Merger to
require EHL to sell its entire equity interest in Falcon upon the same terms and
conditions agreeable to such investors; (iii) the right in favor of EHL to
purchase securities offered by the Company in certain equity financings in order
to allow EHL to maintain its level of equity ownership interest; (iv) the right
in favor of EHL to sell shares in a change-of-control transaction proposed by
Voting Stock Investors; (v) certain registration rights in favor of EHL; (vi)
the obligation of EHL to enter certain "lock-up" agreements with underwriters in
future public offerings; and (vii) so long as EHL holds a certain percentage of
the Falcon Class A Stock, the right of EHL to receive certain information about
the business and financial performance of Falcon. It is also anticipated that
the eight members of management of Falcon who are listed under
"MANAGEMENT--Directors and Executive Officers of the Company" will enter into
stockholder rights agreements containing provisions generally similar to those
described in the preceding sentence (other than clauses (iii) and (vii)), except
that such agreements will also contain provisions regarding the right of Falcon
to purchase the shares of its stock held by an employee upon his or her
termination.
    
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
 
    The following table sets forth certain information regarding the persons who
will be the directors and executive officers of Falcon upon the consummation of
the Merger:
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>
William K. Hall, 53        Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. He has been a
                           director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
                           since 1994 and the President of Eagle since 1988. He has been a
                           director and Chief Executive Officer of Eagle since 1990 and is a
                           director of Gencorp and A.M. Castle & Co.
 
Sam A. Cottone, 56         Director, Executive Vice President--Finance and Chief Financial
                           Officer. He was a director during a portion of 1996, and has been
                           Senior Vice President--Finance, Chief Financial Officer and
                           Treasurer of the Company since 1994, Senior Vice President of
                           GAMI since 1995, and a director, Senior Vice President--Finance
                           and Chief Financial Officer of Eagle since 1993. He was a partner
                           with Arthur Andersen LLP, an accounting firm, from 1973 to 1993.
 
Gus J. Athas, 60           Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. He was a
                           director during a portion of 1996 and has been Senior Vice
                           President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company since
                           1994, Senior Vice President of GAMI since 1995 and Senior Vice
                           President (and prior thereto Vice President), General Counsel and
                           Secretary (and prior thereto Assistant Secretary) of Eagle since
                           1987.
 
Anthony J. Navitsky, 41    Vice President--Finance and Treasurer. He was Vice President and
                           Treasurer of Eagle from 1990 to 1997 and Vice President and
                           Controller of GAMI from 1983 to 1990.
 
Edward G. Finnegan, Jr.,   Vice President--Corporate Development. He has been Vice
35                         President-- Corporate Development of the Company since May 1996
                           and was Director of Corporate Development of the Company from
                           November 1995 to May 1996. He served in various positions at
                           Eagle and at Equity Group Investments, Inc. and EGI Corporate
                           Investments, affiliates of EHL, since 1988.
 
William E. Allen, 52       President of DeVilbiss Air Power Company, a subsidiary of the
                           Company, since 1989.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       88
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>
Paul G. Fischer, 50        President of Mansfield Plumbing Products, Inc., a subsidiary of
                           the Company, since 1988.
 
Lawrence B. Lee, 54        President of Hart & Cooley, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company,
                           since 1985.
 
Christopher J. O'Brien,    Director. He has been an executive of Investcorp, its predecessor
38                         or one or more of its wholly-owned subsidiaries since December
                           1993. Prior to joining Investcorp, he was a Managing Director of
                           Mancuso & Company, a private New York-based merchant bank, for
                           four years. He is a director of Simmons Holdings, Inc., Star
                           Markets Holdings, Inc., Prime Service, Inc., CSK Auto, Inc. and
                           The William Carter Company.
 
Charles J. Philippin, 46   Director. He has been an executive of Investcorp, its predecessor
                           or one or more of its wholly-owned subsidiaries since July 1994.
                           Prior to joining Investcorp, he was a partner of Coopers &
                           Lybrand L.L.P., an accounting firm. He is a director of Saks
                           Holdings, Inc., Prime Service, Inc., CSK Auto, Inc. and The
                           William Carter Company.
 
Christopher J. Stadler,    Director. He has been an executive of Investcorp, its predecessor
32                         or one or more of its wholly-owned subsidiaries since April 1996.
                           Prior to joining Investcorp, he was a Director with CS First
                           Boston Corporation, an investment banking firm. He is a director
                           of Prime Service, Inc., CSK Auto, Inc. and The William Carter
                           Company.
</TABLE>
 
                                       89
<PAGE>
                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
   
    The following tables set forth information about the compensation of the
executive officers of the Company and the presidents of its operating
subsidiaries, which persons include the chief executive officer and the six
other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company (the "Named
Executive Officers"):
    
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       LONG TERM
                                                                                                  COMPENSATION AWARDS
                                                                                         -------------------------------------
                                                                                         RESTRICTED   SECURITIES    ALL OTHER
                                                            ANNUAL COMPENSATION             STOCK     UNDERLYING     COMPEN-
                                                    -----------------------------------    AWARDS       OPTIONS      SATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS                          YEAR      SALARY($)    BONUS($)      ($) (2)        (#)        ($) (3)
- --------------------------------------------------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
William K. Hall (1)...............................       1996     250,000      271,200       --           43,300        6,410
  President and Chief Executive Officer                  1995     241,551       --           --           53,300        6,200
                                                         1994     234,058      214,500       79,800       40,000        5,938
 
William E. Allen..................................       1996     186,162      208,157       --           19,500       11,402
  President, DeVilbiss Air Power Co.                     1995     171,102       50,117       --           22,100       12,399
                                                         1994     162,537      160,796      198,000       15,000        9,313
 
Gus J. Athas (1)..................................       1996     144,731      122,040       --           32,200        6,410
  Senior Vice President, General Counsel and             1995     126,174       --           --           40,000        6,200
  Secretary                                              1994     127,193       91,000       53,400       30,000        5,938
 
C. Clifford Brake (1).............................       1996     289,433      235,944       --           --           12,820
  Former Senior Vice President--Operations               1995     142,164       --           --           --            6,200
                                                         1994     132,500      132,000       53,400       --            5,938
 
Sam A Cottone (1).................................       1996     144,731      122,040       --           32,200        6,410
  Senior Vice President--Finance, Treasurer              1995     136,048       --           --           40,000        6,200
  and Chief Financial Officer                            1994     127,193       91,000       53,400       30,000        5,938
 
Paul G. Fischer...................................       1996     183,475       82,013       --           17,350        7,680
  President, Mansfield Plumbing Products, Inc.           1995     172,000       --           --           22,100       13,881
                                                         1994     161,250      161,573      198,000       15,000       10,022
 
Lawrence B. Lee...................................       1996     194,750       73,148       --           18,450        8,960
  President, Hart & Cooley, Inc.                         1995     185,562       --           --           22,100       12,399
                                                         1994     173,472      164,764      210,000       15,000       11,876
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 
(1) The amounts for Salary and All Other Compensation for Messrs. Hall, Cottone
    and Athas, who also devoted 50% of their working time to Eagle, were not set
    nor paid by the Company, but were determined and paid by Eagle. Such amounts
    reflect (i) 50% of the total amounts paid to such executives for Salary and
    All Other Compensation by Eagle and the Company and (ii) the amounts
    reimbursed to Eagle by the Company pursuant to the corporate services
    agreement between the Company and Eagle (the "Corporate Services
    Agreement"). The amounts for Salary and All Other Compensation paid to Mr.
    Brake were determined and paid by Eagle. Such amounts reflect (i) 100% of
    the total amounts paid to Mr. Brake in 1996 and 50% of the total amounts
    paid to Mr. Brake in 1995 and 1994 for Salary and All Other Compensation by
    Eagle and the Company and (ii) the amounts reimbursed to Eagle by the
    Company pursuant to the Corporate Services Agreement. Annual bonus targets
    were set by the Company and annual bonuses were remitted by the Company to
    Eagle for payment to these executives.
 
(2) Value on date of grant, November 3, 1994, of 6,650, 16,500, 4,450, 4,450,
    4,450, 16,500 and 17,500 restricted shares of Falcon Class A Stock granted
    to the above named officers, respectively. On December 31, 1996, the
    non-vested shares of 3,325, 8,250, 2,225, 2,225, 2,225, 8,250 and 8,750 had
    a value of $49,044, $121,688, $32,819, $32,819, $32,819, $121,688 and
    $129,063, respectively. Subject to forfeiture for non-vesting, the grantees
    would be entitled to any dividends declared on these shares. Shares vest at
    the rate of 25% over a four-year period from date of grant.
 
(3) Amounts contributed to the Eagle Employee Savings Plan and accrued under an
    unfunded Supplemental Plan for Messrs. Hall, Cottone and Athas represent 50%
    of the actual contributions made. Amounts contributed and accrued for Mr.
    Brake under these plans represents 100% in 1996 and 50% in 1995 and 1994 of
    actual contributions made. Amounts shown in the table represent the amounts
    paid by the Company as a reimbursement to Eagle pursuant to the Corporate
    Services Agreement.
 
                                       90
<PAGE>
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                                                                                        VALUE
                                                                                               AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
                                                                                                    OF STOCK PRICE
                                                                                                     APPRECIATION
                                                                                                   FOR OPTION TERM
                                         INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                                     ------------------------
                                   ------------------------------                                5% ($)       10% ($)
                                     NUMBER OF                                                  (ASSUMES     (ASSUMES
                                    SECURITIES      % OF TOTAL                                   $20.46       $32.58
                                    UNDERLYING        OPTIONS                                     PRICE        PRICE
                                      OPTIONS       GRANTED TO      EXERCISE OR                 AT END OF    AT END OF
                                      GRANTED      EMPLOYEES IN     BASE PRICE      DATE OF     10 YEARS)    10 YEARS)
                                      (#)(1)        FISCAL YEAR       ($/SH.)     EXPIRATION       (2)          (2)
                                   -------------  ---------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>
William K. Hall..................       43,300           14.2%           12.56      11/13/06      342,023      866,754
William E. Allen.................       19,500            6.4%           12.56      11/13/06      154,029      390,339
Gus J. Athas.....................       32,200           10.5%           12.56      11/13/06      254,345      644,560
Sam A. Cottone...................       32,200           10.5%           12.56      11/13/06      254,345      644,560
Paul G. Fischer..................       17,350            5.7%           12.56      11/13/06      137,046      347,302
Lawrence B. Lee..................       18,450            6.0%           12.56      11/13/06      145,735      369,321
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Options are for Falcon Class A Stock and vest at the rate of 25% per year
    over a four-year period from the date of grant.
 
(2) These numbers are for presentation purposes only and are not predictions of
    future stock prices.
 
AGGREGATED OPTION EXCERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR OPTION VALUE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              NUMBER OF
                                                                                              SECURITIES         VALUE OF
                                                                                              UNDERLYING        UNEXERCISED
                                                                                             UNEXERCISED       IN-THE-MONEY
                                                                                              OPTIONS AT        OPTIONS AT
                                                                                              FY-END (#)        FY-END ($)
                                                SHARES ACQUIRED ON            VALUE          EXERCISABLE/      EXERCISABLE/
                                                   EXERCISE (#)           REALIZED ($)      UNEXERCISABLE      UNEXERCISABLE
                                             -------------------------  -----------------  ----------------  -----------------
<S>                                          <C>                        <C>                <C>               <C>
William K. Hall............................                  0                      0        33,325/103,275    126,955/365,692
William E. Allen...........................                  0                      0         13,025/43,575     50,460/152,835
Gus J. Athas...............................                  0                      0         25,000/77,200     95,250/273,768
C. Clifford Brake..........................                  0                      0                   0/0                0/0
Sam A. Cottone.............................                  0                      0         25,000/77,200     95,250/273,768
Paul G. Fischer............................                  0                      0         13,025/41,425     50,460/148,126
Lawrence B. Lee............................                  0                      0         13,350/43,500     52,215/155,800
</TABLE>
 
PENSION PLAN
 
    The Falcon Cash Balance Pension Plan is a qualified "cash balance" defined
benefit plan that covers eligible salaried and hourly employees of Falcon and
its subsidiaries that adopt the plan. Certain officers of the Company
participate in an Eagle-sponsored Cash Balance Plan which mirrors the Falcon
Cash Balance Plan (collectively, the "Pension Plans"). The normal form of
retirement benefit under the Pension Plans is an annuity payable at age 65 (the
normal retirement age), although, in lieu of an annuity, a participant may elect
to receive a lump sum payment at retirement or other termination of service. A
participant's benefit is based on an account balance, which is the sum of 5% of
the participant's compensation for each of the first 15 years of service and
6.5% of compensation for each year of service thereafter. The account balances
are further credited with interest. The interest credit is based on the One Year
Treasury Constant Maturities as published in the Federal Reserve Statistical
Release over the one-month period ending on the November 30th immediately
preceding the applicable plan year. The interest rate for the plan year
 
                                       91
<PAGE>
ending December 31, 1996 was 5.5%. Covered compensation includes salary, annual
bonus, 401(k) deferrals and overtime, but excludes long-term incentive
compensation.
 
    The estimated annual annuity benefits payable under the Pension Plans at
normal retirement are $12,680, $51,541, $5,984, $18,077, $7,714, $53,066 and
$39,450 for Messrs. Hall, Allen, Athas, Brake, Cottone, Fischer and Lee,
respectively, at December 31, 1996. The Company is bearing part of the current
costs of these benefits for Messrs. Hall, Cottone, Athas and Brake pursuant to
the Corporate Service Agreement described below.
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
    The Company pays its directors who are not officers or employees of the
Company or a subsidiary annual retainers of $20,000 and fees of $1,000 for each
board and committee meeting attended. Directors are reimbursed for any expenses
they incur in attending meetings. Each director is granted upon initial election
and at each annual meeting of stockholders thereafter a ten-year option (vesting
at the rate of 25% per year) to purchase 2,000 shares of Falcon Class A Stock
for its fair market value on the date of grant.
 
    After the Merger, directors who are employees of the Company, Investcorp or
affiliates of Investcorp will not receive any remuneration for serving as
directors, but will be reimbursed for expenses they incur in attending meetings.
 
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF
  EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
 
    Mr. Ellis has an agreement with the Company which provides certain benefits
in the event that his employment with the Company is terminated, other than for
cause, within two years following a change in control of ownership of the
Company prior to September 30, 1997. Messrs. Allen, Fischer and Lee have similar
agreements with the respective subsidiaries of the Company of which they are
Presidents in the event that their employment with their respective subsidiaries
is terminated, other than for cause, within two years following a change in
control of ownership of their respective businesses or the Company prior to
September 30, 1997. Upon termination, the affected party would be entitled to
receive a payment equal to two times base salary plus bonus in effect at the
time of their termination, plus continuation of certain benefits. These
termination benefits agreements will remain in full force and effect for a
period of two years following the Merger.
 
   
    The Company has agreed to repurchase shares of Falcon Class A Stock
purchased by Messrs. Hall (80,000 shares), Cottone (20,000 shares), Brake
(20,000 shares), Athas (16,000 shares), Allen (24,000 shares), Fischer (24,000
shares), and Lee (12,500 shares) in the Company's initial public offering if,
prior to November 2, 1997, their employment is terminated coupled with a change
in control as defined below. In the event of a change in control coupled with a
termination of employment for any reason other than voluntary resignation, the
purchase price will be the higher of market value or original purchase price
plus accumulated interest on the loan described in the following paragraph by
the Company to the executive to purchase such shares, less any distributions
received on these shares. In the event of a voluntary resignation, the purchase
price will be the lower of these two prices.
    
 
    In 1994, the Company loaned $0.9 million to Mr. Hall, Chief Executive
Officer and a director; $0.2 million to Mr. Cottone, Senior Vice
President--Finance, Treasurer and a director at the time; $0.2 million to Mr.
Brake, Senior Vice President--Operations and a director at the time; $0.2
million to Mr. Athas, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and a
director at the time; $0.3 million to Mr. Allen, President, DeVilbiss Air Power
Company, a subsidiary; $0.3 million to Mr. Fischer, President, Mansfield
Plumbing Products, Inc., a subsidiary; and $0.1 million to Mr. Lee, President,
Hart & Cooley, Inc., a subsidiary. These loans were to enable these officers to
purchase Common Stock in the Company's initial public offering at $12 per share.
The loans mature in seven years or earlier in certain circumstances
 
                                       92
<PAGE>
and bear interest at the rate of 7.5% per year, compounded semi-annually and
payable upon maturity of the loans. At December 31, 1996, the balances of these
loans were $1.04 million, $0.26 million, $0.26 million, $0.21 million, $0.31
million, $0.31 million and $0.16 million, respectively. It is intended that such
loans shall remain outstanding upon consummation of the Merger.
 
    Upon a change in control, all options shall become immediately exercisable
and all restricted shares shall become vested. A "change in control" shall be
deemed to occur if (i) any person (other than the Company and its subsidiaries)
acquires 50% or more of the outstanding Falcon Class A Stock, or (ii) following
a merger or combination of the Company with one or more other entities, 50% or
more of the voting stock of the surviving corporation is held by persons other
than former stockholders of the Company or (iii) 20% or more of the directors
elected by stockholders to the Board of Directors of the Company are persons who
were not nominated by the Board of Directors in the Company's most recent proxy
statement.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
    The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Rod F. Dammeyer,
Philip C. Kantz and B. Joseph White, none of whom will be directors of the
Company following the Merger.
 
    As of March 31, 1997, the following relationships existed: Mr. Hall,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Falcon, was the Chief Executive Officer
and a director of Eagle; Mr. Dammeyer was the Chief Executive Officer and a
director of GAMI and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Eagle; EHL owned 100%
of the outstanding common stock of GAMI; GAMI owned 100% of the outstanding
common stock of Eagle; EHL's sole general partners were the Samuel Zell
Revocable Trust and the Robert H. and Ann Lurie Trust; Mr. Zell was the trustee
of such Zell Trust; Mark Slezak and Ms. Lurie were co-trustees of the Robert H.
and Ann Lurie Trust; Messrs. Athas and Cottone were executive officers and
directors of the Company and were executive officers of GAMI and Eagle and in
the case of Mr. Cottone, a director of Eagle. Mr. Dyer was a director of GAMI.
 
    The Company shares management, administrative and other services with Eagle
pursuant to the Corporate Services Agreement which renews annually in the
absence of termination by either party. The fee under this agreement is intended
to cover Eagle's expected costs in providing these services to the Company and
is reviewed by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company. The
fee paid for 1996 was $2.6 million.
 
    The Company, until the Company's initial public offering in November 1994,
was included in the consolidated federal income tax returns of GAMI. In
addition, the Company filed certain combined state tax returns with GAMI until
the distribution to EHL in 1996. The Company has agreed to pay to GAMI amounts
equal to the amounts the Company would have paid had it filed its own income tax
returns for these periods. In December 1996, the Company paid GAMI $4.6 million
pursuant to this agreement.
 
    In connection with the initial public offering, the Company has agreed with
the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation that for five years it will remain
jointly and severally liable for certain pension liabilities of GAMI, Eagle and
their subsidiaries without regard to whether or not the sale of the Falcon Class
A Stock to the public was sufficient to remove the Company from the group having
joint and several liability for these pension plan liabilities. GAMI and Eagle
have agreed to hold the Company harmless from any pension plan liabilities not
attributable to the Company's pension plans and the Company has agreed to hold
them harmless from any liabilities attributable to such plans.
 
    The Company and Eagle have agreed to hold each other harmless from certain
liabilities unrelated to the others' business.
 
    The Company and Eagle have entered into a registration rights agreement
under which the Company, under certain circumstances, must register under the
Securities Act shares held by Eagle's subsidiaries for sale to the public and
must indemnify them from certain liabilities in connection therewith. Such
agreement will be terminated upon consummation of the Merger.
 
                                       93
<PAGE>
         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
    The security ownership of certain beneficial owners of five percent or more
of Falcon Class A Stock and officers and directors of the Company as of March
31, 1997 and after giving effect to the Merger, is set forth in the table below:
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    MARCH 31, 1997                              AFTER THE MERGER
                                   ------------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------
                                    SHARES    OPTIONS(1)     TOTAL     % OF CLASS     SHARES(2)     OPTIONS(3)       TOTAL
                                   ---------  -----------  ---------  -------------  -----------  ---------------  ---------
<S>                                <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>            <C>          <C>              <C>
EHL(5)...........................  14,000,000     --       14,000,000        69.8%     861,683          --           861,683
William E. Allen.................     50,500(6)     13,025    63,525        *           24,000              (3)       24,000
Gus J. Athas.....................     23,450(7)     25,000    48,450        *           15,000              (3)       15,000
Sam A. Cottone...................     29,450      25,000      54,450        *           14,837              (3)       14,837
Rod F. Dammeyer..................     15,000(8)      2,000    17,000        *                0          --
Bradbury Dyer III................    150,000(9)      2,000   152,000        *                0          --
Paul G. Fischer..................     40,600 10)     13,025    53,625       *           24,000              (3)       24,000
William K. Hall..................     91,550 11)     33,325   124,875       *           86,168(12)           (3)      86,168
Philip C. Kantz..................     --           2,000       2,000        *                0          --
Lawrence B. Lee..................     29,325 13)     13,350    42,675       *           14,649(14)           (3)      14,649
Sheli Z. Rosenberg...............      2,000       2,000       4,000        *                0          --
Richard G. Sim...................     --             500         500        *                0          --
Robert L. Smialek................      2,000         500       2,500        *                0          --
B. Joseph White..................      1,500       2,000       3,500        *                0          --
All directors & executive
  officers
  as a group, including the
  above-named persons............    448,075     151,725     599,800          3.0%     199,303(15)           (3)     199,303
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                    % OF EQUITY(4)
                                   -----------------
<S>                                <C>
EHL(5)...........................           10.0%
William E. Allen.................          *
Gus J. Athas.....................          *
Sam A. Cottone...................          *
Rod F. Dammeyer..................
Bradbury Dyer III................
Paul G. Fischer..................          *
William K. Hall..................            1.0%
Philip C. Kantz..................
Lawrence B. Lee..................          *
Sheli Z. Rosenberg...............
Richard G. Sim...................
Robert L. Smialek................
B. Joseph White..................
All directors & executive
  officers
  as a group, including the
  above-named persons............            2.3%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
 *  Percentage of shares beneficially owned does not exceed one percent.
 
(1) Shares of stock that are subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
    the date of this table.
   
(2) Assumes that each stockholder will elect to retain that number of shares of
    Falcon Class A Stock specified in such stockholder's Voting Agreement and
    that no stockholders other than the parties to the Voting Agreements will
    elect to retain shares. If other stockholders elect to retain shares in the
    Merger, the listed stockholder's election to retain shares will be subject
    to proration. Investcorp has agreed to sell or to cause one of its
    affiliates to sell to certain members of management shares of Falcon Class C
    Stock such that the total shares owned by such members of management may
    reach 3.5% of Falcon's outstanding post-Merger capital stock. It is
    currently expected that members of management will have the right to
    purchase up to approximately 130,000 shares of Falcon Class C Stock, of
    which Messrs. Hall and Lee will have the right to purchase 11,168 and 7,500
    shares, respectively.
    
   
(3) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company will adopt the Stock Option Plan
    which provides for the granting of options covering a number of shares equal
    to approximately 11% of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of
    Falcon at the Effective Time. It is anticipated that all directors and
    executive officers as a group will receive options on approximately 8% of
    such stock (with Messrs. Hall, Cottone and Athas receiving options on 2.0%,
    0.75% and 0.60% of such stock, respectively), none of which will be
    exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Hall's Employment Agreement also provides
    that he will receive options to purchase an additional amount of capital
    stock of Falcon to be agreed upon prior to the Effective Time.
    
(4) Reflects the percentage such shares represent of the number of outstanding
    shares of all classes of the Company's capital stock following the Merger.
(5) EHL's general partners are the Samuel Zell Revocable Trust and the Robert H.
    and Ann Lurie Trust. Samuel Zell is the trustee of the Zell Trust. Mark
    Slezak and Ms. Lurie are co-trustees of the Robert H. and Ann Lurie Trust.
    Messrs. Zell and Slezak and Ms. Lurie disclaim beneficial ownership of the
    shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by EHL. The address of EHL,
    Messrs. Zell and Slezak and Ms. Lurie is Two North Riverside Plaza, Chicago,
    Illinois, 60606.
(6) Includes 10,000 shares held by Terri Allen, spouse of William E. Allen, and
    of which Mr. Allen disclaims beneficial ownership.
(7) Includes 2,000 shares held by James Athas and 1,000 shares held by
    Christopher Athas, sons of Gus J. Athas, and of which Mr. Athas disclaims
    beneficial ownership.
(8) Includes 5,000 shares held by Diane Dammeyer, spouse of Rod F. Dammeyer, and
    of which Mr. Dammeyer disclaims beneficial ownership.
(9) Includes 150,000 shares owned by Paragon Joint Ventures ("Paragon"). Paragon
    is a joint venture formed by Paragon Associates and Paragon Associates II,
    both Texas partnerships. Mr. Dyer is the sole general partner of Paragon
    Associates and Paragon Associates II. Under the terms of the joint venture
    agreement of Paragon, each partner has beneficial ownership in proportion to
    its respective account in Paragon. Mr. Dyer does not have full direct
    ownership; however, as the general partner of the partners of Paragon, he
    may be deemed to have beneficial ownership.
(10) Includes 100 shares held by Kevin G. Fisher, son of Paul G. Fisher, and of
    which Mr. Fischer disclaims beneficial ownership.
(11) Includes 300 shares held by Valerie Hall, spouse of William K. Hall, 250
    shares held by Leslie Hall, daughter of Mr. Hall, and 200 shares held by
    Timothy Hall, son of Mr. Hall, and of which Mr. Hall disclaims beneficial
    ownership.
   
(12) Includes 11,168 shares of non-voting Falcon Class C Stock which the
    individual will have the option to purchase from Investcorp or certain of
    its affiliates.
    
(13) Includes 1,000 shares held by Anne Lee, spouse of Lawrence B. Lee, and of
    which Mr. Lee disclaims beneficial ownership.
   
(14) Includes 7,500 shares of non-voting Falcon Class C Stock which the
    individual will have the option to purchase from Investcorp or certain of
    its affiliates.
    
(15) Includes 26,966 shares including the 13,317 shares described in notes 12
    and 14 above of Falcon Class C Stock which the individuals will have the
    option to purchase from Investcorp or certain of its affiliates.
 
                                       94
<PAGE>
                              REGULATORY APPROVALS
 
    The Merger is subject to the expiration or termination of the applicable
waiting period under the HSR Act, if any. The Company and FBP do not believe
that a filing under the HSR Act is required or that any associated waiting
period is applicable to the Merger. Certain aspects of the Merger may require
notification to, and filings with, certain securities and other authorities in
certain states, including jurisdictions where the Company currently operates.
 
    The obligations of FBP under the Merger Agreement may also be subject to the
receipt of all necessary licenses, permits, consents, approvals, authorizations,
qualifications and orders of governmental authorities and other third parties as
are necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger.
 
                                      FBP
 
    FBP is a Delaware corporation organized on behalf of Investcorp, certain
affiliates of Investcorp and other international investors to effect the Merger
and has not carried on any activities to date other than those incident to its
formation and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. At the
Effective Time, FBP will be merged into Falcon and the separate corporate
existence of FBP will terminate. The name, business, address, principal
occupation or employment, and five year employment history of each of the
persons who will be directors of FBP at the Effective Time and will, therefore,
become directors of Falcon upon consummation of the Merger, and certain other
information, are set forth in SCHEDULE I to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
 
   
    At the Effective Time, FBP expects to have received $134.6 million of
capital provided by Investcorp, its affiliates and other international investors
organized by Investcorp. An affiliate of Investcorp will be paid by the Company
a fee of $5.0 million for services rendered outside of the United States in
connection with the raising of the equity capital from the international
investors.
    
 
   
    In connection with the Merger, the Company will pay Investcorp
International, Inc. ("III"), an affiliate of Investcorp, advisory fees
aggregating $4.2 million and Invifin S.A., an affiliate of Investcorp, will
receive fees aggregating $5.8 million for providing a standby commitment to fund
the $245 million of senior subordinated indebtedness expected to be issued by
the Company at the Effective Time and the $300 million senior secured term loan
and revolving credit facilities expected to be entered into at such time. In
connection with the closing of the Merger, the Company will enter into an
agreement for management advisory and consulting services (the "Management
Agreement") for a five-year term with III, pursuant to which the Company has
agreed to prepay III $5.0 million upon such closing.
    
 
    Prior to the Effective Time, FBP's Class D Stock, par value $0.01 per share,
will be the only class of FBP's outstanding stock that possesses voting rights.
Immediately prior to the Effective Time, there will be 17,000 shares of FBP's
Class D Stock issued and outstanding. None of FBP's directors or officers own
any shares of any class of voting securities of FBP. The following table sets
forth the beneficial ownership of each class of issued and outstanding
securities of FBP, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, by
 
                                       95
<PAGE>
each person who beneficially owns more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any
class of voting securities of FBP:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             NUMBER OF   PERCENT OF
NAME                                                                                        SHARES (A)    CLASS (A)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                                         <C>          <C>
INVESTCORP S.A. (b)(c)....................................................................      17,000        100.0%
 
SIPCO Limited (d).........................................................................      17,000        100.0
 
CIP Limited (e)(f)........................................................................      15,640         92.0
 
Ballet Limited (e)(f).....................................................................       1,564          9.2
 
Denary Limited (e)(f).....................................................................       1,564          9.2
 
Gleam Limited (e)(f)......................................................................       1,564          9.2
 
Highlands Limited (e)(f)..................................................................       1,564          9.2
 
Nobel Limited (e)(f)......................................................................       1,564          9.2
 
Outrigger Limited (e)(f)..................................................................       1,564          9.2
 
Quill Limited (e)(f)......................................................................       1,564          9.2
 
Radial Limited (e)(f).....................................................................       1,564          9.2
 
Shoreline Limited (e)(f)..................................................................       1,564          9.2
 
Zinnia Limited (e)(f).....................................................................       1,564          9.2
 
INVESTCORP Investment Equity Limited (c)..................................................       1,360          8.0
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(a) As used in this table, beneficial ownership means the sole or shared power
    to vote, or to direct the voting of a security, or the sole or shared power
    to dispose, or direct the disposition of, a security.
 
(b) Investcorp does not directly own any stock in FBP. The number of shares
    shown as owned by Investcorp includes all of the shares owned by INVESTCORP
    Investment Equity Limited (see (c) below). Investcorp owns no stock in
    Ballet Limited, Denary Limited, Gleam Limited, Highlands Limited, Noble
    Limited, Outrigger Limited, Quill Limited, Radial Limited, Shoreline
    Limited, Zinnia Limited, or in the beneficial owners of these entities (see
    (f) below). Investcorp may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the
    shares of voting stock held by these entities because the entities have
    entered into revocable management services or similar agreements with an
    affiliate of Investcorp, pursuant to which each of such entities has granted
    such affiliate the authority to direct the voting and disposition of the FBP
    voting stock owned by such entity for so long as such agreement is in
    effect. Investcorp is a Luxembourg corporation with its address at 37 rue
    Notre-Dame, Luxembourg.
 
(c) INVESTCORP Investment Equity Limited is a Cayman Islands corporation, and a
    wholly-owned subsidiary of Investcorp, with its address at P.O. Box 1111,
    West Wind Building, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
 
(d) SIPCO Limited may be deemed to control Investcorp through its ownership of a
    majority of a company's stock that indirectly owns a majority of
    Investcorp's shares. SIPCO Limited's address is P.O. Box 1111, West Wind
    Building, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
 
   
(e) CIP Limited ("CIP") owns no stock in FBP. CIP indirectly owns less than 0.1%
    of the stock in each of Ballet Limited, Denary Limited, Gleam Limited,
    Highlands Limited, Noble Limited, Ourtigger Limited, Quill Limited, Radial
    Limited, Shoreline Limited and Zinnia Limited (see (f) below). CIP may be
    deemed to share beneficial ownership of the shares of voting stock of FBP
    held by such entities because CIP acts as a director of such entities and
    the ultimate beneficial shareholders of each of those entities have granted
    to CIP revocable proxies in companies that own those entities' stock. None
    of the ultimate beneficial owners of such entities beneficially owns
    individually more than 5% of FBP's voting stock.
    
 
                                       96
<PAGE>
(f) Each of CIP Limited, Ballet Limited, Denary Limited, Gleam Limited,
    Highlands Limited, Noble Limited, Outrigger Limited, Quill Limited, Radial
    Limited, Shoreline Limited and Zinna Limited is a Cayman Islands coporation
    with its address at P.O. Box 2197, West Wind Building, George Town, Grand
    Cayman, Cayman Islands.
 
                         STOCKHOLDERS' APPRAISAL RIGHTS
 
    Holders of shares of Falcon Class A Stock who do not vote in favor of the
Merger and who properly demand appraisal of their shares will be entitled to
appraisal rights in connection with the Merger under Section 262 of the DGCL.
 
    THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS NOT A COMPLETE STATEMENT OF THE LAW PERTAINING
TO APPRAISAL RIGHTS UNDER THE DGCL AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE FULL
TEXT OF SECTION 262 WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AS
ANNEX IV.  ALL REFERENCES IN SECTION 262 AND IN THIS SUMMARY TO A "STOCKHOLDER"
ARE TO THE RECORD HOLDER OF THE SHARES OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK AS TO WHICH
APPRAISAL RIGHTS ARE ASSERTED. A PERSON HAVING A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN SHARES
OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK HELD OF RECORD IN THE NAME OF ANOTHER PERSON, SUCH AS A
BROKER OR NOMINEE, MUST ACT PROMPTLY TO CAUSE THE RECORD HOLDER TO FOLLOW THE
STEPS SUMMARIZED BELOW PROPERLY AND IN A TIMELY MANNER TO PERFECT APPRAISAL
RIGHTS.
 
    Under the DGCL, holders of shares of Falcon Class A Stock who follow the
procedures set forth in Section 262 will be entitled to have their shares of
Falcon Class A Stock appraised by the Delaware Court of Chancery and to receive
payment of the "fair value" of such shares, exclusive of any element of value
arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the Merger, together with a
fair rate of interest, as determined by such court.
 
    Under Section 262, where a merger is to be submitted for approval at a
meeting of stockholders, as in the case of the Special Meeting, the corporation,
not less than 20 days prior to the meeting, must notify each of its stockholders
entitled to appraisal rights that such appraisal rights are available and
include in such notice a copy of Section 262. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus
shall constitute such notice to the holders of shares of the Falcon Class A
Stock, and the applicable statutory provisions are attached to this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus as Annex IV. Any holder of Falcon Class A Stock who wishes
to exercise such appraisal rights or who wishes to preserve such holder's right
to do so, should review the following discussion and Annex IV carefully because
failure to timely and properly comply with the procedures specified will result
in the loss of appraisal rights under the DGCL.
 
    A holder of shares of Falcon Class A Stock wishing to exercise appraisal
rights must deliver to Falcon, before the vote on the Merger at the Special
Meeting, a written demand for appraisal and must not vote in favor of the
Merger. Because a duly executed proxy which does not contain voting instructions
will, unless revoked, be voted for the Merger, a holder of shares of Falcon
Class A Stock who votes by proxy and who wishes to exercise appraisal rights
must (i) vote against the Merger, or (ii) abstain from voting on the Merger. A
vote against the Merger, in person or by proxy, will not in and of itself
constitute a written demand for appraisal satisfying the requirements of Section
262. In addition, a holder of shares of Falcon Class A Stock wishing to exercise
appraisal rights must hold of record such shares on the date the written demand
for appraisal is made and must continue to hold such shares until the Effective
Time. If any holder of shares of Falcon Class A Stock fails to comply with any
of these conditions and the Merger becomes effective, the holder of shares of
Falcon Class A Stock will be entitled to receive the consideration receivable
with respect to such shares in the absence of a valid assertion of appraisal
rights in accordance with the Merger Agreement.
 
    Only a holder of record of shares of Falcon Class A Stock is entitled to
assert appraisal rights for the shares of Falcon Class A Stock registered in
that holder's name. A demand for appraisal should be executed by or on behalf of
the holder of record, fully and correctly, as such holder of record's name
appears on such holder of record's stock certificates, and must state that the
stockholder intends thereby to
 
                                       97
<PAGE>
demand appraisal of such stockholder's shares in connection with the Merger. If
the shares of Falcon Class A Stock are owned of record in a fiduciary capacity,
such as by a trustee, guardian or custodian, execution of the demand should be
made in that capacity, and if the shares of Falcon Class A Stock are owned of
record by more than one person, as in a joint tenancy and tenancy in common, the
demand should be executed by or on behalf of all joint owners. An authorized
agent, including two or more joint owners, may execute a demand for appraisal on
behalf of a holder of record; however, the agent must identify the record owner
or owners and expressly disclose the fact that, in executing the demand, the
agent is agent for such owner or owners. A record holder such as a broker who
holds shares of Falcon Class A Stock as nominee for several beneficial owners
may exercise appraisal rights with respect to the shares of Falcon Class A Stock
held for one or more beneficial owners while not exercising such rights with
respect to the shares of Falcon Class A Stock held for other beneficial owners;
in such case, however, the written demand should set forth the number of shares
of Falcon Class A Stock as to which appraisal is sought and where no number of
shares of Falcon Class A Stock is expressly mentioned the demand will be
presumed to cover all shares of Falcon Class A Stock held in the name of the
record owner. Stockholders who hold their shares of Falcon Class A Stock in
brokerage accounts or other nominee forms and who wish to exercise appraisal
rights are urged to consult with their brokers to determine the appropriate
procedures for making of a demand for appraisal by such a nominee.
 
    All written demands for appraisal pursuant to Section 262 should be sent or
delivered to Falcon at Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1100, Chicago, Illinois,
60606, Attention: Gus J. Athas.
 
    Within 10 days after the Effective Time, Falcon, as the surviving
corporation, must notify each holder of Falcon Class A Stock who has complied
with Section 262 and has not voted in favor of or consented to the Merger of the
date that the Merger has become effective. Within 120 days after the Effective
Time, but not thereafter, Falcon or any holder of Falcon Class A Stock who is
entitled to appraisal rights under Section 262 may file a petition in the
Delaware Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the fair value of such
holder's shares of Falcon Class A Stock. Falcon is under no obligation to and
has no present intention to file such a petition. Accordingly, it is the
obligation of the holders of Falcon Class A Stock to initiate all necessary
action to perfect their appraisal rights within the time prescribed in Section
262.
 
    Within 120 days after the Effective Time, any holder of Falcon Class A Stock
who has complied with the requirements for exercise of appraisal rights will be
entitled, upon written request, to receive from Falcon a statement setting forth
the aggregate number of shares of Falcon Class A Stock not voted in favor of the
Merger and with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received and
the aggregate number of holders of such shares. Such statement must be mailed
within ten days after a written request therefor has been received by Falcon or
within ten days after the expiration of the period for delivery of demands for
appraisal, whichever is later.
 
    If a petition for an appraisal is timely filed by a holder of shares of
Falcon Class A Stock and a copy thereof is served upon Falcon, Falcon will then
be obligated within 20 days to file with the Delaware Register in Chancery a
duly verified list containing the names and addresses of all holders of Falcon
Class A Stock who have demanded an appraisal of their shares and with whom
agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached. After notice
to such stockholders as required by the Court, the Delaware Court of Chancery is
empowered to conduct a hearing on such petition to determine those holders of
Falcon Class A Stock who have complied with Section 262 and who have become
entitled to appraisal rights thereunder. The Delaware Court of Chancery may
require the holders of shares of Falcon Class A Stock who demanded payment for
their shares to submit their stock certificates to the Register in Chancery for
notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceeding; and if any
stockholder fails to comply with such direction, the Court of Chancery may
dismiss the proceedings as to such stockholder.
 
    After determining the holders of Falcon Class A Stock entitled to appraisal,
the Delaware Court of Chancery will appraise the "fair value" of their shares of
Falcon Class A Stock, exclusive of any element of value arising from the
accomplishment or expectation of the Merger, together with a fair rate of
interest, if
 
                                       98
<PAGE>
any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. Holders of
Falcon Class A Stock considering seeking appraisal should be aware that the fair
value of their shares of Falcon Class A Stock as determined by Section 262 could
be more than, the same as or less than the consideration they would receive
pursuant to the Merger if they did not seek appraisal of their shares of Falcon
Class A Stock and that investment banking opinions as to fairness from a
financial point of view are not necessarily opinions as to fair value under
Section 262. The Delaware Supreme Court has stated that "proof of value by any
techniques or methods which are generally considered acceptable in the financial
community and otherwise admissible in court" should be considered in the
appraisal proceedings. In addition, Delaware courts have decided that the
statutory appraisal remedy, depending on factual circumstances, may or may not
be a dissenter's exclusive remedy. The Court of Chancery will also determine the
amount of interest, if any, to be paid upon the amounts to be received by
persons whose shares of Falcon Class A Stock have been appraised. The costs of
the action may be determined by the Court and taxed upon the parties as the
Court deems equitable. The Court may also order that all or a portion of the
expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with an appraisal, including,
without limitation, responsible attorneys' fees and the fees and expenses of
experts utilized in the appraisal proceeding, be charged pro rata against the
value of all the shares of Falcon Class A Stock entitled to be appraised.
 
    Any holder of shares of Falcon Class A Stock who has duly demanded an
appraisal in compliance with Section 262 will not, after the Effective Time, be
entitled to vote the shares of Falcon Class A Stock subject to such demand for
any purpose or be entitled to the payment of dividends or other distributions on
those shares of Falcon Class A Stock (except dividends or other distributions
payable to holders of record of Falcon Class A Stock as of a date prior to the
Effective Time).
 
   
    If any stockholder who demands appraisal of such stockholder's shares of
Falcon Class A Stock under Section 262 fails to perfect, or effectively
withdraws or loses, such stockholder's right to appraisal, as provided in the
DGCL, the shares of Falcon Class A Stock of such stockholder will be converted
into the right to receive the Merger consideration pursuant to the Merger
Agreement (without interest). A stockholder will fail to perfect, or effectively
lose or withdraw, such stockholder's right to appraisal if no petition for
appraisal is filed by any holder of shares of Falcon Class A Stock within 120
days after the Effective Time, or if the stockholder delivers to Falcon a
written withdrawal of his, hers or its demand for appraisal and an acceptance of
the Merger, except that any such attempt to withdraw made more than 60 days
after the Effective Time will require the written approval of Falcon and, once a
petition for appraisal is filed, the appraisal proceeding may not be dismissed
as to any holder absent court approval. It is not necessary that each holder of
shares of Falcon Class A Stock properly demanding appraisal file a petition for
appraisal in the Delaware Court of Chancery. Rather, a single valid petition
suffices for the petitioning and non-petitioning holders of shares of Falcon
Class A Stock who have properly demanded appraisal.
    
 
    FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE STEPS REQUIRED BY SECTION 262 OF THE DGCL FOR
PERFECTING APPRAISAL RIGHTS MAY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF SUCH RIGHTS (IN WHICH
EVENT A STOCKHOLDER WILL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THE MERGER CONSIDERATION IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE MERGER AGREEMENT FOR EACH SHARE OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK
OWNED BY SUCH STOCKHOLDER).
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 1996
and December 31, 1995 and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996, included herein have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect
thereto included herein. Such consolidated financial statements are included
herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said
reports.
 
    Representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP are expected to be present at the
Special Meeting, where they will have the opportunity to make a statement if
they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
 
                                       99
<PAGE>
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
    The legality of Falcon Class A Stock being retained in the Merger is being
passed on by Mayer, Brown & Platt, Chicago, Illinois. Mayer, Brown & Platt has
also delivered an opinion concerning certain Federal income tax consequences of
the Merger. See "THE MERGER--Federal Income Tax Consequences."
 
                               OTHER INFORMATION
 
    Management of the Company knows of no other matters that may properly be
brought before the Special Meeting.
 
THE PROXY SOLICITOR FOR THE MERGER IS:
 
   
Morrow & Co., Inc.
909 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
CALL COLLECT: (212) 754-8000
or
CALL TOLL-FREE: (800) 662-5200
    
 
    Any requests for assistance in filling out or delivering Proxy Cards or
requests for additional copies of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus or the Proxy
Card may be directed to the Proxy Solicitor.
 
THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE MERGER IS:
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
Attention: Tender & Exchange Department
(800) 507-9357
 
BY MAIL:                                 BY HAND OR OVERNIGHT COURIER:
 
Tender & Exchange Department             Tender & Exchange Department
P.O. Box 11248                           101 Barclay Street
Church Street Station                    Receive and Deliver Window
New York, NY 10286-1248                  New York, NY 10286
</TABLE>
    
 
   
BY FACSIMILE (For Eligible Institutions Only):
    
 
   
              (212) 815-6213
    
 
   
    Any questions or requests for assistance in filling out or delivery of
Non-Cash Election Forms or share certificates or requests for additional copies
of the Non-Cash Election Form may be directed to the Exchange Agent by calling
TOLL FREE (800) 662-5200.
    
 
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
    Stockholder proposals intended to be presented at the 1997 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders must have been received by the Company not later than December 31,
1996 for inclusion in the proxy materials for such meeting.
 
                                          BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
                                          /s/ GUS J. ATHAS
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          SECRETARY Gus J. Athas
 
                                      100
<PAGE>
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                             ---------
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
AUDITED YEAR-END FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
 
Report of Independent Public Accountants...................................................................        F-2
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets................................................................................        F-3
 
Consolidated Statements of Income..........................................................................        F-4
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity............................................................        F-5
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows......................................................................        F-6
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................................................................        F-7
 
Supplementary Financial Data (Unaudited)...................................................................       F-21
 
UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets......................................................................       F-22
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income................................................................       F-23
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows............................................................       F-24
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.......................................................       F-25
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Board of Directors of Falcon Building Products, Inc.:
 
    We have audited the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets for Falcon
Building Products, Inc. (a Delaware Corporation) and Subsidiaries as of December
31, 1995 and 1996, and the related Consolidated Statements of Income,
Stockholders' Equity and Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
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, the Consolidated Financial Statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Falcon Building Products, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and
1996, and the results of their operations and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
February 5, 1997
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                        ---------------------
                                                                                                      1996
                                                                                           1995     ---------
                                                                                        ----------
                                                                                        (RESTATED)
<S>                                                                                     <C>         <C>
                                                   ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents...........................................................  $      1.1  $     3.9
  Accounts receivable, net............................................................         5.1     --
  Inventories, net....................................................................        56.9       76.2
  Other current assets................................................................         9.7       15.6
                                                                                        ----------  ---------
  Total current assets................................................................        72.8       95.7
Property, plant and equipment, net....................................................        88.7       97.4
Goodwill..............................................................................        39.4       59.1
Other assets..........................................................................         9.9        9.5
                                                                                        ----------  ---------
  Total assets........................................................................  $    210.8  $   261.7
                                                                                        ----------  ---------
                                                                                        ----------  ---------
 
                                    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current portion long-term debt......................................................  $     12.7  $    15.2
  Accounts payable....................................................................        37.5       50.1
  Accrued liabilities.................................................................        27.2       30.9
                                                                                        ----------  ---------
  Total current liabilities...........................................................        77.4       96.2
Long-term debt........................................................................       110.9      109.1
Accrued employee benefit obligations..................................................         9.0        8.7
Other long-term liabilities...........................................................        15.7       19.8
                                                                                        ----------  ---------
  Total liabilities...................................................................       213.0      233.8
                                                                                        ----------  ---------
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none
    issued and outstanding............................................................      --         --
  Class A stock, par value $.01 per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized, 6,070,500
    issued and outstanding at December 31, 1995, 20,070,500 shares issued and
    outstanding at December 31, 1996..................................................         0.1        0.2
  Class B stock, par value $.01 per share, 14,000,000 shares authorized, 14,000,000
    shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 1995, none issued and outstanding at
    December 31, 1996.................................................................         0.1     --
  Additional paid-in capital..........................................................        18.0       18.0
  Retained earnings (deficit).........................................................       (17.2)      12.8
  Pension liability adjustment........................................................        (0.4)      (0.5)
  Unearned compensation...............................................................        (0.6)      (0.4)
  Notes receivable arising from stock purchase plan...................................        (2.2)      (2.2)
                                                                                        ----------  ---------
  Total stockholders' equity..........................................................        (2.2)      27.9
                                                                                        ----------  ---------
  Total liabilities and stockholders' equity..........................................  $    210.8  $   261.7
                                                                                        ----------  ---------
                                                                                        ----------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
                              of these statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
                (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                         -------------------------------
                                                                           1994       1995       1996
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                      <C>        <C>        <C>
Net sales..............................................................  $   440.7  $   471.3  $   633.2
Cost of sales..........................................................      350.5      384.4      520.3
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
  Gross earnings.......................................................       90.2       86.9      112.9
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses...........................       36.6       37.8       49.0
Securitization expense.................................................        1.9        3.3        4.1
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
  Operating income.....................................................       51.7       45.8       59.8
 
Net interest expense...................................................        8.3       10.0       11.0
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
Income before income taxes.............................................       43.4       35.8       48.8
Provision for income taxes.............................................       17.5       13.7       18.8
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net income...........................................................  $    25.9  $    22.1  $    30.0
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Earnings per share:
  Net income...........................................................  $    1.29  $    1.10  $    1.50
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
 
  Shares outstanding for all periods: 20,070,500
 
SUPPLEMENTARY PRO FORMA INCOME DATA-UNAUDITED (NOTE 3)
 
Operating income.......................................................  $    50.6     --         --
Net income.............................................................  $    26.0     --         --
 
Earnings per share common share:
Net income.............................................................  $    1.30     --         --
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
                              of these statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          ADDITIONAL    RETAINED       PENSION                       NOTES FROM
                                  CLASS A      CLASS B      PAID-IN     EARNINGS      LIABILITY       UNEARNED          STOCK
                                   STOCK        STOCK       CAPITAL     (DEFICIT)    ADJUSTMENT     COMPENSATION    PURCHASE PLAN
                                -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ---------------  -------------
<S>                             <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>              <C>
Balance at December 31,
  1993........................   $  --        $  --        $    28.2    $    45.8     $    (0.5)      $  --           $  --
  Net income..................      --           --           --             25.9        --              --              --
  Sales of Class A Stock......         0.1       --             63.4       --            --              --              --
  Conversion of Common Stock
    to Class B Stock..........      --              0.1         (0.1)      --            --              --              --
  Stock purchase plan.........      --           --              2.4       --            --              --                (2.2)
  Unearned compensation
    restricted stock..........      --           --              0.8       --            --                (0.8)         --
  Assumption of deferred
    financing fees from
    affiliate.................      --           --              3.0       --            --              --              --
  Dividends paid to
    affiliate.................      --           --           --           (111.0)       --              --              --
  Assumption of debt from
    affiliate.................      --           --           (114.9)      --            --              --              --
  Forgiveness of advances from
    affiliate.................      --           --             35.2       --            --              --              --
                                       ---          ---   -----------  -----------        -----           -----           -----
Balance at December 31,
  1994........................         0.1          0.1         18.0        (39.3)         (0.5)           (0.8)           (2.2)
  Net income..................      --           --           --             22.1        --              --              --
  Other.......................      --           --           --           --               0.1             0.2          --
                                       ---          ---   -----------  -----------        -----           -----           -----
Balance at December 31,
  1995........................         0.1          0.1         18.0        (17.2)         (0.4)           (0.6)           (2.2)
  Net income..................      --           --           --             30.0        --              --              --
  Conversion of Class B Stock
    to Class A Stock..........         0.1         (0.1)      --           --            --              --              --
  Other.......................      --           --           --           --              (0.1)            0.2          --
                                       ---          ---   -----------  -----------        -----           -----           -----
Balance at December 31,
  1996........................   $     0.2    $  --        $    18.0    $    12.8     $    (0.5)      $    (0.4)      $    (2.2)
                                       ---          ---   -----------  -----------        -----           -----           -----
                                       ---          ---   -----------  -----------        -----           -----           -----
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
                              of these statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                       -------------------------------
                                                                                         1994       1995       1996
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income.........................................................................  $    25.9  $    22.1  $    30.0
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operations:
    Depreciation.....................................................................       11.0       12.9       13.7
    Amortization.....................................................................        1.9        2.1        1.8
    Deferred income tax provision (benefit)..........................................       (1.3)       0.2       (2.9)
    Proceeds from the initial sale of accounts receivable............................       54.3     --         --
    Cash effects, excluding acquisitions, of changes in:
      Accounts receivable, net of residual interest..................................       (4.5)       0.3        6.2
      Inventories....................................................................       (5.7)     (10.2)     (14.0)
      Other current assets...........................................................        1.7        1.4       (1.5)
      Accounts payable...............................................................       19.6      (13.0)      10.2
      Accrued liabilities and accrued employee benefit obligations...................        6.0        3.6       (2.4)
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net cash from operations:..........................................................      108.9       19.4       41.1
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchase of businesses.............................................................     --          (10.4)     (18.8)
  Capital expenditures...............................................................      (19.7)     (16.4)     (20.0)
  Other..............................................................................       (0.4)      (2.2)       0.2
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net cash used in investing activities..............................................      (20.1)     (29.0)     (38.6)
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Net proceeds from issuance of common stock.........................................       63.3     --         --
  Proceeds from bank credit facility.................................................      115.0     --         --
  Net payments to affiliate..........................................................     (263.7)    --         --
  Net borrowings (repayments) of debt................................................       (2.6)       8.5        0.3
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities................................      (88.0)       8.5        0.3
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS..................................................        0.8       (1.1)       2.8
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD.......................................        1.4        2.2        1.1
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD.............................................  $     2.2  $     1.1  $     3.9
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
NET CASH PAID DURING THE PERIOD FOR:
  Interest...........................................................................  $     7.6  $    10.3  $    11.0
  Income taxes to affiliate..........................................................       18.8     --            4.6
  Income taxes to third parties......................................................        1.5       14.2       23.5
NON-CASH ACTIVITY:
  Forgiveness of debt by affiliate...................................................  $    35.2  $  --      $  --
</TABLE>
    
 
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
                              of these statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(1)  BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
    Falcon Building Products, Inc. (the "Company") is a manufacturer and
distributor of products for the residential and commercial construction and home
improvement markets.
 
    Pursuant to a reorganization in contemplation of a public offering to sell
common stock, the Company was restructured and recapitalized as an indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of Eagle Industries, Inc. ("Eagle"). Eagle is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Great American Management and Investment, Inc.
("GAMI") which is wholly-owned by Equity Holdings Limited, an Illinois limited
partnership ("EHL"). In connection therewith, Eagle contributed to the Company
the stock and certain assets and liabilities of the companies comprising Eagle's
building products segment. This contribution has been accounted for in a manner
similar to that utilized in pooling-of-interest accounting. On November 9, 1994,
the Company completed an initial public offering of 6,000,000 shares (30%) of
its Class A common stock (the "Offering"). In May 1996, Eagle distributed its
ownership of the Company's Class B common stock to EHL. Pursuant to provisions
in the Company's charter, the transfer of the Class B common stock to EHL
resulted in its conversion to Class A common stock.
 
    The Company's 1994 financial information included herein is not necessarily
indicative of the results that would have been reported if the Company had
operated as an unaffiliated enterprise. The Consolidated Statements of Income
include a proportional allocation of costs incurred by Eagle that benefited the
Company. Such expenses relate to strategic direction, operating oversight,
legal, finance and administration of benefit and insurance programs. Management
believes that the allocation method is reasonable (see Note 12). If the Company
had not operated as a subsidiary of Eagle, but rather had operated as an
unaffiliated public company, management believes operating expenses would have
been approximately $0.9 million higher in the year ended December 31, 1994. The
increased expenses include additional personnel, investor relations, director
and officer insurance and director fees and expenses.
 
(2)  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
 
    BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION:
 
    The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of
the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain historical data have
been restated to conform to the 1996 presentation.
 
    USE OF ESTIMATES:
 
    These Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles and necessarily include amounts
based on estimates and assumptions by management. Actual results could differ
from those amounts.
 
    INVENTORIES:
 
    Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost includes raw
materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. The last-in, first-out ("LIFO")
method of inventory valuation is used for 62.4% and 41.1% of inventory at
December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively. The first-in, first-out ("FIFO")
method of inventory valuation is used for the remaining inventory.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(2)  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (CONTINUED)
    IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS:
 
    Effective January 1, 1996, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of" ("SFAS No. 121").
SFAS No. 121 prescribes that an impairment loss is recognized in the event that
facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable and an estimate of future undiscounted cash flows is less than the
carrying amount of the asset. There was no material effect on the financial
statements from the adoption of SFAS No. 121 as the Company's prior impairment
recognition practice was consistent with the major provisions of the statement.
 
    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
 
    Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. The straight-line method
is generally used to provide for depreciation over the estimated useful lives of
the assets, which range from 10 to 40 years for buildings and 3 to 12 years for
machinery and equipment.
 
    GOODWILL:
 
    Goodwill represents the purchase price associated with acquired businesses
in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is amortized on
a straight-line basis, primarily over forty years. Accumulated amortization was
$11.8 million and $13.6 million at December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively. The
recoverability of goodwill is reassessed periodically to determine if current
operating income is sufficient to recover the current amortization. When events
and circumstances indicate that future operating income and cash flow may be
negatively affected, the recoverability is evaluated based upon the estimated
future operating income and undiscounted cash flow of the related entity during
the remaining period of goodwill amortization.
 
    REVENUE RECOGNITION:
 
    The Company recognizes revenues as products are shipped to customers.
 
    INCOME TAXES:
 
    The Company was included in GAMI's consolidated U.S. federal income tax
return until the consummation of the Offering in November 1994. In addition, the
Company filed certain combined state tax returns with GAMI until the
distribution to EHL in 1996. Under the terms of the GAMI-Falcon Disaffiliation
Tax Sharing Agreement (the "Tax Sharing Agreement"), the Company computed and
paid to GAMI its liability for U.S. federal income taxes as if the Company filed
a separate U.S. federal income tax return. For periods subsequent to the
Offering, a separate U.S. federal income tax return will be filed for the
Company. The Company files separate U.S. state income tax returns.
 
    EARNINGS PER SHARE:
 
    Earnings per share amounts were calculated based on 20,070,500 shares
outstanding, the number of shares outstanding as a result of the consummation of
the Offering. This does not reflect the Company's historical capital structure.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(3)  PRO FORMA INFORMATION
 
    The supplementary pro forma net income and per share data included in the
Consolidated Statements of Income reflects the results of operations for the
year ended December 31, 1994 adjusted to reflect (i) the sale of 6,000,000
shares of common stock by the Company in the Offering, (ii) incremental stand-
alone costs for operating as a public entity, (iii) costs associated with the
Company's participation in Eagle's asset securitization program (see Note 5),
(iv) the change in interest expense associated with the new Bank Credit Facility
(prior to the amendment and restatement in June, 1995), and (v) the tax effects
of these adjustments, as if the Offering (and resulting adjustments) had been
consummated at the beginning of the period presented.
 
(4)  ACQUISITIONS
 
    On January 2, 1996, the Company acquired the stock of Ex-Cell Manufacturing
Company, Inc. ("Ex-Cell"), a manufacturer of cold-water power washers. The
Company paid $18.8 million in cash for the stock of Ex-Cell and estimates that
it will pay an additional $6.5 million over the next three years beginning in
February 1997. This additional payment represents a contingent portion of the
purchase price pursuant to the purchase agreement based on achievement of
certain sales targets. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase and
resulted in $19.5 million of goodwill, which consistent with the Company's
policy, will be amortized over 40 years. The operations of Ex-Cell were included
in the Company's operations beginning on January 2, 1996.
 
(5)  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
 
   
    Between January 1994 and April 1996, the Company participated in Eagle's
securitization program, selling its receivables to Eagle, which in turn sold
certain of its receivables, including those acquired from the Company, to a
"Master Trust." Due to the number of business divestitures at Eagle during the
first quarter of 1996, Eagle decided to terminate its securitization program.
Eagle coordinated the termination of its program with the Company to allow the
Company to establish its own securitization program.
    
 
    In April 1996, the Company entered into receivable sale agreements with a
financial institution and its affiliate (collectively, the "Bank Group") whereby
it will sell, with limited recourse, on a continuous basis, an undivided
interest in all of its accounts receivable for cash, while maintaining a
residual interest in the receivables. Under these agreements, which expire in
1999, the maximum amount of proceeds which may be accessed at any one time is
$85 million, subject to change based on the level of eligible receivables. To
establish this new securitization program, the Company: (1) acquired a special
purpose company from Eagle to facilitate the establishment of the Falcon
securitization program; 2) acquired from the Master Trust the receivables it had
previously sold to Eagle; (3) immediately sold these re-acquired receivables
through the special purpose company to the Bank Group; and (4) sold the
receivables of two of its subsidiaries, which were not previously participating
in the Eagle securitization program, through the special purpose company to the
Bank Group. The Company paid $69 million to acquire its receivables from the
Master Trust utilizing the $55 million of proceeds received from selling these
receivables to the Bank Group plus a $14 million draw on the Company's revolving
credit facility. This $14 million represented the Company's residual interest in
the receivables sold to the Bank Group. Additionally, the Company received $11
million in cash and retained a residual interest of $3 million from the initial
sale of the receivables from subsidiaries not previously participating in the
Eagle securitization program.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(5)  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (CONTINUED)
    At December 31, 1996, uncollected receivables sold under the agreement were
$75.2 million. Included in the Company's financial statements in other current
assets is a net residual interest of $1.9 million. The expense incurred on the
sale of the receivables under these programs was $1.9 million, $3.3 million and
$4.1 million in years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
(6)  DEBT
 
    BANK CREDIT FACILITY:
 
    In connection with the Offering, the Company entered into a senior credit
facility with a group of banks. On June 30, 1995, the Company amended and
restated its senior credit facility, increasing it to a $250 million credit
facility (the "Bank Credit Facility"). The Bank Credit Facility consists of a
six year $100.0 million term loan, maturing in June 2001, due in quarterly
installments increasing in amount from $2.5 million at September 30, 1995 to
$6.25 million per quarter beginning in September 2000, and a $150.0 million
revolving credit facility (the "Revolver") that expires in 2001, which may be
extended through 2002. Borrowings under the Bank Credit Facility bear interest,
at management's option, at rates equal to London Interbank Offered Rates
("LIBOR") plus a margin, or at the prime rate plus a margin. The Bank Credit
Facility is secured by substantially all of the inventory, intangibles,
property, plant, equipment and capital stock of the Company's subsidiaries. At
December 31, 1996, the term loan and revolver loan portions outstanding under
the Bank Credit Facility were $82.5 million and $39.0 million, respectively. The
Bank Credit Facility also allows for $25.0 million to be used in the form of
letters of credit. The use of letters of credit reduces the availability of
funds under the Revolver.
 
    The Bank Credit Facility contains various covenants pertaining to the
maintenance of certain cash flow and expense coverage ratios, the incurrence of
additional indebtedness and restrictions on the payment of dividends.
 
    In May 1995, the Company entered into a five year interest rate swap
agreement. This agreement, covering $100.0 million of the Company's floating
rate debt, fixed the interest rate at 6.52 percent per annum, plus the then
current applicable margin. The effect on net income of this swap was not
material.
 
    Additional debt of the Company consists of three industrial revenue bonds,
two in the amount of $1.0 million each which bear interest at 7.4% and 7.5% and
another in the amount of $0.3 million which bears interest ranging from 6.2% to
6.7% and a capital lease obligation of $0.5 million. The average monthly debt
during 1996 was $141.2 million, an increase of $13.9 million over the comparable
1995 average debt. This increase is primarily due to increased borrowing to fund
acquisitions and the establishment of the Company's securitization program.
 
(7)  EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS
 
    PENSION:
 
    Substantially all hourly employees are covered by Company or union sponsored
defined benefit plans. The Company's salaried and certain hourly employees
participate in a pension plan which provides benefits that are based on the
employee's years of service with the Company and the employee's compensation.
Prior to 1996, this plan was sponsored by Eagle and amounts presented in the
following tables related to this plan for periods prior to 1996 represent the
portion of the plan allocated to the
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(7)  EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
Company as calculated by Eagle's consulting actuary. In January 1996, a separate
plan sponsored by the Company, which mirrored the Eagle plan, was established.
For other employees, pension benefits are provided based on a stated amount for
each year of service. The Company's funding policy for all plans is to make no
less than the minimum annual contributions required by applicable governmental
regulations.
 
    The following table sets forth the funded status for all defined benefit
pension plans and related amounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31, 1995                 DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                        --------------------------------  --------------------------------
                                                          PLANS WHOSE      PLANS WHOSE      PLANS WHOSE      PLANS WHOSE
                                                         ASSETS EXCEED     ACCUMULATED     ASSETS EXCEED     ACCUMULATED
                                                          ACCUMULATED       BENEFITS        ACCUMULATED       BENEFITS
                                                           BENEFITS       EXCEED ASSETS      BENEFITS       EXCEED ASSETS
                                                        ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                     <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Actuarial present value of:
  Accumulated benefit obligation......................     $    18.6        $     5.8        $    21.1        $     6.2
                                                               -----            -----            -----            -----
                                                               -----            -----            -----            -----
  Vested benefits.....................................     $    17.5        $     5.7        $    17.7        $     6.0
                                                               -----            -----            -----            -----
                                                               -----            -----            -----            -----
Projected benefit obligation..........................     $    18.6        $     5.8        $    21.1        $     6.2
Plan assets at fair value.............................          21.2              5.4             22.8              5.8
                                                               -----            -----            -----            -----
Plan assets in excess of (less than) projected benefit
  obligation..........................................           2.6             (0.4)             1.7             (0.4)
Net unrecognized (gain) loss..........................           2.5              0.6              2.7              0.7
Net unrecognized prior service costs (benefits).......          (0.5)             0.3             (0.3)             0.3
Unrecognized liability at August 1, 1987..............        --                  0.2           --                  0.2
Additional minimum liability..........................        --                 (1.1)          --                 (1.2)
                                                               -----            -----            -----            -----
Pension asset (liability) recognized in Consolidated
  Financial Statements................................     $     4.6        $    (0.4)       $     4.1        $    (0.4)
                                                               -----            -----            -----            -----
                                                               -----            -----            -----            -----
</TABLE>
 
    Plan assets generally consist of common stocks, fixed income instruments,
and certain purchased annuities.
 
    In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87,
"Employers' Accounting for Pensions," ("SFAS No. 87") the Company has recorded
an additional minimum pension liability for underfunded plans at December 31,
1995 and December 31, 1996, representing the excess of unfunded accumulated
benefit obligations over previously recorded pension cost. A corresponding
amount is recognized as an intangible asset except to the extent that these
additional liabilities exceed related unrecognized prior service costs and net
transition obligations, in which case the increase in liabilities is charged
directly to stockholders' equity. At December 31, 1995 and 1996, the excess
minimum pension liability resulted in a net reduction of equity of $0.4 million
and $0.5 million, respectively.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(7)  EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    Net periodic pension cost for defined benefit pension plans reporting under
the provisions of SFAS No. 87 was:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        -------------------------------
                                                                          1994       1995       1996
                                                                        ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                 (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                     <C>        <C>        <C>
Service cost..........................................................  $     2.1  $     1.1  $     1.8
Interest cost.........................................................        1.9        1.3        1.8
Actual return on assets...............................................       (0.5)      (2.3)      (2.9)
Net amortization and deferral.........................................       (2.7)       0.6        0.6
                                                                        ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net periodic pension cost...........................................  $     0.8  $     0.7  $     1.3
                                                                        ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                        ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The following assumptions were used in determining the actuarial present
value of the projected benefit obligation for the Company's defined benefit
plans for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996: weighted-average discount
rate of 7.5%; rate of increase in future compensation levels of 4.0%; and
expected long-term rate of return on assets of 9.0%.
 
    The Company and its subsidiaries also have several defined contribution
plans for certain employees. Prior to 1995, the Company and its subsidiaries
participated in an Eagle sponsored defined contribution plan for certain
employees. In January 1995, a separate Falcon sponsored plan which mirrored the
Eagle sponsored plan was established. Employer contributions to these plans were
$1.0 million, $1.0 million and $1.4 million in 1994, 1995 and 1996,
respectively. Contributions to this plan by the Company are determined based on
a percentage of the contribution made by the employee.
 
    OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS:
 
    The Company provides postretirement life and health-care benefits to certain
of its employees. The Company has four plans which provide these benefits to
employees retiring from the Company. Benefits are determined on varying formulas
based on age at retirement and years of active service. Two of the plans are
non-contributory. The Company has not funded any of this postretirement benefits
liability. Contributions to the postretirement plans are made by the Company as
claims are incurred.
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(7)  EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    The following table sets forth postretirement benefits recognized in the
Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                               --------------------
                                                                                 1995       1996
                                                                               ---------  ---------
                                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                            <C>        <C>
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
  Retirees...................................................................  $     6.6  $     6.4
  Other fully eligible participants..........................................        2.2        2.1
  Other active participants..................................................        3.9        4.0
                                                                               ---------  ---------
    Subtotal.................................................................       12.7       12.5
 
  Unrecognized actuarial loss................................................       (4.0)      (3.4)
  Unrecognized prior service cost............................................       (0.1)    --
                                                                               ---------  ---------
Postretirement benefit liability recognized in Consolidated Financial
  Statements.................................................................  $     8.6  $     9.1
                                                                               ---------  ---------
                                                                               ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    Net postretirement benefit cost included the following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          -------------------------------
                                                                            1994       1995       1996
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                   (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                       <C>        <C>        <C>
Service cost............................................................  $     0.3  $     0.4  $     0.5
Interest cost...........................................................        0.6        0.7        0.9
Net amortization and deferral...........................................     --            0.1        0.2
                                                                                ---        ---        ---
    Net postretirement benefit cost.....................................  $     0.9  $     1.2  $     1.6
                                                                                ---        ---        ---
                                                                                ---        ---        ---
</TABLE>
 
    The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was determined using an
assumed discount rate of 7.5% and 8.0% for the years ended December 31, 1995 and
1996, and health care cost trend rates of 12.0% in 1995 and 10.5% in 1996,
decreasing ratably to 6.0% by the year 1998. The effect of a one percent
increase in the health care cost trend rate assumption would increase the
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, resulting in an increase to the
aggregate annual service cost and interest expense components by approximately
$0.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
 
(8)  INCOME TAXES
 
    As further discussed in Note 1, the Company was included in GAMI's
consolidated federal income tax return until the consummation of the Offering in
November 1994. In addition, the Company filed certain combined state returns
with GAMI until the distribution to EHL in 1996. Pursuant to the Tax Sharing
Agreement with GAMI, in December 1996, the Company paid GAMI $4.6 million for
tax liabilities it had incurred during these periods.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(8)  INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    The Company's Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the following
deferred tax assets and liabilities:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                               --------------------
                                                                                 1995       1996
                                                                               ---------  ---------
                                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                            <C>        <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Inventory and receivable reserves..........................................  $     2.6  $     4.5
  Accrued employee benefit obligations.......................................        2.8        2.8
  Insurance reserves.........................................................        4.0        5.5
  Other......................................................................        5.4        5.8
                                                                               ---------  ---------
                                                                               $    14.8  $    18.6
                                                                               ---------  ---------
                                                                               ---------  ---------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Property, plant and equipment basis difference.............................  $     7.3  $     8.1
                                                                               ---------  ---------
                                                                               ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           YEAR ENDED
                                                                                          DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                 -------------------------------
                                                                                   1994       1995       1996
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                          (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                              <C>        <C>        <C>
Provision (benefit) for income taxes:
  Current:
    U.S. federal...............................................................  $    17.2  $    11.8  $    18.1
    U.S. state.................................................................        1.6        1.7        3.6
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
      Subtotal.................................................................       18.8       13.5       21.7
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
  Deferred:
    U.S. federal...............................................................       (1.4)       0.4       (2.3)
    U.S. state.................................................................        0.1       (0.2)      (0.6)
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
      Subtotal.................................................................       (1.3)       0.2       (2.9)
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
      Total....................................................................  $    17.5  $    13.7  $    18.8
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    Reconciliations of income taxes computed at the U.S. federal statutory rate
to the consolidated provision for income taxes are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       YEAR ENDED
                                                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          -------------------------------------
                                                                             1994         1995         1996
                                                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                  (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                       <C>          <C>          <C>
U.S. federal statutory rate.............................................         35%          35%          35%
Income taxes at U.S. federal statutory rate.............................  $    15.2    $    12.5    $    17.1
U.S. state income taxes, net of U.S. federal............................        1.1          1.0          1.9
Amortization of intangibles.............................................        0.5          0.5          0.6
Other...................................................................        0.7         (0.3)        (0.8)
                                                                              -----        -----        -----
  Provision for income taxes............................................  $    17.5    $    13.7    $    18.8
                                                                              -----        -----        -----
                                                                              -----        -----        -----
  Effective income tax rate.............................................       40.4%        38.4%        38.4%
                                                                              -----        -----        -----
                                                                              -----        -----        -----
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(9) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
    INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING:
 
    In November 1994, the Company completed an initial public offering of
6,000,000 shares of par value $.01 Class A Common Stock. The net proceeds to the
Company were approximately $63.4 million.
 
    CAPITAL STOCK:
 
    The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorized 30,000,000
shares of Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value (the "Class A Stock"), 14,000,000
shares of Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value (the "Class B Stock") together,
the "Common Stock" and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Upon completion of
the Offering, the Company had 6,070,500 shares of Class A Stock outstanding,
including (i) 196,500 shares sold to the Company's management in the public
offering, (ii) 70,500 restricted shares granted to them pursuant to the
Company's 1994 Stock Option and Restricted Share Plan, and 14,000,000 shares of
Class B Stock outstanding, which was beneficially owned by Eagle. In May 1996,
Eagle transferred its ownership of the Company's Class B Stock to EHL. Pursuant
to provisions in the Company's charter, the transfer of the Class B Stock to EHL
resulted in its conversion to Class A Stock. Therefore, at December 31, 1996,
there were 20,070,500 Shares of Class A Stock outstanding and no shares of Class
B Stock outstanding. No shares of preferred stock have been issued.
 
    ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL:
 
    In contemplation of the Offering, the Company assumed $114.9 million of
Eagle's outstanding indebtedness in May 1994 through the issuance of unsecured
notes at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.75%. These notes were repaid using the
proceeds from the Offering and the Bank Credit Facility. As part of the
Offering, the Company assumed $3.0 million of deferred financing fees of Eagle.
 
    The Company's Class A Stock was issued at $12.00 per share resulting in a
net contribution to Additional paid-in capital of $66.6 million. In addition,
Eagle forgave $35.2 million of advances to affiliate which was treated as
additional paid-in capital.
 
    NOTES RECEIVABLE:
 
    Pursuant to the Company's Senior Executive Stock Purchase Plan (the
"Executive Stock Plan"), certain executive officers of the Company purchased a
total of 196,500 shares of Class A Stock for cash of $0.2 million and notes of
$2.2 million. These notes, which bear interest at 7.5% per annum, are due no
later than December 2001 or upon sale of the shares. These notes have been
classified as a component of Stockholders' equity in the Company's Consolidated
Balance Sheets. The shares cannot be sold prior to November 1997 and have been
pledged to the Company pursuant to the terms of the Executive Stock Plan.
 
    DIVIDENDS PAID:
 
    In May 1994, the Company declared and paid a dividend of $111.0 million
through the issuance of unsecured notes at an interest rate of 7% per annum.
These notes were repaid, in part, through proceeds from the Offering and the
issuance of the Bank Credit Facility. Any remaining obligations under these
notes were forgiven by Eagle.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(10) STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
    In November 1994, the Company adopted the 1994 Stock Option and Restricted
Share Plan (the "1994 Plan"). Pursuant to the 1994 Plan, certain directors,
employees and officers of the Company are given the opportunity to acquire
shares of Class A Stock through the grant of non-qualified and qualified stock
options, stock appreciation rights and restricted shares. Options granted
pursuant to the 1994 Plan are exercisable at no less than the fair market value
of the Class A Stock at the time of grant. Qualified stock options shall expire
no more than ten years after the date of grant. Restricted shares awarded
pursuant to the 1994 Plan shall generally vest in equal portions over a four
year period from the date of award. Upon a change in control, all options shall
become immediately exercisable and all restricted shares shall become vested.
The 1994 Plan also provides for the annual award of 2,000 nonqualified stock
options of Class A Stock to each director who is not an employee of Eagle or its
subsidiaries. A total of 1,700,000 shares of Common Stock is reserved for
issuance under the 1994 Plan. The 1994 Plan is administered by a committee of
the Board of Directors.
 
    Non-Qualified stock option activity is shown below:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        OPTIONS OUTSTANDING         EXERCISABLE OPTIONS
                                                     --------------------------  --------------------------
                                                                  WEIGHTED AVG.               WEIGHTED AVG.
                                                      NUMBER OF     EXERCISE      NUMBER OF     EXERCISE
                                                       SHARES         PRICE        SHARES         PRICE
                                                     -----------  -------------  -----------  -------------
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
Balance at December 31, 1993.......................      --         $  --
  Granted..........................................     196,000         12.00
  Exercised........................................      --            --
  Canceled.........................................      --            --
                                                     -----------       ------
Balance at December 31, 1994.......................     196,000         12.00        --         $  --
                                                                                 -----------
                                                                                 -----------
  Granted..........................................     309,500          9.59
  Exercised........................................      --            --
  Canceled.........................................      (6,000)        11.50
                                                     -----------       ------
Balance at December 31, 1995.......................     499,500         10.51        48,000     $   12.00
                                                                                 -----------
                                                                                 -----------
  Granted..........................................     305,600         12.29
  Exercised........................................      --            --
  Canceled.........................................      (6,800)        10.53
                                                     -----------       ------
Balance at December 31, 1996.......................     798,300     $   11.19       170,426     $   10.93
                                                     -----------       ------    -----------
                                                     -----------       ------    -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
    At December 31, 1996, the options outstanding and exercisable options
outstanding had exercise prices ranging from $8.85 to $12.56 and $9.35 to
$12.00, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual life of the
options outstanding was 9 years. The weighted average fair value of options
granted in 1995 and 1996 was $9.65 and $12.39, respectively.
 
    The Company measures compensation cost using the intrinsic value-based
method of accounting pursuant to the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25. Had
compensation cost been determined on the fair market value-based accounting
method prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123
"Accounting for Stock Based Compensation" ("SFAS No. 123") for options granted
in 1996, pro forma net income would have been $29.8 million. Pro forma earnings
per share for 1996 would have been $1.48. There would have been no effect on
1995 results.
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(10) STOCK OPTION PLAN (CONTINUED)
    For purposes of fair market value disclosures, the fair market value of an
option grant is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the
following assumptions:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    1995       1996
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                               <C>        <C>
Risk-Free Interest Rate.........................................................        6.0%       6.0%
Average Life of Options (years).................................................          5          5
Volatility......................................................................       39.6%      39.1%
Dividend Yield..................................................................     --         --
</TABLE>
 
    As part of the Offering, the Company awarded 70,500 restricted shares of
Class A Stock to certain officers, of which 35,250 shares were vested at
December 31, 1996. The market value of the shares awarded was $0.8 million. This
amount was recorded as unearned compensation and is shown as a separate
component of Stockholders' equity. Unearned compensation is being amortized to
expense over a four year vesting period. This expense amounted to $0.2 million
in 1995 and 1996.
 
(11) BALANCE SHEET DETAIL
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                       --------------------
                                                                                         1995       1996
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                          (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>
Inventories:
  Raw materials and supplies.........................................................  $    21.6  $    30.9
  Work in process....................................................................       10.0       12.7
  Finished goods.....................................................................       25.3       32.6
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
    Total............................................................................  $    56.9  $    76.2
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
  Excess of replacement cost over LIFO inventory cost................................  $     3.0  $     3.0
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
Property, plant and equipment:
  Land...............................................................................  $     8.7  $     8.8
  Buildings..........................................................................       42.1       48.0
  Machinery and equipment............................................................      102.8      117.0
  Construction in progress...........................................................       12.2       13.2
  Less accumulated depreciation......................................................      (77.1)     (89.6)
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
    Total............................................................................  $    88.7  $    97.4
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
(12) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
    The Company has in the past entered into agreements or arrangements with
affiliates relating to legal services, acquisition services, financing services,
and consulting arrangements which are described below. The fairness and
reasonableness of any compensation paid to such affiliates and any material
transactions between the Company and such affiliates in the future will be
approved by a majority of the independent members of the Board of Directors or
by an independent firm selected by such Board members. The Company believes that
the terms and resulting costs of all related party transactions and agreements
are no less favorable than those which could have been obtained from
non-affiliated parties.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(12) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)
    The Company shares management, administrative and other services with Eagle
pursuant to a Corporate Services Agreement which renews annually in the absence
of termination by either party. The fee under this agreement is intended to
cover Eagle's expected costs in providing these services to the Company and is
reviewed annually. Total fees paid under this agreement were $2.4 million in
1994, $2.3 million in 1995 and $2.6 million in 1996. Prior to 1996, the Company
participated in an Eagle sponsored self-insurance program which included
coverage for medical, workers' compensation, product liability and general
liability insurance. The Company reimbursed Eagle for amounts paid on behalf of
the Company. Payments made either to Eagle or directly to the third party
administrator for Falcon's participation in these shared coverages totaled $12.0
million and $17.0 million in the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995,
respectively.
 
    Prior to the Offering, the Company was included in GAMI's consolidated
federal income tax returns. In addition, the Company filed certain combined
state tax returns with GAMI until the distribution to EHL in 1996. Pursuant to
the Tax Sharing Agreement, the Company paid GAMI $4.6 million in 1996 for tax
liabilities it incurred during the periods it was included in GAMI's federal and
certain combined state tax returns.
 
    The law firm of Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C., of which a Company Director
is a member, has rendered legal services to the Company. The Company paid this
law firm $0.4 million in 1995 and $0.1 million in 1996.
 
    Also see Notes 1, 5 and 8 for other information regarding related party
transactions.
 
(13) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
    The Company conducts manufacturing operations at various leased facilities
and also leases warehouses, manufacturing equipment, office space, computers and
office equipment. Most of the realty leases contain renewal options and
escalation clauses. Total rent expense, including related real estate taxes,
amounted to $3.6 million, $3.9 million and $4.7 million for the years ended
December 31, 1994, 1995, and 1996, respectively.
 
    Future minimum lease payments required as of December 31, 1996 (in
millions):
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
1997..........................................................  $     1.5
1998..........................................................        1.1
1999..........................................................        0.8
2000..........................................................        0.8
2001 and thereafter...........................................        1.8
                                                                      ---
                                                                $     6.0
                                                                      ---
                                                                      ---
</TABLE>
 
    The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are involved in several lawsuits
and environmental matters arising in the ordinary course of business. However,
it is the opinion of the Company's management, based upon the advice of legal
counsel, that these lawsuits are either without merit, are covered by insurance,
or are adequately reserved for in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the
ultimate disposition of pending litigation will not be material in relation to
the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(13) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
    In addition to the matters covered by the preceding paragraph, in May 1994,
Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada ("ULC") suspended its recognition of high
temperature plastic venting systems for gas appliances, including the Ultravent
system manufactured by the Company. This action resulted from reports of
problems with high temperature plastic venting systems, including improper
installation, cracking, inadequate joint adhesion, and related safety hazards,
including potential for carbon monoxide emission. In June 1994, as a result of
the ULC action, the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations
("MCCR") banned sales of these plastic venting systems in the Province of
Ontario. Other provinces of Canada have taken similar action. Pursuant to an
MCCR order, high temperature plastic venting systems in Ontario have been
corrected.
 
    The Company is a defendant in a suit that has been filed against 24 entities
representing heating appliance manufacturers, plastic vent manufacturers, public
utilities and listing agencies by the Ontario New Home Warranty Program, which
is responsible for the cost of replacing vent material in new home construction
in Ontario. This suit seeks damages of Cdn $125 million from all of the
defendants. Most gas appliance manufacturers in Canada and the United States no
longer certify these venting systems for use with their products. The Company is
also a defendant in a lawsuit filed by Goodman Manufacturing, an appliance
manufacturer that is replacing its own installations and has sued three
defendants for reimbursement of its costs. The Company has been named as a
defendant in a class action lawsuit which has been filed in the United States
regarding high temperature plastic venting.
 
    The Company is engaged in ongoing discussions with the United States
Consumer Product Safety Commission, ("CPSC") which has been advised of the ULC
action and the actions taken by the MCCR. The CPSC continues to investigate high
temperature plastic venting and has met with all of the manufacturers of high
temperature plastic vents, various appliance manufacturers and other entities
with technical expertise. CPSC concerns focus on the heating appliance system,
the plastic resin used to manufacture the venting, vent sealant compounds and
improper installation. While no definitive action has been decided upon, the
Company is aware that the CPSC is considering a corrective action program
involving plastic venting and it is probable that in the near term the CPSC will
mandate a corrective action program which would impact heating appliance
manufacturers, plastic resin manufacturers, and plastic venting manufacturers,
including the Company. Several appliance manufacturers have announced their
intention to replace plastic vent product with alternative systems which have
been approved by the CPSC. Company sales of Ultravent products in the United
States and Canada in 1995 and 1996 were minimal.
 
    While it is impossible at this time to give a firm estimate of the ultimate
cost to the Company, management currently believes that the after-tax cost to
the Company of resolving the Ultravent matter could range from a non-material
amount to $20.0 million, after considering reimbursements and insurance
recoveries. With respect to this matter, the Company has filed a lawsuit against
its insurance carriers. Although no assurances can be given, the Company
believes at this time that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not
have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, but may have a
material effect on future results of operations in the period recognized.
 
(14) BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
    The Company's current operations are in one industry segment, building and
construction related products, serving the residential and commercial
construction and home improvement markets. These
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(14) BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
businesses are influenced primarily by housing starts, construction and
remodeling activity and consumer spending.
 
    The Company's export sales are less than 10% of total revenues. Sales to
Sears, Roebuck and Co. accounted for 19.3%, 17.7% and 13.3% of total net sales
for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. The
Company's revenues and identifiable assets are predominantly related to its U.S.
operations and no one other geographic area accounts for more than 10% of total
revenue or 10% of total assets.
 
(15) OTHER MATTERS
 
    The Company's Board of Directors is exploring a broad range of strategic
alternatives to enhance shareholder value in the Company. Alternatives under
consideration include the sale of the Company in its entirety. The Company has
retained Merrill Lynch & Co. and Smith Barney, Inc. to assist in this effort.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The following is a summary of the unaudited interim results of operations
for December 31, 1995 and 1996 (in millions).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             QUARTER ENDED MARCH    QUARTER ENDED JUNE      QUARTER ENDED         QUARTER ENDED
                                                     31,                   30,              SEPTEMBER 30,          DECEMBER 31,
                                             --------------------  --------------------  --------------------  --------------------
                                               1995       1996       1995       1996       1995       1996       1995       1996
                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net sales..................................  $   112.9  $   144.4  $   116.6  $   168.4  $   120.0  $   162.7  $   121.8  $   157.7
Gross earnings.............................       22.7       25.3       23.0       30.5       19.7       28.8       21.5       28.3
Net income.................................        6.1        5.4        6.0        8.1        4.4        8.0        5.6        8.5
 
Earnings per common share:
Net income.................................  $    0.31  $    0.27  $    0.30  $    0.40  $    0.22  $    0.40  $    0.28  $    0.42
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                  (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                            1996
                                                                                        -------------   MARCH 31,
                                                                                                          1997
                                                                                                       -----------
                                                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                                     <C>            <C>
                                                      ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents...........................................................    $     3.9     $     1.3
  Accounts receivable, net............................................................       --            --
  Inventories, net....................................................................         76.2          85.7
  Other current assets................................................................         15.6          47.2
                                                                                             ------    -----------
  Total current assets................................................................         95.7         134.2
 
Property, plant and equipment, net....................................................         97.4          96.8
Goodwill..............................................................................         59.1          58.5
Other assets..........................................................................          9.5           9.1
                                                                                             ------    -----------
  Total assets........................................................................    $   261.7     $   298.6
                                                                                             ------    -----------
                                                                                             ------    -----------
 
                                       LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
  Current portion long-term debt......................................................    $    15.2     $    15.2
  Accounts payable....................................................................         50.1          49.7
  Accrued liabilities.................................................................         30.9          30.4
                                                                                             ------    -----------
  Total current liabilities...........................................................         96.2          95.3
 
Long-term debt........................................................................        109.1         140.3
Accrued employee benefit obligations..................................................          8.7           9.0
Other long-term liabilities...........................................................         19.8          20.0
                                                                                             ------    -----------
  Total liabilities...................................................................        233.8         264.6
                                                                                             ------    -----------
 
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none
    issued and outstanding............................................................       --            --
  Class A stock, par value $.01 per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized, 20,070,500
    issued and outstanding at December 31, 1996, 20,048,275 issued and outstanding at
    March 31, 1997....................................................................          0.2           0.2
  Additional paid-in capital..........................................................         18.0          18.0
  Retained earnings...................................................................         12.8          18.9
  Pension liability adjustment........................................................         (0.5)         (0.5)
  Unearned compensation...............................................................         (0.4)         (0.3)
  Notes receivable arising from stock purchase plan...................................         (2.2)         (2.0)
  Common stock in treasury, at cost (22,225 shares in 1997)...........................       --              (0.3)
                                                                                             ------    -----------
  Total stockholders' equity..........................................................         27.9          34.0
                                                                                             ------    -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity............................................    $   261.7     $   298.6
                                                                                             ------    -----------
                                                                                             ------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
                             financial statements.
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
                  (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                                                     ----------------------------
                                                                                         1996           1997
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>            <C>
Net sales..........................................................................  $       144.4  $       160.2
Cost of sales......................................................................          119.1          133.4
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
  Gross earnings...................................................................           25.3           26.8
 
Selling and administrative expenses................................................           12.8           13.1
Securitization expense.............................................................            0.9            0.9
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
  Operating income.................................................................           11.6           12.8
 
Net interest expense...............................................................            2.8            2.8
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
Income before income taxes.........................................................            8.8           10.0
Provision for income taxes.........................................................            3.4            3.9
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
Net income.........................................................................  $         5.4  $         6.1
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
Net income per common share........................................................  $        0.27  $        0.31
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
Average shares outstanding.........................................................     20,070,500     20,048,275
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
                             financial statements.
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    QUARTER ENDED
                                                                                                      MARCH 31,
                                                                                                 --------------------
                                                                                                   1996       1997
                                                                                                 ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                              <C>        <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income...................................................................................  $     5.4  $     6.1
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operations:
    Depreciation...............................................................................        3.4        3.4
    Amortization...............................................................................        0.6        0.7
    Cash effect of changes in working capital, accrued employee benefit obligations, and other
      long-term liabilities....................................................................       (7.5)     (41.0)
                                                                                                 ---------  ---------
    Net cash (used in) from operating activities...............................................        1.9      (30.8)
                                                                                                 ---------  ---------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Capital expenditures.........................................................................       (4.5)      (3.0)
  Purchase of business.........................................................................      (18.8)    --
  Other........................................................................................        1.1        0.2
                                                                                                 ---------  ---------
    Net cash flow used in investing activities.................................................      (22.2)      (2.8)
                                                                                                 ---------  ---------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Net borrowings under credit facility.........................................................       21.4       31.2
  Other........................................................................................     --           (0.2)
                                                                                                 ---------  ---------
    Net cash flow from financing activities....................................................       21.4       31.0
                                                                                                 ---------  ---------
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS............................................................        1.1       (2.6)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD.................................................        1.1        3.9
                                                                                                 ---------  ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD.......................................................  $     2.2  $     1.3
                                                                                                 ---------  ---------
                                                                                                 ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
                             financial statements.
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                                 MARCH 31, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(1) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
BASIS OF PRESENTATION:
 
    The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of
Falcon Building Products, Inc. (the "Company"), a subsidiary of Equity Holdings
Limited, an Illinois limited partnership ("EHL"), have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial
information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and
footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for a complete
set of financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments
considered necessary, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, are
included for fair presentation. Operating results for the quarter ended March
31, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the
full year. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be
read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the
Company for the year ended December 31, 1996.
 
(2) INVENTORIES
 
    Inventory consists of the following (in millions):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       DECEMBER 31,     MARCH 31,
                                                                           1996           1997
                                                                      ---------------  -----------
<S>                                                                   <C>              <C>
Raw materials and supplies..........................................     $    30.9      $    31.2
Work in process.....................................................          12.7           13.0
Finished goods......................................................          32.6           41.5
                                                                             -----          -----
                                                                         $    76.2      $    85.7
                                                                             -----          -----
                                                                             -----          -----
</TABLE>
 
(3) LONG-TERM DEBT
 
    Long-term debt consists of the following (in millions):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      DECEMBER 31,    MARCH 31,
                                                                          1996          1997
                                                                      -------------  -----------
<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>
Bank Credit Facility
    Revolver........................................................    $    39.0     $    74.0
    Term............................................................         82.5          78.7
                                                                           ------    -----------
    Total...........................................................        121.5         152.7
Other...............................................................          2.8           2.8
Less: Current Portion...............................................        (15.2)        (15.2)
                                                                           ------    -----------
    Total long-term.................................................    $   109.1     $   140.3
                                                                           ------    -----------
                                                                           ------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
    At March 31, 1997, the Company was in compliance with all covenants of the
Bank Credit Facility. Availability under the revolving portion of this facility
was $63.5 million at March 31, 1997.
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 MARCH 31, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(4) COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES
 
    In May 1994, Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada ("ULC") suspended its
recognition of high temperature plastic venting ("HTPV") for gas appliance
systems, including the Ultravent-Registered Trademark- product distributed by
the Company. This action resulted from reports of problems with HTPV, including
improper installation, cracking, inadequate joint adhesion and related safety
hazards, including potential for carbon monoxide emission. In June 1994, as a
result of the ULC action, the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial
Relations ("MCCR") suspended sales of HTPV in the Province of Ontario. Other
provinces of Canada have taken similar action. Pursuant to an MCCR order,
appliance systems in Ontario with HTPV have been remediated. Most gas appliance
manufacturers in Canada and the United States no longer certify HTPV for use
with their products. As a result, the Company has discontinued sales of its HTPV
product.
 
    The Company is a defendant in a suit in Canada captioned ONTARIO NEW HOME
WARRANTY PROGRAM v. CHEVRON CHEMICAL CORP. ET AL--Ontario Court--General
Division No. 22487/96 which was filed on February 27, 1996 against 24 entities
including heating appliance manufacturers, plastic vent manufacturers and
distributors, public utilities and listing agencies brought by the Ontario New
Home Warranty Program, which is responsible for the cost of replacing appliances
equipped with HTPV in new home construction in Ontario. This suit seeks damages
of Cdn $125 million from all of the defendants. The Company is also a defendant
in a lawsuit captioned GOODMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY v. CHEVRON CHEMICAL CORP.
ET AL--County Court--Harris County, Texas--No. 96-15816 in which the Company has
been sued along with two other defendants for reimbursement of costs associated
with the plaintiff's corrective action program. In the lawsuit captioned RHEEM
CORP. ET AL v. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.--Superior Court--Suffolk County,
Massachusetts No. 97-1709-B, filed March 31, 1997, the Company and two other
defendants have been sued by seven furnace manufacturers which are seeking
reimbursement and declaratory relief for costs expected to be incurred as a
result of corrective action programs to be conducted in connection with furnace
systems vented with HTPV. On April 1, 1997, the Company filed its own legal
action captioned HART & COOLEY, INC. v. AMANA REFRIGERATION, INC.--Circuit
Court--Ottawa County, Michigan No. 97-27729-NP against all identifiable
appliance manufacturers that certified HTPV for use with their appliance systems
including the plaintiffs in the Texas and Massachusetts actions. In its suit,
the Company is seeking damages for costs it has incurred and declaratory relief
for costs that may be incurred in the future as a result of the conduct of
appliance manufacturers that certified their products for use with HTPV. The
Company has also been named in a class action lawsuit regarding HTPV captioned
ENGEL v. CHEVRON CHEMICAL CORP. ET AL--Circuit Court--Rutherford County,
Tennessee No. 37715 filed January 9, 1997. In this case, the Company is a
defendant along with its principal competitor in the HTPV business, a resin
supplier, and a furnace manufacturer that has been joined as a representative of
a defendant class consisting of all appliance manufacturers. The plaintiffs seek
damages on behalf of all persons in the United States with appliance systems
that are vented with HTPV.
 
    The Company is engaged in ongoing discussions with the United States
Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC"), which has been advised of the ULC
action and the actions taken by the MCCR. The CPSC continues to investigate HTPV
and has met with all of the manufacturers of HTPV, various appliance
manufacturers and other entities with technical expertise. CPSC concerns focus
on the heating appliance system, the plastic resin used to manufacture the
venting and improper installation. While no definitive action has been decided
upon, the Company is aware that the CPSC is considering a corrective action
program involving HTPV, and it is probable that in the near term the CPSC will
mandate a
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 MARCH 31, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(4) COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
corrective action program which would impact heating appliance manufacturers,
plastic resin manufacturers, and HTPV manufacturers and distributors, including
the Company. Several appliance manufacturers have announced their intention to
take corrective action regarding gas appliance systems equipped with HTPV.
Company sales of Ultravent products in the United States and Canada in 1995 and
1996 were minimal.
 
   
    With respect to these matters, the Company, on September 16, 1996, filed an
action in state court in Illinois against certain insurance carriers captioned
HART & COOLEY, INC. v. NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF PITTSBURGH, PA
ET AL.--Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois--No. 96-CH-9947. The Company is
seeking a declaratory judgment, damages for breach of contract and specific
relief requiring the insurance carriers, pursuant to the terms of the Company's
insurance policies, to defend and reimburse the Company for costs and legal
expenses arising from Ultravent-related claims. The amount at issue cannot be
determined at this time. The insurance carriers have denied coverage on a number
of grounds, including (i) that there has been no property damage, bodily injury
or occurrence, as those terms are defined in the insurance policies; (ii) that
various exclusions in the insurance policies apply with respect to injuries to
the Company's own products, the failure of its products to perform, and product
recalls; (iii) that the Company knew or should have known of the existence of
alleged problems with Ultravent; and (iv) that other insurance which should be
called on prior to the policies of these insurers is available. The insurance
carriers have filed motions to dismiss the Company's lawsuit.
    
 
    While it is impossible at this time to give a firm estimate of the ultimate
cost to the Company, management currently believes that the after-tax cost to
the Company of resolving the Ultravent matters discussed above should range from
a non-material amount to $20.0 million, after considering numerous factors,
including in certain scenarios, the possibility of third party reimbursements
and insurance recoveries. It is possible that, in the event that a number of the
factors referenced above were resolved adversely to the Company and no third
party reimbursements or insurance recoveries were received, the upper limit of
such range would be exceeded. While no assurances can be given, the Company
believes at this time that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not
have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, but may have a
material effect on future results of operations in the period recognized.
 
(5) OTHER
 
    During the quarter, the Company entered into a merger agreement with an
affiliate of Investcorp SA ("Investcorp"). Under the merger agreement, each
current shareholder of the Company will have the right either to retain his/her
shares of the Company, subject to proration, or receive $17.75 per share in
cash. The agreement was structured such that upon completion of the merger,
Investcorp will own 88% of the equity of the Company while existing shareholders
will own 12%. The merger is subject to certain regulatory approvals as well as
approval by a majority of Falcon's shareholders at a special meeting to be held
as soon as practicable.
 
                                      F-27
<PAGE>
                                    ANNEX I
                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
<PAGE>
                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
                                    BETWEEN
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
                                      AND
                          FBP ACQUISITION CORP., INC.
 
                           DATED AS OF MARCH 20, 1997
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                    PAGE
                                                                                                                    -----
<S>        <C>                                                                                                   <C>
 
                                                         ARTICLE I
                                                         THE MERGER
 
     1.1   The Merger..........................................................................................           1
     1.2   Effective Time......................................................................................           1
     1.3   Effects of the Merger...............................................................................           1
     1.4   Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws............................................................           1
     1.5   Directors and Officers..............................................................................           2
     1.6   Conversion of Shares................................................................................           2
     1.7   Conversion of MergerCo's Capital Stock..............................................................           4
     1.8   Stock Options.......................................................................................           4
     1.9   Stockholders' Meeting; Proxy Statement..............................................................           5
     1.10  Filing of Certificate of Merger.....................................................................           6
 
                                                         ARTICLE II
                                           DISSENTING SHARES; PAYMENT FOR SHARES
 
     2.1   Dissenting Shares...................................................................................           6
     2.2   Payment for Shares..................................................................................           6
 
                                                        ARTICLE III
                                       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
 
     3.1   Organization........................................................................................           8
     3.2   Capitalization......................................................................................           8
     3.3   Authority Relative to this Agreement................................................................           9
     3.4   Consents and Approvals; No Violations...............................................................           9
     3.5   Reports.............................................................................................          10
     3.6   Absence of Certain Changes; No Undisclosed Liabilities..............................................          10
     3.7   Proxy Statement.....................................................................................          11
     3.8   No Default..........................................................................................          11
     3.9   Litigation..........................................................................................          11
     3.10  Certain Agreements..................................................................................          11
     3.11  Taxes...............................................................................................          12
     3.12  Environmental Matters...............................................................................          12
     3.13  Employee Benefit Matters............................................................................          13
     3.14  Brokers.............................................................................................          14
     3.15  Labor Relations.....................................................................................          14
     3.16  Intellectual Property...............................................................................          14
     3.17  Real Property.......................................................................................          14
     3.18  Opinion of Financial Advisor........................................................................          15
     3.19  Board Recommendation................................................................................          15
 
                                                         ARTICLE IV
                                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MERGERCO
 
     4.1   Organization........................................................................................          15
     4.2   Authority Relative to this Agreement................................................................          15
     4.3   Consents and Approvals; No Violations...............................................................          16
</TABLE>
 
                                       i
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                                                                                                   <C>
     4.4   Proxy Statement.....................................................................................          16
     4.5   Brokers.............................................................................................          16
     4.6   Funds Available.....................................................................................          16
 
                                                         ARTICLE V
                                                         COVENANTS
 
     5.1   Conduct of Business of the Company..................................................................          17
     5.2   No Solicitation.....................................................................................          18
     5.3   Access to Information...............................................................................          19
     5.4   Commercially Reasonable Best Efforts................................................................          19
     5.5   Consents............................................................................................          20
     5.6   Public Announcements................................................................................          20
     5.7   Indemnification; Directors' and Officers' Insurance.................................................          20
     5.8   Employee Contracts..................................................................................          22
     5.9   State Takeover Laws.................................................................................          22
     5.10  Future Purchases....................................................................................          22
     5.11  Capital Adequacy of the Surviving Corporation.......................................................          22
     5.12  New York Stock Exchange Delisting...................................................................          22
     5.13  Affiliates..........................................................................................          22
     5.14  Resignation of Directors............................................................................          22
     5.15  Notification of Certain Matters.....................................................................          22
     5.16  Termination of Certain Agreements...................................................................          23
 
                                                         ARTICLE VI
                                          CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
 
     6.1   Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger..........................................          23
     6.2   Conditions to Obligation of MergerCo to Effect the Merger...........................................          23
     6.3   Conditions to Obligation of the Company to Effect the Merger........................................          23
 
                                                        ARTICLE VII
                                               TERMINATION; AMENDMENT; WAIVER
 
     7.1   Termination.........................................................................................          24
     7.2   Effect of Termination...............................................................................          25
     7.3   Fees and Expenses...................................................................................          25
     7.4   Amendment...........................................................................................          25
     7.5   Extension; Waiver...................................................................................          26
 
                                                        ARTICLE VIII
                                                       MISCELLANEOUS
 
     8.1   Survival of Representations, Warranties.............................................................          26
     8.2   Entire Agreement; Assignment........................................................................          26
     8.3   Validity............................................................................................          26
     8.4   Notices.............................................................................................          26
     8.5   Governing Law.......................................................................................          27
     8.6   Descriptive Headings................................................................................          27
     8.7   Parties in Interest.................................................................................          27
     8.8   Counterparts........................................................................................          27
</TABLE>
 
                                       ii
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                                                                                                   <C>
     8.9   Specific Performance................................................................................          27
     8.10  Miscellaneous.......................................................................................          27
</TABLE>
 
                                      iii
<PAGE>
                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
 
    AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of March 20, 1997 (the "AGREEMENT"),
between and among Falcon Building Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"COMPANY") and FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc., a Delaware corporation ("MERGERCO").
 
    WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") and the Board
of Directors of MergerCo have determined that the merger of MergerCo with and
into the Company (the "Merger"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement, would be fair to and in the best interests of their
respective stockholders, and such Boards of Directors have approved such Merger,
pursuant to which each share of Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
(the "Shares"), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
(as defined in Section 1.2) will be converted into either (A) the right to
retain at the election of the holder thereof and subject to the terms hereof, a
Share or (B) the right to receive cash, other than for (a) Shares owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Company or any Subsidiary (as defined in Section
3.1) of the Company or by MergerCo or any subsidiary of MergerCo and (b)
Dissenting Shares (as defined in Section 2.1);
 
    WHEREAS, the Merger and this Agreement require the vote of a majority of the
Shares for the approval thereof (the "Company Stockholder Approval");
 
    WHEREAS, as a condition to MergerCo's willingness to enter into this
Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, MergerCo has
required that the Stockholders (as defined in the Voting Agreement (as defined
herein)) agree, among other things, to vote Shares beneficially owned by them in
accordance with the Voting Agreement and comply with the other provisions of
such Voting Agreement; and in order to induce MergerCo to enter into this
Agreement, the Stockholders have executed and delivered the Voting Agreement,
dated as of the date hereof, between MergerCo and the Stockholders (the "Voting
Agreement");
 
    WHEREAS, MergerCo and the Company desire to make certain representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Merger and also to
prescribe various conditions to the Merger; and
 
    WHEREAS, it is intended that the Merger be recorded as a recapitalization
for financial reporting purposes.
 
    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties agree as
follows:
 
                                   ARTICLE I
                                   THE MERGER
 
    Section 1.1  THE MERGER.  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
hereof, and in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "GCL"),
MergerCo shall be merged with and into the Company (the "MERGER") as soon as
practicable following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in
Article VI. Following the Merger, the Company shall continue as the surviving
corporation (the "SURVIVING CORPORATION") and the separate corporate existence
of MergerCo shall cease.
 
    Section 1.2  EFFECTIVE TIME.  The Merger shall become effective upon the
filing with the Delaware Secretary of State of a certificate of merger or, if
applicable, a certificate of ownership and merger (the certificate of merger and
the certificate of ownership and merger, as the case may be, being referred to
herein as the "CERTIFICATE OF MERGER"), executed in accordance with the relevant
provisions of the GCL (the time the Merger becomes effective being the
"EFFECTIVE TIME").
 
    Section 1.3  EFFECTS OF THE MERGER.  The Merger shall have the effects set
forth in the GCL.
 
    Section 1.4  CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS.  The Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws of MergerCo in effect immediately preceding the
Effective Time shall be the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the
Surviving Corporation (except that, effective as of the Effective Time,
MergerCo's
<PAGE>
Certificate of Incorporation shall be amended such that MergerCo's corporate
name shall be changed to "Falcon Building Products, Inc."), and thereafter may
be amended or repealed as provided by law.
 
    Section 1.5  DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.  The officers of the Company
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial officers of the
Surviving Corporation. The directors of MergerCo immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the initial directors of the Surviving Corporation.
 
    Section 1.6  CONVERSION OF SHARES.
 
        (a)  CONVERSION (OR RETENTION) OF THE SHARES.  Except as otherwise
    provided herein and subject to Section 1.6(e), each issued and outstanding
    Share (other than any such shares to be cancelled pursuant to Sections
    1.6(b) and 1.6(c) and any Dissenting Shares (as defined herein) shall be
    converted into the following (the "Merger Price"):
 
            (i) for each such Share with respect to which an election to retain
       such Share has been effectively made and not revoked or lost, pursuant to
       Section 1.6(d) ("Electing Shares"), the right to retain one fully paid
       and nonassessable Share (a "Non-Cash Election Share"); and
 
            (ii) for each such Share (other than Electing Shares), the right to
       receive in cash from the Company following the Merger an amount equal to
       $17.75 (the "Cash Election Price").
 
        (b) Each Share held in the treasury of the Company or by any subsidiary
    of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, at the
    Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part
    of the holder thereof, be cancelled and retired and cease to exist and no
    payment shall be made with respect thereto.
 
        (c) Each Share owned by MergerCo or any of its affiliates immediately
    prior to the Effective Time shall, at the Effective Time, by virtue of the
    Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be
    cancelled and retired and cease to exist and no payment shall be made with
    respect thereto.
 
        (d)  SHARE ELECTIONS.
 
            (i) Each person who, on or prior to the Election Date referred to in
       (iii) below, is a record holder of Shares will be entitled, with respect
       to all or any portion of such holder's Shares, to make an unconditional
       election (a "Non-Cash Election") on or prior to such Election Date to
       retain Non-Cash Election Shares, on the basis hereinafter set forth.
 
   
            (ii) MergerCo shall prepare and mail a form of election, which form
       shall be subject to the reasonable approval of the Company (the "Form of
       Election"), with the Proxy Statement (as defined in Section 1.9) to the
       record holders of Shares as of the record date for the Stockholders
       Meeting (as defined in Section 1.9), which Form of Election shall be used
       by each record holder of Shares who wishes to elect to retain Non-Cash
       Election Shares for any or all Shares held, subject to the provisions of
       Section 1.6(e) hereof, by such holder. The Company will use its
       reasonable efforts to make the Form of Election and the Proxy Statement
       available to all persons who become holders of Shares during the period
       between such record date and the Election Date referred to below. Any
       such holder's election to retain Non-Cash Election Shares shall have been
       properly made only if the Exchange Agent (as defined in Section 2.2(a))
       shall have received at its designated office, by 5:00 p.m., New York City
       time on the second trading day (the "Election Date") next preceding the
       date of the Stockholders Meeting, a Form of Election properly completed
       and signed and accompanied by certificates for the Shares to which such
       Form of Election relates, duly endorsed in blank or otherwise in form
       acceptable for transfer on the books of the Company (or by an appropriate
       guarantee of delivery of such certificates as set forth in such Form of
       Election from a firm which is a member of a registered national
       securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
       Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or
       correspondent in the United States, provided such certificates are in
       fact
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
   
       delivered to the Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange
       trading days after the date of execution of such guarantee of delivery).
    
 
           (iii) Any Form of Election may be revoked by the stockholder
       submitting it to the Exchange Agent only by written notice received by
       the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
       Election Date (unless MergerCo and the Company determine not less than
       two business days prior to the Election Date that the Effective Time is
       not likely to occur within five business days following the date of the
       Stockholders Meeting, in which case the Form of Election will remain
       revocable until a subsequent date which shall be a date prior to the
       Effective Time determined by MergerCo and the Company). In addition, all
       Forms of Election shall automatically be revoked if the Exchange Agent is
       notified in writing by MergerCo and the Company that the Merger has been
       abandoned. If a Form of Election is revoked, the certificate or
       certificates (or guarantees of delivery, as appropriate) for the Shares
       to which such Form of Election relates shall be promptly returned to the
       stockholder submitting the same to the Exchange Agent.
 
            (iv) The determination of the Exchange Agent shall be binding as to
       whether or not elections to retain Non-Cash Election Shares have been
       properly made or revoked pursuant to this Section 1.6 with respect to
       Shares and when elections and revocations were received by it. If the
       Exchange Agent determines that any election to retain Non-Cash Election
       Shares was not properly made with respect to Shares, such Shares shall be
       treated by the Exchange Agent as Shares which were not Electing Shares at
       the Effective Time. The Exchange Agent shall also make all computations
       as to the allocation and the proration contemplated by Section 1.6(e),
       and any such computation shall be conclusive and binding on the holders
       of Shares. The Exchange Agent may, with the mutual agreement of MergerCo
       and the Company, make such rules as are consistent with this Section 1.6
       for the implementation of the elections provided for herein as shall be
       necessary or desirable fully to effect such elections.
 
        (e)  PRORATION.
 
            (i) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the
       aggregate number of Shares to be converted into the right to retain
       Shares at the Effective Time (the "Non-Cash Election Number") shall be
       equal to 1,034,020 (excluding for this purpose any Shares to be cancelled
       pursuant to Sections 1.6(b) or 1.6(c)).
 
            (ii) If the number of Electing Shares exceeds the Non-Cash Election
       Number, then each Electing Share shall be converted into the right to
       retain Non-Cash Election Shares or receive cash in accordance with the
       terms of Section 1.6(a) in the following manner:
 
               (A) A proration factor (the "Non-Cash Proration Factor") shall be
           determined by dividing the Non-Cash Election Number by the total
           number of Electing Shares.
 
               (B) The number of Electing Shares covered by each Non-Cash
           Election to be converted into the right to retain Non-Cash Election
           Shares shall be determined by multiplying the Non-Cash Proration
           Factor by the total number of Electing Shares covered by such Non-
           Cash Election.
 
               (C) All Electing Shares, other than those shares converted into
           the right to receive Non-Cash Election Shares in accordance with
           Section 1.6(e)(ii)(B), shall be converted into cash (on a consistent
           basis among stockholders who made the election referred to in Section
           1.6(a)(i), pro rata to the number of Shares as to which they made
           such election) as if such Shares were not Electing Shares in
           accordance with the terms of Section 1.6(a)(ii).
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
           (iii) If the number of Electing Shares is less than the Non-Cash
       Election Number, then:
 
               A. all Electing Shares shall be converted into the right to
           retain Shares in accordance with the terms of Section 1.6(a)(i);
 
               B.  additional Shares other than Electing Shares and Dissenting
           Shares shall be converted into the right to retain Non-Cash Election
           Shares in accordance with the terms of 1.6(a) in the following
           manner:
 
                   (1) a proration factor (the "Cash Proration Factor") shall be
               determined by dividing (x) the difference between the Non-Cash
               Election Number and the number of Electing Shares, by (y) the
               total number of Shares other than Electing Shares and Dissenting
               Shares; and
 
                   (2) the number of Shares in addition to Electing Shares to be
               converted into the right to retain Non-Cash Election Shares shall
               be determined by multiplying the Cash Proration Factor by the
               total number of shares other than Electing Shares and Dissenting
               Shares; and
 
               C.  subject to Section 2.1, Shares subject to clause (B) of this
           paragraph 1.6(e)(iii) shall be converted into the right to retain
           Non-Cash Election Shares in accordance with Section 1.6(a)(i) (on a
           consistent basis among shareholders who held Shares as to which they
           did not make the election referred to in Section 1.6(a)(i), pro rata
           to the number of Shares as to which they did not make such election).
 
        (f) As of the Effective Time, all the Shares (other than Shares referred
    to in Sections 1.6(a)(i), 1.6(b) and 1.6(c)) issued and outstanding
    immediately prior to the Effective Time shall no longer be outstanding and
    shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and
    each holder of a certificate representing any such Shares shall, to the
    extent such certificate represents such Shares, cease to have any rights
    with respect thereto, except the right to receive cash, upon surrender of
    such certificate in accordance with Section 2.2.
 
    Section 1.7  CONVERSION OF MERGERCO'S CAPITAL STOCK.  Each share of capital
stock of MergerCo issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall, at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on
the part of the holder thereof, be converted into and thereafter represent the
same number of Shares of the same class of capital stock of the Surviving
Corporation as described on Schedule 1.7.
 
    Section 1.8  STOCK OPTIONS.  Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each
holder of an outstanding option to purchase Shares granted under the Company's
1994 Stock Option and Restricted Share Plan (the "1994 PLAN") or other right to
acquire Shares described on Schedule 3.2(a)(1) (such options and other rights,
an "OPTION"), whether or not then exercisable, will be entitled to receive from
the Company for each Share subject to an Option an amount in cash equal to the
excess, if any, of the Cash Election Price over the per Share exercise price of
such Option, and such Option will be cancelled; provided, that, with respect to
any person subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT") who waives all rights with respect to such Options
and any Shares subject thereto other than the right to receive such amount of
cash, any such amount shall be paid as soon as practicable after the first date
payment can be made without liability to such person under Section 16(b) of the
Exchange Act. All applicable withholding taxes attributable to the payments made
hereunder or to distributions contemplated hereby shall be deducted from the
amounts payable under this Section 1.8 and all such taxes attributable to the
exercise of Options shall be withheld from the proceeds received in respect of
the Shares issuable on such exercise. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company
shall have taken such actions as are necessary in the reasonable judgment of
MergerCo to ensure that from and after the Effective Time, neither the Company
nor any of its subsidiaries is or will be bound by any Options which would
entitle any person, other than MergerCo or its affiliates, to beneficially own,
or receive any payments (other than as
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
otherwise contemplated by Section 1.6 and this Section 1.8) in respect of, any
capital stock of the Company or the Surviving Corporation.
 
    Section 1.9  STOCKHOLDERS' MEETING; PROXY STATEMENT.
 
        (a)  STOCKHOLDERS' MEETING.  The Company, acting through the Board,
    will, as promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement and in
    consultation with MergerCo, (i) duly call, give notice of, convene and hold
    a meeting of its stockholders for the purpose of considering and approving
    this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (the "Stockholders
    Meeting") and (ii)(A) include in the Proxy Statement (as defined in (b)
    below) the recommendation of the Board that the stockholders of the Company
    vote in favor of the approval of this Agreement and the transactions
    contemplated hereby and the written opinions of Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
    Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") and Smith Barney Inc. ("Smith
    Barney"), the Board's financial advisors, that the consideration to be
    received by the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Merger is fair
    to such stockholders from a financial point of view and (B) use its
    reasonable best efforts to obtain the necessary approval of this Agreement
    and the transactions contemplated hereby by its stockholders, provided,
    however, that the Board may fail to make or may withdraw or modify such
    recommendation or fail to seek such approval if a corporation, partnership,
    person or other entity or group shall have made a bona fide proposal that
    (i) the Board believes in its good faith judgment, after consultation with
    its financial advisors, is more favorable, from a financial point of view,
    to the Company's stockholders than the Merger and that such corporation,
    partnership, person or other entity or group has the financial ability to
    consummate such proposal and (ii) the Board believes in its good faith
    judgment, on the written advice of counsel, that the Board has a fiduciary
    duty to accept such proposal.
 
        (b)  PROXY STATEMENT.  Promptly following the date of this Agreement,
    the Company shall prepare a proxy statement relating to the Stockholder's
    Meeting (as amended or supplemented, the "Proxy Statement") and the Company
    shall prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
    "SEC") a registration statement on Form S-4 (as amended or supplemented, the
    "Form S-4"), in which the Proxy Statement will be included. The Company
    shall use its reasonable best efforts to have the Form S-4 declared
    effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
    Act") as promptly as practicable after such filing. The Company will use its
    reasonable best efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to the
    Company's stockholders as promptly as practicable after the Form S-4 is
    declared effective under the Securities Act. The Company shall also take any
    action required to be taken under any applicable state securities laws in
    connection with the registration and qualification of the Non-Cash Election
    Shares in connection with the Merger. The information provided by the
    Company and MergerCo for use in the Form S-4, shall, at the time the Form
    S-4 becomes effective and on the date of the Stockholders Meeting referred
    to above, be true and correct in all material respects and shall not omit to
    state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
    to make such information not misleading, and the Company and MergerCo each
    agree to correct any information provided by it for use in the Form S-4
    which shall have become false or misleading. MergerCo and the Company will
    cooperate with each other in the preparation of the Proxy Statement; without
    limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will as promptly as
    practicable notify MergerCo of the receipt of any comments from the SEC and
    any request by the SEC for any amendment to the Proxy Statement or for
    additional information. All filings with the SEC, including the Proxy
    Statement and any amendment thereto, and all mailings to the Company's
    stockholders in connection with the Merger, including the Proxy Statement,
    shall be subject to the prior review, comment and approval of MergerCo
    (which approval by MergerCo shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
    MergerCo will furnish to the Company the information relating to it required
    by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and
    the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder to be set forth in the
    Proxy Statement. The Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts,
    after consultation with the other parties hereto, to
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
    respond promptly to any comments made by the SEC with respect to the Proxy
    Statement and any preliminary version thereof filed by it and cause such
    Proxy Statement to be mailed to the Company's stockholders at the earliest
    practicable time.
 
    Section 1.10  FILING OF CERTIFICATE OF MERGER.  Upon the terms and subject
to the conditions hereof, as soon as practicable following the satisfaction or
waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VI, the Company shall execute and
file the Certificate of Merger in the manner required by the GCL, and the
parties hereto shall take all such other and further actions as may be required
by law to make the Merger effective. Prior to the filing referred to in this
Section 1.10, a closing will be held at the offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166 (or such other place as the
parties may agree) for the purpose of confirming all of the foregoing.
 
                                   ARTICLE II
                     DISSENTING SHARES; PAYMENT FOR SHARES
 
    Section 2.1  DISSENTING SHARES.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement
to the contrary, Shares which are issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time and which are held by stockholders who have complied with the
procedures for appraisal set forth in the GCL (the "DISSENTING SHARES") (i)
shall only be entitled to such rights as are granted under Section 262 of the
GCL, and (ii) shall not be converted into or be exchangeable for the right to
receive the consideration provided in Section 1.6, unless and until such holder
shall have failed to perfect or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost such
holder's right to appraisal and payment under the GCL. If such holder shall have
so failed to perfect or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost such right,
such Shares shall thereupon be deemed to have been converted into and to have
become exchangeable for, as of the Effective Time, the right to receive the
consideration provided for in Section 1.6, without any interest thereon. The
Company shall give MergerCo (i) prompt notice of any written demands for
appraisal of any Shares, attempted withdrawals of such demands, and any other
instruments served pursuant to the GCL received by the Company relating to
stockholders' rights of appraisal and (ii) the opportunity to direct all
negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands for appraisal under the
GCL. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of MergerCo,
voluntarily make any payment with respect to any demands for appraisals of
Shares of the Company, offer to settle or settle any such demands or approve any
withdrawal of any such demands.
 
    Section 2.2  PAYMENT FOR SHARES.
 
        (a) Prior to the Effective Time, MergerCo shall designate a bank or
    trust company reasonably acceptable to the Company to act as Exchange Agent
    in connection with the Merger (the "EXCHANGE AGENT"). From time to time
    after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation will provide the
    Exchange Agent with the funds necessary to make the payments contemplated by
    Section 1.6 on a timely basis.
 
        (b) Promptly after the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent shall mail to
    each record holder, as of the Effective Time, of any outstanding certificate
    or certificates which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented
    Shares (the "CERTIFICATES") a (i) notice of the effectiveness of the Merger
    and (ii) form letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall
    be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only
    upon proper delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent) and
    instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates for
    payment therefor. Upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of a Certificate,
    together with such letter of transmittal duly executed, and any other
    required documents, the holder of such Certificate shall receive in exchange
    therefor the consideration set forth in Section 1.6, and such Certificate
    shall forthwith be cancelled. No interest will be paid or accrued on any
    consideration payable upon the surrender of the Certificates. If any
    certificate for any Non-Cash Election Share is to be issued in, or if cash
    is to be remitted to, a name other than that in which the Certificate for
    Shares surrendered for exchange is
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
    registered, it shall be a condition of such exchange that the Certificate so
    surrendered shall be properly endorsed, with signature guaranteed, or
    otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person requesting such
    exchange shall pay to the Company or its transfer agent any transfer or
    other taxes required by reason of the issuance of certificates for such
    Non-Cash Election Shares in a name other than that of the registered holder
    of the Certificate surrendered, or establish to the satisfaction of the
    Company or its transfer agent that such tax has been paid or is not
    applicable. Until surrendered in accordance with the provisions of this
    Section 2.2, each Certificate (other than Certificates representing Shares
    held in the Company's treasury or by any subsidiary of the Company or by
    MergerCo or any of its affiliates and Dissenting Shares) shall represent for
    all purposes only the right to receive the consideration set forth in
    Section 1.6, without any interest thereon, subject to any required
    withholding taxes.
 
        (c) From and after the Effective Time, the holders of Certificates
    evidencing ownership of Shares outstanding immediately prior to the
    Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect to such Shares,
    except as otherwise provided for herein or by applicable law.
 
        (d) Beginning at the Effective Time there shall be no transfers of the
    Shares on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation which were
    outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective
    Time, Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation, they shall be
    cancelled and exchanged for the consideration provided in Section 1.6 in
    accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article II.
 
        (e) DISTRIBUTIONS WITH RESPECT TO UNEXCHANGED SHARES.  No dividends or
    other distributions with respect to retained Shares with a record date after
    the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered
    certificate for Shares with respect to the retained Shares represented
    thereby and no cash payment in lieu of fractional Shares shall be paid to
    any such holder pursuant to Section 2.2(h) until the surrender of such
    certificate in accordance with Article II. Subject to the effect of
    applicable laws, following surrender of any such certificate, there shall be
    paid to the holder of the certificate representing whole shares of retained
    Shares issued in connection therewith, without interest, at the time of such
    surrender or as promptly thereafter as practicable, the amount of any cash
    payable in lieu of a fractional Share to which such holder is entitled
    pursuant to Section 2.2(h) and the proportionate amount of dividends or
    other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore
    paid with respect to such whole retained Shares, and at the appropriate
    payment date, the proportionate amount of dividends or other distributions
    with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to such surrender and
    a payment date subsequent to such surrender payable with respect to such
    whole retained Shares.
 
        (f) NO FURTHER OWNERSHIP RIGHTS IN SHARES EXCHANGED FOR CASH.  All cash
    paid upon the surrender for exchange of certificates representing Shares in
    accordance with the terms of Article II (including any cash paid pursuant to
    Section 2.2(h)) shall be deemed to have been issued (and paid) in full
    satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the Shares exchanged for cash
    theretofore represented by such certificates.
 
        (g) NO FRACTIONAL SHARES.
 
            (i) No certificates or scrip representing fractional retained Shares
       shall be issued in connection with the Merger, and such fractional share
       interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of
       a stockholder of the Company after the Merger; and
 
            (ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each
       record holder of Shares exchanged pursuant to the Merger who would
       otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of a retained Share
       (after taking into account all Shares delivered by such holder) shall
       receive, in lieu thereof, a cash payment (without interest) equal to such
       fraction multiplied by the Cash Election Price.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
        (h)  TERMINATION OF EXCHANGE FUND.  Any portion of the Merger
    Consideration deposited with the Exchange Agent pursuant to this Section 2.2
    (the "Exchange Fund") which remains undistributed to the holders of the
    certificates representing Shares for six months after the Effective Time
    shall be delivered to the Surviving Corporation, upon demand, and any
    holders of Shares prior to the Merger who have not theretofore complied with
    Articles I and II shall thereafter look only to the Surviving Corporation
    and only as general creditors thereof for payment of their claim for cash,
    if any, retained Shares, if any, any cash in lieu of fractional retained
    Shares or any dividends or distributions with respect to retained Shares, as
    applicable, to which such holders may be entitled.
 
        (i)  NO LIABILITY.  Neither MergerCo, the Surviving Corporation nor the
    Exchange Agent shall be liable to any person in respect of any retained
    Shares (or dividends or distributions with respect thereto) or cash from the
    Exchange Fund delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable
    abandoned property, escheat or similar law. If any certificates representing
    Shares shall not have been surrendered prior to one year after the Effective
    Time (or immediately prior to such earlier date on which any cash, if any,
    any cash in lieu of fractional retained Shares, or any dividends or
    distributions with respect to retained Shares in respect of such certificate
    would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any governmental
    entity), any such cash, dividends or distributions in respect of such
    certificate shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, become the
    property of the Surviving Corporation, free and clear of all claims or
    interest of any person previously entitled thereto.
 
                                  ARTICLE III
                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
 
    The Company hereby represents and warrants to MergerCo as follows:
 
    Section 3.1  ORGANIZATION.  Each of the Company and the subsidiaries listed
on Schedule 3.1 is a corporation validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has requisite corporate power
and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its
business as now being conducted, and is duly qualified or licensed or in good
standing to do business in each jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased
or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such
qualification or licensing necessary, except where the failure to have such
power or authority or to be qualified or licensed and in good standing would not
constitute a Material Adverse Effect (as defined herein). The Company has no
Subsidiaries (as defined below) other than those listed on Schedule 3.1 and
except as set forth on Schedule 3.1 none of the Company or the Subsidiaries owns
or controls, directly or indirectly, any other equity interest in any
corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, firm
or other entity. The Company has heretofore made available to MergerCo accurate
and complete copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, as
currently in effect, of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries. As used
herein, the term "Subsidiaries" shall mean all corporations, partnerships, joint
ventures, LLCs or other entities in which the Company owns a 50% or larger
interest in the equity or the profits.
 
    Section 3.2  CAPITALIZATION.
 
        (a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 30,000,000
    shares of Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share, of which, as of
    March 1, 1997, 20,048,275 such shares were issued and outstanding,
    14,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $.01 per share, none of
    which are issued or outstanding, 10,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
    $1.00 per share, none of which are issued or outstanding and as of March 1,
    1997, 22,225 shares of Class A Common Stock were held in the treasury of the
    Company, and an aggregate of 798,300 shares of Class A Common Stock were
    issuable upon or otherwise deliverable in connection with the exercise of
    all outstanding Options. All of the issued and outstanding Shares have been
    validly issued, fully paid and are nonassessable and were not issued in
    violation of any preemptive rights or rights of any person to acquire such
    Shares. Since March 1, 1997, the Company has not granted, issued or agreed
    to grant,
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
    issue or reserved for issuance either (i) any Options or (ii) any shares of
    its capital stock, except pursuant to the exercise of Options already issued
    and outstanding under the 1994 Plan on such date. Except pursuant to the
    1994 Plan and the Company's Senior Executive Stock Purchase Plan or as set
    forth on Schedule 3.2(a)(1), there are no subscriptions, options, warrants,
    calls, rights, stock appreciation rights, convertible securities or other
    agreements or commitments obligating the Company to issue, repurchase,
    redeem, transfer or sell any of its capital stock.
 
        (b) All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary
    have been validly issued, fully paid and are non-assessable and were not
    issued in violation of any preemptive rights or rights of any person to
    acquire such securities. Except as disclosed in the SEC Reports (as defined
    in Section 3.5) or on Schedule 3.2(b)(1), all of the outstanding shares of
    capital stock of the Subsidiaries is owned by either the Company or another
    Subsidiary free and clear of all liens, charges, security interests, claims
    or encumbrances. Except as disclosed in the SEC Reports or on Schedule
    3.2(b)(2), there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls,
    rights, stock appreciation rights, convertible securities or other
    agreements or commitments relating to the issued or unissued capital stock
    or other securities of any of the Subsidiaries, or otherwise obligating the
    Company or any such Subsidiary to issue, transfer or sell any such capital
    stock of any such Subsidiary.
 
        (c) Except for the Voting Agreement, there are no voting trusts or other
    agreements or understandings to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries
    is a party or is bound with respect to the voting of the capital stock of
    the Company or the Subsidiaries.
 
    Section 3.3  AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT.  The Company has the
requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the Board so as to render
inapplicable hereto and thereto the limitation on business combinations
contained in Section 203 of the GCL (or any similar provision). The Board of
Directors of the Company has approved the Voting Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby so as to render inapplicable thereto the limitations on
business combinations contained in Section 203 of the GCL (or any similar
provision). No other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are
necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions so
contemplated (other than, with respect to the Merger, the approval and adoption
of this Agreement by a majority of the outstanding Shares in accordance with the
GCL). This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the
Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by
MergerCo, constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms, except that such
enforceability (i) may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other
similar laws affecting or relating to enforcement of creditors' rights generally
and (ii) is subject to general principles of equity.
 
    Section 3.4  CONSENTS AND APPROVALS; NO VIOLATIONS.
 
        (a) Except for applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, the
    Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR
    ACT"), certain state securities or takeover statutes, and the filing and
    recordation of the Certificate of Merger, as required by the GCL, no filing
    with, and no permit, authorization, consent or approval of any governmental
    body or authority is necessary for the consummation by the Company of the
    transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Voting Agreement.
 
        (b) Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.4 and subject to the approval by
    the holders of the majority of Shares, the execution and delivery of this
    Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the
    transactions contemplated hereby and compliance by the Company with any of
    the provisions hereof will not (i) conflict with or result in any breach of
    any provision of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company
    or the equivalent organizational documents of any of the Subsidiaries, (ii)
    result in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without due
    notice
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
    or lapse of time or both) a default or give rise to any right of
    termination, cancellation, material modification or acceleration under, any
    of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage,
    indenture, license, contract, lease, agreement or other instrument or
    obligation to which the Company or the Subsidiaries is a party or by which
    any of them or any of their properties or assets may be bound, except for
    such violations, conflicts and breaches that would not individually or in
    the aggregate constitute a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) assuming that
    the filings referred to in the first sentence of Section 3.4(a) are duly and
    timely made, violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, treaty,
    rule or regulation applicable to the Company, the Subsidiaries or any of
    their properties or assets, except for such violations that would not
    individually or in the aggregate constitute a Material Adverse Effect.
 
    Section 3.5  REPORTS.  The Company has filed all required forms, reports,
statements, schedules, and documents with the SEC (collectively, the "SEC
REPORTS," which term, as used herein, shall include the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 (the "1996 10-K") in the form
previously delivered to MergerCo and to be filed contemporaneous with the
parties' execution of this Agreement), all of which (as they may have been
amended prior to the date hereof) were prepared in accordance with the
applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. The SEC
Reports, at the time filed (other than registration statements under the
Securities Act, in which case at the respective effective date) complied in all
material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations promulgated
under each of those Acts. None of the SEC Reports, including without limitation
any financial statements or schedules included therein (as they may have been
amended prior to the date hereof), as of their respective filing dates (or, in
the case of registration statements, at the time of effectiveness), contained
any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. None of the Subsidiaries is required to file any reports,
statements, forms or other documents with the SEC. Each of the audited and
unaudited consolidated financial statements (including the related notes)
included in the SEC Reports has been prepared in accordance with the published
rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto and generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods
involved and each fairly presents in all material respects the consolidated
financial position of the Company as of the respective dates thereof, and the
consolidated results of its operations and changes in financial position for the
periods indicated, as the case may be, except, in the case of interim financial
statements, for normal year-end audit adjustments. Since December 31, 1997
through the date of this Agreement, no event or development has occurred that
would require the Company to file any report or amendment with the SEC pursuant
to the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
    Section 3.6  ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES; NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.  Except
as set forth in the 1996 10-K or in any Schedule attached hereto, since the date
of the audited financial statements of the Company included in the 1996 10-K
(the "Report Date"), except in connection with this transaction, the Company and
the Subsidiaries have conducted their business in the ordinary course and have
not (i) except for any Non-Material Ultravent Event (as defined on Schedule
3.6(b)), suffered any change, condition, event or occurrence which, individually
or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to constitute a Material
Adverse Effect, (ii) entered into or modified any material transaction, other
than according to the ordinary and usual course of such businesses, (iii) made
any material change in the Company's accounting principles or (iv) taken any
action which, if taken after the date hereof, would have required the consent of
MergerCo pursuant to Section 5.1. Except (i) for liabilities or obligations
incurred in the ordinary course of business, (ii) liabilities or obligations
incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
(iii) as disclosed in the SEC Reports, as set forth in Schedule 3.6(a) or for
any Non-Material Ultravent Event, since the Report Date, the Company and its
Subsidiaries have not incurred any liabilities or obligations (whether absolute,
accrued, contingent or otherwise) that would constitute a Material Adverse
Affect and that would be required to be reflected in or reserved against a
consolidated
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
balance sheet of the Company prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. Except for (i) those liens disclosed on Schedule 3.6(c),
(ii) liens secured by indebtedness described in the SEC Reports, (iii)
mechanics' liens and liens arising out of the revenue and development bonds
disclosed in Schedule 3.17, (iv) liens imposed for real estate taxes and
assessments currently due and payable, (v) machinery equipment, vehicles and
other personalty leased in the ordinary course of the Company and its
Subsidiaries business, and (vi) liens arising out of the matters disclosed in
Schedule 3.9 or Schedule 3.12, there are no liens filed against the equipment,
machinery, personality, or real property of the Company or its Subsidiaries,
except liens securing indebtedness which in the aggregate is not in excess of $1
million.
 
    Section 3.7  PROXY STATEMENT.  None of the information supplied by the
Company for inclusion in (i) the Form S-4 will, at the time the Form S-4 is
filed with the SEC, or at any time it is amended or supplemented or at the time
it becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (ii) the Proxy
Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to the Company's stockholders or
at the time of the Stockholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Form S-4 will, as
of its effective date, and the prospectus contained therein will, as of its
date, comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the
Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and the
Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all material respects with the
requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, except that no representation is made by the Company with respect to
statements made or incorporated by reference in the Form S-4 (or such
prospectus) or the Proxy Statement based on information supplied in writing by
MergerCo specifically for inclusion in the Form S-4 (or such prospectus) or the
Proxy Statement. For purposes of this Agreement, the parties agree that
statements made and information in the Form S-4 (or such prospectus) and the
Proxy Statement relating to the Federal income tax consequences of the
transactions herein contemplated to holders of Shares shall be deemed to be
supplied by the Company and not by MergerCo.
 
    Section 3.8  NO DEFAULT.  As of the date hereof, except as disclosed on
Schedules 3.8, 3.9 and 3.12, neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries are in
default or violation (and no event has occurred which with notice or the lapse
of time or both would constitute a default or violation) of any term, condition
or provision of (i) its Certificate of Incorporation or its By-Laws, (ii) any
note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license, agreement or other instrument or
obligation to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is now a party or by
which they or any of their properties or assets may be bound except for any such
defaults or violations which could not be reasonably expected to constitute,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) any order,
writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company
or the Subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets, in each case except
for any default or violation which could not be reasonably expected to
constitute, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
 
    Section 3.9  LITIGATION.  Except as disclosed in the SEC Reports or on
Schedule 3.9 or 3.12 there is no action, suit, arbitration, claim, proceeding or
governmental investigation, pending nor, to the knowledge of the Company, has
the Company received any notice or threat of any action, suit, arbitration,
claim, proceeding or governmental investigation involving the Company or the
Subsidiaries before any court or other governmental or regulatory body which, in
the aggregate, if adversely determined, is reasonably expected to constitute a
Material Adverse Effect or have a material adverse effect on the ability of the
Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
 
    Section 3.10  CERTAIN AGREEMENTS.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.10 or
in the SEC Reports, neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries are a party to or
bound by any contract, agreement or arrangement regarding the employment,
services, consulting, termination or severance from employment
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
of any director, officer or employee of the Company or Subsidiaries that
provides for payments in excess of $100,000.
 
    Section 3.11  TAXES.  For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "taxes"
shall mean all taxes (including without limitation, leasing, franchise, excise,
income, gross receipts, sales, use, occupational, tangible and intangible
personal property, real property and stamp taxes and taxes imposed under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), payments in lieu of
taxes, levies, imposts, duties, assessments, fees (including, without
limitation, license, documentation, recording and registration fees), charges
and withholdings of any nature whatsoever, together with any penalties, fines,
additions to tax or interest thereon, howsoever due and owing to any federal,
state, county, local or foreign government or to any governmental agency,
subdivision or taxing authority of any of the foregoing by the Company, any of
its Subsidiaries or (for any taxable year with respect to which tax liability
could be imposed on the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1502-6) each consolidated, combined or affiliated group of
which the Company or any Subsidiary is or has been a member. Except as disclosed
in the SEC Reports or on Schedule 3.11, the Company, each Subsidiary and each
consolidated, combined or affiliated group of which the Company or any
Subsidiary is or has been a member for any taxable year for which tax liability
could be imposed on the Company or any Subsidiary (a) have filed all federal,
state, foreign and local tax returns in respect of income or similar taxes
required to be filed for tax years ended prior to the date of this Agreement and
in respect of which such filings have become due, except for those tax returns
the failure of which to file would not constitute a Material Adverse Effect or
for which requests for extensions have been filed, and all such returns are
complete and correct in all material respects, (b) have paid or accrued all
taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns, (c) have accrued all such
taxes for such periods subsequent to the periods covered by such returns and (d)
have "open" years for federal income tax returns only as set forth in the SEC
Reports or as disclosed on Schedule 3.11. There are no liens for taxes on the
assets of the Company or Subsidiaries, except for liens that would not
constitute a Material Adverse Effect, and there is no pending tax audit,
examination, refund, litigation or adjustment in controversy which, if
determined adversely, would constitute a Material Adverse Effect. Except as
disclosed in the SEC Reports or on Schedule 3.11, neither the Company nor the
Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement providing for the allocation or sharing
of taxes.
 
    Section 3.12  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.  Except as disclosed in the SEC Reports
or on Schedule 3.12, the properties, assets and operations of the Company and
the Subsidiaries are in compliance with applicable federal, state and local
laws, rules, regulations, orders, decrees, judgments, permits, licenses and
other requirements relating to the protection of human health or the natural
environment and activities or conditions related thereto, including those
relating to the generation, handling, disposal, transportation, release,
threatened release or remediation of Hazardous Materials (collectively, the
"ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS"), other than any such failures to be in compliance which
are not, in the aggregate, reasonably expected to constitute a Material Adverse
Effect. With respect to such properties, assets and operations, to the knowledge
of the Company and except as disclosed in the SEC Reports or on Schedule 3.12,
there are no past, present or reasonably anticipated future events, conditions,
circumstances, activities, practices, incidents, actions or plans of the Company
or the Subsidiaries that are reasonably expected to interfere with or prevent
compliance in all material respects with applicable Environmental Laws, other
than any such interference or prevention as would not constitute a Material
Adverse Effect. The Company has not received any notice of actions under the
Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Waste Act of 1986 (California Health and Safety
Code 25249.7 et seq.). "Hazardous Material" means any substance: (i) the
presence of which requires investigation or remediation under any federal, state
or local statute, regulation, ordinance, order, action policy, or common law; or
(ii) which is or becomes defined as a "hazardous waste," "hazardous substance,"
pollutant, or contaminant under any federal, state, or local statute,
regulation, rule, or ordinance or amendments thereto including, without
limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq.) and/or the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq.) or
their state equivalents.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
    Section 3.13  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT MATTERS.  (a) All employee benefit plans
covering current or former employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries or with
respect to which the Company or any Subsidiary has liability (excluding
multiemployer plans as defined in Section 4001 of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")) are listed in Schedule 3.13, except
such benefit plans which are not material (the "BENEFIT PLANS"). True and
complete copies of the Benefit Plans and material related documents have been
made available to MergerCo. To the extent applicable, the Benefit Plans comply
in all material respects with the requirements of applicable law including,
without limitation, ERISA and the Code, and any Benefit Plan intended to be
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable
determination from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or the Company
reasonably believes such Benefit Plan is so qualified and such Benefit Plan has
been submitted to the IRS for determination of its qualified status. There has
been no application for waiver or waiver of the minimum funding standards
imposed by Section 412 of the Code and no "accumulated funding deficiency"
within the meaning of Section 412(a) of the Code exists with respect to any
Benefit Plan. Neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries has incurred any
liability or penalty (i) under Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA
with respect to any Benefit Plan, or (ii) to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation (the "PBGC") (except for PBGC premiums). Each Benefit Plan has been
maintained and administered in all material respects in compliance with its
terms and with applicable law including, without limitation, ERISA and the Code
to the extent applicable thereto. To the knowledge of the Company, there are no
pending, nor has the Company or any of the Subsidiaries received notice of any
threatened, material claims (other than routine claims for benefits) against or
otherwise involving any of the Benefit Plans. All material contributions
required to be made as of the date of this Agreement to the Benefit Plans and to
any multiemployer plans to which the Company or any Subsidiary is required to
contribute have been made or provided for.
 
    (b) Except as provided in Schedule 3.13, no Benefit Plan provides for
post-employment health, life insurance, or other welfare benefit coverage, other
than as may be required under "COBRA" pursuant to Part VI of Title I of ERISA.
Except for any multiemployer plans and plans maintained pursuant to collective
bargaining agreements, each Benefit Plan can be amended or terminated at any
time without approval from any Person (other than the Board of Directors of the
plan sponsor or the plan administrator), without advance notice (other than for
defined benefit pension plans), and without any liability other than for
benefits accrued prior to such amendment or termination. Except as disclosed in
Schedule 3.13, with respect to each Benefit Plan and any other similar
arrangement or plan either currently or previously terminated, maintained, or
contributed to by any entity which either is currently or was previously under
common control with the Company as determined under Code Section 414 or ERISA
Section 4001(a)(14), no event has occurred and no condition exists that after
the Effective Time could subject MergerCo, directly or indirectly, to any
liability (including liability under any indemnification agreement) under
Section 412, 413, 4971, 4975, or 4980B of the Code or Section 302, 502, 515,
601, 606, or Title IV of ERISA. No agreement, commitment, or obligation exists
to increase any benefits under any Benefit Plan or to adopt any new Benefit
Plan. No Benefit Plan has any unfunded accrued benefits that are not fully
reflected in the Financial Statements to the extent required by GAAP. With
respect to the benefit plans which are multiemployer plans (as defined in ERISA
Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) or Code Section 413, and listed on Schedule 3.13),
in which current or former employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries have
participated: (i) during the last six years neither Company nor any Subsidiary
has incurred any complete or partial withdrawal, withdrawal liability, or any
other obligation or liability under Title IV of ERISA (including ERISA Section
4212(c)) or ERISA Section 515; (ii) Company will provide to MergerCo a
contribution history report for the last six years and a copy of any documents
and correspondence received by the Company or any Subsidiary from any such
multi-employer plan that relates to withdrawal liability, if any, from each such
plan; (iii) to the best of the Company's and each Subsidiary's knowledge, no
such plan is in reorganization status, is insolvent, has terminated, or suffered
a mass withdrawal and (iv) neither the Company nor any Subsidiaries participate
in any multiemployer plan other than those
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
listed in Schedule 3.13. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiaries contribute to
or maintain any multiple-employer plan within the meaning of Section 413 of the
Code.
 
    Section 3.14  BROKERS.  No broker, finder or investment banker (other than
Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney) is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other
fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement based upon arrangements made by and on behalf of the Company. The
Company has heretofore furnished to MergerCo a complete and correct copy of all
agreements between the Company and/or any of the Subsidiaries and Merrill Lynch
and Smith Barney pursuant to which either of them will be entitled to any
payment relating to the transactions contemplated hereby. The aggregate fees
payable under such agreements will not exceed $10 million.
 
    Section 3.15  LABOR RELATIONS.
 
        (a) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.15(a), there are: (i) no
    collective bargaining agreements or other labor agreements to which the
    Company or its Subsidiaries are a party or by which they are bound; (ii) no
    pending or threatened question concerning representation regarding any
    employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries; (iii) no pending, scheduled,
    or requested discussions or negotiations regarding the establishment,
    modification, or extension of any collective bargaining agreement. Except as
    set forth in Schedule 3.15(b), no strikes, work stoppages, work slowdowns,
    sick-outs, lock-outs, or, to the knowledge of the Company or its
    Subsidiaries, threats of any of the foregoing, have occurred with respect to
    any employees or independent contractors of the Company or its Subsidiaries
    during the year immediately preceding the date of this Agreement. Except as
    set forth on Schedules 3.9 and 3.12, the Company and its Subsidiaries have
    complied in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, and
    regulations relating to the employment of labor, including those related to
    wages, hours, immigration, health, safety, discrimination, benefits,
    collective bargaining, and the payment and withholding of taxes and other
    sums as required by appropriate governmental authorities; have withheld and
    paid to the appropriate governmental authorities or is holding for payment
    not yet due to such authorities all amounts required to be withheld from
    their employees; and are not liable for any material arrears of wages,
    taxes, penalties, or other sums for failure to comply with any of the
    foregoing. All reasonably anticipated material obligations of the Company
    and its Subsidiaries with respect to salaries, vacation and holiday pay,
    sick pay, bonuses, and other forms of compensation and benefits payable to
    or with respect to current and former employees of the Company and its
    Subsidiaries have been paid or adequate accruals therefor have been made in
    the ordinary course of business in the financial statements of the Company
    and its Subsidiaries.
 
    Section 3.16  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.  Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.16,
the Company or a Subsidiary owns or possesses adequate rights to use all
patents, trademarks, trade names, inventions, processes, designs, formulas,
know-how and other intellectual property rights necessary for the conduct of the
business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as presently conducted. Except as
set forth in Schedule 3.16, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received any written notice, nor has any claim been made in writing in the past
year, that any intellectual property owned or used by the Company or a
Subsidiary is invalid or ineffective, that its use infringes in any material way
on similar rights owned or alleged to be owned by others or that any of such
intellectual property is being infringed by others in any material way.
 
    Section 3.17  REAL PROPERTY.
 
        (a) Set forth on Schedule 3.17 is a complete list of all material real
    property (the "Owned Property") owned by the Company or a Subsidiary, or in
    which the Company or a Subsidiary has legal, beneficial or equitable title
    together with the principal use(s) for which each such Owned Property is
    used. Set forth on Schedule 3.17 is a complete list of all material real
    property (the "Leased Property" and, sometimes referred to collectively with
    the Owned Property as the "Real Property") with respect to which the Company
    or any Subsidiaries is lessee, sublessee, licensee or other occupant or
    user, together with a list of each lease, sublease, license or other
    agreement or understanding, oral or
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
    written, pursuant to which any party other than the Company or a Subsidiary
    occupies or uses such Leased Property together with the principal use(s) for
    which each Leased Property is used.
 
        (b) With respect to the Real Property Leases, the Company has not
    received written notice of any material breach or event of default on its
    part and is not aware of any material breach or default on the part of any
    other party thereto. All material Real Property Leases are in full force and
    effect and are valid and enforceable against the parties thereto in
    accordance with their terms. No material rental or other payments are
    delinquent under any of the Real Property Leases. The Merger does not
    require the consent of any party to, and will not constitute an event of
    default under or permit any party to terminate or change the existing terms
    of, any material Real Property Lease.
 
        (c) The Company and, as applicable, each Subsidiary, has good and
    marketable title in fee simple to the Owned Property, good leasehold title
    to the Leased Property, and good and marketable title to all plants,
    buildings, fixtures and improvements located on the Real Property, in each
    case free and clear of any mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, security
    interests, judgments, options, rights, claims, charges, encroachments,
    easements, rights-of-way, squatters' rights, encumbrances, covenants,
    conditions, restrictions and other imperfections of title which individually
    or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
    Effect (collectively, "Impairments"), except for those Impairments that are
    set forth in Schedule 3.17.
 
    Section 3.18  OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR.  The Company has received the
written opinions of Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney dated the date of this
Agreement, to the effect that the consideration to be received in the Merger by
the Company's stockholders is fair to the holders of the Shares from a financial
point of view.
 
    Section 3.19  BOARD RECOMMENDATION.  The Board and the non-management
members of the Board at a Board meeting duly called and held, have each
unanimously (i) determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, including the Merger, and the Voting Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, taken together, are fair to and in the best interests of
the stockholders of the Company, and (ii) resolved to recommend that the holders
of the Shares approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein,
including the Merger.
 
                                   ARTICLE IV
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                                  OF MERGERCO
 
    MergerCo hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
 
    Section 4.1  ORGANIZATION.  MergerCo is a corporation validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has all
requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties
and to carry on its business as now being conducted, and is duly qualified or
licensed or in good standing to do business in each jurisdiction in which the
property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted
by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except where the failure
to have such power or authority or to be qualified or licensed and in good
standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect on MergerCo. MergerCo was formed on March 19, 1997 solely for the purpose
of engaging in the transactions contemplated hereby, has engaged in no other
business activities and has conducted its operations only as contemplated
hereby. MergerCo has no direct or indirect subsidiaries. MergerCo has delivered
to the Company complete and correct copies of its certificate of incorporation
and by-laws, which certificate of incorporation and by-laws shall not be amended
prior to the Effective Time except in accordance with Schedule 1.7 without the
prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) of the Company.
 
    Section 4.2  AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT.  MergerCo has full
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the
Board of Directors of MergerCo and its shareholders as required by the GCL, and
no other corporate proceedings on the part of MergerCo are necessary to
authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions so contemplated. This
Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by MergerCo and,
assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Company,
constitutes a valid and binding agreement of MergerCo, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability (i) may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws affecting or relating
to enforcement of creditors' rights generally and (ii) is subject to general
principles of equity.
 
    Section 4.3  CONSENTS AND APPROVALS; NO VIOLATIONS.
 
        (a) Except for applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, the HSR Act,
    certain state securities or takeover statutes, and the filing and
    recordation of the Certificate of Merger as required by the GCL, no filing
    with, and no permit, authorization, consent or approval of any governmental
    body or authority is necessary for the consummation by MergerCo of the
    transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
 
        (b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by MergerCo and the
    consummation by MergerCo of the transactions contemplated hereby and
    compliance by MergerCo with any of the provisions hereof will not (i)
    conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of the Certificate of
    Incorporation or By-Laws of MergerCo, (ii) result in a violation or breach
    of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a
    default or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, material
    modification or acceleration under, any of the terms, conditions or
    provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license, contract,
    agreement or other instrument or obligation to which MergerCo is a party or
    by which MergerCo or any of its properties or assets may be bound, except
    for such violations, conflicts and breaches that would not individually or
    in the aggregate constitute a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) assuming that
    the filings referred to in the first sentence of this Section 4.3 are duly
    and timely made, violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule
    or regulation applicable to MergerCo or any of its properties or assets,
    except for such violations that would not individually or in the aggregate
    constitute a Material Adverse Effect.
 
    Section 4.4  PROXY STATEMENT.  None of the information supplied in writing
by MergerCo specifically for inclusion in (i) the Form S-4 will, at the time the
Form S-4 is filed with the SEC, and at any time it is amended or supplemented or
at the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and
(ii) the Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to the Company's
stockholders and the time of the Stockholders Meeting, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, MergerCo makes no representation or warranty with respect to any
information supplied by the Company or any of its representatives which is
contained in or incorporated by reference in any of the foregoing documents.
 
    Section 4.5  BROKERS.  No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to
any brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or
on behalf of MergerCo.
 
    Section 4.6  FUNDS AVAILABLE.  MergerCo will have available to it, or will
cause to be available to the Company, as of the Effective Time immediately
available funds necessary to consummate the Merger and the transactions
contemplated thereby (including, without limitation, the refinancing of the
Company's existing credit facility and asset securitization program) and to pay
all related fees and expenses (and the availability of such funds is not subject
to any condition).
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE V
                                   COVENANTS
 
    Section 5.1  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY.  Except as expressly
contemplated by this Agreement, during the period from the date of this
Agreement to the Effective Time, the Company will, and will cause each of the
Subsidiaries to, conduct its operations according to its ordinary and usual
course of business and consistent with past practices, and the Company will, and
will cause each of the Subsidiaries to, use their respective reasonable best
efforts, consistent with prudent business judgment, to preserve intact its
business organization, to keep available the services of its officers and
employees and to maintain satisfactory relationships with licensors, suppliers,
contractors, distributors, customers and others having business relationships
with it; provided that any action or inaction by the Company (i) in respect of
the Ultravent Product (as defined on Schedule 3.6(b)) that does not result in,
or result in the reasonable expectation of, an Ultravent Material Obligation (as
defined on Schedule 5.1) or (ii) in respect of entering into any collective
bargaining agreement at the applicable facility that would not result in, or
result in the reasonable expectation of, a Material Labor Event (as defined on
Schedule 8.10(b)) shall not constitute a breach of this Section 5.1. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, and except as otherwise expressly
contemplated by this Agreement, prior to the Effective Time, the Company will
not, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries not to, without the prior written
consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) of MergerCo:
 
        (a) amend their respective Certificates of Incorporation or By-Laws;
 
        (b) issue, sell, encumber or deliver or agree or commit to issue, sell,
    encumber or deliver any shares of capital stock, or issue any securities
    convertible into, exchangeable for or representing a right to purchase or
    receive, or enter into any contract or arrangement with respect to the
    issuance of, shares of capital stock, except in the ordinary course of
    business under current employee benefit plans and as required by employee
    stock option agreements in effect on the date hereof and other than Shares
    issuable upon exercise of Options;
 
        (c) split, combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock;
    declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in
    cash, stock or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its
    capital stock or to any affiliate of a stockholder; or redeem or otherwise
    acquire any of its securities or any securities of the Subsidiaries;
 
        (d) (i) incur or assume any long-term debt, excluding the amount
    attributable to operating leases, or, (ii) except in the ordinary course of
    business or (up to an aggregate of $20 million) to finance any acquisition,
    make any permitted borrowing under the Company's existing revolving credit
    facility;
 
        (e) enter into, amend any existing, or adopt any new bonus, pension,
    change of control, deferred compensation, health, plant closing, profit
    sharing, severance or other employee benefit agreements that materially
    increase or benefit any director or officer or (except, in the ordinary
    course of business, for increases consistent with past practice and which,
    in the aggregate, do not result in a material increase in benefits or
    compensation expense to the Company) any employee, or materially increase
    the compensation or fringe benefits of any director, officer or (except for
    normal increases in the ordinary course of business that are consistent with
    past practices and that, in the aggregate, do not result in a material
    increase in benefits or compensation expense to the Company) employee, pay
    benefits not required by existing plans or arrangements, forgive, extend,
    modify, or guarantee any existing loans to any officer, director or employee
    or enter into any new loans or loan guarantees to or for any officer,
    director or employee or enter into any contract, agreement, commitment or
    arrangement to do any of the foregoing;
 
        (f) except for capital expenditures contemplated by clause (g) below,
    acquire (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise), sell (whether by
    merger, consolidation or otherwise), lease,
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
    encumber, transfer or dispose of in excess of $1 million of assets except in
    the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that this paragraph
    shall in no way limit or restrict the Company from the sale of its accounts
    receivable pursuant to its asset securitization program or from making any
    acquisition of assets or a business for not more than $20 million;
 
        (g) authorize or make or commit to make any individual capital
    expenditure in excess of $1.0 million, excluding the amount of capital
    expenditure; included in the fiscal 1997 budget of the Company and its
    Subsidiaries which has been delivered to MergerCo;
 
        (h) make any material tax elections or settle or compromise any material
    federal, state or local income tax liability, or waive or extend the statute
    of limitations in respect of any such taxes;
 
        (i) (i) materially modify, amend or terminate any material contract or
    agreement to which it is a party or waive, release or assign any material
    rights or claims thereunder, (ii) settle any suit or claim of liability
    against the Company which is reasonably likely to materially negatively
    impact the Company's position with respect to any similar pending or
    threatened material suit or claim, or (iii) pay or agree to pay in
    settlement or compromise of any suits or claims of liability against the
    Company, net of insurance recoveries, more than $1 million for any such suit
    or claim or more than an aggregate of $5 million for all such suits and
    claims;
 
        (j) except as may be required as a result of a change in law or in
    generally accepted accounting principles, change any of the accounting
    principles, methods or practices used by it;
 
        (k) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution,
    consolidation, restructuring, (except as contemplated by this Agreement)
    recapitalization, reorganization or (except with respect to MergerCo)
    merger;
 
        (l) enter into any collective bargaining agreement that would result in
    a Material Labor Event (as defined on Schedule 8.10(b)); and
 
        (m) take, or agree in writing or otherwise to take, any of the foregoing
    actions or take or fail to take any action which would make any
    representation or warranty of the Company contained in this Agreement untrue
    or incorrect as of the date when made or as if made as of the Effective Time
    (other than representations and warranties which address matters only as of
    a certain date(s), in which case untrue or incorrect as of such certain
    date(s)).
 
    Section 5.2  NO SOLICITATION.  The Company may, directly or indirectly,
furnish information and access, in each case only in response to unsolicited
requests therefor, to the same extent permitted by Section 5.3 hereof, to any
corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group pursuant to
appropriate confidentiality agreements, and may participate in discussions and
negotiate with such entity or group concerning any merger, sale of assets, sale
of shares of capital stock or similar transaction involving the Company or any
Subsidiary or division of the Company, if the Board by a majority vote
determines in its good faith judgment (i) after consultation with its financial
advisors, that such corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group
has the financial ability to consummate such proposal and that such proposal is
superior to the Merger and (ii) on the advice of counsel, that the Board has a
fiduciary duty to take such action. In addition, the Company shall direct its
officers and other appropriate personnel to cooperate with and be reasonably
available to consult with any such entity or group. Except as set forth above
the Company, shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, participate in or
initiate discussions or negotiations with, or provide any information to, any
corporation, partnership, persons or other entity or group (other than MergerCo
or any of its affiliates or associates) concerning any merger, sale of assets,
sale of shares of capital stock or similar transaction involving the Company or
any Subsidiary or division of the Company; provided that nothing herein shall
prevent the Board from taking and disclosing to the Company's stockholders a
position contemplated by Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange
Act with regard to any tender offer. The Company will notify MergerCo promptly
if any discussions or negotiations are sought to be initiated, any inquiry or
proposal is made, or any such
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
information is requested in respect of any such transaction and will promptly
communicate to MergerCo the terms of any material proposal, discussion,
negotiation or inquiry which it may receive in respect of any such transaction
and the identity of the offeror or potential offeror unless such notice or
disclosure could be deemed to cause the members of the Board to breach their
fiduciary duties under applicable law.
 
    Section 5.3  ACCESS TO INFORMATION.  From the date of this Agreement to the
Effective Time, upon reasonable notice, the Company will, and will cause each of
the Subsidiaries to cause its and such officers, directors, employees and
auditors and agents to (i) give MergerCo and its accountants, counsel and other
authorized representatives, reasonable access during normal business hours to
the plants, offices, warehouses and other facilities and to the books and
records of it and the Subsidiaries, (ii) permit MergerCo and its authorized
representatives to make such reasonable inspections as they may require and
(iii) furnish to MergerCo and its authorized representatives such financial and
operating data and other information with respect to the business and properties
of the Company and the Subsidiaries as MergerCo may from time to time reasonably
request. No investigation pursuant to this Section 5.3 shall affect any
representations or warranties of the parties herein or the conditions to the
obligations of the parties hereto. The Company agrees to keep MergerCo informed
as to any agreement by the Company with the Union on any collectively bargained
term or condition of employment relating to wages, benefits, hours of work,
seniority, job progression or bumping rights, work rules, management rights or
subcontracting.
 
    Section 5.4  COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE BEST EFFORTS.  (a) Subject to the terms
and conditions herein provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use its
commercially reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action,
and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under
applicable laws and regulations or otherwise to consummate and effect the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Voting Agreement, including
but not limited to (i) cooperation in the preparation and filing of the Form
S-4, the Proxy Statement, any required filings under the HSR Act and any
amendments to any thereof, (ii) determining whether any filings are required to
be made or consents, approvals, waivers, licenses, permits or authorizations are
required to be obtained (or, which if not obtained, would result in an event of
default, termination or acceleration of any agreement or any put right under any
agreement) under any applicable law or regulation or from any governmental
entities or third parties, including parties to loan agreements or other debt
instruments, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including the Merger and the Voting Agreement, including the transactions
contemplated thereby, and (iii) promptly making any such filings, furnishing
information required in connection therewith and timely seeking to obtain any
such consents, approvals, permits or authorizations. In case at any time after
the Effective Time any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the
purposes of this Agreement, the proper officers and directors of each party to
this Agreement shall take all such necessary or desirable action.
 
    (b) The Company agrees to provide, and will cause its Subsidiaries and its
and their respective officers, employees and advisers to provide, commercially
reasonable cooperation in connection with (i) the arrangement of any financing
to be consummated contemporaneous with or at or after the Effective Time in
respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including without
limitation, participation in meetings, due diligence sessions, road shows, the
preparation of offering memoranda, private placement memoranda, prospectuses and
similar documents, the execution and delivery of any commitment letters,
underwriting or placement agreements, pledge and security documents, other
definitive financing documents, or other requested certificates or documents,
including a customary certificate of the chief financial officer of the Company
with respect to solvency matters, comfort letters of accountants, legal opinions
and real estate title documentation as may be reasonably requested by MergerCo;
provided that any agreements or other documents to be entered into, provided or
otherwise used in connection with any such financing shall be in form and
substance customary for companies such as the Company. The parties acknowledge
that the payment of any fees by the Company in connection with any commitment
letters shall be subject to the occurrence of the Effective Time and shall not
be obligations of the Company's directors or officers. In addition, in
conjunction with the obtaining of any such financing, the
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
Company agrees, at the request of MergerCo, to call for prepayment or
redemption, or to prepay, redeem and/or renegotiate, as the case may be, any
then existing indebtedness of the Company; provided that no such prepayment or
redemption shall themselves actually be made until contemporaneously with or
after the Effective Time.
 
    (c) The Company and MergerCo shall each use its commercially reasonable
efforts to cause the Merger to be recorded as a recapitalization for financial
reporting purposes. Prior to the filing of the S-4 with the SEC, neither
MergerCo nor its advisors, counsel, officers, directors, affiliates or
accountants may initiate discussions relating to the S-4, the Proxy Statement,
the Merger or the method of recording the Merger for financial reporting
purposes with the SEC staff without the prior written consent of the Company
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). After the filing of the S-4
with the SEC, MergerCo may initiate discussions relating to the method of
recording the Merger for financial reporting purposes with the SEC staff upon
reasonable notice to the Company. During either such pre-filing or post-filing
period, the Company and MergerCo shall cooperate with each other in preparing
any presentation to the SEC with regard to such recording and shall each be
entitled (with their respective advisors, counsel and/or accountants) to attend
any meeting with, participate in any telephone conferences with, and review and
comment on any materials to be submitted to, the SEC relating to such recording.
In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company shall provide to MergerCo for the
prior review of MergerCo's advisors any description of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement which is meant to be disseminated.
 
    (d) Each of the parties agrees to cooperate with each other in taking, or
causing to be taken, all actions necessary to delist the Shares from the New
York Stock Exchange, provided that such delisting shall not be effective until
after the Effective Time. The parties also acknowledge that it is MergerCo's
intent that the Shares following the Merger will not be quoted on the New York
Stock Exchange or listed on any national securities exchange.
 
    Section 5.5  CONSENTS.  MergerCo and the Company each will use its
commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain consents of all third parties and
governmental authorities deemed necessary, proper or advisable for the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including,
without limitation, the transfer of any governmental licenses, permits or
authorizations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be required
to commit to a divestiture transaction that is to be consummated prior to the
Effective Time.
 
    Section 5.6  PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.  Prior to the Effective Time, no party to
this Agreement shall issue or seek the publication of any press release or other
public announcement with respect to the Merger or other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Voting Agreement without the consent of
all other parties, except as agreed by the parties or where such release or
announcement is required by law or any listing agreement with a national
securities exchange to which MergerCo or the Company is a party (each a
"PERMITTED ANNOUNCEMENT"); provided that, prior to making any Permitted
Announcement, such party will seek advice of counsel as to the need for such
Permitted Announcement and will utilize its commercially reasonable best efforts
to give the other parties notice thereof and to consult with the other parties
regarding the timing and terms thereof.
 
    Section 5.7  INDEMNIFICATION; DIRECTORS' AND OFFICERS' INSURANCE.
 
        (a) MergerCo agree that all rights to indemnification now existing in
    favor of the directors, officers, employees and agents of the Company and
    the Subsidiaries as provided in their respective certificates of
    incorporation or by-laws or contract or otherwise as in effect on the date
    hereof with respect to matters occurring prior to the Effective Time shall
    survive the Merger and shall continue in full force and effect for a period
    of not less than six years from the Effective Time (or, in the case of
    matters occurring prior to the Effective Time as to which on or prior to
    such sixth anniversary a claim, suit, action, proceeding or investigation
    has been brought or threatened and has not been resolved prior to the sixth
    anniversary of the Effective Time, until such matters are finally resolved).
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
        (b) The Surviving Corporation shall advance expenses to each present and
    former director, officer, employee and agent of the Company ("INDEMNIFIED
    PARTIES") to the fullest extent permitted by the GCL and the by-laws of the
    Surviving Corporation (which shall be no less advantageous to directors and
    officers than the By-Laws of the Company as of the date hereof) for all
    claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, judgments and amounts paid in
    settlement including advancement of expenses (including attorneys' fees) as
    incurred in respect of any potential, threatened, pending or contemplated
    claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative
    or investigative, including, without limitation, any action by or on behalf
    of any or all stockholders of the Company or by or in the right of the
    Company or the Surviving Corporation, or investigation relating to any
    action or omission by such party in its capacity as such (including service
    to any other entity, plan, trust or the like at the Company's request)
    occurring on or prior the Effective Time (including, without limitation, any
    which arise out of or relate to the transactions contemplated by this
    Agreement), subject to such Indemnified Party's agreement to return such
    advanced funds if a court of competent jurisdiction, after all avenues of
    appeal have been exhausted, shall have determined that such Indemnified
    Party is not entitled to such amounts by operation of law.
 
        (c) The Surviving Corporation shall cause to be maintained in effect for
    not less than six years from the Effective Time the current policies of the
    directors' and officers' liability insurance presently maintained by the
    Company (provided that the Surviving Corporation may substitute therefor
    policies of at least the same coverage containing terms and conditions which
    are no less advantageous and issued by a carrier or carriers assigned a
    claims-paying ability rating by A.M. Best & Co. of "A (Excellent)" or
    higher) with respect to matters occurring prior to the Effective Time;
    provided, however, that the Surviving Corporation shall not be obligated to
    pay annual premiums for such insurance in excess of 200% of the last annual
    premium paid prior to the date hereof (the "Last Premium"), but in such case
    shall purchase as much coverage as possible for such amount. The Company
    represents to MergerCo that the Last Premium was $92,578. In the event any
    claim is made against present or former directors, officers or employees of
    the Company that is covered or potentially covered by insurance, neither the
    Surviving Corporation nor MergerCo shall do anything that would forfeit,
    jeopardize, restrict or limit the insurance coverage available for that
    claim until the final disposition thereof.
 
        (d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if any claim,
    action, suit, proceeding or investigation (whether arising before, at or
    after the Effective Time) is made or threatened against any Indemnified
    Party, on or prior to the sixth anniversary of the Effective Time, the
    provisions of this Section 5.7 shall continue in effect until the final
    disposition of such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation.
 
        (e) This covenant is intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be
    enforceable by, each of the Indemnified Parties and their respective heirs
    and legal representatives. The Indemnification provided for herein shall not
    be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which an Indemnified Party is
    entitled, whether pursuant to law, contract or otherwise. The Surviving
    Corporation shall pay all expenses, including attorneys' fees, that may be
    incurred by any Indemnified Party in enforcing the indemnity and other
    obligations provided for in this Section 5.7.
 
        (f) In the event that the Surviving Corporation or any of its successors
    or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall
    not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such
    consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially
    all of its properties and assets to any person, then, and in each such case,
    to the extent necessary to effectuate the purpose of this Section 5.7,
    proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of the
    Surviving Corporation shall succeed to the obligations set forth in this
    Section 5.7 and none of the actions described in clauses (i) or (ii) shall
    be taken until such provision is made.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
    Section 5.8  EMPLOYEE CONTRACTS.  Unless and until such agreements are
amended, modified or terminated, MergerCo agrees to honor, and from and after
the Effective Time shall cause the Surviving Corporation to honor, in accordance
with their respective terms as in effect on the date hereof, all of the
employment, termination, severance, indemnity and bonus agreements and
arrangements to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party and, which
agreements are set forth on Schedule 3.10. In the event that the Surviving
Corporation or MergerCo or any of their respective successor or assigns (i)
consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall not be the
continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or
(ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets
to any person, then, and in each such case, to the extent necessary to
effectuate the purpose of this Section 5.8, proper provision shall be made so
that the successors and assigns of the Surviving Corporation or MergerCo shall
succeed to the obligations set forth in this Section 5.8 and none of the actions
described in clauses (i) or (ii) shall be taken until such provision is made.
 
    Section 5.9  STATE TAKEOVER LAWS.  The Company shall, upon the request of
MergerCo, take all necessary steps to assist in any challenges by MergerCo to
the validity or applicability of any state takeover law to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger.
 
    Section 5.10  FUTURE PURCHASES.  MergerCo agrees that, during the period
beginning on the date hereof and ending on March 31, 1998, it will not increase
its beneficial ownership of the common stock of the Company to more than 5% of
the Common Stock of the Company outstanding, except pursuant to this Agreement
or with the consent of the Board.
 
    Section 5.11  CAPITAL ADEQUACY OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION.  MergerCo
covenants that, upon consummation of the Merger, the related financings and the
disposition of funds to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Merger,
not less than $120 million shall have been contributed to MergerCo, in cash or
cash equivalents. MergerCo covenants that it shall deliver to the Company, as
soon as available (but in any event prior to the Effective Time), any
certificates or opinions relating to the expected solvency of the Surviving
Corporation after the Merger and related financings and shall cause such
certificates or opinions to be addressed to the Board so that the Board is
entitled to rely thereon.
 
    Section 5.12  NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE DELISTING.  Each of the parties agrees
to cooperate with each other in taking, or causing to be taken, all actions
necessary to delist the Shares from the New York Stock Exchange, provided that
such delisting shall not be effective until after the Effective Time. The
parties also acknowledge that it is MergerCo's intent that the Shares following
the Merger will not be quoted on the New York Stock Exchange or listed on any
other national securities exchange.
 
    Section 5.13  AFFILIATES.  Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall
deliver to MergerCo a letter identifying all persons who are, at the time this
Agreement is submitted for approval to the stockholders of the Company,
"affiliates" of the Company for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act.
The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause each such person to
deliver to MergerCo at or prior to the Effective Time a written agreement
substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto.
 
    Section 5.14  RESIGNATION OF DIRECTORS.  Prior to the Effective Time, the
Company shall deliver to MergerCo evidence satisfactory to MergerCo of the
resignation of all directors of the Company, effective at the Effective Time.
 
    Section 5.15  NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS.  The Company shall give
prompt notice to MergerCo, and MergerCo shall give prompt notice to the Company,
of (i) the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any event the occurrence or
non-occurrence of which would be likely to cause any representation or warranty
of either party contained in this Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate and (ii)
any failure of the Company or MergerCo to comply with or satisfy any covenant,
condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by either party
hereunder; provided, however, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this
Section 5.16 shall not limit or otherwise affect the remedies available
hereunder to the party given or receiving such notice.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
    Section 5.16  TERMINATION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS.  The Company shall
terminate, effective as of the Effective Time, (i) the Registration Rights
Agreement among the Company, Eagle Industries, Inc., O.D.E. Manufacturing
Company, Eagle Industrial Products Corporation and Amerace Corporation, dated as
of November 2, 1994 and (ii) the Corporate Services Agreement between the
Company and Eagle Industries, Inc. dated as of June 22, 1994, subject only to
the agreement of the other parties thereto.
 
                                   ARTICLE VI
                    CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
 
    Section 6.1  CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATION TO EFFECT THE
MERGER.  The respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger are
subject to the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Effective Time of the
following conditions:
 
        (a) this Agreement shall have been adopted by the affirmative vote of a
    majority of the stockholders of the Company as required by the Company's
    Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and applicable law;
 
        (b) no statute, rule, regulation, order, decree, injunction shall have
    been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any court or governmental
    authority which prohibits, restrains, enjoins or restricts the consummation
    of the Merger or any other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the
    consummation of the Merger shall be in effect;
 
        (c) any waiting period applicable to the Merger under the HSR Act shall
    have terminated or expired; and
 
        (d) The Form S-4 shall have become effective under the Securities Act
    and shall not be the subject of any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop
    order, and any material "blue sky" and other state securities laws
    applicable to the registration and qualification of the Non-Cash Election
    Shares following the Merger shall have been complied with.
 
    Section 6.2  CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF MERGERCO TO EFFECT THE MERGER.  The
obligation of MergerCo to effect the Merger is further subject to the
satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Effective Time of the following: (i)
the representations and warranties of the Company were true and correct as of
the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time as if made on and as of
such date (other than representations and warranties which address matters only
as of a certain date(s) which shall be true and correct in all material respects
as of such certain date(s)); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the condition set forth in
this Section 6.2(i) shall be considered satisfied unless there exist
inaccuracies in representations and warranties which in the aggregate are
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the Company shall have
performed in all material respects all agreements herein required to be
performed on or prior to the Effective Time, (iii) the SEC shall not have
refused to declare the S-4 effective in the event that the Merger is recorded as
a recapitalization for financial reporting purposes, (iv) the Company shall not
have entered into any collective bargaining agreement at the applicable facility
that would result in a Material Labor Event (as defined on Schedule 8.10(b)),
(v) MergerCo shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company
by the chief executive officer of the Company to the effect of subsections (i)
and (ii) above, and (vi) MergerCo shall have received the agreements referred to
in Section 5.13; provided that, notwithstanding any other term or provision
hereof, the entering into or modification or amendment of any contract or
agreement, in form and substance mutually agreeable to the parties hereto, in
contemplation of the completion of the Merger (including, without limitation,
employment agreements (and the options granted pursuant thereto), any option
plan, any corporate services agreement and any indemnity agreements) shall not
be deemed to cause any breach of, or inaccuracy in, any of the representations
and warranties or covenants of the parties contained in this Agreement.
 
    Section 6.3  CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY TO EFFECT THE
MERGER.  The obligation of the Company to effect the Merger is further subject
to the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Effective
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
Time of the following: (i) the representations and warranties of MergerCo were
true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time
as if made on and as of such date (other than representations and warranties
which address matters only as of a certain date(s) which shall be true and
correct in all material respects as of such certain date(s)); provided, however,
that the condition set forth in this Section 6.3(i) shall be considered
satisfied unless there exist inaccuracies in representations and warranties
which in the aggregate are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect,
(ii) MergerCo shall have performed in all material respects all agreements
herein required to be performed on or prior to the Effective Time, (iii) the
Company shall have received an opinion or certificate of a reputable expert firm
confirming the solvency of the Surviving Corporation after the Merger and
related financings addressed to the Board so that the Board is entitled to rely
thereon, and (iv) the Company shall have received a certificate signed on behalf
of MergerCo by its chief executive officer to the effect of subsections (i) and
(ii) above; provided that, notwithstanding any other term or provision hereof,
the entering into or modification or amendment of any contract or agreement, in
form and substance mutually agreeable to the parties hereto, in contemplation of
the completion of the Merger (including, without limitation, employment
agreements (and the options granted pursuant thereto), any option plan, any
corporate services agreement and any indemnity agreements) shall not be deemed
to cause any breach of, or inaccuracy in, any of the representations and
warranties or covenants of the parties contained in this Agreement.
 
                                  ARTICLE VII
                         TERMINATION; AMENDMENT; WAIVER
 
    Section 7.1  TERMINATION.  This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger
contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time notwithstanding approval
thereof by the stockholders of the Company, but prior to the Effective Time:
 
        (a) by mutual written consent MergerCo and the Company;
 
        (b) by MergerCo or the Company if the Effective Time shall not have
    occurred on or before 180 days from the date hereof; provided, however, that
    the right to terminate the Agreement under this Section 7.1(b) shall not be
    available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation (including,
    without limitation, its failure to satisfy the conditions to the obligation
    of the other party to effect the Merger as set out in Sections 6.2 and 6.3,
    as the case may be) under this Agreement has been the cause of, or resulted
    in, the failure of the Effective Time to occur on or before such date;
 
        (c) by MergerCo or the Company if any court of competent jurisdiction in
    the United States or other governmental body shall have issued an order,
    decree or ruling or taken any other action restraining, enjoining or
    otherwise prohibiting the Merger and such order, decree, ruling or other
    action shall have become final and nonappealable.
 
        (d) by MergerCo if prior to the Effective Time the Board shall have
    failed to make or, if necessary, reaffirm, or shall have withdrawn or
    modified in a manner adverse to MergerCo, its approval or recommendation of
    this Agreement or the Merger or shall have recommended another acquisition
    of the Company or merger thereof or a tender offer for Shares, or shall have
    resolved to do any of the foregoing;
 
        (e) by the Company if prior to the consummation of Merger, (A) a
    corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group shall have made a
    bona fide proposal that (1) the Board determines in its good faith judgment,
    after consultation with its financial advisors, is more favorable, from a
    financial point of view, to the Company's stockholders than the Merger and
    that such corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group has the
    financial ability to consummate such proposal and (2) the Board believes in
    its good faith judgment, on the advice of counsel, that the Board has a
    fiduciary duty to accept such proposal (a "THIRD PARTY PROPOSAL") and (B)
    MergerCo does not make within five business days of receiving notice
    thereof, an offer that the Board believes, in good faith
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
    after consultation with its financial advisors, is at least as favorable,
    from a financial point of view, to the Company's Stockholders as such
    Third-Party Proposal.
 
    Section 7.2  EFFECT OF TERMINATION.  Except as elsewhere specifically
provided in this Agreement, in the event of the termination and abandonment of
this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become
void and have no effect, without any liability on the part of any party or its
directors, officers, agents or stockholders, other than the provisions of
Sections 7.2 and 7.3. Nothing contained in this Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 shall
relieve any party from liability for any breach of this Agreement. In the event
of the termination of this Agreement, the confidentiality agreement previously
entered into between the Company and Investcorp International, Inc. shall
survive and be in full force and effect.
 
    Section 7.3  FEES AND EXPENSES.
 
        (a) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7.1(b) as the
    result of the Company's failure to satisfy the conditions to the obligations
    of MergerCo to effect the Merger set forth in Section 6.2 (other than clause
    (iii) thereof), the Company shall (provided MergerCo is not in material
    breach of its obligations hereunder) reimburse MergerCo (after submission of
    statements therefor) for all undisputed and documented out-of-pocket fees
    and expenses actually and reasonably incurred in good faith by any of them
    or on their behalf in connection with the Merger (including, without
    limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and fees payable to banks, financial
    institutions, investment bankers and their respective agents in connection
    with this Agreement (including, without limitation, any fees and expenses
    incurred in connection with any financing transaction)), the amount of such
    fees and expenses not to exceed $4,000,000.
 
        (b) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7.1(b) as the
    result of MergerCo's failure to satisfy the conditions to the obligations of
    the Company to effect the Merger set forth in Section 6.3, MergerCo shall
    (provided the Company is not in material breach of its obligations
    hereunder) reimburse the Company (after submission of statements therefor)
    for all undisputed and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses actually
    and reasonably incurred in good faith by it or on its behalf in connection
    with the Merger (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees
    and fees payable to banks, financial institutions, investment bankers and
    their respective agents in connection with this Agreement (including,
    without limitation, any fees and expenses incurred in connection with any
    financing transaction)), the amount of such fees and expenses not to exceed
    $4,000,000.
 
        (c) If either (i) this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section
    7.1(d) or 7.1(e) or (ii)(a) a definitive agreement relating to the
    acquisition of the Company, arising out of a Third Party Proposal or a
    proposal which would have qualified as a Third Party Proposal shall be
    executed or (b) a recapitalization of the Company (other than as
    contemplated by this Agreement) shall occur, in either case within six
    months after termination of this Agreement, or the sale of substantially all
    of the Company's assets shall occur in one or more transactions occurring
    within one year after termination of this Agreement the Company shall pay to
    MergerCo a fee of $20,000,000 payable in cash.
 
        (d) Except as specifically provided in this Section 7.3 and Section 5.7,
    each party hereto shall bear its own expenses in connection with this
    Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
 
    Section 7.4  AMENDMENT.  This Agreement may be amended by action taken by
the Company and MergerCo at any time before or after approval of the Merger by
the stockholders of the Company, if any shall be required pursuant to applicable
law, but, after any such approval, no amendment shall be made which changes the
form or decreases the amount of the consideration per Share to be paid in the
Merger or which otherwise adversely affects the rights of the Company's
stockholders hereunder without the further approval of such stockholders. This
Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf
of the parties.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
    Section 7.5  EXTENSION; WAIVER.  At any time prior to the Effective Time,
any of the parties hereto may (i) extend the time for the performance of any of
the obligations or other acts of the other parties, (ii) waive any inaccuracies
in the representations and warranties of the other parties contained herein or
in any document, certificate or writing delivered by the other parties pursuant
hereto or (iii) waive compliance by the other parties with any of the agreements
or conditions contained herein. Any agreement on the part of any party to any
such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in
writing signed on behalf of such party.
 
                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
 
    Section 8.1  SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES.  The representations
and warranties made herein, other than the representations and warranties
contained in Section 5.11, shall not survive beyond the Effective Time. The
provisions of Sections 1.8, 5.7 and 5.11 shall survive the Effective Time.
 
    Section 8.2  ENTIRE AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENT.  This Agreement (a) constitutes
the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and
oral, between the parties or any of them with respect to the subject matter
hereof and (b) may not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise without the
prior written consent of the other parties.
 
    Section 8.3  VALIDITY.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision
of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
 
    Section 8.4  NOTICES.  All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given (a) upon receipt if given by delivery in person, (b) upon
transmission if given by facsimile (receipt confirmed) or (c) five business days
after being deposited in the mail by registered or certified mail (postage
prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties as follows:
 
    if to MergerCo:
 
       Investcorp International Inc.
       280 Park Avenue
       37th Floor West
       New York, New York 10017
       Facsimile:  212/983-7073
       Telephone:  212/599-4700
       Attention:  Christopher Stadler
 
    with a copy to:
 
       Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
       200 Park Avenue
       48th Floor
       New York, New York 10166
       Facsimile:  212/351-4035
       Telephone:  212/351-3914
       Attention:  Charles K. Marquis
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
    if to the Company:
 
       Falcon Building Products, Inc.
       Two North Riverside Plaza
       Chicago, Illinois 60606
       Facsimile:  312/906-8402
       Attention:  Gus J. Athas
 
    with a copy to:
 
       Mayer, Brown & Platt
       190 South LaSalle Street
       Chicago, Illinois 60603
       Facsimile:  312/701-7711
       Attention:  James J. Junewicz
 
or to such other address as the person to whom notice is given may have
previously furnished to the others in writing in the manner set forth above.
 
    Section 8.5  GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of
the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of
laws thereof.
 
    Section 8.6  DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS.  The table of contents and descriptive
headings herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not
intended to be part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
 
    Section 8.7  PARTIES IN INTEREST.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto, and nothing in this Agreement,
express or implied, other than Section 1.8, Section 5.7, Section 5.8 and Section
8.2, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person or persons any rights,
benefits or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this
Agreement.
 
    Section 8.8  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
shall constitute one and the same agreement.
 
    Section 8.9  SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE.  The parties hereto agree that if any of
the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their
specific terms or were otherwise breached, irreparable damage would occur, no
adequate remedy at law would exist, and damages would be difficult to determine,
and that the parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms
hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or equity.
 
    Section 8.10  MISCELLANEOUS.
 
        (a) When a representation or warranty is made in this Agreement to a
    party's "knowledge," or upon a party's "reasonable belief" such knowledge or
    reasonable belief shall be deemed to have been established following due
    inquiry by such party.
 
        (b) "Material Adverse Effect" means, with respect to the Company, any
    change(s) or effect(s) that, individually or in the aggregate, are
    materially adverse to the financial condition, business or results of
    operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, excluding
    in all cases: (i) events or conditions generally affecting the industry in
    which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate or arising from changes in
    general business or economic conditions; (ii) any effect resulting from any
    change in law or generally accepted accounting principles, which generally
    affects entities such as the Company; (iii) events resulting from the
    execution and/or announcement of this Agreement; (iv) any effect resulting
    from compliance by the Company with the terms of this Agreement; and (v) any
    change, condition, event, occurrence or effect directly or indirectly caused
    by, resulting from, relating to or arising out of (a) any collectively
    bargained terms or conditions of employment
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
    that do not result in a Material Labor Event (as defined on Schedule
    8.10(b)), or (b) the death or disability of any executive officer of the
    Company or any Subsidiary.
 
        (c) "Material Adverse Effect" means with respect to MergerCo, any
    change(s) or effect(s) that, individually or in the aggregate, are
    materially adverse to the ability of MergerCo to consummate the Merger,
    excluding in all cases: (i) events or conditions generally affecting the
    industry in which MergerCo operates or arising from changes in general
    business or economic conditions; (ii) any effect resulting from any change
    in law or generally accepted accounting principles, which generally affects
    entities such as MergerCo; (iii) events resulting from the execution and/or
    announcement of this Agreement; and (iv) any effect resulting from
    compliance by MergerCo with the terms of this Agreement.
 
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the day and year first above written.
 
                                          FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
 
                                          By: /s/ WILLIAM K. HALL_______________
                                             Name: William K. Hall
                                             Title: President
 
                                          FBP ACQUISITION CORP., INC.
 
                                          By: /s/ CHRISTOPHER J. STADLER________
                                             Name: Christopher J. Stadler
                                             Title:
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
    The undersigned, INVESTCORP BANK E.C., hereby undertakes and agrees to cause
FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc. ("MergerCo") to perform MergerCo's obligations and
agreements under this Agreement and the undersigned expressly agrees to be
liable in the event MergerCo. fails to perform any of its obligations or
agreements under this Agreement; PROVIDED HOWEVER, that this undertaking and
agreement shall terminate immediately following the Effective Time of the
Merger. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to Falcon Building
Products, Inc. that (i) it has full corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder, (ii) it has taken
all actions necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement by it (iii) such execution, delivery and performance do not
conflict with, violate or otherwise result in a default under its Certificate of
Incorporation, By-laws or other organizational documents, and (iv) this
Agreement is the legal, valid and binding obligation of Investcorp, enforceable
in accordance with its terms.
 
                                          INVESTCORP BANK E.C.
                                          By: /s/ ZAHID ZAKIUDDIN_______________
                                             Name: Zahid Zakiuddin
                                             Title:
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
                                   ANNEX II-A
 
                                VOTING AGREEMENT
                                     AMONG
                        FALCON ACQUISITION CORP., INC.,
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
                                      AND
                            EQUITY HOLDINGS LIMITED
 
                                  Annex II-A-1
<PAGE>
                          STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT
 
    STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT, dated as of March 20, 1997 (this "Agreement"),
by and among FBP Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation ("MergerCo"), Falcon
Building Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the other
party signatory hereto ("Stockholder").
 
                              W I T N E S S E T H:
 
    WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, MergerCo and the Company are entering into
an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as such agreement may hereafter be amended from
time to time, the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which MergerCo will be merged
with and into the Company (the "Merger");
 
    WHEREAS, Stockholder owns the number of shares, par value $.01 per share, of
Class A Common Stock of the Company set forth opposite Stockholder's name on
Schedule I hereto (the shares so owned by Stockholder are referred to herein as
the "Shares" and the Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, is referred
to as the "Company Common Stock");
 
    WHEREAS, as an inducement and a condition to entering into the Merger
Agreement (including the agreement to enter into a Stockholder Rights Agreement
pursuant to Section 11 hereof), MergerCo has required that Stockholder agree,
and the Stockholder has agreed, to enter into this Agreement.
 
    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual premises,
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
 
    1.  VOTING.  Stockholder hereby agrees with MergerCo that, during the period
commencing on the date hereof and continuing until the first to occur of the
Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or termination of the Merger
Agreement in accordance with its terms, at any meeting of the Company's
stockholders, however called, or in connection with any written consent of the
Company's stockholders, Stockholder shall vote all shares of capital stock of
the Company owned or controlled by Stockholder, whether now owned or controlled
or hereafter acquired or controlled, (i) in favor of approval of the Merger
Agreement and any actions required in furtherance thereof and hereof as and to
the extent therein provided; (ii) against any action or agreement that would
result in a material breach of the Merger Agreement by the Company; and (iii)
except as otherwise agreed to in writing in advance by MergerCo, against any
proposal which would result in a change of control or recapitalization of the
Company (other than the Merger and the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement). Stockholder shall not enter into any agreement or understanding with
any person or entity the effect of which would be inconsistent or violative of
the provisions and agreements contained in this Agreement. The obligations of
Stockholder under this Section 1 shall be inoperative during any period of time
that the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has properly exercised
its right to refrain from recommending approval of the Merger or has properly
exercised its right to withdraw its recommendation that the Merger be approved
by stockholders of the Company, in either case in accordance with the provisions
of Section 1.9(a) of the Merger Agreement.
 
    2.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Stockholder hereby represents and
warrants to MergerCo as follows:
 
        (a)  OWNERSHIP OF SHARES.  Stockholder is the record and beneficial
    owner of the Shares. On the date hereof, the Shares constitute all of the
    shares of capital stock of the Company owned or controlled by Stockholder.
    Stockholder has sole and unqualified voting power with respect to the
    Shares.
 
        (b)  POWER; BINDING AGREEMENT.  Stockholder has the legal capacity,
    power and authority to enter into and perform all of Stockholder's
    obligations under this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of
    this Agreement by Stockholder do not and will not violate any law,
    regulation or court order or any other agreement to which Stockholder is a
    party including, without limitation, any voting agreement, stockholder
    agreement or voting trust. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed
    and delivered by Stockholder and constitutes a valid and binding agreement
    of Stockholder, enforceable against Stockholder in accordance with its
    terms.
<PAGE>
        (c)  RELIANCE BY MERGERCO.  Stockholder understands and acknowledges
    that MergerCo is entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon
    Stockholder's execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.
 
    3.  RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER, PROXIES AND NON-INTERFERENCE.  Stockholder
shall not, directly or indirectly: (i) except as contemplated by the Merger
Agreement, offer for sale, sell, transfer, tender, pledge, encumber, assign or
otherwise dispose of, or enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or
understanding with respect to or consent to the offer for sale, sale, transfer,
tender, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or other disposition of, any of the
Shares or any interest therein; (ii) grant any proxies or powers of attorney, or
enter into a voting agreement or voting trust with respect to any of the
foregoing that would be inconsistent herewith; or (iii) take any action that
would make any representation or warranty of Stockholder contained herein untrue
or incorrect or have the effect of preventing or disabling Stockholder from
performing Stockholder's obligations under this Agreement. The Company will
direct the Company's transfer agent to place stop transfer order instructions
with respect to the Shares and will notify such transfer agent that this
Agreement places restrictions on the Shares.
 
    4.  ACQUISITION PROPOSALS.  Stockholder (i) shall immediately cease any
existing discussions or negotiations, if any, with any parties conducted
heretofore with respect to recapitalization of the Company or any acquisition of
all or any material portion of the assets of, or any equity interest in, the
Company or its subsidiaries, and (ii) shall not, directly or indirectly,
initiate, solicit or knowingly encourage (including, without limitation, by way
of furnishing non-public information or assistance), or take any other action to
facilitate knowingly, any inquiries or the making of any proposal which would
result in a change of control or recapitalization of the Company or any
acquisition of the types referred to in clause (i) above. During any period of
time that, based upon a proper determination by the Board under the first
sentence of Section 5.2 of the Merger Agreement that the Company may take the
actions permitted thereby, the Company is pursuing any of the activities
permitted by such first sentence of such Section 5.2, Stockholder's obligations
under this Section 4 shall be deemed inoperative such that Stockholder may also
pursue the activities which the Company is permitted to pursue.
 
    5.  STOP TRANSFER.  Stockholder shall not request that the Company register
the transfer of any interest representing any of the Shares, unless such
transfer is made in compliance with this Agreement. In the event of a stock
dividend or distribution, or any change in the Company Common Stock by reason of
any stock dividend, split-up, recapitalization, combination, exchange of shares
or the like, the term "Shares" shall be deemed for purposes of this Agreement to
include all such stock dividends and distributions and any shares into which or
for which any or all of the Shares may be changed or exchanged.
 
    6.  TERMINATION.  This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (a)
termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms or (b) the
Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement).
 
    7.  STOCKHOLDER CAPACITY.  It is understood and agreed that Stockholder's
commitments in this Agreement are made solely in Stockholder's capacity as a
stockholder of the Company.
 
    8.  ELECTION TO RETAIN COMPANY STOCK.  Stockholder acknowledges that
recapitalization accounting treatment for the Merger is an essential requirement
for MergerCo to go forward with the Merger. In furtherance thereof, Stockholder
hereby agrees that it will take all actions and execute all documents necessary
to cause that number of Shares specified as "Number of Pre-Closing Electing
Shares" on Schedule I hereto to be "Electing Shares" under the Merger Agreement.
 
    9.  TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.  As used herein, the "1994
Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights Agreement dated as
of November 2, 1994 by and among the Company and the "Selling Stockholders"
named therein. Stockholder represents and warrants to MergerCo that Stockholder
is the sole owner of all "Subject Stock" (as defined in the 1994 Registration
Rights Agreement), that all rights of the Selling Stockholders under such
Agreement have been assigned to Stockholder, and that none of the Selling
Stockholders have any continuing rights thereunder. Stockholder
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
and the Company hereby agree for the benefit of MergerCo that, effective upon
the Effective Time of the Merger, the 1994 Registration Rights Agreement shall
for all purposes be considered terminated.
 
    10.  CORPORATE SERVICES AGREEMENT.  Stockholder will cause its indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiary, Eagle Industries, Inc. ("Eagle") to (a) agree in
writing with the Company to terminate the Corporate Services Agreement dated
June 22, 1994 between the Company and Eagle effective as of the Effective Time
of the Merger and (b) effective as of the Effective Time of the Merger, enter
into a new corporate services agreement with the Company pursuant to which Eagle
will provide selected services to the Company (such services to be selected from
the range of services currently provided) for up to six months following the
Effective Time of the Merger on an as needed basis at rates which are
commercially reasonable in relation to market rates for such services. The
Company will enter into such termination and such new agreement.
 
    11.  STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS AGREEMENT.  Stockholder, the Company and MergerCo
agree that Stockholder and the Company will prior to the Effective Time of the
Merger enter into a Stockholder Rights Agreement consistent with the provisions
of Exhibit A attached hereto (all of the material terms of which are summarized
therein).
 
    12.  MISCELLANEOUS.
 
    (a)  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all
other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
 
    (b)  CERTAIN EVENTS.  Stockholder agrees that this Agreement and the
obligations hereunder shall attach to Stockholder's Shares and shall be binding
upon any person to which legal or beneficial ownership of such Shares shall
pass, whether by operation of law or otherwise. Notwithstanding any transfer of
Shares, the transferor shall remain liable for the performance of all
obligations under this Agreement of the transferor.
 
    (c)  ASSIGNMENT.  This Agreement may not be assigned by any party, by
operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other
party.
 
    (d)  AMENDMENTS.  This Agreement may not be amended except by written
agreement executed by MergerCo and Stockholder.
 
    (e)  NOTICES.  All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be
deemed to have been duly received if so given) by hand delivery, telegram, telex
or telecopy, or by mail (registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested) or by any courier service, such as Federal Express, providing
proof of delivery. All communications hereunder shall be delivered to the
respective parties at the following addresses:
 
  If to Stockholder:          At the address set forth on Schedule I hereto
 
  with a copy to:             Rosenberg & Liebentritt, PC
                              Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1600
                              Chicago, IL 60606
                              Facsimile: 312.454.0335
                              Attention: Donald Liebentritt
 
  If to MergerCo:             Investcorp International Inc.
                              280 Park Avenue, 37th Floor West
                              New York, New York 10017
                              Facsimile: 212.599.4700
                              Attention: Christopher Stadler
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
  <S>                         <C>
  with a copy to:             Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
                              200 Park Avenue, 48th Floor
                              New York, NY 10166
                              Facsimile: 212.351.4035
                              Attention: E. Michael Greaney
 
  If to Company:              Falcon Building Products, Inc.
                              Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1100
                              Chicago, IL 60606
                              Facsimile: 312.906.8402
                              Attention: Gus J. Athas
 
  with a copy to:             Mayer, Brown & Platt
                              190 South La Salle Street
                              Chicago, IL 60603
                              Facsimile: 312.701.7711
                              Attention: James J. Junewicz
</TABLE>
 
or to such other address as the person to whom notice is given may have
previously furnished to the others in writing in the matter set forth above.
 
        (f)  SEVERABILITY.  Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement
    will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
    applicable law but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid,
    illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in
    any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not
    affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction,
    and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such
    jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or
    portion of any provision had never been contained herein.
 
        (g)  SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE.  Each of the parties hereto recognizes and
    acknowledges that a breach by it of any covenants or agreements contained in
    this Agreement will cause the other party to sustain damage for which it
    would not have an adequate remedy at law for money damages, and therefore
    each of the parties hereto agrees that in the event of any such breach the
    aggrieved party shall be entitled to the remedy of specific performance of
    such covenants and agreements and injunctive and other equitable relief in
    addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled, at law or in
    equity.
 
        (h)  NO WAIVER.  The failure of any party hereto to exercise any right,
    power or remedy provided under this Agreement or otherwise available in
    respect hereof at law or in equity, or to insist upon compliance by any
    other party hereto with its obligations hereunder, and any custom or
    practice of the parties at variance with the terms hereof, shall not
    constitute a waiver by such party of its right to exercise any such or other
    right, power or remedy or to demand such compliance. Any waiver of any
    provision hereof must be in writing and duly executed by the waiving party.
 
        (i)  GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed and construed in
    accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to
    the principles of conflicts of law thereof.
 
        (j)  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each
    of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which, taken
    together, shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MergerCo, the Company and Stockholder have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
 
                                          FBP ACQUISITION CORP., INC.
                                          By: ____/s/ CHRISTOPHER J. STADLER____
                                          Name: _____Christopher J. Stadler_____
                                          Title: _______________________________
 
                                          FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
 
                                          By: _________/s/ GUS J. ATHAS_________
                                          Name: __________Gus J. Athas__________
                                          Title: _____Senior Vice-President_____
 
                                          STOCKHOLDER:
 
                                          EQUITY HOLDINGS LIMITED, an Illinois
                                          Limited Partnership, by one of its
                                          general partners: Samuel Zell
                                          Revocable Trust dated January 19, 1990
 
                                          ____________/s/ SAMUEL ZELL___________
                                                   Samuel Zell, Trustee
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
                                 SCHEDULE I TO
                          STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS OF STOCKHOLDER                                                            NUMBER OF SHARES OWNED
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>
Equity Holdings Limited, an Illinois Limited Partnership.................................          14,000,000
  Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1100
  Chicago, IL 60606
</TABLE>
 
                                   * * * * *
 
Number of Pre-Closing Electing Shares: 861,683
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
                                   EXHIBIT A
                                       TO
                          STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT
 
                           SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL TERMS
                                       OF
                          STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS AGREEMENT
 
<TABLE>
<S>                          <C>
Definitions                  Capitalized terms not separately defined in this Summary have
                             the meaning ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement.
 
Purpose                      The purpose of the Stockholder Rights Agreement is to grant
                             certain rights to, and impose certain restrictions on, certain
                             of the stockholders of the Surviving Corporation. The shares of
                             Company capital stock to be held by such stockholders are also
                             subject to the applicable provisions of the Company's
                             Certificate of Incorporation.
 
Parties                      The Company, Equity Holdings Limited ("EHL") and the investors
                             in MergerCo who receive voting Company capital stock in the
                             Merger (the "I Voting Stock Investors").
 
Right of First Offer         EHL will grant to the Company and to Investcorp Investment
                             Equity Limited (or an affiliate thereof) a right of first offer
                             with respect to any proposed sales by EHL (or its transferees)
                             of any shares of Company capital stock. Reasonable and
                             customary procedures concerning this right of first offer will
                             be set forth in the Stockholder Rights Agreement.
 
Right to Cause Sale          After the occurrence of an event which, under the Company's
                             charter, triggers the automatic conversion of the various
                             classes of capital stock of the Company into common stock of
                             the Company, if the investors in MergerCo who received voting
                             or nonvoting equity securities of the Company in the Merger
                             (the "I Investors") decide to sell as a group all of their
                             remaining equity interests in the Company and such selling
                             group holds at that time (prior to giving effect to the
                             proposed sale) more than 50% of the equity interests in the
                             Company received in the Merger, then such selling group shall
                             have the right to require EHL to sell its remaining equity
                             interests in the Company as part of that sale on the same price
                             and terms.
 
Rights to Participate in     The Company will grant to EHL and the I Investors the right to
  Future Equity Financings   participate in any equity financings by the Company which take
                             place during the period beginning immediately after the closing
                             of the Merger up to but not including an IPO. This
                             participation right will entitle holders of the right to
                             purchase from the Company the number of equity securities in
                             the financing which enables such holder to maintain its
                             percentage interest of the equity securities of the Company.
                             The participation right will not apply to issuances of equity
                             securities by the Company in connection with stock incentive or
                             compensation plans approved by the Board of Directors of the
                             Company or business acquisitions by the Company.
 
Right to Participate in      In the event that, during the period beginning immediately
  Sale                       after the closing of the Merger and ending upon an IPO, members
                             of the I Voting Stock Investor group holding a majority of the
                             voting power of the Company propose to engage in a sale of
                             equity interests which would result in a transfer of a majority
                             of the voting power of the Company to an unaffiliated
                             purchaser, then EHL shall have the right to participate
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                          <C>
                             pro rata in such sale transaction on the same price and terms
                             as other selling stockholders.
 
Registration Rights          In the Stockholder Rights Agreement (or by separate
                             registration rights agreement) the Company will grant to EHL
                             and the I Investors "piggyback" registration rights at Company
                             expense (other than underwriting discounts and selling
                             commissions), with customary provisions regarding notice of
                             intent to file a registration statement, cutbacks in the event
                             of an underwritten offering, indemnification and other
                             customary provisions. In addition, EHL will be granted the
                             right to one "demand" registration at Company expense (other
                             than underwriting discounts and selling commissions),
                             exercisable by EHL after the fifth anniversary of the closing
                             of the Merger if no IPO has occurred prior to such fifth
                             anniversary and provided EHL holds at the time of exercise of
                             such "demand" registration right at least 75% of the equity
                             interests in the Company retained by EHL in the Merger.
 
Lock-Up                      EHL will, if requested by the underwriters for an underwritten
                             public offering of equity securities of the Company, agree not
                             to sell or transfer any equity securities of the Company (other
                             than equity securities, if any, including in such offering),
                             without the consent of the underwriters, for a period of not
                             more than 180 days following effectiveness of the registration
                             statement relating to an IPO (provided EHL has been given the
                             opportunity to participate as a selling stockholder in such IPO
                             pro rata with the I Investors subject to the same conditions as
                             applicable to the participation of the I Investors).
 
Information Rights           So long as EHL holds both (a) 90% or more of the equity
                             interests in the Company retained by EHL in the Merger and (b)
                             5% or more of the outstanding equity interests in the Company
                             ((a) and (b) together, the "EHL Retention Condition"), the
                             Company will provide EHL with written information about the
                             Company the content of which will be substantially as would be
                             required public disclosure for an issuer whose debt securities
                             are registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act
                             of 1934, as amended. In addition, so long as the EHL Retention
                             Condition remains satisfied, the Company will, on a timely
                             basis, furnish EHL with the written materials it submits to its
                             Board members if either of the following occurs and is
                             continuing: (a) a payment default under any of the Company's
                             material debt agreements or (b) the fifth anniversary of the
                             closing of the Merger has occurred and no IPO has occurred.
                             During any period when EHL is entitled to receive such Board
                             materials, EHL will also be entitled to have one representative
                             attend as an observer at one Company Board meeting per calendar
                             year. If the various information rights set forth above are not
                             available to EHL because the conditions precedent thereto are
                             not met, the Company shall nevertheless cooperate with EHL to
                             respond to reasonable requests for information concerning the
                             Company as long as EHL owns 50% or more of the equity interests
                             in the Company retained by EHL in the Merger.
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
                                   ANNEX II-B
 
                           FORM OF VOTING AGREEMENTS
 
                                     AMONG
                FALCON ACQUISITION CORP., INC., FALCON BUILDING
                                 PRODUCTS, INC.
                                      AND
                           CERTAIN OTHER STOCKHOLDERS
 
                                  Annex II-B-1
<PAGE>
                          STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT
 
    STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT, dated as of March 20, 1997 (this "Agreement"),
by and among FBP Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation ("MergerCo"), Falcon
Building Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the other
party signatory hereto ("Stockholder").
 
                              W I T N E S S E T H:
 
    WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, MergerCo and the Company are entering into
an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as such agreement may hereafter be amended from
time to time, the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which MergerCo will be merged
with and into the Company (the "Merger");
 
    WHEREAS, Stockholder owns the number of shares, par value $.01 per share, of
Class A Common Stock of the Company set forth opposite Stockholder's name on
Schedule I hereto (the shares so owned by Stockholder are referred to herein as
the "Shares" and the Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, is referred
to as the "Company Common Stock");
 
    WHEREAS, as an inducement and a condition to entering into the Merger
Agreement, MergerCo has required that Stockholder agree, and the Stockholder has
agreed, to enter into this Agreement.
 
    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual premises,
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
 
    VOTING.  Stockholder hereby agrees with MergerCo that, during the period
commencing on the date hereof and continuing until the first to occur of the
Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or termination of the Merger
Agreement in accordance with its terms, at any meeting of the Company's
stockholders, however called, or in connection with any written consent of the
Company's stockholders, Stockholder shall vote all shares of capital stock of
the Company owned or controlled by Stockholder, whether now owned or controlled
or hereafter acquired or controlled, (i) in favor of approval of the Merger
Agreement and any actions required in furtherance thereof and hereof as and to
the extent therein provided; (ii) against any action or agreement that would
result in a material breach of the Merger Agreement by the Company; and (iii)
except as otherwise agreed to in writing in advance by MergerCo, against any
proposal which would result in a change of control or recapitalization of the
Company (other than the Merger and the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement). Stockholder shall not enter into any agreement or understanding with
any person or entity the effect of which would be inconsistent or violative of
the provisions and agreements contained in this Agreement. The obligations of
Stockholder under this Section 1 shall be inoperative during any period of time
that the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has properly exercised
its right to refrain from recommending approval of the Merger or has properly
exercised its right to withdraw its recommendation that the Merger be approved
by stockholders of the Company, in either case in accordance with the provisions
of Section 1.9(a) of the Merger Agreement.
 
    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Stockholder hereby represents and warrants
to MergerCo as follows:
 
    (a) OWNERSHIP OF SHARES. Stockholder is the record and beneficial owner of
the Shares. On the date hereof, the Shares constitute all of the shares of
capital stock of the Company owned or controlled by Stockholder. Stockholder has
sole and unqualified voting power with respect to the Shares.
 
    (b) POWER; BINDING AGREEMENT. Stockholder has the legal capacity, power and
authority to enter into and perform all of Stockholder's obligations under this
Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by
Stockholder do not and will not violate any law, regulation or court order or
any other agreement to which Stockholder is a party including, without
limitation, any voting agreement, stockholder agreement or voting trust. This
Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Stockholder and
constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Stockholder, enforceable against
Stockholder in accordance with its terms.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
    (c) RELIANCE BY MERGERCO. Stockholder understands and acknowledges that
MergerCo is entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Stockholder's
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.
 
    RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER, PROXIES AND NON-INTERFERENCE.  Stockholder shall
not, directly or indirectly: (i) except as contemplated by the Merger Agreement,
offer for sale, sell, transfer, tender, pledge, encumber, assign or otherwise
dispose of, or enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or
understanding with respect to or consent to the offer for sale, sale, transfer,
tender, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or other disposition of, any of the
Shares or any interest therein; (ii) grant any proxies or powers of attorney, or
enter into a voting agreement or voting trust with respect to any of the
foregoing that would be inconsistent herewith; or (iii) take any action that
would make any representation or warranty of Stockholder contained herein untrue
or incorrect or have the effect of preventing or disabling Stockholder from
performing Stockholder's obligations under this Agreement. The Company will
direct the Company's transfer agent to place stop transfer order instructions
with respect to the Shares and will notify such transfer agent that this
Agreement places restrictions on the Shares.
 
    ACQUISITION PROPOSALS.  Stockholder (i) shall immediately cease any existing
discussions or negotiations, if any, with any parties conducted heretofore with
respect to recapitalization of the Company or any acquisition of all or any
material portion of the assets of, or any equity interest in, the Company or its
subsidiaries, and (ii) shall not, directly or indirectly, initiate, solicit or
knowingly encourage (including, without limitation, by way of furnishing
non-public information or assistance), or take any other action to facilitate
knowingly, any inquiries or the making of any proposal which would result in a
change of control or recapitalization of the Company or any acquisition of the
types referred to in clause (i) above. During any period of time that, based
upon a proper determination by the Board under the first sentence of Section 5.2
of the Merger Agreement that the Company may take the actions permitted thereby,
the Company is pursuing any of the activities permitted by such first sentence
of such Section 5.2, Stockholder's obligations under this Section 4 shall be
deemed inoperative such that Stockholder may also pursue the activities which
the Company is permitted to pursue.
 
    STOP TRANSFER.  Stockholder shall not request that the Company register the
transfer of any interest representing any of the Shares, unless such transfer is
made in compliance with this Agreement. In the event of a stock dividend or
distribution, or any change in the Company Common Stock by reason of any stock
dividend, split-up, recapitalization, combination, exchange of shares or the
like, the term "Shares" shall be deemed for purposes of this Agreement to
include all such stock dividends and distributions and any shares into which or
for which any or all of the Shares may be changed or exchanged.
 
    TERMINATION.  This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (a)
termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms or (b) the
Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement).
 
    STOCKHOLDER CAPACITY.  It is understood and agreed that Stockholder's
commitments in this Agreement are made solely in Stockholder's capacity as a
stockholder of the Company.
 
    ELECTION TO RETAIN COMPANY STOCK.  Stockholder acknowledges that
recapitalization accounting treatment for the Merger is an essential requirement
for MergerCo to go forward with the Merger. In furtherance thereof, Stockholder
hereby agrees that it will take all actions and execute all documents necessary
to cause that number of Shares specified as "Number of Pre-Closing Electing
Shares" on Schedule I hereto to be "Electing Shares" under the Merger Agreement.
 
    MISCELLANEOUS.
 
    (a) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all other
prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
    (b) CERTAIN EVENTS. Stockholder agrees that this Agreement and the
obligations hereunder shall attach to Stockholder's Shares and shall be binding
upon any person to which legal or beneficial ownership of such Shares shall
pass, whether by operation of law or otherwise. Notwithstanding any transfer of
Shares, the transferor shall remain liable for the performance of all
obligations under this Agreement of the transferor.
 
    (c) ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement may not be assigned by any party, by
operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other
party.
 
    (d) AMENDMENTS. This Agreement may not be amended except by written
agreement executed by MergerCo and Stockholder.
 
    (e) NOTICES. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have
been duly received if so given) by hand delivery, telegram, telex or telecopy,
or by mail (registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt
requested) or by any courier service, such as Federal Express, providing proof
of delivery. All communications hereunder shall be delivered to the respective
parties at the following addresses:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                       <C>
If to Stockholder:        At the address set forth on Schedule I hereto
 
with a copy to:           Gus Athas
                          Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1100
                          Chicago, IL 60606
                          Facsimile: 312.906.8402
 
If to MergerCo:           Investcorp International Inc.
                          280 Park Avenue, 37th Floor West
                          New York, New York 10017
                          Facsimile: 212.599.4700
                          Attention: Christopher Stadler
 
with a copy to:           Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
                          200 Park Avenue, 48th Floor
                          New York, NY 10166
                          Facsimile: 212.351.4035
                          Attention: E. Michael Greaney
 
If to Company:            Falcon Building Products, Inc.
                          Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1100
                          Chicago, IL 60606
                          Facsimile: 312.906.8402
                          Attention: Gus J. Athas
 
with a copy to:           Mayer, Brown & Platt
                          190 South La Salle Street
                          Chicago, IL 60603
                          Facsimile: 312.701.7711
                          Attention: James J. Junewicz
</TABLE>
 
or to such other address as the person to whom notice is given may have
previously furnished to the others in writing in the matter set forth above.
 
    (f) SEVERABILITY. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will
be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law
but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect
any other provision or portion of any provision in
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
such jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced
in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or
portion of any provision had never been contained herein.
 
    (g) SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. Each of the parties hereto recognizes and
acknowledges that a breach by it of any covenants or agreements contained in
this Agreement will cause the other party to sustain damage for which it would
not have an adequate remedy at law for money damages, and therefore each of the
parties hereto agrees that in the event of any such breach the aggrieved party
shall be entitled to the remedy of specific performance of such covenants and
agreements and injunctive and other equitable relief in addition to any other
remedy to which it may be entitled, at law or in equity.
 
    (h) NO WAIVER. The failure of any party hereto to exercise any right, power
or remedy provided under this Agreement or otherwise available in respect hereof
at law or in equity, or to insist upon compliance by any other party hereto with
its obligations hereunder, and any custom or practice of the parties at variance
with the terms hereof, shall not constitute a waiver by such party of its right
to exercise any such or other right, power or remedy or to demand such
compliance. Any waiver of any provision hereof must be in writing and duly
executed by the waiving party.
 
    (i) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the
principles of conflicts of law thereof.
 
    (j) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which, taken together, shall
constitute one and the same Agreement.
 
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MergerCo, the Company and Stockholder have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>
                                                FBP ACQUISITION CORP.
 
                                                By:
 
                                                Name:
 
                                                Title:
 
                                                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
 
                                                By:
 
                                                Name:
 
                                                Title:
 
                                                STOCKHOLDER:
 
                                                Name:
 
                                                Signature:
</TABLE>
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
                                  ANNEX III-A
 
                           [Merrill Lynch Letterhead]
 
                                 March 20, 1997
 
Board of Directors
Falcon Building Products, Inc.
Two North Riverside Plaza
Chicago, Illinois 60606
 
Members of the Board:
 
    Falcon Building Products, Inc. ("Falcon" or the "Company") and FBP
Acquisition, Inc. ("MergerCo."), an entity formed by Investcorp International
Inc. (the "Acquiror") propose to enter into an agreement (the "Agreement")
pursuant to which MergerCo will be merged with and into the Company (the
"Merger") in a transaction in which each outstanding share of the Company's
common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Shares"), other than shares owned
by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or by MergerCo or any of its
affiliates and other than Dissenting Shares (as defined in the Agreement) will
be converted into the right to receive, at the time of election of the record
holders thereof and subject to the terms of the Agreement, either (a) $17.75 per
Share in cash ("Cash Election"), or (b) the right to retain one Share ("Rollover
Election").
 
    We understand that pursuant to the Agreement the aggregate number of Shares
to be converted into the right to retain Shares in the Company will equal
1,034,020 (such number the "Rollover Cap" and such Shares the "Non Cash Election
Shares") and that (a) to the extent that the number of Shares subject to the
Rollover Election exceeds the Rollover Cap, each holder making such Rollover
Election will be entitled to retain only a pro rata portion of Shares and will
be entitled to receive a cash payout for the remaining Shares as if a Cash
Election had been made with respect thereto, and (b) to the extent that the
number of Shares subject to the Rollover Election is less than the Rollover Cap,
Equity Holdings Limited ("EHL"), an Illinois limited partnership and principal
shareholder in Falcon, has agreed, pursuant to a voting agreement (the "Voting
Agreement"), to make a Rollover Election to the extent necessary so that the
aggregate number of Shares converted into the right to retain Shares in the
Company equals the Rollover Cap.
 
    The Merger is expected to be considered by the shareholders of the Company
at a special shareholders' meeting to be held within the next 90 days and
consummated on or shortly after the date of such meeting.
 
    You have asked us whether, in our opinion, the proposed consideration to be
received by the holders of the Shares in the Merger is fair to such shareholders
from a financial point of view.
 
    In arriving at the opinion set forth below, we have, among other things:
 
    (1) Reviewed (a) the Company's Annual Reports, Forms 10-K and related
       financial information for the three fiscal years ended December 31, 1995,
       (b) a draft of the Company's Form 10-K and related financial information
       for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, (c) the Company's Prospectus
       dated November 2, 1994 relating to its initial public offering of common
       stock, (d) the Company's Forms 10-Q and the related unaudited financial
       information for the quarterly periods ending September 30, 1995, March
       31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996;
 
    (2) Reviewed certain information, including financial forecasts, relating to
       the business, earnings, cash flow, assets and prospects of the Company,
       and information relating to certain pro forma effects on the Company's
       capital structure after giving effect to the Merger furnished to us by
       the Company;
 
                                 Annex III-A-1
<PAGE>
    (3) Conducted discussions with members of senior management of the Company
       concerning the foregoing, including its businesses and prospects and
       certain pro forma effects on the Company's capital structure after giving
       effect to the Merger;
 
    (4) Reviewed the historical market prices and trading activity for the
       Shares and compared them with that of certain publicly traded companies
       which we deemed to be reasonably similar to the Company;
 
    (5) Compared the results of operations of the Company with that of certain
       companies which we deemed to be reasonably similar to the Company;
 
    (6) Compared the proposed financial terms of the transactions contemplated
       by the Agreement with the financial terms of certain other mergers and
       acquisitions which we deemed to be relevant;
 
    (7) Reviewed the Agreement dated March 20, 1997;
 
    (8) Reviewed the Voting Agreement dated March 20, 1997; and
 
    (9) Reviewed such other financial studies and analyses and performed such
       other investigations and took into account such other matters as we
       deemed appropriate, including, without limitation, our assessment of
       general economic, industry and market conditions.
 
    In preparing our opinion, we have assumed and relied on the accuracy and
completeness of all information supplied or otherwise made available to us or
publicly available, and we have not independently verified such information and
we have not assumed any responsibility for independently verifying such
information or undertaken an independent appraisal of the assets or liabilities
of the Company or been furnished with any such appraisal. With respect to the
financial forecasts furnished by the Company and information relating to certain
pro forma effects on the Company's capital structure after giving effect to the
Merger, we have assumed that they have been reasonably prepared and reflect the
best currently available estimates and judgment of the Company's management as
to the expected future financial performance of the Company and as to such pro
forma effects on the Company's capital structure.
 
    Our opinion is necessarily based upon general economic, industry and market
conditions as they exist on, and can be evaluated as of, the date hereof. Our
opinion does not address the merits of the underlying decision by the Company to
engage in the Merger. This opinion is for the use of the Board of Directors of
the Company and does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder as to
how such shareholder should vote with respect to the Merger or in any
transaction related thereto or as to whether any shareholder should elect to
receive cash or to retain the Non Cash Election Shares. In addition, we express
no opinion as to what the value of the Non Cash Election Shares will be upon
consummation of the Merger.
 
    We have, in the past, provided financial advisory and financing services to
the Company and the Acquiror and have received fees for the rendering of such
services. In addition, we are currently providing financial advisory services to
the Company in connection with the Merger and will receive a fee for such
services, a significant portion of which is contingent upon consummation of the
Merger. In the ordinary course of our business, we and our affiliates may
actively trade the debt and equity securities of the Company for our or their
accounts and for the accounts of customers thereof and, accordingly, may at any
time hold a long or short position in such securities. In addition, the Company
has agreed to indemnify us for certain liabilities arising out of our
engagement.
 
    This opinion may not be reproduced, disseminated, used, quoted or referred
to in whole or in part, orally or in any document, press release or public
statement without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch unless required by
law or regulations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the opinion may be
reproduced, in its entirety, in the Proxy Statement to be mailed to the
Company's shareholders and the Form S-4 to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission in connection with the Merger.
 
                                 Annex III-A-2
<PAGE>
    On the basis of, and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that
the proposed consideration to be received by the holders of the Shares pursuant
to the Merger is fair to such shareholders from a financial point of view.
 
                                Very truly yours,
 
                                MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER &
                                SMITH INCORPORATED
 
                                By:           /s/ DANIEL M. DICKINSON
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                                Daniel M. Dickinson
                                              INVESTMENT BANKING GROUP
 
                                 Annex III-A-3
<PAGE>
                                  ANNEX III-B
 
                         [Smith Barney Inc. Letterhead]
 
March 20, 1997
 
The Board of Directors
Falcon Building Products, Inc.
Two North Riverside Plaza
Chicago, Illinois 60606
 
Members of the Board:
 
    You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of
view, to the holders of the common stock of Falcon Building Products, Inc.
("Falcon") of the consideration to be received by such holders pursuant to the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of March 20, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and between
Falcon and FBP Acquisition Corp. ("MergerCo"), a wholly owned subsidiary of
Investcorp International, Inc. ("Investcorp"). As more fully described in the
Merger Agreement, (i) MergerCo will be merged with and into Falcon (the
"Merger") and (ii) each outstanding share of the Class A Common Stock, par value
$0.01 per share, of Falcon (the "Falcon Common Stock") will be converted into
either (A) the right to retain, at the election of the holder thereof, one share
of Falcon Common Stock (the "Stock Consideration") or (B) the right to receive
$17.75 in cash (the "Cash Consideration" and, together with the Stock
Consideration, the "Merger Consideration"), subject to proration as more fully
specified in the Merger Agreement; PROVIDED that the aggregate number of shares
of Falcon Common Stock to be converted into the Stock Consideration will be
1,034,020 shares.
 
    In arriving at our opinion, we reviewed the Merger Agreement and held
discussions with certain senior officers, directors and other representatives
and advisors of Falcon and certain senior officers and other representatives and
advisors of Investcorp concerning the business, operations and prospects of
Falcon. We examined certain publicly available business and financial
information relating to Falcon as well as certain financial forecasts and other
information and data for Falcon which were provided to or otherwise discussed
with us by the management of Falcon. We reviewed the financial terms of the
Merger as set forth in the Merger Agreement in relation to, among other things:
current and historical market prices and trading volumes of Falcon Common Stock;
the historical and projected earnings and other operating data of Falcon; and
the capitalization and financial condition of Falcon. We considered, to the
extent publicly available, the financial terms of other transactions recently
effected which we considered relevant in evaluating the Merger and analyzed
certain financial, stock market and other publicly available information
relating to the businesses of other companies whose operations we considered
relevant in evaluating those of Falcon. In connection with our engagement, we
were requested to approach, and held discussions with, third parties to solicit
indications of interest in a possible acquisition of Falcon. In addition to the
foregoing, we conducted such other analyses and examinations and considered such
other financial, economic and market criteria as we deemed appropriate in
arriving at our opinion.
 
    In rendering our opinion, we have assumed and relied, without independent
verification, upon the accuracy and completeness of all financial and other
information and data publicly available or furnished to or otherwise reviewed by
or discussed with us. With respect to financial forecasts and other information
and data provided to or otherwise reviewed by or discussed with us, we have been
advised by the management of Falcon that such forecasts and other information
and data were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently
available estimates and judgments of the management of Falcon as to the future
financial performance of Falcon. We have assumed, with your consent, that the
Merger will be treated as a recapitalization in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. We are not expressing any opinion as to what the
value of the Falcon Common Stock actually will be when issued
 
                                 Annex III-B-1
<PAGE>
pursuant to the Merger or the price at which the Falcon Common Stock will trade
or otherwise be transferable subsequent to the Merger. We have not made or been
provided with an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or
liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Falcon nor have we made any physical
inspection of the properties or assets of Falcon. Our opinion is necessarily
based upon information available to us, and financial, stock market and other
conditions and circumstances existing and disclosed to us, as of the date
hereof.
 
    Smith Barney has been engaged to render financial advisory services to
Falcon in connection with the proposed Merger and will receive a fee for such
services, which fee is contingent upon the consummation of the Merger. In the
ordinary course of our business, we and our affiliates may actively trade or
hold the securities of Falcon for our own account or for the account of our
customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in
such securities. We have in the past provided investment banking services to
affiliates of Falcon unrelated to the proposed Merger, and may participate in
the financing for the Merger, for which services we have received or would
receive compensation. In addition, we and our affiliates (including Travelers
Group Inc. and its affiliates) may maintain relationships with Falcon,
Investcorp and their respective affiliates.
 
    Our advisory services and the opinion expressed herein are provided for the
information of the Board of Directors of Falcon in its evaluation of the
proposed Merger, and our opinion is not intended to be and does not constitute a
recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote on the
proposed Merger. Our opinion may not be published or otherwise used or referred
to, nor shall any public reference to Smith Barney be made, without our prior
written consent.
 
    Based upon and subject to the foregoing, our experience as investment
bankers, our work as described above and other factors we deemed relevant, we
are of the opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Merger Consideration is
fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Falcon Common Stock.
 
Very truly yours,
 
/s/ SMITH BARNEY INC.
- ---------------------------------------------
 
SMITH BARNEY INC.
 
                                 Annex III-B-2
<PAGE>
                                    ANNEX IV
 
                                 DELAWARE CODE
                             TITLE 8. CORPORATIONS
                       CHAPTER I. GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
                     SUBCHAPTER IX. MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION
                             8 DEL. C. SECTION 262
 
SECTION 262.  APPRAISAL RIGHTS
 
    (a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who holds shares of stock
on the date of the making of a demand pursuant to subsection (d) of this section
with respect to such shares, who continuously holds such shares through the
effective date of the merger or consolidation, who has otherwise complied with
subsection (d) of this section and who has neither voted in favor of the merger
or consolidation nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to Section 228 of
this title shall be entitled to an appraisal by the Court of Chancery of the
fair value of his shares of stock under the circumstances described in
subsections (b) and (c) of this section. As used in this section, the word
"stockholder" means a holder of record of stock in a stock corporation and also
a member of record of a nonstock corporation; the words "stock" and "share" mean
and include what is ordinarily meant by those words and also membership or
membership interest of a member of a nonstock corporation; and the words
"depository receipt" mean a receipt or other instrument issued by a depository
representing an interest in one or more shares, or fractions thereof, solely of
stock of a corporation, which stock is deposited with the depository.
 
    (b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or
series of stock of a constituent corporation in a merger or consolidation to be
effected pursuant to Section 251 (other than a merger effected pursuant to
subsection (g) of Section 251), 252, 254, 257, 258, 263 or 264 of this title:
 
        (1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this section shall
    be available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which stock, or
    depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to
    determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the
    meeting of stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or
    consolidation, were either (1) listed on a national securities exchange or
    designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation
    system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or (ii) held
    of record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no appraisal
    rights shall be available for any shares of stock of the constituent
    corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require for its
    approval the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation as
    provided in subsection (f) of Section 251 of this title.
 
        (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, appraisal rights
    under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series
    of stock of a constituent corporation if the holders thereof are required by
    the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation pursuant to
    SectionSection 251, 252, 254, 257, 258, 263 and 264 of this title to accept
    for such stock anything except:
 
           a.  Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from
       such merger or consolidation, or depository receipts in respect thereof;
 
           b.  Shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository receipts
       in respect thereof, which shares of stock or depository receipts at the
       effective date of the merger or consolidation will be either listed on a
       national securities exchange or designated as a national market system
       security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association
       of Securities Dealers, Inc. or held of record by more than 2,000 holders;
 
           c.  Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository
       receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a. and b. of this
       paragraph; or
 
                                   Annex IV-1
<PAGE>
           d.  Any combination of the shares of stock, depository receipts and
       cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts
       described in the foregoing subparagraphs a., b. and c. of this paragraph.
 
        (3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware corporation
    party to a merger effected under Section 253 of this title is not owned by
    the parent corporation immediately prior to the merger, appraisal rights
    shall be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware corporation.
 
    (c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that
appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any
class or series of its stock as a result of an amendment to its certificate of
incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a
constituent corporation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
the corporation. If the certificate of incorporation contains such a provision,
the procedures of this section, including those set forth in subsections (d) and
(e) of this section, shall apply as nearly as is practicable.
 
    (d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:
 
        (1) If a proposed merger or consolidation for which appraisal rights are
    provided under this section is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of
    stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting,
    shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record date for
    such meeting with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are available
    pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) hereof that appraisal rights are available
    for any or all of the shares of the constituent corporations, and shall
    include in such notice a copy of this section. Each stockholder electing to
    demand the appraisal of his shares shall deliver to the corporation, before
    the taking of the vote on the merger or consolidation, a written demand for
    appraisal of his shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably
    informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the
    stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of his shares. A proxy
    or vote against the merger or consolidation shall not constitute such a
    demand. A stockholder electing to take such action must do so by a separate
    written demand as herein provided. Within 10 days after the effective date
    of such merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation
    shall notify each stockholder of each constituent corporation who has
    complied with this subsection and has not voted in favor of or consented to
    the merger or consolidation of the date that the merger or consolidation has
    become effective; or
 
        (2) If the merger or consolidation was approved pursuant to Section 228
    or Section 253 of this title, each constituent corporation, either before
    the effective date of the merger or consolidation or within ten days
    thereafter, shall notify each of the holders of any class or series of stock
    of such constituent corporation who are entitled to appraisal rights of the
    approval of the merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights are
    available for any or all shares of such class or series of stock of such
    constituent corporation, and shall include in such notice a copy of this
    section; provided that, if the notice is given on or after the effective
    date of the merger or consolidation, such notice shall be given by the
    surviving or resulting corporation to all such holders of any class or
    series of stock of a constituent corporation that are entitled to appraisal
    rights. Such notice may, and, if given on or after the effective date of the
    merger or consolidation, shall, also notify such stockholders of the
    effective date of the merger or consolidation. Any stockholder entitled to
    appraisal rights may, within twenty days after the date of mailing of such
    notice, demand in writing from the surviving or resulting corporation the
    appraisal of such holder's shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it
    reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and
    that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such
    holder's shares. If such notice did not notify stockholders of the effective
    date of the merger or consolidation, either (i) each such constituent
    corporation shall send a second notice before the effective date of the
    merger or consolidation notifying each of the holders of any class or series
    of stock of such constituent corporation that are entitled to appraisal
    rights of the effective date of the merger or consolidation or (ii) the
    surviving or resulting corporation shall send such a second notice to all
    such holders on or within 10 days after such effective date; provided,
 
                                   Annex IV-2
<PAGE>
    however, that if such second notice is sent more than 20 days following the
    sending of the first notice, such second notice need only be sent to each
    stockholder who is entitled to appraisal rights and who has demanded
    appraisal of such holder's shares in accordance with this subsection. An
    affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary or of the transfer agent
    of the corporation that is required to give either notice that such notice
    has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of
    the facts stated therein. For purposes of determining the stockholders
    entitled to receive either notice, each constituent corporation may fix, in
    advance, a record date that shall not be more than 10 days prior to the date
    the notice is given; provided that, if the notice is given on or after the
    effective date of the merger or consolidation, the record date shall be such
    effective date. If no record date is fixed and the notice is given prior to
    the effective date, the record date shall be the close of business on the
    day next preceding the day on which the notice is given.
 
    (e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation,
the surviving or resulting corporation or any stockholder who has complied with
subsections (a) and (d) hereof and who is otherwise entitled to appraisal
rights, may file a petition in the Court of Chancery demanding a determination
of the value of the stock of all such stockholders. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, at any time within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or
consolidation, any stockholder shall have the right to withdraw his demand for
appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger or consolidation.
Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any
stockholder who has complied with the requirements of subsections (a) and (d)
hereof, upon written request, shall be entitled to receive from the corporation
surviving the merger or resulting from the consolidation a statement setting
forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor of the merger or
consolidation and with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received
and the aggregate number of holders of such shares. Such written statement shall
be mailed to the stockholder within 10 days after his written request for such a
statement is received by the surviving or resulting corporation or within 10
days after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal under
subsection (d) hereof, whichever is later.
 
    (f) Upon the filing of any such petition by a stockholder, service of a copy
thereof shall be made upon the surviving or resulting corporation, which shall
within 20 days after such service file in the office of the Register in Chancery
in which the petition was filed a duly verified list containing the names and
addresses of all stockholders who have demanded payment for their shares and
with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached by
the surviving or resulting corporation. If the petition was filed by the
surviving or resulting corporation, the petition shall be accompanied by such a
duly verified list. The Register in Chancery, if so ordered by the Court, shall
give notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing of such petition by
registered or certified mail to the surviving or resulting corporation and to
the stockholders shown on the list at the addresses therein stated. Such notice
shall also be given by 1 or more publications at least 1 week before the day of
the hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of
Wilmington, Delaware, or such publication as the Court deems advisable. The
forms of the notices by mail and by publication shall be approved by the Court,
and the costs thereof shall be borne by the surviving or resulting corporation.
 
    (g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall determine the
stockholders who have complied with this section and who have become entitled to
appraisal rights. The Court may require the stockholders who have demanded an
appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented by certificates to
submit their certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery for notation
thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and if any stockholder
fails to comply with such direction the Court may dismiss the proceedings as to
such stockholder.
 
    (h) After determining the stockholders entitled to an appraisal, the Court
shall appraise the shares, determining their fair value exclusive of any element
of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger or
consolidation, together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid upon
the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining such fair value, the
Court shall take into account all relevant factors. In determining the fair rate
of interest, the Court may consider all relevant factors,
 
                                   Annex IV-3
<PAGE>
including the rate of interest which the surviving or resulting corporation
would have had to pay to borrow money during the pendency of the proceeding.
Upon application by the surviving or resulting corporation or by any stockholder
entitled to participate in the appraisal proceeding, the Court may, in its
discretion, permit discovery or other pretrial proceedings and may proceed to
trial upon the appraisal prior to the final determination of the stockholder
entitled to an appraisal. Any stockholder whose name appears on the list filed
by the surviving or resulting corporation pursuant to subsection (f) of this
section and who has submitted his certificates of stock to the Register in
Chancery, if such is required, may participate fully in all proceedings until it
is finally determined that he is not entitled to appraisal rights under this
section.
 
    (i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the shares,
together with interest, if any, by the surviving or resulting corporation to the
stockholders entitled thereto. Interest may be simple or compound, as the Court
may direct. Payment shall be so made to each such stockholder, in the case of
holders of uncertificated stock forthwith, and in the case of holders of shares
represented by certificates upon the surrender to the corporation of the
certificates representing such stock. The Court's decree may be enforced as
other decrees in the Court of Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving
or resulting corporation be a corporation of this State or of any state.
 
    (j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the Court and taxed
upon the parties as the Court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon
application of a stockholder, the Court may order all or a portion of the
expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal
proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and the
fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all
the shares entitled to an appraisal.
 
    (k) From and after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, no
stockholder who has demanded his appraisal rights as provided in subsection (d)
of this section shall be entitled to vote such stock for any purpose or to
receive payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock (except
dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date
which is prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation); provided,
however, that if no petition for an appraisal shall be filed within the time
provided in subsection (e) of this section, or if such stockholder shall deliver
to the surviving or resulting corporation a written withdrawal of his demand for
an appraisal and an acceptance of the merger or consolidation, either within 60
days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation as provided in
subsection (e) of this section or thereafter with the written approval of the
corporation, then the right of such stockholder to an appraisal shall cease.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no appraisal proceeding in the Court of Chancery
shall be dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval of the Court, and
such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Court deems just.
 
    (l) The shares of the surviving or resulting corporation to which the shares
of such objecting stockholders would have been converted had they assented to
the merger or consolidation shall have the status of authorized and unissued
shares of the surviving or resulting corporation.
 
                                   Annex IV-4
<PAGE>
                                    ANNEX V
 
                                FORM OF RESTATED
                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                          FBP ACQUISITION CORP., INC.
 
                                    Annex V-
<PAGE>
                                    FORM OF
                     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                                   FBP, INC.
                  (Originally incorporated on March 19, 1997)
 
                               ARTICLE I -- NAME
 
    The name of the corporation (hereinafter called the "CORPORATION") is FBP,
Inc.
 
                        ARTICLE II -- REGISTERED OFFICE
 
    The address, including street, number, city, and county, of the registered
office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is [1013 Centre Road], City
of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19805; and the name of the
registered agent of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is [The
Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc.]
 
                             ARTICLE III -- PURPOSE
 
    The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity
for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware.
 
                          ARTICLE IV -- CAPITALIZATION
 
    1.  DEFINITIONS.  As used in this Article, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
 
        "AFFILIATE", with respect to a Class D Stockholder that is not a natural
    person, means (i) any Person which, directly or indirectly, is in control
    of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Class D
    Stockholder or (ii) any Person who is a director or officer (a) of such
    Class D Stockholder, (b) of any subsidiary of such Class D Stockholder or
    (c) of any Person described in clause (i) above. For purposes of this
    definition, "control" of a Person shall mean the power, directly or
    indirectly, (y) to vote fifty percent (50%) or more of the securities having
    ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person whether
    by ownership of securities, contract, proxy or otherwise, or (z) to direct
    or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether
    by ownership of securities, contract, proxy or otherwise.
 
        "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
 
        "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, federal
    holiday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are
    authorized or required to close under the laws of the State of New York.
 
        "CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION" means this Restated Certificate of
    Incorporation of the Corporation.
 
        "CLASS A STOCK" means the Class A Common Stock described in Section 2.
 
        "CLASS B STOCK" means the Class B Common Stock described in Section 2.
 
        "CLASS C STOCK" means the Class C Common Stock described in Section 2.
 
        "CLASS D STOCK" means the Class D Common Stock described in Section 2.
 
        "CLASS A STOCKHOLDER" means a record holder of one or more shares of
    Class A Stock.
 
        "CLASS B STOCKHOLDER" means a record holder of one or more shares of
    Class B Stock.
 
                                  Annex V-B-2
<PAGE>
        "CLASS C STOCKHOLDER" means a record holder of one or more shares of
    Class C Stock.
 
        "CLASS D STOCKHOLDER" means a record holder of one or more shares of
    Class D Stock.
 
        "COMMON STOCK" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.
 
        "COMMON STOCKHOLDER" means a record holder of one or more shares of
    Common Stock.
 
        "CONVERSION DATE" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.
 
        "CORPORATION" means FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc.
 
        "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
    and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
        "INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING" means the effectiveness after            ,
    1997 of a registration statement under the Securities Act or any of Forms
    S-1, S-2, S-3 or any similar successor form covering any of the Stock, and
    the completion of a sale of such Stock thereunder, (i) following which the
    Corporation is, or becomes, a reporting company under Section 12(b) or 12(g)
    of the Exchange Act, and (ii) as a result of which the Stock is traded on
    the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange, or quoted on the
    NASDAQ Stock Market or is traded or quoted on any other national stock
    exchange.
 
        "IPO DATE" means the closing date of the Initial Public Offering.
 
        "NON-REDEEMABLE SHARES" means all shares of Class B Stock or Class C
    Stock that have been previously sold (whether under Section 4 or Section
    5(c)) pursuant to a Tag-Along Transfer other than pursuant to a Single
    Transaction Sale.
 
        "NOTICE DATE" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b).
 
        "OTHER STOCKHOLDERS" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).
 
        "PERMITTED TRANSFEREE" with respect to a Transfer by a Class D
    Stockholder, means (i) with respect to any Class D Stockholder who is a
    natural person, a Transfer to (a) such Stockholder's spouse or issue, or (b)
    a trust the beneficiaries of which, and a partnership the limited and
    general partners of which, include only the Class D Stockholder, his spouse
    or issue; (ii) with respect to any Class D Stockholder that is not a natural
    person, (A) a Transfer to an Affiliate of such Class D Stockholder; or (B) a
    Transfer to another Class D Stockholder or its Affiliates; PROVIDED such
    other Class D Stockholder referenced in clauses (i) and (ii) did not acquire
    its shares of Class D Stock pursuant to a Tag-Along Transfer.
 
        "PERSON" means any natural person, partnership, limited liability
    company, corporation (including the Corporation), trust or incorporated
    organization or a government or a political subdivision thereof.
 
        "PROPOSED PURCHASE AMOUNT" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).
 
        "PROPOSED TRANSFEREE" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).
 
        "PROPOSED TRANSFEROR" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).
 
        "REDEMPTION DATE" has the meaning set forth in Section 5(d).
 
        "SALE OF THE CORPORATION" means, (i) the sale of one hundred percent
    (100%) of the outstanding shares of Stock; (ii) a sale of all or
    substantially all of the assets of the Corporation; or (iii) a merger,
    consolidation or recapitalization of the Corporation as a result of which
    the ownership of the Stock of the Corporation (or the voting stock of the
    surviving corporation, if the Corporation is not the survivor) is changed to
    the extent of one hundred percent (100%).
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
        "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
        "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
    rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
        "SINGLE TRANSACTION SALE" means a Sale of the Corporation in a single
    transaction.
 
        "STAGGERED SALE" means a Sale of the Corporation in more than one
    transaction, each such transaction also being referred to individually as a
    "Staggered Sale."
 
        "STOCK" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.
 
        "STOCKHOLDER" means a record holder of one or more shares of Class A
    Stock, Class B Stock, Class C Stock, Class D Stock, or Common Stock.
 
        "STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENTS" means those certain Stockholders' Agreements
    being entered into contemporaneously with the effectiveness of this
    Certificate of Incorporation among the Corporation, and certain persons who
    then are or are then becoming Stockholders, as the same may be supplemented,
    modified, amended and restated from time to time in the manner provided
    therein. A copy of a Stockholders' Agreement will be supplied by the
    Corporation to any Stockholder party thereto upon written request made to
    the Corporation at its registered office.
 
        "TAG-ALONG ACCEPTANCE DATE" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(c).
 
        "TAG-ALONG NOTICE" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(c).
 
        "TAG-ALONG PRO RATA AMOUNT" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).
 
        "TAG-ALONG REDEMPTION PRICE" has the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).
 
        "TAG-ALONG TRANSFER" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).
 
        "TRANSFER", with respect to any share of Stock, means the sale,
    assignment, pledge, hypothecation, gift or other disposition whatsoever
    (other than pursuant to the Initial Public Offering or pursuant to the
    redemption by the Corporation or the conversion by the Holder of any such
    share of Stock, in either case in accordance with the terms of this
    Certificate of Incorporation) of such share, or the encumbrance or granting
    of any rights or interests whatsoever in or with respect to such share,
    except with respect to any such encumbrance or granting of rights or
    interests with respect to the Stockholders' Agreement.
 
        "TRANSFER NOTICE" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b).
 
        "WARRANT" means the Class B Stock Purchase Warrant to be issued on or
    about the effective date of this Certificate of Incorporation by the
    Corporation which entitles the Warrant Holder(s), upon the occurrence of a
    Warrant Triggering Event, to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock of
    the Corporation as specified therein.
 
        "WARRANT DATE" means, (i) if the Warrant Triggering Event is the Initial
    Public Offering, the IPO Date, or (ii) if the Warrant Triggering Event is a
    Sale of the Corporation, the closing date of (A) the Single Transaction
    Sale, if the Sale of the Corporation is pursuant to a Single Transaction
    Sale, or (B) the Staggered Sale that causes a Sale of the Corporation to
    occur, if the Sale of the Corporation is pursuant to a series of Staggered
    Sales.
 
        "WARRANT HOLDER(S)" means the Holder(s) of the Warrants.
 
        "WARRANT REDEMPTION PRICE" has the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).
 
        "WARRANT SHARES" means the shares of Common Stock purchasable by the
    Warrant Holder(s) pursuant to the exercise of the Warrants, which shall
    equal in all cases the number of shares of Class A Stock redeemed in
    connection with the exercise of such Warrant.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
        "WARRANT TRIGGERING EVENT" means the first to occur of (i) an Initial
    Public Offering or (ii) a Sale of the Corporation, whether such sale occurs
    pursuant to a Single Transaction Sale or a series of Staggered Sales.
 
    2.  DESIGNATION AND NUMBER.  The total number of shares of all classes of
stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 20,000,000. There
shall be five classes of stock of the Corporation. The first class of stock of
the Corporation shall have a par value of $0.01 per share and shall be
designated as "Class A Common Stock" and the number of shares constituting such
class shall be 1,034,020. The second class of stock of the Corporation shall
have a par value of $0.01 per share and shall be designated as "Class B Common
Stock" and the number of shares constituting such class shall be 6,900,000. The
third class of stock of the Corporation shall have a par value of $0.01 per
share and shall be designated as "Class C Common Stock" and the number of shares
constituting such class shall be 2,048,980. The fourth class of stock of the
Corporation shall have a par value of $0.01 per share and shall be designated as
"Class D Common Stock" and the number of shares constituting such class shall be
17,000. The fifth class of stock of the Corporation shall have a par value of
$0.01 per share and shall be designated as "Common Stock" and the number of
shares constituting such class shall be 10,000,000. The Class A Stock, Class B
Stock, Class C Stock, Class D Stock and Common Stock are sometimes referred to
collectively herein as the "Stock". The Corporation may, by an amendment to the
Certificate of Incorporation duly adopted, increase or decrease, at any time and
from time to time (but not below the number of shares of Class A Stock, Class B
Stock, Class C Stock, Class D Stock or Common Stock then outstanding), the
number of authorized shares of Class A Stock, Class B Stock, Class C Stock,
Class D Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be. Shares of Stock redeemed,
purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation pursuant to the terms hereof
shall be retired and shall revert to authorized but unissued Class A Stock,
Class B Stock, Class C Stock, Class D Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be.
 
    3.  RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER.
 
    (a) Except for Transfers to a Permitted Transferee, no Class D Stockholder
shall Transfer any share of Class D Stock owned by such Class D Stockholder
except in accordance with the terms of this Certificate of Incorporation. Any
Transfer or attempt to Transfer any share of Class D Stock in violation of the
terms and conditions of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be null and void
and of no force and effect, the transferee thereof shall not be deemed to be the
registered holder thereof nor entitled to any rights with respect thereto, and
the Corporation shall refuse to Transfer any of such Class D Stock on its books
to such alleged transferee.
 
    (b) No Stockholder shall Transfer any shares of Stock unless such Transfer
complies with the conditions specified in this Section 3(b), which are intended
to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act. Prior to any
Transfer, the holder of the shares of Stock proposed to be Transferred (other
than a holder of Class A Stock who is not an affiliate of the Corporation) shall
give written notice to the Corporation of such holder's intention to effect such
Transfer. Each such notice shall describe the manner and circumstances of the
proposed Transfer in sufficient detail, and, if requested by the Corporation,
shall be accompanied by either (i) a written opinion of legal counsel who is
reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation, addressed to the Corporation and
reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Corporation's counsel, to
the effect that the proposed Transfer may be effected without registration under
the Securities Act and qualification under applicable state securities laws, or
(ii) a "no action" letter from the SEC to the effect that the Transfer of such
securities without registration under the Securities Act will not result in a
recommendation by the staff of the SEC that action be taken with respect
thereof, or a combination of (i) and (ii) above, whereupon the holder of such
shares of Stock shall be entitled to Transfer such shares in accordance with the
terms of this Certificate and the written notice delivered by the holder to the
Corporation. Each certificate evidencing the shares of Stock Transferred as
above provided shall bear the appropriate restrictive legend set forth in
Section 9, PROVIDED THAT, following the Initial Public Offering, such
certificates shall bear the legend set forth in Section 9 or another legend only
if, in the opinion of counsel to the Corporation, the imposition of such legend
is required under the Securities Act
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
or other applicable law. Any purported Transfer in violation of this Section
3(b) shall be null and void and of no force or effect, and the Corporation shall
not record any such Transfer on its stock transfer books. The restrictions on
Transfer contained in this Section 3(b) shall not apply to Transfers of shares
of Stock (i) in the Initial Public Offering; or (ii) following the Initial
Public Offering, PROVIDED THAT such Transfer is made in compliance with the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws and in accordance with any
restrictions on transfer contained in any restrictive legend set forth on the
certificates representing such shares.
 
    4.  TAG-ALONG RIGHTS.
 
    (a) TRANSFER BY CLASS D STOCKHOLDERS. If, other than in connection with the
Initial Public Offering, any Class D Stockholder or Stockholders (for purposes
of this Section 4, singularly or collectively, the "Proposed Transferor"), at
any time or from time to time in one transaction or in a series of transactions,
desires to enter into an agreement (whether oral or written) to Transfer its
shares of Class D Stock or any part thereof in a transaction which is a sale for
consideration consisting exclusively of cash to any Person other than a
Permitted Transferee (the "Proposed Transferee"), such proposed Transfer shall
be deemed a "Tag-Along Transfer" and, each of the Class A Stockholders, Class B
Stockholders and Class C Stockholders (collectively, the "Other Stockholders")
shall have the right, but not the obligation, as a condition to such Tag-Along
Transfer, to have the Proposed Transferee purchase from each such Other
Stockholder up to the number of shares (the "Tag-Along Pro Rata Amount") of
Class A Stock, Class B Stock or Class C Stock derived by multiplying the total
number of shares of Class A Stock, Class B Stock or Class C Stock exclusive of
Non-Redeemable Shares, as the case may be, owned by such Other Stockholder by a
fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the number of shares of Class D
Stock that is proposed to be Transferred by the Proposed Transferor to the
Proposed Transferee (the "Proposed Purchase Amount") and the denominator of
which is the total number of shares of Class D Stock (other than shares of Class
D Stock that have previously been Transferred pursuant to a Tag-Along Transfer)
outstanding as of the Notice Date (as defined in Section 4(b)). All Tag-Along
Transfers by Other Stockholders shall be on the same terms and conditions (with
such changes as are necessary to apply such terms and conditions to a sale by
such Other Stockholders) as the proposed Tag-Along Transfer by the Proposed
Transferor, PROVIDED THAT no Other Stockholder may be required to make any
representation or warranty in connection with the Tag-Along Transfer other than
as to its ownership and authority to Transfer the shares of Stock to be
Transferred by it, free and clear of any and all liens and encumbrances (other
than under this Certificate of Incorporation) and in compliance with all
applicable laws.
 
    (b) TRANSFER NOTICE. The Proposed Transferor participating in a Tag-Along
Transfer shall at least thirty (30) Business Days prior to the closing date
thereof provide the Corporation and the Other Stockholders with written notice
(the "Transfer Notice") of the proposed Tag-Along Transfer containing the
following:
 
        (i) the name and address of the Proposed Transferor and the Proposed
    Transferee;
 
        (ii) the Proposed Purchase Amount;
 
       (iii) the proposed amount to be paid for such shares of Class D Stock,
    the terms and conditions of payment offered by the Proposed Transferee, the
    closing date for the proposed Tag-Along Transfer and the estimated expenses
    payable pursuant to Section 4(d);
 
        (iv) the aggregate number of shares of Class A Stock, Class B Stock or
    Class C Stock, as the case may be, held of record as of the date the
    Transfer Notice is sent (the "Notice Date") by the Other Stockholder to whom
    the notice is sent;
 
        (v) the aggregate number of shares of Class A Stock, Class B Stock or
    Class C Stock, as the case may be, held of record as of the Notice Date by
    all Other Stockholders as a group;
 
        (vi) the Tag-Along Pro Rata Amount; and
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
       (vii) a statement confirming that the Proposed Transferee has agreed (i)
    to the tag-along rights and, (ii) pursuant to Section 5(c), to purchase the
    number of shares of Stock redeemed pursuant to Section 5(a).
 
    Upon written request by the Proposed Transferor, the Corporation shall
provide to the Proposed Transferor the information referred to in (iv) and (v)
above for inclusion in the Transfer Notice and such other information as may be
required to enable the Proposed Transferor to comply with the terms of this
Section 4(b).
 
    (c) TAG-ALONG NOTICE. Each Other Stockholder desiring to participate in the
proposed Tag-Along Transfer shall provide a written notice (the "Tag-Along
Notice") to the Proposed Transferor on or before the expiration of ten (10)
Business Days after the Notice Date (the "Tag-Along Acceptance Date") stating
the number of shares held by such Other Stockholder (up to its Tag-Along Pro
Rata Amount) to be included in the proposed Tag-Along Transfer on the terms and
conditions specified in the Transfer Notice. The Tag-Along Notice given by each
Other Stockholder shall include and constitute such Other Stockholder's binding
agreement to include a number of shares equal to its Tag-Along Pro Rata Amount
(or such lesser amount as stated in the Tag-Along Notice) in the Tag-Along
Transfer on the terms and conditions specified in the Transfer Notice and in
this Certificate of Incorporation. If the Proposed Transferee does not purchase
all of the shares of Stock of the Proposed Transferor and the Other Stockholders
included in such proposed Tag-Along Transfer, as well as shares to be issued
under Section 5(c) in connection with the Tag-Along Transfer, then the proposed
Tag-Along Transfer to such Proposed Transferee shall be prohibited and any
attempt to consummate the proposed Tag-Along Transfer shall be null and void and
of no force and effect.
 
    (d) Each Proposed Transferor and each Other Stockholder whose shares are
sold in a Tag-Along Transfer shall be entitled to receive the proceeds of such
Tag-Along Transfer less its pro rata share, based on the number of shares
included in such Tag-Along Transfer, of the expenses of the transaction
including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees and
expenses, such determination of expenses to be made in the sole discretion of
the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
 
    (e) The provisions of this Section 4 shall not apply to a subsequent
Transfer of any share of Class D Stock that has previously been the subject of a
completed Tag-Along Transfer which complied with the provisions of this Section
4.
 
    5.  REDEMPTION.
 
    (a) The number of shares of Class A Stock, Class B Stock or Class C Stock
equal to the difference ("Difference Shares") between (i) the number of shares
included in any Tag-Along Transfer by the Class A Stockholder, Class B
Stockholder or Class C Stockholder pursuant to Section 4 and (ii) the Tag-Along
Pro Rata Amount for each such Class A Stockholder, Class B Stockholder or Class
C Stockholder shall be redeemed by the Corporation, to the extent it is lawfully
permitted to do so, out of funds legally available therefor PRO RATA,based on
the number of Difference Shares held by such Stockholders from each of the Class
A Stockholders, Class B Stockholders and Class C Stockholders who elected to
include in the Tag-Along Transfer a number of shares of Stock less than the
number of shares that constitute their Tag-Along Pro Rata Amount or any such
Stockholders that did not elect to participate in a Tag-Along Transfer at a
redemption price (the "Tag-Along Redemption Price") for each share of Class A
Stock, Class B Stock or Class C Stock so redeemed equal to the per share price
paid for the Class D Stock by the Proposed Transferee less such Other
Stockholder's PRO RATA share, based on the number of shares of Stock so redeemed
from such Other Stockholder, of the expenses of the Tag-Along Transfer
including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees and
expenses, such determination of expenses to be made in the sole discretion of
the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The provisions of this Section 5(a)
shall not apply to the Non-Redeemable Shares. Redemption under this subsection
is conditioned upon the contemporaneous purchase by the Proposed Transferee of
the shares issuable under Section 5(c) in connection with the applicable
Tag-Along Transfer.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
    (b) If the Warrant Holder(s) exercise(s) the Class B Warrant, the
Corporation shall redeem, to the extent it is lawfully permitted to do so, from
the Class B Stockholders, PRO RATA based on the number of shares of such Class B
Stock then owned by each such Stockholder, out of funds legally available
therefor, a number of shares of Class B Stock equal to the number of Warrant
Shares at a redemption price (the "Warrant Redemption Price") equal to the par
value of each share of Class B Stock so redeemed. The provisions of this Section
5(b) shall not apply to the Non-Redeemable Shares. If a redemption pursuant to
this Section 5(b) occurs as a result of a Sale of the Corporation, such
redemption shall occur, immediately prior to any redemption pursuant to Section
5(a) hereof. Redemption under this subsection is conditioned upon the
contemporaneous purchase of the Warrant Shares by the Warrant Holder(s) pursuant
to the Class B Warrant.
 
    (c) The shares of Class B Stock redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to a
Section 5(b) mandatory redemption shall, on the Redemption Date (as defined in
Section 5(d)), be retired and upon such retirement shall automatically revert to
authorized but unissued shares of Class B Stock, and the Corporation shall, on
the Redemption Date, but immediately after such redemption, issue, to the extent
it is lawfully permitted to do so, to the Warrant Holder(s) a number of shares
of Common Stock equal to the number of Warrant Shares. The shares of Class A
Stock, Class B Stock or Class C Stock redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to a
Section 5(a) mandatory redemption pursuant to a Tag-Along Transfer shall, on the
Redemption Date, be retired and upon such retirement shall automatically revert
to authorized but unissued shares of Class A Stock, Class B Stock or Class C
Stock, as relevant, and the Corporation shall, on the Redemption Date, but
immediately after such redemption, issue, to the extent it is lawfully permitted
to do so, to the Proposed Transferee a number of shares of Class A Stock, Class
B Stock or Class C Stock equal to the number of shares of such classes of Stock
so redeemed. Upon any issuance of shares of Class A Stock, Class B Stock or
Class C Stock equal to the number of shares of such class of Stock redeemed
pursuant to a Section 5(a) mandatory redemption, the Corporation shall receive
from the Proposed Transferee as the purchase price for such shares an amount
equal to the Tag-Along Redemption Price.
 
    (d) The Corporation shall give to each holder of record of the shares of
Class A Stock, Class B Stock or Class C Stock to be redeemed pursuant to the
terms of this Section 5 prior written notice of such redemption not less than
two Business Days prior to the date such shares will be redeemed (the
"Redemption Date") which (i) in the case of a redemption pursuant to Section
5(a) shall be the closing date of the Tag-Along Transfer and (ii) in the case of
a redemption pursuant to Section 5(b) shall be the Warrant Date. Each such
notice shall state: (A) the Redemption Date; (B) the total number of shares of
the Class A Stock, Class B Stock or Class C Stock to be redeemed and, if fewer
than all the shares held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such
shares to be redeemed from such holder; (C) the Tag-Along Redemption Price or
the Warrant Redemption Price, as relevant; and (D) the fact that the
certificates for the shares subject to redemption are to be surrendered in
exchange for payment of the Tag-Along Redemption Price or Warrant Redemption
Price, as relevant, at the principal office of the Corporation or at such other
place as the Corporation shall designate.
 
    (e) On the Redemption Date, the shares of Class A Stock, Class B Stock or
Class C Stock required to be redeemed pursuant to the terms of this Section 5
shall be deemed to have been so redeemed, notwithstanding that the certificates
representing such Class A Stock, Class B Stock or Class C Stock shall not have
been surrendered at the principal office of the Corporation or such other place
as the Corporation may have designated or that notice from the Corporation shall
not have been given by the Corporation or, if given, shall not have been
received by any holder of Class A Stock, Class B Stock or Class C Stock whose
shares of Stock are to be so redeemed. All certificates representing the
redeemed shares of Class A Stock, Class B Stock or Class C Stock, including all
certificates not so delivered by such Class A Stockholders, Class B Stockholders
or Class C Stockholders, shall be, or shall be deemed to be, canceled by the
Corporation as of the Redemption Date and shall thereafter no longer be of any
force or effect.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
    6.  CONVERSION.
 
    If the Initial Public Offering or a Sale of the Corporation (whether
pursuant to a Single Transaction Sale or a series of Staggered Sales) occurs,
each issued and outstanding share of Class A Stock, Class B Stock, Class C
Stock, and Class D Stock, not otherwise redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to
the mandatory redemption provisions of Section 5(a) or 5(b) hereof shall
automatically convert into one share of Common Stock effective on the Redemption
Date (or, in the case of an Initial Public Offering in which no Redemption Date
occurs, the IPO Date), but immediately after the redemptions and issuances
described in Section 5 (the "Conversion Date"). Prior to or on the Conversion
Date, each holder of shares of Class A Stock, Class B Stock, Class C Stock, or
Class D Stock shall surrender such holder's certificates evidencing such shares
at the principal office of the Corporation or at such other place as the
Corporation shall designate to such holder in writing at least ten (10) Business
Days prior to the Conversion Date, and shall, within ten (10) Business Days
after the Conversion Date, be entitled to receive from the Corporation
certificates evidencing the number of shares of Common Stock into which such
shares of Class A Stock, Class B Stock, Class C Stock or Class D Stock are
converted. On the Conversion Date, each holder of shares of Class A Stock, Class
B Stock, Class C Stock or Class D Stock shall be deemed to be a holder of record
of the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion, notwithstanding that the
certificates representing such Class A Stock, Class B Stock, Class C Stock or
Class D Stock shall not have been surrendered at the principal office of the
Corporation or such other place as the Corporation may have designated, that
notice from the Corporation shall not have been given or, if given, shall not
have been received by any holder of shares of Class A Stock, Class B Stock,
Class C Stock or Class D Stock, or that certificates evidencing such shares of
Common Stock shall not then be actually delivered to such holder. All
certificates representing the converted shares of Class A Stock, Class B Stock,
Class C Stock or Class D Stock, including all certificates not so delivered by
such Class A Stock, Class B Stock, Class C Stock or Class D Stockholders, shall
be, or shall be deemed to be, canceled by the Corporation as of the Conversion
Date and shall thereafter no longer be of any force or effect and the
Corporation shall not thereafter issue any such shares of Class A Stock, Class B
Stock, Class C Stock or Class D Stock.
 
    7.  VOTING RIGHTS.
 
    (a) Holders of shares of Class A Stock and Common Stock shall be entitled to
one vote and holders of Class D Stock shall be entitled to 446 votes, for each
share of such stock held on all matters as to which stockholders may be entitled
to vote pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL").
 
    (b) Holders of Class B or Class C Stock shall not have any voting rights,
except that the holders of the Class B and Class C Stock shall have the right to
vote as a class to the extent required under the laws of the State of Delaware.
Unless otherwise required by the terms of this Certificate of Incorporation,
paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of 242 of the DGCL shall not entitle the holders
of shares of such Class B Stock or Class C Stock to vote as a class on the
increase of the number of authorized shares of such class of Stock or the
decrease of the number of authorized but not outstanding shares of such class of
Stock.
 
    (c) Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of this Certificate
of Incorporation, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, that would
alter or change the relative powers, preferences, or special rights of any class
of capital stock so as to affect the Class A Stock materially and adversely,
will require, in addition to any other approvals required by the DGCL and this
Certificate of Incorporation, the approval by the holders of a majority of the
then outstanding shares of Class A Stock.
 
    8.  LIQUIDATION RIGHTS.
 
    (a) Except as set forth in Section 8(c) below, any distribution made upon
the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation,
whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be allocated PRO RATA based upon the
number of shares of Stock held by each Stockholder.
 
    (b) None of the sale, transfer, conveyance or lease of all or substantially
all of the property or business of the Corporation, the merger or consolidation
of the Corporation into or with any other
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
corporation or the merger or consolidation of any other corporation into or with
the Corporation shall be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up,
voluntary or involuntary, for the purposes of this Section 8.
 
    (c) If the assets of the Corporation or the proceeds thereof available for
distribution to the holders of shares of the Class A Stock, Class B Stock or
Class C Stock upon any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be insufficient to pay in
full all preference amounts to which such holders are entitled, no distribution
shall be made on any shares of the Corporation's Class D Stock or Common Stock.
 
    9.  LEGEND.
 
    (a) All certificates representing shares of Class A Class B and Class C
Stock in the Corporation shall, in addition to other legends that may be
required by state or federal securities laws, bear the following legend:
 
    "THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY BE REOFFERED AND SOLD ONLY IF SO
REGISTERED OR IF AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE."
 
    "AS SPECIFIED IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE CORPORATION, THE
TRANSFERABILITY OF THESE SECURITIES IS SUBJECT TO RESTRICTION. THESE SECURITIES
ARE SUBJECT TO MANDATORY REDEMPTION BY THE CORPORATION. THE CORPORATION WILL
FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH STOCKHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS THE POWERS,
DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL
RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF STOCK OR SERIES THEREOF AND THE QUALIFICATIONS,
LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND/OR RIGHTS."
 
    (b) All certificates representing shares of Class D Stock in the Corporation
shall, in addition to other legends that may be required by state or federal
securities laws, bear the following legend:
 
    "THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY BE REOFFERED AND SOLD ONLY IF SO
REGISTERED OR IF AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE."
 
    "AS SPECIFIED IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE CORPORATION, THE
TRANSFERABILITY OF THESE SECURITIES IS SUBJECT TO RESTRICTION. THE CORPORATION
WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH STOCKHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS THE POWERS,
DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL
RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF STOCK OR SERIES THEREOF AND THE QUALIFICATIONS,
LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND/OR RIGHTS."
 
    (c) All certificates representing shares of Common Stock in the Corporation
shall, in addition to other legends that may be required by state or federal
securities laws, bear the following legend:
 
    "THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY BE REOFFERED AND SOLD ONLY IF SO
REGISTERED OR IF AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE."
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
    "THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH STOCKHOLDER WHO SO
REQUESTS THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING,
OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF STOCK OR SERIES THEREOF AND
THE QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND/OR
RIGHTS."
 
    PROVIDED THAT, as specified in Section 3(b) hereof, following the Initial
Public Offering, such certificates shall bear the first legend set forth in this
Section 9(c) above or another legend similar to it only if, in the opinion of
counsel to the Corporation, the imposition of such legend is required under the
Securities Act or other applicable law and, to the extent applicable, the second
and third legends.
 
    (d) All certificates representing shares of Stock shall bear such additional
legends as may be required pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement.
 
    10.  RECORD HOLDERS.  The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the
exclusive right of a person registered in its records as the holder of shares of
Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D or Common Stock and such record holders shall
be deemed the holders of such shares for all purposes.
 
                ARTICLE V -- MANAGEMENT OF BUSINESS AND AFFAIRS
 
    For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the
Corporation, and in further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers
of the Corporation and of its directors and of its stockholders or any class
thereof, as the case may be, it is further provided:
 
    1.  The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the
Corporation shall be vested in its Board of Directors. The number of directors
which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed by, or in the
manner provided in, the Bylaws. The phrase "whole Board" and the phrase "total
number of directors" shall be deemed to have the same meaning, to wit, the total
number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.
No election of directors need be by written ballot.
 
    2.  After the original or other Bylaws of the Corporation have been adopted,
amended, or repealed, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 109 of the DGCL, and, after the Corporation has received any payment for
any of its stock, the power to adopt, amend, or repeal the Bylaws of the
Corporation may be exercised by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
 
                        ARTICLE VI -- DIRECTOR LIABILITY
 
    No director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation
or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director, provided that (except as set forth below) this Article does not
eliminate or limit any such liability imposed by law: (i) for any breach of the
director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts
or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law; (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the
DGCL hereafter is amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of
the liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation
shall be further eliminated or limited pursuant to this Article to the fullest
extent permitted by the DGCL as so amended. Unless applicable law requires
otherwise, any repeal of this Article by the stockholders of the Corporation,
and any modification to this Article (other than one further eliminating or
limiting director personal liability) shall be prospective only and shall not
adversely affect any elimination of, or limitation on, the personal liability of
a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or
modification.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
                         ARTICLE VII -- INDEMNIFICATION
 
    1.  INDEMNIFICATION. To the fullest extent from time to time permitted by
Section 145 of the DGCL, the Corporation shall indemnify each Authorized
Representative who was or is a party or who was or is threatened to be made a
party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding (including, without limitation, one by or in the
right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor), whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a "Proceeding"), by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent or another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other enterprise, including
service with respect to employee benefit plans, from and against any and all
expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such Authorized
Representative or on such Authorized Representative's behalf in connection with
such Proceeding. The Corporation shall make such indemnification to the
Authorized Representative within 30 days after receipt by the Corporation of the
written request of the Authorized Representative for such indemnification
unless, within that time, the Corporation (by resolution of its directors or
stockholders or the written opinion of its counsel) has determined that the
Authorized Representative is not entitled to such indemnification.
 
    2.  ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred
by an Authorized Representative or on such Authorized Representative's behalf in
defending any such Proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the
final disposition of such Proceeding, within 10 days after receipt by the
Corporation of the written request of the Authorized Representative for such
advance. The Corporation may condition such advance upon the receipt of the
written undertaking of such Authorized Representative or on such Authorized
Representative's behalf to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be
determined that the Authorized Representative is not entitled to be indemnified
by the Corporation. Such undertaking shall not be required to be guarantied by
any other person or collateralized, and shall be accepted by the Corporation
without regard to the financial ability of the person providing such undertaking
to make such repayment.
 
    3.  PRESUMPTIONS. For all purposes of this Article and to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, there shall be a rebuttable presumption in favor of
the Authorized Representative that all requested indemnifications and
advancements of expenses are reasonable and that all conditions to
indemnification or expense advancements, whether required under this Article or
the DGCL, have been satisfied.
 
    4.  DEFINITIONS, ETC. As used in this Article, "Authorized Representative"
means, collectively: (i) any person who is or was an officer or director of the
Corporation; and (ii) any other person who may be designated by the Board from
time to time as an "authorized representative" for purposes of this Article. The
provisions of Section 145(h), (i) and (j) of the DGCL shall apply to this
Article.
 
    5.  INSURANCE. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to
protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation
or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability
company or other enterprise against expense, liability or loss, whether or not
the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such
expense, liability or loss under the DGCL or this Article.
 
    6.  ARTICLE NOT EXCLUSIVE. The rights to indemnification and to the
advancement of expenses conferred in this Article shall not be exclusive of any
other right which any Authorized Representative may have or hereafter acquire
under any statute, this Certificate of Incorporation, any by-law, agreement,
vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. Nothing in this
Article shall affect the right of the Corporation to grant rights of
indemnification, and the advancement of expenses, to any other person or in any
other circumstance.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
    7.  RELIANCE. Each Authorized Representative shall be deemed to have acted
in reliance upon the rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses
established in this Article. Unless applicable law requires otherwise, any
repeal or modification of this Article (other than a modification expanding the
right to indemnification and expense advancement in favor of Authorized
Representatives) shall be prospective only and shall not adversely affect any
right or benefit of an Authorized Representative to indemnification or expense
advancement at the time of such repeal or modification.
 
    8.  SEVERABILITY. If any portion of this Article shall be held to be
illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by any court having appropriate
jurisdiction, then the Corporation nevertheless shall indemnify and advance
expenses to each Authorized Representative to the fullest extent permitted by
the applicable portions of this Article not so held to be illegal, invalid,
unenforceable, and otherwise to the fullest extent permitted by law.
 
                           ARTICLE VIII -- AMENDMENTS
 
    Subject to the provisions of Section 7(c) of Article IV, from time to time
any of the provisions of this certificate of incorporation may be amended,
altered or repealed, and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of
Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted in the manner and at the
time prescribed by said laws, and all rights at any time conferred upon the
stockholders of the Corporation by this certificate of incorporation are granted
subject to the provisions of this Article.
 
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which
restates, integrates and amends the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation, as heretofore in effect, and which has been
duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 and 245 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, has been executed by its duly
authorized officer this   th day of            , 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
                                               FBP ACQUISITION CORP., INC
 
                                               By: ----------------------------------------
                                               Name: --------------------------------------
                                               Title:
                                               ---------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
    Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") provides
for, among other things:
 
    a.  permissive indemnification for expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by designated persons, including directors and officers of a corporation, in the
event such persons are parties to litigation other than stockholder derivative
actions if certain conditions are met;
 
    b.  permissive indemnification for expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by designated persons, including directors and
officers of a corporation, in the event such persons are parties to stockholder
derivative actions if certain conditions are met;
 
    c.  mandatory indemnification for expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by designated persons, including directors and
officers of a corporation, in the event such persons are successful on the
merits or otherwise in defense of litigation covered by a. and b. above; and
 
    d.  that the indemnification provided for by Section 145 is not deemed
exclusive of any other rights which may be provided under any by-law, agreement,
stockholder or disinterested director vote, or otherwise.
 
    In addition to the indemnification provisions of the DGCL as described
above, the Registrant's restated certificate of incorporation (the "Restated
Certificate of Incorporation") authorizes indemnification of the Registrant's
officers and directors, subject to a case-by-case determination that they acted
in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of the Company, and in the case of any criminal
proceeding, they had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful.
In the event that a Change in Control (as defined in the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation) shall have occurred, the proposed indemnitee director or officer
may require that the determination of whether he met the standard of conduct be
made by special legal counsel selected by him. In addition, whereas the DGCL
would require court-ordered indemnification, if any, in cases in which a person
has been adjudged to be liable to the Registrant, the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation also permits indemnification in such cases if and to the extent
that the Reviewing Party determines that such indemnity is fair and reasonable
under the circumstances.
 
    The Restated Certificate of Incorporation requires the advancement of
expenses to an officer or director (without a determination as to his conduct)
in advance of the final disposition of a Proceeding if such person furnishes a
written affirmation of his good faith belief that he has met the applicable
standard of conduct and furnishes a written undertaking to repay any advances if
it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification. In
connection with Proceedings by or in the right of the Registrant, the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation provides that indemnification shall include not
only reasonable expenses, but also penalties, fines and amounts paid in
settlement. Unless ordered by a court, such indemnification shall not include
judgments. Under the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, no officer or
director is entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses with respect
to a Proceeding brought by him against the Registrant other than a Proceeding
seeking or defending such officer's or director's right to indemnification or
advancement of expenses. Finally, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation
provides that the Company may, subject to authorization on a case by case basis,
indemnity and advance expenses to employees or agents to the same extent as a
director or to a lesser extent (or greater, as permitted by law) as determined
by the Board of Directors.
 
    The Restated Certificate of Incorporation purports to confer upon officers
and directors contractual rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses
as provided therein. In addition, as permitted by
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
the DGCL, the Registrant has entered into Indemnity Agreements with its
directors and selected officers that provide contract rights substantially
identical to the rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses set forth
in the Certificate of Incorporation, as described above.
 
    The Restated Certificate of Incorporation limits the personal liability of
directors to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of the duty as a director, other than liability as a director (i) for breach of
duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL (certain illegal
distributions), or (iv) for any transaction for which the director derived an
improper personal benefit.
 
    The Registrant maintains officers' and directors' insurance covering certain
liabilities that may be incurred by officers and directors in the performance of
their duties.
 
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
    See the Exhibit Index included immediately preceding the exhibits to this
Registration Statement.
 
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior to any
public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a
prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or
party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the
issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information
called for by the applicable registration with respect to reofferings by persons
who may be deemed to be underwriters, in addition to the information called for
by the other Items of the applicable form. The Registrant undertakes that every
prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant to the immediately preceding undertaking
or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of section 10(a)(3) of the Act
and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415,
will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will
not be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
 
    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly
caused this amendment to the registration statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Chicago, State of
Illinois, on May 21, 1997.
    
 
                                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
 
                                By:               /s/ GUS J. ATHAS
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                                    Gus J. Athas
                                           SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL
                                               COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment
to the registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               SIGNATURE                              TITLE                       DATE
- ----------------------------------------  ------------------------------  --------------------
 
<C>                                       <S>                             <C>
                   *                      Director, President and Chief
 -------------------------------------      Executive Officer (Principal  May 21, 1997
            William K. Hall                 Executive Officer)
 
            /s/ GUS J. ATHAS              Senior Vice President, General
 -------------------------------------      Counsel and Secretary         May 21, 1997
              Gus J. Athas
 
                                          Senior Vice
                   *                        President--Finance,
 -------------------------------------      Treasurer and Chief           May 21, 1997
             Sam A. Cottone                 Financial Officer (Principal
                                            Accounting Officer)
 
                   *                      Director and Chairman of the
 -------------------------------------      Board of Directors            May 21, 1997
            Rod F. Dammeyer
 
                   *
 -------------------------------------    Director                        May 21, 1997
           Bradbury Dyer III
 
                   *
 -------------------------------------    Director                        May 21, 1997
            Philip C. Kantz
 
                   *
 -------------------------------------    Director                        May 21, 1997
           Sheli Z. Rosenberg
 
                   *
 -------------------------------------    Director                        May 21, 1997
             Richard G. Sim
 
                   *
 -------------------------------------    Director                        May 21, 1997
           Robert L. Smialek
 
                   *
 -------------------------------------    Director                        May 21, 1997
            B. Joseph White
 
      *          /s/ GUS J. ATHAS
 -------------------------------------
              Gus J. Athas
            ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                             DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- ----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>         <S>
      2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 20, 1997, between Falcon Building Products, Inc. and FBP
              Acquisition Corporation, Inc., including the principal exhibits thereto (included as Annex I to the
              Proxy Statement). Schedules to Agreement and Plan of Merger are not filed, but will be provided
              supplementally to the Commission upon request. (contained in Annex I)
 
      2.2   Voting Agreement, dated as of March 20, 1997, among FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc., Falcon Building
              Products, Inc. and Equity Holdings Limited (included as Annex II-A to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus).
              (contained in Annex II-A)
 
      2.3   Form of Voting Agreements, dated as of March 20, 1997, among FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc., Falcon Building
              Products, Inc. and certain management stockholders (included as Annex II-B to the Proxy Statement).
              (contained in Annex II-B)
 
      3.1   Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc. (to become effective upon
              consummation of the Merger). (contained in Annex V)
 
      3.2   Form of By-Laws of FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc. (to become effective upon consummation of the Merger)
              (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Registration Statement of
              Form S-1. Registration Number 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended.)
 
      4.1   Form of Certificate for Class A Stock. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Falcon Building
              Products, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1. Registration Number 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as
              amended.)
 
      4.2   Bank Credit Agreement, between the Company and the lenders thereunder. (Incorporated by reference to
              Exhibit 4.1 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed December 5, 1994.)
 
      5.1   Opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt.*
 
      8.1   Opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt as to certain tax matters.*
 
     10.1   Disaffiliation Tax Sharing Agreement, dated October 28, 1994, between the Company and GAMI. (Incorporated
              by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
              ended December 31, 1996)
 
     10.2   Trademark License Agreement, dated April 24, 1990, between Illinois Tool Works, Inc. and DeVilbiss Air
              Power (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Registration
              Statement of Form S-1. Registration Number 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended.)
 
     10.3   Trademark Licensing Agreement, dated September 28, 1990, between Masco Building Products Corp. and
              Kilgore Plumbing Products, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Falcon Building Products,
              Inc. Registration Statement of Form S-1. Registration Number 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended.)
 
     10.4   Falcon Building Products, Inc. 1994 Stock Option and Restricted Share Plan. (Incorporated by reference to
              Exhibit 10.6 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Registration Statement of Form S-1. Registration Number
              33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended.)
 
     10.5   Falcon Building Products, Inc. Senior Executive Stock Purchase Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
              10.2 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed December 5, 1994.)
 
     10.6   Eagle Industries, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as adopted September 15, 1992.
              (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Registration Statement of
              Form S-1. Registration Number 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended.)
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                             DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- ----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>         <S>
     10.7   Lease, dated December 6, 1991, between The E.T. Hermann and Jane D. Hermann 1978 Living Trust and Hart &
              Cooley, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Registration
              Statement of Form S-1. Registration Number 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended.)
 
     10.8   Lease Agreement, dated June 6, 1989, between Belz Investco, L.P. and Hart & Cooley, Inc., as amended
              November 10, 1989. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of Falcon Building Products, Inc.
              Registration Statement of Form S-1. Registration Number 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended.)
 
     10.9   Lease Agreement, dated September 3, 1991, between Jack North and Gerry North and Hart & Cooley, Inc., as
              amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Registration
              Statement of Form S-1. Registration Number 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended.)
 
     10.10  Indemnity Agreement, dated as of June 22, 1994, between the Company and Eagle. (Incorporated by reference
              to Exhibit 10.15 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Registration Statement of Form S-1. Registration
              Number 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended.)
 
     10.11  ERISA Indemnity Agreement, dated October 10, 1994, between the Company, GAMI and Eagle. (Incorporated by
              reference to Exhibit 10.16 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Registration Statement of Form S-1.
              Registration Number 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended.)
 
     10.12  Agreement, dated October 4, 1994, between the Company, EHL, GAMI and Eagle. (Incorporated by reference to
              Exhibit 10.17 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Registration Statement of Form S-1. Registration Number
              33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended.)
 
     10.13  Receivables Purchase Agreement as of May 2, 1996 among Centrally Held Eagle Receivables Program, Inc.,
              Falcon Building Products, Inc., Market Street Funding Corporation and PNC Bank, National Association.
              (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form
              10-Q dated June 30, 1996.)
 
     10.14  Receivables Purchase Agreement as of May 2, 1996 among Centrally Held Eagle Receivables Program, Inc.,
              Falcon Building Products, Inc., Certain Commercial Lending Institutions and PNC Bank, National
              Association. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Quarterly
              Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 1996)
 
     10.15  Falcon Building Products, Inc. Employee Savings Plan as adopted January 1, 1995. (Incorporated by
              reference to Exhibit 10.17 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
              ended December 31, 1996)
 
     10.16  Falcon Building Products, Inc. Cash Balance Pension Plan as adopted January 1, 1996. (Incorporated by
              reference to Exhibit 10.18 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
              ended December 31, 1996)
 
     10.17  Termination Benefits Agreement dated December 13, 1996 between Hart & Cooley, Inc. and Lawrence B. Lee
              (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Annual Report on Form
              10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996)
 
     10.18  Termination Benefits Agreement dated December 18, 1996 between Mansfield Plumbing Products, Inc. and Paul
              Fischer. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Annual Report on
              Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996)
 
     10.19  Termination Benefits Agreement dated December 31, 1996 between DeVilbiss Air Power Company and William E.
              Allen (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Annual Report on
              Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996)
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                             DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- ----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>         <S>
     10.20  Termination Benefits Agreement dated December 19, 1996 between Falcon Building Products, Inc. and Daniel
              G. Ellis. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of Falcon Building Products, Inc. Annual Report
              on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996)
 
     10.21  Form of Employment Agreement between Falcon Building Products, Inc. and Gus J. Athas.
 
     10.22  Form of Employment Agreement between Falcon Building Products, Inc. and Sam A. Cottone.
 
     10.23  Form of Employment Agreement between Falcon Building Products, Inc. and William K. Hall.
 
     12.1   Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 
     21.1   Subsidiaries of the Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 of Falcon Building Products, Inc.
              Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996)
 
     23.1   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
 
     23.2   Consent of Mayer, Brown & Platt (contained in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1).*
 
     24.1   Powers of Attorney (SEE Page II-5 of this Registration Statement).*
 
     99.1   Form of Proxy Card for Special Meeting of Stockholders.
 
     99.2   Form of Non-Cash Election Form to be used in connection with the Merger.
 
     99.3   Form of Letter of Transmittal to be used in connection with the Merger.
 
     99.4   Consent of William K. Hall.*
 
     99.5   Consent of Christopher J. O'Brien.*
 
     99.6   Consent of Sam A. Cottone.*
 
     99.7   Consent of Charles J. Philippin.*
 
     99.8   Consent of Christopher J. Stadler.*
 
     99.9   Consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.
 
     99.10  Consent of Smith Barney Inc.*
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
*   Previously filed.

<PAGE>
   
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
    
 
   
    This Agreement is made effective as of the     day of May, 1997, the
"Effective Date," by and between Falcon Building Products, Inc. (the "Company"),
and Gus J. Athas, an individual residing at 1240 Hawthorne Lane, Downers Grove,
Illinois 60515 (the "Employee").
    
 
   
    WHEREAS, as a condition to an Agreement and Plan of Merger between the
Company and FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc. (the "Merger Agreement"), the Employee
has agreed to be employed by the Company on and after the date as of which such
merger is effective (the "Merger Date"); and
    
 
   
    WHEREAS, the Company wants to employ the Employee and the Employee wants to
be employed by the Company on and after the Effective Date in accordance with
the terms of this Employment Agreement, which Employment Agreement supersedes
and replaces any and all other employment agreements between Employee and the
Company;
    
 
   
    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective
covenants and agreements of the parties herein contained, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
    
 
   
    1.  EMPLOYMENT AND TERM.  The Company hereby agrees to employ the Employee
as an Executive Vice President and its General Counsel and Secretary and the
Employee hereby agrees to serve the Company in such capacity, subject to the
terms and conditions hereof for the period commencing on the Merger Date and
continuing until terminated as provided in Section 5 (the "Termination Date").
The Employee is being engaged on a full time basis to perform services
consistent with the titles of Executive Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary. Prior to the Merger Date, Employee will be compensated in accordance
with the terms of his employment as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Date.
    
 
   
    2.  COMPENSATION.  The Employee shall be paid for the performance of his
duties under this Agreement during the term of his employment with the Company
in accordance with the following:
    
 
   
        (a)  BASE COMPENSATION.  The Company shall pay the Employee base
    compensation, which on and after the Merger Date shall be at the rate of not
    less than $330,000 per year ("Base Compensation"). The Employee's Base
    Compensation shall be payable semi-monthly, shall not be decreased and shall
    be subject to annual or periodic review beginning June 1, 1998 in accordance
    with the Company's customary practices for its other executives and be
    increased in the sole discretion of the Company's Board of Directors (the
    "Board"). In the event the Board increases the Employee's Base Compensation,
    such compensation may not be decreased thereafter.
    
 
   
        (b)  BONUS.  The Company shall pay the Employee a bonus for each fiscal
    year based upon target performance goals (the "Target") to be mutually
    agreed upon by the Board and the Employee and measured as a percentage of
    the Employee's Base Compensation. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if
    the Target is achieved, the Employee shall be entitled to a bonus the amount
    of which is no less than 60% of Base Compensation. The bonus shall be
    payable as soon after the end of each fiscal year as it can be determined,
    but in any event within ninety (90) days thereafter. If the employment of
    Employee is terminated at other than year-end, the bonus will be pro rated
    to reflect the period during the year Employee was employed.
    
 
   
            (i) For the portion of the 1997 fiscal year which ends immediately
       prior to the Merger Date, the Employee shall be entitled to a pro rated
       bonus under the terms of the bonus plan as in effect on the Effective
       Date.
    
 
   
            (ii) For fiscal year 1997, the Target shall be based upon the
       Company's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
       from continuing operations and before corporate overhead and Ultravent
       charges ("Subsidiary EBITDA"). For fiscal year 1997, Subsidiary EBITDA is
       estimated to be $93.7 million and the bonus for fiscal year 1997 will be
       paid pro rata based upon the Subsidiary EBITDA earned after the Merger
       Date.
    
 
   
           (iii) For the portion of the 1997 fiscal year which commences on the
       Merger Date, the employee shall be entitled to a bonus provided that at
       least 85% of the Target is achieved. The amount of the bonus shall be pro
       rated for the portion of the fiscal year following the Merger
    
<PAGE>
   
       Date from an amount determined by straight line interpolation from 30% of
       Base Compensation if 85% of Target is achieved to 75% of Base
       Compensation if 107.5% of the Target is achieved. The Board may, in its
       sole and absolute discretion, increase the bonus by an amount up to 15%
       of Base Compensation.
    
 
   
        (c)  TRANSACTION BONUS.  The Company shall pay the Employee a bonus
    equal to $300,000 (the "Transaction Bonus"); provided, however, that if the
    Company reasonably determines that the payment of such Transaction Bonus,
    together with the accelerated vesting of the Employee's stock options and
    restricted stock previously granted by the Company, may result in an excise
    tax under section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
    "Code"), the amount of such Transaction Bonus shall be reduced to the extent
    reasonably determined by the Company to be necessary or desirable to avoid
    such excise tax, and the amount of such reduction shall be mutually agreed
    to by the Company and the Employee prior to the Merger Date. The Transaction
    Bonus shall be paid to the Employee in a lump sum on the Merger Date.
    Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to pay the
    Transaction Bonus if the Employee is not employed by the Company on the
    Merger Date.
    
 
   
    3.  BENEFITS.
    
 
   
        (a) The Employee shall be entitled to participate in and receive
    benefits under any retirement plan, savings plan, related override benefit
    plan, nonqualified deferred compensation plan, health plan, disability plan,
    life insurance plan and any other employee benefit plan or arrangement
    (collectively, "Benefit Plans") made available from time to time to
    executives of the Company. The Employee shall be entitled to such other
    benefits, including vacation, executive perquisites, fringe benefits and
    expense reimbursements as currently in effect for executives of the Company
    and as the same may be from time to time be amended.
    
 
   
        (b) The Company shall establish a funded supplemental executive
    retirement plan in which the Employee participates as of the Merger Date.
    This funded supplemental executive retirement plan, based on seven (7)
    credited years service with the Company, shall provide for ten (10) annual
    payments of $200,000 each year, net-after applicable income taxes,
    commencing on the date the Employee retires from the Company, with the
    vesting schedule, funding mechanism and payment schedule to be mutually
    agreed to prior to the Merger Date. If the Employee dies during the period
    he is collecting supplemental retirement benefits, the payments provided
    pursuant to this section 3(b) will thereafter be payable to his spouse or
    estate.
    
 
   
    4.  STOCK OWNERSHIP.
    
 
   
        (a)  STOCK OPTIONS.  On the Merger Date, the Company shall grant the
    Employee seven-year stock options on shares equal to no less than .60% of
    the Company's then-outstanding shares of common stock. To the extent
    permitted by law, such options shall constitute incentive stock options
    under the Internal Revenue Code. Such options will be exercisable at a price
    equal to the Cash Election Price (as defined in the Merger Agreement),
    subject to adjustment for changes in capital, and will provide for seven (7)
    year cliff vesting with four (4) year accelerated vesting based on meeting
    agreed-upon financial performance and acquisition targets and/or cumulative
    performance vesting goals, with further accelerated vesting in the event of
    an IPO or other exit scenarios provided in the latter event that agreed upon
    IRR target levels are achieved. Additionally, these options shall include
    put provisions in the event of the Employee's death, disability or
    retirement, and call provisions in the event of termination of
    employment--both put and call provisions to be exercised at fair market
    value. Said provisions and such other additional reasonable terms and
    conditions will be set forth in a stock option plan to be adopted by the
    Company before the Merger Date.
    
 
   
        (b)  OWNERSHIP.  On the Merger Date, the Employee shall purchase or
    retain ownership of no less than .17% of the Company's outstanding shares of
    common stock on the Merger Date.
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
   
        (c)  SENIOR EXECUTIVE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.  On and after the Merger
    Date, the Company shall continue the loan program under the Company's Senior
    Executive Stock Purchase Plan as in effect immediately prior to the
    Effective Date and the change in control provision of such plan shall not
    take effect by reason of the merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
    
 
   
        (d)  PUT/CALL RIGHTS.  The Employee will have rights to put to the
    Company and the Company shall have rights to call from the Employee shares
    of capital stock of the Company owned or acquired by the Employee on the
    Merger Date without restriction, as set forth on attached Exhibit A. The
    parties will agree on a fair and reasonable valuation process no later than
    the Merger Date.
    
 
   
    5.  TERMINATION.
    
 
   
        (a) This Agreement may be terminated by the Company by written notice to
    the Employee only by action of a majority of the Board. The termination will
    not be effective until the later of three years after the Merger Date or two
    years after written notice of termination is given to the Employee unless
    the termination is for "Good Cause." "Good Cause" shall mean (i) the
    Employee's conviction of any embezzlement or any felony involving fraud or
    breach of trust relating to the performance of the Employee's duties, (ii)
    the Employee's willful engagement in gross misconduct in the performance of
    his duties, (iii) the Employee's death, or (iv) permanent disability which
    materially impairs the Employee's performance of his duties. Termination for
    "Good Cause" shall be effective immediately.
    
 
   
        (b) The Employee may terminate this Agreement by giving the Company
    written notice of termination. The termination will be effective sixty (60)
    days after written notice of termination is given to the Company The
    Employee may terminate this Agreement for "Good Reason." "Good Reason" shall
    exist if (i) the Company continues a reduction in compensation or
    expenditures for Benefit Plans, relocates outside the Chicago area or
    commits another material breach of this Agreement for more than 30 days
    after being notified in writing by the Employee of such breach provided the
    Employee has given such notice to the Company within 30 days of first
    becoming aware of the facts constituting such breach, (ii) the Company gives
    the Employee a notice of termination without Good Cause (as defined above)
    PROVIDED the Employee terminates this Agreement within 30 days of receiving
    such notice, (iii) a "Change of Control" occurs, and the Employee's
    employment hereunder is terminated by either party for any reason other than
    "Good Cause," or (iv) the Employee retires from the Company on a date that
    is mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Employee. A "Change of
    Control" shall occur when any person (as such term is used in section 13(d)
    and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, of 1934 as amended, the "Exchange
    Act") other than a majority shareholder on the Merger Date is or becomes the
    "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13(d)-3 under the Exchange Act), of
    securities of the Company representing more than 35% of the combined voting
    power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities; provided,
    however, that no Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred if
    beneficial ownership by such person is less than 50% of the combined voting
    power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities and the original
    investors in FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc. who at the Merger Date received
    voting securities of the Company beneficially own at least 20% of the
    combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities.
    
 
   
        (c) If the Company by written notice to the Employee elects to terminate
    his employment with the Company prior to the Termination Date provided by
    Section 5(a) for other than "Good Cause," or, if the Employee terminates
    this Agreement and simultaneously therewith his employment by the Company
    and its parent and subsidiary corporations for Good Reason, then the
    following shall occur:
    
 
   
            (i) All of the Employee's outstanding and unexercised options to
       purchase stock of the Company shall, to the extent vested at the date of
       notice of termination, continue to be exercisable, for a period ending on
       the earlier of the date 18 months from the date of such notice and the
       specific expiration date stated in the option.
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
            (ii) The Company for a period of two years from the date of notice
       of such termination or through three years after the Merger Date
       whichever is later (the "Severance Period") shall continue to provide to
       the Employee (1) his Base Compensation, at the rate most recently
       determined, (2) a bonus for each fiscal year (and a pro rata amount for
       each partial year) in an amount equal to the latest Target bonus, (3)
       health coverage, life insurance and disability insurance (subject in the
       case of long-term disability to the availability of such coverage under
       the Company's insurance policy), (4) suitable office space and
       secretarial services, and (5) reimbursement for outplacement services. If
       the Employee dies during the Severance Period, the payments provided by
       (1) and (2) above shall be made to the Employee's spouse at the time of
       his death as long as she is alive and if she should not survive him or
       shall subsequently die, to the estate of the Employee, and the health
       coverage shall be made available to his spouse and eligible dependents.
       The period of health coverage provided by this Agreement shall reduce the
       period of COBRA coverage which would otherwise be required.
    
 
   
           (iii) The Employee will be fully vested in his supplemental
       retirement benefits specified in section 3(b) above and all other
       retirement and savings plans.
    
 
   
        (d) The parties agree that the payments and benefits provided for in
    subsection (c) of this Section shall be deemed to constitute liquidated
    damages for the Company's breach or constructive breach of this Agreement
    and payment for the non-competition provisions of this Agreement, and the
    Company agrees that (i) the Employee shall not be required to mitigate his
    damages by seeking other employment or otherwise, and (ii) the Company's
    payments and other obligations under this Agreement shall not be reduced in
    any way by reason of any compensation received by the Employee from sources
    other than the Company and its affiliates, except as otherwise expressly
    provided herein.
    
 
   
    6.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  The terms and provisions of this Agreement constitute
the entire agreement between the parties and supersede any previous oral or
written communications, representations or agreements with respect to the
subject matter hereof.
    
 
   
    7.  NOTICE.  Any Notices given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
given by personal delivery or by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, addressed to:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>
If to the Company:                     If to the Employee:
President                              To the address shown at
Falcon Building Products, Inc.         the beginning of this
2 North Riverside Plaza                Employment Agreement
Chicago, Illinois 60606
</TABLE>
    
 
   
or such other address as shall be furnished in writing by one party to the
other.
    
 
   
    8.  SEVERABILITY.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions hereof, and
this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if the invalid or
unenforceable provision had been omitted.
    
 
   
    9.  SUCCESSORS.  The Company's obligation hereunder shall be binding legal
obligations of any successor to all or substantially all of the Company's
business by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise. The Company may not
sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets or merge or
consolidate with any other entity without making adequate provision for its
obligations hereunder. The Employee may not assign this Agreement during his
life, and upon his death, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of his heirs, legatees and the legal representative of each.
    
 
   
    10.  APPLICABLE LAW.  This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted
pursuant to the laws of Illinois.
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
   
    11.  AMENDMENT.  This Agreement may be amended only by a written document
signed by both parties.
    
 
   
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employment Agreement
effective as of the day and year first above written.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
Falcon Building Products, Inc.                Employee
By                                            Gus J. Athas
Its:
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
   
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
    
 
   
The provisions of the Put/Call arrangements are as follows:
    
 
   
          CALL PROVISION                            CALL PRICE
                                       WITHIN 3 YEARS        AFTER 3 YEARS
 
                                     Lower of Cost or
Employee leaves without Good Reason  FMV                  FMV
 
Employee leaves with Good Reason     FMV                  FMV
 
                                     Lower of Cost or     Lower of Cost or
Employee is terminated for Cause     FMV                  FMV
 
Any other reason                     FMV                  FMV
           PUT PROVISION                            PUT PRICE
                                       BEFORE 3 YEARS        AFTER 3 YEARS
 
Employee is terminated without       Lower of Cost or
Cause                                FMV                  FMV
 
                                     Lower of Cost or
Resignation for Good Reason          FMV                  FMV
 
Employee leaves without Good Reason
(provided employee does not go to a
competitor)                          None                 FMV
 
Death, Disability, Retirement        FMV                  FMV
 
Cost to be grossed up by an appropriate interest rate.
    
 
                                       6

<PAGE>
   
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
    
 
   
    This Agreement is made effective as of the      day of May, 1997, the
"Effective Date," by and between Falcon Building Products, Inc. (the "Company"),
and Sam A. Cottone, an individual residing at 175 North Harbor Drive, Apartment
5107, Chicago, Illinois 60601 (the "Employee").
    
 
   
    WHEREAS, as a condition to an Agreement and Plan of Merger between the
Company and FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc. (the "Merger Agreement"), the Employee
has agreed to be employed by the Company on and after the date as of which such
merger is effective (the "Merger Date"); and
    
 
   
    WHEREAS, the Company wants to employ the Employee and the Employee wants to
be employed by the Company on and after the Effective Date in accordance with
the terms of this Employment Agreement, which Employment Agreement supersedes
and replaces any and all other employment agreements between Employee and the
Company;
    
 
   
    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective
covenants and agreements of the parties herein contained, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
    
 
   
    1.  EMPLOYMENT AND TERM. The Company hereby agrees to employ the Employee as
an Executive Vice President and its Chief Financial Officer and the Employee
hereby agrees to serve the Company in such capacity, subject to the terms and
conditions hereof for the period commencing on the Merger Date and continuing
until terminated as provided in Section 5 (the "Termination Date"). The Employee
is being engaged on a full time basis to perform services consistent with the
titles of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to the
Merger Date, Employee will be compensated in accordance with the terms of his
employment as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date.
    
 
   
    2.  COMPENSATION. The Employee shall be paid for the performance of his
duties under this Agreement during the term of his employment with the Company
in accordance with the following:
    
 
   
        (a) BASE COMPENSATION. The Company shall pay the Employee base
    compensation, which on and after the Merger Date shall be at the rate of not
    less than $400,000 per year ("Base Compensation"). The Employee's Base
    Compensation shall be payable semi-monthly, shall not be decreased and shall
    be subject to annual or periodic review beginning June 1, 1998 in accordance
    with the Company's customary practices for its other executives and be
    increased in the sole discretion of the Company's Board of Directors (the
    "Board"). In the event the Board increases the Employee's Base Compensation,
    such compensation may not be decreased thereafter.
    
 
   
        (b) BONUS. The Company shall pay the Employee a bonus for each fiscal
    year based upon target performance goals (the "Target") to be mutually
    agreed upon by the Board and the Employee and measured as a percentage of
    the Employee's Base Compensation. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if
    the Target is achieved, the Employee shall be entitled to a bonus the amount
    of which is no less than 60% of Base Compensation. The bonus shall be
    payable as soon after the end of each fiscal year as it can be determined,
    but in any event within ninety (90) days thereafter. If the employment of
    Employee is terminated at other than year-end, the bonus will be pro rated
    to reflect the period during the year Employee was employed.
    
 
   
            (i) For the portion of the 1997 fiscal year which ends immediately
       prior to the Merger Date, the Employee shall be entitled to a pro rated
       bonus under the terms of the bonus plan as in effect on the Effective
       Date.
    
 
   
            (ii) For fiscal year 1997, the Target shall be based upon the
       Company's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
       from continuing operations and before corporate overhead and Ultravent
       charges ("Subsidiary EBITDA"). For fiscal year 1997, Subsidiary EBITDA is
       estimated to be $93.7 million and the bonus for fiscal year 1997 will be
       paid pro rata based upon the Subsidiary EBITDA earned after the Merger
       Date.
    
 
   
           (iii) For the portion of the 1997 fiscal year which commences on the
       Merger Date, the employee shall be entitled to a bonus provided that at
       least 85% of the Target is achieved. The amount of the bonus shall be pro
       rated for the portion of the fiscal year following the Merger
    
<PAGE>
   
       Date from an amount determined by straight line interpolation from 30% of
       Base Compensation if 85% of Target is achieved to 80% of Base
       Compensation if 107.5% of the Target is achieved. The Board may, in its
       sole and absolute discretion, increase the bonus by an amount up to 20%
       of Base Compensation.
    
 
   
        (c) TRANSACTION BONUS. The Company shall pay the Employee a bonus equal
    to $300,000 (the "Transaction Bonus"); provided, however, that if the
    Company reasonably determines that the payment of such Transaction Bonus,
    together with the accelerated vesting of the Employee's stock options and
    restricted stock previously granted by the Company, may result in an excise
    tax under section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
    "Code"), the amount of such Transaction Bonus shall be reduced to the extent
    reasonably determined by the Company to be necessary or desirable to avoid
    such excise tax, and the amount of such reduction shall be mutually agreed
    to by the Company and the Employee prior to the Merger Date. The Transaction
    Bonus shall be paid to the Employee in a lump sum on the Merger Date.
    Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to pay the
    Transaction Bonus if the Employee is not employed by the Company on the
    Merger Date.
    
 
   
    3.  BENEFITS.
    
 
   
        (a) The Employee shall be entitled to participate in and receive
    benefits under any retirement plan, savings plan, related override benefit
    plan, nonqualified deferred compensation plan, health plan, disability plan,
    life insurance plan and any other employee benefit plan or arrangement
    (collectively, "Benefit Plans") made available from time to time to
    executives of the Company. The Employee shall be entitled to such other
    benefits, including vacation, executive perquisites, fringe benefits and
    expense reimbursements as currently in effect for executives of the Company
    and as the same may be from time to time be amended.
    
 
   
        (b) The Company shall establish a funded supplemental executive
    retirement plan in which the Employee participates as of the Merger Date.
    This funded supplemental executive retirement plan, based on seven (7)
    credited years service with the Company, commencing on the Merger Date shall
    provide for ten (10) annual payments of $200,000 each year, net-after
    applicable income taxes, commencing on the date the Employee retires from
    the Company, with the vesting schedule, funding mechanism and payment
    schedule to be mutually agreed to prior to the Merger Date. If the Employee
    dies during the period he is collecting supplemental retirement benefits,
    the payments provided pursuant to this section 3(b) will thereafter be
    payable to his spouse or estate.
    
 
   
    4.  STOCK OWNERSHIP.
    
 
   
        (a) STOCK OPTIONS. On the Merger Date, the Company shall grant the
    Employee seven-year stock options on shares equal to no less than .75% of
    the Company's then-outstanding shares of common stock. To the extent
    permitted by law, such options shall constitute incentive stock options
    under the Internal Revenue Code. Such options will be exercisable at a price
    equal to the Cash Election Price (as defined in the Merger Agreement),
    subject to adjustment for changes in capital, and will provide for seven (7)
    year cliff vesting with four (4) year accelerated vesting based on meeting
    agreed-upon financial performance and acquisition targets and/or cumulative
    performance vesting goals, with further accelerated vesting in the event of
    an IPO or other exit scenarios provided in the latter event that agreed upon
    IRR target levels are achieved. Additionally, these options shall include
    put provisions in the event of the Employee's death, disability or
    retirement, and call provisions in the event of termination of employment -
    both put and call provisions to be exercised at fair market value. Said
    provisions and such other additional reasonable terms and conditions will be
    set forth in a stock option plan to be adopted by the Company before the
    Merger Date.
    
 
   
        (b) OWNERSHIP. On the Merger Date, the Employee shall purchase or retain
    ownership of no less than .17% of the Company's outstanding shares of common
    stock on the Merger Date.
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
   
        (c) SENIOR EXECUTIVE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN. On and after the Merger Date,
    the Company shall continue the loan program under the Company's Senior
    Executive Stock Purchase Plan as in effect immediately prior to the
    Effective Date and the change in control provision of such plan shall not
    take effect by reason of the merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
    
 
   
        (d) PUT/CALL RIGHTS. The Employee will have rights to put to the Company
    and the Company shall have rights to call from the Employee shares of
    capital stock of the Company owned or acquired by the Employee on the Merger
    Date without restriction, as set forth on attached Exhibit A. The parties
    will agree on a fair and reasonable valuation process no later than the
    Merger Date.
    
 
   
    5.  TERMINATION.
    
 
   
        (a) This Agreement may be terminated by the Company by written notice to
    the Employee only by action of a majority of the Board. The termination will
    not be effective until the later of three years after the Merger Date or two
    years after written notice of termination is given to the Employee unless
    the termination is for "Good Cause." "Good Cause" shall mean (i) the
    Employee's conviction of any embezzlement or any felony involving fraud or
    breach of trust relating to the performance of the Employee's duties, (ii)
    the Employee's willful engagement in gross misconduct in the performance of
    his duties, (iii) the Employee's death, or (iv) permanent disability which
    materially impairs the Employee's performance of his duties. Termination for
    "Good Cause" shall be effective immediately.
    
 
   
        (b) The Employee may terminate this Agreement by giving the Company
    written notice of termination. The termination will be effective sixty (60)
    days after written notice of termination is given to the Company. The
    Employee may terminate this Agreement for "Good Reason." "Good Reason" shall
    exist if (i) the Company continues a reduction in compensation or
    expenditures for Benefit Plans, relocates outside the Chicago area or
    commits another material breach of this Agreement for more than 30 days
    after being notified in writing by the Employee of such breach PROVIDED the
    Employee has given such notice to the Company within 30 days of first
    becoming aware of the facts constituting such breach, (ii) the Company gives
    the Employee a notice of termination without Good Cause (as defined above)
    PROVIDED the Employee terminates this Agreement within 30 days of receiving
    such notice, (iii) a "Change of Control" occurs, and the Employee's
    employment hereunder is terminated by either party for any reason other than
    "Good Cause," or (iv) the Employee retires from the Company on a date that
    is mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Employee. A "Change of
    Control" shall occur when any person (as such term is used in section 13(d)
    and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, of 1934 as amended, the "Exchange
    Act") other than a majority shareholder on the Merger Date is or becomes the
    "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13(d)-3 under the Exchange Act), of
    securities of the Company representing more than 35% of the combined voting
    power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities; provided,
    however, that no Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred if
    beneficial ownership by such person is less than 50% of the combined voting
    power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities and the original
    investors in FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc. who at the Merger Date received
    voting securities of the Company beneficially own at least 20% of the
    combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities.
    
 
   
        (c) If the Company by written notice to the Employee elects to terminate
    his employment with the Company prior to the Termination Date provided by
    Section 5(a) for other than "Good Cause," or, if the Employee terminates
    this Agreement and simultaneously therewith his employment by the Company
    and its parent and subsidiary corporations for Good Reason, then the
    following shall occur:
    
 
   
            (i) All of the Employee's outstanding and unexercised options to
       purchase stock of the Company shall, to the extent vested at the date of
       notice of termination, continue to be exercisable for a period ending on
       the earlier of the date 18 months from the date of such notice and the
       specific expiration date stated in the option.
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
            (ii) The Company for a period of two years from the date of notice
       of such termination or through three years after the Merger Date
       whichever is later (the "Severance Period") shall continue to provide to
       the Employee (1) his Base Compensation, at the rate most recently
       determined, (2) a bonus for each fiscal year (and a pro rata amount for
       each partial year) in an amount equal to the latest Target bonus, (3)
       health coverage, life insurance and disability insurance (subject in the
       case of long-term disability to the availability of such coverage under
       the Company's insurance policy), (4) suitable office space and
       secretarial services, and (5) reimbursement for outplacement services. If
       the Employee dies during the Severance Period, the payments provided by
       (1) and (2) above shall be made to the Employee's spouse at the time of
       his death as long as she is alive and if she should not survive him or
       shall subsequently die, to the estate of the Employee, and the health
       coverage shall be made available to his spouse and eligible dependents.
       The period of health coverage provided by this Agreement shall reduce the
       period of COBRA coverage which would otherwise be required.
    
 
   
           (iii) The Employee will be fully vested in his supplemental
       retirement benefits specified in section 3(b) above and all other
       retirement and savings plans.
    
 
   
        (d) The parties agree that the payments and benefits provided for in
    subsection (c) of this Section shall be deemed to constitute liquidated
    damages for the Company's breach or constructive breach of this Agreement
    and payment for the non-competition provisions of this Agreement, and the
    Company agrees that (i) the Employee shall not be required to mitigate his
    damages by seeking other employment or otherwise, and (ii) the Company's
    payments and other obligations under this Agreement shall not be reduced in
    any way by reason of any compensation received by the Employee from sources
    other than the Company and its affiliates, except as otherwise expressly
    provided herein.
    
 
   
    6.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The terms and provisions of this Agreement constitute
the entire agreement between the parties and supersede any previous oral or
written communications, representations or agreements with respect to the
subject matter hereof.
    
 
   
    7.  NOTICE. Any Notices given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
given by personal delivery or by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, addressed to:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>
If to the Company:                     If to the Employee:
 
President                              To the address shown at
Falcon Building Products, Inc.         the beginning of this
2 North Riverside Plaza                Employment Agreement
Chicago, Illinois 60606
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    or such other address as shall be furnished in writing by one party to the
other.
    
 
   
    8.  SEVERABILITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions hereof, and
this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if the invalid or
unenforceable provision had been omitted.
    
 
   
    9.  SUCCESSORS. The Company's obligation hereunder shall be binding legal
obligations of any successor to all or substantially all of the Company's
business by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise. The Company may not
sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets or merge or
consolidate with any other entity without making adequate provision for its
obligations hereunder. The Employee may not assign this Agreement during his
life, and upon his death, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of his heirs, legatees and the legal representative of each.
    
 
   
    10. APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted
pursuant to the laws of Illinois.
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
   
    11. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended only by a written document
signed by both parties.
    
 
   
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employment Agreement
effective as of the day and year first above written.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
Falcon Building Products, Inc.                Employee
By                                            Sam A. Cottone
Its:
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
   
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
    
 
   
The provisions of the Put/Call arrangements are as follows:
    
 
   
          CALL PROVISION                            CALL PRICE
                                       WITHIN 3 YEARS        AFTER 3 YEARS
 
                                     Lower of Cost or
Employee leaves without Good Reason  FMV                  FMV
 
Employee leaves with Good Reason     FMV                  FMV
 
                                     Lower of Cost or     Lower of Cost or
Employee is terminated for Cause     FMV                  FMV
 
Any other reason                     FMV                  FMV
           PUT PROVISION                            PUT PRICE
                                       BEFORE 3 YEARS        AFTER 3 YEARS
 
Employee is terminated without       Lower of Cost or
Cause                                FMV                  FMV
 
                                     Lower of Cost or
Resignation for Good Reason          FMV                  FMV
 
Employee leaves without Good Reason
(provided employee does not go to a
competitor)                          None                 FMV
 
Death, Disability, Retirement        FMV                  FMV
 
Cost to be grossed up by an appropriate interest rate.
    
 
                                       6

<PAGE>
   
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
    
 
   
    This Agreement is made effective as of the      day of May, 1997, the
"Effective Date," by and between Falcon Building Products, Inc. (the "Company"),
and William K. Hall, an individual residing at 855 Lamson Drive, Winnetka,
Illinois 60093 (the "Employee").
    
 
   
    WHEREAS, as a condition to an Agreement and Plan of Merger between the
Company and FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc. (the "Merger Agreement"), the Employee
has agreed to be employed by the Company on and after the date as of which such
merger is effective (the "Merger Date"); and
    
 
   
    WHEREAS, the Company wants to employ the Employee and the Employee wants to
be employed by the Company on and after the Effective Date in accordance with
the terms of this Employment Agreement, which Employment Agreement supersedes
and replaces any and all other employment agreements between Employee and the
Company;
    
 
   
    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective
covenants and agreements of the parties herein contained, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
    
 
   
    1.  EMPLOYMENT AND TERM.
    
 
   
        (a) The Company hereby agrees to employ the Employee as its Chairman,
    President and Chief Executive Officer and the Employee hereby agrees to
    serve the Company in such capacity, subject to the terms and conditions
    hereof for the period commencing on the Merger Date and continuing until
    terminated as provided in Section 5 (the "Termination Date"). The Employee
    is being engaged on a full time basis to perform services consistent with
    the titles of Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to the
    Merger Date, Employee will be compensated in accordance with the terms of
    his employment as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date.
    
 
   
        (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) above, during his
    employment, the Employee may devote reasonable time to activities other than
    those required under this Employment Agreement, including serving on the
    Board of Directors of GenCorp., A.M. Castle and, subject to the approval of
    the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), other similar companies
    and institutions, to the extent that such activities do not inhibit or
    prohibit the performance of the Employee's duties under this Employment
    Agreement, or conflict in any material way with the business of the Company.
    
 
   
    2.  COMPENSATION. The Employee shall be paid for the performance of his
duties under this Agreement during the term of his employment with the Company
in accordance with the following:
    
 
   
        (a) BASE COMPENSATION. The Company shall pay the Employee base
    compensation, which on and after the Merger Date shall be at the rate of not
    less than $600,000 per year ("Base Compensation"). The Employee's Base
    Compensation shall be payable semi-monthly, shall not be decreased and shall
    be subject to annual or periodic review beginning June 1, 1998 in accordance
    with the Company's customary practices for its other executives and be
    increased in the sole discretion of the Board. In the event the Board
    increases the Employee's Base Compensation, such compensation may not be
    decreased thereafter.
    
 
   
        (b) BONUS. The Company shall pay the Employee a bonus for each fiscal
    year based upon target performance goals (the "Target") to be mutually
    agreed upon by the Board and the Employee and measured as a percentage of
    the Employee's Base Compensation. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if
    the Target is achieved, the Employee shall be entitled to a bonus the amount
    of which is no less than 90% of Base Compensation. The bonus shall be
    payable as soon after the end of each fiscal year as it can be determined,
    but in any event within ninety (90) days thereafter. If the employment of
    Employee is terminated at other than year-end, the bonus will be pro rated
    to reflect the period during the year Employee was employed.
    
 
   
           (i) For the portion of the 1997 fiscal year which ends immediately
       prior to the Merger Date, the Employee shall be entitled to a pro rated
       bonus under the terms of the bonus plan as in effect on the Effective
       Date.
    
<PAGE>
   
           (ii) For fiscal year 1997, the Target shall be based upon the
       Company's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
       from continuing operations and before corporate overhead and Ultravent
       charges ("Subsidiary EBITDA"). For fiscal year 1997, Subsidiary EBITDA is
       estimated to be $93.7 million and the bonus for fiscal year 1997 will be
       paid pro rata based upon the Subsidiary EBITDA earned after the Merger
       Date.
    
 
   
           (iii) For the portion of the 1997 fiscal year which commences on the
       Merger Date, the employee shall be entitled to a bonus provided that at
       least 85% of the Target is achieved. The amount of the bonus shall be pro
       rated for the portion of the fiscal year following the Merger Date from
       an amount determined by straight line interpolation from 45% of Base
       Compensation if 85% of Target is achieved to 112.5% of Base Compensation
       if 107.5% of the Target is achieved. The Board may, in its sole and
       absolute discretion, increase the bonus by an amount up to 22.5% of Base
       Compensation.
    
 
   
        (c) TRANSACTION BONUS. The Company shall pay the Employee a bonus equal
    to $700,000 (the "Transaction Bonus"); provided, however, that if the
    Company reasonably determines that the payment of such Transaction Bonus,
    together with the accelerated vesting of the Employee's stock options and
    restricted stock previously granted by the Company, may result in an excise
    tax under section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
    "Code"), the amount of such Transaction Bonus shall be reduced to the extent
    reasonably determined by the Company to be necessary or desirable to avoid
    such excise tax, and the amount of such reduction shall be mutually agreed
    to by the Company and the Employee prior to the Merger Date. The Transaction
    Bonus shall be paid to the Employee in a lump sum on the Merger Date.
    Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to pay the
    Transaction Bonus if the Employee is not employed by the Company on the
    Merger Date.
    
 
   
    3.  BENEFITS. The Employee shall be entitled to participate in and receive
benefits under any retirement plan, savings plan, related override benefit plan,
nonqualified deferred compensation plan, health plan, disability plan, life
insurance plan and any other employee benefit plan or arrangement (collectively,
"Benefit Plans") made available from time to time to executives of the Company.
The Employee shall be entitled to such other benefits, including vacation,
executive perquisites, fringe benefits and expense reimbursements as currently
in effect for executives of the Company and as the same may be from time to time
be amended.
    
 
   
    4.  STOCK OWNERSHIP.
    
 
   
        (a) BASE STOCK OPTIONS. On the Merger Date, the Company shall grant the
    Employee seven-year stock options on shares equal to no less than 2.0% of
    the Company's then-outstanding shares of common stock. To the extent
    permitted by law, such options shall constitute incentive stock options
    under the Internal Revenue Code. Such options will be exercisable at a price
    equal to the Cash Election Price (as defined in the Merger Agreement),
    subject to adjustment for changes in capital, and will provide for seven (7)
    year cliff vesting with four (4) year accelerated vesting based on meeting
    agreed-upon financial performance and acquisition targets and/or cumulative
    performance vesting goals, with further accelerated vesting in the event of
    an IPO or other exit scenarios provided in the latter event that agreed upon
    IRR target levels are achieved. Additionally, these options shall include
    put provisions in the event of the Employee's death, disability or
    retirement, and call provisions in the event of termination of
    employment--both put and call provisions to be exercised at fair market
    value. Said provisions and such other additional reasonable terms and
    conditions will be set forth in a stock option plan to be adopted by the
    Company before the Merger Date.
    
 
   
        (b) SUPPLEMENTAL STOCK OPTIONS. On the Merger Date, in lieu of a funded
    supplemental executive retirement plan, the Company shall grant to the
    Employee options to purchase an additional amount of the capital stock of
    the Company to be agreed upon prior to the Merger Date at the Cash Election
    Price.
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
   
        (c) OWNERSHIP. On the Merger Date, the Employee shall purchase or retain
    ownership of no less than 1% of the Company's outstanding shares of common
    stock on the Merger Date.
    
 
   
        (d) SENIOR EXECUTIVE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN. On and after the Merger Date,
    the Company shall continue the loan program under the Company's Senior
    Executive Stock Purchase Plan as in effect immediately prior to the
    Effective Date and the change in control provision of such plan shall not
    take effect by reason of the merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
    
 
   
        (e) PUT/CALL RIGHTS. The Employee will have rights to put to the Company
    and the Company shall have rights to call from the Employee shares of
    capital stock of the Company owned or acquired by the Employee on the Merger
    Date without restriction, as set forth on attached Exhibit A. The parties
    will agree on a fair and reasonable valuation process, no later than the
    Merger Date.
    
 
   
    5.  TERMINATION.
    
 
   
        (a) This Agreement may be terminated by the Company by written notice to
    the Employee only by action of a majority of the Board. The termination will
    not be effective until the later of three years after the Merger Date or two
    years after written notice of termination is given to the Employee unless
    the termination is for "Good Cause." "Good Cause" shall mean (i) the
    Employee's conviction of any embezzlement or any felony involving fraud or
    breach of trust relating to the performance of the Employee's duties, (ii)
    the Employee's willful engagement in gross misconduct in the performance of
    his duties, (iii) the Employee's death, or (iv) permanent disability which
    materially impairs the Employee's performance of his duties. Termination for
    "Good Cause" shall be effective immediately.
    
 
   
        (b) The Employee may terminate this Agreement by giving the Company
    written notice of termination. The termination will be effective sixty (60)
    days after written notice of termination is given to the Company. The
    Employee may terminate this Agreement for "Good Reason." "Good Reason" shall
    exist if (i) the Company continues a reduction in compensation or
    expenditures for Benefit Plans, relocates outside the Chicago area or
    commits another material breach of this Agreement for more than 30 days
    after being notified in writing by the Employee of such breach PROVIDED the
    Employee has given such notice to the Company within 30 days of first
    becoming aware of the facts constituting such breach, (ii) the Company gives
    the Employee a notice of termination without Good Cause (as defined above)
    PROVIDED the Employee terminates this Agreement within 30 days of receiving
    such notice, (iii) a "Change of Control" occurs, and the Employee's
    employment hereunder is terminated by either party for any reason other than
    "Good Cause," or (iv) the Employee retires from the Company on a date that
    is mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Employee. A "Change of
    Control" shall occur when any person (as such term is used in section 13(d)
    and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, of 1934 as amended, the "Exchange
    Act") other than a majority shareholder on the Merger Date is or becomes the
    "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13(d)-3 under the Exchange Act), of
    securities of the Company representing more than 35% of the combined voting
    power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities; provided,
    however, that no Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred if
    beneficial ownership by such person is less than 50% of the combined voting
    power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities and the original
    investors in FBP Aquisition Corp., Inc., who at the Merger Date received
    voting securities of the Company beneficially own at least 20% of the
    combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities.
    
 
   
        (c) If the Company by written notice to the Employee elects to terminate
    his employment with the Company prior to the Termination Date provided by
    Section 5(a) for other than "Good Cause" or, if the Employee terminates this
    Agreement and simultaneously therewith his employment by the Company and its
    parent and subsidiary corporations for Good Reason, then the following shall
    occur:
    
 
   
           (i) All of the Employee's outstanding and unexercised options to
       purchase stock of the Company shall, to the extent vested at the date of
       notice of termination, continue to be
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
       exercisable for a period ending on the earlier of the date 18 months from
       the date of such notice and the specific expiration date stated in the
       option.
    
 
   
           (ii) The Company for a period of two years from the date of notice of
       such termination or through three years after the Merger Date whichever
       is later (the "Severance Period") shall continue to provide to the
       Employee (1) his Base Compensation, at the rate most recently determined,
       (2) a bonus for each fiscal year (and a pro rata amount for each partial
       year) in an amount equal to the latest Target bonus, (3) health coverage,
       life insurance and disability insurance (subject in the case of long-term
       disability to the availability of such coverage under the Company's
       insurance policy), (4) suitable office space and secretarial services,
       and (5) reimbursement for outplacement services. If the Employee dies
       during the Severance Period, the payments provided by (1) and (2) above
       shall be made to the Employee's spouse at the time of his death as long
       as she is alive and if she should not survive him or shall subsequently
       die, to the estate of the Employee, and the health coverage shall be made
       available to his spouse and eligible dependents. The period of health
       coverage provided by this Agreement shall reduce the period of COBRA
       coverage which would otherwise be required.
    
 
   
           (iii) The Employee will be fully vested in all retirement and savings
       plans.
    
 
   
        (d) The parties agree that the payments and benefits provided for in
    subsection (c) of this Section shall be deemed to constitute liquidated
    damages for the Company's breach or constructive breach of this Agreement
    and payment for the non-competition provisions of this Agreement, and the
    Company agrees that (i) the Employee shall not be required to mitigate his
    damages by seeking other employment or otherwise, and (ii) the Company's
    payments and other obligations under this Agreement shall not be reduced in
    any way by reason of any compensation received by the Employee from sources
    other than the Company and its affiliates, except as otherwise expressly
    provided herein.
    
 
   
    6.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The terms and provisions of this Agreement constitute
the entire agreement between the parties and supersede any previous oral or
written communications, representations or agreements with respect to the
subject matter hereof.
    
 
   
    7.  NOTICE. Any Notices given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
given by personal delivery or by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, addressed to:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>
If to the Company:                     If to the Employee:
 
President                              To the address shown at
Falcon Building Products, Inc.         the beginning of this
2 North Riverside Plaza                Employment Agreement
Chicago, Illinois 60606
</TABLE>
    
 
   
or such other address as shall be furnished in writing by one party to the
other.
    
 
   
    8.  SEVERABILITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions hereof, and
this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if the invalid or
unenforceable provision had been omitted.
    
 
   
    9.  SUCCESSORS. The Company's obligation hereunder shall be binding legal
obligations of any successor to all or substantially all of the Company's
business by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise. The Company may not
sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets or merge or
consolidate with any other entity without making adequate provision for its
obligations hereunder. The Employee may not assign this Agreement during his
life, and upon his death, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of his heirs, legatees and the legal representative of each.
    
 
   
    10. APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted
pursuant to the laws of Illinois.
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
   
    11. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended only by a written document
signed by both parties.
    
 
   
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employment Agreement
effective as of the day and year first above written.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
Falcon Building Products, Inc.                Employee
By                                            William K. Hall
Its:
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
   
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
    
 
   
The provisions of the Put/Call arrangements are as follows:
    
 
   
          CALL PROVISION                            CALL PRICE
                                       WITHIN 3 YEARS        AFTER 3 YEARS
 
                                     Lower of Cost or
Employee leaves without Good Reason  FMV                  FMV
 
Employee leaves with Good Reason     FMV                  FMV
 
                                     Lower of Cost or     Lower of Cost or
Employee is terminated for Cause     FMV                  FMV
 
Any other reason                     FMV                  FMV
           PUT PROVISION                            PUT PRICE
                                       BEFORE 3 YEARS        AFTER 3 YEARS
 
Employee is terminated without       Lower of Cost or
Cause                                FMV                  FMV
 
                                     Lower of Cost or
Resignation for Good Reason          FMV                  FMV
 
Employee leaves without Good Reason
(provided employee does not go to a
competitor)                          None                 FMV
 
Death, Disability, Retirement        FMV                  FMV
 
Cost to be grossed up by an appropriate interest rate.
    
 
                                       6

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 12.1
 
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                          (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT RATIOS)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                      MARCH 31,
                                              -----------------------------------------------------  --------------------
                                                1992       1993       1994       1995       1996       1996       1997
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Income from continuing operations before
  income taxes..............................  $    32.4  $    37.2  $    43.4  $    35.8  $    48.8  $     8.8  $    10.0
Add back:
  Interest expense..........................       10.0        8.0        8.2        9.8       10.6        2.6        2.7
  Amortization of debt expense..............         --         --        0.2        0.5        0.6        0.2        0.2
  Interest element in rentals...............        0.1        0.1        0.1        0.2        0.4        0.1        0.1
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Earnings....................................  $    42.5  $    45.3  $    51.9  $    46.3  $    60.4  $    11.7  $    13.0
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Fixed charges:
  Interest expense..........................  $    10.0  $     8.0  $     8.2  $     9.8  $    10.6  $     2.6  $     2.7
  Amortization of debt expense..............         --         --        0.2        0.5        0.6        0.2        0.2
  Interest element in rentals...............        0.1        0.1        0.1        0.2        0.4        0.1        0.1
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total fixed charges.........................  $    10.1  $     8.1  $     8.5  $    10.5  $    11.6  $     2.9  $     3.0
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges..........        4.2        5.6        6.1        4.4        5.2        4.0        4.4
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                         PRO FORMA
                                              --------------------------------
                                                YEAR ENDED      THREE MONTHS
                                               DECEMBER 31,    ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                   1996             1997
                                              ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                           <C>              <C>
Income from continuing operations before
  income taxes..............................     $    14.4        $     1.2
Add back:
  Interest expense..........................          40.5             10.2
  Amortization of debt expense..............           2.6              0.7
  Interest element in rentals...............           0.4              0.1
                                                     -----            -----
Earnings....................................     $    57.9        $    12.2
                                                     -----            -----
                                                     -----            -----
Fixed charges:
  Interest expense..........................     $    40.5        $    10.2
  Amortization of debt expense..............           2.6              0.7
  Interest element in rentals...............           0.4              0.1
                                                     -----            -----
Total fixed charges.........................     $    43.5        $    11.0
                                                     -----            -----
                                                     -----            -----
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges..........           1.3              1.1
                                                     -----            -----
                                                     -----            -----
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
    As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
report and to all references to our Firm included in or made a part of this Form
S-4 registration statement.
 
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
May 21, 1997

<PAGE>
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
                               CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
 
          THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
     FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ON THE 17TH DAY OF JUNE, 1997
    The undersigned hereby appoints Gus J. Athas and Sam A. Cottone and each of
them, each with the power to appoint his substitute, attorney successors and
assigns with the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present to
vote all of the Class A Stock of Falcon Building Products, Inc. (hereinafter
"Falcon") held of record by the undersigned on May 5, 1997, at the Special
Meeting of the Stockholders to be held on the 17th day of June, 1997 at 7:00
a.m. New York City time, at 270 Park Avenue, 11th Floor, Conference Room G, New
York, New York 10017, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, upon the
matter set forth herein and, in their discretion, upon all other matters which
may come before the meeting. Without otherwise limiting the general
authorization hereby given, said attorneys are instructed to vote as follows on
the matter set forth below:
    Management and the Board of Directors recommend a vote FOR the following
Proposal.
(1)  To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the Agreement and
     Plan of Merger, dated as of March 20, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"),
     between Falcon and FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc. ("FBP") and the transactions
     contemplated thereby, including the Merger (as defined below). The Merger
     Agreement provides, among other things, for the merger of FBP with and into
     Falcon (the "Merger") pursuant to which each share of Falcon Class A Stock,
     $.01 par value per share ("Falcon Class A Stock") (other than (i) shares of
     Falcon Class A Stock held by Falcon, its subsidiaries, FBP or any of its
     affiliates, which will be cancelled and retired, and (ii) shares of Falcon
     Class A Stock subject to dissenters' rights which will be treated as
     described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus relating to the Merger), will
     be converted into either (a) the right to receive $17.75 in cash or (b) the
     right to retain one fully paid and nonassessable share of Falcon Class A
     Stock, which upon consummation of the Merger will have the rights, powers,
     privileges and restrictions as described in the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus
     relating to the Merger (the "Merger Proposal"). Because certain
     stockholders have committed to elect to retain 1,034,020 shares of Falcon
     Class A Stock, all stockholders who do not elect to retain Falcon Class A
     Stock will be assured that they will receive $17.75 in cash for each share
     held by such stockholders, and all stockholders who elect to retain Falcon
     Class A Stock will experience proration of such shares, resulting in their
     retaining only a portion of the shares of Falcon Class A Stock they elect
     to retain and receiving $17.75 per share in cash for each of their other
     shares of Falcon Class A Stock.
            FOR:  / /           AGAINST:  / /           ABSTAIN:  / /
<PAGE>
    THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED, OR IF NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED, FOR THE
MERGER PROPOSAL AND AS SAID PROXIES DEEM ADVISABLE ON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY
PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
 
    Please mark, sign, date and return this proxy in the enclosed envelope as
soon as possible, even though you plan to attend this meeting.
 
    To help our preparation for the meeting, please check here if you plan to
attend. / /
 
                                             SIGN HERE EXACTLY AS NAME(S)
                                             APPEAR(S) ABOVE
                          ______________________________ Date: _________________
                          ______________________________ Date: _________________
                                             When shares are held by joint
                                             tenants, both should sign. When
                                             signing as attorney, executor,
                                             trustee or guardian, please give
                                             full title as such. If a
                                             corporation, please sign in full
                                             corporate name by president or
                                             other authorized officer. If a
                                             partnership, please sign in
                                             partnership name by authorized
                                             person.
 
                                             If your address has changed, please
                                             note new address:
                                             ________________________ Zip
                                             Code: _____________

<PAGE>
              DO NOT SUBMIT THIS FORM IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE CASH
                             FOR ALL OF YOUR SHARES
 
                             NON-CASH ELECTION FORM
 
    This Form is to accompany the certificates for shares of Class A stock, par
value $.01 per share ("Falcon Class A Stock"), of Falcon Building Products, Inc.
("Falcon" or the "Company") if such certificates are submitted pursuant to an
election (a "Non-Cash Election") to retain shares of Falcon Class A Stock
("Non-Cash Election Shares") in connection with the proposed merger (the
"Merger") of FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc. with and into Falcon.
 
    HOLDERS OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK WHO DO NOT WISH TO MAKE A NON-CASH ELECTION
(ANY SUCH HOLDER, A "NON-ELECTING HOLDER") NEED NOT SUBMIT THIS FORM. EACH SHARE
OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK OWNED BY ANY SUCH NON-ELECTING HOLDER WILL AUTOMATICALLY
BE CONVERTED INTO THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO $17.75 IN CASH FROM
FALCON FOLLOWING THE MERGER.
 
                    To: The Bank of New York, Exchange Agent
 
      BY MAIL:               BY FACSIMILE:              BY HAND OR OVERNIGHT
 Tender & Exchange           (212) 815-6213                   COURIER:
     Department                                     Tender & Exchange Department
   P.O. Box 11248                                        101 Barclay Street
   Church Street                                     Receive and Deliver Window
      Station                                         New York, New York 10286
 New York, New York
     10286-1248
 
                       FOR INFORMATION TELEPHONE:
                             (800) 507-9357
 
DELIVERY OF THIS FORM TO AN ADDRESS, OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA A
TELECOPY FACSIMILE NUMBER, OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A
VALID DELIVERY.
 
              PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS
 
BOX I
                                            SHARES ELECTED
                                (ATTACH ADDITIONAL LIST IF NECESSARY)
                                       Total Number of
                                           Shares
Name and Address of   Certificate      Represented by        Number of Shares
 Registered Holder*      Number        Certificate(s)            Elected**
                      Total Shares
  *Only certificates registered in a single form may be deposited with this Form
   of Election. If certificates are registered in different forms (e.g., John R.
   Doe and J.R. Doe), it will be necessary to fill in, sign and submit as many
   separate Forms of Election as there are different registrations of
   certificates.
 **Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all shares submitted are
   to be treated as having a made a Non-Cash Election.
 
/ / Check here if you cannot locate certificates. Upon receipt of this Form, the
    Exchange Agent will contact you directly with replacement instructions.
<PAGE>
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
    In connection with the merger (the "Merger") of FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc.
with and into Falcon Building Products, Inc. ("Falcon" or the "Company"), the
undersigned hereby submits the certificate(s) for shares of Class A stock, par
value $.01 per share, of Falcon ("Falcon Class A Stock") listed below and
elects, subject as set forth below, to have all or a portion of the shares of
Falcon Class A Stock represented by such certificates as set forth below
converted into the right to retain shares of Falcon Class A Stock following the
Merger ("Non-Cash Election Shares").
 
    It is understood that the following election is subject to (i) the terms,
conditions and limitations set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, dated
May 23, 1997 relating to the Merger (the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus"), receipt
of which is acknowledged by the undersigned, (ii) the terms of the Agreement and
Plan of Merger, dated as of March 20, 1997, as may be amended from time to time
(the "Merger Agreement"), a conformed copy of which appears as Annex I to the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and (iii) the accompanying Instructions.
 
    The undersigned authorizes and instructs you, as Exchange Agent, to deliver
such certificates of Falcon Class A Stock to the Company and to receive on
behalf of the undersigned, in exchange for the shares of Falcon Class A Stock
represented thereby, any certificate for Non-Cash Election Shares or any check
for cash issuable in the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement. If
certificates of Falcon Class A Stock are not delivered herewith, there is
furnished below a guarantee of delivery of such certificates representing shares
of Falcon Class A Stock from a member of a national securities exchange, a
member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial
bank or trust company having an office in the United States.
 
    Unless otherwise indicated under Special Payment Instructions below, please
issue any certificate for Non-Cash Election Shares and/or any check issuable in
exchange for the shares of Falcon Class A Stock represented by the certificates
submitted hereby in the name of the registered holder(s) of such Falcon Class A
Stock. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under Special Delivery
Instructions, please mail any certificate for shares of Falcon Class A Stock
and/or any check for cash issuable in exchange for the shares of Falcon Class A
Stock represented by the certificates submitted hereby to the registered
holder(s) of the Falcon Class A Stock at the address or addresses shown above.
 
              PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS
 
BOX II                                   BOX III
 
     SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS             SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
   (SEE INSTRUCTIONS D(6) AND D(7))              (SEE INSTRUCTION D(8))
 
To be completed ONLY if the              To be completed ONLY if the
certificates for Non-Cash Election       certificates for Non-Cash Election
Shares are to be registered in the name  Shares are to be registered in the name
of, or the checks are to be made paya-   of, or the checks are to be made paya-
ble to, someone other than the           ble to, the registered holder(s) of
registered holder(s) of shares of        shares of Falcon Class A Stock, but are
Falcon Class A Stock.                    to be sent to someone other than the
                                         registered holder(s) or to an address
                                         other than the address of the
                                         registered holder(s) set forth above.
 
Name                                     Name
                                         ------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------
                (Please Print)                       (Please Print)
Address                                  Address
                                           -----------------------------------
  ----------------------------------                 (Please Print)
                (Please Print)
 
                                         -----------------------------------
- ----------------------------------
             (Including Zip Code)                 (Including Zip Code)
 
- ----------------------------------
        (Tax Identification or Social
           Security Number)
 
<PAGE>
 
BOX IV
 
                    SIGN HERE AND HAVE SIGNATURES GUARANTEED
        (SEE INSTRUCTIONS D(1) AND D(7) CONCERNING SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)
 
Name(s):
         ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
Name(s):
         ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            SIGNATURE(S) OF OWNER(S)
 
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            SIGNATURE(S) OF OWNER(S)
 
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER(S))
 
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   GUARANTEED
 
    Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on stock
certificate(s) or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by
certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee,
executor, administrator, guardian, officer of a corporation, attorney-in-fact or
any other person acting in a fiduciary capacity, set forth full title in such
capacity and see Instruction D(3).
 
Dated: -----------------------------------------------------------  , 1997
 
BOX V
                             GUARANTEE OF DELIVERY
         (TO BE USED ONLY IF CERTIFICATES ARE NOT SURRENDERED HEREWITH)
 
    The undersigned is a member of a national securities exchange, a member of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or
trust company in the United States; and guarantees to deliver to the Exchange
Agent the certificates for shares of Falcon Class A Stock to which this Form
relates, duly endorsed in blank or otherwise in form acceptable for transfer on
the books of Falcon, no later than 5:00 P.M. New York City time on the third
NYSE trading day after the date of execution of this guarantee of delivery.
 
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              (Firm--Please Print)
 
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             (Authorized Signature)
 
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   (Address)
 
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        (Area Code and Telephone Number)
 
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (Contact Name)
 
<PAGE>
 
     (DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW)
 
                                                     SHARES
                      NON-CASH                      CONVERTED
  SHARES     SHARES   ELECTION  CERTIFICATE  BLOCK    INTO     CHECK     AMOUNT
SURRENDERED ACCEPTED   SHARES     NO.       NO.       CASH      NO.     OF CHECK
 
DELIVERY PREPARED BY --                             CHECKED BY -----------------
 
                  DATE
 -------------------------------------
 
<PAGE>
                                  INSTRUCTIONS
 
A. SPECIAL CONDITIONS.
 
    1.  TIME IN WHICH TO ELECT.  To be effective, an election pursuant to the
terms and conditions set forth herein (an "Election") on this Form or a
facsimile hereof, accompanied by the above-described certificates representing
shares of Falcon Class A Stock or a proper guarantee of delivery thereof, must
be received by the Exchange Agent, at the address set forth above, no later than
5:00 P.M., New York City time, on June 13, 1997 (the "Election Date"). Holders
of Falcon Class A Stock whose stock certificates are not immediately available
may also make an effective Election by completing this form or facsimile hereof,
having the Guarantee of Delivery box (BOX V) properly completed and duly
executed (subject to the condition that the certificates for which delivery is
thereby guaranteed are in fact delivered to the Exchange Agent, duly endorsed in
blank or otherwise in form acceptable for transfer on the books of Falcon, no
later than 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the third NYSE trading day after
the date of execution of such guarantee of delivery). Each share of Falcon Class
A Stock with respect to which the Exchange Agent shall have not received an
effective Election prior to the Election Date, or with respect to which the
proration procedures set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus pertain,
outstanding at the Effective Time of the Merger will be converted into the right
to receive an amount equal to $17.75 in cash from the Company following the
Merger. See Instruction C.
 
    2.  REVOCATION OF ELECTION.  Any Election may be revoked by the person who
submitted this Form to the Exchange Agent and the certificate(s) for shares
withdrawn by written notice duly executed and received by the Exchange Agent
prior to the Election Date. Such notice must specify the person in whose name
the shares of Falcon Class A Stock to be withdrawn had been deposited, the
number of shares to be withdrawn, the name of the registered holder thereof, and
the serial numbers shown on the certificate(s) representing the shares to be
withdrawn. If an Election is revoked, and the certificate(s) for shares
withdrawn, the Falcon Class A Stock certificate(s) submitted therewith will be
promptly returned by the Exchange Agent to the person who submitted such
certificate(s).
 
    3.  TERMINATION OF RIGHT TO ELECT.  If for any reason the Merger is not
consummated or is abandoned, all Forms will be void and of no effect.
Certificate(s) for Falcon Class A Stock previously received by the Exchange
Agent will be returned promptly by the Exchange Agent to the person who
submitted such stock certificate(s).
 
B. ELECTION AND PRORATION PROCEDURES.
 
    A description of the election and proration procedures is set forth in the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus under "THE MERGER--Non-Cash Election" and "THE
MERGER--Non-Cash Election Procedure." A full statement of the election and
proration procedures is contained in the Merger Agreement and all Elections are
subject to compliance with such procedures. IN CONNECTION WITH MAKING ANY
ELECTION, A HOLDER OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK SHOULD READ CAREFULLY, AMONG OTHER
MATTERS, THE AFORESAID DESCRIPTION AND STATEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
IN THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS UNDER "THE MERGER--FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSEQUENCES." SEE ALSO "RISK FACTORS--NON-CASH ELECTION AND PRORATION INTO
CASH" AND "--FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT" IN THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS FOR
A DISCUSSION OF THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE RECEIPT OF CASH AS A RESULT OF
PRORATION BY A HOLDER WHO HAS MADE A NON-CASH ELECTION MAY BE TREATED AS A
DIVIDEND AS OPPOSED TO A CAPITAL GAIN.
 
    AS A RESULT OF THE PRORATION PROCEDURES, HOLDERS OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK MAY
RECEIVE NON-CASH ELECTION SHARES OR CASH IN AMOUNTS WHICH VARY FROM THE AMOUNTS
SUCH HOLDERS ELECT TO RECEIVE. SUCH HOLDERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CHANGE THE
NUMBER OF NON-CASH ELECTION SHARES OR THE AMOUNT OF CASH ALLOCATED TO THEM
PURSUANT TO SUCH PROCEDURES.
 
C. RECEIPT OF NON-CASH ELECTION SHARES OR CHECKS.
 
    After the Effective Time of the Merger and after the Election Date, the
Exchange Agent will mail certificate(s) for Non-Cash Election Shares and/or cash
payments by check to the holders of Falcon Class A Stock with respect to each
share of Falcon Class A Stock which is included in any effective Election.
Holders of Falcon Class A Stock who declined to make an Election, or failed to
make an effective Election, with respect to any or all of their shares will
receive, for each such share, the right to receive an amount equal to $17.75 in
cash as soon as practicable after the certificate(s) representing such share or
shares have been submitted.
 
    No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the Merger. Each
holder of shares of Falcon Class A Stock who would otherwise have been entitled
to receive a fraction of a Non-Cash Election Share (after taking into account
all shares of Falcon Class A Stock delivered by such holder) will receive, in
lieu thereof, a cash payment (without interest) equal to such fraction
multiplied by $17.75.
 
D. GENERAL.
 
    1.  EXECUTION AND DELIVERY.  This Form or a facsimile hereof must be
properly filled in, dated and signed in BOX IV, and must be delivered (together
with stock certificates representing the shares of Falcon Class A Stock as to
which the Election is made or with a duly signed guarantee of delivery of such
certificates) to the Exchange Agent at any of the addresses set forth above.
 
    THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF ALL DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE
STOCKHOLDER, BUT IF SENT BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED,
PROPERLY INSURED, IS SUGGESTED.
<PAGE>
    2.  INADEQUATE SPACE.  If there is insufficient space on this Form to list
all your stock certificates being submitted to the Exchange Agent, please attach
a separate list.
 
    3.  SIGNATURES.  The signature (or signatures, in the case of certificates
owned by two or more joint holders) on this Form should correspond exactly with
the name(s) as written on the face of the certificate(s) submitted unless the
shares of Falcon Class A Stock described on this Form have been assigned by the
registered holder(s), in which event this Form should be signed in exactly the
same form as the name of the last transferee indicated on the transfers attached
to or endorsed on the certificates.
 
    If this Form is signed by a person or persons other than the registered
owners of the certificates listed, the certificates must be endorsed or
accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the
name(s) of the registered owner(s) appear on the certificates.
 
    If this Form or any stock certificate(s) or stock power(s) are signed by a
trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, officer of a corporation,
attorney-in-fact or any other person acting in a representative or fiduciary
capacity, the person signing must give such person's full title in such capacity
and appropriate evidence of authority to act in such capacity must be forwarded
with this Form.
 
    4.  PARTIAL ELECTIONS.  If an Election is being made in respect of fewer
than all the shares represented by any certificate being delivered to the
Exchange Agent, fill in the number of shares in respect of which an Election is
being made in the box entitled "Shares Elected". In such case, the remainder of
such shares not covered by an effective Election will represent the right of its
registered owner to receive $17.75 per share in cash as soon as practicable
after the certificate(s) representing such share or shares have been submitted.
An Election in respect of all shares represented by certificates submitted
hereunder will be deemed to have been made unless otherwise indicated.
 
    5.  LOST OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES.  If your stock certificate(s) has been
either lost or destroyed, please check the box on the front of this Form below
your name and address and the appropriate forms for replacement will be sent to
you. You will then be instructed as to the steps you must take in order to
receive a stock certificate(s) representing Non-Cash Election Shares and/or any
checks in accordance with the Merger Agreement.
 
    6.  NEW CERTIFICATES AND CHECKS IN SAME NAME.  If any stock certificate(s)
representing Non-Cash Election Shares or any check(s) are to be registered in,
or payable to the order of, exactly the same name(s) that appears on the
certificate(s) representing shares of Falcon Class A Stock submitted with this
Form, no endorsement of certificate(s) or separate stock power(s) are required.
 
    7.  NEW CERTIFICATES OR CHECKS IN DIFFERENT NAME.  If any stock
certificate(s) representing Non-Cash Election Shares or any check(s) are to be
registered in, or payable to the order of, other than exactly the name that
appears on the certificate(s) representing shares of Falcon Class A Stock
submitted herewith, such registration and/or payment shall not be made by the
Exchange Agent unless the certificates submitted are endorsed, BOX II is
completed, and the signature is guaranteed in BOX IV by a member of a national
securities exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. or a commercial bank (not a savings bank or a savings & loan association)
or trust company in the United States which is a member in good standing of the
Agent's Medallion Program.
 
    8.  SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS.  If the checks are to be payable to the
order of, or the certificates for Non-Cash Election Shares are to be registered
in, the name of the registered holder(s) of shares of Falcon Class A Stock, but
are to be sent to someone other than the registered holder(s) or to an address
other than the address of the registered holder, it will be necessary to
indicate such person or address in BOX III.
 
    9.  MISCELLANEOUS.  A single check and/or a single stock certificate
representing Non-Cash Election Shares will be issued.
 
    All questions with respect to this Form and the Elections (including,
without limitation, questions relating to the timeliness or effectiveness of
revocation of any Election and computations as to proration) will be determined
by Falcon and the Exchange Agent, which determination shall be conclusive and
binding.
 
    10.  31% BACKUP WITHHOLDING.  Under Federal income tax law, a holder who
receives a cash payment pursuant to the Merger may be required to provide the
Exchange Agent (as payer) with such holder's correct taxpayer identification
number ("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 below. If the holder is an individual, the
TIN is his or her social security number. If the Exchange Agent is not provided
with the correct TIN, payments that are made to such holder or other payee with
respect to the Merger may be subject to 31% backup withholding.
 
    Certain holders (including, among others, all corporations and certain
foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting
requirements. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an exempt
recipient, the holder must submit a Form W-8, signed under penalties of perjury,
attesting to that individual's exempt status. A Form W-8 can be obtained from
the Exchange Agent. See the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for more instructions.
 
    If backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required to withhold
31% of any such payments made to the holder or other payee. Backup withholding
is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons subject to backup
withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld, provided that the
required information is given to the Internal
<PAGE>
Revenue Service. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may
be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.
 
    The box in Part 3 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the
submitting holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends
to apply for a TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 3 is checked, the
holder or other payee must also complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer
Identification Number below in order to avoid backup withholding.
Notwithstanding that the box in Part 3 is checked and the Certificate of
Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Exchange Agent will
withhold 31% on all payments made prior to the time a properly certified TIN is
provided to the Exchange Agent. However, such amounts will be refunded to such
holder if a TIN is provided to the Exchange Agent within 60 days.
 
    The holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g., social
security number or employer identification number) of the record owner of the
shares of Falcon Class A Stock or of the last transferee appearing on the
transfers attached to, or endorsed on, the shares of Falcon Class A Stock. If
the shares of Falcon Class A Stock are in more than one name or are not in the
name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of
Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance
on which number to report.
 
    11.  WITHHOLDING ON FOREIGN STOCKHOLDERS.  Even if a foreign stockholder has
provided the required certification to avoid backup withholding, the Exchange
Agent will withhold federal income taxes equal to 30% of the gross cash payments
payable to a foreign stockholder or his agent unless the Exchange Agent
determines that such payment is exempt from withholding (or entitled to a
reduced rate of withholding). See "THE MERGER--Federal Income Tax
Consequences--Withholding for Non-U.S. Stockholders" in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus for a more complete discussion of the 30% withholding tax
and obtaining an exemption therefrom. Foreign stockholders are urged to consult
their tax advisors regarding the application of federal income tax withholding,
including eligibility for a withholding tax reduction or exemption and refund
procedures.
 
    Failure to complete the Substitute Form W-9 will not, by itself, cause
Falcon Class A Stock to be deemed invalidly delivered, but may require the
Exchange Agent to withhold 31% of the amount of any payments made pursuant to
the Merger. Backup withholding is not an additional Federal income tax. Rather,
the Federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup withholding will
be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an
overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.
 
    Additional copies of this Form may be obtained from the Exchange Agent
(whose telephone number is (800) 507-9357).
 
PAYER:
 
 SUBSTITUTE
                            PART 1--PLEASE PROVIDE      SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
                            YOUR TIN IN THE             OR
                            BOX AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY    EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION
                            BY SIGNING                  NUMBER
                            AND DATING BELOW.
 FORM W-9
                            PART 2--CERTIFICATION--UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I
                            CERTIFY THAT:
                            (1)    THE NUMBER SHOWN ON THIS FORM IS MY CORRECT
                            TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (OR I AM WAITING FOR
                                   A NUMBER TO BE ISSUED TO ME) AND
 DEPARTMENT OF THE          (2)    I AM NOT SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING EITHER
 TREASURY                   BECAUSE: (A) I AM EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING, OR
 INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE          (B) I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED BY THE INTERNAL
                                   REVENUE SERVICE (THE "IRS") THAT I AM SUBJECT
                                   TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING AS A RESULT OF A
 PAYER'S REQUEST FOR               FAILURE TO REPORT ALL INTEREST OR DIVIDENDS,
 TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION           OR (C) THE IRS HAS NOTIFIED ME THAT I AM NO
 NUMBER (TIN)                      LONGER SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING.
                            CERTIFICATION               PART 3--
                            INSTRUCTIONS--YOU MUST
                            CROSS OUT ITEM (2) ABOVE    AWAITING TIN / /
                            IF YOU HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED
                            BY THE IRS THAT YOU ARE
                            CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO
                            BACKUP WITHHOLDING
                            BECAUSE OF UNDERREPORTING
                            INTEREST OR DIVIDENDS ON
                            YOUR TAX RETURN. HOWEVER,
                            IF AFTER BEING NOTIFIED
                            BY THE IRS THAT YOU ARE
                            SUBJECT TO BACKUP
                            WITHHOLDING, YOU RECEIVED
                            ANOTHER NOTIFICATION FROM
                            THE IRS STATING THAT YOU
                            ARE NO LONGER SUBJECT TO
                            BACKUP WITHHOLDING, DO
                            NOT CROSS OUT ITEM (2).
                            SIGNATURE  DATE
 
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
      OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE MERGER. PLEASE REVIEW
      THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
      NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
 
<PAGE>
      YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN PART
      3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
 
                    CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
 NUMBER
     I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number
 has not been issued to me, and either (1) I have mailed or delivered an
 application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
 Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (2)
 I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand
 that if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of
 payment, 31% of all reportable payments made to me will be withheld, but that
 such amounts will be refunded to me if I then provide a Taxpayer Identification
 Number within sixty (60) days.
 Signature   Date
 
    Questions and requests for assistance or additional copies of the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus or this Form of Election may be directed to the
Solicitation Agent at the address set forth below:
 
                            THE PROXY SOLICITOR IS:
                               Morrow & Co., Inc.
                                909 Third Avenue
                            New York, New York 10022
 
                         (212) 754-8000 (Call Collect)
                                       or
                         Call Toll-Free (800) 662-5200

<PAGE>
                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
            TO ACCOMPANY CERTIFICATE(S) FOR SHARES OF CLASS A STOCK
                                       OF
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
                   SURRENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER
                                       OF
                           FBP AQUISITION CORP., INC.
                                 WITH AND INTO
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
 
    This Letter of Transmittal is to accompany certificates for shares of Class
A stock, par value $.01 per share ("Falcon Class A Stock"), of Falcon Building
Products, Inc. ("Falcon" or the "Company") if such certificates have NOT been
submitted pursuant to an effective election (a "Non-Cash Election") to retain
shares of Falcon Class A Stock ("Non-Cash Election Shares") in connection with
the proposed merger (the "Merger") of FBP Acquisition Corp., Inc. ("FBP") with
and into Falcon. Holders of Falcon Class A Stock who have previously made an
effective Non-Cash Election (any such holder, an "Electing Holder") need not
submit this Form with respect to the shares covered by such Non-Cash Election.
Each share of Falcon Class A Stock subject to such Non-Cash Election will
automatically, subject to proration and the payment of cash in lieu of
fractional shares as described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as defined
below), be converted into the right to retain Non-Cash Election Shares.
 
    By delivering certificates for shares of Falcon Class A Common Stock, the
registered holder of such certificates releases the Company, FBP and their
respective affiliates, directors, officers, employees, partners, agents,
advisors and representatives, and their respective successors and assigns, from
any and all claims arising from or in connection with the purchase or ownership
of such Falcon Class A Stock or the retention or sale of such Falcon Class A
Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement (as defined herein).
 
                    To: The Bank of New York, Exchange Agent
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>                                 <C>
             BY MAIL:                         BY FACSIMILE:                    BY HAND OR OVERNIGHT
   Tender & Exchange Department               (212) 815-6213                         COURIER:
          P.O. Box 11248                                                   Tender & Exchange Department
      Church Street Station                                                     101 Barclay Street
  New York, New York 10286-1248                                             Receive and Deliver Window
                                                                             New York, New York 10286
 
                                        FOR INFORMATION TELEPHONE:
                                              (800) 507-9357
</TABLE>
 
  DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
                  ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
 
              PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS
 
BOX I
                                                    SHARES SUBMITTED
                                         (ATTACH ADDITIONAL LIST IF NECESSARY)
                                                              Total Number of
                                                                   Shares
          Name and Address of              Certificate(s)      Represented by
           Registered Holder*                  Number          Certificate(s)
                                            Total Shares
 *Only certificates registered in a single form may be deposited with this
 Letter of Transmittal. If certificates are registered in different forms (e.g.,
 John R. Doe and J.R. Doe), it will be necessary to fill in, sign and submit as
 many separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations of
 certificates.
 
/ /  Check here if you cannot locate your certificates. Upon receipt of this
    Letter of Transmittal, the Exchange Agent will contact you directly with
    replacement instructions.
<PAGE>
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
    In connection with the Merger, the undersigned hereby submits the
certificate(s) for shares of Class A stock, par value $.01 per share, of Falcon
("Falcon Class A Stock") listed in BOX I. Delivery of the enclosed certificates
shall be effected, and risk of loss of and title to such certificates shall
pass, only upon delivery thereof to you.
 
    It is understood that this Letter of Transmittal is subject to (i) the
terms, conditions and limitations set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus,
dated May 23, 1997, relating to the Merger (including all annexes thereto, and
as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Proxy
Statement/Prospectus"), receipt of which is acknowledged by the undersigned,
(ii) the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 20, 1997,
as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time (the "Merger
Agreement"), a conformed copy of which appears as Annex I to the Proxy
Statement, and (iii) the accompanying Instructions.
 
    By delivering certificates for shares of Falcon Class A Stock, the
registered holder of such certificates releases the Company, FBP and their
respective affiliates, directors, officers, employees, partners, agents,
advisors and representatives, and their respective successors and assigns, from
any and all claims arising from or in connection with the purchase or ownership
of such Falcon Class A Stock or the retention or sale of such Falcon Class A
Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
 
    The undersigned authorizes and instructs you, as Exchange Agent, to deliver
such certificates of Falcon Class A Stock to the Company and to receive on
behalf of the undersigned, in exchange for the shares of Falcon Class A Stock
represented thereby, any check for cash or, in the event of proration,
certificate for Non-Cash Election Shares issuable in the Merger.
 
    Unless otherwise indicated under Special Payment Instructions below, please
issue any check and/or any certificate for Non-Cash Election Shares issuable in
exchange for the shares of Falcon Class A Stock represented by the certificates
submitted hereby in the name of the registered holder(s) of such Falcon Class A
Stock. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under Special Delivery
Instructions, please mail any check and/or any certificate for Non-Cash Election
Shares issuable in exchange for the shares of Falcon Class A Stock represented
by the certificates submitted hereby to the registered holder(s) of Falcon Class
A Stock at the address or addresses shown above.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                    <C>
BOX II                                                 BOX III
 
            SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS                           SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
          (SEE INSTRUCTIONS C(5) AND C(6))                            (SEE INSTRUCTION C(7))
 
To be completed ONLY if the checks are to be made      To be completed ONLY if the checks are to be made
payable to, or the certificates for Non-Cash Election  payable to the registered holder(s) of shares of
Shares are to be registered in the name of, someone    Falcon Class A Stock, but are to be sent to someone
other than the registered holder(s) of shares of       other than the registered holder(s) or to an address
Falcon Class A Stock.                                  other than the address of the registered holder(s)
                                                       set forth above.
 
Name                                                   Name
      ------------------------------------             -------------------------------------
                   (Please Print)                                         (Please Print)
 
           ------------------------------------                -------------------------------------
                   (Please Print)                                         (Please Print)
Address                                                Address
 
             ----------------------------------                 -----------------------------------
             ----------------------------------                 -----------------------------------
                (Including Zip Code)                                   (Including Zip Code)
 
- ----------------------------------------------------
             (Tax Identification or Social Security
                       Number)
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
 
BOX IV
 
                    SIGN HERE AND HAVE SIGNATURES GUARANTEED
     (SEE INSTRUCTIONS C(1), C(3) AND C(6) CONCERNING SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)
 
Name(s):
         ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
Name(s):
         ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
Name(s):
         ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
                            Signature(s) of Owner(s)
    Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on stock
certificate(s) or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by
certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee,
executor, administrator, guardian, officer of a corporation, attorney-in-fact or
any other person acting in a fiduciary capacity, set forth full title in such
capacity and see Instruction C(3).
 
    -----------------------------------------------------------------
 
    -----------------------------------------------------------------
                      (Area Code and Telephone Number(s))
 
    -----------------------------------------------------------------
 
    -----------------------------------------------------------------
               (Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s))
 
SIGNATURE(S)
GUARANTEED:                           DATED                   1997.
- ------------------------           ------------------------
               (See Instruction C(6))
 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
        (DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW)
 
                         NON-CASH                             SHARES
  SHARES      SHARES     ELECTION   CERTIFICATE             CONVERTED               AMOUNT OF
SURRENDERED  ACCEPTED     SHARES       NO.      BLOCK NO.   INTO CASH   CHECK NO.     CHECK
 
DELIVERY PREPARED BY --                                     CHECKED BY -----------------
 
  DATE -------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
                                  INSTRUCTIONS
 
A.  SPECIAL CONDITIONS; PRORATION PROCEDURES
 
    Subject to the proration procedures described in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, holders of Falcon Class A Stock who (i) declined to make a
Non-Cash Election, (ii) failed to make an effective Non-Cash Election or (iii)
made an effective Non-Cash Election but who will not receive Non-Cash Election
Shares due to proration, in each case with respect to any or all of their
shares, will receive in exchange for each share of Falcon Class A Stock, the
right to receive $17.75 in cash. See Instruction B.
 
    A description of the proration procedures is set forth in the Proxy
Statement under "THE MERGER---Non-Cash Election" and "THE MERGER--Non-Cash
Election Procedure." A full statement of the proration procedures is contained
in the Merger Agreement and any receipt of cash is subject to compliance with
such procedures.
 
    AS A RESULT OF THE PRORATION PROCEDURES, HOLDERS OF FALCON CLASS A STOCK MAY
RECEIVE NON-CASH ELECTION SHARES OR CASH IN AMOUNTS WHICH VARY FROM THE AMOUNTS
SUCH HOLDERS ELECT TO RECEIVE. SUCH HOLDERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CHANGE THE
NUMBER OF NON-CASH ELECTION SHARES OR THE AMOUNT OF CASH ALLOCATED TO THEM
PURSUANT TO SUCH PROCEDURES.
 
B.  RECEIPT OF CHECKS AND/OR CERTIFICATES IN EXCHANGE FOR FALCON CLASS A STOCK.
 
    As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent will
mail to the registered holder listed in BOX I (or his or her designee listed in
BOX II OR III), a check from Falcon for an amount equal to $17.75 in cash with
respect to each share of Falcon Class A Stock which is submitted with any Letter
of Transmittal, subject to the proration procedures described in the Proxy
Statement.
 
    As a result of proration, a holder of Falcon Class A Stock may receive
Non-Cash Election Shares instead of cash. No fractional Non-Cash Election Shares
will be issued in connection with the Merger. Each holder of shares of Falcon
Class A Stock who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of a
Non-Cash Election Share (after taking into account all shares of Falcon Class A
Stock delivered by such holder) will receive, in lieu thereof, a cash payment
(without interest) equal to such fraction multiplied by $17.75.
 
C.  GENERAL.
 
    1.  EXECUTION AND DELIVERY.  This Letter of Transmittal must be properly
filled in, dated and signed in BOX IV, and must be delivered (together with
stock certificates representing the shares of Falcon Class A Stock being
submitted) to the Exchange Agent at either of the addresses set forth above.
 
    THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF ALL DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE
STOCKHOLDER, BUT IF SENT BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED,
PROPERLY INSURED, IS SUGGESTED.
 
    2.  INADEQUATE SPACE.  If there is insufficient space on this Form to list
all your stock certificates being submitted to Exchange Agent, please attach a
separate list.
 
    3.  SIGNATURES.  The signature (or signatures, in the case of certificates
owned by two or more joint holders) on this Letter of Transmittal should
correspond exactly with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificate(s)
submitted, unless shares of Falcon Class A Stock described on this Letter of
Transmittal have been assigned by the registered holder(s), in which event this
Letter of Transmittal should be signed in exactly the same form as the name of
the last transferee indicated on the transfers attached to or endorsed on the
certificates.
 
    If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person or persons other than
the registered owners of the certificates listed, the certificates must be
endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed
exactly as the name(s) of the registered owner(s) appear on the certificates.
 
    If this Letter of Transmittal or any stock certificate(s) or stock power(s)
are signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, officer of a
corporation, attorney-in-fact or any other person acting in a representative or
fiduciary capacity, the person signing must give such person's full title in
such capacity and appropriate evidence of authority to act in such capacity must
be forwarded with this Letter of Transmittal.
 
    4.  LOST OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES.  If your stock certificate(s) has been
either lost or destroyed, please check the box on the front of this Letter of
Transmittal below your name and address and the appropriate forms for
replacement will be sent to you. You will then be instructed as to the steps you
must take in order to receive any checks and/or a stock certificate(s)
representing Non-Cash Election Shares in accordance with the Merger Agreement.
 
    5.  CHECKS AND/OR NEW STOCK CERTIFICATES IN SAME NAME.  If any checks or
stock certificate(s) representing Non-Cash Election Shares are to be registered
in, or made payable to the order of, exactly the same name(s) that appears on
the certificate(s) representing shares of Falcon Class A Stock submitted with
this Letter of Transmittal, no endorsement of certificate(s) or separate stock
power(s) is required.
 
    6.  CHECKS AND/OR NEW CERTIFICATES IN DIFFERENT NAME.  If any checks or
stock certificate(s) representing Non-Cash Election Shares are to be registered
in, or made payable to the order of, other than exactly the name that appears on
the certificate(s) representing shares of Falcon Class A Stock submitted
herewith, such registration and/or payment shall not be made by the Exchange
Agent unless the certificates submitted are endorsed, BOX II is completed, and
the signature is
<PAGE>
guaranteed in BOX IV by a member of a national securities exchange, a member of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank (not a
savings bank or a savings & loan association) or trust company in the United
States which is a member in good standing of the Agent's Medallion Program.
 
    7.  SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS.  If the checks are to be made payable to
the order of, or the certificates for Non-Cash Election Shares are to be
registered in, the name of the registered holder(s) of shares of Falcon Class A
Stock, but are to be sent to someone other than the registered holder(s) or to
an address other than the address of the registered holder, it will be necessary
to indicate such person or address in BOX III.
 
    8.  MISCELLANEOUS.  A single check and/or a single stock certificate
representing Non-Cash Election Shares will be issued in exchange for shares of
Falcon Class A Stock submitted herewith.
 
    All questions with respect to this Letter of Transmittal will be determined
by Falcon and the Exchange Agent, which determination shall be conclusive and
binding.
 
    9.  31% BACKUP WITHHOLDING.  Under Federal income tax law, a holder who
receives a cash payment pursuant to the Merger may be required to provide the
Exchange Agent (as payer) with such holder's correct taxpayer identification
number ("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 below. If the holder is an individual, the
TIN is his or her social security number. If the Exchange Agent is not provided
with the correct TIN, payments that are made to such holder or other payee with
respect to the Merger may be subject to 31% backup withholding.
 
    Certain holders (including, among others, all corporations and certain
foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting
requirements. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an exempt
recipient, the holder must submit a Form W-8, signed under penalties of perjury,
attesting to that individual's exempt status. A Form W-8 can be obtained from
the Exchange Agent. See the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for more information.
 
    If backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required to withhold
31% of any such payments made to the holder or other payee. Backup withholding
is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons subject to backup
withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld, provided that the
required information is given to the Internal Revenue Service. If withholding
results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the Internal
Revenue Service.
 
    The box in Part 3 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the
submitting holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends
to apply for a TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 3 is checked, the
holder or other payee must also complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer
Identification Number below in order to avoid backup withholding.
Notwithstanding that the box in Part 3 is checked and the Certificate of
Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Exchange Agent will
withhold 31% on all payments made prior to the time a properly certified TIN is
provided to the Exchange Agent. However, such amounts will be refunded to such
holder if a TIN is provided to the Exchange Agent within 60 days.
 
    The holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g., social
security number or employer identification number) of the record owner of the
shares of Falcon Class A Stock or of the last transferee appearing on the
transfers attached to, or endorsed on, the shares of Falcon Class A Stock. If
the shares of Falcon Class A Stock are in more than one name or are not the name
of the actual owner, consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of
Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance
on which number to report.
 
    10.  WITHHOLDING ON FOREIGN STOCKHOLDERS.  Even if a foreign stockholder has
provided the required certification to avoid backup withholding, the Exchange
Agent will withhold federal income taxes equal to 30% of the gross cash payments
payable to a foreign stockholder or his agent unless the Exchange Agent
determines that such payment is exempt from withholding (or entitled to a
reduced rate of withholding). See "THE MERGER--Federal Income Tax
Consequences--Withholding for Non-U.S. Stockholders" in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus for a more complete discussion of the 30% withholding tax
and obtaining an exemption therefrom. Foreign stockholders are urged to consult
their tax advisors regarding the application of federal income tax withholding,
including eligibility for a withholding tax reduction or exemption and refund
procedures.
 
    Failure to complete the Substitute Form W-9 will not, by itself, cause
Falcon Class A Stock to be deemed invalidly tendered, but may require the
Exchange Agent to withhold 31% of the amount of any payments made pursuant to
the Merger. Backup withholding is not an additional Federal income tax. Rather,
the Federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup withholding will
be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an payment
of taxes, a refund may be obtained.
 
    Additional copies of this Letter may be obtained from the Exchange Agent
(whose telephone number is (800) 507-9357).
 
Payer:
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>                                  <C>
                                  PART 1--PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN             Social Security Number OR
                                     IN THE BOX AT THE RIGHT AND           Employer Identification Number
                                     CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING
                                     BELOW.
 SUBSTITUTE
 
 Form W-9                         PART 2--CERTIFICATION--UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY THAT:
 
 Department of the Treasury       (1) The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification
 Internal Revenue Service         Number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me), and
 
 PAYER'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER
 IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN)
                                  (2) I am not subject to backup withholding either because: (a) I am exempt
                                  from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal
                                      Revenue Service (the "IRS") that I am subject to backup withholding as a
                                      result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS
                                      has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding.
 
                                  CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS--You must cross out item (2) above if you have
                                  been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup
                                     withholding because of underreporting interest or dividends on your tax
                                     return. However, if after being notified by the IRS that you are subject
                                     to backup withholding you received another notification from the IRS that
                                     you are no longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross out item
                                     (2).
 
                                                                       DATE---------------------------,
                                  SIGNATURE                            1997
                                  ---------------------------------
 
                                  PART 3--AWAITING TIN  / /
</TABLE>
 
NOTE:  FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
       OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE MERGER. PLEASE REVIEW
       THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
       NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
 
       YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN
       PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
 
            CERTIFICATION OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
    I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number
has not been issued to me, and either (1) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (2)
I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that
if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of payment, 31%
of all reportable payments made to me will be withheld, but that such amounts
will be refunded to me if I then provide a Taxpayer Identification Number within
sixty (60) days.
SIGNATURE
- -------------------------------------------                                 DATE
- --------------------------------------

<PAGE>



                                   CONSENT OF
               MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED



The Board of Directors
Falcon Building Products, Inc.
Two North Riverside Plaza
Chicago, Illinois 60606

Members of the Board:

     We hereby consent to the use of our opinion letter dated March 20, 1997 
to the Board of Directors of Falcon Building Products, Inc. included as Annex 
III-A to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus which forms a part of the 
Registration Statement on Form S-4 relating to the proposed merger of FBP 
Acquisition Corp., Inc., a Delaware corporation organized by Investcorp S.A., 
with and into Falcon Building Products, Inc. and to the references to such 
opinion in such Proxy Statement/Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not 
admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required 
under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and 
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, nor do we 
thereby admit that we are experts with respect to any part of such 
Registration Statement within the meaning of the term "experts" as used in 
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the 
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.



                                        MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER &
                                             SMITH INCORPORATED




May 20, 1997

 


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